Ichiban Kan

I love chewing on the ice from my drink. A lot of people do. However the typical ice cubes can mess up your teeth. Unless you have a fridge with an ice maker that can serve crushed ice, you will appreciate this ice tray. This makes ice cubes in candy size that is perfect for making shakes or smoothies. It has a cover so you can stack them up. And it would be a hit at cocktail parties. It cost less than 2 dollars read more of my review at:

I like the stuff here, and I liked the $ 1 face masks I buy that are like 8 – 10 $ anywhere else!
But when I checked out, I’ll be honest, I was wearing a somewhat revealing top from going out the night before (slept over with friends in sfo after Halloween) so I still had a semi skanky Halloween outfit on, nothing crazy, just low cut shirt and short shorts haha.
Anyway we just stopped by the mall for food and I stopped here cuz we love everything Japanese
And when I was checking out, first she says we only take cash. Ewww! I came home with a bunch of change which I hate, but the thing that made me knock off stars is she said «um your bra is showing» with just the meanest look on her face. I’m pretty shy besides my fun going out outfits so just said thanks and left and looked at my boyfriend and he was kinda laughing at me lol.
But still it kinda ruined my day, probably doesn’t sound bad, but she was really rude and I don’t normally dress like that but even if I did, she didn’t have to be rude and roll her eyes and all that shit.
Might not give them my money again.

I used to go to this store and buy snacks and other items every time I went to Tanforan, it was a must visit. I used to go once every two weeks at least. One day I was in there and my 4 year old found a cup on a low shelf, the cup was sitting on top of its cardboard box. Not a sturdy surface mind you. My daughter put the cup back and it fell on the floor and broke. Embarrassed of course, I immediately went and asked for a broom and I proceeded to clean up the mess. Mind you I am not saying my daughter didn’t warrent some fault. But before I could finish sweeping they charged my wife 12 bucks for the cup or whatever magnificent vessel it was. Now I am not sure what it was cause who pays 12 bucks for a cup. Anyway, the moral of the story is I go to Tanforan twice a week now and Me, my family, and some others now walk past this store. We will never set foot in this store again and for 12 dollars for what must of been a freaking amazing cup. They have lost thousands and thousands, no millions and millions (this number is based on a new form of math I am still perfecting) of dollars a year. I guess now I will never know the joy of drinking from a 12 dollar cup, sold from a Japanese store, but made in China. For that simple pleasure taken from me forever by unforgivably poor management decisions I herby give 1 star and I begrudgingly give that.

I was just telling my Unilocal friend Rohlin A. that we never have any cool events here in the Bay Area. Or at least, I don’t know of any events other than the big festivals.
But, I’m not talking about festivals, I’m talking about random events like when he posted A review of the Enchanted Tiki Bar at Trader Sam’s with dancing and fire torches!
Why don’t we have anything like that?!?
Well, here at Ichiban Kan they had, get this, a Pocky Stick Event.
Yes, those crunchy Pocky stick crackers that some of us used to eat as children, and maybe still as adults.
They had this event where you could get an inflatable balloon Pocky Stick with 5 boxes, or for 20 boxes, you could get a huge cardboard box that said Pocky.
****See the picture, it’ll make more sense to you if you see my photo.*****
Oh man, you should have seen the lines for these Pocky Balloons and boxes.
You would think they were giving out a free ticket to Japan or something.
The guy in front of me bought over $ 200 worth of Pocky sticks so that he could get that cardboard box and 20 of those Pocky balloons for his girlfriend!
I was like, «Who’s your girlfriend? Sharon Stone?»
«I don’t know who that is,» he said. «Is that a new manga?»
«Nevermind,» I said. Maybe I’m just too old, since he didn’t know who that actress is. I mean it’s not like I said Grace kelly right?
Great store though. I always get my green tea here. And, fun event.

They have some cute stuff, kind of like Daiso, although more expensive. Beware the will over charge you, so pay attention. I was there yesterday and I bought something with a price tag of $ 4.48 and they it rang up at $ 4.88 .
Also one item that was supposed to be $ 1.48 rang up as $ 3.48, some little key chain. I didn’t notice till I got back home, which is 45 minutes away.

Love Japanese dollar/​discount stores, and this one is no exception. They offer cool little household items for very reasonable prices — it’s a bit different from Daiso, as in you won’t end be wandering down the aisles for hours buying things you may not need. It’s a much smaller store with more of a focus on «life improvement.» Also like that it’s inside the mall, so you don’t have to go out of your way just to stop in.

I don’t know if I made a review for this but if I have not ichiban kan is a great place to shop especially for us Asians it’s does not mean that nobody else can go there. Anyways I’ve came here before and it is always great customer service and today this service was still great I paid for some stuff that are gummies Ramune snacks and asked for two bags that in California you pay for which I don’t mind I asked nicely as I was paying because I came in with a popcorn that I set aside while shopping when it comes to customer service if a customer orders or buys a product along with the bags I thought she was going to bag my things but instead gave it to me an that was it all I said was I guess ill bag it myself and customer service that is not the way you treat a customer in any establishment other than that she is a very kind and attentive person hope that does better

Haven’t been here for about 6 – 8 months — but now they look like they may be closing? So little inventory and selection as compared to before. Items use to be $ 1.50, but now many are $ 1.88. Maybe rent has gone up? Japanese snack selection is still pretty decent as compared to other everyday items. This place use to be better.

I definitely thought that an Ichiban Kan in the mall would be worse that the one in San Francisco, but I was wrong. There are several items that are similar to the Japantown location, but most of the items are COMPLETELY different — none that I have ever seen before. I’ve found more of a variety of handkerchiefs with lovely sakura designs and enriching colors for my mother, and useful compact office supplies that I can carry in my backpack without taking too much space. Of course, the pricing was a bit more for these items, but they were definitely worth the purchase. Also, this store carries more of a variety of food, such as tea, seaweed, and GREEN TEA KIT KAT! I swear, it was my first time seeing two full rows of green tea kit kat, all for $ 5 each, still in place. Most Asian grocery markets are ALWAYS out of this candy, so props to this Ichiban Kan.
If I’m in the area again I definitely will revisit.

Super cute store where you can get a whole bunch of Japanese products.
I love Daiso so I don’t see how I can’t love Ichiban Kan.
Also, grabbed a Mega bag of seaweed and salt Calbee chips here.
WHATTT!!! Delicious!!!
Although, the girl checking us out wasn’t exactly the politest of the polite.

Decent selection and great cheap price for most items. Maybe I’m used to Japan’s version of a dollar store (a «hundred yen store»), but I was hoping more items would be closer to one dollar. I understand the need to raise prices for tax and importation etc, but perhaps my assumptions and preconceptions got the better of me.
It was nice to see authentic Japanese snacks and condiments there.

How I miss the San Mateo location (which closed in 2009).
This San Bruno location is much smaller, and most of the stuff I saw here can be found at Daiso, unlike the San Mateo location.
Compared to Daiso, this San Bruno Ichiban Kan location has better cell phone accessories, shampoo/​conditioner, and facial masques, but that’s about it.
Many items were $ 2 to $ 2.50.
Lots of parking in the Tanforan Mall parking lot. I parked by Sears.
When you go into Sears and walk out into the mall, Ichiban Kan is on your right.
This is a very noisy shopping center because it’s so close to SFO that the planes fly past the mall constantly.

It’s basically a mini Daiso. Tons of cute and useful things to buy. Love the snack section in the back!!! Customer service is mehh… store is pretty fully-​stocked all the time though.
I’ve been working on my Point Card for the longest time though — «Receive 1 Stamp for $ 10 spent. Get a $ 5 gift card at 20 stamps». It’s kinda difficult to spend $ 10 every time you go — unless you buy tons of snacks at once. I just need 1 more stamp though! Sounds kinda stupid when you think about it… you have to spend $ 200 to get $ 5 off.
Also, there’s a $ 5 minimum to use your credit card, which is unfortunate, I think, as my credit card is my best friend.

Love this place. They have everything here for a reasonable price. I come in to buy some snacks most of the time. They also sell cooking utensils and etc. It gets kind of tight here when it’s a weekend. It’s located in front of AT&T.

Cute store with all these little gadgets you don’t need but want! I came in not wanting anything, rather just browsing and I left with an orange peeler shaped like a bird! I don’t even have any oranges at home!
Just funky fun Japanese gadgets that are cool to have. The snacks are yummy! Seaweed chips, poky sticks in a variety of flavors! The list goes on and on! Cheap stuff too! $ 2 here $ 1 there, I felt like I was in another country shopping on vacation. Good times

Its really stuffy in this place so I dont spend alot of time in there. They have an okay selection of things but its not the best. I like coming here to buy iPhone cases and asian snacks.

I still love this store. Where else can you buy different kinds of paper tape and all sorts of knick knacks under the sun? However they are no longer a $ 1 or $ 1.50 store. That’s right, they raised their prices! The majority of the merchandise costs $ 2. Looks like Daiso is the only $ 1 store.
I still like the staff and this store

Awesome, awesome Japanese-​goods shop within the mall @ San Bruno.
* Kitchenware (including adorable chopsticks and bento boxes)
* Odd masks (huh?!?)
* Snacks… ohh the snacks! (Note: no gum or mint sold here)
* Beauty products (shampoo, body wash, makeup, etc.)
* Stationary-​galore (usually the cute but unnecessary crap we ladies stock up on)
WOA:
— $ 10 minimum for credit-​cards.
— Free mall parking lot.
— Warning: dangerous place to bring kids b/​c they will want you to buy it all.

I love cheap stuff. And this place is full of it. Mostly stuff that makes me think if I really need it.
Definitely a great place to browse and kill time. Although I don’t buy much from here, I like to be mesmerized by creative gadgets and their sticker-​shocking prices.
I usually get seaweed snacks, Hi-​chew candies, and some toiletries.
I enjoy eating/​using their items more, just because I feel like I beat the system.

How cute! How have I not known about this store before now? Been living in the area for 8 months now and only discovered this store at the weekend while trying to kill an hour before the cinema.
The store is tucked away behind the elevators near Sears and a reasonable size packed full of cute Japanese imports and food items.
The prices here are pretty cheap too and although my husband said there was nothing of use in here I disagree. cute little gadgets, Bento boxes, Cookie cutters, Pens, Cell phone charms, Soaps, Chopsticks, Make up ect. It really is aimed more at females.
What I really like about this store is the Hello Kitty items (no Japanese store complete without them). There is a small selection enough to satisfy my HK obsession but you need to really look for them as they’re scattered throughout the store.
Plenty of free parking and minimum $ 5 for payment by plastic.