Ichiban Japanese Restaurant is finally opening in Murfreesboro
Nancy DeGennaro
After more than a year of setbacks, Ichiban Authentic Japanese Cuisine and Sushi Bar will open Thursday at 1831 N.W. Broad St. in Murfreesboro.
The news came from a Facebook post by JoAnn Kounlavong, whose family has worked with Ichiban owner Makoto Fujiwara.
Murfreesboro's Ichiban was formerly located on Second Avenue in Nashville for more than 20 years. A fire in the restaurant several years ago prompted the restaurant to eventually close.
In spring 2017, Fujiwara purchased the building on Broad Street, which was home to the Moose Lodge for more than 60 years.
Becky Kounlavong, who talked to The Daily News Journal in May 2017, said Murfreesboro seemed like a good fit to open a Japanese restaurant.
"I feel like Murfreesboro is a very fast-growing city and I don't see there's a lot of authentic Japanese restaurants here. Most of the sushi places are fusion and ours is not going to be fusion. We're going to be very traditional Japanese food," Kounlavong said.
The story will be updated as more information is available, including hours for the restaurant. Phone number for the restaurant is 615-962-9884.
Reach reporter Nancy De Gennaro at 615-278-5148 or degennaro@dnj.com, and follow her on Twitter @NanDeGennaro.