Ramen before a Children's Grand Park picnic: spicy shoyu at Mentsuru

I was craving ramen out of nowhere, so before our Children's Grand Park picnic I had lunch at 'Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch,' a Konkuk-area favorite!🍜

Where is Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch?

Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch, a ramen favorite near Children's Grand Park, newly opened in November 2024 near Children's Grand Park Station, close to Sejong University and Konkuk University.

The interior has a variety of regular tables and bar tables, so I'd recommend it if you're looking for a solo-dining-friendly spot near Konkuk, or a ramen restaurant near Children's Grand Park for a group visit.

At the bar seats, there are these cute little phone stands at every spot😉 Such a thoughtful touch — Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch, a great solo-dining spot near Konkuk!

Mentsuru's menu and how the kiosk and tablet ordering work

There's a kiosk near the entrance, so you can browse the menu ahead of time even if there's a wait, and each table has a tablet so you can order and pay all in one go — very convenient.

Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch, a ramen favorite near Children's Grand Park, also offers sake, highballs, beer and other drinks with a Japanese touch. We held off on beer since we were headed to a picnic, but the draft beer at the next table looked incredible🍺 Solo dining is easy here too, and with roomy tables it's also a good Konkuk-area spot to visit with friends.

There's also Wi-Fi, and a review event is running right now — don't miss it🌟

Every table comes set with utensils, water, danmuji (pickled radish), pepper, tissues and everything else you'd need, so you can eat comfortably without having to call a staff member over.

The yuzu danmuji wasn't overpowering and had a nice fresh tang — so good!

A little preview of Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch, a Konkuk-area favorite➿

How did Mentsuru's spicy shoyu ramen and regular shoyu ramen taste?

I thought, 'how spicy could it really be,' with the spicy shoyu ramen, but it turned out sharper and more bracing than expected — felt like it could cure a hangover🌶️ I'd recommend it as a solid Konkuk-area spot for that too.

I also ordered the signature dish of Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch, a ramen favorite near Children's Grand Park serving authentic Japanese ramen — the shoyu ramen, with its deep, rich broth and clean finish. If you don't handle spice well, going with the regular version seems like a great choice! From the fiery, spicy motsu ramen to a lineup that keeps the true flavor of Japanese ramen, it's become well known as a ramen favorite near Children's Grand Park, and it's clear from the steady stream of customers that it's a genuine local favorite.

Loaded with meat, too! Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch is truly great value for the Konkuk area. Every ingredient feels fresh, and the ramen always comes out piping hot.

Even with a wait, tables turned over quickly so we got seated in no time! It's especially busy at lunchtime with office workers and university students — a true Konkuk, Sejong University, and Children's Grand Park ramen favorite, Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch.

The side order: Mentsuru's handmade chicken karaage

This is the handmade chicken karaage we ordered as a side. Fried in the traditional Japanese style — can you see that pale, delicate coating?🤤

The sauce was addictive too — so good! Squeezing lemon over it midway through refreshes your palate and you just keep going❕ If you visit Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch, a ramen favorite near Children's Grand Park, definitely order the handmade chicken karaage as a side — kids would probably love it too.

Under 30,000 won for two — was it filling enough?

The karaage was super thick and the ramen portions were generous, so we ended up sooooo full. Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch — a Konkuk-area favorite where two people can eat until they're stuffed for under ₩30,000💗

Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch, a ramen favorite near Children's Grand Park, is said to be a genuine favorite highly recommended by Japanese ramen enthusiasts, constantly striving to deliver the best flavor with fresh ingredients and care every day. All the staff were friendly, so you can eat in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere🥺

The meat is also super thick and big, right🫪 It was so tender it cut easily even with a spoon. Taking a big bite all at once feels satisfying too, haha — kind of gives you that mukbang YouTuber vibe, hehe.

If you're looking for a traditional Japanese ramen spot where the rich broth, chewy noodles and generous toppings all come together perfectly, Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch, a ramen favorite near Children's Grand Park, comes highly recommended.

Why Mentsuru is a good lunch stop before a Children's Grand Park picnic

It's only about 30 seconds on foot from Children's Grand Park Station, so the accessibility is great. It felt perfect for eating here before heading off to picnic at Children's Grand Park, just like we did😉 Open every day with no break time, so it's a great Konkuk-area favorite you can visit whenever you want — Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch, recommended.