Isshin Ramen — Restaurant in Auburn

If your in the mood for a delicious warm Raman with a creamy bone broth flavor with exceptional ingredients look no further then going to this cozy little restaurant Isshin Ramen and More. This little place is family owned and operated by two sisters who are with an upbeat charming character and we were proudly helped and served by the owners sister Caroline a working college student who helped my husband figure out what to order since he's usually a Pho eater. We were going to get an order to go but Caroline talked us into eating in explaining that the Raman stands up to it's flavor profile better if eaten fresh in store and boy was she right! We ordered the Black Tonkotsu Ramen and it showed up picture perfect and the buttery smell of the pork bone broth made my tasted buds excited in anticipation for to try this party in a bowl in front of me. The flavors were a full rich creamy broth with tender pork chashi, wood ear mushrooms, bamboo, green onions and a marinated soft boil egg. Since I'm not big on eating seaweed sheets I just passed mine over to my husband who happily ate it instead. We did also ordered a bowl of seaweed salad which I do occasionally eat but my husband's favorite and it too was fresh and flavorful and came in a generous serving in its own bowl. The proportions of the soup and sides here are perfect and we definitely left full but wanting more because of how delicious the meal was and we will be planning a trip again soon as we live in Spanaway and driving to this location is well worth the drive to enjoy such a grand meal of authentic Japanese Raman that I haven't found this flavorful in the Tacoma area because most are knock off Pho pretending to be Raman. Thank you Caroline for you and your sisters wonderful hospitality and the delicious food hopefully...

I stumbled into this hole-in-the-wall ramen shop in Auburn like a moth into a lava lamp—dazed, twitchy, soul-hungry. No signage worth trusting. No crowd to follow. Just the faint scent of pork bone alchemy bleeding into the parking lot air, whispering “Come. Abandon your gods.”

A weathered menu on the table like a ransom note. I ordered the black garlic tonkotsu with an egg—because when in doubt, follow cholesterol.

First slurp: BOOM. I left my body. My bones turned to gelatin. That broth had the depth of an unpaid therapist—rich, creamy, slightly salty, with a whisper of garlic that kissed the back of my brainstem and told me secrets about my childhood. Noodles? Springy, like they’d been kneaded by a jaded sensei with calloused hands and a grudge against overcooking. The egg? Jammy. Sinful. The yolk stared at me like it knew what I did last summer.

The radio was playing some uplifting Asian-pop that made the fried shrimp feel like an emotional support side dish. The only other customer was an old guy in a Seahawks jacket who looked like he used to run a fight club in the ‘80s. He nodded at me once, and I felt knighted.

I left changed. Transformed. Reborn. Auburn’s best-kept secret is a ramen joint that doesn’t care if you like it—but you will.

Trust...

I was in the city of Auburn and hungry and decided to stop in here for a late lunch. The aesthetic is very pretty and staff was very friendly and attentive. Everything arrived in a moderate respectable time. I got four items. Chicken Karaage, Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen, Vegetable Croquette, and Iced Chocolate Milk.

Karaage was average. Not too greasy and decent flavor. Served very hot out of the fryer. Came with the standard mayo dip. Juicy enough. 6/10

Iced Chocolate Milk was basically watery milk and cocoa powder. Nothing special here. Pass. 4/10

Vegetable Croquette was fine, but heavily greasy and personally I don't care for the dressing on top that was drizzled. Wouldn't get again. 5/10

Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen has some kick but isn't unbelievably spicy. If you think tobasco is hot then you will not like this, but if you regularly eat spicy food like me and enjoy it you'll find this to be in good flavor. Noodles were well cooked. The bamboo shoots tasted a bit off and wood ear mushroom was fine. I opted for no seaweed and chashu and egg were invisible. Still had good spice level. Its not bad. 6/10

Overall it's a decent little spot, but a bit pricy for what you're actually getting. $48 for all that with tip. Take that as you will in...