Spicy shoyu ramen with free rice refill in Euljiro: Mentsuru

Today I'm bringing you a review of a great-value spot to recommend whenever you want proper Japanese-style ramen near Euljiro — Mentsuru Euljiro Branch. It's always packed with office workers at lunchtime, and even in the evening there's enough word of mouth that there's a wait. After eating there myself, I immediately understood why it's so popular!

Mentsuru Euljiro Branch, outside and inside

Mentsuru, a ramen restaurant and Euljiro favorite, is great value and perfect for an office lunch — passing by, the lunch crowd was huge, and even at dinner there were plenty of people, so it's a genuine hit spot.

It said 'hangover ramen specialist' outside, haha, and after eating I got why.

As the sign outside says 'ramen bar,' the inside of this Euljiro ramen favorite is set up bar-style with about 4 tables — a cozy, compact ramen spot in Euljiro.

Ordering by kiosk, and what I got that day

At this Euljiro ramen favorite, you order at the kiosk by the entrance before you go in.

• Spicy shoyu ramen (₩11,500)
• Tori paitan (₩12,000)
• Karaage 2pc (₩3,000) x2 sets

I didn't order one, but since it was evening, there were people having beer with their meal too.

Tori paitan broth and toppings

Tori paitan (₩12,000) — brewed from chicken bones for a long time with care, so it looks milky white and smooth from the very start.

The seasoning wasn't too salty — just right, with an umami flavor that really exploded. Genuinely rich broth.

The toppings included plenty of bamboo shoots and meat. What I liked was that, since I usually don't love char siu because it's too fatty, the meat in this Euljiro ramen favorite's bowl felt more like ham — lean and clean.

Spicy shoyu ramen: spice level and noodle portion

The spicy shoyu ramen (₩11,500), one of Mentsuru's best menu items.

The signboard outside said 'hangover ramen specialist,' and after eating I understood why. The first bite was so good I got greedy, worried the portion might be small — but as I kept eating, the noodle portion turned out to be plenty.

The spicy, punchy broth was really perfect for a hangover. It wasn't super spicy, so even I, someone who can't handle heat well, could enjoy it comfortably.

Toppings in the ramen can be added when ordering, but I was plenty satisfied with just the default toppings.

Free rice, mixed into the broth

And another great thing about this place —

They give you a free bowl of rice on request.

The broth was so deep and delicious it felt like a waste to leave it, so mixing in rice made it feel like eating a rice soup — so good. Mixing rice into ramen broth is the real move, haha!

Side dish: karaage 2pc

For a side, I ordered the karaage 2pc (₩3,000).

Karaage, as most people know, is crispy Japanese-style fried chicken, and the seasoning sprinkled on top tasted like something I'd often had in Japan — a real treat.

It's a perfect match with ramen, so I recommend ordering it together!

Japanese-style ramen is delicious but often too salty at many places — this Euljiro ramen favorite, Mentsuru, had just the right seasoning and I felt the prices were very reasonable too. Revisit intention 200%, and if you're looking for a clean, delicious ramen spot in Euljiro, definitely give it a try!