Issho Ni Ramen & Sushi — Restaurant in Willoughby

A lovely new foodie friend recommended this place and we decided to try out the omakase. People, you need to try this. I've been in Cleveland for 12 years and have eaten at all the popular sushi joints from here to Warren to Akron to Columbus Prior to that, I lived in Boston, FL, NOLA, VA, NH, and Toronto and ate sushi all over the country including in NYC. This was the best sushi of my life. My dining partner moved here from Cali and said the same. Forget Pacific East, Young's, or Genko. Treat yo'self to the omakase on Tuesdays. Honestly, I was hesitant to even write this review because tbh I don't want to compete for a space when I want an omakase reservation but the chefs do such an amazing job, they deserve the support.

Every single course was incredible. I can be cheap AF but I have not one regret about paying for this meal and am taking my sushi loving son for his bday as well as returning with a friend soon. The quality of ingredients and freshness of the fish is unmatched.

Even the courses involving ingredients I believed "wouldn't be my favorite" or that I expected to be a certain way blew my mind. I didn't realize how accustomed to mediocre sushi I had become. When they brought out the don buri with salmon roe, I took my first bite fully expecting a mouthful of fishiness. The chefs painstakingly clean each ball of roe and marinate it in a flavorful soy mixture, the dish had so much amazing, fresh, sea flavor, zero fishiness, and a unique texture that pops in your mouth. I like salmon but often associate it at sushi restaurants with a certain taste I can only handle in limited quantity, yet the salmon preparations for some of my favorites. Every dish literally melted in my mouth. With quality ingredients like Hokkaido uni, Glory Bay king salmon, and snow aged a5 wagyu and the finest quality fish, the price tag is 100% well worth it. I still can't believe how good the sushi and sashimi were here and how much of a hidden gem it was.

Also, they post the details of their omakase meals on IG if...

So, I only go to places where they charge enough to throw out "bad" fish-- do not go to "cheap" sushi places.

This place meets my requirements. I feel confident that they serve quality food that is safe.

The layout and decor is excellent. It looks every bit of a Ramen, Sushi, and Hibachi place. The sushi bar seating is what you would hope it would be.

The guys making the sushi do a job that is above and beyond. It was some of the best plating presentation I have ever seen.

Take people here for a first rate visual experience.

My son loved the Ramen.

My daughter loved the fried rice.

I had to pull a star off for four reasons.

The fish itself wasn't awesome. No amount of presentation will fix taste of the fish. Might have just been a bad day with a lesser delivery. Who knows. I have only been there once.

That much presentation takes time. I was unaware that it was going to be so fancy that my other two kids would be done eating before my other son and I would begin eating.

...The effort was beyond my expectations. They make a statement and show off impressive skills. It was too far beyond my expectations. I recognize the skill and planning that went into my meal. They are legit masters of their craft. But, I enjoy simple sushi most. I take some responsibility for deciding to order a platter with a set variety I would not normally choose.

But, I would have ordered tuna, salmon, shrimp, and California roll if I could have. At dinner, only a selection of platters are available.

In summary; it wasn't them, it was me. Definitely go there if you are looking to impress your dining companions. If you like more simple sushi and want to order individual rolls to your liking, go to lunch and not dinner... or somewhere else. A meal that has that much effort invested takes time, so take that into account. Possibly ask for everyone's meal to be...

Don’t try to place a to go order from this place. Every time we order it’s a hassle, mainly because they have the hostess Nobi answer the phone and her English is so broken it’s impossible to get your order in. Constantly interrupts you, puts you on hold, doesn’t get the order right, is argumentative, but we liked the food so we kept going back.

Tonight ordered the same order we have multiple times, read it back multiple times, get in there to pick the food up, check the order, it was wrong. Tell Nobi that my wife ordered it and the sauce was to be on the side, argued loudly with me, I told her no problem, let me pay for the rolls that were correct. Refused to let me but the $40 worth of sushi that was correct and THREW IT IN THE GARBAGE in front of me. Most unprofessional interaction I have ever had at any restaurant in my entire life. Asked for a manger they said they have none and when I asked the English speaking server who heard the entire interaction to step in, he said he didn’t want to get involved. Will NEVER return and will happily disparage this restaurant any chance I get. Imagine throwing food away that a customer is trying to pay for. Things must be good if they don’t need any more business.

Also if you critique them or say anything negative they just block you instead of addressing your concerns and trying to make it right like they did with me. I’d you read the reviews on google you will see them arguing with customers and being unprofessional. They have a sign that says “We have the right to refuse service to anyone” and it’s in large part because they have an issue with customer service and it starts with Nobi. With someone like that being the face of their business it’s shocking they still have one to maintain. They should be ashamed of...