Solo-dining Japanese restaurant in Gwangjin: hormone-don at Mentsuru

Why Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch for a solo Japanese lunch near Konkuk University?

Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch is a Japanese restaurant a short walk from Exit 4 of Children's Grand Park Station. Ramen is the main event here, but they also serve hormone-don (grilled beef intestine rice bowl). Daechang-donburi (beef intestine rice bowl) was a huge trend when I was younger! As an offal lover — daechang, gopchang, makchang, all of it — I remember waiting maybe an hour and a half for one back then, and it was so good I had zero regrets.

Ever since, I've eaten daechang-donburi all the time!! This time I had errands near Children's Grand Park Station and stumbled onto a really good one >_<

Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch: hours, location, payment

It's located at 394 Gwangnaru-ro, 1st floor, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea, open daily from 11:00 to 23:00 (last order 22:30). No parking available.

• 📍Location: 394 Gwangnaru-ro, 1st floor, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• ⏰Hours: Daily 11:00–23:00 (last order 22:30)
• 🅿️Parking: Not available
• ✔️Amenities: Reservations available, takeout available, group-friendly, high chairs, Wi-Fi
• 💵Payment: Local currency cards/mobile, Zero Pay, easy pay

How to walk to Mentsuru from Children's Grand Park Station Exit 4

Come out of Exit 4 of Children's Grand Park Station, turn at the Gong Cha in front of you, and keep going straight — you'll reach Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch.

Children's Grand Park Station Exit 4!

Put away your go-straight instincts, turn back this way

Turn at Gong Cha and keep going

Arrived >_<

Inside Mentsuru: bar seats and an open kitchen — good for eating alone?

A warm wood-toned atmosphere with a reassuring open kitchen

Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch has plenty of bar seats good for one or two people, making solo dining comfortable, plus decent 4-seat and 2-seat tables. The moment I walked in, it was full of Japanese vibes. Thanks to the soft lighting and wood-toned interior it felt spacious and clean, but it never lost that warm, cozy feeling — this Konkuk University favorite, Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch!

There were plenty of bar seats good for one or two people. And the open kitchen<< this seriously raises my trust in the place haha

There are 4-seat tables too

And plenty of 2-seat tables!

The self-serve bar has tissues, water, pepper, radish pickle, and chopsticks.

Mentsuru menu: ramen, rice bowls and sides

Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch's menu is divided into ramen (shoyu, shio, abura soba, spicy shio), rice bowls (gyudon, hormone-don), and sides (karaage, chicken skin gyoza, takoyaki). Toppings like menma (seasoned bamboo shoots), nori, and pork belly chashu can be added.

This Konkuk University favorite Mentsuru actually has ramen as its main menu! From shoyu ramen to shio ramen to abura soba, they have every type. And apparently they started selling spicy shio ramen not long ago too. Toppings like menma, nori, and pork belly chashu can be added!

There are two rice bowls: gyudon and hormone-don. Sides are karaage, chicken skin gyoza, and takoyaki. When I went, the chicken skin gyoza was being sold as fried gyoza.

Hormone-don review: more topping than rice

Savory, umami-packed hormone-don!

Since I really wanted daechang-donburi at this Konkuk University favorite... I ordered hormone-don, extra pork belly chashu, and fried gyoza!

First, the radish pickle at the self-serve bar! Not just plain radish pickle — it's yuzu radish pickle🤩 I'm usually not a fan of plain radish pickle, but this yuzu version was so refreshing my hand kept reaching for it..💕

Bahahaha >_<

The hormone-don comes topped with soy-marinated daechang (beef intestine), thin-sliced beef belly, chili, onion, pickled ginger, and shredded green onion. Wasabi and pickled ginger are served on the side too! The amount of toppings is insane. A hormone-don that literally has more toppings than rice really exists‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

One bite with the daechang, one bite with the beef belly. A lot of people worry that Japanese-style rice bowls or hormone-don will be overly salty or greasy, but this Konkuk University favorite Mentsuru has none of that. The sweet-salty soy seasoning was perfectly balanced, and the daechang left only savory flavor behind — nothing overly oily or heavy!

And usually daechang-donburi has only daechang as the main topping, but Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch also throws in beef belly. Eating it with beef belly on top gives it a whole different flavor >_<

Fried gyoza at Mentsuru: the unexpected highlight

Next up, fried gyoza! Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch's fried gyoza comes with pickled ginger, green onion, and chili flakes, drizzled with soy seasoning.

This fried gyoza was an unexpected highlight!!!!! Crispy on the outside!!! But packed with dumpling juice inside. I genuinely want to know their frying secret. One tip: it pairs really, really well with the pickled ginger.

Is the 2,500-won pork belly chashu add-on worth it?

After eating the pork belly chashu, I decided I have to come back for the ramen next time. No pork smell at all, and while I first worried it was too big, it was tender enough to cut with just your gums. Random, but isn't 2,500 won an amazing deal for that?

A really satisfying meal in a clean, pleasant atmosphere at Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch! Recommended if you're looking for a Konkuk University restaurant, a spot near Children's Grand Park Station, a date course around Konkuk University or Children's Grand Park, or a lunch place near either area!!