What a fantastic find! Huge thanks to @sofiaF. The service was super quick and attentive, and we enjoyed sitting at the bar where there was plenty of space and great music playing. The ramen was nearly perfect! I would've given it a full 5/5 if it had been a bit warmer, and the tofu and egg were just a tad cool. Overall, though, the food was really delicious! read more

Hoja - N14. Veggie Ramen - Vietnamese Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

Had the Thai iced tea and octopus balls as an appetizer. The storefront is well organized and they have several aquariums with super cute fish near their cash register. If you're eating in, they give you a little buzzer to call you back inside. For me, the food was impeccable both times I've eaten here. Located inside the Old Capitol Mall with plenty of seating inside the mall. read more

I ordered the Spicy Thai Curry Chicken Stir Fry. I expected something along the lines of Japanese curry, or curry sauce with chicken and rice. What I received was an unseasoned veggie mix, with chunks of chicken, and a pound of white rice on the bottom. No seasoning, NO curry flavor, and a ton of garlic. Like, a LOT of garlic, as if to compensate for the lack of seasoning. I am not exaggerating when I say this was unseasoned. If you had handed me this and told me this was Asian food I wouldn't believe you. It was very disappointing, especially considering that Hoja is associated with Sushiya. read more

Hoja - Spicy Thai Curry Chicken Stir Fry - Vietnamese Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

I recently started a new job so am exploring all the downtown businesses that I have missed out on. I didn't even know Hoja was there! I normally order Ramen when I find a new restaurant that offers it but was in a chicken mood so went with the barbecue chicken. The presentation is super nice and you can tell they care about what they do. The spring roll tasted very fresh and was a great way to start the meal. I wasn't a huge fan of the chicken just because it was a bit dry and the egg and rice didn't have a ton of flavor. I will try the Ramen next time for sure. I do truly feel like they care about the experience you have as the server was very kind and sure I was informed. read more

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I wanted to leave an update review after ordering food here numerous times. I am upping them to a five star for quality and consistency. Their food brings me back to Taiwan and is consistently delicious. We always order the Taiwanese pork cutlet and braised pork on rice, also the popcorn chicken. The real hero here is actually the rice. This restaurant is owned by the owners of Sushiya in NL so they know the good stuff. That short grain rice is just so good, especially with the juice from the pickled cabbage mixed in there. Yum! read more

We ate there for lunch and ordered the tonkotsu ramen, spicy miso ramen, and takoyaki. We both opted to add the ramen egg in our bowls. I would say that the highlight would be the ramen eggs. Beyond that, the ramen broth was very light, which I would expect a richer broth for tonkotsu. The spicy miso tasted like they just added miso to a store bought chicken broth. It tastes like they did not put a lot of time into cooking their broths. For the takoyaki, the flavor was pretty good, but they only put one tiny piece of octopus in each ball. It's probably ~85% batter, which I am assuming this was to cut costs...? Their dining is structured to order in the shop and eat on the open tables in the mall. The cashier was very apathetic and couldn't care less to answer any menu questions we had. It felt like it was bothersome for her to have customers come in. When bringing our finished trays back into the shop... I asked where I should return them... The cashier just stared blankly and looked completely disinterested. It was just very awkward experience having to not have employees help when you ask a question and who are bothered when having to do their job... I would be curious to try the pork and rice, but I have mixed feelings about coming back after my dining experience. Would give 2.5 stars for food, and 1 for service. Overall, I would give it a 1.5 star but rounded up because it's a new business. read more

Hoja is delicious! I've gotten their pork cutlets, Taiwanese pork rice, and pickled cabbage multiple times and every time they've been delicious. These foods are what you can easily find in Taiwan and Hoja hasn't changed the recipe for American palettes. I've also had the Takoyaki which is difficult to find around and have been pleasantly surprised how good it is for Iowa City. The crispy chicken was also good. I usually order through "Toast tab" and Hoja has always been on time with the order. With Hoja being in the ped mall, it takes a few minutes to park, a few minutes to get the food, and being under easily the paid time for parking, it's always free! Perfect a combo. read more

Delicious! Fast service and friendly staff, I would def recommend. I particularly like their ramen and katsu curry.

Amazing food, great service, probably the best restaurant in Iowa City. I swear by the takoyaki and gyudon in particular but everything I've had is good read more

I used to get Hoja all the time (spicy beef rice bowl) -- it was one of my favorite places in Iowa City but either they changed their recipe or their staff because the food just isn't as good as it used to be. The beef is really stringy and is filled with fat whereas before, it was actually cut up and way less fatty. It just seems like they care less. It's a shame because I really used to love this place but the last two times, the food has just gotten worse and I'll probably not be going again. read more

Great place to try out ramen and super fast service. I had the pork ramen and I added an egg and it was AMAZING! I highly recommend coming here and getting an egg with any ramen you get. read more

The food was fantastic! Good variety of dishes and quick service. Had the spicy miso ramen and it was great, would definitely recommend.

I really wanted to like this place because Iowa city desperately need a ramen joint but cannot at this time. The good things: chashu: excellent. Soft boiled eggs: perfectly done. However that's about it. Broth is mediocre. The worst thing are the noodles. There is absolutely no chewiness that you get from authentic ramen noodles. It feels like the noodles came from a cheaply made industrial package rather than from scratch. Come on man you are a noodle joint. Get the basic right! read more