Eunpyeong ramen shop: karai paitan, egg, kimchi, cilantro at Oreno

Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong, the vibe of a Eunpyeong ramen favorite

I went to Oreno Ramen, a well-known spot in Eunpyeong. This place always has a crowd whenever I visit. I guess that's just what it means to be a Eunpyeong favorite... you have to endure the wait.

It's a good spot for a simple solo meal, but also has a comfortable vibe for eating with a group, so it's easy to drop by without much thought.

Ordering by kiosk, seating at the bar counter or regular tables

The kiosk is right in front of you as soon as you walk in! You can order simply through the kiosk. Since you pick your menu and pay yourself, the ordering process isn't complicated at all. There's even a staff member standing by to help.

There's a bar counter, which is great for eating solo, and regular tables too, so it's also a decent restaurant to visit with company.

It has an open kitchen setup, so you can watch the karai paitan being made right in front of your eyes—!

It's made in a very hygienic environment, so there's no need to worry about cleanliness. Since the ingredients are prepped ahead of time, the food comes out fast — that's what I call fast food! Speedy!

The basics are set at the table already. Since it was pre-set, I portioned out as much pickle as I wanted to eat before the ramen came.

Ramen and cola are an unbeatable pairing. I liked that they brought us an ice cup along with it too.

Karai paitan for ₩13,000, with noodle, broth, and rice refills

Karai paitan ₩13,000: a ramen with rich, savory flavor and spicy seasoning added.

Given how expensive eating out has gotten these days, having a rich broth plus noodle & broth & rice refills all available — isn't this seriously the best value menu?! It's such a satisfying, filling meal.

When you're eating ramen, it's often a shame when the noodles run out while there's still plenty of broth left, but here you can add more noodles and properly enjoy the broth to the end. That said, the portion was already generous from the start, so I was full even without adding more.

Requesting kimchi, the ramen + kimchi combo

You can also get kimchi (spicy fermented vegetables) if you ask. I tried eating it together, and it went surprisingly well! A ramen + kimchi harmony that's only possible in Korea.

As you work through the rich ramen broth, you take a bite of kimchi in between and go back to the ramen — it kind of cuts through the richness and resets your palate, so it felt like a perfect match.

Cilantro is also available on request

You can get cilantro if you ask for it. If you like cilantro, feel free to request it to your taste!

Add an egg to the karai paitan — you have to try it

Everyone, you need to add an egg here!!! I expected a regular boiled egg, but the texture and flavor were clearly different, and personally I enjoyed it a lot.

Pairing the egg with the ramen broth was a great combo, and if I visit again I'll definitely add the egg again. If you love ramen, I recommend adding an egg and trying it together.

When you're eating ramen, it's often a shame when the noodles run out while there's still plenty of broth left, but here you can add more noodles and properly enjoy the broth to the end. Plus, you can even get more broth — that's seriously unreal. And they even give you rice if you ask.

The broth and the sous-vide-style chicken

The broth was really delicious, and the meat was top-notch too. Noodles matter in ramen, but in the end the broth is what determines whether you're satisfied all the way through — and Oreno Ramen's karai paitan checks every box!

The chicken had a sous-vide feel to it, tender with no toughness at all, so it was a clean, healthy flavor to enjoy.

If you like rich, thick ramen broth or are looking for a spicy yet savory broth, I recommend the karai paitan. Another Eunpyeong favorite checked off the list—!