Ramen shop after Deoksugung's night opening: egg abura soba, Mentsuru

Where to eat after Deoksugung night opening? Mentsuru City Hall Branch

Mentsuru City Hall Branch (멘츠루 시청점) is an abura soba and ramen shop near City Hall Station, an easy walk from Deoksugung, so it made a great stop after the palace's night opening. I wasn't sure where to eat after visiting, and ended up at Mentsuru Abura Soba City Hall Branch! I went with my cousin, and we ordered abura soba and chicken skin gyoza for a hearty meal.

Search for places to eat near Deoksugung night opening and you'll find plenty of Korean food and barbecue, but if you want something light yet filling, ramen or abura soba is a good choice too. Mentsuru City Hall Branch is close to City Hall Station, so it was very easy to get to.

Atmosphere and ordering at Mentsuru City Hall Branch

The inside was neatly kept, and the customers were a mix of solo diners, friends and couples. Ordering was easy, and the food came out faster than I expected, so we didn't wait long. After walking around Deoksugung I was really hungry, so getting food quickly was great. What I ordered was the signature abura soba.

The atmosphere was comfortable too. The tables were spaced reasonably, and the staff were friendly, so nothing bothered me during the meal. I liked how neatly the food was served, and it felt easy to visit even alone.

Above all, the reason I'd recommend Mentsuru City Hall Branch to anyone looking for a place after Deoksugung night opening is the location: it's a nice distance to stroll after enjoying the night views, so it also suits a date. We went after the night opening and the easy trip made planning the evening simple!

How do you eat Mentsuru's abura soba?

The abura soba at Mentsuru City Hall Branch is eaten by mixing the sauce at the bottom of the bowl thoroughly with the noodles. It looks simple, but mixing it is half the fun. Breaking the yolk and stirring it in adds richness, and the chashu (braised pork slices) and toppings go well with it, so I love it!

Changing the flavor with vinegar and chili oil

The abura soba noodles were springy and chewy, and the texture was really satisfying. The seasoning wasn't too strong, so I could finish without feeling weighed down, and adding a little vinegar and chili oil partway through gave it a whole different taste. Changing the seasoning ratio makes the same bowl feel new, which I think is the charm of abura soba.

My cousin had been wondering whether to get regular ramen at first, but said choosing abura soba was the right call. We both like noodles, so we were very happy, and kept saying how delicious it was the whole time.

Adding an egg topping and splitting it half and half

We added only an egg as a topping and split it half and half, which felt even more perfect, you know? If you're looking for ramen near Deoksugung night opening, I'd say switch to abura soba without question... because if you eat lots of broth at night, you wake up puffy, and with abura soba there's no such worry!! haha

Abura soba instead of brothy ramen: why it works at night

I usually like brothy ramen too, but that day I was drawn to soupless abura soba you mix yourself, and it was a good choice. The savory flavor builds the more you eat, and the noodle texture is great, so it stayed delicious to the end. If you like ramen, I think it's worth trying at least once.

There are lots of good places near Deoksugung, but if you want a different kind of noodle dish, Mentsuru City Hall Branch is a satisfying pick. I had a lovely time eating with my cousin, and found myself wanting to try other toppings and dishes next time.

Is the chicken skin gyoza side worth ordering?

The chicken skin gyoza (dumplings) we ordered as a side at Mentsuru City Hall Branch was better than expected. Crispy outside and chewy inside, we kept reaching for more. Despite my worry that it would be greasy, it wasn't heavy at all, and paired with the abura soba it was a pretty good combination. Personally, if you go to Mentsuru City Hall Branch, I'd recommend ordering the chicken skin gyoza too.

If you're looking for a place to eat after Deoksugung night opening, a ramen spot, or a hearty meal near City Hall Station, give Mentsuru Abura Soba City Hall Branch a visit. It was satisfying enough that I'd come back the next time I go to Deoksugung.