Yongsan ramen restaurant with karaage set: Menya Seoul

A ramen restaurant in I'Park Mall, connected to Yongsan Station

It feels like the season when I keep craving ramen lately. I was thinking about a spicy, rich broth, so I headed straight to Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch. It is on the seventh floor of I'Park Mall, directly connected to Yongsan Station, so the access was seriously great. It is convenient to visit around your train time, and just perfect for when you get hungry while shopping too~!!!

The restaurant is in I'Park Mall's dining area, and as you would expect from a ramen specialist, it had a clean, cozy atmosphere. Even though I visited on a weekday afternoon, there were quite a few people. I could see why it has a reputation as a great ramen spot at Yongsan I'Park Mall!!! The staff were incredibly kind when taking orders too. I had originally been considering somewhere else, but the reviews were good and everyone was so friendly that I was glad I came here instead. The menu was also marked with numbers and pictures, which made ordering much easier.

The long L-shaped table setup made it seem like lots of people come here to dine solo, too.

I ordered the Spicy Dongpo Pork and Chashu Ramen Set. Spicy ramen is the best!!

Choosing the Spicy Dongpo Pork and Chashu Ramen Set

It looks like Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch had its first anniversary. They were even running a thank-you coupon giveaway event. Looking over the menu, I chose the Spicy Dongpo Pork and Chashu Ramen Set without a second thought. Just its name sounded spicy and warming, so for someone like me who loves a spicy broth, it was an obvious choice ㅠㅠ For the set sides, cola and karaage (Japanese fried chicken)~!

A bright-red broth with deep umami

Not long after ordering, the ramen arrived quickly, and its appearance was no joke from the start. Big pieces of dongpo pork and chashu were piled generously over the vivid red broth, and my mouth started watering the moment I saw it. When I took a spoonful of the broth, it was spicy and warming with deep umami!!!!! It was not simply hot; the flavor of the rich stock came through as well, so I just kept reaching for another spoonful.

Making it even spicier with rayu

There was rayu (Japanese chili oil) on the table, so after enjoying it as it was, I added some for another delicious variation. I recommend it when you want something a little spicier and more unusual. Seeing the rayu, I thought, this place really has great attention to detail.

Seriously, it was so soft and delicious in my mouth. The best. The dongpo pork melted tenderly as soon as I put it in my mouth ㅜㅜ and the chashu was also prepared cleanly, with no off smell. I think the biggest appeal of this dish is getting to enjoy two kinds of meat in one bowl. The noodles were springy and chewy, pairing beautifully with the spicy broth. Every bite soaked in broth was truly satisfying.

A set complete with karaage and cola

The karaage that came with the set was crisp outside and moist inside, doing a great job of balancing the spicy ramen. It was nicely seasoned and salty, making it good to eat between spoonfuls of broth. Spicy broth naturally makes you thirsty, and taking little sips of cola at those moments made my mouth feel refreshed. The carbonation really did its job of washing away the heat!!

The noodles were neither too thick nor too thin, so they were easy to eat. Really, just such a clean flavor. Overall, I thought it was a good place to visit whenever you crave spicy ramen near Yongsan Station. I was happy with being able to try both dongpo pork and chashu at once, and the karaage-and-cola side combination went well too!! If you are waiting for a train at Yongsan Station or get hungry while shopping at I'Park Mall, how about stopping by Menya Seoul for a bowl of spicy ramen~?

There was also a water dispenser right behind me, and I could wash my hands right away, which was so nice!