This time I visited Menkudo Gangnam. From the entrance, the clean yet cozy wooden-style interior stood out, and I liked it from the first impression. I sat down and ordered Abura Soba, a ramen mixed without broth; it came topped appetizingly with seaweed, chashu, and a soft-boiled egg.

You can choose spiciness from level 1 to 3, so it's easy to enjoy according to your preference. Since I usually eat a lot, I added extra noodles and toppings, and the portion was just right. At level 1 it was only mildly spicy, so even people who aren't good with spicy food can enjoy it without feeling overwhelmed.

A tip to make the Abura Soba even better is the kelp vinegar. After you've eaten some of the noodles, add a little kelp vinegar and mix it in — the tanginess brings out the umami, so it stays delicious until the last bite without getting boring. If you're near Gangnam, I definitely recommend stopping by.