Namdong Japanese restaurant ramen & sake-don weekday lunch: Hongdae

I hadn't had lunch with my wife on a weekday in a while, so we went out together. We debated where to go, but since I'm a huge fan of ramen and Japanese food in general, we headed to Hongdae Gureume Incheon Nonhyeon Branch, a Namdong, Incheon restaurant I'd heard great things about for a while.

Hongdae Gureume Incheon Nonhyeon Branch / Address: 17 Nongogae-ro 123beon-gil, iFlex Building 2F, Namdong-gu, Incheon, South Korea / Hours: Daily 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM

It's also close to Sorae Fishing Village Station, so it's well known as a spot near Sorae Fishing Village too. Let me share our meal review — we got to enjoy proper Japanese food in a tidy, cozy atmosphere.

Location and parking at Hongdae Gureume Incheon Nonhyeon Branch

Hongdae Gureume Incheon Nonhyeon Branch is on the 2nd floor of the iFlex building, right in the main shopping street near Incheon's Nonhyeon Station. We parked comfortably in the basement lot and took the elevator up, and the classic exterior with its distinct Japanese feel caught my eye right away.

Weekday lunch atmosphere and seating

Stepping inside, I really liked the warm, quiet wood-toned interior. The lighting was soft too, giving off a cozy feeling, and the seats were spaced generously and neatly — a really comfortable environment to eat in.

Being a weekday, I thought it might be quiet at first, but right after we sat down, customers started pouring in and the place filled up in no time. Despite the busy rush, the staff greeted us kindly, which put me in a good mood from the moment we walked in.

What we ordered

• Gureume Ramen Set
• Sake-don Set

There was a varied menu of ramen, rice bowls, and sushi. Since we wanted to try a bit of everything, we each ordered one of the set meals built around the restaurant's signature best-sellers.

A fortune-cookie-style draw and cute interior while we waited

There was a little draw like fortune cookies, so the wait wasn't boring at all. The owner must have a good sense of style, haha...

The whole restaurant was filled with cute, charming little touches like this. I think anyone who likes pretty, adorable decor would especially love it here.

On one wall was written the head chef's career history, and once the food arrived and I took a bite, I understood exactly why — it all made sense.

How was the Gureume Ramen Set

First, my Gureume Ramen Set stood out from the very first whiff of its deep, rich broth. I took a spoonful of the hot soup first, and the deep, savory flavor spread through my whole mouth, leaving that satisfying, refreshed feeling in my stomach. The noodles were thin yet had a springy bite, and they held onto the rich broth beautifully.

The chashu (braised pork) on top of the ramen had a gentle smoky aroma and was so tender that wrapping it with the noodles was a perfect combination. The ajitama (soft-boiled egg) also had a soft, savory-seasoned yolk. Even the side dish that came with the set was crispy outside and moist inside, so I could enjoy every bit without ever getting tired of it.

The salmon and set composition of the Sake-don Set

My wife's Sake-don Set was a visual treat — thick, beautifully colored salmon piled generously on top of the rice. You could tell how fresh the salmon was just by looking at it.

When she placed a piece of fresh salmon on the rice, added a touch of sharp wasabi and soy sauce, and took a bite, the salmon melted softly while a deep savoriness burst through. There was no fishy taste at all — just clean, light flavor that was outstanding. The miso soup, salad, and side dishes that came with the set rounded everything out cleanly, and she emptied the bowl happily down to the last spoonful.

How was it as a weekday lunch date

It had been a while since I'd had a weekday date with my wife, and the atmosphere, the taste and look of the food, and the staff's kindness were all so on point that it turned out to be a truly satisfying meal.

• A perfect pairing of deep, rich ramen broth and a salmon rice bowl bursting with freshness
• A tidy, clean set-meal composition that nails both value and atmosphere
• Comfortable parking in the iFlex building and a pleasant interior

If you're looking for a tidy Japanese meal or a solid lunch spot near Nonhyeon-dong in Incheon, or a real Namdong, Incheon restaurant worth visiting near Sorae Fishing Village, be sure to check out Hongdae Gureume Incheon Nonhyeon Branch.