Window-sample ramen with spicy dongpo pork in Yongsan: Menya Seoul

Where is Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch?

Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch is a ramen restaurant on the 7th floor Taste Park of Yongsan I'Park Mall. Yongsan Station has re~~ally so many good places to eat, and among them, Menya Seoul is famous as a must-visit spot inside Yongsan I'Park Mall, the landmark of the area, so I had to check it out.

Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch is located on the 7th floor Taste Park of I'Park Mall.

Coming up to the 7th floor Taste Park at I'Park Mall, there are really so many different food options, and among them, a red sign catches your eye from far away! Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch is really famous for its dongpo pork ramen and jambon ramen. Dongpo pork is a classic traditional dish from Hangzhou, China, made by slow-braising pork belly with soy sauce, spices, and wine for a long time — a Japanese-Chinese collaboration! I was so curious.

BAR seats that work for a solo meal

Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch has BAR seats set up at the center of the store like this, so it was comfortable and great as a solo dining spot near Yongsan Station. There are also 2-top and 4-top tables in the back, so it looked good for hanging out with friends or a date as well.

Menya Seoul's menu and what comes in a set

Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch menu

Menya Seoul's menu mainly consists of mild broth dongpo pork ramen and jambon ramen, spicy broth dongpo pork ramen and jambon ramen, and mala broth dongpo pork ramen and jambon ramen. Ordering a set gets you a choice of side — crispy karaage or crispy gyoza — plus a drink, making it good value for money. If you want a heartier meal, you can go for the mega menu, which comes with double chashu.

When you're not sure what to order, there are food samples out front, which made it really easy to pick a ramen just by looking.

How does the spicy broth dongpo pork ramen set taste?

I ordered the spicy broth dongpo pork ramen set at Menya Seoul. On top of the ramen sat a big chunk of dongpo pork, and just looking at it, the meat looked thick enough to get me excited. The broth had that spicy kick the name promised, but it wasn't just heat — there was a rich, savory depth to the broth too, so my spoon kept going back for more.

Thick slabs of dongpo pork

And what I liked most about this ramen was the dongpo pork. It was piled on quite thick, and it was so moist that it started falling apart softly the moment I picked it up with my chopsticks. One bite in, there was no dryness at all — just a tender texture, and the seasoning had soaked in well between the layers of meat, so the more I chewed, the more I picked up a subtle saltiness and a sweet savoriness. In particular, it wasn't just lean meat — there was a good layer of fat too, which made it even softer and juicier. The spicy ramen broth and the soft, sweet dongpo pork turned out to be a better match than I expected. Eating a piece of dongpo pork alongside the ramen, the mild richness of the meat tempered the spiciness of the broth, making everything taste even better.

How spicy the broth is, and the noodles

I especially liked that the broth wasn't overly harsh with heat. It was spicy but had depth, which paired well with the noodles, and slurping noodles from the warm broth left me feeling full and satisfied. The noodles had a chewy texture that went well with the broth. Taking a bite of noodles soaked in broth, you got the full spicy, rich broth flavor along with it, letting me properly enjoy that distinct ramen taste.

The sweet soy chicken rice bowl side

For the side that came with the set, I ordered the sweet soy chicken rice bowl. Just as the name suggests, the chicken rice bowl had a sweet, savory soy sauce well soaked into the chicken. The outside of the chicken was coated moist with sauce, so it went well with the rice, and the distinct saltiness of the soy sauce combined with a subtle sweetness kept me reaching for more without feeling heavy. In particular, with the chicken and sauce placed on top of the rice, eating it together with the rice hit just the right seasoning balance, better than eating the chicken alone.

Eating the sweet, salty soy chicken with warm rice had a different charm from the ramen. Mixing in bites of the sweet soy chicken rice bowl in between the spicy ramen kept the flavors changing, so I never got tired of it. If ramen's highlight is its spicy, rich broth with tender dongpo pork, the sweet soy chicken rice bowl felt like an easy, approachable side that anyone could enjoy thanks to its sweet and salty seasoning.

Is Menya Seoul worth it in Yongsan?

Overall, Menya Seoul was great for a filling meal, with spicy, rich ramen broth plus soft, tender dongpo pork on top! Adding the sweet and salty soy chicken rice bowl made for a great menu combination too, letting me enjoy a much more substantial meal than ramen alone. It seems like a good spot to visit when you're shopping or on a date at Yongsan I'Park Mall and craving a spicy ramen broth, and I'd recommend Menya Seoul if you want to enjoy soft dongpo pork along with a variety of sides.

• Address: 55 Hangang-daero 23-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, 7th floor (7th floor Taste Park, Yongsan I'Park Mall)
• Hours: 11:00 - 21:00, last order 20:50