Ramen shop near Sejong Univ. after studying: tori paitan, Mentsuru

Not long ago, I met up with a friend for a study session at a café after a long while. I happened to have class, so my friend graciously came all the way over to my side of Gwangjin. We studied until our brains were practically cramping, and then we got hungry and headed out for dinner.

There was no need to agonize over where to go. I headed straight to my true regular spot, the place I often go for lunch: Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch (멘츠루).

Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch: exterior and sandwich board

Mentsuru stands out in its alley with a wood-toned, lattice-patterned facade. Isn't it a tidy exterior to come across while walking down the alley? You can feel a warm, classic, Japan-local vibe from the outside already.

In front of the entrance, a sandwich board shows appetizing ramen options along with a notice about late-night ramen, so it's handy to check the lineup before you even step inside.

Inside Mentsuru: bar counter seats and an open kitchen

The interior has wooden structures and cozy tachi (bar-style) table seating. The atmosphere is so nice that it's great for eating alone, and also perfect for sitting side by side and chatting quietly over a meal.

The kitchen is open, so you can watch the chefs cooking passionately in the steaming kitchen. It's fun to watch, and it boosts your trust in the hygiene too!

What ramen is on Mentsuru's menu?

The broth ramen at Mentsuru ranges from clean, savory shoyu (soy sauce) and shio (salt) to spicy shoyu and the deep, rich chicken broth of tori paitan. There's also motsu ramen topped with chewy, nutty beef intestine, abura soba (oil-tossed noodles without broth) as a special treat, and some hidden menu items that had sold out, so you can pick from a varied lineup of authentic Japanese ramen to suit your taste. Gyoza and takoyaki sides are available too.

Sadly, since I came late in the evening, quite a few of the popular items were sold out.

Luckily, my favorites were still there! I chose the beef intestine noodle soup (so-gopchang tangmyeon), Mentsuru's signature and the one I recommend every time I come, and my friend ordered the tori paitan, known for its milky, rich broth.

(By the way, the daechang-deopbap, a beef intestine rice bowl, is also unbelievably good, so I strongly recommend trying it when you visit!)

Mentsuru's receipt review event: free drink or fried gyoza

Mentsuru is also running a receipt review event you can join right at your seat! Just take part in the review and you can enjoy a drink or fried gyoza. If you're visiting, I think it's worth grabbing this handy perk.

How does Mentsuru's beef intestine ramen taste?

True to its name, Mentsuru's beef intestine ramen comes loaded with chewy, nutty beef intestine, with no skimping at all. My order finally arrived, and it already passes on looks, right?

The spicy, deep broth spreads with the rich, fatty savoriness that only intestine has, and from the first bite you can't help exclaiming, "Yep, this is the taste!" It's a bewitching flavor that makes me come back to Mentsuru whenever ramen crosses my mind.

I brought my friend to a regular spot I truly love, and seeing them enjoy it this much made me so proud and happy! Study hard, friend~

Verdict: Mentsuru for ramen near Children's Grand Park Station and Sejong University

I dragged my study-weary body to Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch in Gwangjin! From the deeply flavored tori paitan enjoyed at the cozy bar seats, to the spicy, chewy beef intestine ramen, to the hormone-don (beef intestine rice bowl) I keep raving about, nothing falls short. It's a perfect ramen shop.

If you go late in the evening, tasty menu items may sell out, so I recommend coming a little earlier. If you're looking for a genuinely great ramen place near Children's Grand Park Station or Sejong Univ., I recommend it without hesitation!