Buzzer-pickup, self-serve ramen at Yongsan I'Park Mall: Menya Seoul

Today I'm writing up my visit to Menya Seoul, one of the go-to spots at Yongsan I'Park Mall. The mall is so huge that there's no shortage of good places to eat, but that also means it's hard to decide what to have. On this day I had shopping and a movie planned, so instead of something heavy I wanted a warm bowl of noodles in broth.

Where is Menya Seoul in Yongsan I'Park Mall, and what are its hours?

So I headed to Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch. It's located on the 7th floor of I'Park Mall, at 55 Hangang-daero 23-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea.

Yongsan Station connects directly to I'Park Mall, so it's easy to reach by public transit. Being able to move around inside the mall without ever stepping outside from Yongsan Station is a bigger perk than you'd think — especially on rainy, hot, or cold days, that indoor route really matters.

Head up to the restaurant row on the 7th floor Living Park section and you'll find Menya Seoul.

Open daily 11:00-21:00 (last order 20:50).

Menya Seoul menu and prices: what comes in a set?

Menya Seoul is a ramen restaurant known especially for its mazesoba and chashu ramen.

The signature menu is ramen, of course. There's dongpo pork chashu ramen, spicy dongpo pork chashu ramen, whole pork belly mazesoba (Chinese-style noodles mixed without broth), and more. The dongpo pork chashu ramen (dongpo-yuk, a braised pork belly dish) is exactly what it sounds like — ramen topped with dongpo pork chashu, which gives it a different feel from typical Japanese-style ramen.

You can choose ramen alone or with sides, and the set options come with sides and a drink included, so if you're a bigger eater the sets look like a solid choice.

• Dongpo Pork Chashu Ramen ₩12,900 / ₩17,900
• Spicy Dongpo Pork Chashu Ramen ₩12,900 / ₩17,900
• King Prawn Cold Ramen ₩12,900 / ₩17,900
• Whole Pork Belly Mazesoba ₩11,900 / ₩16,900
• Crispy Gyoza (small/large) ₩5,900 / ₩8,900
• Karaage (small/large) ₩5,900 / ₩8,900

Seating and ordering at Menya Seoul: buzzer pickup and self-serve dishes

There's bar-style seating right in front of the shop. Since it's set up as a food court, you can also use the surrounding shared seating, so it works whether you're dining solo, in pairs, or with a group.

You pick up your order yourself once the buzzer goes off, and you have to grab your own dishes at pickup too.

On the table, lemon dashida vinegar and rayu (chili oil) are provided.

How did the dongpo pork chashu ramen double set and spicy single taste?

We ordered the dongpo pork chashu ramen double set, a spicy dongpo pork chashu ramen single, and a zero-sugar cola.

Noodles, chashu, egg, and other toppings sat on top of the broth, so each bowl felt quite substantial on its own. The double set had an extra piece of dongpo pork in it! And of course, with ramen, the broth is what really matters.

When I lifted the noodles with my chopsticks, they were already soaked in broth, so the broth flavor came through from the very first bite. The broth pairs well with both the noodles and toppings together, so I started out eating it plain, then partway through mixed in the noodles and chashu. I meant to eat slowly at first, but before I knew it I was just continuously picking up more noodles.

The dongpo pork chashu was the real highlight. Unlike the usual thin slices of chashu, this meat topping has real presence, so eating it with the noodles creates a noticeable textural contrast. Eating just noodles the whole time can get a little repetitive, but tossing in a bite of meat here and there made it so much heartier.

The gyoza dumplings that came with the set were crispy and delicious too.

Sweet Happy Hour: free red bean spring roll on weekday afternoons

We were also given red bean spring rolls as part of the Sweet Happy Hour event. *Available for weekday visits 14:00-18:00.

The dish return area is located across from the counter.

Is Menya Seoul better for solo dining or a date?

Menya Seoul isn't a standalone ramen shop but rather sits inside the I'Park Mall food court, so it's the kind of place that's easy to drop into before or after shopping or a movie. That makes it low-pressure for a date meal, and also a convenient, simple meal if you're at Yongsan Station on your own.

The bar seating in particular is set up to be comfortable for eating alone, so going for ramen solo doesn't feel awkward at all. And since I'Park Mall itself lets you handle shopping, a movie, and a meal all in one place, the flow between activities was great.

Accessibility matters a lot when you're looking for somewhere to eat around Yongsan Station, and Menya Seoul is right inside the mall connected to the station, so getting there is easy. If you're already planning your day around Yongsan I'Park Mall, being able to handle your meal on the 7th floor without heading anywhere else is a real plus.

Beyond ramen, there are side dishes like gyoza, karaage, and rice bowls, so it also works well for ordering as a group. If you're looking for ramen at Yongsan I'Park Mall or near Yongsan Station, this place is worth checking out. And for those of us like me who wander the mall unable to decide what to eat and end up starving, a bowl of ramen turns out to be a pretty solid choice.