Tucked into a shopping center right off Georgia St. (at the corner of Wimberly & 34th), Ichiban Noodle Bar offers Thai and Japanese flavors unlike anything else you’ll find in Amarillo.

Small and bustling, the restaurant is always busy, but the waitstaff (superheroes, really) greets every customer with a smile as they bounce from table to table, managing to smoothly serve every guest that enters the restaurant quickly and kindly. The minute you enter the building, the smell of the food wafting from the kitchen—viewable over the bar, which means you can watch your food being prepared—overwhelms the senses and leaves customers, if possible, even hungrier!

Starters feature dishes like their crispy-fried gyoza (Japanese pork dumplings) or spicy edamame in a flavorful chili sauce.

As for the main course, they offer several different categories, including ramen and udon soups, stir-fry plates, fried noodle dishes, and their simple but delicious Donburi bowls (flavorful meat dishes on a deep bowl of steamed rice).

With anything on their list of soups, you can’t go wrong; several regulars have claimed they go for the “miracle” Spicy Miso Ramen every time they start to feel sick, though. In addition, the Spicy Abura Ramen’s rich, hot-oil broth topped with roasted pork, gyoza, and a soft-boiled egg will never dissapoint.

As far as stir fry goes, I personally love their Ca-Ri Pad Koong (a curry-heavy shrimp dish) and their take on the ever-popular Pad Thai is perfectly balanced and flavorful.

If you’re looking for real spice, however, check their menu’s heat index. Any dish with three or four chilis next to it is guaranteed to leave your taste for heat satisfied. Fan favorites include the Tom-Yum Miso Ramen, the Spicy Suki Yaki Noodle, and with four chilis, the Atomic Chicken, a jalapeno and dried chili-filled stir fry.

Hours of operation are Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (and the earlier you show up, the quicker you’ll get a table). Depending on the time of day, you might have a wait for a table, so be prepared to be a bit patient, because once that steaming bowl is in front of you, I promise the wait will be worth it!

For more information or to place a carry-out order, call them at 806-355-5031.

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