Finally Visited the Ramen Hotspot '사루카메' in Yeonnam-dong!
Selected for Michelin Bib Gourmand and featured on 'Masters of Living'! Is it really that delicious?
Hello! Today, I finally visited '사루카메', which is said to be the hottest ramen place in Yeonnam-dong these days. I kept seeing it on Instagram, and my friends said it was delicious... But the wait was too long, so I kept putting it off until I finally mustered the courage to try it this weekend! 😤
🚶♀️ Getting There (Transportation)
Exit from Hongik University Station Exit 3 and walk towards Gyeongui Line Forest Road. I walked slowly along Gyeongui Line Forest Road, and the weather was nice with many pretty cafes around, so it felt like a stroll. It took about 5-7 minutes.
⏰ The Reality of the Wait
As rumored, the wait was... enormous 😱 I registered for the waitlist on Catch Table at 12:30 PM on Saturday, and I was 29th in line. The estimated wait time was 1 hour and 40 minutes, and I got in exactly at that time. The system was quite accurate!
🏪 Store Atmosphere
Finally entered! The store was smaller than expected. The bar table surrounds the kitchen, so you can see the ramen-making process, which was fascinating. A Japanese chef makes it himself, and you can really feel the touch of a craftsman 👨🍳
There is space under the table for bags, and chopsticks, water cups, and various seasonings are prepared, showing thoughtful consideration.
🍜 Ordered Menu
Looking at the menu, the Flower Crab and Clam Ramen seemed to be the signature, but it was limited to 10 bowls for lunch and was already sold out 😭 Although disappointed, I ordered the Famous Clam Ramen and Stamina Don!
✨ Finally Tasting!
🦪 Famous Clam Ramen
Wow... the first bite was truly shocking! Clam broth was unfamiliar, but the soup had a really deep and rich flavor. Usually, ramen is made with pork bone or chicken broth, but it was my first time trying clam broth, and it was fascinating and definitely a distinctive taste compared to other ramen places!
The noodles were chewy and bouncy. The chashu melted softly, and the green onions helped cut through the richness. However, as I ate, it became a bit salty, but when I mentioned it to the staff, they provided extra broth, allowing me to adjust the seasoning!
🍚 Stamina Don
It's a rice bowl topped with cubed chashu and a soft-boiled egg. When you break the egg and mix it in, it becomes really savory and delicious! It was hearty and great to eat with the ramen.
💭 Honest Overall Impression
It was truly worth the wait! I understand why it was selected for the Michelin Bib Gourmand. The unique and deep flavor of the clam broth was really impressive. However, the wait is very long, so I recommend going when you have plenty of time.
And recently, '사루카메+니시노 도쿄' has also opened at The Hyundai Seoul, so if the wait is daunting, you might want to check that out too!
🔄 Recommended Yeonnam-dong Course
After eating ramen, it's nice to take a walk along Gyeongui Line Forest Road in Yeonnam-dong and check out the pretty cafes. There are also places like Pioni nearby, and many cute shops, making it a recommended date course!
📍 Store Information
사루카메
📍 1st Floor, 15 Yeonnam-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
📞 Phone number: Not available
🕐 Business Hours: Daily 11:30~20:30 (Break time: 15:00~17:30)
🚇 5-minute walk from Hongik University Station Exit 3
🏆 Selected for 2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
💰 Price Range: 13,000 won~18,000 won per person
