Gwangjin ramen in a high-ceilinged hall: shio vs tori paitan, Mentsuru

I've been craving ramen out of nowhere lately, and after some frantic searching I ended up at Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch near Children's Grand Park Station. Here's my honest review.

Usually when people talk about a famous Japanese ramen shop, it's cramped inside with only bar seats, which makes it a bit awkward to go with a group or eat comfortably. This place had a spacious layout, thoughtful menu options, careful service, and deep, rich broth — genuinely everything I wanted to recommend it for!

Where Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch is and when it opens

Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch is located at 394 Gwangnaru-ro, 1st floor, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It's very close to Children's Grand Park Station on Line 7, so it's super easy to reach by public transit.

It's also near Sejong University and Konkuk University, making it a great spot for college students or couples looking for a date course around Konkuk.

• Hours: Daily 11:00–23:00
• Last order: 22:30

A high-ceilinged hall with bar seats and tables

The moment I walked into Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch, I noticed a comfort that felt totally different from typical ramen shops. The ceilings were high and the interior was genuinely spacious, giving it a really open, airy feel~

There are bar seats for solo diners who want to eat comfortably alone, as well as plenty of 2-person and 4-person tables for groups to enjoy together.

The cute cat-shaped items at each seat are actually phone stands, so solo diners can prop up their smartphones and watch videos comfortably — a really thoughtful touch from the owner for solo diners~

The yuzu pickled radish on the table is much less salty than regular pickled radish, with a refreshing yuzu aroma that cuts through the richness of the ramen — a real 'kick' that worked perfectly!!!

What we ordered at Mentsuru and what it cost

Glancing at the menu at Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch, you can add or adjust toppings in detail, which makes it easy to order exactly to your taste~

• Tori Paitan ₩12,000
• Shio Ramen ₩11,000
• Chicken Karaage ₩7,000

This is what we ordered!

Shio ramen, 11,000 won

Mentsuru's shio (salt) ramen is made with a clear, refined broth and a special salt-based tare.

The broth was really clear — not salty at all, light but with a deep flavor that comes through, perfect for people who prefer a clean, well-balanced broth over something heavy and oily, or anyone who wants a clean finish.

The chashu was so tender that slurping it up together with the noodles was the best part~

Yum~

The noodles were thin and had absorbed the broth well, striking a nice balance. Cooked to exactly the texture I want from ramen noodles.

Tori paitan, 12,000 won

The tori paitan stands out with its pale, rich broth from chicken simmered down thoroughly. The moment you take a sip, a deep, savory, yet clean flavor fills your mouth.

The toppings are generous by default — meat, menma (bamboo shoots), and a soft-boiled egg — giving it varied texture. Even with extra noodles added, the broth is rich enough that the seasoning stays perfectly balanced.

Chicken karaage, 7,000 won

This is Japanese-style fried chicken, crispy outside and juicy inside. Each piece was huge, and it was savory and crunchy.

Dipped in the sauce, it's the kind of flavor that makes you want a beer right away~

Is Mentsuru worth a trip to Gwangjin?

In a spacious, comfortable space, the high-quality tori paitan, clean shio ramen, and chicken karaage all left us thoroughly satisfied.

If you join the Naver review event, you can also get a free drink or fried gyoza (pan-fried dumplings), so make sure to take advantage of it! If you're near Konkuk University, Sejong University, or Children's Grand Park Station and looking for a truly delicious Japanese ramen shop, be sure to visit Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch!