City Hall ramen bar for one after Deoksugung at night: Mentsuru

Where to eat alone near City Hall Station after Deoksugung's night opening

Mentsuru City Hall Branch (멘츠루 시청점) is where I went for a quiet solo meal near City Hall Station after an evening at the Deoksugung night opening. The weather wasn't hot in the evening either, so it was perfect for walking home from work.

I had just gone straight from work to the Deoksugung night opening I'd been planning to see for ages. Walking along the palace stone wall under soft lighting made me feel really relaxed.

So I headed to a spot my coworkers in the area rave about, a favorite of City Hall office workers. It's an alley with heavy foot traffic where picky office workers line up every day, so the taste was practically guaranteed. I didn't want anyone to interrupt my rare healing time and wanted somewhere quiet, and this place caught my eye as somewhere I could eat alone without feeling awkward at all.

Is the Mentsuru City Hall Branch bar good for solo dining?

Mentsuru City Hall Branch has a long bar counter facing the kitchen, so solo diners can sit and eat comfortably. The moment I opened the door, it felt as cozy as a little late-night diner in a Japanese back alley. I immediately understood why it's so popular as a City Hall spot for eating alone.

Right in the middle of a busy downtown where hundreds of people pass every day, there was a hideout like this where I could focus on my own time, quiet and calm. It felt like finding treasure in a treasure hunt.

Kiosk ordering and a menu of signature dishes at Mentsuru

You order at Mentsuru City Hall Branch with a kiosk. Looking at it, I could feel real confidence in how it had no fluff and focused on just a few signature dishes. Real good restaurants tend to have simple menus, after all.

How was the pork bone ramen at Mentsuru City Hall Branch?

The ramen I ordered at Mentsuru City Hall Branch was a warm bowl with a creamy, rich broth made by simmering pork bones for a long time, topped with chashu (braised pork slices) and a soft-boiled egg. When the hot noodles I'd ordered finally landed on the table, the colors of the neatly arranged toppings really whetted my appetite. The moment I faced that bowl after the Deoksugung night opening, my body, chilled by the night breeze, felt like it was melting, haha. I took a spoonful of broth first, and a deep, hearty umami filled my mouth. Simmered for hours, the pork bone broth was nutty and had no off-smell at all.

The thin noodles stayed pleasantly chewy and soaked up the broth, so they wrapped smoothly in my mouth instead of sliding off. The grilled pork on top was so tender it melted the moment I took a bite, and the halved soft-boiled egg let the richness of the yolk mix into the broth for even deeper flavor. I kept exclaiming all the way through the bowl!!

Chicken skin gyoza as a side

The chicken skin gyoza (dumplings) I ordered with the ramen at Mentsuru City Hall Branch were nicely chewy too. They had a chewy bite and were so delicious. If I hadn't been short on time, I would have ordered more.

Why Mentsuru City Hall Branch works for an after-work solo meal

Beyond the taste, what I liked about Mentsuru City Hall Branch is that you can focus quietly on your food alone and wrap up the day. In office life, even chatting with someone over a meal can sometimes drain your energy. At those times, having a place where you can come quietly, focus on good food and calmly sort out your day is a real comfort. The food here is great, but I want to give it high marks for letting me have a full rest just for myself in a busy routine.

With a feast for the mouth followed by a feast for the eyes at the Deoksugung night opening, the evening came together perfectly. Whenever I pass by, I think I'll suddenly miss this broth, so I plan to stop by again soon after work, haha. I strongly recommend this course to anyone looking for a light walk and a warm meal after work.

Best times to avoid the wait at Mentsuru City Hall Branch

According to the writer, the line at Mentsuru City Hall Branch can get quite long during the office lunch rush, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you want to eat in comfort without waiting, I suggest aiming for a late lunch after 1 p.m. or right after work, before 6 p.m.

• Busy hours: 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Quieter hours: a late lunch after 1 p.m., or before 6 p.m.
• In the evening the soft lighting makes the mood even better, so it's a good stop before or after the Deoksugung night opening

In the evening the soft lighting lifts the atmosphere even more, so it's just right to visit before or after you see the Deoksugung night opening. I've attached a map so you won't get lost on your way!

Why not treat yourself to a warm, carefully made meal this evening?