Yongsan ramen shop: mala ramen with the cilantro left out, Menya Seoul

We met up on a whim after work on a weekday. I've been getting spontaneous lately and going out all the time... people really can change, it's wild.

Suddenly craved hot ramen, haha, so we went to a place known as one of the best ramen restaurants in Yongsan I'Park Mall. It's Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch.

Where is Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch, and which floor?

Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch is on the 7th floor of I'Park Mall, directly connected to Yongsan Station Exit 2. It's near the central escalator, so it's super accessible whether you're stopping by while shopping or meeting after work. If you search for the best ramen restaurant in Yongsan I'Park Mall, this place comes up a lot! For reference, there's also a Yongsan main branch.

To describe the spot roughly, it's in the Taste Park (food court area) on the 7th floor of I'Park Mall, on the same floor as the CGV cinema / near the central escalator, so it was easy to find!

There was also a chilled giant prawn ramen and a pork belly mazesoba for a cool bite even in fall! During happy hour (14:00–18:00), free red bean spring rolls (2 pieces) come with a set order.

🍜 How ordering by number works at Menya Seoul

The Menya Seoul menu board is numbered, so you can order fast just by saying the number. You pick a broth (mild broth / spicy broth / mala broth) and then choose toppings!

We both went with mala broth 🌶️ Apparently cilantro comes standard in the mala broth, but neither of us can eat it, so we asked to have it left out beforehand. If you can't do cilantro, make sure to mention it when ordering!

🍜 My bowl: the No. 11 set (jambon mala ramen)

I ordered No. 11 from Menya Seoul, mala broth ramen topped with jambon. Spicy since it's mala broth too. They followed my no-cilantro request perfectly, so I ate it clean. It's mala, but the spice level wasn't overwhelming. For reference, the ramen topped with dongpo pork had a stronger mala aroma!

Also added gyoza dumplings. Crispy outside, juicy inside, with a bit of chewiness too — really good! Dumplings with ramen is just the golden rule 🥟

🐷 My partner's bowl: the No. 5 set (dongpo pork mala ramen)

My partner ordered No. 5 from Menya Seoul, a mala broth ramen set topped with dongpo pork. Ordering the set saved ₩3,900. First time seeing dongpo pork on top of ramen — it wasn't tough at all and was really tender...! The mala broth was quite spicy and the mala aroma was strong too. My partner loves mala, so total satisfaction 🥰

We also added the sweet soy chicken rice bowl to the set, and the combo of spicy ramen with sweet chicken rice bowl — you genuinely don't get tired of it. That combo where you take a bite of something sweet after the spicy stuff and it resets everything 🍗

With 3 broth types and toppings to pick from, it was fun, and ordering a set gave us a satisfying spread of ramen plus rice bowl and dumplings!

🍜 Who Menya Seoul's mala ramen suits

• Anyone looking for ramen near Yongsan Station or I'Park Mall
• Fans of mala broth ramen (mild/spicy also available)
• Anyone wanting a filling meal while shopping
• Couples who want a hearty ramen + rice bowl/dumplings set

The Chiikawa shop wait we joined before ramen

After the ramen date, my partner bought me a Usagi nap pillow at the Chiikawa shop.. thank you ՞ ⸝⸝> ̫ <⸝⸝ ՞

The Chiikawa shop is on the 3rd floor of Dopamine Station and it's right in the center, so it stands out immediately! These characters have gotten so popular lately that even weekday waits are a minimum of 2 hours, so put your name down for the wait and go eat ramen first! 🐰