Tonkotsu ramen and mazesoba for one near City Hall, Seoul: Mentsuru

Why choose Mentsuru City Hall Branch for a solo lunch near City Hall Station?

Mentsuru City Hall Branch is a Japanese ramen restaurant on Seosomun-ro 11-gil in Jung-gu, Seoul, and it's wonderfully close to the subway station. After finishing up errands near City Hall on a weekday lunch break, my stomach started growling something fierce.

Squeezed in among busy office workers, I went searching for somewhere I could enjoy a proper meal solo without feeling out of place. I'm pretty serious about noodle dishes, especially Japanese ramen with rich broth and chewy noodles, so I put my radar on — and found a place that grabbed my attention visually right away. It's Mentsuru City Hall Branch, a beloved solo-dining spot among nearby office workers and noodle fanatics alike. The neat, distinctly Japanese-feeling exterior had my expectations rising before I even walked through the door.

Dachi bar seats and kiosk ordering at Mentsuru City Hall Branch

Walking into Mentsuru City Hall Branch, a cozy, neatly arranged row of bar-style dachi seats immediately caught my eye. Each seat had its own tableware, seasonings, and cold water all set up, so I could tell right away this was going to be a great spot for solo diners near City Hall to focus purely on the meal, no awkwardness at all.

Ordering through the kiosk was simple and quick, even during busy hours. Browsing the menu, I found an impressive lineup — everything from chicken and pork bone broth ramen varieties to thick, punchy mazesoba (mixed noodles) and crispy fried side dishes. Feeling hungry enough for a proper feast, I ordered the tonkotsu ramen, mazesoba, and handmade gara-age, and waited eagerly as savory smells drifted out from the kitchen.

How were the tonkotsu ramen broth and chashu?

The tonkotsu ramen at Mentsuru City Hall Branch arrived first. The pale, rich broth was topped generously with big chashu (braised pork belly) slices, a soft-boiled egg, menma (bamboo shoots), and crunchy scallions — it looked amazing before I even took a bite.

I scooped up a spoonful of broth first, and the deep, savory richness of long-simmered pork bone broth spread thick across my mouth. The firm, springy noodles soaked up the rich broth beautifully, making for a satisfying slurp, and the tender chashu melted the moment it hit my tongue. It was easy to see why this place has built a reputation as a ramen spot near City Hall, Seoul.

What kelp vinegar does to the mazesoba

Mentsuru City Hall Branch's mazesoba is a mixed noodle dish with thick, chewy signature noodles topped neatly with sweet-and-spicy stir-fried minced meat, chives, scallions, seaweed flakes, and a rich egg yolk. About halfway through, I drizzled on a bit of the kelp vinegar left on the table, which added a refreshing note and kept me hooked all the way to the last strand.

Next up was tasting the mazesoba with its colorful, generous toppings. I popped the yolk and mixed everything together, then took a big bite — the thick, sticky sauce clung to every strand of noodle, setting off a wave of umami. The savoriness of the minced meat combined with the sharp bite of scallions and chives struck a fantastic balance with every chew.

Handmade gara-age with tartar sauce

Adding the freshly fried, golden handmade gara-age (Japanese fried chicken) took the whole meal to its peak. Biting in produced a satisfying crunch followed by a burst of juicy flavor from the moist chicken thigh meat. It was well-seasoned and savory even on its own, and dipping it into the accompanying tartar sauce added a soft, refreshing note that made it impossible to stop eating. Every single dish I ordered was excellent — genuinely, everything was delicious.

Verdict: Mentsuru City Hall Branch as a solo dining spot in Jung-gu, Seoul

With rich, hearty broth, addictive mixed noodles, and crispy fried chicken all coming together perfectly, I cleaned my bowl and felt the day's fatigue melt away. With its well-designed bar seating, this place is a fitting choice as a hassle-free solo dining restaurant near City Hall, Seoul.

If you're craving deep, traditional Japanese flavors near City Hall, this is a ramen hotspot worth remembering. If you're looking for a place near City Hall to enjoy a satisfying, memorable solo meal, I'd definitely recommend paying Mentsuru City Hall Branch a visit and treating yourself to a happy meal.