Noryangjin ramen shop after a Han River run: 1,000-won beer at Chome

The weather was so nice that after running about 5km along the Han River, I found myself craving hot soup. So I headed to Chome, a place known for ramen in Noryangjin. I had high hopes for a post-workout meal, and I ended up trying everything from ramen to chicken to futomaki.

Chome's karai ramen was pleasantly spicy with a deep, rich broth. The karai chicken had a crispy outside and juicy inside, and the salmon futomaki (thick seaweed rice roll) was packed with filling and filling in the best way. If you're looking for a lunch spot in Noryangjin to hit after exercising like I did, this one's worth remembering.

I'll walk through how to get there, the store atmosphere, and then the dishes I ordered — karai ramen, karai chicken, and salmon futomaki — in that order.

Where is Chome in Noryangjin, and is there parking?

Chome is located on the first floor of 10 Manyang-ro 14-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul. It sits in a restaurant alley walkable from Noryangjin Station, so it wasn't hard to find. If you're driving, there's the option of the nearby Samik Plaza underground parking lot, but it's not Chome's dedicated lot, so it's best to check parking fees and availability before you go.

What's the atmosphere like at Chome?

Chome's interior is decorated with cute little props and screens playing footage of Japanese city streets. Opening the door, the cute decor caught my eye first. There were things to look at, like Mario-themed decorations, and a wall screen showing scenes from a Japanese city. Even while waiting for the food, there was plenty to look around at. It seemed like a nice spot for solo dining, but it was also a comfortable atmosphere for visiting together and sharing dishes, like we did.

What we ordered at Chome, plus 1,000-won mini draft beer

At Chome we ordered karai ramen, karai chicken, salmon futomaki, and a mini draft beer. When we visited, mini draft beers were selling for 1,000 won during lunch and afternoon hours, so we had a refreshing one before eating. It came in a small glass, perfect for a quick sip before the food arrived. Promo prices and hours might change, so it's worth checking when you order.

What's on Chome's self-serve bar?

At Chome's self-serve bar, we could take as much green tea, pickled radish, and kimchi as we needed. I checked out the self-serve bar before eating, and the use of disposable chopsticks felt clean and tidy to me too. Since we ordered several spicy dishes that day, it was nice to have pickled radish to pair with them throughout the meal.

How spicy is Chome's karai ramen?

Chome's karai ramen hits with a sharp spiciness first, followed by a rich, lingering flavor — spicy without going overboard. I tried the karai ramen I'd been most looking forward to first, and one spoonful of broth brought a sharp kick up front, with a rich flavor lingering after. It wasn't too spicy for my taste, which made it easy to alternate between noodles and broth. Maybe because I'd just come from a run along the Han River, the hot broth felt even more welcome — refreshing enough that it could double as a hangover cure.

Inside the bowl of karai ramen, noodles mingled with bean sprouts, bok choy, egg, chashu (braised pork), and chili. The chashu was glossy, tender, and free of any off flavor. Adding a bit of bean sprout and chili to the noodles along with the chashu gave a nice mix of crunchy texture and savory flavor. I came looking for a good ramen restaurant in Noryangjin, and I think this karai ramen broth is what will stick with me the longest.

Chome's karai chicken: taste and spice level

Chome's karai chicken is crispy outside and tender inside, spicy chicken that felt a bit spicier than shin ramyeon to me. The karai chicken was also satisfying. We cut it into bite-sized pieces with the tongs and scissors provided, then dipped it in the sauce — pleasantly spicy without being overwhelming. The outside was fried crispy with the seasoning well coated on. The meat inside wasn't dry at all, staying tender, which made it easy to alternate with the ramen.

Does Chome's salmon futomaki go well with ramen?

Chome's salmon futomaki is a thick roll packed with hearty salmon, egg, cucumber, pickled radish, and crunchy fillings, making it easy to share. Even a single piece felt full of filling, with a variety of textures. It was sizeable enough that we ended up eating it slowly, piece by piece. It wasn't too dry or bland, and dipping it lightly in the wasabi soy sauce that came with it brought out even more savory flavor. If you're trying to decide what to pair with the ramen, this is a good, shareable choice.

Verdict on a post-run lunch at Chome

Chome focuses on ramen during the day and also serves sukiyaki in the evening. We visited for lunch this time so we didn't get to try the sukiyaki, but it's made me curious about the dinner menu for next time. Looking at this meal alone, the karai ramen's broth, the karai chicken's crispiness, and the salmon futomaki's heartiness each brought something different, so ordering several dishes together turned out to be the right call. For me, this is a solid 5 out of 5, and I'd say my odds of returning are 300 percent. I'll definitely think of this place again when I'm looking for a lunch spot in Noryangjin.

Japanese menu terms to know at Chome

• Chashu is the tender braised meat served on top of ramen.
• Futomaki is a thick seaweed rice roll packed with several fillings.
• Sukiyaki is meat and vegetables cooked in a sweet-savory broth.
• A self-serve bar is a station where customers help themselves to side dishes or drinks.

Chome FAQ: what to know before you go

Where is Chome in Noryangjin?

Chome is located on the first floor of 10 Manyang-ro 14-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul. It's walkable from Noryangjin Station.

Can I drive to Chome?

When I visited, using the nearby Samik Plaza underground parking lot seemed like a convenient option. This wasn't guided as a dedicated lot or parking support from the restaurant, so please check before you visit.

What should I order on a first visit to Chome?

If you like spicy broth, I'd recommend the karai ramen. If you're going with a group, ordering the karai chicken and salmon futomaki together to share is also a good idea.

Having hot ramen after running in such good weather made the meal all the more memorable. But it wasn't only tasty because of the workout. The broth had just the right amount of spice, and the balance between the chicken and futomaki made the whole meal enjoyable. On a day when I'm looking for a hearty lunch spot in Noryangjin, I'd like to stop by Chome again and try other dishes.