Guwol-dong ramen restaurant, quiet 2pm karaage set: Menya Seoul

How quiet is the Lotte Department Store Incheon basement food court at 2pm?

Menya Seoul Lotte Department Store Incheon Branch is a ramen restaurant in the basement 1 food court of Lotte Department Store Incheon in Guwol-dong. I had some errands nearby and ended up at Lotte Department Store Incheon for a slightly late lunch. My errands ran long, so I arrived around 2pm. The café and mart areas were still crowded, but the basement food court felt fairly quiet since the lunch rush had passed.

Everyone knows this already, but visiting a department store food court just after the lunch peak seems to get you a bit more breathing room. :)

Eating alone at Menya Seoul, a ramen restaurant in Guwol-dong

The place I picked for solo dining that day was Menya Seoul. Its spot in the basement food court of Lotte Department Store Incheon made it convenient to drop by when I craved something hot and soupy mid-shopping. The whole food court was kept clean and tidy, and the flow from ordering to eating was simple, nothing complicated.

The staff kindly helped me with the order and even gave me a Coca-Cola keycap as a gift since it was a promotional period. It was an unexpected little gift that put me in a good mood. :)

Ordering the spicy dongpo pork char siu ramen set, 17,900 won

What I ordered was Menya Seoul's spicy broth dongpo pork char siu ramen set for ₩17,900. I picked karaage as the side.

For the char siu ramen, you could choose between dongpo pork (braised pork belly) or jambon, and I didn't even need to think twice — dongpo pork it was. I really love dongpo pork, and honestly I'm not a big fan of ham-type meats.

How spicy is Menya Seoul's spicy broth?

Looking at it, the broth seemed quite rich and fiery, so I figured it might be too spicy or too salty. But once I tried it, it wasn't overly spicy or salty at all — the seasoning was just right for my taste. It kept the spicy kick without being harsh, so I kept spooning up the broth again and again.

The noodles were a good medium thickness, not too thick or too thin. They slurped up easily with the broth, no awkward breaking mid-bite, so it was comfortable to eat all the way through.

Dongpo pork chosen, plus two slices of jambon

The dongpo pork was exactly the familiar taste I expected. Since it's already a favorite of mine, I naturally kept reaching for it, and it paired well with the spicy broth. But what surprised me was the jambon that came along with it!

Even though I'd chosen dongpo pork, two pieces of jambon were included, so I gave it a try with a bit of hesitation. Unlike the saltiness or the typical ham texture I expected, it wasn't overwhelming at all and actually went well with the broth. It was delicious even to my palate, which doesn't usually enjoy ham, and honestly, that was the biggest surprise of the day. Really. :)

The karaage I picked as a side also seemed like it might be a bit salty, but the seasoning was spot on. The crispy texture of the fried chicken was especially good, and the pieces weren't too big, so they were easy to enjoy in between bites of ramen.

A bowl of ramen finished down to the last of the broth

What I liked most about the Menya Seoul set was the portion size. Of course everyone's appetite differs, but for me it was just right — not too much, not too little. I'm not someone who likes leaving food behind, and that day I finished everything, the noodles and toppings and even the broth, without leaving a drop.

The department store had quite a lot of visitors even on a weekday afternoon, but parking was relatively easy since it's a department store lot. It's a good spot to head to when you're looking for a solo meal while shopping, or craving a bowl of ramen near Incheon Terminal. This time I had the spicy broth line, so next time I visit Menya Seoul I'd like to try the mala broth menu. 🙂🙃

If you're looking for a good ramen restaurant in Guwol-dong, check out Menya Seoul in the basement food court of Lotte Department Store Incheon too :)