Hapjeong-dong Restaurant Recommendation: Ramen, Donkatsu, or Sushi? Today's Choice: Gokunoya Ramen Review

What are the three most common types of restaurants in Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul? I'm not sure about the exact ranking, but I know it's roughly as follows.

• Ramen shops
• Tonkatsu (deep-fried pork cutlet) restaurants
• Sushi restaurants

Interestingly, they're all Japanese cuisine. No need to go to Japan! There are also countless Korean BBQ restaurants and cafes, but since they don't serve as the main lunch option for office workers, I didn't include them. The mention of the most common restaurants in Hapjeong-dong suggests that today's menu will likely be one of these three, right?!

Today's restaurant review is right here~!

Ramen shop "Kokunoya (KOKUNOYA)"

Address: 48 Seongji-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 1st floor

Clicking [View larger map] will allow you to see it on Google Maps.

• Business hours: 11:00 AM ~ 9:00 PM
  • Break time: 3:00 PM ~ 5:00 PM
  • Lunch last order: 2:30 PM
  • Dinner last order: 8:00 PM
  • Day off: None
• Phone number: 0507-1384-1491
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kokunoya.ramen
• Homepage: https://gokunoya.modoo.at/

Do you know the Korean idol group 'ZE:A (Jeongukui Aideul)'? It's a group with so many members.... I can't remember all of them, but the members currently active as actors include actor Im Siwan, actor Park Hyungsik, and actor Kim Dongjun. There's also Hwang Kwanghee, who's active as an entertainer.

Anyway, I remember their agency building being in this area, but I'm not sure if the agency is still there. I visited it for work a while ago, and it looks like the same building.

Menu

Shou Ramen: 9,000 KRW

Mazesoba: 11,000 KRW

Ddeulkireum Aburasoba: 11,000 KRW

Mazedobap: 11,000 KRW

Saewoo Aburasoba: 11,000 KRW

In addition to the above menu, various toppings, drinks, and alcoholic beverages are available at an additional cost.

I ordered the Shou Ramen. It wasn't too salty and was quite palatable. If you find it a bit bland, you can add some kelp vinegar or enjoy it with the pickled ginger that comes with it.

My companion ordered the Mazesoba and said it was too bland. This person never eats pickled ginger or kimchi. I prefer things to be less salty, but… everyone's taste buds are different; running a restaurant is really hard. But on the MBC program, "Son Suk-hee's Questions," Baek Jong-won talked about this, saying, "You need to find the average that people most often seek." Ultimately, if more people prefer a moderate level of saltiness rather than blandness, the restaurant should adjust the seasoning or provide condiments to allow customers to adjust the taste as needed.

For more information on the average value (rhombus theory) mentioned above, please refer to the YouTube video below.