What is ichiban?

Ichiban is a Japanese term that means "number one" or "the best". It can refer to various things, such as a favorite food or a top-ranking sports team. In Japanese culture, striving to be the "ichiban" is seen as a desirable quality as it promotes excellence and mastery. In the context of cuisine, Ichiban typically refers to premium or high-quality ingredients and dishes, such as Ichiban shoyu (premium soy sauce) or Ichiban dashi (high-quality soup stock). Similarly, in business, Ichiban refers to being the top-performing company or brand in a particular industry or market.