Bucheon Station ramen shop: mazesoba and must-try karaage, Gyeoretsu

I visited Gyeoretsu Ramen (교레츠라멘)! The name alone is fun, isn't it? It makes you expect something good. It's supposed to be a Japanese ramen specialty shop.

What does Gyeoretsu Ramen Bucheon University Branch look like from outside?

The exterior has a red signboard with white lettering that announces it's a Japanese ramen specialty shop. That bold red sign with white writing really plays up the Japanese ramen angle. The standing sign had a nice vibe too. It says "Japanese Ramen" on it.

How do you join the Naver receipt review event?

At Gyeoretsu Ramen Bucheon University Branch, an event was running: write a Naver receipt review, show it to staff, and get a free drink or 2 pieces of fried gyoza. Here's how it goes.

• First, scan the QR code and tap the write-review button~
• Second, tap the receipt button and take a photo of your receipt
• Finally, show the review you wrote to the staff and get your drink or 2 fried gyoza~

Pretty easy, right?

What's on the table by default?

Each table has black pepper, chili flakes and kelp vinegar (dasima-sikcho) as standard. Kelp vinegar is always delicious.

You can also see spoons and chopsticks, plus water cups. And tissues too.

Is there anything to know before ordering?

Inside Gyeoretsu Ramen Bucheon University Branch hangs a frame titled "Please read this once before ordering." The key points: the seasoned egg (ajitamago) is not a default topping, and the noodles come firm by default.

• The seasoned egg (ajitamago) is not a default topping on any dish~ you need to add it from the extras or side menu
• The first extra noodles go into your bowl; if you want them served separately, tell the kitchen
• The default noodle doneness is firm

It's practically Gyeoretsu Ramen's instruction manual.

How do the menu items differ?

Every item has a description card, so the menu is kindly explained.

• Iekei ramen: a tonkotsu soy ramen made with pork-bone broth, chicken oil and a special soy sauce, they say
• Karai iekei ramen: the iekei ramen made spicy with a blend of several chili flakes
• Shiru-nashi tantanmen: tantanmen you mix and eat without soup
• Egoma abura soba: a perilla-oil mixed noodle dish, with a special soy sauce and various toppings mixed in
• Mazesoba: as you probably know, a Japanese mixed noodle dish with no soup, made with various spices and a special sauce, mixed with toppings
• Karai mazesoba: that same mazesoba, made spicy with a blend of several chili flakes
• Tonkotsu ramen: Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen made with pork and chicken bones simmered for a long time, plus a special sauce
• Karai tonkotsu ramen: the tonkotsu ramen made spicy with a blend of several chili flakes

How much is the menu at Gyeoretsu Ramen Bucheon University Branch?

Ramen and soba run from ₩9,500 to ₩11,000. Tonkotsu ramen is ₩9,500. Iekei ramen is ₩10,500, and mazesoba is ₩10,500 too. Karai tonkotsu ramen is ₩9,500, and karai iekei ramen is ₩11,000. Karai mazesoba is ₩11,000, and shiru-nashi tantanmen is ₩10,500. Egoma abura soba is ₩11,000.

For sides, large fried gyoza is ₩4,000 and half-and-half fried items are ₩4,500. Chicken karaage (fried chicken) is ₩6,000.

For extras, more noodles is ₩1,500, an egg is ₩1,000 and chashu (braised pork slices) is ₩2,500. There's also kikurage (wood ear mushroom) for ₩1,000. Four sheets of seaweed are ₩500.

They have Sangaria oolong tea! It's a tea I love, and it's ₩3,000. Soft drinks are still in the ₩2,000 range, and bottled beer is ₩6,000 each.

How was the mazesoba at Gyeoretsu Ramen?

The mazesoba (₩10,500) at Gyeoretsu Ramen Bucheon University Branch had a slightly strong, unique spice flavor. I ordered the mazesoba. It looks delicious! Mazesoba is always love.

And oolong tea is love too.

Mazesoba, gyoza and even karaage, a proper full spread! All my favorite things.

Are the gyoza and karaage worth ordering?

The gyoza here were full of juice, and the chicken karaage (₩6,000) had pale white meat and was so tasty that I really recommend it as a side. Juicy gyoza, too.

Someone recommended the karaage to me, and the white meat was so delicious. Please try the karaage, I recommend it! Next time I'll have to take on the ramen.