Isshin Ramen Bar

This was our third time here. First two times we ordered the tonkotsu ramen and it was incredible. Since our last trip, the decor has changed and the ramen is terrible. Prices have gone up, and quality has dropped significantly. Probably the worst ramen I’ve ever had! We feel sick…

Been going to this place for a while now with my friends and food on a budget doesnt get better than this, its always my go to spot definitely a 10/10

The service is amazing and the food is even better, never disappoints, will always come back again and again

I've been here several times since pre-opening… first food is good (I always ordered karaoke ramen) but the latest time, the chicken looked really red like It was raw.

Super quick service, sushi hit the spot. Was $3.50 for an avo roll and the rest of the sushis seemed to be from $4.10c card surcharge on $7 purchase. Generous with the condiments (2 soy fish and 2 ginger packets for 2 sushi rolls - seems weird to mention it but some places only give 1 soy fish for 2 rolls nowadays). Very polite service, would visit again when I'm not in a rush to catch a tram!

Japanese food in budget in the CBD perhaps doesn't get better than this. Situated in a hard-to-miss spot on Elizabeth St, This restaurant has been my go-to for a quick Japanese food, and over time, it has become better, which can't be said for some other restaurants in the CBD. With the recent renovation, tgis place hasn't looked better than before!



Sometime back I ordered the Beef Ramen ($15) which was quite good! Having eaten other ramen and sushi from this place before, I've always been satisfied. Lately, the prices have gone up just a bit, which isn't unexpected but the quality is pretty consistent.

Yesterday I took my friend for some ramen, tge first time for him. I ordered the Braised Beef Ramen ($16.80) fir myself and my friend ordered the Vegetarian Ramen ($15.80, also without an egg).

We received our lovely bowls filled with ramen goodness soon, and I was surprised by the change in flavours and taste from my earlier visits. The taste was much superior, it was a bit spicy and hot, both of which I love; the soup was thick and full of deliciousness.

My friend didn't like his ramen very much and had to add salt to enhance the flavours, but I can't confirm since I didn't taste it. This review os from my POV only, and I was highly satisfied with my food.



The new look is a breath of fresh air, since the earlier decor was straight up bland, grimy and boring. The place has literally transformed from a dark and dank placr to a brightly lit, fresh and vibrant restaurant, as it deserves to be. As I always say, keep up tge good work!

Ramen was good, but I had to remind the tall guy twice about the green tea.

Waitress at the counter didn't know, which ramens contain garlic. She had to ask chef and returned saying that none of the ramens contain garlic, when the menu clearly indicated garlic dishes.

@isshinramen.melb Grand opening BOGOF RAMEN here this week! We checked out Isshin ramen which is just across @melbournecentral it was quite an unassuming spot for delicious, budget friendly, generous and tasty food! The ramen texture was quite nice, and the spicy broth was delish (more fragrant than the traditional imho and same price only $16.80!) The rice bowls were also very generous- and came with an omelette too! The gyoza was tasty but not the crispiest. Solid spot for a quick feed! Check them out this week- gets pretty busy!

If you got hooked on the price, please don’t bother it’s a little cheaper than other ramen places but it ain't worth it.

The table was sticky and the food was.too sweet, even though I ordered spicy ramen. I barely taste any spices from the ramen except the sugar, it was the tasteless ramen I’ve ever had in my life. Plus you can hear the most terrible singing from the waitress until you leave the place.

This is really one of my favourite Japanese restaurant in Melbourne. Im so shocked to see a RAT running around the restaurant while having dinner. I instantly have no appetite and just leave the restaurant. I’m very disappointed and really hope that the owner can manage the cleanliness and prioritise customers’ health and safety.

Long time for food to come out then they brought out my girlfriends dish but my dish still didn't come for ages. I told the attendant the problem and he just ignored and went on serving other people and didn't even investigate the order with the chef.
Bathrooms were disgustingly dirty with pee on seat also.

5 Michelin

l walked in starving hadn't eaten all day, needed fuel, l ordered the pork omlete fried rice, l had low expectations. The joint looked grotty & the kitchen wouldn't survive a health inspector, however it churned out the most delicious pork fried rice omlete l've ever had! L was blown away, even Gordon Ramsy would be impressed! Service was fast also!

[The Pied Piper was neither paid, co-erced or otherwise manipulated into giving this review]

Japanese food in budget in the CBD perhaps doesn't get better than this. I ordered the beef ramen ($15) which was quite good! Having eaten other ramen and sushi from this place before, I've always been satisfied. Lately, tge prices have gone up just a bit, which isn't unexpected but the quality is pretty consistent. Decent staff and Japanese vibes with a clean place makes it a nice experience.

One girl here who’s skinny here is very rude with no manners at all. She was eating from the same hand that she was serving food. Health safety risk and very disgusting. Will not be coming back time came was 8: 40 on a Thursday 16th March.

I fkn love this place so much, I always order the beef ramen soup every single time I go here.it’s legit the best thing ever. Good quality food and served when really hot.so even better! Perfect customer service and amazing staff. I’ll be going here everyday till I die lmao

Food wasn't good. When I asked for take away HE GAVE ME AN EMPTY BOWL AND MADE ME PUT IT BY MYSELF AND CHARGED ME $0.50! Definitely worst experience ever.

I've always liked the food here, always quick to make and fresh, sometimes the staff can be odd but food is good.

Nothing special. Just a typical Japanese restaurant ran and managed by Chinese people. Nothing Japanese about it but the food.
Chinese staff, Chinese music. Chinese languages.

Go here for your typical westernised Japanese food with Chinese ambience.

Food is okay. Typical for what you get and price is cheap too, like the workers lol haha can't complain. Would probably go back here again too.

Got the signature Chashu tonkotsu, pork gyoza and vegetable croquettes.
Short story, all were incredibly tasty.

Longer story.
The noodles and broth were both great, cooked just right and nicely rich respectively. Not my favourites but most assuredly tasty.
The chashu, however was incredible, my favourite of the ramen places I've tried in all of Melbourne (which is getting steadily closer towards all of them, will have to revisit some to do reviews). It had the perfect melt in your mouth texture, nice grilled BBQ taste, that hint of sweetness. Everything a piece of chashu deserves and what you deserve to taste. It was also 2 well sized pieces, so enough to enjoy thoroughly.

The gyoza were very tasty, the filling was nicely juicy still and a good quantity of pork.
Japanese pork gyoza more often than not are pan fried. These however seemed to be very lightly fried, maintaining a much more 'steamed' sort of look and feel. So that may not appeal to some, but as I say the taste was still very much as it should be so don't let it out you off.

The vegetable croquettes were a spur of the moment decision, but one I was absolutely thrilled by. I can't say for certain what was in it, but it seemed like largely purple sweet potato turned to mash (then made into the disc shape, crumbed and fried. As a croquette is). This sweet inside with the perfect thickness crunchy coating was the perfect combo of textures. Incredibly tasty.

They seem to have a lot of good options in the menu here, and some very well priced daily deals. I think I will try to catch all those deals in the future, as this visit has certainly made me a fan.

The lady who making sushi and doing chaher on Sunday morning is grumpy and speaks aggressively. I wasn't happy with her.