Red pepper mac and cheese and Lotus pizza slice in Isu: Raymond

On a weekend, I went out for the first time in a while near Isu Station. Walking through the charming, lively alleys, I found myself craving a cold craft beer and a big American-style pizza, so I headed to...

...Raymond Isu Branch, a pizza and craft beer pub located in an alley near Isu Station.

Where Raymond Isu Branch is and when it opens

Raymond Isu Branch is at 33 Dongjakdae-ro 23-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 1st floor. Hours are 11:30–23:00, with last order at 22:30.

It's on the first floor of a building in an alley near Isu Station, so it was easy to find. Banners at the entrance showing the set menu and lunch sets made it easy to check the menu before going in.

Inside Raymond Isu Branch: seating and the self-serve bar

Stepping inside, a clean, cozy, and trendy interior opened up.

The hip open kitchen caught my eye first, and the seating inside was spacious, ranging from tables for four to six. The layout works well for dates as well as group gatherings with friends.

The restroom inside the restaurant was also very clean and well-maintained, so it was pleasant to use.

On one side is a neatly organized self-serve bar. Wet wipes, small plates, forks, and various sauces were all conveniently arranged for self-service.

How to order at Raymond and what we picked that day

Ordering was simple, done through the tablet installed at the table.

A receipt review event is also running, so it's worth grabbing a small perk when you visit.

What we ordered: craft beers - American India Pale Ale and blueberry sour ale - plus the side dish mac and cheese, tomato spaghetti, and two pizza slices (pepperoni pizza and Lotus pizza).

Craft beers: American India Pale Ale and blueberry sour ale

The craft beers we ordered arrived first. The American India Pale Ale, with its bitter hoppy flavor and aroma, and the blueberry sour ale, with its refreshing, sweet fruit scent, were both clean and cold - the first sip alone put me in a good mood.

Mac and cheese with whole red pepper flakes on top

Next came the mac and cheese! The savory, salty cheddar cheese sauce clung thickly to the macaroni - perfect for pairing with beer.

Taking a big spoonful, the rich cheesy flavor coated my whole mouth.

I sprinkled the red pepper flakes on the table over the mac and cheese, and it added a slight kick that cut through the richness of the cheese, so I could enjoy it to the last bite without getting tired of it.

How the tomato spaghetti tastes

The tomato spaghetti that followed had a tangy, sweet, deep tomato sauce that soaked into the noodles - a solid, crowd-pleasing flavor.

How big are the pepperoni and Lotus pizza slices?

Today's main event: two huge slices of pizza! A classic pepperoni pizza and an unusual Lotus pizza topped with sweet, crunchy Lotus cookie crumbles.

Each slice was so huge that even after cutting it in half with a knife, it still filled the plate. Just half a slice was already a huge portion, satisfying from the very first look.

We didn't leave the crust behind, dipping it into the tomato spaghetti sauce and the mac and cheese to use every last bit. The chewy dough paired well with the sauces, so we finished it all happily.

After finishing our meal, we headed to the counter where cute lollipops were set out for guests. A sweet finish to send us off in a good mood.

Final verdict on Raymond Isu Branch

Near Isu Station, in a hip atmosphere, I got to enjoy cold craft beer, delicious pizza, and pasta - a satisfying outing all around.

The slice pizzas were really generous in size, and they paired beautifully with the mac and cheese, spaghetti, and beer. The place is clean, the seating is roomy, and if you're looking for a relaxed pizza-and-beer spot or a date spot near Isu Station or Sadang, I'd definitely recommend Raymond Isu Branch.