A restaurant shouldn’t have a single bad item on their menu. Their bebimbap was 90% rice. I wouldn’t have a problem with this if they hadn’t charged almost 20 bucks. Toppings were scarce and I even added extra bbq chicken. Will not be returning
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Scott Zimmerman
Amazing food, want one in my town!Vegetarian options: Will make several of their meat dishes vegetarian upon request, can add tofu also.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Haru Ramen
Brenna Logsdon
The food is absolutely delicious! This place is a must try! ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sarah Hutson
I'm very confused.Atmosphere: comfortable and quietSeating: tight, but workableEmployees: welcomingFood...This was my first time here. After looking at the website, and reading the reviews, damn, I was very excited to try this place. My husband and I spent about $47.Food review and some notes down below—Fried tofu: beyond saturated in oilVeggie eggrolls: decentD2 chicken & egg: mild flavor, and very misleading. $16 for like 2 cups of rice and about 4 nickle sized pieces of chicken and 2 small peices of bokchoy. The egg was mixed in. Maybe 1 egg. Maybe.Anyway, it had a mild flavor that I enjoyed, my husband ate 3-4 bites and gave up because he couldn't taste anything and he didn't feel like gorging on rice after he had his "portion" of the nickle size chicken, which I understand.I'm actually a diabetic, and so as I'm writing this, my heart is going 90 miles a minute because I shouldn't have eaten as much rice as I had, however, I was hungry, and wasn't given much choice seeing that the porptions of food at this place is about 94% carbs —at least for what we ordered.Chicken Pho: this was a confusing item for me. Everything was made fresh, and the chicken was SO SO SO tender (again, nickle size, I think I got maybe 8 nickle sized pieces, however this dish was only $10), but there was no flavor. I put my single slice of jalapeno into my bowl after tearing it into 3 small pieces, I squeezed my line and used up all my basil.That was the only flavor in the soup. The lime and basil, and it was surface flavor, because it was limited and a garnish.The broth, if you could call it that, was just warm salted water.The chicken was not seasoned, despite being so tender.This was frustrating because everything was fresh, everything was tender, but ultimately, we didn't eat it and left it nearly entirely entact and walked out because it was the most underwhelming PHO I have ever eaten in my entire life and I am not kidding. I've been around. I know what Pho tastes like, and that was not it. Didn't even come close. Which is a shame, because if the flavor had been there, I'd be eating there weekly.
Anthony Spagnoli
I can't think of one negative thing to say about our first meal here. The kids had two different ramen bowls, and I had the veggie Vermicelli bowl. All three were delicious. I loved that we could order at the counter so we didn't have to wait too long for our lunch. Atmosphere was pleasant and the staff was extremely courteous.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Harpreet Bedi
Flavorful food at affordable price. The best place to eat in Carlisle, if you care about food.It doesn't have the ambience of bar.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ali Tanveer
They have gotten really stingy lately. I can understand counting shrimp going into an entree, but my full size chicken yakisoba had exactly ten small pieces of chicken that I had to dig out of a mountain of noodles. I guess it's cheaper to fill up a bowl with noodles and go stingy on the proteins. We've been getting stuff from here for a couple of years, but it's gotten especially bad recently. My wife's pad thai was mostly tasteless (and had a total of six shrimp). The shrimp dumplings were good though.
Food: 3
Service: 4
Jeff Weiss
So warm and welcoming. We came in shortly before closing with a group of 11 and they welcomed us and got seats for all of us together. FOOD IS EXCEPTIONAL!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Tan Tan Ramen
Addie Eshelman
one of our favorite spots!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ashley M
I think this place is only rated so high bc there is no local competition. The food is inconsistent here and used to be way better years ago. My son loves gyoza and didn't even one who one bc of the taste. He's never turned down gyoza in his life. My other son wouldn't even eat his chicken pho bc the chicken did taste very old. I tasted it. My shrimp pho was good. I only got one jalapeno though. My daughter's red curry was good. But it's always hit or miss. It is very pricey so when I'm paying I'm hoping to get quality food. I order from here occasionally when I'm sick of other restaurants. I used to love it. Now for ramen or pho I typically wait until I can leave Carlisle. If you go here just be careful what you order. I would go w pho,ramen, or Curry. It's what they do best. The portions are small for what you pay. So if it were me if you can done elsewhere unless you are in a pinch.
the management here treats their employees horribly and disrespectfully. I will not be returning.
R.L. H.
Issei is the most authentic Japanese food I've experienced in Central PA. The owner is from Osaka (the food Capitol of Japan) and it shows! The Shoyu Ramen and Karaage are a must order! I previously spent 4 months in Japan and the food couldn't be more authentic. I will be coming back to this restaurant as long as I am living in the area. Make a reservation and enjoy. The food is absolutely worth the wait!thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Gyoza
Vicky L
I want to eat Issei Fried Chicken everyday for the rest of my life
Janelle Spencer
Always amazing. Busy place, tight seating. You can't wait inside so plan accordingly. Worth it!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Meghan Haslam
Fantastic place to eat! Fun atmosphere and delicious food! All the bowls are delicious, sukiyaki, curry and ebitan are favorites. Also, the staff ❤️ they’re just the best! Thank you Olivia and all the crew, you’re awesome!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dumplings, Haru Ramen, Shrimp Dumplings, Fried Gyoza
A restaurant shouldn’t have a single bad item on their menu. Their bebimbap was 90% rice. I wouldn’t have a problem with this if they hadn’t charged almost 20 bucks. Toppings were scarce and I even added extra bbq chicken. Will not be returning
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Amazing food, want one in my town!Vegetarian options: Will make several of their meat dishes vegetarian upon request, can add tofu also.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Haru Ramen
The food is absolutely delicious! This place is a must try! ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I'm very confused.Atmosphere: comfortable and quietSeating: tight, but workableEmployees: welcomingFood...This was my first time here. After looking at the website, and reading the reviews, damn, I was very excited to try this place. My husband and I spent about $47.Food review and some notes down below—Fried tofu: beyond saturated in oilVeggie eggrolls: decentD2 chicken & egg: mild flavor, and very misleading. $16 for like 2 cups of rice and about 4 nickle sized pieces of chicken and 2 small peices of bokchoy. The egg was mixed in. Maybe 1 egg. Maybe.Anyway, it had a mild flavor that I enjoyed, my husband ate 3-4 bites and gave up because he couldn't taste anything and he didn't feel like gorging on rice after he had his "portion" of the nickle size chicken, which I understand.I'm actually a diabetic, and so as I'm writing this, my heart is going 90 miles a minute because I shouldn't have eaten as much rice as I had, however, I was hungry, and wasn't given much choice seeing that the porptions of food at this place is about 94% carbs —at least for what we ordered.Chicken Pho: this was a confusing item for me. Everything was made fresh, and the chicken was SO SO SO tender (again, nickle size, I think I got maybe 8 nickle sized pieces, however this dish was only $10), but there was no flavor. I put my single slice of jalapeno into my bowl after tearing it into 3 small pieces, I squeezed my line and used up all my basil.That was the only flavor in the soup. The lime and basil, and it was surface flavor, because it was limited and a garnish.The broth, if you could call it that, was just warm salted water.The chicken was not seasoned, despite being so tender.This was frustrating because everything was fresh, everything was tender, but ultimately, we didn't eat it and left it nearly entirely entact and walked out because it was the most underwhelming PHO I have ever eaten in my entire life and I am not kidding. I've been around. I know what Pho tastes like, and that was not it. Didn't even come close. Which is a shame, because if the flavor had been there, I'd be eating there weekly.
I can't think of one negative thing to say about our first meal here. The kids had two different ramen bowls, and I had the veggie Vermicelli bowl. All three were delicious. I loved that we could order at the counter so we didn't have to wait too long for our lunch. Atmosphere was pleasant and the staff was extremely courteous.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Flavorful food at affordable price. The best place to eat in Carlisle, if you care about food.It doesn't have the ambience of bar.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
They have gotten really stingy lately. I can understand counting shrimp going into an entree, but my full size chicken yakisoba had exactly ten small pieces of chicken that I had to dig out of a mountain of noodles. I guess it's cheaper to fill up a bowl with noodles and go stingy on the proteins. We've been getting stuff from here for a couple of years, but it's gotten especially bad recently. My wife's pad thai was mostly tasteless (and had a total of six shrimp). The shrimp dumplings were good though.
Food: 3
Service: 4
So warm and welcoming. We came in shortly before closing with a group of 11 and they welcomed us and got seats for all of us together. FOOD IS EXCEPTIONAL!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Tan Tan Ramen
one of our favorite spots!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I think this place is only rated so high bc there is no local competition. The food is inconsistent here and used to be way better years ago. My son loves gyoza and didn't even one who one bc of the taste. He's never turned down gyoza in his life. My other son wouldn't even eat his chicken pho bc the chicken did taste very old. I tasted it. My shrimp pho was good. I only got one jalapeno though. My daughter's red curry was good. But it's always hit or miss. It is very pricey so when I'm paying I'm hoping to get quality food. I order from here occasionally when I'm sick of other restaurants. I used to love it. Now for ramen or pho I typically wait until I can leave Carlisle. If you go here just be careful what you order. I would go w pho,ramen, or Curry. It's what they do best. The portions are small for what you pay. So if it were me if you can done elsewhere unless you are in a pinch.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
the management here treats their employees horribly and disrespectfully. I will not be returning.
Issei is the most authentic Japanese food I've experienced in Central PA. The owner is from Osaka (the food Capitol of Japan) and it shows! The Shoyu Ramen and Karaage are a must order! I previously spent 4 months in Japan and the food couldn't be more authentic. I will be coming back to this restaurant as long as I am living in the area. Make a reservation and enjoy. The food is absolutely worth the wait!thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Gyoza
I want to eat Issei Fried Chicken everyday for the rest of my life
Always amazing. Busy place, tight seating. You can't wait inside so plan accordingly. Worth it!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic place to eat! Fun atmosphere and delicious food! All the bowls are delicious, sukiyaki, curry and ebitan are favorites. Also, the staff ❤️ they’re just the best! Thank you Olivia and all the crew, you’re awesome!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dumplings, Haru Ramen, Shrimp Dumplings, Fried Gyoza