# Shio vs shoyu broth at a Euljiro3(sam)-ga ramen restaurant: Mentsuru

- By Yuna Baek (https://superchart.com/en/@mangwon-brass-spoon/)
- Written Sep 17, 2026
- Local places › Restaurants › Jung-gu, Seoul
- Sponsored: This post was written after a sponsored store visit.
- English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@mangwon-brass-spoon/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/
- Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@mangwon-brass-spoon/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/index.md)

## In short

Mentsuru Euljiro Branch is a chicken-broth ramen restaurant in an alley 247m from Euljiro3(sam)-ga Station Exit 9 in Jung-gu, Seoul. On a weekday evening date, the writer and her husband compared salt-seasoned shio ramen with shoyu ramen made from clam and chicken broth, added a boiled egg, and shared handmade karaage fried to order. The shio was excellent, but the clear, umami-packed shoyu ramen was the better bowl for her.

## Good to know

- **Location**: 26 Mareunnae-ro 2-gil, 1st floor, Jung-gu, Seoul
- **Getting there**: 247m from Euljiro3(sam)-ga Station Exit 9
- **Hours**: Daily 11:00-21:30 (last order 21:00)
- **Ordering**: Order at the kiosk outside, then go in
- **Seating**: Bar seats wrapped around an open kitchen
- **What we ate**: Shio ramen, shoyu ramen, handmade karaage (2 pieces), extra egg
- **Served with**: Water, yuzu pickled radish, whole peppercorns
- **Review event**: Leave a Naver or Google review for a free drink or gyoza

*as written by the visitor on Sep 17, 2026*

Now that cold winds are starting to blow morning and evening, I've been craving something hot and rich on the way home from work. A few days ago, while on a weekday date with my husband near his office in Euljiro, I searched for a hearty bowl of ramen and found Mentsuru Euljiro Branch — a well-known Euljiro spot famous for its clean, deep chicken broth. I finished every last drop of soup, so here's my detailed, honest review 😜

- 📍 Mentsuru Euljiro Branch
- 📍 26 Mareunnae-ro 2-gil, 1st floor, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- 🚇 247m from Euljiro3(sam)-ga Station Exit 9
- ⏰ Daily 11:00–21:30 (last order 21:00)

## Where is Mentsuru Euljiro Branch and how do you get there?

![Exterior of Mentsuru Euljiro Branch in a Euljiro alley](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-01-f6wjl-900.webp)

![Entrance of Mentsuru Euljiro Branch with a Japanese ramen shop vibe](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-02-1flm1-900.webp)

Mentsuru Euljiro Branch is 247m from Euljiro3(sam)-ga Station Exit 9, just a short walk into the alley from the subway. The exterior feels like it was lifted straight out of a small ramen shop in Japan, and the warm atmosphere spilling out from the entrance made it easy to spot from a distance — very accessible.

![Outdoor kiosk at Mentsuru Euljiro Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-03-3vy4m-900.webp)

![Ramen menu screen shown on the kiosk](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-04-1wz84-m-900.webp)

![Ordering area in front of the outdoor kiosk](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-05-1lijc-900.webp)

### Ordering at the kiosk outside Mentsuru

At Mentsuru Euljiro Branch, the system is simple: order your ramen at the kiosk outside, then walk in. It seems like a lot of Japanese-style places do this — outdoor kiosks, especially ramen shops. Thanks to that, the inside stays uncrowded and you don't have to feel awkward waiting.

![Entrance of Mentsuru Euljiro Branch decorated with a cat figure](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-06-ygdp7-900.webp)

## Inside Mentsuru: open-kitchen bar seats for dates and solo meals

Walking into Mentsuru Euljiro Branch, the cozy wood-toned interior instantly puts you at ease. A cute cat figure greets you at the entrance.

![Cozy wood-toned interior of the restaurant](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-07-12t0s-900.webp)

![Bar seats surrounding the open kitchen](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-08-1pqhi-900.webp)

![Open kitchen where the cooking process is visible](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-09-y2m13-900.webp)

The bar seats wrap around the open kitchen, so it's fun to watch the cooking process up close. Sitting side by side and chatting makes this a perfect Euljiro date spot. And of course, it's also a comfortable, calming place to enjoy a quiet solo meal ✨

![Sign for Mentsuru Euljiro Branch's review event](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-10-ysxfp-900.webp)

![Notice for the Naver and Google review event](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-11-30zel-900.webp)

Mentsuru Euljiro Branch runs two review events — leave a Naver review or a Google review and get a free drink or gyoza (dumplings).

![Basic table setup with water, yuzu pickled radish, and whole peppercorns](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-12-qodsq-900.webp)

### What comes to the table, plus drinks

The basic table setup: water, yuzu pickled radish, and whole peppercorns. The yuzu pickled radish pairs really well with the salty ramen.

![Pepsi Zero served with an ice cup](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-13-1i9b7-900.webp)

After ordering and sitting down, the first thing they brought was an ice cup and Pepsi Zero. Before diving into the hot ramen, cleansing the palate with a crisp, cold soda got us ready for the real feast — and how nice that they stock both Pepsi Zero and Coke Zero haha.

## Shio ramen: clear chicken broth balanced with salt

![A bowl of Mentsuru's shio ramen with clear broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-14-99a5g-900.webp)

![Overhead view of shio ramen topped with chashu and egg](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-15-onhpt-900.webp)

Soon, the first main dish arrived looking radiant: the shio ramen. Mentsuru Euljiro Branch's shio ramen is a cleanly salt-seasoned chicken broth ramen, and the broth is so clear and transparent it reminded me of dakhanmari (whole chicken soup).

![A spoonful of shio ramen's chicken broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-16-16ojg-900.webp)

![Noodles lifted with chopsticks from the shio ramen](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-17-moqcv-900.webp)

The moment I took a spoonful of broth, the deep, rich flavor of chicken broth spread through my mouth — honestly insane. The salt seasoning is never harsh, and it balances the flavors so perfectly that the finish is unbelievably clean. Chewy, springy noodles with tender chicken and chashu on top gave this dish serious depth — a genuinely great restaurant, confirmed 👍

![Boiled egg topping cut in half on the ramen](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-18-1m9mb-900.webp)

### Why the boiled egg is worth adding

The boiled egg was especially delicious — so much so that I even added an extra one and was so happy about it. Protein refill complete. If you go to Mentsuru, definitely add the egg 🙏

![Two bowls of shoyu ramen and shio ramen side by side on the table](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-19-11nhx-900.webp)

![A bowl of shoyu ramen blending clam and chicken broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-20-c5fps-1200.webp)

## Shoyu ramen: clam broth blended with chicken broth

Next up was the shoyu ramen I'd been looking forward to. Technically my husband ordered it, but of course I stole bites. Mentsuru Euljiro Branch's shoyu ramen skillfully blends a light, clean clam broth with chicken broth.

![Close-up of shoyu ramen broth and chashu topping](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-21-15cgh-900.webp)

![Noodles lifted from the shoyu ramen](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-22-v7v5u-900.webp)

Tasting the broth, the refreshing, clean umami of clam hits first, followed by the sturdy backing of chicken broth. Even blending two broths, it's never heavy — instead, a clear, exploding umami bursts through...! Personally, the shoyu was way better than the shio haha. If you've always found heavy, greasy tonkotsu ramen a bit too much, this clear, deep shoyu ramen might be exactly your taste.

![Two pieces of freshly fried handmade karaage](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-23-whf2x-900.webp)

## Handmade karaage: chicken thigh fried to order

About halfway through the ramen, at just the right moment, the freshly fried handmade karaage arrived. Mentsuru Euljiro Branch's karaage isn't frozen — it's authentic Japanese-style fried chicken, made from fresh chicken thigh that's battered and fried to order on the spot. Two pieces is just the right amount, making it an easy, low-commitment side to pair with your ramen!! I wanted to have it with beer, but I'm personally on a no-drinking challenge (day 2), so I stuck with soda.

![Cross-section of the fresh chicken thigh karaage](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen-24-1yjna-900.webp)

The moment you pick it up with chopsticks, you can feel the crisp texture of the coating, and one bite in, the juices burst out. The outside is pleasantly crunchy while the fresh chicken thigh inside is unbelievably tender and juicy. The quality is good enough that I want to order a whole plate of just karaage with a cold beer — I strongly recommend trying it !! 🔥

## Is Mentsuru a good Euljiro date spot?

After finishing every bit of the carefully made ramen and crispy karaage, I felt full and like the day's fatigue had completely melted away. Being able to enjoy top-notch ramen in a quiet, calm space made this Euljiro date a complete success 🫶 If you're looking for a hearty, clean ramen destination in Euljiro as the cold winds set in, I highly recommend a visit to Mentsuru Euljiro Branch ~~

## Where it is

- Mentsuru Euljiro Branch (멘츠루 을지로점)
- 26 Mareunnae-ro 2-gil, 1st floor, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- 서울특별시 중구 마른내로2길 26 1층
- 37.563415, 126.9916888
- Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EB%A9%98%EC%B8%A0%EB%A3%A8%20%EC%9D%84%EC%A7%80%EB%A1%9C%EC%A0%90/@37.563415,126.9916888,17z

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Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@mangwon-brass-spoon/menzuru-euljiro-shio-shoyu-ramen/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt