Dashi Ramen and Izakaya Cocktail Bar — Restaurant in Durham

UPDATE (7/28/25) Finally resent the message through the website’s “Issues with Take Out Order” message platform and got a response back within a few hours. I appreciate the response but we will likely dine elsewhere and let everyone decide for themselves. Updated to three stars

UPDATE (7/24/25) No response to resent email despite website saying response in 24/48 hours. Disappointing but not surprised.

UPDATE (7/17/25) Email provided in owner response is where I had originally sent it. Resent today to that email address.

ORIGINAL POST (7/13/25) Posting the email I sent them on Tuesday morning to an email saying they would respond in 24-48 hours. Still waiting for a response and since I have yet to receive one, onto here it goes.

“i am writing to express my disappointment with the service our party of six received at Dashi/Izakaya on Monday, July 7th.

I called at 12pm to make a 7:15pm reservation for six people upstairs at the Izakaya. When we arrived, we discovered that while a reservation existed, it appeared to have contained none of my contact information. More concerning, we were informed by your downstairs server that the owner had arrived and taken our reserved table.

The downstairs server was apologetic and grabbed the phone, left the host area, likely to figure out a plan. He returned to offer us seating downstairs, but we requested to wait for an upstairs table as originally booked. He told us the wait would be 15-20 minutes and suggested we sit at the bar. Again, he tried his best to help, and when we asked how an owner could take reservation from a customer, he really did not have an explanation. It came off as the owner showed up unannounced and left the staff to figure it out.

When we approached the upstairs bar, the bartender questioned whether we were dining and proceeded to lecture us about the "two restaurant" concept and how there wasn’t space for our party of six at the bar or upstairs. We had to tell her we just talked with staff downstairs. She walked away, and we texted one another that we should go elsewhere. A member in my party let her know we were leaving, and I let someone know downstairs. The woman who I talked with downstairs was apologetic (I did not give her the full story other than “supposedly, the owner took our reservation;” she was apologetic and seemed aware of the situation with the owner and asked us to please return sometime).

…

In closing, there were multiple issues at play with our experience last night. An owner displaced confirmed customer reservations, which raises serious questions about business practices. There was no prior communication to customers when their reservations were affected. It appears there was inadequate reservation documentation (i.e., missing customer contact information). And the unprofessional bartender behavior was really the “last straw” that made us decide to dine elsewhere.

It is likely that we will not return. Durham has a lot of great options for dining, even on a Monday night. But we believe our situation may be repeated and thus affect other customers as well, and we hope you will address these operational issues.

For us, we are asking for an explanation of what happened and...

Ah, Dashi in Durham, a culinary haven for the discerning ramen enthusiast and a delightful gem in the world of Japanese cuisine. As a well-traveled ramen aficionado, I had the pleasure of indulging in this establishment with a party of six, and I must say, our experience was nothing short of spectacular. To kick off our gastronomic adventure, we decided to explore Dashi's appetizer offerings. The hot house cucumbers were a refreshing start, crisp and perfectly marinated in a delicate blend of flavors that danced on the palate. The bun of the day and tofu bun, though deconstructed, were an explosion of taste. Each component of these buns was a culinary masterpiece, with unique fillings and sauces that played harmoniously in your mouth. And the kimchi, oh, the kimchi! It packed a punch of tangy, spicy goodness that left us craving for more. But the star of the appetizers was the popcorn, subtly elevated with the ground seaweed, providing a umami-rich twist to a seemingly simple snack. Now, onto the main event - the ramen. Multiple members of our group opted for the Vegetarian Ramen, and it was a revelation. The robust and flavorful broth was a symphony of umami, rich and comforting. Packed with an assortment of fresh, crisp vegetables, it was a bowl that celebrated the bounty of the earth. Each bite was a journey through a vegetable garden, and it left a lasting impression. I, on the other hand, decided to explore the Tonkotsu with chicken instead of pork. While it provided a solid base, I found it in need of a touch of spiciness and salt to truly sing. However, it was still a serviceable dish and had its own merits, especially when personalized to taste. One of our companions embarked on the Miso journey, and it was a revelation. The smoked chicken brought an intriguing smokiness to the rich, savory miso broth. The mushrooms added depth and complexity to the dish, creating a truly delightful umami-rich experience. The ambiance of Dashi was a cozy, dark, and wood-filled wonderland, giving it a distinctive lounge-like vibe. With two floors to explore, it provided a sense of intimacy and authenticity that contributed to the overall experience. I must also commend the exceptional service we received from the two servers. Despite a busy evening, they were attentive and seemed to be everywhere, ensuring that our dining experience was flawless. Their dedication to the craft and genuine passion for the cuisine made our evening truly memorable. In conclusion, Dashi in Durham is a ramen haven that should not be missed. From delectable appetizers to diverse ramen choices and impeccable service, it delivers an authentic and memorable culinary journey. I left with a contented belly and a newfound appreciation for the artistry of ramen. Dashi, you've earned your place in my heart and my list of must-visit ramen...

Ramen was cold ($17 tonkotsu Ramen-very under developed broth), miso ($5) was cold WAY too salty and ludicrously small, the beef tataki ($18) taste like a dessert, not a good pairing for meat at all. Something that did surprise me is the chicken karaage, which would have probably been fantastic if it wasn't for the fact that it was cold and served with somewhat pickled vegetables that were mostly soggy and flavorless. (I won't even mention the awful "dipping sauce" they give with the dish. Ew just ew.) Okay sake selection (weirdly served in wine glasses), nice location, good decor, but legitimately the worst service I've ever had at any restaurant in all of North Carolina. Especially considering the price. Pretty much ignored for most of the meal having to flag down different waiters and waitresses just to get a drink or to order food. We had to flag down three different people and wait 45 minutes just to get the check. The "homemade" Ginger ale is more similar to a ginger beer but not fizzy enough and not strong enough however, the flavor is there, it is good. The thing I really can't get over is cold food and everything we got came to us cold. Especially considering the wait, unacceptable. My favorite thing was the ginger beer and the ice cream that reminded me of dulce de leche that came with the vaguely green tea cake (but the cake was dry and gritty) the whole experience left much to be desired. Also splitting the restaurant into two sections (upstairs and downstairs, with two separate entrances)only makes it weirdly confusing. Bathrooms were very clean. I'm not a person to complain about parking when a restaurant is downtown. Downtown parking is always so-so.

If you're looking for a really good ramen I would suggest going to Carolina Sushi and Roll. Much better service run by Mom and Pop and fantastic consistent food. (And for the people who complain about parking there's always parking lol) Long story short skip this place. Unless you like cold food and being constantly ignored.

UPDATE After going back again a year later (dragged by my friend group of out-of-towners), unsurprisingly, things haven't changed. The only thing that's different is now not only is my food cold but it's also salty. These people need to go eat real ramen so they'll know how to make it right. I highly suggest going to Tonbo, or (as I said a year ago) Carolina sushi and roll. I will not...