Ramen Isshin image

Ramen Isshin

Restaurant Japanese restaurant Noodle shop Ramen restaurant Japanese authentic restaurant

One of the Most Reviewed Japanese restaurants in Old Toronto


Address

421 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 1T1, Canada

Website

www.ramenisshin.com

Contact

+1 416-367-4013

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (4K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Monday: 11:30 am to 9 pm
  • Tuesday: 11:30 am to 9 pm
  • Wednesday: 11:30 am to 9 pm
  • Thursday: 11:30 am to 9 pm
  • Friday: 11:30 am to 10 pm
  • Saturday: 11:30 am to 10 pm
  • Sunday: 11:30 am to 9 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: ramen (60) Ramen (25) good (20) spicy (19) broth (18) service (18) great (15) delicious (14) wait (13) noodles (13)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 ACCESSiFLY -Integrated GIS S. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely wretched. Overpriced is the UNDERSTATEMENT of the year. The quality of the food is the worst part...it's sub standard and pitifully cooked. Two flimsy pieces of meat, half a cup of broth for $36.00...? Two appetizers packed into plastic containers with fatty meat. Against other Ramen in this City, this is bottom of the barrel and beyond. I strongly advise anyone reading this to evaluate a $100+ meal against the photos. You owe us a refund for this food insofar as we are concerned and you earned the negative review and caution to all. Avoid.
    16 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 MadeBy V. 1 month ago on Google • 1519 reviews New
    Ramen was flavourful, delicious and filling. We had 2/3 veggie Ramen options. Vegetarian roasted garlic shoyu and vegetarian red miso. Lots of flavour, lots of noddles. Just pricey, they are just under $20, should be cheaper with no meat in them. Service was fast, friendly and courteous. There is a washroom in the basement.

  • 5/5 Liran V. 1 year ago on Google
    Hands down the best Ramen I’ve had. The service was extremely friendly, and were very attentive to our needs. The wait was a little long (45 min), however they were very busy and made up for it with their extremely fast service. I got the Spicy Red Miso Ramen, which was incredibly flavourful and delicious. 10/10 highly recommended!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Heather L. 11 months ago on Google
    I tried the Red Dragon Ramen and it was as good as it looks! The noodles were twisty and chewy — the perfect texture :)) The chashu was unbelievably good and I only wish there were more than two pieces. The broth was also so rich and flavourful! The restaurant is great for eating alone or with company — either way, service is always really welcoming! ^_^
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Madison P. 2 years ago on Google
    Visited today and had a great experience. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, the food was delicious. Perhaps on the higher end of reasonable price, but reasonable nonetheless. They were out of a dish but they informed us before ordering, which was nice. Overall great food and great place!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Sophie P. 1 year ago on Google
    Great food and very nice service. We didn't have to wait to long to be seated. Food came out very quickly. All the staff greeted customers as they walked which was a nice touch of the service. Two apps we had were good but not really outstanding. Ramen was delicious, i love the noodles. With $20, i expect the pork belly to be not so paper thin. But overalls, it was a great time and we will come back.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Goldy W. 5 months ago on Google • 319 reviews
    Authentic opened from Japan. I have been to the original shop in Japan. This overseas franchise in Toronto is not bad. Taste is basically 85% of original. However, the wait time is too long. The customer and food flow is not working smoothly. Some tables/seats occupied by people for too long. This is a ramen restaurant and not fine dining. Also, allowing reservations have killed a lot of business. I see many empty seats but customers quieing outside or turned away because of the wait time. Also, should narrow down on the menu...should not serve dessert...waste of time. Overall can try
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jovanka S. 1 year ago on Google
    Literally my favourite place to eat in Toronto! Not only is it fairly priced, it’s probably the best ramen I’ve ever had. The ingredients are good quality, the portion size is huge, and the service is fantastic. I can’t wait to come back soon! PS.. Make sure to ask for an extra egg!! Absolutely worth it.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Ling 2 months ago on Google • 295 reviews New
    This restaurant is one of my favorite ramen places. The other soup base is good but the Tsukemen was way too salty this time around. The consistency of the noodle is just right for me though

  • 5/5 Wooje C. 2 months ago on Google • 51 reviews New
    One of the best ramen experiences I’ve ever had. Their kotteri shoyu broth was super rich in flavour, it’d be perfect for a rainy day. I don’t think it’s too far fetched to say this place is one of the top ramen places in Toronto for their Shoyu broth. I’ve also heard their white miso is good, so hopefully I can come back to try it another time.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Paula Blanco H. 6 months ago on Google
    I heard so many good comments about this place so I had to try it! Their ramen is amazing, and their service too. The service is fast, efficient and the staff is really nice. I also tried their gyozas and they were delicious
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bang B. 8 months ago on Google
    One of the best ramen I’ve gotten. I got their Red Dragon Ramen. Tasty, spicy, and satisfying. The staff were nice and I enjoyed the atmosphere. Straight to the point delicious ramen. I will be coming back sometime. Looking forward to it.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Becca K. 1 year ago on Google
    This is my favourite ramen in the city. Great options for vegetarians that don't compromise on flavour. Also, the tofu appetizer is amazing. The take-out is really good, but dining-in is better. You may have to wait but it's worth it!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Maryam D. 3 months ago on Google • 18 reviews New
    Had an amazing lunch at Ramen Isshin today! Cannot stop thinking about it! The food was superb and the service was amazing and attentive to any food allergies or dietary restrictions. We got there around 12:00pm and did haven’t to wait to be seated - our orders were taken promptly and food arrived quick and delicious! Cannot wait to come back !
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 S B. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place to have some Ramen. Good variety with decent vegetarian options. The price (remember it's downtown) and quantity were both on point and the service is outstanding. The place is small and cozy and can feel a little cramped but it doesn't get in the way of the overall experience.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brandon D. 1 year ago on Google
    This was very delicious ramen. I would highly recommend the spicy miso ramen. It had great flavor and wasn't too spicy. It definitely reminded me of ramen in Japan. Both in atmosphere and taste. The staff was also very friendly and accommodating. Overall a great lunch spot and if you like ramen, this won't disappoint.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Viran D. 6 months ago on Google
    Really, really good ramen, and decent price too. This place has a lot of hype, and it's definitely warranted, however that leads to long waiting times as they don't take reservations. The place is also pretty small, and gets busy so be prepared to squeeze.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Max C. 6 months ago on Google
    I had the Roasted Garlic Shoyu ramen and it was amazing! The broth was rich and flavourful but not thick. The firmness of the noddles are not customisable but it’s more towards the medium-firm side and that’s exactly how I like it. The pork char shu is thinly sliced and has the perfect balance of fat and meat. The bill was $24 (including my drink and before tips) Would definitely come back again!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ankita K. 8 months ago on Google
    We ordered the spicy miso Ramen, it's worth the hype. One of the best Ramen I've had till date. The mochi ice cream was a lovely end to the meal. Portions were great! Must visit if you're looking for Ramen with veg options
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 TastyWGracey 1 year ago on Google
    First time here because my friend kept raving about this place & it deserves the hype. Came on Sunday at 8PM, had to wait about 25 minutes for a table (super busy). The waitress was very knowledgable and able to make recommendations based on what wanted. The food came relatively quick and was made super well and fresh. We all enjoyed our meals. Would definitely come back for ramen again, the service was also very friendly.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 SK 1 month ago on Google • 55 reviews New
    Our lunch at ramen isshin was delicious! The Tako Wasabi was definitely my favourite of the appetizers, and we had the Red Dragon and Red Miso for our mains! The ramen itself was super rich and flavourful, however I just wasn’t a fan of the noodles. I would still definitely come back though, the broth was really good!

  • 5/5 Moon 4 months ago on Google • 27 reviews
    I went there with my two friends. The space inside we're quite big and the servers were super kind! The shio ramen was really soft and mild! It was kinda sweet but taste really mild and nice 👍Also, I had shoyu ramen. Which was my personal favorite. The meaty broth was my style😆

  • 5/5 Sogand M. 1 month ago on Google • 21 reviews New
    We got Spicy Red Miso, and Red miso. They were both amazing. Great portion and make sure you add eggs. The plum wine is amazing too.

  • 5/5 K. J. 4 months ago on Google
    Came here to celebrate my birthday and check another highly rated ramen joint off my list! Our server for the evening was someone who was in training! They were very thorough and made sure they got our order correct before leaving. We were sat fairly quickly for a group of three, the restaurant was clean and inviting. We ordered their Karaage, Hell Red Yuzu Shio Ramen (scotch bonnet pepper) which was limited to an October only special, and the Spicy White Sesame Shio Ramen. The Karaage was portioned well, lots of flavour and absolutely delicious! Both soups were incredibly flavourful and packed a punch. While completely unique to one another they both shone in their own way. Spice wasn’t overpowering and blended well with the broth. The yuzu really made a difference in the featured ramen! The seasoned egg was perfectly cooked with a delicious jammy centre, and the pork was cooked to perfection; not overly fatty. The servers worked as a team and made it a wonderful night. Definitely coming back!

  • 5/5 Chaya K P P. 6 months ago on Google
    -Excellent, yet Pricey Ramen -Got the Spicy Miso Soup Ramen. Great taste and mildly spicy with stir fried vegetables -The Broth was Hot and savory -A bit on the expensive side as this cost $21 -Felt lite despite consuming a massive bowl of Ramen -Sat in the corner of the shop, which had the vibe of a small Ramen shop in Japan Overall a great place to have Ramen and worth the Hype.

  • 5/5 Tom S. 5 months ago on Google
    Great little ramen spot. Best ramen I have ever eaten so far. Staff was nice and seating took a while due to how crowded it was. I had the Hell Ramen and it was even better looking than the picture. It was really great! I liked the spice level a lot. Just make sure to ask for water, since it seems if they are busy it's hard to keep track of who needs a refill. I also tried the shio ramen and it was really well flavored. The eggs were top notch by the way and I recommend getting an extra egg on the side.

  • 5/5 Jenny 5 months ago on Google
    I went there twice even, because it was so delicious! Very good service and very authentic Japanese ramen. Recommended!!

  • 5/5 Rachel L. 5 months ago on Google
    One of my favourite ramens in Toronto! It’s busy but moves fast so the wait isn’t usually more than 10-20 mins for a group of 2. I really love their red miso and sesame ramens are also very popular! Their spice levels are pretty muted so i didn’t find their spiciest dragon ramen spicy at all!

  • 5/5 Chen Y. 5 months ago on Google
    Very good ramen! It took a bit of time for the food to come but it’s definitely worth the wait. It was our first time here and friendly staff gave us suggestions. Staff served us chili oil on the side so I could try the spicy red ramen soup base. We ordered the white sesame shio ramen and red miso ramen. We’re impressed with the soup and the chewy noodles. Overall a very good experience.

  • 4/5 Minh N. 1 year ago on Google
    This is the place to get Japanese quality soup: rich, deep and full of flavor (also on the saltier side). The tsukumen noodles are great but the noodles for soup ramen can be a little be thicker. The toppings such as meat and eggs are just above average. Service was warm and responsive.

  • 4/5 Jenna De L. 4 months ago on Google
    The place is small and busy so there's a 60min time limit . The staff is polite, and they always make sure to fill your water. The ramen broth and the noodles are really good. We got the red miso and Assari light shoyu (tastes kinda like Filipino sopas). We also got the chicken karaage don and Cha Shu don (pork belly rice similar to Filipino sisig but soft instead of crispy). I like the mango pudding but my sis finds it a little sour. I also enjoyed the sesame ice cream. The hot plum ginger wine tastes like beer/ginger ale thats warm. We parked on Bellevue Ave btw.

  • 5/5 Hayd M. 1 year ago on Google
    Great ramen and appetizers! I ordered the Stone Bowl Shoyu Kotteri Tsekemen, a dipping ramen and it was very tasty. It came in a very hot stone bowl and the soup was simmering and very hot. For appetizers, we ordered Chicken Karaage and Takoyaki. It was really tasty as well, though their ramen is comparatively better. Overall an awesome ramen place!! Definitely recommend. No reservations and only walk in, and we waited for 40 minutes, so it was a pretty long wait, but worth it for sure.

  • 5/5 Mary L. 1 year ago on Google
    Ramen broth is the best I’ve had in Toronto. Love the spicy white sesame ramen. Fried chicken was not bad. Friendly service. Recommend using online line up for table as the waiting area is tight.

  • 5/5 Lily C. 6 months ago on Google
    We ordered the Stone Bowl Shoyu Kotteri Tsukemen and the Red dragon, and I must say, it was remarkable. The Stone Bowl Shoyu Kotteri Tsukemen had an rich soup that was packed with flavor. The depth of taste in every sip was truly remarkable. The noodles were perfectly cooked and paired wonderfully with the soup. As for the Red Dragon, if you're a fan of spicy food, this is a must-try! The spicy level was a bit too much for me but I still love it. A helpful tip: if you're sensitive to spice, you might want to avoid the green peppers to keep the spicy at a comfortable level.

  • 5/5 Dindo D. 6 months ago on Google
    Great experience for ramen staple. Probably one of the best yet I ever tasted. Broth was tasty, a bit salty but none the less delicious when mixed with the rest of the ramen. Noodles was just right and together with the tamago eggs and menma and wood ear mushroom makes a great ramen.

  • 4/5 Natjongkon K. 6 months ago on Google
    Small and cozy ramen shop with attentive staffs. For the food Takoyaki was average. We got Red dragon ramen (sesame oil aroma) and Kotteri shoyu ramen (rich pork bone aroma). Both ramen was so goood especially the broth which was rich and full of tastes and noodles which was exactly al dante! The marinated egg was perfectly boiled and sweet😋 But personally i felt the chashu pork was a bit salty (maybe they made it this way to get along with all the noodles)

  • 5/5 Rosieee N. 6 months ago on Google
    The food here are amazing. Ramen are creamy and tasty. Chicken karaage and takoyaki are extremely recommended. Service is also excellent!

  • 3/5 Clam 6 months ago on Google
    I like that this a local ramen spot and I do prefer to support local small businesses but unfortunately, I found the ramen here not as good as the big chains from Japan (konjiki, ikkousha) and Canada (santouka, sansotei). The broth was a bit bland. When we ordered the spicy one, we were warned that it was extremely spicy. But we found it to be a medium spice at best. Also, the spicy ramen broth was not very flavourful, it seemed to just focus on spice. The service was excellent and the noodles were good but I left a little disappointed since I've heard great things about this place.

  • 5/5 Rev 6 months ago on Google
    The broth is unbelievably delicious and the noodles are just perfect, they are elastic and don’t stick to your teeth. Only reason for 4 star is the lack of veggie and only two thin slices of pork. Service is incredible. The waiters are very friendly; from the moment I entered they guided to my seat, asked how my day was, just felt very genuine and at home — a rarity nowadays. I was in at around 1, wasn’t crowded; just a very nice, chill, calm environment. Highly recommend trying it out. Ps. They also have a pretty neat beer selection.

  • 5/5 Ket T. 7 months ago on Google
    Unique and authentic tasting broth. Service is superb! Go a bit early if you're planning to eat here on a friday night as the place gets packed on that day. Black sesame ice cream is highly recommended if you want a light dessert.

  • 5/5 Vincent C. 7 months ago on Google
    This os one of my a must go Ramen shop jn downtown Toronto. Love every ramen they offered. Soup base is good and the portion is really good for me. Their appertizer are good also, a varity of choice for drinkz. Its an always packed little ramen shop so expect they pass you the bill after you finish eating. Highly recommemded for everyone that love authentic ramen.

  • 5/5 Parth B. 8 months ago on Google
    Awesome place for Ramens. We ordered Veg spicy red miso, veg roasted garlic shoyu, Aged Tofu and chicken shio ramen. Great customer service they’ll recommend ramens based on your preferences. Fun place to be with friends!

  • 5/5 Colton B. 8 months ago on Google
    Hadn’t been here in many years, I think it has gotten even better. The food is assembled prettier with garnish, the dishes and cutlery are prettier, our food may have even tastes better than i remember. I liked how they brought a little mortar & pestle to crush your own sesame seeds, fun touch. I regretted not ordering dessert and sake. Great job, we will be back, I hope you update the dining room next.

  • 5/5 Michael W. 8 months ago on Google
    A benchmark of how Ramen should be, caring and prompt proactive service stands out. Portions are generous. Foods quality are consistent and tasty. We need a store in North York, Yonge and Sheppard. Parking on street is not available due to construction, 5 minutes walk to green P parking lot. I appreciate your operation. Kudos.

  • 4/5 Yohani M. 11 months ago on Google
    Price has gone up in the last few years, now it's approx. $20 a bowl. Service was good but not as friendly as it used to be. The ramen has a nice depth of flavour to it.

  • 4/5 K K. 9 months ago on Google
    Great spicy red miso ramen! Noodles were springy and tasted handmade. Loved the toppings and generous portion of pork belly and ground pork in the soup. Came here for lunch, service was friendly and informative. Would definitely recommend!

  • 5/5 Viduttam K. 8 months ago on Google
    Amazing ramen and really friendly service! Or go to ramen shop in Toronto. Also love their Mango pudding and Age Tofu!

  • 5/5 L M. 1 year ago on Google
    Superb Service, with very hospitable team who constantly checked in with water refills. Very busy spot, but was served a seat by the bar immediately. Ordered Chicken Karaage and Stone Bowl Shoyu. Great flavour, Hot and made to Order. Closest experience to Japan itself.

  • 4/5 J S. 9 months ago on Google
    Haven’t been here since Covid and first time back to Isshin on College. We went at around 8 on a Thursday evening. There wasn’t much of a wait, perhaps 5 minutes and we were sat. Service was excellent. Servers were very attentive, friendly, polite, and patient with changes with our orders. Even asked about our allergies if any. Choices of appetizers, entrees, and desserts were a lot and great! We had gyoza, 1 spicy red dragon ramen (we requested for thin noodles), a garlic oil ramen, and a sesame ice cream. The gyoza and sesame ice cream were great. The egg in the ramen was nicely marinated. The ramen were tasty but it seems like the more spicy the broth, the more salty it got. Also the spicy broth was more thick and it got difficult to eat at the end, and the broth of non-spicy one was left unfinished. We might return for the appetizer and sesame ice cream.


Call +1 416-367-4013 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Paid street parking
    • ✓️ Somewhat difficult to find a space
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Organic dishes
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway

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