# Itaewon ramen with Japanese-speaking crowd, garlic hangover lunch - By Yuri (https://superchart.com/en/@gangwon-roadside-lunch/) - Written Sep 7, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Yongsan, Seoul - Sponsored: This post was written as a paid restaurant-visit sponsorship. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@gangwon-roadside-lunch/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@gangwon-roadside-lunch/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/index.md) ## In short Okagura Ramen is a Japanese ramen restaurant in a back alley of Itaewon, Seoul, where more Japanese customers than Korean ones sit under J-pop, giving it a distinctly local, un-touristy feel. The writer ordered tonkotsu ramen, umakara tonkotsu at spice level 2, and bite-size gyoza, topping it off with ginger-laced pickled radish and extra raw garlic as a hangover lunch after drinking the night before. Called the best ramen eaten recently, with a strong intent to return. ## Good to know - **Tonkotsu ramen**: ₩13,000 - **Umakara tonkotsu**: ₩13,000 - **Bite-size gyoza**: ₩6,000 - **Extra chashu**: ₩2,500 - **Ordering**: QR code at each table; choose spice level and noodle firmness - **Seating**: Bar seats, 4-person table inside, separated balcony-style space - **Hours**: 11:20–21:30 (break 15:30–17:00, last order 15:00 & 21:00) - **Parking**: Not available - **Address**: 26 Itaewon-ro 14-gil, 1F, Yongsan-gu, Seoul *as written by the visitor on Sep 7, 2026* ![Okagura Ramen signature photo](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura-01-x0wir-1200.webp) 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 ![A bowl of tonkotsu ramen at Okagura Ramen in Itaewon](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura-02-13bcy-900.webp) ## 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 ![Exterior view of Okagura Ramen in an Itaewon alley](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura-03-15s5r-900.webp) 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? ![Bar seating inside Okagura Ramen](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura-04-pdeys-900.webp) 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 ![Separated balcony-style seating for groups](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura-05-rik1d-900.webp) And on one side there's a slightly separated space It feels like a balcony and looks good for group visits ![The clean, well-managed interior of Okagura Ramen](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura-06-1yrpy-900.webp) Overall the place is pleasant, tidy and clean A well-managed ramen restaurant 😊 ## Okagura Ramen menu and how to order ![Okagura Ramen menu board showing ramen types](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura-07-1a652-900.webp) ![Okagura Ramen menu board showing spice levels](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura-08-i9252-900.webp) ![Okagura Ramen menu board with side dishes and toppings](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura-09-p6qdk-900.webp) 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 ![Instructions for use posted on the table](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura-10-11b0b-900.webp) ![Ginger-laced pickled radish with warm oolong tea](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura-11-jxqzi-900.webp) ### 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 ![Extra raw garlic served on the side](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura-12-wpji7-900.webp) 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 ![Tonkotsu ramen with rich broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura-13-eby8h-900.webp) 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 ![Close-up of tonkotsu ramen broth and noodles](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura-14-12qac-900.webp) ### 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 ![Umakara tonkotsu spicy ramen at level 2](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura-15-1hrfy-900.webp) 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 ![A bowl of ramen topped with chashu and egg](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura-16-1xlqe-900.webp) ![Juicy bite-size gyoza](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura-17-2v02b-900.webp) ### 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 ![Table spread of ramen and gyoza at Okagura Ramen](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura-18-1kqsn-900.webp) 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 ## Where it is - Okagura Ramen (오카구라 라멘) - 26 Itaewon-ro 14-gil, 1F, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 용산구 이태원로14길 26 1층 - 37.533201, 126.9908598 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%98%A4%EC%B9%B4%EA%B5%AC%EB%9D%BC%20%EB%9D%BC%EB%A9%98/@37.533201,126.9908598,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@gangwon-roadside-lunch/itaewon-ramen-local-japanese-vibe-okagura/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt