Yongsan Station ramen restaurant with no 1pm wait: Menya Seoul

I was looking for somewhere to have lunch near Yongsan Station and ended up at Menya Seoul in I'Park Mall. It had an easy atmosphere for solo dining, and I got to enjoy a rich bowl of ramen. Today I'll share my visit to Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch, a Yongsan Station favorite.

Where is Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch, and how close is Yongsan Station?

Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch sits in the food court on the 7th floor of I'Park Mall, directly connected to Yongsan Station. Since you can walk straight there from the station, it was an easy visit even on a rainy day.

It was also a good spot for a meal before or after shopping or a movie, or for grabbing a quick bite before catching a train.

I'Park Mall parking was also available, so driving there was an option too, and above all, the relaxed atmosphere made it a comfortable place for lunch or solo dining.

11 bar seats at Menya Seoul: does eating alone feel awkward?

Menya Seoul is located inside Taste Park, the food court at Yongsan I'Park Mall. The restaurant is mostly bar table seating, with room for about 11 people.

Most of the diners were eating alone, with the occasional pair. Since so many people were dining solo, it never felt awkward to visit by myself.

On a weekday lunch hour, plenty of mall visitors came in to eat, and both ordering and pickup happen at the counter. The staff were friendly and gave clear guidance, so it wasn't difficult even on a first visit — overall it felt like an easy place for a casual meal.

Menya Seoul menu and set prices: how to pick your broth and topping

At Menya Seoul, ramen is the centerpiece, but you can also add sides and drinks. For the ramen, you can choose a broth to suit your taste — mild, spicy, or mala (numbing chili) — and pick between dongpo pork or jambon as the topping.

There was a range of menu combinations depending on the broth and topping, and adding ₩3,000 let you double up on toppings. Adding ₩5,000 to a single dish upgraded it to a set, which came with a drink and a choice of one side: crispy gyoza, karaage, or a chicken rice bowl.

Extra noodles, ajitama egg, and rice could each be added for ₩2,000, and the menu also included fried shrimp (₩8,900), sweet red bean spring rolls (₩3,900), and soda or kids' drinks (₩3,000). Orders are placed directly with staff at the counter.

A menu board and ramen models displayed next to the counter made it easy to choose even on a first visit. That day I ordered the mala broth dongpo pork ramen set (₩18,500) and chose crispy gyoza as the side. Being able to mix and match broth and topping to my taste made ordering easy.

Is there a wait at Menya Seoul at 1pm on a weekday?

I visited around 1pm on a weekday, just past the lunch peak, so I could order right away with no wait. About 4 or 5 people were eating at the time, mostly solo diners, which made for a comfortable solo-dining atmosphere.

After ordering, I got a buzzer and waited at my seat. The table had lemon kelp vinegar and chili oil ready, so I could season the ramen to taste.

The food came out about 5 minutes after ordering — the cooking time was fast, which made me think it'd be a comfortable option even during a busy lunch rush.

How spicy is the mala broth ramen with dongpo pork?

I went with the mala broth that day, and the red broth had a look that immediately brought mala tang (Sichuan numbing hotpot) to mind. The ramen came topped with noodles, bean sprouts, scallions, ajitama egg, and generous chunks of dongpo pork.

The broth had that distinctive numbing mala flavor, but it wasn't as intense as expected — about as spicy as Shin Ramyun, which made it easy to enjoy.

The noodles had a nice springy bite, and the bean sprouts and scallions added good texture. The dongpo pork was fairly thick but fell apart smoothly along its grain, pairing well with the noodles.

The three crispy gyoza that came with the Menya Seoul set

The crispy gyoza that came with the set totaled three pieces. Crispy on the outside and moist inside, they went well alongside the ramen.

Ordering the set meant the portion was more generous than I expected, making for a satisfying, filling meal. If you're not especially hungry, though, the ramen alone would probably be enough.

Overall, the balance between broth and noodles was good, and the relaxed solo-dining atmosphere made it a great ramen spot for a quick lunch near Yongsan Station or a meal before catching a train.

Is Menya Seoul worth it for a solo ramen lunch near Yongsan Station?

Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch was easy to get to, directly connected to Yongsan Station, and let me enjoy a satisfying bowl of ramen without any hassle. The atmosphere was comfortable for solo dining, and the food came out quickly, making it a satisfying lunch. If you're looking for a Yongsan Station favorite or a ramen restaurant that's easy to eat at alone, I'd recommend giving it a try.