Sunday lunch chicken karaage and abura soba near City Hall: Mentsuru

Mentsuru City Hall Branch was buzzing even on a Sunday. I went to check out this ramen restaurant famous for its Deoksugung night-opening crowd, and honestly, I was so excited to have ramen and then take in Deoksugung in autumn!!!

What Mentsuru City Hall Branch is like at Sunday lunch

I figured it might be quieter since it was a Sunday, but there were way more people than I expected. Being autumn, I saw a lot of couples on dates. The place was packed with people eating, and the whole vibe was so lively it really felt like a proper weekend lunch spot.

Why the 1st floor and basement menus differ at Mentsuru

Mentsuru City Hall Branch has a really wide menu lineup, and the 1st floor and basement floor menus are actually different! Take a look at the menu — so many options, right? It took me forever to decide.

I ordered the shoyu ramen and my friend got the abura soba (Japanese-style mixed noodles). I'd eaten a lot the day before, so I wanted something light for lunch! At ramen restaurants I usually go for something clean and easy rather than a heavy broth, so shoyu ramen was my pick that day too.

Shoyu ramen at Mentsuru: light, clean broth

The shoyu ramen at Mentsuru City Hall Branch had a broth that was lighter and cleaner than I expected. It wasn't too heavy or salty, so it paired well with the noodles, and slurping the warm broth with the noodles, the whole bowl disappeared fast. What I liked most was that the noodles were thin with a great texture, which made it even more satisfying.

Abura soba at Mentsuru: spicy, chewy mixed noodles

I tried a bite of my friend's abura soba, and the spicy sauce made for a completely different mixed-noodle experience. If you like spicy, chewy textures, I think the abura soba would work well for you.

Unlike a soupy ramen, the chewy noodle texture really stood out, which made it fun to eat. The sauce coated the noodles well, so it got tastier the more you chewed — if you like that chewy noodle feel, it'd be quite satisfying.

Chicken karaage: crisp outside, juicy inside, plenty of sauce

The chicken karaage (Japanese fried chicken) we ordered as a side was great too. The pieces came out bigger than I expected, easy to pick up one by one, and the crispy outside dipped generously in the sauce was so good. The inside stayed juicy, and it went really well with the ramen. It was a nice side to add when ramen alone feels like it's not quite enough.

Hate waiting? Book Mentsuru City Hall Branch on Naver Reservation

Overall, Mentsuru City Hall Branch felt like a great, easy place to stop by for a Japanese ramen fix. Given how many customers were there even on a Sunday lunch, it seems like a real neighborhood favorite. If you really hate waiting, book ahead! (Naver Reservation is available.)

I had the shoyu ramen first that day, and the broth was light and clean, so it was easy to eat without feeling heavy. My friend's abura soba had a spicy kick, so it'd be great to pick between the two depending on your taste.

On top of that, with the chewy texture of the abura soba and the generous chicken karaage, I felt like ordering a few dishes to share is definitely a good way to go.

A walk around Deoksugung Palace after lunch

Thanks to that filling meal, I went for a full loop around Deoksugung Palace afterward~ If you're craving ramen or Japanese-style noodles near City Hall and looking for somewhere easy to grab a meal with a friend, Mentsuru City Hall Branch is worth a visit. Recommended.

• 📍 Mentsuru City Hall Branch
• Near City Hall Station, on the walking route to Deoksugung Palace
• Parking available at the nearby public parking lot