Isu pizza pub with friends: meat slice, tteokbokki, chicken, Raymond

I hadn't seen my friends in a while, so I spent some time wondering where to meet, and ended up at Raymond Isu Branch. Isu is an easy place to reach from Seoul and also convenient from the Gyeonggi side, so it's a great neighborhood for meetups, right? That day I was looking for a spot near Isu Station where we could have a light meal and a beer, and this is where I landed.

How close is Raymond Isu Branch to Isu Station?

Raymond Isu Branch is about a 3-minute walk from Exit 9 of Isu Station. It's close to the station, so it was easy to meet friends, and you don't have to hunt for it down some back alley. Being near Isu Station made it a no-stress meeting spot.

The exterior already has a bit of an American pub vibe, so I was looking forward to it before even going in. It felt like a good place for pizza and a beer, and it looked fine for after work too.

Raymond Isu Branch atmosphere: is it okay to eat alone?

Inside, Raymond Isu Branch felt less like a typical pizza place and more like an American sports pub. It was clean but a little exotic, with plenty of tables, so it looked good for friend get-togethers or a casual team dinner. Some tables had groups enjoying pizza and beer, and there were people eating a slice alone, so it felt comfortable for solo dining too.

I also liked that you can watch the pizza being made. Before ordering, I could see the pizza size near the self-service bar. I'd assumed "slice" meant something light, but the look of it surprised me a bit. One slice is like two or three regular slices put together, so if it's your first visit, I'd suggest ordering with the portion size in mind.

Raymond Isu Branch menu and what we ordered

Raymond Isu Branch centers on American-style pizza slices, with a range of side dishes and craft beer to go with them. There are lots of slice varieties, so one slice is a hearty meal if you come alone, and a group can share several flavors.

We came with friends and ordered pizza slices, tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), and boneless chicken. Adding sides made it feel much more generous than pizza alone.

The menu ranged from pizzas with meat toppings to ones with seafood toppings. If you like the bouncy texture of seafood, the seafood pizza seemed like a good match, and if you prefer something hearty, the meat-topping pizza looked like a good pick.

How were Raymond's pizza slices?

The first thing that came to mind when the slices arrived at Raymond Isu Branch was "wow, that's really big." The dough was thin and crisp, so it wasn't heavy, and the toppings were generous, so every bite felt rich. The base sauce was nicely savory too, and everything worked well together.

Meat-topping pizza: salty and hearty

The meat-topping pizza was salty and hearty, and the onions I bit into here and there added a sweetness that cut the greasiness. I'd had a bias that American-style pizza would be too salty and heavy, but this time it turned out better balanced than I expected.

Mac & cheese pizza: rich cheese flavor

The mac & cheese pizza had a strong, nutty cheese flavor, with that classic American-style appeal. This one would definitely be even better with a beer.

Raymond's tteokbokki and boneless chicken: are the sides good too?

The sides at Raymond Isu Branch were better than I expected too. The tteokbokki was pleasantly spicy with the sauce soaked in well, so it was nice to nibble on between bites of pizza,

and the boneless chicken was crisp outside and juicy inside. You tend to think of a pizza place's sides as just something to go alongside, but at Raymond both the pizza and the sides were satisfying, so it's worth recommending as a good spot near Isu Station.

Can you have pizza and beer at Raymond Isu Branch?

Raymond also serves craft beer, so it seems especially good for people who love pizza and beer together. We mostly came for a meal this time, but since the pizza is American-style, it would likely be even more satisfying with a cold beer.

What kind of occasion suits Raymond Isu Branch?

Overall, Raymond Isu Branch was a good spot near Isu Station for big American-style pizza slices and a variety of sides. It's comfortable alone, and with a group you can share lots of dishes, so it suits friend meetups and casual drinks. If you're looking for a good place near Isu Station, why not try pizza, chicken and tteokbokki at Raymond Isu Branch?