Issai Japanese Eatery in North York

101 Esther Shiner Blvd, North York, ON M2K 0C3, Canada

★★★★★
(82 reviews)
Categories: Kyoto style Japanese restaurant

About

ISSAI Japanese Eatery brings distinct and powerful flavours of Kyoto to Toronto. In collaborative partnership with Nandattei Curry Ramen Kyoto & Japas Toronto, ISSAI is a new concept takeout eatery. As a neighbourhood eatery, we bring the charm of casual Japanese meals to the community. Our mission is to provide a quick & convenient dining experience without comprising quality and taste. From our housemade Gyoza & Shumai to handcrafted Chashu, we strive to deliver comforting flavours in every meal.

Website
issaieatery.com
Address
101 Esther Shiner Blvd, North York, ON M2K 0C3, Canada
Plus Code
QJ9H+6M North York, Ontario, Canada
Time Zone
America/Toronto

Business Hours

Monday
4–10 PM
Tuesday
4–10 PM
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
Closed
Friday
Closed
Saturday
4–10 PM
Sunday
Closed

Services

Service options
Takeaway Dine-in
Offerings
Healthy options
Dining options
Dinner
Amenities
Toilets
Atmosphere
Casual
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking On-site parking Paid street parking

Photos

Reviews

4.6
★★★★★
82 reviews

Most Mentioned

broth (7) shumai (7) takoyaki (7) cha siu (7) curry ramen (6) selection (6) beef udon (5) pork belly (5) tonkatsu (5) the menu (5)
5 stars
68
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★★★★★
December 11, 2024

A small establishment that serves very tasty dishes. Curry ramen was spicy with alot of flavor. Their udon soup dish was milder, sweet and comforting. Definitely worth the cooking wait time. Note: the restaurant is very small, only seats a handful of people

★★★★★
September 4, 2024

Haven’t had such tasty ramen for a long time in Toronto. Compared to chain ramen restaurants, this little cozy corner ramen place is an absolute gem. First visit today and had the tomato curry ramen recommended by the front lady. Chashu was tender, and the broth.. was so delicious! I personally prefer the ramen a little more al dente but that didn’t affect the overall positive experience! The store front is a little small, maybe not the setting for family dinning. But for solo or couple, highly recommended! Brings back memory of traveling to Japan!

★★★★★
July 5, 2024

Accidentally we go to this restaurant. There are only 5 seats available. We decide to take out. The Katsura and Tonkatsu Donburi are both tasty. The Niki beef udon has a very high quality soup base. Both Housemade Gyoza and Shumai are outstanding. On the menu there are a lot of choices. We will try more in the near future. The service and food quality are surprisingly authentic Japanese style. We really enjoy the take out!

★★★★★
June 7, 2024

Chasiu was well-prepared and perfectly charred. Noodles had good chewiness. Curry soup had great flavour. Note there’s very limited seating if you want to dine in.

★★★★★
June 3, 2024

One of the favourite hidden gems for Japanese good eats in North York, near IKEA. Issai Japanese Eatery is a takeout spot for ramen, donburi, snacks, and drinks. There are only 3+2 bar seating available for dine-in, but mainly for takeouts. We have been back a couple times, and we really enjoyed the experience. The food presentation looks amazing, and the friendly lady who works there spoke Cantonese :) Can't wait to visit again to try more items ^^ Tomato Curry Ramen w/ Teishoku Set // Spicy good, ramen was delicious, the set comes with pickled radish and 2pcs of inari sushi Housemade Gyoza // It was beautifully pan-seared, nice and plump, perfectly wrapped, and delicious! Issai Sesame Abura Soba // Served dry with a light sauce on the bottom mix well before you eat... don't be like me, I waited too long to eat it bc I kept taking pictures, and the noodle dried up lol. Housemade Siumai // Good portion and good flavour, though l'm not a huge fan of fatty pork, but to some people, the siumai may taste soft and juicy! Niku Udon // Loved the broth, comes with thinnly sliced beef, and the udon was nice and chewy :) Kitsune Udon // The broth was a little sweeter because of the sweet tofu skin, still enjoyable!

★★★★★
February 16, 2024

The cashier lady is very nice, great customer service, ramen is fresh and super flavourful and delicious. Packaging is great. It’s nice not having to travel downtown or to sheppard or Yonge to have ramen. Some may consider the price a bit expensive for ramen however it is worth it considering the location and convenience. You definitely get what you pay for.

★★★★
December 7, 2023

Ordered the Curry Katsu. Beef curry was good. Katsu not so much, not crispy, dry in the inside, but good thickness. See pics Rice was a bit on the dry side. Tea was good and served hot. Service was fast and friendly. Next time I'll try the ramen or udon and see how it goes.

★★★★★
August 23, 2023

I have been hoping for a Japanese Eatery to open around my condo~ and finally there is one!!!! I love everything on their menu, although personal fav is still their HOUSEMADE GYOZA!!! Their fillings are chef’s kiss, and the ponzu sauce truly compliments the gyoza. :) Also if you like spicy food, recommend the 3x spicy for curry~ and their Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen (XO sauce is legit the best thing on any foods, just saying)!!! NOM NOM NOM 🤤 P.S. I am editing my review 2 months later because there is 2 new items that was just added recently, and they are LEGIT my MUST-HAVES at all costs. 😁😁And since I can’t make another review on how much I love this place, well here I am again. The 2 new dishes I ABSOLUTELY love are: KITSUNE UDON (Japanese sweetened fried tofu on udon~ and the broth is so flavourful), and CURRY KATSUDON (Breaded Crispy Pork Cutlet over a bed of rice with tons of curry sauce). 🤤🤤🤤🤤 Great after a long gruelling day at work and even a rain day~ 2 months later~ and I 1000000% recommend!!!!!

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

The first bite instantly brought me back to Japan. We ordered tonkatsu, and the soup was spot on, but my favorite part of the ramen was the tender, flavorful pork belly. We couldn t resist ordering katsudon as well. The crispy fried pork cutlet and savory egg made for a truly satisfying meal. This is a must-try with friends and family I highly recommend it!

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Issai, and I can t recommend it enough for anyone who loves ramen, udon, and rice dishes! From the moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that instantly made me feel at home. The service was exceptionally friendly.

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

Udon beef is amazing , beef is very high quality! highly recommend the combo

October 21, 2024

Very low quality ramen, the soup base made from powder mix. Curry is way too oily. Not worth the price. A 12 dollar frozen ramen kit from the supermarket would tastes much better Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 21, 2024

This is a hidden gem for Japanese food! There are only 5 seats inside so I recommend doing takeout. My partner and I got the tonkatsu don and udon and they were both delicious even after the 1hr drive home. The employee there was so nice and gave great recommendations and explanations for the food and their specialty Japanese drinks. Overall, highly recommend if you are craving authentic tasting Japanese food, cant wait to go back!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 21, 2024

Had the best ramen in my life. Ordered curry ramen. The broth is rich and flavorful. The pork belly slices are thick, tender, and perfectly charred. The egg is the perfect softness and came chilled (very nice contrast to the warm soup). The portion is smaller than most ramen places Ive been, but its perfect for me as an average size Asian woman. If you have a larger appetite youd probably want a set dish or two sides. Theres only 5 bar seats but it feels nice and cozy. Not a lot of people dine in so it feels intimate. The music is very chill Also ordered the seasonal kimchi whelk, some really unusual side dish options!

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 21, 2024

Delicious Food! The beef udon with an onsen egg is superb.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 21, 2024

The food is excellent. The portions are nice and filling. The place is very cozy (about 5 sitting places).

August 21, 2024

food was rubbery and hours old but stuck in a microwave

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 21, 2024

it was good, but i give the price a 4/5.

★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

The atmosphere of this restaurant is really one of the best i ever see in Toronto. Feels like I have been to Japan. However, the food is really bad. The rice is really wet and noodles are really overcooked. Food

★★★★★
July 21, 2024

The chashu donburi with miso soup and the sunomono was amazing! I hope to come back again.

★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

A very cozy ramen restaurant located at the bottom of the condo building, it has about 4 bar stool style seating areas, mainly for takeout orders. Great customer service, fresh ingredients, and tasty ramen, especially the thinly sliced meats, they literally melts in your mouth. Wish they were open earlier like noon instead of 4pm though. One of my go-to when cravings hit.

July 21, 2024

Absolutely disgusting food. No offer to rectify from worker. Walked out after one bite. Couldn t pay me to go back.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

Happened to give this place a chance and was not disappointed. The chashu was so tender, flavourful and melted in your mouth. Portions are smaller, but still filling. Very little seating but was able sit down in the evening after work. However, next time I would probably consider takeout.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 21, 2024

It s so nice having an option in the neighborhood where you can order a meal that s ready within 15-20 minutes. I order here weekly and absolutely love the tantanmen ramen and chashu donburi.

July 21, 2024

what kind of restaurant charges $3 extra just for your takeout to be a bit spicy??? Greedy restaurant owners looking to make a quick buck while having zero bottom line disgusts me. at least the food was decent RE: Bottom line? Funny thing to say as a business owner when your bottom line is charging your loyal customers $2.71 for some damn spice. Not to mention the unnecessary sarcasm and need to specifically point out what i ordered plus useless details in a desperate attempt to gloss over the real issue which is your greed. I can tell you re either new or just dumb bc if you actually used your brain and tried to deescalate and solve this issue we d both be happy and go about our day but unfortunately you decided to approach this situation with the most unprofessional and childish attitude especially in the food industry. Now it s my turn. Oh all the things i could do to your restaurant. All this drama over $2.71 i really hope it s worth it for your business. See you soon

★★★★★
July 21, 2024

The ramen was soooo good. Definitely one of the top ramen spots in GTA. I just wish they had more seating, there were only 5 seats.

★★★
Local Guide
June 21, 2024

Very average meat

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 21, 2024

great ramen place! the owner is always friendly and attentive. She gives good recommendations and answers all questions patiently. The ramen and Don are both great! I also love their siu mai and miso soup. Their sets come with the miso soup, which is loaded with toppings like radish slices, seaweed and tofu cubes, and never too salty. Definitely recommend if you want top quality Japanese fast food in a to go setting (they have about 7 seats along the window and wall).

★★★★★
May 21, 2024

I had their curry ramen and it was delicious. The soup was well-spiced but not too hot and the noodles were thick enough to slurp up some soup with each mouthful. The egg was well-marinated and flavourful with a jammy yolk, but I would have personally preferred a slightly runnier yolk. The item part that stood out most to me was the chashu. It was cooked to perfection, resulting in an unbelievably tender piece of meat with a nice sear on it. I would say they serve the best chashu Ive had in the city, though I certainly havent tried every ramen restaurant. Ill certainly be back when Im in the area again. Looking forward to trying some of their other menu items.

★★★★★
May 21, 2024

Perfect

★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

I was excited to try this new Japanese eatery, especially with all the glowing reviews, but perhaps my expectations were too high because I was disappointed and thought it was very mediocre. I ordered their House Cha Siu Don Buri. The cha siu was OK but nothing special. They use pork belly for their cha siu and while the fatty parts were very tasty, the leaner part of the meat was tough. The flavour of the cha siu was also a little bland, as was the sauce that they put on the rice. The sauce could have used a bit more seasoning. Instead it just made the rice a bit too soft. I liked the seasoned egg in the bowl. Portion size was also good. I wont be in a huge rush to come back here but perhaps I will try the ramen next time since that seems to be what most people rave about.

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 21, 2024

Hidden gem - tasty food!

★★★★★
April 21, 2024

Hidden gem. Just try it.

★★★★★
April 21, 2024

Great taste and service, traditional japanese taste not much sits, good for 1-5 people walk in Must try the Chashu pork belly dllm Food : 5/5

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

very cute and cozy ramen shop do come by

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 21, 2024

I can t say enough good about Issai. The food is fresh and fantastic. The staff are just so wonderful and accommodating. Every time I go in with my picky 8 year old they do their best to accommodate and make her what she will eat. Kid-friendliness: Very accommodating for the younger palate.

★★★★★
March 21, 2024

Great neighbourhood Eatery. They have 5 casual dine in seats if youre looking for a quick bite. I had the Niku Beef Udon with Chashu Rice Bowl. It tasted amazing! The broth in the udon was really good. The portion size was also very good. I will be back to try more.

★★★
Local Guide
February 21, 2024

The ramen in this shop is good. However, the Katsudon is very average becuase its chicken is hard and tastes dry. Moreover, there is no juice penetrated into the rice, the rice is tasteless. Overall, this restaurant seems to be designed for takeout, with less space inside for customers to dine in. The restaurant has a rating of 4.9, which clearly seems inflated.

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 21, 2024

Delicious ramen. Got the beef one it really satisfied my weekly ramen craving. Can t wait to try the rest of the menu

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

The food was delicious, especially the Chashu Donburi and Curry Abura Soba, would highly recommend !!!

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Nice little hidden place! The team was very friendly and the Char Siu don was great! Their specialty is their Kyoto Curry Ramen I believe. Will be coming here again to try out other items on their menu! Food : 5/5

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Popped in out of curiosity and was pleasantly surprised by both the food and customer service. The girl in the front was very enthusiastic when discussing their menu, and the Japanese siu mai in particular was fantastic. Will definitely stop by again.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

The store just soft opened and theres already a lot of options to choose from! My favourite is the Shu Mai, Takoyaki and Original Curry Ramen. Im so excited for what the menu would look like once they have their grand opening.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Nice eatery in the neighborhood by Ikea. If you are feeling Japanese food, this is the spot. Its really convenient for people who live in condos nearby and want to pick up something fresh. We ate in. Its a window seat for 2 on a first come, first serve basis. We enjoyed the quality and taste of the food. Will come back for more when were in the area.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Their gyozas are amazing! I ll definitely be returning to try the rest of their menu!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Finally a place to eat in the Leslie/Sheppard area, it s not a super generic Japanese place as they have a pretty neat selection of ramen and rice dishes for the area. I hope this is the start of some life in the area because there s literally been nothing here for the past 7 years and I d rather give my money to somewhere local than Uber. Really nice service, mostly a takeout place but has a couple of spots. Food was really good! Prices are kind of what you d expect these days, not super cheap but it isn t unreasonable.

★★★★
December 21, 2023

Brand new kyoto style Japanese restaurant. They are located close by the sheppard Ikea. Its interesting that they serve kyoto curry ramen. It was very flavourful and the curry doesnt overpower the rest of the noodles. I find the pressed spinach very unique. It was like a roll of dense spinach roll. The nori is placed in a packaging on the side of your tray so when you are ready you can add it into your ramen without getting soggy. The issai tonkotsu ramen was on the lighter flavour side and the noodles were not the wavy ramen in the curry ramen. I personally preferred the wavy ramen and the curry broth. On the menu, you will see a choice of single and teishoku. The Teishoku is $5 more expensive. Teishoku ( ) is a type of restaurant meal that is composed of a pre-selected list of dishes. It comes with a daily suonomo, which is a salad, today they served a seaweed and cucumber salad, daily Inari and the ramen. If you order single, its just the ramen. The Housemade shumai was made in house, it was nice and big topped with tobiko. As a side note, this restaurant is more for take out as there is only two seats available for dine in. Now there is a cash special of 10% off when you pay cash. Free takoyaki with in store purchase of $35 or more (before tax). Interesting experience and nice addition to the neighbourhood!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Charming little place with kind service and very tasty ramen

★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

We visited Issai on a Friday evening around 6pm. The store was nicely decorated with a modern feel. One thing to note is that Issai is more of a takeout restaurant, theres only 2 window seats available for dine-in and its more of a first come first serve basis. We ordered the Curry Tsukemen and Sesame Abura Soba and received a complimentary Takoyaki (Free with $35 purchase). The food came fairly quickly and everything was pretty tasty. Would recommend trying this place if you are looking for a place to eat around the Singer Crt / Provost Drive area.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Convient take-out spot, only 2 seat available. Decent quality Japanese foods. Authentic Japanese drink selection. Helpful, accommodating staff.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Amazing ramen and great service. There was a 10% discount if you pay cash and if you spend above $35 you get the Takoyaki. Indoor seating is limited to two window seats.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Very convenient and tasty Japanese takeout place, will be coming again

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Food was delicious, but a bit too salty. Ideal for take out because dine in is two window seats and they make a lot of take out orders. You can order at the counter, at a machine, or online ahead of time.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

I love the food in this place. Luckily I got a seat and could eat there. The broth was so tasty. The pork belly was so tender. Just love it.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

We had the original curry ramen, gyudon and housemade gyoza. Everything we had was extremely delicious and the service was great. Highly recommend. We will be coming back for sure! They only have seating for two on a first come, first served basis, so be prepared to take out.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Issai Japanese Eatery is an absolute gem for lovers of authentic Japanese cuisine. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The menu offers a delightful array of Japanese dishes, and their takoyaki and noodles are simply outstanding. The takoyaki was perfectly crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, with tender octopus pieces that melted in my mouth. The noodles were equally impressive, cooked to perfection and bursting with rich, savory flavors. What truly sets Issai apart is their dedication to quality and authenticity. Its evident that the chefs take pride in their craft, and it shines through in every dish they serve. The service here is impeccable, with friendly and attentive staff who are happy to make recommendations and ensure a memorable dining experience. If youre looking for a taste of Japan thats second to none, Issai Japanese Eatery is the place to be. I cant wait to return and explore more of their menu. Highly recommended!

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Great teriyaki chicken

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Their house made Shumai was simply exquisite and delicious, and the chicken teriyaki donburi was a true delight. A must-try for anyone who loves Asian food.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Even their takeout is perfect. Food tasted really fresh even after sitting for a while at home. Highly Recommend!

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

This is a hidden gem. If youre a ramen enthusiast or just looking for a delightful meal, I highly recommend giving it a try. I cant wait to come back and explore more of their menu. Five stars all the way!

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Best ramen I ve tried

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

My wife and I came in to get take out! The food was great and still piping hot after bring it home. The takoyaki deal is really worth it.

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

soooo tasty

★★★★★
December 21, 2023

Having dinner here was very good. The restaurant was clean. Mostly for take-out orders but it was nice to have food there. I do recommend a udon and tacoyaki. A ramen is also good! Thank you for good service. :)

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Super cute little place with fast & lovely service!! Ramen is very delicious - signature is their Kyoto curry ramen but tonkatsu also yummy! Portion size is on the smaller end of ramen restaurants but still decent. Bonus is their selection of Japanese beverages.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2023

Delicious ramen! The curry one is awesome