For once, a recommendation for a Chinese restaurant in Madison came through for me. The food at Ichiban is not the best Chinese that I've ever had, but it's certainly at a different level from what you might find in Madison.
We went and had a vermicelli with minced pork, eggplant with garlic sauce, and the spicy chicken dish. The spicy chicken dish was very good if you like some heat in your food. I found the eggplant with garlic sauce somewhat oily, but it went well with some rice.
This place is the best Chinese I've had in Madison. It's rather pricey, but it's not your typical Chinese takeout food and it's worth it. Come here if you want to expand your culinary experience of Chinese food to more than just General Tso' chicken and orange chicken and be prepared to enjoy some spice.