Gongneung tsukemen shop: weekend date, water at every seat, Torikokoro

Where is Torikokoro Gongneung Direct Store, and when is it open?

Torikokoro Gongneung Direct Store is a tsukemen and ramen shop at 10 Gongneung-ro 35-gil, Nowon-gu, Seoul, on the basement level. It is open daily from 11:00 to 21:30 (last order 21:00). On weekends there is a break time from 15:15 to 17:00; on weekdays there is none.

As the weather gets chilly, I think about hot, rich broth and chewy noodles every single day. This weekend my husband and I were out on a walk-slash-date, and we stopped by Torikokoro, a Gongneung ramen shop I'd bookmarked ages ago as a real-deal tsukemen spot! It's famous for its house-made noodles, so I went in with huge expectations haha

• 📍 Location: 10 Gongneung-ro 35-gil, Nowon-gu, Seoul, basement level
• ⏰ Hours: Daily 11:00 - 21:30 (last order 21:00 / weekend break time 15:15 - 17:00, no break time on weekdays)
• 🅿️ Parking: No dedicated parking (a nearby paid lot is recommended)
• 💳 Payment: Prepay at the kiosk at the entrance

Getting there from Gongneung Station and Taereung Station

I'd recommend walking to Torikokoro Gongneung Direct Store from Gongneung Station Exit 2 or Taereung Station Exit 4. It takes about 10 minutes, and as you wander through the quiet residential alleys, a neat, Japanese-style sign catches your eye.

Weekend waits: sign up on Catch Table

Torikokoro Gongneung Direct Store is tucked cozily into the building's semi-basement, and at weekend peak times a wait is a must. There's a Catch Table device in front of the shop, so if there's a line, just register there.

What's on the Torikokoro menu, and how do you order?

You order and pay in one go at the kiosk at the entrance, which was so convenient! The main menu is solid: basic tsukemen, spicy karai miso tsukemen, niboshi shoyu ramen (dried-sardine soy ramen) and mazesoba (brothless mixed noodles).

You can choose M or L, and the amount of noodles is adjustable too. As you'd expect from a Gongneung ramen shop, you could tell real care went into the broth, which is based on chicken and anchovy. We ordered the basic tsukemen in size M with chicken thigh chashu (braised pork-style topping) added, and the karai miso tsukemen in size L with chicken breast chashu added!

Is Torikokoro a good ramen shop for eating alone in Gongneung?

Torikokoro Gongneung Direct Store has an open kitchen, so you can watch the cooking right in front of you, and I was amazed at how spotless the kitchen was.

Every bar seat has its own water dispenser, so you can pour water right at your seat, which I thought was so neat. There were even hair ties and disposable wooden chopsticks laid out, and you can really feel the owner's thoughtfulness. It's the perfect solo-dining setup, where you can eat without worrying about anyone around you!

Reading up on tsukemen and how to enjoy it before you eat makes the time fly by!

How do Torikokoro's basic tsukemen and karai miso tsukemen taste?

Torikokoro's tsukemen is a dish where you lightly dip house-made noodles into a rich sauce called tsukejiru, served with thick noodles and toppings of chashu and menma (seasoned bamboo shoots). After a short wait, our tsukemen arrived. Tsukemen means "dipping noodles."

The moment I saw the house-made noodles in the bowl, thick and glossy, I couldn't help gasping T_T The tender chashu and menma on top looked absolutely perfect too.

Karai miso tsukemen with chicken breast chashu

I stole a bite of the karai miso tsukemen my husband picked, and the gentle spiciness with a hint of smoky char had real charm. The chicken breast chashu we added had none of that dryness at all; it was so moist and tender it practically melted in my mouth.

Egg is a separate add-on

Torikokoro's tsukemen doesn't come with an egg by default, so if you like soft-boiled eggs, be sure to add an ajitamago (marinated egg). It's heavenly!!

Tsukejiru too salty? How to ask for less salt

Torikokoro's tsukejiru is a sauce made by simmering mainly domestic chicken, and it's in the Japanese local style, so the first sip can taste somewhat strong and salty. If you're sensitive to salt, I recommend asking for lower saltiness when you order.

The tsukejiru isn't heavy; it's clean, with a deep savory flavor that just burst out. Dunking the thick noodles all the way into the sauce filled my mouth with rich broth flavor! I loved that the saltiness can be adjusted both up and down to suit your taste!

Who is Torikokoro Gongneung Direct Store good for?

Torikokoro Gongneung Direct Store gave us a satisfying meal thanks to its chewy house-made noodles and tidy chicken broth. I'd absolutely recommend it to anyone who wants to eat comfortably alone without distractions, or who wants to experience proper Japanese-style Gongneung ramen.

It's near a university area, so it holds up well on any list of Gongneung restaurant recommendations, and it's a lovely stop for a date too. Next time you're craving ramen in Gongneung, don't forget to drop by :)