Hanam ramen restaurant with crispy tonkatsu set: Menji

I was craving Japanese ramen so badly that I went here 🍜 I heard there was a Japanese ramen specialist in Hanam Misa, so I visited Menji Hanam Misa Branch (멘지 하남미사점). They said they carefully prepare everything daily, from house-made fresh noodles and deeply simmered chicken broth to house-made chashu and ajitama (seasoned soft-boiled egg), so my expectations were rising. Would it really deserve its reputation as a great ramen spot in Hanam? 👀

A cozy Japanese ramen-shop atmosphere at Menji in Hanam Misa

The restaurant is in the Hanam Misa area, so it wasn't hard to find, and even the exterior had that unmistakable Japanese ramen-specialist feel, yarr. It was clean and had an easy, welcoming atmosphere to walk into, hehe.

It had an even cuter Japanese feel than I expected... It felt like stepping into a little ramen shop while traveling in Japan, so I really ended up liking the atmosphere too. It was cozy overall and looked great for dining solo.

Ordering kara tantanmen and Shin Tori Paitan

There were more ramen choices than I expected, so I spent a while deciding what to get... 🥹 From chicken-broth-based options like Tori Paitan to tantanmen, it was easy to choose according to your taste. I ordered the kara tantanmen + mini pork loin tonkatsu set and the Shin Tori Paitan mini rice combo.

They even have instructions for enjoying the ramen more deliciously. I was definitely going to follow them. Add sauces or pepper here and there to suit your taste.

The basic side dishes were neatly set out too. They thoughtfully even had hair ties ready, haha.

Kara tantanmen with rich peanut broth and tonkatsu

Kara tantanmen + mini pork loin tonkatsu set 🍜 Even visually, the broth looked seriously rich. There was a generous amount of chicken topping on top too. I loved being able to have ramen and tonkatsu together.

I mixed the sauce well into the broth. Once the sauce was stirred in, the broth got darker and that distinctive nutty tantanmen aroma came right up... yarr.

And the chicken topping was really juicy..! Chicken breast can seem like it might be dry, but this had none of that—it was tender and moist. I guess that is because it was made sous vide.

The broth is the key to kara tantanmen, and this one had a rich, nutty peanut base. Eating the chicken and noodles together was an insane combination. It was nutty yet spicy, and the thick broth clung right to the noodles. Wow, I can kind of see why it is famous as a Hanam Misa ramen spot.

The mini pork loin tonkatsu was crispy and ridiculously good. Ramen alone might feel a little lacking, but having the tonkatsu too made it really filling 🫳🏻🫳🏻 If you are looking for Japanese food in Hanam, I seriously recommend getting a set with both ramen and tonkatsu.

Shin Tori Paitan mini rice combo with a Cheongyang chili kick

The Shin Tori Paitan mini rice combo made its entrance too. This one also came with chicken topping, and it was super juicy again. The deep, clean flavor unique to rich chicken broth gave it a totally different charm from the kara tantanmen.

Plus, it had loads of Cheongyang chili peppers, so it was even, even, even spicier than expected!!! Thanks to the peppers, it was not greasy and had a nice sharp heat. If you cannot handle spice, order the regular one.

I also tried adding a little pepper halfway through, and the pepper aroma gave the broth another whole dimension.

You absolutely have to finish with rice... Once the rice went into the rich chicken broth, it was as filling as gukbap (rice in soup), and I successfully finished every last bit of broth too 🍚

When you are craving chicken-broth ramen in Hanam Misa

Overall, Menji Hanam Misa Branch felt like a place that pays attention to every detail, from the noodles and broth to the chicken topping! Tonkotsu ramen may be the famous Japanese ramen style, but chicken-broth ramen is clean and ridiculously delicious too•• If you are craving Japanese ramen in Hanam Misa or looking for a good Hanam ramen spot, I recommend Menji.