Yongsan ramen restaurant found after Pokémon card shop failed: Menya

When you think of Yongsan I'Park Mall, so many good-looking restaurants come to mind, right? There are so many options that it actually gets confusing trying to pick one — but this time I found an absolutely killer ramen spot.

Why I couldn't get into the Pokémon card shop

None other than the Pokémon card shop in Yongsan I'Park Mall. I heard they hand out first-come, first-served number tickets, so entry wasn't possible, and turning back my heart just... my heart... It opens at 10:30am, but since the mall closes overnight, there's an outdoor line, and apparently people start queuing the day before. Whew. There's no way I could do that!

Anyway, seeing the inside made me want to go in so badly, but I recently visited Namdaemun and found a place way more worthwhile than the Pokémon card shop at Yongsan I'Park Mall. I'll be writing about that soon, haha!

The food court I stumbled on riding down the escalator

Shoulders drooping, dragging my feet, I rode the escalator down and started smelling something delicious.

Oh, a food court?? Even with this many choices I usually have a really hard time picking, but one ramen restaurant caught my eye instantly.

It was Menya Seoul, the Yongsan I'Park Mall restaurant! I personally loved that the menu wasn't overloaded — they specialize in just a few dishes.

I'm usually the type to inhale Japanese ramen without a second thought, so there was no way I could just walk past this place.

I'm not sure of the details, but it looks like Menya Seoul has some kind of partnership with Coca-Cola. Ooh, interesting!

What I ordered: dongpo pork char siu ramen (single), whole pork belly mazesoba (set)

The food finally arrived! I ordered whole pork belly mazesoba and dongpo pork char siu ramen. I got the char siu ramen as a single item and the mazesoba as a set, which came with cola and dumplings too.

Every table has chili oil sauce and lemon kelp vinegar — you don't have to use them, just add to your taste.

Dongpo pork char siu ramen: one sip of broth and I was clapping like a seal

The dongpo pork char siu ramen! I'm pretty picky when it comes to ramen, but I took one sip of the broth and started clapping. This really is a Yongsan I'Park Mall restaurant worth its reputation! Wait, why is this so good?

I don't know if the photo really shows how thick the dongpo pork is, but it was the thickest dongpo pork I've ever had in a bowl of ramen. I expected it to be tough because of the thickness, but it was surprisingly tender — surprised me all over again, hahaha.

On top of that, the noodles were bouncy and chewy! Why did it take me this long to find this place? I've gone to plenty of so-called must-visit restaurants at Yongsan I'Park Mall and been let down more than once, so why is this one so good?

Whole pork belly mazesoba: long strips of pork belly

Next, the whole pork belly mazesoba! This one also shocked me visually — the pork belly was in genuinely long strips. At this quality for this price, I wonder if they're even making a profit; they were so generous with the ingredients. Long live Menya Seoul, the Yongsan I'Park Mall restaurant!!

I heard the whole pork belly mazesoba is a refreshing summer menu item — not sure if it's seasonal, I didn't get to ask. It was seriously delicious, I really hope it stays on the menu permanently!!

I always claim to be a light eater, but today I unexpectedly cleaned out this Yongsan I'Park Mall ramen without leaving a drop. Am I... not actually a light eater? Was I wrong about myself all along? Haha.

Why the failed trip turned out to be the best thing

Anyway, if I'd actually gotten into the Pokémon card shop that day, I never would have ended up here. Being turned away led me to discover this Yongsan I'Park Mall restaurant, so honestly, I think it worked out in my favor. If you're visiting, please stop by Menya Seoul! The chewiness of the noodles and the richness of the broth are on another level. And to the owner here — please, please go on Culinary Class Wars sometime!