Date-spot ramen shop near Saejeol Station: chilled green tea, Oreno

We were out on a date, happened to see some reviews, and walked in with high hopes. We came out smitten with a ramen far better than expected: Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong (오레노라멘 은평점). Oreno has been selected for the Michelin Guide seven years in a row, and as a proper ramen spot, the broth is different from the first sip 🍜

What do Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong's exterior and interior look like?

Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong is a ramen shop on Bulgwangcheon-gil (불광천길), near Saejeol Station (새절역). Below is the exterior.

And here's the inside.

The whole interior is very clean and cozy. There are bar-style seats too, so eating alone feels easy, and the quick, relaxed ramen-shop vibe makes it a good place for a solo meal or whenever you just want something simple.

Oreno Ramen menu: just tori paitan and karai paitan

You order at the kiosk right by the entrance, which was convenient. You know a truly good restaurant keeps its menu short, right? Just two options, tori paitan and karai paitan, and you can feel Oreno's confidence.

• Tori paitan: a rich, nutty chicken paitan (creamy white chicken broth) ramen. The broth is so thick it feels like a health tonic 💪🏻
• Karai paitan: the same rich, nutty broth with a spicy kick. Recommended for anyone who likes it hot 🌶️

You can add several toppings, so we added a soft-boiled egg and tsukune (chicken meatball). There's also chilled green tea water, which helps beat the summer heat. I liked that it wasn't plain water, too.

Does Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong have free refills?

Noodles, broth and even rice are all free to refill at Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong. Noodles, broth AND rice! Oreno is a ramen spot that gives without holding back.

Wet wipes, tissues and utensils are neatly set out on the table, which made things easy.

The pickles that get your appetite going seem to be made with beet, so the color is gorgeous, and they're tangy and a little spicy, which really whets the appetite.

Oreno is ramen built on a rich chicken broth, and since it's near Saejeol Station in Eunpyeong, it's a good place to go whenever ramen crosses your mind. The chicken broth is simmered down strong, and the deep flavor with a clean finish gives it a whole different level of depth.

Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong location, hours and parking

• Address: 366 Bulgwangcheon-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul
• Getting there: 5-minute walk from Saejeol Station Exit 1
• Hours: daily 11:00–20:30
• Break time: 14:30–17:00
• Last order: 20:00
• Parking: available (free)

I'm leaving the menu photos below.

Oreno Ramen topping picks: tsukune and soft-boiled egg

Definitely add tsukune as a topping at Oreno. It's so tender and delicious. Highly recommended.

Chewy noodles in a rich, nutty broth, plus soft tsukune on top: one bowl alone was filling 👍🏻

And the soft-boiled egg is close to perfect, how is that even possible? Add one, seriously!!!!!

How big are the portions? My partner's post-workout noodle refill

The noodle portion at Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong is really big and there's plenty of broth too, so I couldn't finish mine. My partner had just worked out, so he refilled a portion of noodles (impressive). Even for a noodle refill they put chicken on top, and that generosity touched me.

My partner starting round two, haha. The chicken broth is deeply rich and truly one of a kind, and a carefully made bowl put me in a good mood all day. Highly recommended for anyone who loves Japanese ramen 👍🏻