Myeongil-dong diner, spicy galbi bowl for spice wimps: Myeon Sikdang

A Japanese restaurant after the Godeok Station festival: Myeon Sikdang Godeok Station Branch

Myeon Sikdang Godeok Station Branch (면식당 고덕역점) is a newly opened ramen, rice bowl and soba restaurant near Godeok Station. I'd gone to a festival near Godeok Station and Myeongil-dong in Gangdong, and I wanted a filling, good-quality Japanese noodle or rice bowl dish, so I wandered around the neighborhood and ended up here.

Rich pork-bone tonkotsu ramen, smoky buta-don and refreshing cold soba: a perfect Japanese meal near Godeok Station

After the festival near Godeok Station and Myeongil-dong in Gangdong, I really wanted a filling, high-quality Japanese noodle dish and rice bowl! So I looked around and went into this newly opened place.

With its tidy open kitchen and fresh ingredients, Myeon Sikdang Godeok Station Branch has started to get word-of-mouth among locals and office workers, so I went to check it out!

It's in the main commercial district of Godeok Station, so it's easy to reach, and the generous portions and reasonable prices make it a ramen spot that feels like good value.

What are the atmosphere and location of Myeon Sikdang Godeok Station Branch like?

The kitchen is open, so you can see the cooking, and the restaurant is kept clean. They say they carefully inspect the ingredients that come in each day.

It sits right next to major residential complexes such as Godeok Station, Godeok Business Valley, Godeok Gracium and Godeok Arteon.

It's a comfortable place for a solid meal with family, a partner or friends, on weekdays and weekends alike. There are lots of cram schools (hagwon) nearby, so students can drop in without worrying about the cost, and it also seemed like a good option after a doctor's visit at Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong.

Two sets ordered at Myeon Sikdang Godeok Station Branch

That day I ordered the restaurant's signature bestseller, the set for one (tonkotsu ramen + smoky mini buta-don, a pork rice bowl), and the spicy galbi (marinated short rib) rice bowl + cold soba set, which has an appealing kick!

Tonkotsu ramen: rich pork broth with no gamey smell

The tonkotsu ramen here is the signature bestseller: a deep, rich pork-bone broth generously topped with bean sprouts, tamago (egg), chashu (braised pork), naruto (fish cake), seaweed and green onion.

The thick yet clean-tasting broth soaked right into the noodles and I was genuinely impressed. We added an extra tamago to make it even more filling, haha.

Smoky mini buta-don: the smoky aroma in every bite

The smoky mini buta-don that comes with the set for one is a pork rice bowl in a special sauce with a subtle smoky flavor. Eaten together with the rich tonkotsu ramen, it filled me up completely. The smokiness the moment I took a bite was the best part.

Spicy galbi rice bowl: is it too hot for someone who can't handle spice?

The spicy galbi rice bowl here was an addictive bowl, with a sweet-and-spicy special sauce soaked into tender galbi meat that really grabs you.

We can't handle spice well, so it was a little hot for us, but eating a bite after sipping the ramen broth, the spiciness hit just when things were starting to feel heavy and cut through it perfectly.

Cold soba: icy broth and soft noodles

The cold soba (buckwheat noodles) comes in a cool, clean broth with ice slush floating in it, and the chewy noodles were a perfect match to alternate with the spicy galbi bowl. At most restaurants the noodles are stiff and I stop after a few bites, but the cold soba here was soft and moist, so I finished it all.

Who are the sets at Myeon Sikdang Godeok Station Branch for?

With combinations like ramen + rice bowl or rice bowl + soba, the set menu is something people of any age can pick from without any fuss, and I really enjoyed my meal because of it.

Overall verdict and tip: peak-time waits

I was happy with everything at Myeon Sikdang Godeok Station Branch: the taste, the filling sets and the clean atmosphere! Note that there may be a wait at peak times. If you're looking for ramen or a refreshing soba place near Godeok Station, I definitely recommend giving it a try!