Izumi Ramen (Noodle Bar & Grill) — Restaurant in Lafayette

Deer Izumi Ramen,

We have been to your Lafayette location several times. We love your food, your saké, your atmosphere (if not your music), and generally your service.

Tonight was a blatant exception.

Some young gentleman named "Jakey" (forgive me if the spelling is incorrect) was our server tonight, and he was, in a word, hideous.

Where for easily seven minutes before he deigned to notice our presence, and I think they were perhaps three other tables when we walked in. When we finally did get him over to the table, his communication skills were lacking, but I have met many a server with the same problem who has been very good at her or his job. This fellow seemed uninterested in communicating beyond the absolute necessity, and we nearly had to call him back simply to make our complete order. He also got two parts of our order wrong, and there was a drink that never appeared.

He also did not, in any way, shape, or form, dictate the grades of spice available. I am not some uncultured gaijin who doesn't know how to eat spicy food. I eat Thai, Chinese, Ethiopian, Japanese and other cultures menus, not to mention my own local, very often. However, as I am recovering from a sinus infection, I would have liked to know that my soup was going to come so spicy as compared to the last time that I tasted it 3 weeks ago, that it was nearly inedible. Luckily I had an appetizer, and was able to eat some of the soup, and we'll go home and cut it later. My wife asked him specifically if he might just bring another cup of miso soup with him to cut the flavor, and he said simply "No." He did not at any point ask if I was all right, or what the problem was.

He was simply continuously apathetic, either that or he was sneering at us, I honestly couldn't tell. I ended up shooting my sake like tequila simply to not waste it before we left because I was tired of his presence.

Now I say again, we like your place. We spent very near $70 over there tonight, which is a touch expensive but worthwhile for good food and good service. And the food was indeed tasty, and came out very promptly, and aside from some of the foolishness already mentioned, the dinner would have been quite nice under ordinary circumstances.

This guy, however, needs a serious refresher lesson, and to be perfectly honest, I wasn't exactly impressed by the fellow playing host either: he muttered so, already turning away before he even finished the sentences he put down napkins and such, that we didn't even understand him, and it was certainly not his accent.

You guys can do a lot better. You know how I know? Because you already have. I don't know if you're going to take me seriously, but rest assured that it's going to be a moment before we come back. If I didn't like you so much, I promise you we wouldn't come back at...

I had the misfortune of ordering the Tempura Udon and Spicy Tonkotsu, and I can confidently say that I would have been better off making instant ramen at home.

The Tempura Udon was a disaster. There was zero depth to the broth, no umami, and nothing remotely close to what you expect from a proper udon dish. The Spicy Tonkotsu somehow managed to be even worse. The broth lacked the creamy, hearty consistency that defines a good tonkotsu, and instead, it was thin, overly salty, and presented with pork shavings instead of a satisfying amount of meat. The toppings were more of an afterthought rather than an intentional, well-balanced package. I have no way to justify the jumbled mess of sweet corn, mushroom, and HARDBOILED egg. The noodles were decent but hardly saved the nightmare of the rest of the dish.

The only redeeming factor was the bao, which was actually decent. Soft, slightly sweet, and with a reasonably good filling, it stood in stark contrast to the mess that was the rest of the meal.

If you’re looking for authentic, well-prepared Japanese cuisine, stay far away. This place cuts corners in the worst way, and the quality is nowhere near what you’d expect...

1/7/22 Visit for the first time around 7P.M.

There were quite a few people seated, but there were at least 4 spots with about 4 places opened at the bar.

-mixed demographics as far as patrons (families and couples)

I ordered A LOT of different items, and the BROTHS made at this eatery are the BEST!!!!!

Items that are a waste to order would be the popular appetizers that I ordered. Lol

Unless you just need to consume food while you are waiting for an entree, I would suggest that you bypass the shrimp tempura, the cabbage dumplings appetizer, and the spring rolls (forgot how it's listed on the menu).

The Japanese fried rice was okay, but I wouldn't order it again.

I WILL BE BACK FOR THE JAPANESE GARDEN BOWL!!!!!!! MMMMMM!!!!! WINTER-TIME, SOUP-TIME at Izumi!!!!

The Casian bowl was very tasty, too. The broth had a bit of a smokey taste to it. If you like the liquid smoke taste, this is the bowl for you.

Next time, I will ask for my noodles to be served separately. The broth is just that good there is really no need to have 2 cups of noodles in that bowl serving!!!! Don't take my word for it--try it yourself--YOU WILL BE...