Yongsan mall ramen with clean sari gomtang-style broth: Menya Seoul

While looking for somewhere to eat at Yongsan I'Park Mall, I stopped by Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch. When you think ramen, you usually think broth first, but Menya Seoul really lives up to its name by putting the emphasis on chashu (braised pork topping). This time I ordered dongpo pork chashu ramen, pork belly mazesoba, and jambon chashu ramen, and switched one into a set to try Coke and 3 crispy gyoza alongside.

Where is Menya Seoul in Yongsan I'Park Mall, and what are the seats like?

Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch is located on the 7th floor of I'Park Mall, 55 Hangang-daero 23-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea.

Since it's inside I'Park Mall, directly connected to Yongsan Station, it's convenient for a meal before or after taking the train, or as a stop after shopping.

The restaurant has bar seats that work well for solo diners and shared tables for groups, so it looked good for anyone from solo diners to couples on a date to groups of friends.

The 3,900 won set upgrade at Menya Seoul and its three side choices

At Menya Seoul, you can upgrade any main dish into a set by adding ₩3,900. The set includes 1 drink and 1 side. The side options are

• Karaage
• Crispy gyoza
• Sweet soy chicken rice bowl (small)

to choose from.

We upgraded just one dish into a set and chose Coke with 3 crispy gyoza.

If just one main dish feels a bit lacking, this seemed like a nice, affordable way to add a side.

What does Menya Seoul's ramen broth taste like?

After eating it myself, my first impression of Menya Seoul's ramen was that it's clean. The broth wasn't too heavy or greasy, and it had a familiar, easy-to-eat flavor. Personally, it reminded me of sari gomtang (instant beef bone soup) made a little more refined — familiar yet deep.

Rather than expecting the heavy, salty broth typical of rich Japanese ramen, this would suit people looking for a clean, easy bowl of ramen.

Signature dongpo pork chashu ramen at Menya Seoul

Menya Seoul's first signature dish is the dongpo pork chashu ramen.

Menya Seoul reportedly believes the quality of the chashu determines the completeness of the ramen, so they pay special attention to it. Sure enough, the dongpo pork chashu ramen came topped with a thick slice of dongpo pork (braised pork belly), which had real visual presence.

The dongpo pork wasn't tough at all — it had a soft bite that paired well with the clean broth. The chashu itself felt like a dish on its own, so meat lovers would likely be very satisfied with this one.

Jambon chashu ramen: the quietly appealing bowl

The jambon chashu ramen we also ordered was more impressive than expected.

Topped with chopped scallions and jambon (ham), it looked a little different from other ramen bowls right off the bat. Adding the jambon's savory, salty flavor to the clean broth base worked surprisingly well.

If you want something a bit different from a typical chashu ramen, the jambon chashu ramen seems like a solid choice.

Pork belly mazesoba: why you have to mix it well

The pork belly mazesoba (dry mixed noodles) had a different charm from the brothy ramen. It had a slightly spicy overall flavor, with a subtle bonito flake aroma that added great umami.

Once you properly mix the noodles with the sauce, it turns salty and savory with bursts of spice, the kind of dish that keeps pulling you back in. True to its name, it comes with whole pieces of pork belly, so eating the meat and noodles together felt especially filling.

Personally, the sauce was so appealing that if any is left after finishing the noodles, I think adding a bowl of rice to mix in would taste great too.

Adding crispy gyoza to the ramen order

We also tried the crispy gyoza 3P we chose as our set side.

Ramen alone can feel a little lacking, but adding gyoza in between changes up the texture and makes the meal feel heartier.

Especially if you're visiting with several people, it seems like a good idea for everyone to order their own main and then add one side to share.

How spicy are Menya Seoul's spicy and mala options?

Menya Seoul also has spicy and mala (numbing spicy) options. According to the restaurant's own guide, the spicy option is about as hot as Shin Ramyun, and the mala option is medium spicy. If you're unsure which spice level to pick, thinking in terms of instant ramyun you normally eat should make it easier to choose.

Is Menya Seoul worth it when you want ramen at Yongsan I'Park Mall?

After eating here myself, what stood out about Menya Seoul was that it leans clean and easy to eat rather than rich and intense. The dongpo pork chashu ramen's clear highlight was the soft dongpo pork, while the jambon chashu ramen won me over with its salty, savory flavor. The pork belly mazesoba, with its bonito flake aroma and savory sauce, is a dish I think I'll be craving again. If you're looking for somewhere to eat near Yongsan Station or craving a clean bowl of ramen while shopping, Menya Seoul at Yongsan I'Park Mall is worth a visit :)