Noryangjin ramen shop: mazesoba with egg and chicken toppings at Chome

Lunch at Chome in Noryangjin on the way from Yongsan to Yeouido

Chome (초메) is a Japanese ramen shop in Noryangjin that specializes in mazesoba (brothless noodles tossed in sauce) and futomaki (thick sushi rolls). I stopped in for lunch after finishing work in Yongsan and heading on to Yeouido. People often pass through Noryangjin on that route, and with its cram-school streets and residential blocks, the area quietly hides plenty of tasty, good-value quick meals.

I was searching for somewhere to grab a light meal along the way and stumbled on Chome. I like Japanese food in general, and hearing that Chome specializes in mazesoba and futomaki, not just the usual ramen, made me curious, so I went without a second thought. In the end it was a very satisfying visit, and a new hangout added to my list of Noryangjin Station favorites.

Where is Chome, and what is the atmosphere like?

Chome is about a 7-minute walk from the Line 9 exit at Noryangjin Station. Walking along the alley, the bold red lettering on a white signboard stood out, so it was easy to find.

What sets Chome apart from other Japanese ramen shops is that it puts tsukemen (dipping noodles) and mazesoba front and center.

Stepping inside, the cute, cozy interior made me feel like I'd walked into a little restaurant in Japan.

Japanese newspapers pasted all over the walls and cute cartoon character knickknacks were a treat for the eyes.

After sitting down and looking over the menu, I ordered Chome's signature special mazesoba and half a piece of salmon futomaki. And of course the thing that really caught my eye: Chome's lunch draft beer.

What is Chome's ₩1,000 mini draft beer at lunch like?

Chome's lunch draft beer is a mini draft beer of about 100ml for ₩1,000, and it was the first thing to arrive. It looked adorably tiny, and the easy-going size makes it a perfect pick for people who don't drink much, or office workers with an afternoon of work ahead.

I thought it was the ideal item: no worry about getting drunk, but you still get that cool, liberating feeling of a daytime drink. One cold sip and the work stress just vanished.

Chome's special mazesoba with egg and chicken toppings and kelp vinegar

I added egg and chicken toppings to Chome's main dish, the special mazesoba, and it looked much fuller and more appetizing. To enjoy it even more, I followed the instructions and sprinkled a little kelp vinegar over it before mixing.

With the vinegar, the savory depth really came alive and a rich flavor spread through my whole mouth.

I was convinced it would be hard to find such a well-balanced mazesoba at any other ramen shop in Noryangjin.

Chome side dishes: gyoza, chicken karaage and salmon futomaki

Mazesoba alone felt like not enough at Chome, so I added gyoza and chicken karaage (Japanese fried chicken).

Biting into the crispy karaage and then taking a sip of the lunch draft beer was honestly pure bliss. The gyoza, a textbook crispy-outside, juicy-inside example, also went fantastically with the rich mazesoba sauce.

The salmon futomaki that came next was packed with fresh ingredients without a gap, and just looking at it was filling. It was so big it was hard to fit in one bite, and the richness of the salmon with the crunch of the vegetables was excellent.

A bite of mazesoba, a piece of futomaki, and in between, draft beer with fried snacks: I couldn't help thinking this might be the most perfect combination you can get at a Noryangjin Station restaurant.

Can you get free rice for leftover mazesoba sauce at Chome?

At Chome, once you've finished the mazesoba noodles, you can ask for a small portion of rice, and it's free. Even after I'd picked out all the noodles, quite a lot of sauce was left.

Mixing rice into this sauce is the true finish of mazesoba. I stirred the rice into the leftover meat and sauce and cleared the bowl down to the last spoonful.

I was pleasantly full after the meal. The unique menu and atmosphere you can only get at Chome made for a short but intense break in a busy day. Thanks to how convenient Noryangjin is, sitting between Yongsan and Yeouido, I think Chome will naturally come to mind whenever I pass this way again.

Would I go back? Chome, Noryangjin's hidden gem ramen shop

Chome, a Noryangjin ramen shop, nailed all three: taste, price and atmosphere. Personally, I found the quality of the mazesoba outstanding, and what impressed me most was the lunch draft beer that even people who don't drink well can enjoy. When you want the relaxed feel of a glass of beer but don't want to feel tipsy, there's no better alternative than Chome.

The variety of the menu is another strong reason to come back. From tsukemen to futomaki, being able to try so many Japanese flavors in one place is a big draw. If you want a special, neat meal near Noryangjin, don't hesitate to visit Chome at Noryangjin Station. I'm also planning to go back soon with friends and take on the tsukemen.

Chome visitor information (as of April 2026)

• Address: 1F, 10 Manyang-ro 14-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: 11:00-20:30 (closed every weekend)
• Cards accepted
• Signature menu: ramen / futomaki / lunch draft beer