Gangnam ramen restaurant: broth-only refill to compare paitan, Oreno

Why Oreno Ramen Gangnam is a once-a-month regular stop

Oreno Ramen Gangnam is a chicken-based ramen restaurant on the 2nd floor of 28-9 Teheran-ro 1-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, open from 11:00 to 20:30. Since I'm already a certified regular here, let me toss in some old posts as proof haha — I think I've come at least once a month without fail hahaha

I first tried Oreno Ramen in Jamsil. Did it start in Hapjeong? Anyway it's super famous, tons of Blue Ribbon awards and everything.

I tried it first in Jamsil, loved it, and have been chasing it down ever since. I hear they have branches in Jamsil, Insa-dong, Gangnam, and more, but I haven't been to all of them — just Jamsil and Gangnam.

Which Gangnam Station exit? Directions to Oreno Ramen Gangnam

The fastest way is out of Exit 11 or 12 of Gangnam Station. There's a super famous gopchang rice noodle soup restaurant called Ttamttam — you can also just look for that and come. It's on the 2nd floor of the building right behind it. Maybe because it's already famous, there's not really a big flashy sign or anything. Easiest to remember it as red ramen and white ramen — I ordered kara paitan. Once you walk in, you order right away from that menu.

Counter seats at Oreno Ramen Gangnam: good for solo dining

Oreno Ramen Gangnam has counter (dachi) seating with a full view of the kitchen. So hygiene and cleanliness are basically zero issue here haha. The staff are extremely, extremely kind. It feels like a place that's really properly trained and well-managed — a Gangnam Station restaurant that clearly has its act together. I was also dining solo, and there were plenty of other solo diners too. Recommended as a solo dining spot near Gangnam Station.

Anyway, they seem to have written something about how carefully they make everything. You don't need to say it, I already know haha

I don't think they used to have kimchi and pickled ginger before — did they add it recently? Anyway I was happy to get them haha. Inside there's also pickles, and hair ties and water too haha

Kara paitan broth and toppings: like concentrated samgyetang

Something I've always found fascinating — the broth is always bubbling away haha. Green onion and wood ear mushroom? Some kind of mushroom, plus somewhat firm noodles and sous vide chicken breast on top.

The broth is absolutely incredible. Since it's chicken-based, it has this nourishing feel to it (without any of that medicinal-herb smell), almost like a super concentrated samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup)... anyway, it's insanely good.

Adding a soft-boiled egg (onsen tamago)

They call it onsen tamago, a soft-boiled egg. If you ask for it separately, they give you it like this (as an extra). If only I had the skill to boil eggs like this, I'd do it every day lol. Unfortunately I only know how to boil them rock hard lol.

What the noodles are like

The noodles are exactly what Japanese-style ramen noodles should be. Slightly firm and delicious haha

Sous-vide chicken breast chashu

The chicken breast is also super, super tender. If chicken breast for diet meals were always like this... dieting would be... easy... haha

This mushroom or whatever it is has such a great texture haha. Anyway, I really need to keep coming back once a month lol. Whether I'm full or hungry, it's delicious every time. And they even let you refill noodles, rice, and broth lol

Tsukune at Oreno Ramen: cheese or green onion?

This seems to be a new item this time, called tsukune (chicken meatball skewer). It's an incredibly soft chicken meatball, and the only difference is whether they put cheese or green onion on top — genuinely so soft. You could eat it with your tongue even without teeth.

I wish I could boil eggs like this at home haha. Anyway, absolutely incredible.

Broth refill instead of noodles: kara paitan vs tori paitan

I was pretty full, so instead of more noodles or rice, I just added extra broth haha. I'd already had the white one, so I added the red one this time too, kara paitan and tori paitan haha

I moved the leftover noodles over and tried it. But kara paitan is definitely spicy. I think my taste leans toward eating the white one first, then trying the red one just as an extra broth haha

Dishwasher ON

There's even a waiting sign, fitting for a place that always has a line during meal times, lunch or dinner haha. Gangnam restaurant Oreno Ramen, ate well, thanks for the meal.