Ramen in Sokcho with rich tonkotsu and mini butadon: Ichiba Ramen

While traveling in Sokcho, my spouse and I stopped by Ichiba Ramen (이찌바라멘). We ordered special tonkotsu ramen, regular tonkotsu ramen, and mini butadon (pork rice bowl), and the rich broth and generous meat toppings stayed with us.

What kind of ramen restaurant is Ichiba Ramen?

I was told it began in Busan in 2006 and has operated in Sokcho since relocating there in 2024. I was glad to find a place serving Japanese-style ramen in Sokcho, a city I visit often.

The exterior was clean and eye-catching, with a compact, cute feel.

What are the seating and ordering like?

Inside, there was an open kitchen where I could see the cooking area, along with separate bar seating and regular tables.

I was told the restaurant had also moved to a larger location in Sokcho. Even after lunchtime when I visited, customers kept coming in.

We ordered through a kiosk. I also remember the owner’s kind service.

How were the tonkotsu ramen broth and special toppings?

I was told the broth is simmered for more than 30 hours using a method passed down by a Japanese mentor. The broth that arrived was so pale and rich in color that it reminded me of soy milk. We ordered three dishes: special tonkotsu ramen, regular tonkotsu ramen, and mini butadon.

The special tonkotsu ramen came generously topped with a large rolled pork belly chashu, thin-sliced beef brisket, seasoned egg, Japanese wood ear mushrooms, and bean sprouts over the noodles. The size of the chashu especially caught my eye.

The seasoned egg was cooked just the way I like it. The wood ear mushrooms had a distinctive shape and texture, and I liked the added texture when I ate them with the noodles and meat.

I wrapped the noodles in the meat and ate them with vegetables. It felt like a generous portion, but I still finished it.

How did the regular tonkotsu ramen broth taste?

The regular tonkotsu ramen also had such a pale broth that the noodles were hard to see. It was deeply savory with a moderate punch, and to my taste it was neither too strong nor too bland.

The regular tonkotsu ramen felt satisfying for the price. However, the original post did not record specific menu prices.

How was the mini butadon alongside the ramen?

We ordered mini butadon as well in case ramen alone would not be enough. Despite its name, the portion felt generous.

The pork had a subtle char-grilled aroma and went well with the savory sauce. Although we said we were full, we finished both the ramen and butadon without leaving anything behind.

What are the location and hours?

The address is 348 Jungang-ro, Sokcho-si. At the time the original post was written, the hours were listed as 09:00–21:00, with last order at 20:30.

There was also a notice saying that customers who write a Google or Naver receipt review can receive one of the following: a seasoned egg, rice, or a giant chashu.