Gwangjin ramen restaurant for spicy shoyu ramen: Mentsuru

A ramen spot found near Children's Grand Park

I was taking time out on the weekend to walk around near Children's Grand Park when I got such a craving for ramen. I searched around, and everyone seemed to recommend Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch (멘츠루 어린이대공원점) as a great ramen place near the park. It had lots of reviews and solid ratings, so I headed straight over.

Maybe because it was a weekend evening, I was able to sit down right away without waiting. Apparently, it is usually a place with a wait! Even with lots of customers, the restaurant felt cute and tidy, and it also had counter seats, so it looked great for dining alone.

Ordering two shoyu ramens and karaage

Looking over the menu, there were more ramen varieties than I expected, so I hesitated for a bit. In the end, we ordered one spicy shoyu ramen and one regular shoyu ramen (soy sauce), plus chicken karaage (Japanese-style fried chicken) on the side. Two ramens and one side is the golden rule, right? Haha. Even the wait felt so happy :)

The savory depth of regular shoyu ramen

The shoyu ramen (soy sauce) came out first. The moment I took a spoonful of broth, I thought, “Ah, this is the flavor.” Since it is soy sauce-based, it could easily have been salty, but it was not at all—the umami was just perfectly present. Pepper was available too, so pepper lovers can add it to taste.

The noodles had a nice firm chew, and the thick slices of chashu made it feel substantial. The soft-boiled egg was cooked perfectly, with a yolk runny enough to spill out; mixing it into the broth made everything feel even richer. Eggs in ramen are honestly the best... This might be the place that does ramen best near Konkuk University.

Spicy shoyu ramen that builds with every bite

Next, I tried the spicy shoyu ramen, and I definitely want to recommend it to anyone who loves a bold, stimulating heat. At first I thought, “Oh? Is it less spicy than I expected?” But after a few bites, the heat came rushing in more and more.

It was not spicy just for the sake of being spicy, either. The umami of the regular shoyu broth was there underneath, so both the heat and the flavor of the broth came through, which really impressed me. It would be perfect to share with a friend who loves spicy food. It is plenty spicy, so spice lovers will absolutely love it!!

A meal rounded out with chicken karaage

The chicken karaage we ordered as a side was a fail-proof choice too. It was fried crisp on the outside and juicy inside, so it was great with the ramen broth or simply picked up and eaten one piece at a time.

The pieces were a good size too, with more than enough for two people to share. Ramen alone can leave you wanting a little more, but adding an order of karaage made it a much more filling meal.

Overall, the broth had deep flavor without being overwhelming, making this a place I think I will keep craving. I strongly recommend ordering the spicy shoyu ramen and regular shoyu ramen together and sharing them on a first visit, because you get to experience both of their charms at once. The prices were reasonable, and I was also happy that the quick turnover meant I could visit without worrying about a long wait.

When I am craving ramen near Children's Grand Park, this is somewhere I think I will return to without hesitation. I can confidently recommend it to both people who love a spicy broth and people who love rich soy sauce ramen! The karaage is seriously delicious too, so make sure to add it—and personally, if I come back next time, I really want to try the gyoza (Japanese pan-fried dumplings) I saw at the next table!!

After eating here, it is nice to explore nearby Children's Grand Park, and Konkuk University Station is close too, so there are plenty of places to play and look around :) If you are visiting Seoul, I highly recommend stopping by for a delicious bowl of Seoul ramen.