# Rainy-day lunch watching open-kitchen chashu at Okagura Ramen, Itaewon - By Sori H. (https://superchart.com/en/@pause-for-coffee-3/) - Written Sep 6, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Yongsan, Seoul - Sponsored: This post was written as part of a paid in-store visit sponsorship. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@pause-for-coffee-3/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@pause-for-coffee-3/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/index.md) ## In short Okagura Ramen is a tonkotsu ramen restaurant tucked in an alley near Exit 4 of Itaewon Station in Seoul. Dining solo at the bar table on a rainy afternoon, the writer watched chashu being grilled in the open kitchen while eating tonkotsu ramen (₩13,000) and han-ip gyoza (bite-size dumplings, ₩6,000), then mashed in fresh garlic halfway through for extra flavor. The broth tasted like a trip to Japan, and the verdict was a full 100% return visit. ## Good to know - **Location**: 5-minute walk from Exit 4, Itaewon Station (Line 6), inside an alley - **Tonkotsu ramen**: ₩13,000 - **Umakara tonkotsu**: ₩13,000 - **Miso ramen**: ₩14,000 - **Mazesoba**: ₩14,000 - **Zaru soba**: ₩13,000 - **Han-ip gyoza**: ₩6,000 - **Drinks**: Terra draft beer, Asahi/Ebisu/Sapporo/Orion canned beer, non-alcoholic Cass bottle - **Seating**: Bar table (dachi), 4-person tables, terrace-like extended space - **Ordering**: Scan QR code and order from your phone - **Requests**: Danmuji without ginger available on request, fresh garlic available on request *as written by the visitor on Sep 6, 2026* Do you like Japanese ramen? There's a ramen restaurant in Itaewon run by a chef with years of experience in Japanese cuisine. I visited on a rainy day, ate tonkotsu ramen, and felt like I was briefly back in Japan. Here's my honest review of Okagura Ramen in Itaewon! ## Itaewon restaurant pick: Okagura Ramen ![Exterior view of Okagura Ramen in Itaewon](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-01-1544f-966.webp) ![Okagura Ramen's Japanese-style exterior](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-02-spcor-966.webp) ![Entrance of the ramen restaurant tucked in an Itaewon alley](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-03-1cmvo-966.webp) Apparently the owner used to run an izakaya, and Okagura the ramen specialist was born from that. It has an open kitchen where you can watch the ramen being made, so eating alone here was a treat for the eyes — and the owner and staff were all so kind, which made the place even better! ### How to get there from Itaewon Station 📍 Walk about 5 minutes from Exit 4 of Itaewon Station (Line 6) and you'll find Okagura Ramen tucked in an alley. The exterior has that unmistakable Japanese vibe 🍜 — it had been a while since I'd had ramen in Korea, so I walked in with high expectations..! ![View in front of Okagura Ramen's entrance](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-04-a86r6-966.webp) Here's my review of an amazing solo lunch: tonkotsu ramen paired with mini gyoza! ## Interior and seating Since I came alone, I sat at the bar table (dachi seating). It was a bit past lunch hour but customers kept coming in — even so, the owner offered to let me sit at a 4-person table if I wanted 🥹. That kindness put me in a good mood right away — a real find in Itaewon. ![Interior bar table and seating at Okagura Ramen](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-05-csmhq-966.webp) There was also a space that felt like an extended outdoor terrace, bright and nicely decorated — seemed like a great spot to eat too haha. Watching the chashu being grilled live 🔥 ![Ramen bowls stacked neatly](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-06-1kizj-966.webp) *Pretty just from being stacked so neatly* ## Table setting At the bar table there were tissues, paper cups, chopsticks, danmuji (pickled radish), and various sauces up front. The black kettle held warm oolong tea to drink before and after the meal — nutty and clean, it paired really well haha. ## How to enjoy Okagura Ramen the best way ![Sign explaining how to enjoy the ramen](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-07-8nu1g-966.webp) *How to enjoy Okagura Ramen even more* There are various types of ramen, and they've thoughtfully written out which sauces go with which menu items. ![Notice explaining which sauce goes with which menu item](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-08-1bb1q-966.webp) *So thoughtful..* The danmuji set on the table apparently has ginger in it. So if you don't want ginger, just tell the staff and they'll bring you some without! ✔️ If you need fresh garlic, just ask and they'll give you some ![Danmuji and sauces set out on the bar table](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-09-qkzfl-966.webp) ![Restaurant notice also written in English](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-10-1c7tr-966.webp) *Since it's Itaewon, there are English notices too!* ![Bar table seat with a view of the open kitchen](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-11-mk43l-966.webp) Watching the owner cook while waiting for the ramen was so much fun from the bar table seat haha. The ordering system is QR code — scan it and order from your phone. ## Okagura Ramen menu and prices - Tonkotsu ramen ₩13,000 - Umakara tonkotsu ₩13,000 - Miso ramen ₩14,000 - Mazesoba ₩14,000 - Zaru soba ₩13,000 - Han-ip gyoza ₩6,000 They also have Terra on draft, plus Asahi, Ebisu, Sapporo, and Orion canned beers, and non-alcoholic Cass in bottles, for reference! ## Tonkotsu ramen ![A bowl of Okagura Ramen's tonkotsu ramen](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-12-10gez-966.webp) The broth on this Japanese tonkotsu ramen is genuinely deep... completely my type. It was drizzling all day, and somehow eating it felt like having gukbap (rice soup) — it just fit the mood even better! And the chashu melted in my mouth 🥺 If you love meat, or if you're a hungry guy who wants a bigger portion, add extra chashu — you won't regret it, generously loaded, haha. ![Close-up of tonkotsu ramen topped with chashu](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-13-1m7fk-1200.webp) ![Tonkotsu ramen captured on camera](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-14-1bej6-966.webp) *📸 The ramen looked so gorgeous I pulled out the camera... my mouth is watering just writing this post..* ## Side dish recommendation: han-ip gyoza ![Plate of han-ip gyoza at Okagura Ramen](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-15-4shta-966.webp) ![Bite-sized gyoza served on the table](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-16-1to1b-966.webp) I thought the portion might be a bit much, but I saw the table next to me eating it and wanted it so badly that I ordered it too — the han-ip gyoza (bite-size dumplings)! So cute and appetizing looking 🥟 ![Han-ip gyoza dipped in red sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-17-1b5x9-966.webp) ![Gyoza with dipping sauce on the side](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-18-gowxn-966.webp) Dip it in the red sauce that comes alongside and it's pure deliciousness. Even though I was already full, I finished every single piece without leaving a crumb 😉 I highly recommend making this a must-order! ## Adding garlic is a must ![Fresh garlic given upon request](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-19-1pjrf-966.webp) ![Mashing fresh garlic into the ramen](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-20-bjqag-966.webp) ![Tonkotsu ramen broth with garlic added](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-21-1fuxu-966.webp) I was happily eating the tonkotsu ramen as-is, and once I'd finished a little more than half, I mashed in some garlic — and the flavor jumped up so much! I told myself that next time I revisit, I'll add the garlic from the very first bite haha. ![Nearly empty ramen bowl](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-22-1uqf0-966.webp) *Almost finished* I wanted to greedily finish everything, but I left just a little bit of noodles (out of conscience, since I was so full) — the broth was so good I wanted to mix in rice 🤣 ![Signed mementos on the restaurant wall from past visitors](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-23-1tp0c-966.webp) *A Seoul tonkotsu ramen favorite even celebrities have visited* ![Exterior of Okagura Ramen after finishing the meal](https://img.superchart.com/images/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen-24-cz2rk-966.webp) ## Would I go back? That's my honest review of a solo lunch at Okagura Ramen, an Itaewon favorite. I've been to Japan close to 20 times and eaten countless bowls of ramen there, and this one genuinely reminded me of a Japan trip haha. My return visit intent is 100%! If you're looking for a restaurant in Itaewon, Okagura Ramen also makes a great date spot — highly recommend. ## Where it is - Okagura Ramen (오카구라 라멘) - 26 Itaewon-ro 14-gil, 1st floor, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 용산구 이태원로14길 26 1층 - 37.533201, 126.9908598 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%98%A4%EC%B9%B4%EA%B5%AC%EB%9D%BC%20%EB%9D%BC%EB%A9%98/@37.533201,126.9908598,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@pause-for-coffee-3/itaewon-okagura-ramen-rainy-day-open-kitchen/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt