Ichiban means "number one" in Japanese, and the Essen Lane restaurant built its menu to back that up. It also gives the sushi bar a Louisiana accent.

Rolls with a local accent

Start with the rolls that could only come from around here. The Crawfish Roll keeps it simple with spicy crawfish, rice and seaweed. The Death Valley Roll stacks spicy crawfish, avocado and cream cheese under steamed shrimp and Japanese honey mustard. The LSU Roll pairs fried oyster with snow krab, asparagus and avocado, then finishes with crunchy flakes and a sweet purple and gold sauce. The Bayou Roll tops soft shell crab and avocado with spicy tuna and eel sauce.

If you like heat, the Fire in the Hole Roll piles habanero chili sauce, spicy ponzu and habanero masago on tempura shrimp and jalapeno.

Hibachi and the kitchen side

Hibachi plates come with miso or clear soup, house salad with ginger dressing, egg fried rice and grilled vegetables. Pick one protein, from chicken to lobster, or a combo such as steak and scallops. Kids 10 and under can order a child's hibachi at dinner.

The kitchen side covers chicken katsu, shrimp tempura, teriyaki and baked salmon wrapped around krab mix. The Cantonese fried rice is wok-charred and is made differently from the hibachi version. Lunch portions run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day.

For a table that wants a little of everything, the Ichiban Boat brings the signature roll with nigiri, sashimi, tempura and a tempura banana for dessert.

Parties, catering and New Year's Eve

Ichiban books private parties and holiday gatherings, and it caters birthdays, office events and weddings. It will be open on New Year's Eve, Thursday, Dec. 31, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Find it at 5741 Essen Lane. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Call (225) 767-2288 to plan a party, or order online and bring the sushi home.

Photo courtesy of Ichiban Sushi Bar & Grill.