Itaewon ramen dinner with plum sawa and extra chashu: Okagura Ramen

My close friend and I were trying to decide what to eat for dinner in Itaewon and ended up craving rich ramen, so we headed to Okagura Ramen.

Where Okagura Ramen is and when it opens

Okagura Ramen is a 10-minute walk from Itaewon Station Exit 4, and just 4 minutes from the Yongsan-gu Office/Itaewon Market bus stop. It's open from 11:20 AM to 9:30 PM, with lunch last order at 3:00 PM, break time from 3:30 to 5:00 PM, and dinner last order at 9:00 PM.

As soon as we walked in, the owner greeted us warmly and showed us to our seats right away — a great first impression at this Itaewon ramen spot.

Seats at Okagura Ramen for solo diners and for two

Looking around, there's a bar table that's great for solo dining,

as well as 4-person tables for groups, so it looked comfortable whether you're coming alone, as a couple, with friends, or with family.

The overall vibe is cozy and relaxed, so it seemed like a solid pick for anyone looking for a ramen restaurant for a Yongsan date.

And apparently they make their own noodles in-house!!

Table setting and asking for danmuji (pickled radish) and ginger

Warm oolong tea and plenty of sauces on the table — so there's a table guide.

The pickled radish comes with ginger mixed in, so if you can't eat ginger, just call a staff member and they'll bring you a batch without it~^^

Scan the Toss QR code and the menu pops up~

It's organized by category, so it's easy to choose~

Ramen varieties and gyoza

Info on extra noodles, rice, and toppings.

Drink and alcohol menu info.

What we ordered: tonkotsu ramen, umakara tonkotsu, bite-size gyoza, plum sawa

Ramen you can customize to your taste ~ we ordered umakara tonkotsu, tonkotsu ramen, bite-size gyoza (gyoza dumplings), and umeshu sawa.

My friend and I both added extra chashu and extra beansprouts, so we ordered a really generous spread. If you're looking for an Itaewon Station ramen spot, you'll enjoy putting together a bowl exactly to your taste here.

How were the tonkotsu broth and the chashu?

Tonkotsu ramen

Deep, rich tonkotsu broth

Once the ramen arrived, I went straight for the broth first — and from the very first sip, the rich, savory flavor hit immediately. The distinct heaviness of tonkotsu came through fully, but the aftertaste stayed clean, so I kept going back for more spoonfuls.

The ingredients felt fresh, and the umami of the broth itself really came through — one sip in, I could tell this was the real deal. Since we ordered extra beansprouts, the crunchy texture added even more to the bowl.

The oolong tea that comes standard was great too. Taking a sip between bites of the rich ramen refreshed my palate in a way that paired really well with the ramen.

Melt-in-the-mouth chashu

We both added chashu, and it was so good we were glad we did. It was really soft and tender — one bite in and we both let out a little gasp of appreciation.

Noodles soaked in the rich tonkotsu broth topped with a piece of chashu — the flavor of the meat, the umami of the broth, and the crunch of the beansprouts all at once — the combination was fantastic.

How spicy is umakara tonkotsu at level 2?

Umakara tonkotsu, perfect for a hangover. While looking at the menu, my friend spotted a line that said

'Especially good for a hangover'

and immediately ordered umakara tonkotsu at spice level 2. After tasting it, she said the spice level was about like Shin Ramyun, so I tried a sip of the broth too. The spiciness blended well with the tonkotsu broth and actually deepened the umami. Rather than a style where spice or saltiness overpowers everything, the heat flowed naturally alongside the savory tonkotsu richness, so the overall balance was really good.

If you like a spicy, punchy broth, umakara tonkotsu would suit you well.

House-made bite-size gyoza

The bite-size gyoza we ordered as a side is also worth recommending. These are handmade in-house, with a crispy lacy edge paired with juicy dumpling filling — the texture contrast was fun.

Breaking off the crispy part and eating it together with the gyoza, dipped in the chili oil sauce with kelp vinegar, was a great combo. I also tried dipping the gyoza lightly into the ramen broth, and the rich broth soaking in gave it a whole different flavor. If you love broth, definitely try this method too~~^^

Pairing Okagura Ramen with plum sawa

And there's one more thing I have to mention alongside the ramen at Okagura Ramen — the umeshu sawa. That day I chose to drink umeshu sawa. Think of it like a premium plum wine kind of feel. One sip in, a bright, sweet flavor came up pleasantly, and it paired surprisingly well with the rich ramen.

A sip of tonkotsu broth, a bite of noodles and chashu, then a sip of umeshu sawa — the bright, sweet flavor reset my palate nicely each time. If you want to pair a drink with your ramen, I'd definitely recommend the umeshu sawa combo.

Here's the origin information for the ingredients~

A proper dinner with a close friend

Rich, deep broth, tender chashu, and noodles and toppings you can customize to your taste — this was a genuinely satisfying Itaewon ramen restaurant. Tonkotsu ramen brought savory depth, while umakara tonkotsu added a spicy kick of umami — each had its own distinct appeal.

Adding the free bowl of rice

One thing that caught my eye on the menu was that the rice is free! The ramen alone is filling enough, but if you want to enjoy the broth down to the last drop, mixing the leftover broth with rice makes for a great finish.

It's great for solo dining and just as good for a meal with a friend or partner, so it could work well as a Yongsan date restaurant too. If you're in Itaewon craving rich tonkotsu ramen, give Okagura Ramen a try as your go-to Itaewon Station ramen spot. Next time I'd love to try other menu items paired with more sawa.

It was such a delicious meal that I even want to show you the drawing my friend made for me.

Parking near Okagura Ramen in Itaewon

There's no parking lot at Okagura Ramen. Please use the nearby Yongsan-gu Office parking lot.

• ₩1,000 for the first 30 minutes
• ₩250 per additional 5 minutes
• 50% off the first 2 hours, once per day on weekends