Japanese ramen near Omokgyo Station, Seoul with basic or rich broth

If you've been looking for a bowl of Japanese ramen in Mokdong that actually tastes like it was made in Japan, this is the place. I went to check out the newly opened Gyedan Ramen (계단라멘) in Mokdong.

Where is Gyedan Ramen Mokdong Branch, and which stairs lead down to it?

True to its name, which means "stairs ramen," Gyedan Ramen sits right near a staircase. Head down the stairs between Starbucks and Shake Shack and you'll find it right away — easy to access. If you're hunting for a good ramen spot in Mokdong, this one is worth a visit.

What is on the menu at Gyedan Ramen Mokdong

The menu is simpler than I expected. The signature Gyedan ramen is a clean bowl with egg and chashu, and there's also motsu ramen, which adds crispy pork intestine on top. Beyond that, there's egg rice and chashu rice too, so you can round out the meal with something hearty alongside your ramen.

Solo seats, baby chairs and the mood inside Gyedan Ramen Mokdong

Walking in, the whole place felt clean and tidy. There are solo seats set up for eating alone, so coming in by yourself for ramen doesn't feel awkward at all, and baby chairs are on hand too — a thoughtful touch for families. Each table also has a guide for how to enjoy the ramen best, so even first-timers can dig in without any guesswork.

Basic or rich: which broth strength should you order?

Our order finally arrived. We got the Gyedan ramen and the motsu ramen. When ordering, you can choose the broth strength between basic and rich. If you want something a bit more comfortable for the Korean palate, I'd recommend basic; if you want that salty, deep flavor closer to ramen you'd find in Japan, go with rich.

Tasting it, the chashu and egg were both seasoned really well. The chashu was salty yet tender, and the egg had just the right amount of seasoning soaked in, so it all came together nicely with the broth. Eating the noodles and soup together brought back memories of ramen I've had in Japan.

The bowl itself was put together without any fuss, which actually made it easier to focus on the flavor of the ramen itself. The chashu in particular wasn't tough or dry at all — soft and easy to eat with the noodles — and the salty egg paired well with the broth. I started off enjoying the basic flavor plain, then added spicy seasoning partway through to switch things up, so it felt like getting two different flavors out of one bowl. I'll remember this as a good, easy spot to visit whenever I'm craving Japanese ramen in Mokdong.

Motsu ramen with crispy pork intestine, plus kimchi on the table

The motsu ramen comes with crispy pork intestine, and honestly, it's a real treat. The crunchy texture and savory flavor add a completely different charm from the basic ramen. If you like pork intestine, you really should try the motsu ramen at least once. Small-cut kimchi is also provided at every table, which goes well alongside the ramen.

How to use the spicy seasoning: start with one teaspoon

About halfway through the bowl, I mixed in some of the spicy seasoning provided at every table. I'd recommend starting with about one teaspoon rather than going heavy right away. A gentle spiciness comes through and changes up the flavor of the broth, so I never got tired of it all the way to the last spoonful. I'd recommend this place to anyone who loves that salty, deep flavor typical of Japanese ramen, anyone looking for a good spot for solo dining in Mokdong, and anyone who wants a proper bowl of ramen in a clean, tidy setting.

I especially liked being able to choose between basic and rich broth depending on my mood, and adding spicy seasoning midway through to make it my own was part of the fun of Gyedan Ramen. Next time you're craving a bowl of ramen that tastes like it came straight from Japan, give Gyedan Ramen in Mokdong a try.