A Visit to Oreno Ramen Anguk Branch: The Secret to 5 Consecutive Years of Michelin Selection
A Space to Encounter the Essence of Ramen
Oreno Ramen, which you can find by entering an alley from Exit 1 of Anguk Station, is my favorite ramen restaurant. This place, delicious enough to be selected for the Michelin Guide for five consecutive years, is especially crowded during lunchtime, with wait times of at least 7-8 teams, so you have to move quickly if you're determined to eat there.
The Joy of Menu Selection
Toripaitan is characterized by its creamy broth made with chicken offal. The thin noodles perfectly coat the broth, and the combination with melt-in-your-mouth chashu provides an amazing harmony. Torishio maximizes the refreshing taste by adding lime to a clear broth made with salt and chicken.
The Secret to the Signature Flavor
Toripaitan is a basic menu item with thin noodles in a rich chicken broth. The broth is truly deep and rich, with a clean taste that's like adding noodles to chicken gomtang (chicken bone soup). Torishio is a version with refreshing lime added to a clear broth made with salt and chicken, offering a clean yet savory flavor.
A Space with Different Charms Depending on the Time of Day
During lunchtime from 12 PM to 1:30 PM, the restaurant is bustling with office workers, creating a lively atmosphere. The sound of spoons clinking and people eating ramen harmonizes under the sunlight streaming through the window. After 6:30 PM in the evening, you can see people casually enjoying a meal with beer after work.
Frugal Service Mind
The best thing is that you can get free refills of noodles and broth when you order one menu item per person. The amount of extra noodles is almost equivalent to a single serving, and they even add extra chashu, so it couldn't be better.
Wisdom in Space Utilization
The restaurant interior isn't very large, with only about 5 two-person tables and 2 four-person tables. However, the turnover rate is fast, so even if there's a wait, you won't have to wait long. There are also partitions installed, making it good for those dining alone.
Taste Review and Recommendation
I've been to many ramen restaurants, but I don't think there's any place that can match the deep flavor of Oreno Ramen. The sous vide chicken breast, in particular, is surprisingly tender, and the texture of the noodles is perfect. The basic toppings such as green onions and mushrooms harmonize well with the broth.
Visiting Strategy
If you work near Anguk Station, I recommend visiting right after work. The dinner hours are less crowded than lunchtime, so you can have a more relaxed meal. Hot ramen enjoyed with a cold highball after work is enough to wash away the fatigue of the day.
Looking Forward to My Next Visit
Next time, I want to try other menu items that I haven't tried yet. I'm planning to add a lot of Samgyeop Chashu (pork belly chashu) or extra soft-boiled eggs as toppings. In particular, don't miss out on the fun of alternating between the two broths by adding extra noodles. These detailed delights are probably the reason why I keep coming back to Oreno Ramen.
