Konkuk Univ. Station ramen shop: egg rice set and gyoza, Sonoki Ramen

Sonoki Ramen Konkuk Univ. main branch: hours and parking

Sonoki Ramen Konkuk Univ. main branch is open Mon–Thu 11:00–22:00 (last order 21:30) and Fri–Sun 11:00–01:00 (last order 00:30). For parking, use a nearby public parking lot.

The vibe at Sonoki Ramen, a solo-friendly spot near Konkuk Univ. Station

Sonoki Ramen Konkuk Univ. main branch is a ramen shop on the 2nd floor of a building near Konkuk Univ., and I stopped by for a quick lunch. The sign stood out right away, and when I climbed the stairs to the entrance, it felt cozy with a distinctly Japanese atmosphere.

Warm wood tones and lighting make the small interior feel snug. The tables are neatly arranged, as you'd expect from a solo-dining spot near Konkuk Univ. Station, and there's an open kitchen on one side where you can watch your food being made.

Sonoki Ramen menu and the set I ordered

I ordered the Sonoki SET + drink (₩17,600) and yaki gyoza (₩4,500). The menu has plenty of options, from basic ramen to miso ramen and mazemen, but I picked the set, which comes with ramen, rice and a drink, a classic good-value meal near Konkuk Univ.

After a short wait, the Sonoki SET and gyoza arrived at the table. With rice and golden-browned dumplings next to the steaming ramen, it made a hearty spread.

What does the Sonoki SET egg soy sauce rice taste like?

The egg soy sauce rice in the Sonoki SET comes with fluffy rice topped with minced chashu (braised pork), seaweed flakes, finely chopped scallions and an egg yolk, plus special soy sauce and sesame oil that gave off a nutty aroma.

I mixed the rice and toppings together, and the yolk coated each grain softly, adding richness and savoriness. The sharp bite of the scallions kept it from getting too heavy, and the seasoning wasn't too strong, so alternating it with the ramen broth let me enjoy two different flavors.

The texture of the 3-piece yaki gyoza side

The yaki gyoza (₩4,500) at Sonoki Ramen came as 3 pieces. The bottoms were browned to a nutty color while the tops stayed moist.

I dipped the gyoza lightly in the sauce, and the crisp wrapper and moist filling made a nice contrast. The filling had meat and vegetables that blended the more I chewed, and the browned wrapper had a nutty flavor.

The signature Sonoki Ramen in spicy: how was it?

The signature Sonoki Ramen came in a milky pork bone broth topped with a soft-boiled egg and big slices of chashu, plus shredded scallions and bamboo shoots to bring out the flavor of the noodles.

I ordered it spicy and tried the broth first. The savory depth of the rich pork bone broth came first, then the spiciness rose up and cut the heaviness with a kick.

The soft-boiled egg had a moist yolk, and dipped lightly in the broth it was smooth and nutty. The chashu had an appealing faint smoky char and was so tender the grain fell apart when I picked it up with chopsticks.

Eating the noodles, toppings and broth together, the chewy noodles went well with the spicy broth, with the crunch of scallions in between. Adding the chashu brought extra savory flavor, and since the noodles stayed chewy to the end, I enjoyed every last bite.

Verdict: Sonoki Ramen as a solo meal near Konkuk Univ. Station

Spicy pork bone broth, chewy noodles and tender chashu all work together at Sonoki Ramen Konkuk Univ. main branch. The set comes with ramen and egg soy sauce rice, and you can add crispy yaki gyoza, so if you're looking for a good-value solo meal near Konkuk Univ. Station, I'd recommend it.

Hankki Gironja's verdict: a good-value spot near Konkuk Univ. where you can enjoy tasty ramen and plenty of sides at a reasonable price.