# Open-kitchen bar seats in Gwangjin: shoyu ramen with chashu, Mentsuru - By Seoyoon Tak (https://superchart.com/en/@jungang-noon-kettle/) - Written Sep 21, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Gwangjin, Seoul - Sponsored: This visit was sponsored by the business. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@jungang-noon-kettle/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@jungang-noon-kettle/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter/index.md) ## In short Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch is a Japanese-style ramen restaurant near Exit 4 of Children's Grand Park Station in Gwangjin, Seoul, with seating built mostly around bar tables (dachi) facing an open kitchen. At the bar, the writer ordered soy-based shoyu ramen (₩13,000) with a smoky pork belly chashu topping (₩2,500), about ₩13,500 for lunch in all. The broth at Mentsuru was rich without being heavy, making it an easy choice for a Konkuk University date lunch or a solo bowl. ## Good to know - **Location**: 161 Neungdong-ro, 1F, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul (Exit 4, Children's Grand Park Station; walkable from Konkuk University Station) — as written in the original post - **Shoyu ramen**: ₩13,000 - **Pork belly chashu topping**: ₩2,500 - **Egg (ajitama), extra noodles, side gyoza and more**: ₩1,000–₩4,500 - **Other ramen on the menu**: Shio ramen, tori paitan, spicy ramen, mazesoba and more - **Seating**: Mostly bar tables (dachi) facing an open kitchen - **How to order**: Kiosk at the entrance - **Spent on this visit**: About ₩13,500 - **Price reference**: ₩13,000 ≈ $9.4 · ₩2,500 ≈ $1.8 · ₩13,500 ≈ $9.7 (2026-09-21) *as written by the visitor on Sep 21, 2026* When the weather starts turning cool like this, doesn't a hot, rich bowl of ramen just come to mind out of nowhere? Today I'm bringing you a review of Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch, a place near Konkuk University and Children's Grand Park that's built up a real reputation for rich, authentically Japanese-style ramen! I'd strongly recommend it as a Konkuk date lunch spot too. Let's get right into it! ## Where is Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch and how do you get there? Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch is at 161 Neungdong-ro, 1F, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, right near Exit 4 of Children's Grand Park Station, and it's also walkable from Konkuk University Station. True to the name, it's very close to the station, so it was easy to find. ![Exterior of Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter-01-l2oif-1200.webp) ![Entrance of the Mentsuru store near Children's Grand Park Station](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter-02-wwcve-966.webp) Given how easy it is to reach from the station, this is a great route either before or after a stroll around Children's Grand Park, or for a date lunch near Konkuk. ## Bar tables (dachi) and the open kitchen at Mentsuru The inside of Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch is arranged mostly around dachi, or bar-table, seating. The moment I stepped in, I was greeted by a clean, cozy Japanese-style atmosphere. ![Japanese-style interior of Mentsuru](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter-03-1tx4n-m-966.webp) ![Bar-table (dachi) seating arrangement](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter-04-9xb3h-966.webp) Since it's mostly bar seating, it's really comfortable for eating alone, and it also sets a great mood for a couple sitting side by side. Being able to watch the staff carefully prepare the ramen through the open kitchen added even more trust in the food. ![Open kitchen where the ramen is prepared](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter-05-wq1fx-966.webp) ![Order kiosk at the store entrance](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter-06-1kihk-966.webp) Ordering is simple and convenient — just use the kiosk at the store entrance! ## Mentsuru menu and prices ![Mentsuru ramen menu and price list](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter-07-17yp6-966.webp) ![Menu board showing shoyu ramen and topping add-ons](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter-08-wq1t0-966.webp) ![Side dish and topping price information](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter-09-eftxr-966.webp) ![Board showing Mentsuru's menu lineup](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter-10-cbc84-966.webp) ### Ramen and main dishes at Mentsuru - Shoyu ramen: ₩13,000 — the signature ramen with a deep, clean soy sauce base bursting with umami! - Shio ramen / tori paitan / spicy ramen / mazesoba, and more ### Toppings and sides - Pork belly chashu topping add-on: ₩2,500 — a must-add if you want plenty of tender, smoky pork belly chashu! - Egg (ajitama) add-on / extra noodles / side gyoza, etc.: ₩1,000–₩4,500 ## How did the shoyu ramen broth and pork belly chashu taste? With high hopes, I ordered Mentsuru's signature dishes that day! ![Shoyu ramen set on the bar table](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter-11-38z8a-m-966.webp) ![Soy-sauce-based shoyu ramen broth and noodles](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter-12-1oro8-966.webp) ![Smoky pork belly chashu and soft-boiled ajitama toppings](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter-13-brxvl-966.webp) ![Lunch spread with side dish and soda](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter-14-1stjz-966.webp) ### Mentsuru's signature ramen: deep, rich flavour Broth & noodles: the moment I took my first spoonful of broth, I let out an involuntary "wow!" — it was that deep and rich in umami. The broth held its weight without any greasiness, giving it the feel of ramen made by a true craftsman. Chashu & toppings: tender chashu with a smoky char, paired with a soft-boiled ajitama (egg) seasoned just right and bursting with flavor — the harmony with the broth was truly perfect. The noodles kept their chewiness all the way to the last bite, which made for a really satisfying meal! ### Sides and drinks to pair with the ramen Ramen alone felt like it wasn't quite enough, so adding a side dish and a cold soda on top made for a genuinely perfect lunch 👍 ## What the meal cost and was it worth it? What I spent at Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch that day came to about ₩13,500. Given today's dining prices, that's a really reasonable and great-value meal considering the care and quality of a handmade bowl of ramen! ## Final verdict: a date lunch near Konkuk University If you're near Children's Grand Park craving ramen with amazing broth, or looking for a date lunch spot around Konkuk University, Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch is a choice that won't let you down! ![Seat at Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch after finishing the meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter-15-8v7rh-966.webp) It's a place where you can enjoy a genuinely delicious meal in a neat, pleasant atmosphere, so I think I'll be back the next time I'm craving ramen. You should definitely give it a visit too 🍜✨ ## Where it is - Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch (멘츠루 어린이대공원점) - 161 Neungdong-ro, 1F, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 광진구 광나루로 394 1층 - 37.547275, 127.0734369 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EB%A9%98%EC%B8%A0%EB%A3%A8%20%EC%96%B4%EB%A6%B0%EC%9D%B4%EB%8C%80%EA%B3%B5%EC%9B%90%EC%A0%90/@37.547275,127.0734369,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@jungang-noon-kettle/menzuru-childrens-grand-park-shoyu-ramen-counter/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt