Gwangjin ramen restaurant with Naver receipt review takoyaki: Mentsuru

I found a pretty solid ramen restaurant and wanted to share it. It's Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch, which I discovered while out and about near Children's Grand Park. It's not far from Konkuk University Station either, so I'd recommend it as a lunch spot for a Konkuk date too. Perfect if you're looking for a tasty lunch place.

Where is Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch, and what are the hours?

Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch is 1-2 minutes from Exit 4 of Children's Grand Park Station on Line 7 :) It was easy to find since it's so close to the station *.* Hours are daily 11:00–23:00, last order 22:30, and there's no parking.

Ramen menu and prices, plus the highball list

I took my time looking over the ramen menu, and it was really varied! From the basic shoyu ramen to spicy shoyu, shio ramen, and even motsu ramen! Prices were reasonable, ranging from ₩11,000 to ₩15,000.

There were also side dishes like abura soba, gyudon (beef rice bowl), fried gyoza, karaage, and takoyaki. We ordered the shoyu ramen (soy sauce base), spicy shoyu ramen, fried gyoza, and a regular cola.

There was also a wide range of drinks and alcohol to pair with the ramen. Asahi draft beer, Asahi/Sapporo bottled beer, and Suntory, Jim Beam, Cocoon, and Bombay highballs! If you visit in the evening, a highball on the side would be really nice.

Table setting and the yuzu pickled radish at Mentsuru

Each seat had a clear water bottle, paper cups, and a holder with spoons and chopsticks. The neatly kept tableware, water bottles, and cute little details put me in a good mood before the meal. A seasoning caddy was also set up on one side of the table, with pepper and other seasonings neatly arranged to enhance the ramen's flavor. You could really feel the careful attention to detail.

Mentsuru's house side dish, yuzu pickled radish (danmuji). The thinly sliced radish had a refreshing yuzu aroma that perfectly cut through the richness of the ramen. Each table has mini tongs so you can help yourself to as much as you like. Thanks to that refreshing yuzu scent, my hand kept reaching for more. 🙆♀️ It's the perfect match for ramen 🙆♀️

Bar tables that work for solo dining or a date

There's bar-table seating like this, which works great both for eating alone and for couples to enjoy together. The wooden interior gave it a warm feel, which I liked 🤎😊✨

Wifi info was also neatly posted underneath the table.

Shoyu ramen vs spicy shoyu ramen: comparing the two bowls

It was nice to share two ramens with such different charms — one spicy, one clean-tasting. Both bowls were so generous they were great for photos too. I don't think you'll find a ramen restaurant this good near Konkuk University.

The first thing that caught my eye was the 'spicy shoyu ramen.' The rich, deep-looking broth color alone was enough to stir up my appetite. What I especially liked was the minced onion served separately on a spoon. Stirring the onion into the broth added a spicy yet refreshing, clean flavor, letting me enjoy it without any heaviness. Highly recommend this one if you like spicy food!

The other was the 'shoyu ramen (soy sauce base).' Unlike the spicy version, it features a clear, transparent soy-sauce broth. Stealing a sip, the flavor was deep and clean, spreading fully across the palate. The basic shoyu ramen also came generously topped with chashu, ajitama (seasoned soft-boiled egg), and menma (fermented bamboo shoots), which made it visually satisfying too.

A close-up shot of the thick, tender chashu (braised pork) sitting in the spicy shoyu ramen broth. The chashu, well soaked in the broth, was so tender. The meat quality was excellent enough that I wanted to order extra chashu just to eat more. Try the chashu paired with that deep broth flavor for yourself!

A regular cola we ordered to drink alongside the ramen.

Fried gyoza at Mentsuru

The 'fried gyoza' we ordered to enjoy with the ramen. Crispy fried dumplings topped with sliced scallions, shichimi, and sesame seeds. The kick of the shichimi cut through the richness nicely, and the fragrant scallions added even more flavor.

How to get free takoyaki with a Naver receipt photo review

Lastly, let me give you a handy tip for visiting Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch! If you leave a Naver receipt photo review, you can get a drink or fried gyoza for free. When submitting the review, you need to select and include keywords — at least 2 or more from options like 'they have a special menu,' 'the ingredients are fresh,' 'the food is delicious,' and 'good for solo dining'!

Also, if you upload it with hashtags like #ChildrensGrandParkRestaurant, #SejongUniversityRestaurant, and #KonkukRestaurant, it's a win-win chance to enjoy delicious ramen and score a free item, so definitely make use of it!

I also took part in the review event and got takoyaki :) (It's not shown in the photo above, but takoyaki was an option too.) It was soft and moist under a generous pile of bonito flakes. A textbook example of crispy outside, soft inside! The sweet-savory sauce combined with the umami of the bonito flakes made it perfect to eat alongside the ramen.

Is Mentsuru worth a visit near Children's Grand Park Station?

If you want a hearty meal before or after visiting Children's Grand Park, or you're looking for a good-vibe restaurant near Konkuk University, I'd recommend this Children's Grand Park ramen restaurant, Mentsuru, without hesitation. If you visit, be sure to join the Naver receipt photo review event and grab that extra free item too!