Yongsan ramen restaurant for solo dining: Okagura Ramen

There are definitely days when the weather suddenly turns chilly or you find yourself craving a steaming bowl of soup. While wandering through an Itaewon alley in search of a little time to myself amid a busy routine, I came across a restaurant that felt like fate. I went in hoping for a satisfying meal, and I want to hold on to the memory because it was even better than I expected. Time spent in warm lighting with delicious food in front of you is so precious, after all. Let me slowly begin my story of ramen in Itaewon, based on my own visit.

Comfortable solo ramen dining in Itaewon

This spot is about a five-minute walk from Exit 4 of Itaewon Station, so it is wonderfully easy to reach. It is at 26 Itaewon-ro 14-gil, tucked inside an alley, and it felt like I had discovered a hideout all my own. The atmosphere was calm and cozy, making it an easy place to eat alone without feeling at all self-conscious. I immediately understood why so many people call it a great solo-dining spot. The bar tables are set up nicely, which I really loved because I could enjoy my meal at my own pace without worrying about anyone else. If you want to quietly enjoy something delicious on your own, I think this belongs on your solo ramen list. More than anything, I liked that this was an Itaewon ramen shop where I could focus entirely on the food in such a neat, peaceful setting.

Okagura Ramen dishes with deep flavor

After looking over the menu, I chose the tonkotsu ramen, mazesoba, and bite-size gyoza. From the first mouthful, the tonkotsu ramen’s rich broth filled my mouth, and I was genuinely surprised that it had none of that porky smell. It had the deep savory flavor of a broth simmered with care for a long time, so I ended up finishing every last drop.

The mazesoba was just as irresistible, with the sauce soaking deeply into the noodles and making it impossible to put my chopsticks down. These dishes clearly carry Okagura Ramen’s own special touch, and they gave me the confidence that you probably cannot go wrong with anything you choose.

The gyoza on the side were crisp outside and moist inside, making a fantastic match for the Itaewon ramen broth. I also felt the care for guests in thoughtful details such as hair ties and danmuji (pickled yellow radish), and it kept me in such a good mood throughout the meal.

House-made noodles and when to visit

The biggest feature here is that they make their noodles themselves. Perhaps because of those house-made noodles, they had an especially springy chew and never felt separate from the broth, so I enjoyed them deliciously to the very end. The staff were kind, too, and I felt well looked after throughout my meal.

A good time to visit is during business hours, from 11:20 to 21:30, though avoiding the 15:30 to 17:00 break time should let you enjoy a more relaxed meal. If you want to taste the deep flavors of authentic Japanese food, I sincerely hope you will visit this Itaewon ramen favorite at least once. There may be a wait, but it is a place whose flavor makes the wait feel worthwhile.

Next time, with bite-size gyoza again

I was so satisfied that, as I left after the meal, I promised myself I would try other dishes next time. When the weather gets chilly again, I will want to come back for another warm, delicious bowl of ramen. And I will definitely order the bite-size gyoza alongside it.