Gangnam Station ramen shop for office workers: fast karai ramen, Oreno

Oreno Ramen Gangnam is one of my all-time favorite ramen shops. When I'm near Gangnam Station looking for somewhere to eat alone, or I just want a hearty meal, this is the place that comes to mind. If you're hunting for a solo dining spot around Gangnam Station, I really hope you'll visit at least once.

Why a ramen shop for eating alone near Gangnam Station?

Oreno Ramen Gangnam is a ramen shop near Gangnam Station that's great for office workers grabbing a quick lunch or eating quietly alone after work. Slurping springy noodles in a deep, rich broth made by simmering chicken for a long time, you feel the day's tiredness melt away.

Do you like ramen? Whenever I have to eat alone, I find myself heading to a ramen shop. It doesn't feel like just getting a meal done; it feels like a hearty comfort. This visit was no different, and I could see why it's so consistently loved as a solo spot near Gangnam Station.

What are the atmosphere and seating like at Oreno Ramen Gangnam?

The shop isn't huge, but it has the feel of a ramen shop in Japan. There are table seats for groups and counter seats (dacchi-seok) for solo visitors, so it was easy to use without any pressure.

A lot of the customers are eating alone, so if you're planning a solo meal near Gangnam Station, you don't need to worry about anyone's glances at all.

Kiosk ordering at Oreno Ramen Gangnam, with beer and highballs

After you walk in, you order and pay at a kiosk first. It felt like a specialty ramen shop in Japan, which I actually liked even more. They also sell beer and highballs!

What is provided at the seats at Oreno Ramen Gangnam?

There were hair ties at my seat, and green tea was served instead of water. Sitting down, I noticed how much care went into the small details.

Personally I prefer green tea or barley tea to plain bottled water, so I was in a good mood before the meal even started!

Side dishes: pickled radish, kimchi and pickled ginger

The side dishes are pickled radish, kimchi and pickled ginger, and they go so well with ramen that they reset my palate between bites. This kind of thoughtfulness made it easy to understand why the shop has so many regulars.

How does the karai ramen at Oreno Ramen Gangnam taste?

My order this day was the kara ramen (spicy ramen), and I added a soft-boiled egg and tsukune (chicken meatball) as toppings! The food came out faster than I expected after ordering.

Doesn't it look so appetizing? When you eat alone and the food comes late, it can feel oddly awkward and embarrassing, so I was glad there was no such worry here.

The kara ramen was generously topped with wood ear mushrooms, and the richly simmered chicken broth had a deep flavor. From the first bite I could see why it's famous as a Gangnam Station ramen favorite. The moderately salty broth went really well with the springy noodles, and the spiciness on top meant I never got tired of it down to the last bite.

Thanks to the clean taste typical of a chicken-based broth, I ended up drinking almost all of the soup. If you're looking for a proper ramen spot in Gangnam, this was more than satisfying.

What can you refill for free at Oreno Ramen Gangnam?

At Oreno Ramen Gangnam you can refill noodles, broth, kimchi and even rice at no extra charge. To me, this free refill service is the shop's biggest strength.

Considering prices these days, it's an amazing service. On a hungry day you can add rice and eat it with the broth, and if you want more noodles, you can add them without hesitation. I think that's hugely satisfying for anyone looking for a solo meal near Gangnam Station. Being able to eat slowly without feeling rushed, even alone, is another big plus.

Who should eat at Oreno Ramen Gangnam?

I'd wholeheartedly recommend Oreno Ramen Gangnam to office workers and students looking for a solo meal near Gangnam Station. With a clean yet deep chicken broth, springy noodles and generous refills, the value was excellent too.

It's no pressure to come alone, and the food comes out fast, so it works even in a busy lunch hour. On a day when you're craving a good bowl of ramen in Gangnam, Oreno Ramen Gangnam will be a choice you won't regret.