Eunpyeong ramen restaurant, spicy chicken broth: Oreno Ramen

My third visit to Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong on a rainy day

This was already my third visit to Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong. After work on a rainy, chilly day, I couldn’t be bothered to cook, and ramen was exactly what came to mind—so I messaged Gugu right away and we decided to meet at Oreno Ramen! Having such a great ramen spot in the neighborhood is just the happiest thing, hehe.

Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong basic information

It is at 366 Bulgwangcheon-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, South Korea, a 10-minute walk from Saejeol Station. It is open daily from 11:00 to 20:30, with a break from 14:30 to 17:00 and last orders at 20:00. There is room for one or two cars beside the restaurant; if it is full, I recommend Eungam 3-dong Public Parking Lot.

I mentioned this in an earlier post, but I had already visited this ramen favorite several times on my own dime. Some reviews say it is a little less impressive than the original branch, but I only remember enjoying every visit..! Personally, I don’t really love waiting in line, so I am much happier here than waiting for the original branch.

I usually come when it is still bright, but this time it was a rainy evening, so it felt quite dark. It was around 6:40 p.m. on a weekday, and perhaps because it was raining fairly hard, we could go straight in with no wait.

Two Kara Paitan bowls and Tsukune Chashu

Today we ordered two Kara Paitan bowls (spicy chicken-broth ramen), plus one Tsukune Chashu. The tsukune had been sold out on my previous visit, which was such a shame, but there was some today, so I ordered it right away~ For reference, each bowl already comes with one soft-boiled egg, so only order more if you need them.

There are always quite a few people dining alone here, too. I came alone on my first visit, and with the bar seats, you do not feel lonely at all even when eating by yourself, haha.

This was my first time sitting at a table instead of the bar~ It is definitely roomier than the bar counter, which was nice!

The best thing about Oreno Ramen = free refills of broth / noodles / rice. The standard noodle portion is not small, but it can leave you wanting a little more; being able to comfortably ask for a refill without feeling self-conscious is really great.

Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong menu recommendation

Before the food was ready, they set out the basics first. Pickles are available on the table,

and if you would like kimchi, just ask a staff member and they will bring it over.

A little later, the Kara Paitan and tsukune arrived. On my first visit I had Kara Paitan (spicy), and on my second I had Tori Paitan (regular), and I thought, “Ah, I’m a Tori Paitan person!” But on my next visit, I was suddenly craving Kara Paitan again,, Maybe they were simply all delicious...?

First, a sip of Oreno Ramen’s signature fluffy, foam-topped broth. When it first arrives, its color makes you wonder, “Is this really spicy?” But as you mix it, it quickly turns into a red broth.

And then there was the Tsukune Chashu I had been so curious about. I wondered about it because I remembered enjoying tsukune at a skewer restaurant before, but Oreno Ramen’s tsukune felt less like the usual skewer-shop version and more like an incredibly soft chicken-meatball skewer!

And of course, I had the soft-boiled egg that would be sorely missed in a bowl of ramen.

Another reason I like Oreno Ramen = these mushrooms. The combination of soft noodles and mushrooms with that crisp little bite is the best.

I also kept having bites of the chicken, so tender that I wondered how they make it this soft.

And when you have the tsukune coated generously in that spicy broth, isn’t that the perfect carbs-protein-fat meal? As in the photo above, Kara Paitan has quite a deep red broth and is on the salty side, so keep that in mind! (Though ramen itself tends to be salty anyway..)

Gugu, who said they were going to start taking care of their body from now on, added only half an extra noodle portion this time instead of a whole one, for conscience’s sake. I had even eaten the tsukune, so I was so full that it was hard for me to finish even one bowl that day.

But, as always, we both polished everything off without leaving a drop :) Another satisfying meal today!! Oreno Oreno, please keep holding down the fort as our neighborhood ramen favorite, Oreno Ramen,,,