Gwangjin ramen restaurant for a friends' lunch with karaage: Mentsuru

If you're looking for a rich bowl of Japanese-style ramen right in front of Children's Grand Park Station, this place is too good to pass by!

These days, when I eat lunch, I find myself craving something more than just a meal to fill me up — warm broth and a hearty noodle dish sound especially good. Whenever I have plans around Konkuk or Children's Grand Park, I always debate where to eat. This time I was meeting a friend for lunch, and while searching for good restaurants in the area, I came across a Japanese ramen specialist, Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch.

I've always liked ramen, so the idea of trying shoyu ramen along with a variety of Japanese-style dishes appealed to me. It's also close to Children's Grand Park Station, which made it convenient to find. So this time, determined to properly try the ramen near Children's Grand Park, I paid Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch a visit.

Where is Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch, and when is it open?

Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch is located at 394 Gwangnaru-ro, 1st floor, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. It's open daily from 11:00 to 23:00, so there's plenty of leeway from lunch through dinner.

It's especially convenient since it's about 30 seconds on foot from Children's Grand Park Station. When looking for lunch spots near Konkuk or Sejong University, this kind of accessibility makes it a solid option for a Konkuk-area lunch date too.

Inside Mentsuru: atmosphere and kiosk ordering

Walking into Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch, I got that clean, comfortable feel typical of a Japanese ramen specialist. Ordering was easy through the kiosk and tablet, so I could take my time browsing the menu before ordering.

The seating was fairly spacious, which seemed comfortable for solo diners too. It also felt like an easy, unpretentious place to bring a friend or a partner for a casual meal. And since ramen restaurants tend to turn tables quickly, it's convenient during the lunch rush.

It's a space that suits all kinds of situations, from solo dining to meals with friends to a Konkuk-area lunch date with a partner.

What's on the menu at Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch?

Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch centers its menu around Japanese ramen while offering plenty of variety. The main ramen options were shoyu ramen, spicy shoyu ramen, and motsu ramen, so there's something depending on your taste.

Beyond ramen, there are rice bowl dishes like hormone-don and gyudon, so those who prefer rice over noodles have options too. Side dishes include homemade chicken karaage and chicken skin gyoza, both good to pair with ramen. On top of that, they also serve drinks that go well with Japanese food, like sake, highball, and beer.

So it seemed like a place you could use for a hearty meal at lunch, and for casually drinking with friends in the evening.

This time I ordered shoyu ramen with extra chashu, homemade chicken karaage as a side, and a Pepsi Zero to drink. A bowl of ramen alone felt like it wasn't quite enough, so I added the crispy karaage too — and the combination worked really well together.

How does the shoyu ramen with extra chashu taste?

The first thing I tried was the shoyu ramen I ordered. The broth had a clean yet deep flavor, warming me up from the very first sip.

The noodles went well with the broth, and with the extra chashu, I got a generous amount of meat topping that made the bowl even more filling. Personally, when I eat ramen, I care not just about the broth and noodles but the toppings like chashu too — I was glad I ordered the extra.

If you like ramen with a rich broth, this is a menu worth considering when looking for good ramen near Children's Grand Park.

Pairing the ramen with Mentsuru's homemade chicken karaage

The homemade chicken karaage I ordered alongside offered a completely different texture from the ramen, making it a nice thing to snack on in between bites.

If you think ramen alone might not be quite enough, I'd recommend ordering a side dish to share. Overall, the wide menu selection and easy access made this a place I'd want to drop by again next time I'm in the Konkuk area.

What stood out about Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch was its close proximity to Children's Grand Park Station along with a variety of Japanese-style ramen options. The seating and ordering system are also set up conveniently for solo dining, dates, or gatherings with friends. Another plus is that beyond ramen, there are rice bowls, sides, and drinks, so you can pick a menu that fits whatever brought you in.

Who is Mentsuru in Gwangjin best for?

• ✔️ Anyone looking for good ramen near Children's Grand Park
• ✔️ Anyone wanting a clean lunch spot for a Konkuk-area date
• ✔️ Anyone wanting to enjoy Japanese ramen and sides together in the Konkuk area
• ✔️ Anyone looking for a ramen place easy to use whether solo or with friends

Final verdict on lunch at Mentsuru

What impressed me most about my visit to Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch was how easily you can enjoy a variety of Japanese-style ramen here. The shoyu ramen I ordered had a clean, deep broth topped with extra chashu, making for a filling meal. I also ordered the homemade chicken karaage and alternated between the two dishes, which made the meal feel even more satisfying.

Given how close it is to Children's Grand Park Station, anyone looking for good ramen near the park should be pretty happy with the accessibility. If you're looking for somewhere to eat around Sejong University or Konkuk, it's worth adding to your list, and it also works well as a lunch date spot in the Konkuk area. On a day when you're craving warm, hearty Japanese ramen, give Mentsuru Children's Grand Park Branch a try for an easy meal nearby.