After-work ramen shop, Saejeol Station: jalapeño beet pickle, Oreno

On the way home from work, some days you just crave a hot, rich broth. If heavy pork-broth ramen feels like too much for you, I have a chicken-broth ramen place to recommend: Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong (오레노라멘 은평점), a ramen spot near Saejeol Station that I'm introducing today!

What are the exterior, parking and waiting like at Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong?

With its white walls and bold red neon sign, Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong catches your eye right from the start of the alley. You can park beside or in front of the building, but spaces aren't plentiful, so keep that in mind. There are small folding chairs in front of the entrance for waiting, which looks handy when a line forms. Luckily, I got in right away on the day I went.

Is Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong comfortable for eating alone?

Inside, a warm, calm wood-toned interior welcomes you.

What I especially liked was the roomy counter seating (dacchi-seok) running down the middle of the shop.

When you come alone, sitting at a 4-person table can feel a bit awkward, right? The counter seats at Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong face the open kitchen, so you can sit comfortably, which makes it a great setup for solo dining.

Of course, there are plenty of 2-person tables further inside too, so it works just as well for a couple's date.

The lighting is soft, and the place felt pleasantly fresh, without that greasy feeling ramen shops often have.

Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong menu, prices and how to order

You order at the yellow ticket vending machine by the entrance. The signature tori paitan (chicken-broth ramen) and the spicy version, karai paitan, are the same price at ₩13,000. My boyfriend and I each picked one.

What we ordered

• Tori paitan ₩13,000 + extra soft-boiled egg ₩1,000
• Karai paitan ₩13,000 + extra soft-boiled egg ₩1,000
• Zero cola ₩2,000

Beet pickle with jalapeños and zero cola in an iced beer mug

Once we sat down, a side dish of homemade pickle in a pretty beet color arrived. There are jalapeños mixed in here and there, so it's tangy with a fairly spicy finish.

I also ordered a zero cola, and they brought it with a chilled iced beer mug. I loved that little detail.

Finally, the main dish I'd been waiting for arrived. Both bowls are covered in a white foam on top, which looks really unique.

Does tori paitan come with a soft-boiled egg by default?

Yes, the ramen at Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong comes with one whole soft-boiled egg as standard. Oh, and I had a little mishap when ordering.

I didn't know a whole soft-boiled egg already comes with the dish, so I tapped extra egg on the kiosk. When the food came, there were two round eggs floating in the bowl and I was so surprised, but it did give me a generous protein boost, haha.

How do tori paitan and karai paitan taste different?

First, the standard tori paitan has a thick, concentrated broth, as if the chicken had been simmered for a long time. It suits people who like a heavy, gukbap-like (Korean rice soup) body far more than those who prefer a light, clear broth.

The reddish karai paitan adds a spicy, savory kick to the base broth. It's slightly less spicy than Shin Ramyun, so even I, who can't handle spice well, enjoyed it without trouble.

The chicken breast topping was very tender, not dry at all, as if it had been cooked sous vide. The crunchy wood ear mushrooms scattered throughout were a great touch for texture too.

Which items get free refills at Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong?

Noodles, broth and steamed rice are all free to refill at Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong. The notice posted on the table explains this shop's great perk. I was too full to ask for more, but I imagine big eaters will be delighted with this service!

Final verdict

Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong stands out for its rich, smooth chicken broth and its generous free refills. The atmosphere, where you can eat comfortably even alone, is another big plus. Even among ramen places near Saejeol Station, the basics here are very solid, so if you love ramen, I hope you'll visit at least once!