# Children's Grand Park Station ramen: shio vs spicy shoyu at Mentsuru

- By Yubin (https://superchart.com/en/@plate-margins-seoul/)
- Written Sep 16, 2026
- Local places › Restaurants › Gwangjin, Seoul
- Sponsored: This post was written after receiving a complimentary visit from the restaurant.
- English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@plate-margins-seoul/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/
- Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@plate-margins-seoul/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/index.md)

## In short

Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch is a Japanese ramen restaurant just outside Exit 4 of Children's Grand Park Station in Gwangjin, Seoul. On a 6pm visit the order was spicy shoyu ramen and shio ramen at 11,000 won each plus takoyaki at 5,000 won, comparing a punchy broth with a clean, delicate one. Both bowls were good, but the thick-octopus takoyaki and the yuzu pickled radish made Mentsuru worth the trip.

## Good to know

- **Location**: 394 Gwangnaru-ro, 1F, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul — about 30 seconds on foot from Exit 4 of Children's Grand Park Station (Line 7)
- **Hours**: Daily 11:00–23:00
- **Last order**: 22:30
- **Spicy shoyu ramen**: 11,000 won
- **Shio ramen**: 11,000 won
- **Takoyaki**: 5,000 won
- **Complimentary side dish**: Yuzu pickled radish
- **Price reference**: ₩11,000 ≈ $8 · ₩5,000 ≈ $3.7 (2026-09-17)

*as written by the visitor on Sep 16, 2026*

I went to Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch (멘츠루 어린이대공원점), which sits right in front of Children's Grand Park Station.

![Exterior of Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch in front of Exit 4 of Children's Grand Park Station](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-01-14k13-900.webp)

Coming out of Exit 4 of Children's Grand Park Station, you almost immediately see the restaurant, so it's really easy to find. It genuinely felt like less than 30 seconds from the exit.

Since it's near Sejong University and Konkuk University, a lot of students come here. I figured it might be busy at lunchtime, but even visiting around 6pm, there were already tons of customers.

Both the ramen and the takoyaki were satisfying. Let me introduce this spot for anyone looking for good ramen near Children's Grand Park.

![View near the entrance of Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-02-1el0v-900.webp)

![Full view of the Mentsuru storefront near Children's Grand Park Station](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-03-19n8p-900.webp)

## Where is Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch, and what are the hours?

Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch is about a 30-second walk from Exit 4 of Children's Grand Park Station on Line 7. It's open daily from 11:00 to 23:00, with last order at 22:30.

- 📍 Location: near Exit 4 of Children's Grand Park Station
- 🚇 About 30 seconds on foot from Exit 4, Line 7
- ⏰ Hours: daily 11:00–23:00
- ⏰ Last order: 22:30

It's really close to the station, so it was easy to find. It's a good spot when you're looking for a meal near Konkuk or Sejong University, or when you're stopping by after visiting Children's Grand Park.

![Vertical photo of the store signage at Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-04-tgp3c-900.webp)

The interior was clean and the staff were very kind.

![Neatly arranged interior of Mentsuru](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-05-h8l2d-900.webp)

![Seating and interior atmosphere at Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-06-1ic59-900.webp)

## What's on the Mentsuru menu: which ramen can you order?

Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch serves authentic Japanese ramen, with a lineup ranging from rich broths to clean shoyu ramen and spicy motsu ramen (offal ramen).

![Mentsuru ramen menu board](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-07-1vzh4-900.webp)

![Menu page listing shoyu and shio ramen at Mentsuru](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-08-tyr2t-900.webp)

![Menu board listing Mentsuru's side dishes](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-09-skgvn-900.webp)

They all start from a rich broth and chewy noodles, but each menu item takes the flavor in a different direction, so it's easy to pick one that suits your taste. I ordered the spicy shoyu ramen and the shio ramen.

![Table with the ordered spicy shoyu ramen and shio ramen](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-10-1xr8k-900.webp)

## Spicy shoyu ramen, 11,000 won: sharp heat with a clean finish

The first thing I ordered was Mentsuru's spicy shoyu ramen at ₩11,000. Made with clam and chicken broth, it's known for a clean, light flavor.

![Mentsuru's spicy shoyu ramen made with clam and chicken broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-11-heetf-900.webp)

Even though "spicy" is in the name, it wasn't intensely hot — more like a sharp kick. The light broth had a touch of spiciness added, so it wasn't greasy and was easy to eat cleanly.

Rich ramen is delicious too, but personally I prefer this kind of light, sharp broth, and the spicy shoyu ramen suited that preference well.

![Close-up of the spicy shoyu ramen broth and toppings](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-12-uzv5u-m-900.webp)

![Spicy shoyu ramen noodles lifted with chopsticks](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-13-44gsn-900.webp)

![Vertical photo of chewy ramen noodles being lifted](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-14-1ayz4-900.webp)

![Full bowl of spicy shoyu ramen](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-15-1dubo-900.webp)

The noodles were chewy too, which went well with the broth.

## Shio ramen, 11,000 won: a clear, gentle broth

Next is Mentsuru's shio ramen at ₩11,000. It's a chicken broth ramen seasoned with salt, and it was much cleaner and lighter than the spicy shoyu ramen.

![Shio ramen made with salt-seasoned chicken broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-16-30kec-900.webp)

If you prefer a clear, gentle broth over something more intense, the shio ramen should suit you well. The broth itself had a clean flavor that was easy to enjoy without feeling heavy, and it paired nicely with the noodles.

![Clear shio ramen broth with chashu topping](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-17-cjylf-900.webp)

![Vertical photo of shio ramen noodles being lifted](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-18-4cv51-900.webp)

Comparing the two: the spicy shoyu ramen has that extra sharp kick, while the shio ramen leans light and clean.

## Takoyaki, 5,000 won: crisp outside, soft inside, thick octopus

Mentsuru's takoyaki is ₩5,000. I ordered it because ramen alone felt like it wasn't quite enough, and the takoyaki turned out to be way better than expected.

The outside was crispy and the inside was soft, and the octopus inside was pretty thick too.

It was just a side dish at a ramen restaurant, but it was good enough to pass for a dedicated takoyaki restaurant.

### The yuzu pickled radish side dish at Mentsuru

Even the basic pickled radish that comes standard wasn't just plain radish — it was yuzu pickled radish. It had a subtle yuzu fragrance and a very crunchy texture, which made it delicious.

![Crunchy yuzu pickled radish served as a side dish](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-19-10vyd-900.webp)

![Close-up of a plate of yuzu pickled radish](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-20-16ura-900.webp)

## What Mentsuru is like at 6pm: mood and service

The food at Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch was great, but the staff were also really kind. I visited around 6pm, thinking it was still an early dinner hour, but I was surprised to find the place already full of customers.

![Mentsuru dining room full of customers at 6pm](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-21-q138f-900.webp)

![Ramen meal set on a table at Mentsuru](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-22-1acl3-900.webp)

Since it's near Sejong University and Konkuk University, a lot of students seemed to come here, and I even spotted some fresh-faced students on dates, which was nice to see haha.

The place was clean, the food was tasty, and the staff were kind — nothing was lacking, and I left feeling good about the whole meal.

### A ramen spot that works for a date lunch near Konkuk University

Mentsuru is close to the station, so it's a good spot for lunch, and it also works well for a date around Konkuk University or Children's Grand Park.

A bowl of ramen makes a solid meal on its own, and ordering takoyaki to share is nice too. Being so close to Exit 4 of Children's Grand Park Station also makes it a convenient meeting spot.

## Is Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch worth a visit?

This visit to Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch delivered on both ramen and takoyaki. The spicy shoyu ramen combined the lightness of clam and chicken broth with a sharp kick for a clean flavor, while the shio ramen was very light and soft.

![Two bowls of Mentsuru's spicy shoyu ramen and shio ramen](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-23-17y6y-1200.webp)

And the takoyaki, crispy outside and soft inside with thick chunks of octopus, was really satisfying.

![Mentsuru's takoyaki packed with thick octopus pieces](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen/menzuru-shio-shoyu-takoyaki-ramen-24-1plev-900.webp)

It's close to the station, the space is clean, and the staff are kind — this is a place I'd want to visit again next time I'm around Children's Grand Park or Konkuk University. If you're looking for good ramen near Children's Grand Park, a Konkuk University date lunch, or good food around Konkuk University, stop by Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch.

## Where it is

- Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch (멘츠루 어린이대공원점)
- 394 Gwangnaru-ro, 1F, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- 서울특별시 광진구 광나루로 394 1층
- 37.547275, 127.0734369
- Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EB%A9%98%EC%B8%A0%EB%A3%A8%20%EC%96%B4%EB%A6%B0%EC%9D%B4%EB%8C%80%EA%B3%B5%EC%9B%90%EC%A0%90/@37.547275,127.0734369,17z

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