Post-shopping ramen in Hanam Misa: egg-topped yakitori don at Menji

Today I went shopping at Starfield Hanam, then searched for good restaurants around Hanam Misa and ended up at Menji Hanam Misa Branch. At this hotspot near Misa Station I had a rich, deeply flavorful bowl of Japanese-style ramen and some katsu — if you're a fan of thick, hearty ramen broth, this post is for you.

Where is Menji Hanam Misa Branch, and what is parking like?

Located right in the heart of Hanam Misa, Menji Hanam Misa Branch is easy to reach by public transit thanks to the well-developed surrounding infrastructure, so you don't really need a car. I drove over after shopping at Starfield Hanam, but heads up — the parking lot is fairly small.

The moment I stepped inside, I was hit with a cozy yet stylish interior that fully captures the feel of Japan. You can catch glimpses of the kitchen, which gives it a clean, trustworthy vibe, and there's plenty of seating — from bar tables great for solo dining to regular tables for a comfortable meal — making it a solid pick for a date or a gathering with friends.

Ordering was conveniently done through a kiosk. Check out the video for the full range of menu options!

House-made pork loin katsu: crisp outside, juicy inside

The house-made pork loin katsu at Menji Hanam Misa Branch was the dish that perfectly balanced out the meal with its crunchy texture. The quality rivals dedicated tonkatsu specialty restaurants.

Inside the thin, crispy breading was a thick, fresh cut of domestic pork loin packed with juice — not a trace of dryness.

Good quality loin meant no gamey smell at all, just a savory flavor filling my mouth, and every bite burst with juice — truly crispy outside, tender inside. Dipping it in the special tonkatsu sauce or lightly dunking it in the rich ramen broth each brought out a different kind of charm.

Char siu-loaded tori paitan ramen: how deep is the chicken broth?

Menji's signature dish is the eye-catching char siu-loaded tori paitan ramen.

Simmered for a long time, the tori paitan broth comes out milky white and rich — I took a spoonful and it was the real deal.

It has a different character than pork-bone tonkotsu ramen — clean yet deep and packed with umami. No gamey smell whatsoever, just a light but lingering richness.

Plenty of char siu (braised pork slices). The bowl was piled high with soft char siu, cooked so tender it practically melted the moment it hit my mouth.

Slurping up the noodles soaked in that rich broth together with the thin, tender char siu felt exactly like sitting in a famous ramen shop in Japan — very good.

Yakitori don with extra egg: a filling grilled chicken rice bowl

For those moments when ramen alone isn't quite filling enough, the yakitori don (grilled chicken skewer rice bowl) steps in. Golden-grilled chicken skewers pile generously on top of the rice, and the faint smoky aroma had me hungry all over again.

The sweet-savory special grilled-chicken sauce soaked into every grain of rice and into the moist chicken meat — an addictive flavor that made it hard to put my spoon down. The chicken's crispy-outside, juicy-inside texture paired perfectly with the fluffy rice.

I love eggs, so I added one on top. There seemed to be both chicken and pork mixed in, giving it slightly varied textures.

Final verdict on Menji, a ramen restaurant in Hanam Misa

I'd been meaning to shop and eat at Starfield Hanam, but since there are so many good restaurants around Misa, I searched around and found Menji instead. The Japanese-style ramen and variety of Japanese dishes were all delicious! From the rich, flavorful tori paitan to the smoky yakitori don and the crispy-yet-juicy house-made pork loin katsu — everything was fully satisfying. If you're visiting Starfield Hanam or looking for good food near Misa Station, give Menji Hanam Misa Branch a try.