# Soy sauce ramen and tori paitan at dachi seats, City Hall: Mentsuru - By Sejin (https://superchart.com/en/@seoul-eating-out/) - Written Sep 9, 2026 - Local places › Restaurants › Jung-gu, Seoul - Sponsored: This post was written after a sponsored visit to the restaurant. - English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@seoul-eating-out/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/ - Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@seoul-eating-out/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/index.md) ## In short Mentsuru City Hall Branch is a Japanese ramen restaurant a minute's walk from Exit 10 of City Hall Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. The soy sauce-based soyu ramen, the creamy tori paitan simmered from chicken, and crisp-outside-juicy-inside karaage were the order, with the yuzu danmuji (pickled radish) cutting through the richness. Counter dachi seats wrap around the open kitchen, making it an easy solo lunch spot for office workers near City Hall. ## Good to know - **Address**: 2 Seosomun-ro 11-gil, 1F Unit 1, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea - **Hours**: Daily 11:00–21:30 (last order 21:00) - **Location**: 1-minute walk from Exit 10, City Hall Station, across from Goryeo Samgyetang - **Parking**: Not available; nearby public parking lots recommended - **Seating**: Dachi counter seats around the kitchen; 2–4 person tables on 1F and basement - **Ordering**: Kiosk at the store entrance - **Note**: Group dining and takeout available; tonkotsu ramen and mazesoba paid for in the basement store - **Event**: Participate in a Naver review event for a free canned drink or fried gyoza *as written by the visitor on Sep 9, 2026* Today I want to introduce a real hidden-gem ramen restaurant near City Hall Station. The clean broth and deep flavor of the soyu ramen and tori paitan were so good. So let's get into this post about Mentsuru City Hall Branch, a ramen spot near the Deoksugung night opening. ![Vertical photo of a bowl of ramen at Mentsuru City Hall Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-01-1mnf2-966.webp) ## Mentsuru City Hall Branch details - 📍Address: 2 Seosomun-ro 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul - 🕢Hours: Daily 11:00–21:30 (last order 21:00) - Group dining and takeout available ## Exterior and interior photos ![Exterior of Mentsuru City Hall Branch near Exit 10 of City Hall Station](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-02-pwzax-966.webp) Mentsuru City Hall Branch is a 1-minute walk from Exit 10 of City Hall Station, so it's very accessible, and it's right across from Goryeo Samgyetang. ![Street view near the entrance of Mentsuru City Hall Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-03-196b1-966.webp) There's no parking on site, so I'd recommend using a public parking lot near the restaurant. Now let's head inside Mentsuru City Hall Branch to eat some delicious ramen. ![Interior of Mentsuru City Hall Branch with warm lighting](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-04-8lsml-966.webp) This is the interior of Mentsuru. It's very clean and pleasant, and the soft, warm lighting wraps around the space, giving it a comfortable feel. ![Neatly arranged dining hall at Mentsuru City Hall Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-05-x8uvr-966.webp) ![Overview of seating inside Mentsuru City Hall Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-06-10ve9-966.webp) ### Solo-friendly dachi seats and open kitchen There are dachi counter seats wrapped around the kitchen, perfect for those who enjoy eating alone. It's an open kitchen setup, so you can watch your ramen being carefully made right in front of you — and I loved how clean everything was kept. ![Dachi counter seats wrapped around the open kitchen at Mentsuru](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-07-8z53a-966.webp) There are also 2–4 person tables on the first floor and basement, so it's just as comfortable to visit with coworkers, friends, or a partner. ![2–4 person table seating at Mentsuru City Hall Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-08-10f04-966.webp) You can order directly at the kiosk by the entrance, ![Order kiosk at the entrance of Mentsuru City Hall Branch](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-09-1hw6q-966.webp) and apparently if you participate in a Naver review event, they give you a free canned drink or fried gyoza. No reason not to do it, right? ## The menu ![Mentsuru menu board listing soyu ramen and tori paitan](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-10-cotnk-878.webp) The menu includes the signature soyu ramen, tori paitan, shio ramen, tsukemen, beef tripe ramen, gyudon (beef rice bowl), chashu don, and more. Tonkotsu ramen and mazesoba are paid for at the basement store. ## What we ordered — soyu ramen, tori paitan ramen, karaage ![Table spread of soyu ramen, tori paitan, and karaage](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-11-myu6h-966.webp) ![Table setting with basic side dish yuzu danmuji and ramen](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-12-ohmsj-966.webp) We ordered the soyu ramen, tori paitan, and karaage. The basic side dish is yuzu danmuji (pickled radish), and unlike regular danmuji, it has the sweet-tart flavor of yuzu syrup, so when the ramen starts to feel rich, eating the yuzu danmuji resets your palate right away. ![Vertical photo of Mentsuru's handmade karaage and ramen](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-13-b8jl5-1200.webp) ### Handmade karaage The first thing we tasted was the karaage — crispy on the outside while the chicken thigh meat inside stayed moist and juicy. Genuinely delicious. ![Crispy fried chicken thigh karaage](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-14-133ym-966.webp) Dipping it into the mayo sauce or chili sauce that comes with it sends the savoriness through the roof, and the karaage pieces themselves are huge, so you really get that satisfying bite. ![Large piece of karaage dipped in mayo sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-15-1rt63-966.webp) ![Plate of karaage served with chili sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-16-1km7e-966.webp) If you come to Mentsuru, the karaage is a must-order. ![Close-up of a piece of karaage being picked up](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-17-20mkv-966.webp) ### Tori paitan ramen Next up is tori paitan — a ramen made from chicken simmered for a long time into a rich broth. The milky-white soup feels like eating a health tonic. ![Bowl of tori paitan ramen with milky-white broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-18-s33i0-966.webp) ![Close-up of tori paitan ramen toppings and broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-19-9i8a0-966.webp) The broth is thick and creamy, with the savory richness unique to chicken stock coming through cleanly and deliciously without feeling heavy. ![Thin noodles soaked in tori paitan broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-20-nfs0v-m-966.webp) The noodles are thin and soft, soaking up plenty of the tori paitan broth — each bite is really tasty. The meat is tender with no dryness, almost like it's been sous vide, melting in your mouth. ![Tori paitan ramen topped with tender chashu](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-21-1fasf-966.webp) ### Soyu ramen Soyu ramen is a clear, soy sauce-based ramen — but it's not just a salty soy broth. Deep stock flavor and umami swirl all through your mouth. It's clear yet has a clean finish, so I kept going back for more. ![Soy sauce-based clear broth soyu ramen](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-22-yaxk1-966.webp) ![Close-up of soyu ramen chashu and soft-boiled egg](https://img.superchart.com/images/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan-23-slp7i-966.webp) The chashu is tender and soft, and the soft-boiled egg is savory too. For anyone near City Hall Station wanting to eat solo or warm up their insides with proper Japanese-style ramen, I recommend Mentsuru, a favorite among City Hall office workers. ## Final verdict - The handmade karaage — crispy outside, juicy inside — is a must-order - Both the clear, refined soyu ramen and the rich, creamy tori paitan ramen were really delicious - Dachi seats make it great for solo dining, and the staff service was friendly — great! ## Where it is - Mentsuru City Hall Branch (멘츠루 시청점) - 2 Seosomun-ro 11-gil, 1F Unit 1, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea - 서울특별시 중구 서소문로11길 2 1층 1호 - 37.5629944, 126.9731249 - Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EB%A9%98%EC%B8%A0%EB%A3%A8%20%EC%8B%9C%EC%B2%AD%EC%A0%90/@37.5629944,126.9731249,17z --- Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@seoul-eating-out/menzuru-city-hall-shoyu-toripaitan/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt