Ramen restaurant in Sokcho, three bowls for two: Ichiba Ramen

🍜🍜🍜 The first thing we did after arriving in Sokcho was head straight to Ichiba Ramen.

Honestly, neither my kid nor I eat that much, so when we go out to eat we usually order two dishes and still can't finish them. But here, we seriously inhaled everything... the two of us ordered three dishes and basically (human dishwasher mode) cleaned every bowl 🤣 This is a certified Sokcho local favorite. Here's the honest review!

What is Ichiba Ramen like inside? 🐶

Ichiba Ramen on Jungang-ro in Sokcho is a small ramen shop with a Shiba Inu figurine greeting you through the window. The moment you step inside, the first thing you notice is how clean it is. It's cozy, and thanks to all the cute little props, it feels like you've walked into a tiny neighborhood ramen shop in Japan.

Not a speck of dust anywhere, and just from how the sauce bottles and utensils are set up, you can tell the owner's personality ✨👏 Most of all, the owner is so incredibly kind. He kept warmly checking in on us the whole time, so we were already in a great mood before we even started eating!

🍜 Three dishes two small eaters ordered at Ichiba Ramen

What we ordered at Ichiba Ramen: karai ramen, cold ramen, and mini butadon — three dishes total. The smell was so irresistible we couldn't help ordering all three... (if we hadn't been driving, we would've ordered beer too ㅠㅠ)

1. Karai ramen (spicy ramen)

The broth is really sharp and deep! (It's not that spicy, so kids can eat it too.) When you stir in the minced garlic served on the spoon, the rich broth aroma spreads instantly. Ahhhh~~

The rich, savory tonkotsu broth blends perfectly with just the right amount of spicy heat. The noodles stay bouncy without going soft, the chashu has proper smoky char and is soft and tender, and the soft-boiled egg tops it off perfectly... (I fell in love 🤩) Without a word, the two of us started devouring it in a frenzy...

2. Cold ramen

It's the restaurant's signature dish, so of course we had to try it~ I really commend myself for choosing it 👏 The soy-sauce-based broth is refreshing and tangy-sweet, and the noodles have amazing chewiness! (That noodle texture, wow 👍)

With crunchy vegetables, crab meat, and chashu on top, the toppings are varied and the texture is insane. A flavor that keeps you eating without ever getting tired of it.

3. Mini butadon (pork rice bowl)

We felt like just eating noodles wasn't enough, so we slipped in a mini butadon (pork rice bowl) as a side. So glad we ordered it — I don't know what we would've done without it.

The nicely browned pork is well coated in a sweet-savory special sauce, and the thinly sliced onions and tangy pickled ginger on top cut through any greasiness. Mix it into the rice, top it with a piece of meat, then add a spoonful of ramen broth — that combo is insane. Even in a mini size, the amount of meat was so generous it really impressed us.

Tips to know before visiting Ichiba Ramen

✨ The review event at Ichiba Ramen

If you write a photo review on Naver Place, they give you a free seasoned egg, jumbo chashu, or a bowl of rice! And if you also write a Google photo review, they'll give you one more — make sure to grab this when you visit!

🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Visiting Ichiba Ramen with kids

Ichiba Ramen is really clean and has a kids' chair, so there's zero worry about visiting with children. Most of all, the owner is so kind that we could eat comfortably.

🚘 Parking and getting to Ichiba Ramen

Parking near the restaurant is convenient, and it's in a great location for planning your Sokcho trip route, whether as your first stop or last.

Is Ichiba Ramen a good first meal in Sokcho?

Instead of the usual seafood we always end up eating in Sokcho, choosing Ichiba Ramen as our first meal was an excellent decision. The food was great, but the clean, tidy atmosphere and the owner's warm, kind service made the start of our Sokcho trip 🫶🏼 so happy. If you're looking for a great ramen spot in Sokcho, or a local favorite you can comfortably visit with kids, definitely go — you'll walk out stuffed and finished, just like us 😋

⏰ Hours: 09:00–22:00