Itaewon ramen with Japanese-speaking crowd, garlic hangover lunch

The restaurant I'm introducing this time An Itaewon ramen spot that a lot of Japanese people visit Okagura Ramen, full of Japanese local vibes

Okagura Ramen in three honest lines

• Best ramen I've had recently
• You hear more Japanese in the restaurant than Korean
• Atmosphere, taste, kindness — all top notch

Okagura Ramen from the outside

A ramen spot tucked in an Itaewon alley Even from the outside it already feels like a genuine Japanese ramen restaurant Access was good since it's not too far from the main Itaewon street Also close to Yongsan-gu Office

What are the seats like inside Okagura Ramen?

Bigger inside than expected There are basic bar seats and a 4-person table further in Too many customers, so I couldn't get a photo of the table

And on one side there's a slightly separated space It feels like a balcony and looks good for group visits

Overall the place is pleasant, tidy and clean A well-managed ramen restaurant 😊

Okagura Ramen menu and how to order

You order with the QR code at each table We ordered Okagura's signature popular items Tonkotsu ramen, umakara tonkotsu (level 2) and gyoza It was nice that you could also choose spice level and noodle firmness — I picked firm noodles 😉

Itaewon ramen restaurant, what we ordered

Tonkotsu ramen ₩13,000 Umakara tonkotsu ₩13,000 Bite-size gyoza ₩6,000 Extra chashu ₩2,500

Ginger-laced pickled radish — what if you can't eat it?

The table instructions and how to use them A very detailed and kind explanation The pickled radish here has ginger in it. If you can't eat ginger, they say you can ask separately and they'll give you radish without ginger This was my first time eating pickled radish with ginger in it and it was better than expected. I don't even eat plain pickled ginger normally, but this was delicious 😋 The warm oolong tea was tasty too

They give you extra raw garlic I've never seen a place do this before If you want more garlic aroma, add it in I didn't add any more myself

Tonkotsu ramen, ₩13,000

Wow!!! Genuinely deep and rich From the very first sip of broth, the depth is different That feeling of your stomach being gently soothed and opened up That happy, deep warmth

How spicy is umakara tonkotsu level 2?

Umakara tonkotsu ₩13,000 Spicy tonkotsu ramen What I ordered was level 2 The menu description said level 2 is about as spicy as Shin Ramyun, and it was exactly right — feels just like Shin Ramyun spice level

A moderately spicy ramen, perfect hangover cure I came for lunch after drinking the night before, and it hit the spot as a satisfying hangover meal The chashu was delicious, the egg was delicious, and the noodle firmness was so good too — even the crunch of the bean sprouts tucked in was perfect. A truly complete bowl of ramen

Bite-size gyoza, ₩6,000

Better than expected So much juice packed into these small gyoza A flavor that pairs really well with ramen I plan to order gyoza again if I come back

Overall thoughts on Okagura Ramen

An Itaewon ramen restaurant It was interesting how there were more Japanese customers than Korean customers in this ramen shop — a Japanese ramen spot with a great atmosphere J-pop playing in the restaurant and Japanese being spoken all around by the customers made it feel genuinely local The owner had a really good, friendly impression and was kind The atmosphere and cleanliness of the space were great too And of course the taste of the ramen itself was the best ramen I've had recently. I fully intend to come back 😋

Okagura Ramen address and info

• Address: 26 Itaewon-ro 14-gil, 1F, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (34-106 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul)
• Hours: 11:20–21:30 / break time 15:30–17:00 / last order 15:00, 21:00
• Parking: Not available