Godeok Station ramen restaurant with generous sides: Myeon Sikdang

Today I had a little date with a friend in Myeongil-dong by Godeok Station. It is right in the middle of the Myeongil-dong academy district, so it is perfect for a meal while visiting E-Mart, the academies, or nearby shops. Most importantly, the portions are generous and the prices are such a bargain.

A meal spot in the Myeongil-dong academy district by Godeok Station

It really is in the heart of the commercial area in front of Godeok Station. It is easy to find, and because it has not been open long, it is very clean.

There is also a menu board in front, which makes everything easy to look over. Mazesoba is currently unavailable, so refer to the menu below!

Menu and price range

They also have set menus, so it is affordable. Seriously, the value is so good. You can generally eat here with just ₩10,000. (These days a basic single serving is ₩15,000–₩20,000...) Ramen for under ₩10,000 these days! The side pork cutlet, mochi cheese katsu, and potato croquette are all reasonably priced too.

A spotless open kitchen and self-service corner

Wow, what a spotless open kitchen. The owner and staff all cook so neatly, and they are incredibly kind.

The self-service corner has soup broth, danmuji (pickled radish), kimchi, aprons, and water. The broth tastes like a deep bonito soy-sauce udon broth. (It is genuinely rich, warm, and delicious.)

The restaurant is clean and fairly spacious. There are tables for two and four, and it is great for eating alone too.

Myeon Sikdang (면식당), meaning “noodle restaurant,” brings together delicious food in one place. They compete on great flavor using only good ingredients. You collect your food yourself and return it to the tray drop-off area. (Maybe that is why the prices are lower—totally satisfying.)

Write a Naver receipt review and you get a complimentary can of soda, so make sure to claim it.

Spicy shabu pho and potato croquettes

Soup broth, thinly sliced danmuji, and napa cabbage kimchi suited the suddenly chilly weather.

Ta-da! This is the spicy shabu pho and potato croquette I ordered. Look at that portion... so generous.

The pho came with an incredible amount of meat, plus plenty of bean sprouts, onion, and scallions. They provide hoisin and chili sauce for the pho, which were perfect for dipping the pickled radish and meat. The potato croquette came with sweet chili sauce. (The two were such, such a good combination!)

To assess the pho: first, the noodles were just the right thickness and perfectly cooked. There were so many noodles that it felt like an extra-large serving elsewhere. The broth was not as spicy as expected—just pleasantly spicy. It is perfect if you want a refreshing broth in winter. The meat was tender, with no odor at all.

You have to add the potato croquette

You have to order this. This place is a potato-croquette gem. The coating was so crisp, while the potato inside was soft and delicious. I was genuinely impressed and finished it in no time! It is sneakily quite large too, so it fills you up. I definitely recommend ordering it as a side. (And the price is nice too: ₩4,000.)

Spicy tonkotsu ramen and mozzarella cheese katsu

This is the spicy tonkotsu ramen and mozzarella cheese katsu. This ramen was such a surprise too... the deep, rich broth was outstanding. The chashu on top was also so delicious. The broth was so good that we finished every drop. I heard the pork cutlet was delicious too, but after trying the cheese katsu—wow! It was a genuinely light, clean-tasting katsu. I absolutely recommend the mozzarella cheese katsu as well.

So this is where the great ramen is! It had a strong authentic Japanese feel. It was not as spicy as expected, just deliciously spicy. The broth was really rich...

I recommend adding a side dish! They do not make sides carelessly just because they are sides; they taste almost like main dishes. They are especially great at frying, so you really have to try something fried. The mozzarella cheese... it is packed full and so delicious.

First of all, the portions are enormous. Everything is seriously so tasty! The menu is varied, making this a great restaurant to visit with children. Mom can have something spicy while the kids eat something mild, and the pork-cutlet dishes are a guaranteed win. Most importantly, the restaurant is truly clean, so it is great for a meal with the whole family. (The owner is the best.)

Eating meat and noodles like this leaves you warmly full on a cold day.

Steamed rice is free too, so you can really eat your fill. Since it is in the middle of the Godeok academy district, lots of students visit at lunchtime. It is a restaurant where the whole family can confidently enjoy a variety of delicious dishes.