Thanksgiving Week Done Right: Let Ichikaku Feed Your Family

Thanksgiving is many things — gratitude, togetherness, football arguments, and an absolutely exhausting amount of cooking. By the time Wednesday rolls around, most home cooks are already deep in prep mode: thawing, chopping, baking pies, and mentally rehearsing the turkey timeline. And when Friday finally arrives, the idea of facing another mountain of dishes is enough to make anyone want to disappear. That is exactly where Ichikaku comes in. Whether you are feeding out-of-town guests the night before the big meal or looking for a way to give everyone a break afterward, a bowl of rich, slow-cooked ramen or a sizzling teppan plate is the kind of effortless, memorable dinner that requires zero cleanup on your part.

The Pre-Holiday Dinner Nobody Has to Cook

The night before Thanksgiving is one of those underrated opportunities to do something genuinely relaxing. You are not hosting yet. The turkey is not in the oven yet. Everyone is still in a good mood. Taking the family — whether that means two people or ten — out for a bowl of Supreme Tonkotsu or a Chicken Katsu Curry is a quiet act of genius. It sets a warm, easy tone for the week without adding anything to your prep list.

For the meat lovers at the table, the Supreme Tonkotsu with its deeply creamy pork broth is a comfort food experience that holds up to any holiday meal. For guests who like a little heat, the Black Garlic Supreme Tonkotsu or the Tan Tan Ramen with sesame paste and chili oil are excellent picks. And for anyone who does not eat meat, the Veg Miso Ramen and Veg Tan Tan mean no one gets left out of the ramen fun. Pair any bowl with a side of Wagyu Beef Gyoza or Kara-age fried chicken and you have a full spread that satisfies every appetite without you lifting a single pot.

Something for Every Member of the Visiting Family

One of the tricky parts of feeding visiting family is that everyone wants something slightly different. Ramen is honestly a great solution for mixed groups because the menu naturally offers variety. Kids tend to gravitate toward the milder Shoyu Ramen or a simple Chicken Over Rice. Adults who want something hearty can go deep with the tonkotsu options. Anyone who prefers a plate-style meal can choose from the Chicken Plate, Beef Plate, or Shrimp Plate off the teppan section. And the curry rice dishes — Chicken Katsu Curry, Curry Rice Beef, Curry Rice Shrimp — are the kind of approachable, warming meals that win over even the pickiest eaters.

Do not forget the starters and sides. Takoyaki, Pork Gyoza, and Veggie Gyoza are perfect for the table while everyone decides what they want. If anyone still has room at the end, Tai Yaki, Daifuku Mochi, or a Light Cheesecake make for a simple, sweet finish that feels nothing like the pie situation you will be dealing with the next day.

The Post-Thanksgiving Recovery Meal

There is a specific kind of exhaustion that settles in on the Friday after Thanksgiving. The dishes are done, the leftovers are packed, and the thought of cooking even scrambled eggs feels like too much. This is when a bowl of ramen becomes more than just food — it becomes a small act of self-care. The rich, slow-simmered broth at Ichikaku is warming and satisfying in a way that feels restorative after a big holiday. You can customize your bowl with extras like Extra Chashu Pork, a Half-Cut Ramen Egg, Extra Menma Bamboo Shoots, or Extra Nori Seaweed to make it exactly what you need.

If you would rather stay in, check our online ordering options. The Frozen Ichi-Kaku Signature Ramen is a take-home option worth knowing about for those moments when you want restaurant-quality ramen on your own schedule.

Check Our Hours Before You Head Over

Holiday weeks can bring changes to restaurant schedules, so the easiest thing to do is check our current hours and ordering options before you make plans. You can find everything you need online, including our full menu, hours, and the ability to place an order directly. Whether you are dining in or ordering ahead to pick up, we want the experience to be as smooth and stress-free as the break from cooking you deserve this week.