Slice pizza bar date in Isu, Seoul: Lotus potato pizza and HAZY IPA

Right when I was getting tired of the same old date course over and over, I found a hip spot with an exotic vibe like I'd flown straight to America! It's already super famous for pizza in Hongdae, and when I heard the happy news that they'd just opened a new branch near Isu Station, my boyfriend and I rushed right over. From the atmosphere to the pizza itself, everything was perfect — here's my honest review of Raymond's Isu branch, starting now!

Where is Raymond Isu Branch, and what are its hours?

Raymond Isu Branch is about a 3–5 minute walk from Exit 9 of Isu (Chongshin University) Station on Line 4/7. It's open daily from 11:30 to 23:00, with the kitchen closing at 22:00 and drinks at 22:30.

The storefront: an American pizzeria look on a Dongjak side street

The moment I arrived, I couldn't take my eyes off the hip exterior! Palm trees adding an exotic touch, a bold red awning as an accent, and even a stylish red oak barrel out front — it genuinely felt like I'd stepped into a local pizzeria on a street in California. The exterior alone was already begging for a hundred photos before we even walked in.

Inside Raymond Isu Branch: white, wood and red American diner styling

Step inside and a warm, clean white-and-wood interior opens up. To match the exterior, red accents pop up here and there, giving it that polished, classic American dining restaurant feel!

A huge, gorgeous chandelier hangs from the ceiling, giving the whole place an extra touch of elegance! It was so pretty I had to snap a photo.

Off to one side, an eye-catching red fridge is neatly stocked with world-champion bottled beers, cola, and cider — fun to browse even before ordering.

Indoor restroom and the self-serve bar at Raymond Isu Branch

One thing I really care about when going to a restaurant is the restroom! Raymond Isu Branch has a very clean restroom right inside, so I could wash my hands thoroughly before eating and then comfortably pick up the pizza with my hands — honestly, that was one of the best parts.

On one side, a self-bar is neatly set up. Crushed red pepper and Ligo hot sauce — pizza's soulmates — plus wet wipes, tissues, small plates, forks, and knives are all there, ready to go. Super convenient.

Four slice pizzas and which craft draft beer to pair with each

Time for the real feast! What I loved about Raymond Isu Branch is that you can pick and choose different slice pizzas to your taste. We ordered two premium slices, two regular slices, and — of course — craft draft beer, since pizza is never complete without it.

• Premium pizza (2 slices): Big Brown Potato Pizza (Lotus), Big Spicy Fusilli Pizza
• Regular pizza (2 slices): Mac & Cheese Pizza, Pepperoni Pizza
• Craft draft beer (2 glasses): HAZY IPA (my pick!), Pilsner Lager (my boyfriend's pick!)

How the freshly baked Lotus potato pizza and fusilli slices look

Big Brown Potato Pizza (Lotus): potato and Lotus (caramelized biscuit) together — who knew! Sweet, salty, and nutty flavors all blended together. It was my first time trying a pizza topped with Lotus and it was such a fun surprise!

Big Spicy Fusilli Pizza: spicy-seasoned fusilli pasta piled generously on top of the pizza gave it great texture and cut right through any greasiness.

From the ultimate creamy indulgence of Mac & Cheese to the solid classic Pepperoni, all four slices had such distinct personalities that we never got tired of them.

And a sip of the fragrant, bitter HAZY IPA I picked washed the greasiness of the pizza right down, while my boyfriend's crisp Pilsner Lager was also a perfect match with the pizza!

Is Raymond Isu Branch worth it for a pizza-and-beer date near Isu Station?

Raymond's Isu branch delivered high-quality pizza and craft draft beer in a hip, American-dining atmosphere — after one bite, I completely understood why it's so famous in Hongdae. Glancing at the menu, I noticed the lunch set looked like great value! Next time I want to come during the day and try more menu items with the lunch set. If you're looking for a genuinely great, hip pizza spot for a date near Isu Station, you have to check out Raymond.