Honest Review from a Tomato Enthusiast in Gangnam, Complete Conquest of Taiyo no Tomato Ramen in Sinnonhyeon!

🍅 The Hot Spot from Instagram, Finally Visited!

Lately, I've seen so many photos of tomato ramen on social media that my curiosity was piqued. It was a hot topic among my friends too, so I thought, 'I must visit!' and finally made my way there. 'Taiyo no Tomato Ramen,' which came from Japan, is not just a ramen shop but a place gaining attention for its new attempt to combine tomatoes and ramen.

It's a 2-minute walk from Sinnonhyeon Station Exit 6! It takes about 8-10 minutes from Gangnam Station, and since it was a nice spring day, it was perfect for a light walk. The yellow sign was so noticeable that it wasn't hard to find. The entrance to the second floor was intuitive, so even someone with a poor sense of direction like me found it easily.

I visited during a late Saturday lunch, and there was a wait! As expected from a popular place, it was bustling with people, but fortunately, I only had to wait about 10 minutes to get in.

🍜 Store Atmosphere and First Impressions

As I went up the stairs, the interior was full of Japanese vibes! The soft lighting, Japanese music, and tomato-shaped decorations made the atmosphere cute yet clean. It felt like I was in Japan.

I was surprised at how spacious the store was. There were appropriately arranged seats for 1-2 people dining alone and tables for four, so many people came to eat alone. I visited with a friend and sat at a window-side table for two, where the sunlight made the atmosphere even better.

Looking at the menu, there were various types, from basic tomato ramen to cheese tomato ramen, spicy tomato ramen, and egg tomato ramen. The basic tomato ramen was 9,000 won, and the cheese tomato ramen varied from 10,500 won to 13,000 won depending on the amount of cheese. The prices were reasonable, which made me happy!

🧀 Ordering Process and Selection Dilemma

Being the first tomato ramen from Japan, I couldn't resist trying it! After pondering the menu, I ordered the two most popular items: the double cheese tomato ramen and the spicy tomato ramen. My friend and I decided to share them. We also ordered something called 'Larizo,' recommended by the staff. Larizo is short for 'ramen risotto,' a dish where you mix rice with the leftover ramen broth as a meal finisher!

Ordering was convenient as you could do it directly from the tablet on the table. Each table was equipped with Tabasco hot sauce, pepper, wet wipes, hair ties(!), and chopsticks, and I appreciated the thoughtfulness of providing hair ties. It meant I didn't have to worry about my hair while eating ramen!

It took about 10 minutes for the food to arrive, but the time flew by as I chatted with my friend. Despite the store being quite busy, the staff managed the tables efficiently, so the wait wasn't long.

😋 Finally Meeting the Tomato Ramen

The ramen I had been eagerly waiting for finally arrived! The double cheese tomato ramen was visually overwhelming. The red tomato broth topped with lots of cheese made my mouth water just by looking at it. The spicy tomato ramen had a deeper red color and a spicy aroma that tickled my nose.

The first taste was truly shocking! It was completely different from any ramen I had tried before. The sweet and sour taste of the tomato combined with the deep umami of the ramen was really refreshing. The double cheese tomato ramen had a smooth taste as the richness of the cheese balanced the acidity of the tomato, while the spicy tomato ramen had a spicy kick with a sweet tomato flavor, making it addictive.

The noodles were not thick and had a moderate chewiness, feeling softer than regular ramen. I found out that they add soy milk to the dough! The broth is made with a chicken stock base and tomatoes. Unlike traditional ramen, it wasn't greasy and had a clean taste, so I could eat it without feeling heavy.

I also added a soft-boiled egg, and it was perfectly done! The egg yolk blended with the broth, giving it a richer taste. We also ordered karaage (Japanese fried chicken), which was crispy and savory, pairing perfectly with the ramen. I heard it goes really well with highballs or beer, so I must try it with beer next time!

🍲 Larizo, A New World of Flavor

When I finished the ramen and had some broth left, it was finally Larizo time! I mixed a bowl of rice with the ramen broth, and it was a completely different taste. It felt like a tomato risotto, with the deep flavor of the ramen and the sweet and sourness of the tomato blending with the rice, making it really delicious. The rice sprinkled with onion flakes added an interesting texture.

At first, I thought, 'Ramen is filling enough, and now rice too?' but after trying it, I understood why it was recommended. I finished it without leaving a drop of broth. It was great to enjoy both ramen and risotto flavors in one bowl!

👍 Value for Money and Unique Points

Being able to eat ramen of this quality starting at 9,000 won is really great. Considering the food prices in Seoul, especially in Gangnam, it felt like great value for money. For two people, having two bowls of ramen, Larizo, karaage, and drinks cost about 40,000 won in total!

Also, perhaps because it's a brand that started in Japan, you can feel the authentic Japanese taste while offering a differentiated flavor using the unique ingredient of tomato. The philosophy of 'being healthy yet delicious' was well conveyed.

The menu is diverse, so it seems like you won't get tired of visiting multiple times. There are various variations from basic tomato ramen to cheese, spicy, and egg options, and there are unique dishes like tomato beef curry or Chinese-style tomato sanratanmen, and rich tomato cream shrimp ramen. Next time, I definitely want to try the tomato beef curry!

💡 Visiting Tips and Recommendations

For those planning to visit Taiyo no Tomato Ramen, here are some tips: there might be a bit of a wait during weekend lunch or dinner times, so it might be better to go a bit early or visit during off-peak hours. I heard it's relatively quiet around 2-3 PM on weekdays.

Parking is not available, so I recommend using public transportation. If you need to park, you can use the nearby paid parking at Daeyeon Building (452 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul), but it costs 3,000 won for the first 30 minutes and 1,000 won for every additional 10 minutes, so parking fees can add up.

For menu recommendations, if it's your first visit, I suggest choosing between the basic tomato ramen and cheese tomato ramen. If you like cheese, the cheese tomato ramen is really delicious! And definitely try Larizo. Save a little rice and mix it with the ramen broth for a different taste experience.

Also, they offer coupons on Naver Place, so it would be good to get them in advance. I tried Larizo with a coupon!

🚶‍♀️ Nearby Places to Explore

After your meal, it's nice to explore the shopping area between Sinnonhyeon Station and Gangnam Station. Especially after visiting a restaurant, you might crave a sweet dessert! There's a cake specialty shop called Chabaekdo on the first floor of the building, perfect for dessert. There are also various cafes nearby, so enjoy a cup of coffee and relax.

Also, if you walk about 10 minutes towards Gangnam Station, there's a CGV cinema and a good underground shopping mall for shopping. It's great for a date course!

⭐ Overall: A Restaurant I Want to Visit Again!

I completely fell in love with the new taste of tomato ramen! The clean yet rich flavor, different from traditional ramen, was really impressive. I never imagined that the combination of tomato and cheese would go so well with ramen. It's a great place for dining alone or with friends, so I think I'll visit often.

Of course, I wouldn't recommend it to those who really dislike tomatoes, but if you don't have a strong aversion to tomatoes, I think you can enjoy it. It's a taste that doesn't have strong likes or dislikes, something anyone can enjoy without burden.

If you want to enjoy a different kind of ramen in Gangnam, definitely visit Taiyo no Tomato Ramen! I'm already contemplating what to eat next time. I'm planning to try the tomato beef curry and vongole tomato ramen next!