Yongsan ramen restaurant with a Pororo drink kids' set: Menya Seoul

After the Lego Ninjago world premiere event, we watched the movie, got a signature from the designer, and by the time we left, I was pretty hungry.

Between waiting in line for the screening and running through the whole schedule, I was worn out and really craving something hearty and warm with a good broth. So my kid and I headed to District 7 on the 7th floor of I'Park Mall in Yongsan, Seoul, where a bunch of good restaurants are clustered together.

Where is Menya Seoul in Yongsan I'Park Mall?

Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch is inside District 7 on the 7th floor of I'Park Mall, near the central escalator. There were plenty of restaurants with all kinds of menus, but the place my kid finally picked was Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch, a well-known ramen spot in Yongsan I'Park Mall.

<<Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch>> · Hours: 11:00–22:00 (last order 21:00) · Location: Inside District 7 on the 7th floor of I'Park Mall, near the central escalator · Menu: Dongpo Pork Chashu Ramen (₩12,900), Chilled King Prawn Ramen (₩12,900), Whole Pork Belly Mazesoba (₩11,900), Sweet Soy Chicken Rice Bowl (₩9,900)

Menya Seoul's slogan is basically 'ramen where the chashu shines,' and they say they make it with care every day. Looking at the menu, you choose a broth (mild/spicy/mala) and then pick your toppings.

What a parent and a 2nd-grader ordered: one ramen plus one set

We decided on the mild-broth dongpo pork chashu ramen and the mild-broth jambon chashu ramen. For just ₩5,000 more, you get a drink (Coke/Sprite/Coke Zero/Pororo drink) plus a small side (crispy gyoza/karaage/sweet soy chicken rice bowl).

So we ordered one solo ramen and one set. For the set, we picked crispy gyoza as the side and the kids' Pororo drink.

The food came out really fast, so we didn't have to wait long before digging in — great. They had kids' forks ready and let us pick a kids' drink, which made it perfect for stopping by with a child.

How is the mild-broth dongpo pork chashu ramen at Menya Seoul?

Menya Seoul's dongpo pork chashu ramen (₩12,900) comes topped with thick-cut dongpo pork and jamón. Just the look of the toppings on that rich broth got me excited. The one I ordered had thick slices of dongpo pork and jamón on top.

The dongpo pork had zero gamey smell and was well seasoned with a nice salty edge. The egg was cooked to a soft-boiled perfection that was exactly my style — very satisfying.

The base tonkotsu broth had plenty of kelp and minced garlic in it, giving it a refreshing yet savory flavor that was outstanding. The noodles were thin, and these thin noodles soaked up the rich broth beautifully, making them work really well together.

I ate mine plain, but every table has chili oil and kelp vinegar on it, so you can season the broth to your taste.

Is the jambon chashu ramen too spicy for a child?

Menya Seoul's jambon chashu ramen, ordered with the mild broth, only has a slight touch of pepper, so my 2nd-grader had no trouble eating it. The one we ordered for the kid was piled high with chopped scallions, which made it look really appetizing too.

The ramen has jambon-beurre ham in it, and it paired perfectly with the broth, like they were made for each other. There was a slight pepper kick, but nothing spicy, so my kid kept picking up the big pieces of jambon and slurping down the noodles. By the end, they were even happily spooning up the broth.

The set side at Menya Seoul: crispy gyoza

The crispy gyoza that came as the set side lived up to its name — crunchy on the outside and packed with juicy filling inside, a perfect match with the ramen.

Is one ramen and one set enough for an adult and a child?

At Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch, ordering one solo ramen and one ramen set for the two of us turned out to be exactly the right amount. After a hungry morning finishing up the event, a bowl of warm, rich ramen filled us right up. Sharing one ramen and one ramen set between the two of us gave us just the right portion and a really satisfying meal.

If you're at Yongsan I'Park Mall with your kid and looking for a quick, tasty bowl of something warm and soupy, or a chashu ramen with a bit of a twist, head to Menya Seoul in District 7.