Sarukame

Sarukame is a small Japanese ramen bar on a side street just off the Gyeongui Line Forest Park, a short walk from Hongik University Station. It is now run by its second-generation owner-chef, Hiroto Honma, who kept the founder's recipes and adds limited specials inspired by what is trending in Japan. The house style is shoyu ramen built on seafood. The signature myeongmul clam ramen comes buried under a heap of clams with wide slices of smoky chashu around the rim, while the crab and clam ramen adds half a fried blue crab on top; it is limited to ten bowls at lunch and ten at dinner. A clear niboshi (dried anchovy) ramen is the lighter choice. For a few thousand won more, a set adds a mini rice bowl, such as cubed chashu torched in front of you and topped with a soft egg. Seating is mostly along a counter facing the open kitchen, with red lighting and monkey and turtle decorations, a nod to the name. A table card reminds you the ramen is best within 20 minutes, so eat while it is hot.