Their new menu is an upgrade on already great ramen! Freshly made noodles, and so many marinated items that are extra DELICIOUS. Got the Mayu Tonkatsu and my girlfriend had a load of vegetarian options! Great tofu, chashu pork, marinated quail eggs, even the menma was delicious! Highly recommend!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Black Garlic
Addy's WRLD
I literally haven't had issei in almost 6 months I come back to find out they changed location they're now on orange st and I'm not sure why they gave up on allowing angel hair noodle/rice noodles as a substitution but the broth doesn't taste the same since I came back. But I had my usal and let me tell you nothing taste the same and I felt sick afterwards, I'm not sure if it's just because they cared about tending to the customers needs at the old spot in allowing substitutions. But I'm sadly prolly going to have to find a new ramen place. This was my favorite and only spot until today.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Faye Chien
Long wait during Zenkaikon, but that was expected.It was well worth the wait!Awesome Food, Service, and our group made great memories.Thank you!!
Since they moved it's just not that good the price went up the portion size went down. The actual food itself got more simplified to just a broth some meat and noodles overall I'm very disappointed since I used to love this place prior to the location change. I completely understand that they were trying to go for maybe a different vibe but it's just sad to see something change so much from what it used to be. Again the staff is still lovely and very nice and everything I just don't like their direction that the food as well as the style of it.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
R S
Spectacular ramen. Worth waiting in line, which I normally do not like to do.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tonkatsu Ramen
Dave Harlan
Great ramen and great service! I’m a fan.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cassie Kreider
I've been going to Issei for literal years and I've always had a wonderful experience and my friend and I's first time at the new Orange street location was no different.Wait times are always usually longer during Zenkaikon but the staff had everything organized very well and we were only waiting for a table maybe 20 minutes.The staff was incredibly kind and the atmosphere felt like the old location but just more open and bright. Our waiter was attentive and checked in with us frequently even though the restaurant was packed the entire time were there.I always look forward to the music paying at Issei during the con weekend, they always play a variety of anime openings so my friends and I make a game out of it. Whoever guesses the most correct anime's based on the openings wins a dessert. I also love to see the staff allowed to dress up for the event as well.The food came out fast and fresh. The new location allows the customers to also get a sneak peek at how the noodles are made as there's a huge roll of dough being cut into the noddles as you eat. It's really neat to see.I think the only complaint I have is the food was a little more salty than normal, not enough that it made the food inedible, but noticeable.***My friend and I also happened to be enjoying our food when the staff was alerted to a bomb threat that was made against the local downtown library in response to the drag queen story hour that was scheduled to take place that afternoon, we were made to evacuate the restaurant when the search area was expanded by the police. The staff was very calm and orderly as they broke the news to everyone and I cannot thank them enough for how they handled the situation given just how alarming it was.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Steven R
Issei Noodle has been a staple of downtown Lancaster for me for years. This year when we visited they moved to a new location and I just thought it was a property thing. I didn't know that they would entirely change their menu. I ordered the katsu curry and I have NEVER eaten a more disgusting curry than this place. It was actually vile to the point where I stopped eating it. I never do that.I hope that they get it together but I likely won't be back.
Best ramen I ever had! The staff was so nice and friendly, I will definitely go again next time I'm in Lancaster ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lily Waltman
My mom and I celebrated her birthday with lunch at Issei before seeing a show at the Fulton. So happy I finally got to dine-in at the new location. The murial on the building is beautiful. The inside dining area has feng shui. Our server, Anya, was beyond kind and made our experience wonderful. I was disappointed I did not find a black garlic ramen I had previously on the menu years ago, but the Tantan rocked my socks off!! Loved the Thai tea, per usual. Creamy and dreamy. The decor made the place seem upscale but prices stay reasonable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Chris Potter
Great to see Issei in their new space - fantastic vibe, welcoming and friendly staff (per usual), and the same standout dishes that make this place a no-brainer for noodle night. Our kiddo upon entering: "But I don't like ramen!" Kiddo upon leaving: "I looovvvvvve ramen!"
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Gyoza, Tonkatsu Ramen
Superno
(NEW RESTAURANT)Me and my wife have been coming to issei for about a year at their old location and we were so excited to have found a gem of a restaurant that surpasses amazing quality, price and portion. We decided to come and check out the new location for our usual ramen cravings and were left disappointed. the noodles had a texture like spaghetti, the ramen bowls were smaller, eggs are only included at an extra cost, the chashu portions also decreased as well as the quality of it, I found it very hard to chew I was so disappointed as a chashu lover. the prices increased but the quality definitely downgraded. We tried the tonkotsu ramen and it just wasn’t flavorful. The restaurant does look very nice though and the employees are very friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Heather Grove
My husband and I have been going to Issei for years and have loved it ever since we found it. Issei recently moved to a new location in downtown Lancaster and we decided to give the new location a try. They currently have a soft-opening limited menu so we tried two of the currently available ramens. My husband got the spicy Tantan and I tried the Double OG Shoyu ramen. Unfortunately, we were disappointed in the quality of these new ramen dishes. The ramen noodles do not taste or look like the previous ramen noodles Issei made before the new location. The ramen noodles look like spaghetti noodles and were not very flavorful. The spicy Tantan ramen was decent, however the amount of pork decreased and so did the quality of the pork. My husband also noted the ramen was not as spicy as it used to be. The Double OG Shoyu ramen was one of the most bland and unappetizing ramen I've ever tried. The only reason I finished it was because the service was so slow compared to the service at Issei's previous location and I was starving. None of the ramens on the menu included egg anymore and egg now costs extra to add, which was very disappointing as the egg makes the ramen so much better. It's important to note that all of the food prices have increased now at Issei, but the quality has not stayed the same or improved. Overall, we are sad to see the quality go really downhill at our favorite local ramen restaurant. Unless the quality improves again or they go back to their old ramen recipes that were amazing, we may not be going back for a long time.The only positive I can say about the new Issei location is that the interior design looks really good. We are considering going to Ninja Ramen in Lancaster to get our good quality ramen fix from now on.
Update: the new location is beautiful. All of the staff are friendly and knowledgeable about their menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Gyoza, Fresh Spring Rolls 2pc, Egg Rolls, Sakura Warm Ramen, Shoyu Ramen
Their new menu is an upgrade on already great ramen! Freshly made noodles, and so many marinated items that are extra DELICIOUS. Got the Mayu Tonkatsu and my girlfriend had a load of vegetarian options! Great tofu, chashu pork, marinated quail eggs, even the menma was delicious! Highly recommend!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Black Garlic
I literally haven't had issei in almost 6 months I come back to find out they changed location they're now on orange st and I'm not sure why they gave up on allowing angel hair noodle/rice noodles as a substitution but the broth doesn't taste the same since I came back. But I had my usal and let me tell you nothing taste the same and I felt sick afterwards, I'm not sure if it's just because they cared about tending to the customers needs at the old spot in allowing substitutions. But I'm sadly prolly going to have to find a new ramen place. This was my favorite and only spot until today.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Long wait during Zenkaikon, but that was expected.It was well worth the wait!Awesome Food, Service, and our group made great memories.Thank you!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Takoyaki, Tonkatsu Ramen, Sakura Warm Ramen
Phenomenal food. The Thai iced tea is amazing.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Since they moved it's just not that good the price went up the portion size went down. The actual food itself got more simplified to just a broth some meat and noodles overall I'm very disappointed since I used to love this place prior to the location change. I completely understand that they were trying to go for maybe a different vibe but it's just sad to see something change so much from what it used to be. Again the staff is still lovely and very nice and everything I just don't like their direction that the food as well as the style of it.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
Spectacular ramen. Worth waiting in line, which I normally do not like to do.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tonkatsu Ramen
Great ramen and great service! I’m a fan.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've been going to Issei for literal years and I've always had a wonderful experience and my friend and I's first time at the new Orange street location was no different.Wait times are always usually longer during Zenkaikon but the staff had everything organized very well and we were only waiting for a table maybe 20 minutes.The staff was incredibly kind and the atmosphere felt like the old location but just more open and bright. Our waiter was attentive and checked in with us frequently even though the restaurant was packed the entire time were there.I always look forward to the music paying at Issei during the con weekend, they always play a variety of anime openings so my friends and I make a game out of it. Whoever guesses the most correct anime's based on the openings wins a dessert. I also love to see the staff allowed to dress up for the event as well.The food came out fast and fresh. The new location allows the customers to also get a sneak peek at how the noodles are made as there's a huge roll of dough being cut into the noddles as you eat. It's really neat to see.I think the only complaint I have is the food was a little more salty than normal, not enough that it made the food inedible, but noticeable.***My friend and I also happened to be enjoying our food when the staff was alerted to a bomb threat that was made against the local downtown library in response to the drag queen story hour that was scheduled to take place that afternoon, we were made to evacuate the restaurant when the search area was expanded by the police. The staff was very calm and orderly as they broke the news to everyone and I cannot thank them enough for how they handled the situation given just how alarming it was.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Issei Noodle has been a staple of downtown Lancaster for me for years. This year when we visited they moved to a new location and I just thought it was a property thing. I didn't know that they would entirely change their menu. I ordered the katsu curry and I have NEVER eaten a more disgusting curry than this place. It was actually vile to the point where I stopped eating it. I never do that.I hope that they get it together but I likely won't be back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Best ramen I ever had! The staff was so nice and friendly, I will definitely go again next time I'm in Lancaster ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My mom and I celebrated her birthday with lunch at Issei before seeing a show at the Fulton. So happy I finally got to dine-in at the new location. The murial on the building is beautiful. The inside dining area has feng shui. Our server, Anya, was beyond kind and made our experience wonderful. I was disappointed I did not find a black garlic ramen I had previously on the menu years ago, but the Tantan rocked my socks off!! Loved the Thai tea, per usual. Creamy and dreamy. The decor made the place seem upscale but prices stay reasonable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Great to see Issei in their new space - fantastic vibe, welcoming and friendly staff (per usual), and the same standout dishes that make this place a no-brainer for noodle night. Our kiddo upon entering: "But I don't like ramen!" Kiddo upon leaving: "I looovvvvvve ramen!"
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Gyoza, Tonkatsu Ramen
(NEW RESTAURANT)Me and my wife have been coming to issei for about a year at their old location and we were so excited to have found a gem of a restaurant that surpasses amazing quality, price and portion. We decided to come and check out the new location for our usual ramen cravings and were left disappointed. the noodles had a texture like spaghetti, the ramen bowls were smaller, eggs are only included at an extra cost, the chashu portions also decreased as well as the quality of it, I found it very hard to chew I was so disappointed as a chashu lover. the prices increased but the quality definitely downgraded. We tried the tonkotsu ramen and it just wasn’t flavorful. The restaurant does look very nice though and the employees are very friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
My husband and I have been going to Issei for years and have loved it ever since we found it. Issei recently moved to a new location in downtown Lancaster and we decided to give the new location a try. They currently have a soft-opening limited menu so we tried two of the currently available ramens. My husband got the spicy Tantan and I tried the Double OG Shoyu ramen. Unfortunately, we were disappointed in the quality of these new ramen dishes. The ramen noodles do not taste or look like the previous ramen noodles Issei made before the new location. The ramen noodles look like spaghetti noodles and were not very flavorful. The spicy Tantan ramen was decent, however the amount of pork decreased and so did the quality of the pork. My husband also noted the ramen was not as spicy as it used to be. The Double OG Shoyu ramen was one of the most bland and unappetizing ramen I've ever tried. The only reason I finished it was because the service was so slow compared to the service at Issei's previous location and I was starving. None of the ramens on the menu included egg anymore and egg now costs extra to add, which was very disappointing as the egg makes the ramen so much better. It's important to note that all of the food prices have increased now at Issei, but the quality has not stayed the same or improved. Overall, we are sad to see the quality go really downhill at our favorite local ramen restaurant. Unless the quality improves again or they go back to their old ramen recipes that were amazing, we may not be going back for a long time.The only positive I can say about the new Issei location is that the interior design looks really good. We are considering going to Ninja Ramen in Lancaster to get our good quality ramen fix from now on.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2