Cleveland is notorious for its gray, dreary weather. ‘Miserable’ is an understatement for the constant cold and rain we endure daily. But, if there’s one thing that makes the freezing weather worth it, it is my appreciation for the warmth that a good soup brings. And my go-to restaurant when the miserable Cleveland weather appears is Issho ni Ramen. Issho ni Ramen is quaint, with limited seating and a cozy ambiance. It serves various Japanese cuisine, both hot and cold, all packed with flavor. I’d be lying if I said this was my first time at Issho ni Ramen. I am typically in the restaurant biweekly, seated at the sushi bar and talking to their friendly chefs. 

I always reserve my appetite if I know I’m eating at Issho that day because I order a large amount of food and never want to waste any of it. My go-to order is the hamachi nigiri, a sakura roll, and the spicy tonkatsu ramen.  

One of the most significant parts of Issho is the freshness of the fish. Issho does not serve fish that isn’t fresh, and they often have seasonal fish that they rotate in and out of their menu to guarantee quality. The hamachi nigiri always stands out to me. Topped with jalapeno, never have I ever eaten the hamachi at Issho and thought about anything other than how much I enjoyed it. The talented chefs allow the fish to shine without smothering it in toppings and sauces, and the piece’s quality is apparent.  

The sakura roll is the giant roll they serve. Soy paper stuffed with creamy avocado, sweet potato tempura, and shrimp tempura, then topped with a heap of spicy crab meat, each bite carries the flavor of all my favorite rolls with a considerable edge. If you’re starving, then this role is a good choice.

Lastly, the namesake of the restaurant, their ramen. I always go for the spicy tonkatsu. Their chili oil packs a kick that they boast has nine different types of chiles, and despite getting the level one spice level out of five, my nose begins to run after only a few bites. Paired with melt-in-your-mouth pork belly slices, noodles, and other toppings, the spicy tonkatsu is a soup that brings much-needed heat.  

Issho ni Ramen brings excellent quality fish for a decently affordable price that is rare to see. Besides their delicious sushi, their ramen is the perfect meal for when you want to escape the miserable Cleveland weather, and if you’re in the area, you’d be stupid to drive past Issho!

Winner of Dinner: Hamachi Nigiri

Cost: Moderate

Resaurant Score: 8.3/10