Iso Iso Ramen is an amazing addition to the Clemson county. I cannot be more grateful that a truly authentic and delicious take on ramen has come to Clemson. Sushi ramen burrito cannot even come close to the ramen Iso provides, and I’m so happy to finally have quality ramen in Clemson. Iso Iso Ramen has earned a genuine and loyal repeat customer, and here’s why.
On a soft opening day, iso iso ramen provided; albeit very slow. Due to their instant water boiler breaking, ramen took quite long to prepare/deliver to customers. I guess that’s why they call it a “soft” opening right? To work out all potential issues. This is completely understandable, Judging Iso based on their trial run opening shows how little respect one may have for the service industry in general.
I ordered an iso iso ramen and shoyu ramen takeout. The takeout was prepared nicely; the broth completely separated from the noodles and precut veggies/meats/addons. This is a great idea. The broth was very warm once getting home, dumping in the add ins and noodles cooked nicely.
After trying the ramen for the first time, I knew immediately I will be coming back.
Coming back two days later, Iso has sorted out all the issues entirely, and are performing/preparing ramen impeccably fast. When I was told a 20 min wait for a bowl, I received my order within 10 minutes. This was an hour before close and packed out seating. The staff are all very nice, genuine people. They seem to really care about the food they provide and go out of their way to make sure they cater towards the customer’s liking (conversing with customers, asking likes/dislikes about dishes, etc).
They have a very cute robot cat that also delivers drinks to your table. Very cool to watch, a nice/unique entertainment piece not seen elsewhere in Clemson. Overall, the atmosphere is great. The music choices to ambience all pairs well with the food they provide. I absolutely love it inside.
The food from takeout: The iso iso ramen was delicious. The spice was perfect, a great kick. It wasn’t too hot to handle. It was a perfect amount to really contrast the flavor of the broth. In all the ramen bowls, the broth had great unique flavor that really shined through the meat, noodles, and addons in each specific bowl.
Dining in, and the meals pictured: I ordered tonkatsu with spicy beef addon to get that flavor of spice added. Again, I cannot stress enough about how delicious the broth is. Creamy broth, spice adds nice level of kick. Beef cooked nicely, pork is absolutely melt in your mouth, and has amazing flavor. The food feels warm and inviting, some of the most delicious comfort food I’ve had. Really brings a nostalgic feeling as I eat.
Some things to improve (for me) Possibility of making any ramen bowl a particularly spicy bowl. I enjoy spice, and I quite enjoyed the spicy beef with tonkatsu, but if the option for just ordering a fully spicy tonkatsu etc is possible, that would be delicious. Or a fully spicy bowl of any variety. Show me some other flavors of spice. I look forward to this the most!
I greatly hope this restaurant does well and stands the test of time in a Clemson. They bring an amazing and unique cuisine experience that is not offered anywhere else (no, a place that sells burritos alongside ramen is not authentic, nor was it good in any sense, and was more expensive for microwaved ramen). The only thing I’m not looking forward to is waiting in lines that stretch outside the door every time I come, because of how popular this place...
Read moreI recently had the pleasure of dining at Iso Iso Ramen & Boba restaurant that left me in awe of its cutting-edge technology and flavorful dishes. From their modern ordering system to their futuristic robot delivery, this place truly stood out as an innovative dining experience. While the food was undeniably delicious, I must admit that the prices were on the higher side. Nevertheless, let me delve deeper into my memorable visit.
The first thing that caught my attention upon entering the restaurant was the sleek and efficient ordering system. Instead of the traditional paper menus, patrons were provided with tablets to customize their ramen bowls. The user-friendly interface made it incredibly easy to select the desired broth, noodles, toppings, and spice levels. I appreciated the convenience of this modern approach, as it allowed for personalized orders and eliminated any language barriers that may arise when placing an order. Kudos to the restaurant for embracing technology in such a seamless and customer-oriented manner.
Now, let's talk about the much-talked-about robot delivery service. As I waited eagerly for my food, I was delighted to see the robots gracefully maneuvering through the restaurant, delivering orders with precision and efficiency. It was truly an experience straight out of a sci-fi movie! Not only did the robots ensure timely delivery, but they also added a touch of novelty to the overall ambiance. I couldn't help but marvel at the restaurant's commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements.
As for the star of the show—the ramen itself—it did not disappoint. The rich and flavorful broth, accompanied by perfectly cooked noodles and thoughtfully selected toppings, was a delight for the taste buds. The chef's expertise in balancing flavors was evident in every spoonful. The menu featured a variety of options, including vegetarian and vegan choices, catering to a diverse range of dietary preferences. While the food was undeniably delicious, I must note that the prices were relatively high compared to other ramen establishments. Although the quality and presentation justified the premium, it may deter some budget-conscious diners.
In terms of ambiance, the restaurant effortlessly blended contemporary design elements with subtle Japanese aesthetics. The minimalist decor, combined with warm lighting and comfortable seating, created an inviting and pleasant atmosphere. The staff was attentive and friendly, ready to assist with any inquiries or special requests.
In conclusion, my visit to this modern ramen restaurant left a lasting impression. The seamless ordering system, coupled with the futuristic robot delivery, set it apart from the traditional ramen joints. The food was undeniably delicious, with an impressive range of options to suit various dietary needs. However, it's worth noting that the prices may be a deterrent for some. If you're seeking a unique and technologically advanced dining experience and are willing to splurge a bit, this restaurant is definitely...
Read moreMy boyfriend and I were visiting some friends in the area and were recommended to this restaurant! Immediately, I was greeted with such kindness and this continued throughout our visit. First off, the ambiance of the restaurant is very welcoming, home-like, clean and relaxing –especially after a long day at work. You can tell that there was a lot of intention and passion put into curating this restaurant!
For our appetizer, we ordered the Ika Geso (fried squid). I would consider myself a connoisseur of fried seafoods and I MUST say that the Ika geso was absolutely divine and was hands down the best squid I’ve ever eaten! The squid pieces itself had GREAT flavor and AMAZING crunch. But really, I think the crispiness is what makes the squid so good (and addicting).
For our meal, I ordered the Black Tonkotsu. The broth was incomparable to any other ramen places I’ve been to (and I’ve been to multiple)! The flavor was rich, very hearty, and balanced just right. It warms you up and satiates the warm soup feeling you may be craving…Absolute endless chef’s kisses. The texture of the noodles were immaculate, overall, very so good!
For drinks, we ordered Brown Sugar Peal Milk Tea. I’m particularly picky about my brown sugar milk tea orders. However, this was phenomenal; there was the PERFECT blend between brown sugar and milk tea. It tasted fresh, not too sweet, and not too milky. The boba pearls were just a right amount of chewy and perfectly sweetened with sugar and honey. All of this to create the perfect, refreshing beverage.
Lastly, I’d like to commend the incredible and accommodating staff that I had the pleasure of meeting when I was there! They gave us great menu recommendations and were very friendly. The staff was extremely responsive, attentive, courteous, and committed to providing the best service possible.
All in all, my boyfriend and I undoubtedly had a superb experience here, from the moment we entered til the moment we left. As I write this review a few days later, I'm craving this place again...We will definitely be returning! Excited to see where this restaurant goes...
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