Mild vs spicy tori paitan and fried gyoza at Mentsuru, Gwangjin ramen

A lot of people looking for ramen restaurants near Konkuk University probably know this area, so I went to check out "Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch", right in front of Children's Grand Park Station.

It was really about 30 seconds on foot from Children's Grand Park Station, so super easy to find.

Chicken skin gyoza is off the Mentsuru menu right now

Naver Maps shows chicken skin gyoza on the menu, but when we visited, only fried gyoza was available. If you're headed there specifically for chicken skin gyoza, keep that in mind. But the fried gyoza was really delicious, so don't be too disappointed!

First impression of Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch: spotless

The store looked super clean.

Both the cooking staff and the person at the counter had bandanas on their heads, so I could tell they were serious about hygiene.

Ordering by kiosk: what is on the Mentsuru menu?

You order at the kiosk. There are about six ramen options, from mixed ramen to soup-based ramen, one gyudon (beef rice bowl), and three sides.

What surprised me was how huge the drinks menu is. Nine alcoholic drinks and nine beverages. For a hangover-cure ramen restaurant, I wondered if people come to cure a hangover and end up having another round..

They're also running a Naver review event, so it might be worth joining.

Yuzu pickled radish and pepper are self-serve at Mentsuru

Below the kiosk there's yuzu pickled radish and pepper set out. It paired really well with the ramen, and best of all, I didn't have to ask for more — nice and convenient.

Tori paitan mild vs spicy: which one cures the hangover?

We ordered one tori paitan mild and one spicy.

It's described as chicken bones simmered at high heat until creamy, and honestly it was exactly the kind of broth you want for a hangover.

That said, the spicy version was a bit much for me, a spice wimp.. If you can't handle spicy food well, I'd recommend just going with the mild version.

Why you should order the fried gyoza (gyoza fry)

It was crispy but still juicy inside — genuinely delicious. It might be worth joining the review event I mentioned earlier and trying the fried gyoza. If you're wondering what side to order with your ramen near Konkuk University, this is the one.

Bar seats and two-tops: Mentsuru for solo diners

There's maybe one or two four-tops, and the rest is mostly two-tops and bar seating. So even coming alone, you wouldn't feel out of place at all. There were actually people eating solo when we were there. If you're looking for a place near Konkuk University that's comfortable for solo dining, this seems like a good option.

Abura soba, the dish a Sejong University friend recommended

I asked a friend who goes to Sejong University and she said she comes here often. Her favorite item is the abura soba (oil-based noodles). I didn't get to try it this time, so I'm definitely coming back for that next.

Parking at Gwangjin Plaza Public Parking Lot, 3 minutes away

We drove and parked at Gwangjin Plaza Public Parking Lot, which was a 3-minute walk — perfect for parking and walking over.

Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch: the verdict

• Name: Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch
• Location: 394 Gwangnaru-ro, 1st floor, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Getting there: 30 seconds on foot from Children's Grand Park Station
• Hours: Daily 11:00–23:00 (last order 22:30)
• Closed: Open year-round, no break time
• Menu: 6 ramen, 1 gyudon, 3 sides, 9 alcoholic drinks, 9 beverages
• Parking: Gwangjin Plaza Public Parking Lot (3 min walk)

★Insider tips★

• The chicken skin gyoza shown on Naver Maps isn't available right now. Order the fried gyoza instead.
• Yuzu pickled radish and pepper are self-serve below the kiosk. They pair well with the ramen.
• The spicy version is spicier than you'd expect. Go mild if you're sensitive to spice.
• Solo dining is totally fine here. It's mostly bar seats and two-tops, so no one will stare.
• If you're driving, Gwangjin Plaza Public Parking Lot is a 3-minute walk away.

If anyone's tried the abura soba, let me know in the comments which one you liked better versus the tori paitan!