- Jess Miller
- DELICIOUS SIMPLICITY: A tuna roll from Igibon
Sushi was a rarity when I was growing up in southern Arkansas, but these days it’s commonly found in area grocery stores and as standard fare on most Chinese buffets. What’s less common is the high quality and variety served up by Igibon Japanese Restaurant on Rodney Parham Road in Little Rock. I have been hopelessly enamored of the place since my first time eating there, so much so that when I decided to propose to the future Mrs. Roberts, I did it over a plate of Igibon’s excellent Age Shumai. Nestled in the Market Place shopping center, Igibon is easy to miss, but it’s a shame if you do.
Service at Igibon is impeccable, and I’ve never been treated with anything less than the most prompt and courteous service possible. Servers remember their regulars, and even when visits are weeks apart one of the waitresses will usually recognize us immediately and warmly welcome us back. Having said that, I must warn that excellent service does not translate into fast service — but in this case it’s a plus: your order is prepared fresh for you when you place it, and the quality workmanship in the sushi is well worth a bit of a wait. The atmosphere of the restaurant is so conducive to a leisurely meal, though, that I doubt you’ll even notice the extra time it takes to prepare your meal.