Solo-friendly Seongsu ramen counter: cheese tomato ramen at Menya Pomo

Menya Pomo Seongsu Branch

• [Location] Yeonmujang-gil area, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (near Seongsu Station)
• [Hours] Daily 11:30–21:00 (break time 15:00–17:00)
• [Last order] 20:30
• [Features] Tomato ramen specialist, wall-side bar tables (dachi seats) for solo dining, free Wi-Fi, takeout/delivery available

Where is Menya Pomo Seongsu Branch and what does the shopfront look like?

I was out and about in Seongsu today and stopped by Menya Pomo Seongsu Branch, an unusual ramen restaurant that's been getting some buzz on social media lately. It's tucked into the Yeonmujang-gil alley near Seongsu Station, so it's an easy walk from the subway.

Amid Seongsu's hip alleyways, the cute, storybook-like exterior — like something straight out of a Japanese animation — caught my eye from a distance right away! I love ramen and I'm also a fan of tomato-based dishes, so I'd been curious about this place even before visiting, haha.

Inside Menya Pomo Seongsu Branch: bar seats and atmosphere

The moment I walked in, the clean and cozy vibe hit me first. It's decorated tastefully in wood tones, and I was especially impressed by how much wall-side bar seating (dachi seats) there is. The layout seemed really well-suited for office workers grabbing lunch nearby, or for anyone wanting to enjoy a stress-free solo meal on the weekend :)

The tables weren't cramped either, which made it comfortable, and I saw everyone from solo diners to couples on dates seated around the place. The whole restaurant was kept impressively clean, which raised my expectations even before the food arrived!

Menya Pomo menu and what we ordered

Ordering is done conveniently through a kiosk at the store entrance. Menya Pomo's signature menu is, of course, its tomato ramen lineup, simmered richly with 'fully ripened Italian tomatoes.'

• Basic tomato ramen
• Cheese tomato ramen
• Chicken / menchi katsu (breaded ground meat cutlet) tomato ramen
• Basil/cheese topping rice, potato croquette, and more

You can also pick your spice level to suit your taste, so both people who can't handle spicy food and those who love a fiery hangover-cure style should be satisfied. We went with the basic tomato ramen (regular spice), the nuttier cheese tomato ramen, and — since apparently it's a must — the basil topping rice for the finale!

How does the tomato ramen at Menya Pomo taste?

On the table, pepper, garlic oil, and Menya Pomo's own homemade Tabasco-style sauce were all neatly set out.

After a short wait, our ramen finally arrived! The vivid red color and the subtle tomato aroma made my mouth water instantly. I took a first spoonful of the broth — and any doubt I had about whether tomato and ramen would even work together disappeared with that first sip. The rich chicken-and-pork broth blends beautifully with the tomato's umami and a bright acidity, so there's no greasiness at all and the aftertaste is really clean!

The noodles are thin, chewy fresh noodles that soak up the rich tomato broth beautifully, sliding down with a slurpable texture that was just perfect. The cheese tomato ramen had a generous amount of cheese piled on top, doubling the nutty richness — it felt like eating a fusion dish that combined the best of pasta and ramen.

Tip: turn the basil topping rice into a tomato risotto

Menya Pomo's slogan is literally 'Start with ramen, finish with risotto'! The rice, fragrant with basil and topped with garlic chips, comes out alongside the noodles — and when you mix it into the leftover broth, it transforms instantly into a luxurious tomato basil risotto. It has this quirky charm, like you were eating Japanese ramen one moment and suddenly teleported to Italy the next, haha. You absolutely have to try this risotto finish! (And since the plain rice is free, it's a great deal too.)

Is Menya Pomo Seongsu Branch worth a visit? Honest verdict

• The charm of a broth that's both familiar and unusual, thanks to the tomato
• A comfortable, aesthetic interior that's great for solo dining
• A satisfying full course from ramen straight through to risotto

If you're looking for something different from the usual Japanese ramen or pasta places in Seongsu, but still want proper depth of umami flavor, I highly recommend stopping by Menya Pomo Seongsu Branch :) Next time, I'm planning to come back for a spicier level to cure a hangover!