Taiyo no Tomato Ramen Gangnam: A Unique Japanese Ramen Experience in Seoul
Hi, I’m Bo, the local voice behind Seoul With Me. I visited Taiyo no Tomato Ramen in Gangnam on a regular weekday, not for a special occasion, and that is probably the right way to judge this place: as a quick lunch spot that happens to serve a very unusual bowl of ramen.
If you think ramen can only come in soy, miso, or tonkotsu broth, this one will feel different from the first look. The bowl arrives with bright red tomato broth, grated cheese, thin noodles, and a smell that sits somewhere between a Japanese ramen shop and a casual Italian place. I would not call it traditional ramen, but I also would not dismiss it as a gimmick.
Quick Info
| Name | Taiyo no Tomato Ramen Gangnam (태양의 토마토 라멘 강남점) |
| Address | 2F, 7 Gangnam-daero 106-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul |
| Nearest Station | Sinnonhyeon Station, Exit 6 (Line 9) |
| Map Search | 태양의 토마토 라멘 강남점 / Taiyo no Tomato Ramen Gangnam |
| Google Maps | Open in Google Maps |
| Hours | Daily 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Last order 8:30 PM) |
| Phone | 02-501-0120 |
| Parking | Not available |
What the Tomato Ramen Is Actually Like
Before visiting, tomato ramen sounded more like a novelty than a serious lunch option. After trying it, I understood why the place has regulars. The first sip leaned closer to tomato soup than classic ramen broth, but once the cheese melted in, it became softer, saltier, and more balanced.
The Gangnam branch also makes sense for visitors because the setup is simple: tablet ordering, clear menu photos, counter seats, and a location that is easier from Sinnonhyeon than many people expect. If a friend visiting Seoul asked me for a quick Gangnam lunch that is not barbecue, I would consider this a safe suggestion with one warning: you need to be open to tomato.
This is not the kind of restaurant I would cross the whole city for. But if you are already near Gangnam Station or Sinnonhyeon, it is the kind of small, slightly odd food stop that makes a Seoul day feel less copy-pasted.
If Gangnam is only one stop in your Seoul plan, check my where to stay in Seoul guide before building your hotel base around it. If you are already shopping in the area, my Olive Young Seoul guide also covers why Gangnam works better for efficient errands than slow browsing.
If you are still mapping the whole trip, my First Time in Seoul guide puts food stops like this in context with airport arrival, hotel area, transit, and shopping decisions.
Getting There
The restaurant is located closer to Sinnonhyeon Station (Exit 6) than Gangnam Station, despite being in the Gangnam area. When I visited, the easiest landmark was CGV Gangnam. Head toward the back alley near the cinema and look for the large signage — it’s hard to miss. The restaurant is on the 2nd floor, so take the stairs up from the street level.
For map apps, search “태양의 토마토 라멘 강남점” or “Taiyo no Tomato Ramen Gangnam.” The Korean name is usually the safer search term in local Korean map apps. You can also open the place search in Google Maps, but double-check the Korean name and address before you go.
Inside the Gangnam Branch
Inside, the space felt larger than I expected from the entrance. The seating is a mix of: – Counter seats (great for solo diners) – 2-person and 4-person tables
Large windows run along one side of the room, so it did not feel like one of those narrow second-floor restaurants where you immediately want to finish and leave. The mood was more office-lunch than tourist-restaurant, which I actually liked. Nobody seemed to care whether you came alone, as a couple, or with coworkers.
Ordering and payment are done via tablet at your table. I found this especially useful because the menu photos make it easier to compare options, and it removes most language barrier concerns for non-Korean speakers.
The tablet menu includes dish photos and multiple language options, which makes ordering easier even if you do not read Korean.
Menu & Prices
| Menu | Price (KRW) |
|---|---|
| Taiyo no Tomato Ramen | 9,000 |
| Spicy Tomato Ramen | 9,500 |
| Egg Tomato Ramen | 10,000 |
| Cheese Tomato Ramen | 10,500 |
| Double Cheese Tomato Ramen | 12,000 |
| Vongole Tomato Ramen | 12,000 |
| Chinese-style Hot & Sour Tomato Ramen | 13,000 |
| Rich Tomato Cream Shrimp Ramen | 13,000 |
| Concentrated Shrimp Cream Tomato Ramen (Limited 10/day) | 14,000 |
| Rarizo (rice in broth) | 1,000 |
| Karaage (fried chicken) | 3,500 |
⚠️ Prices are based on information available at the time of writing and may have changed. Please check the restaurant’s current menu before visiting.
Menu Highlights
Cheese Tomato Ramen — The Signature (10,500 KRW)
This is the bowl I tried, and it is the one I would order first again. Thin noodles sit in a tomato-chicken broth, topped with melted cheese, chicken slices, and ham. Do not eat the cheese separately on top; mix it in properly and the broth becomes much rounder.
Cheese Challenge: Feeling bold? You can order extra cheese at ×1.5, ×2, ×2.5, or ×3 the standard amount (up to 13,500 KRW for triple cheese).
Taste profile: The first few bites reminded me more of tomato pasta than ramen, but the chicken broth keeps it from becoming too sweet or too heavy. The cheese is not just decoration here; it calms down the acidity and makes the soup feel closer to a warm tomato cream sauce.
Concentrated Shrimp Cream Tomato Ramen — The Special (14,000 KRW)
This one is available in limited quantities (10 bowls per day), so arrive early if you want to try it. I did not order this bowl on my visit, but the table photos and menu make it clear that it is the heavier option: thicker broth, grilled vegetables (potato, broccoli, lotus root, zucchini), and plump shrimp.
If you order it, stir in the cream cheese until it dissolves into the broth. This is the one I would target next time if I arrived before the lunch rush.
Taste profile: likely creamier and heavier than the cheese tomato ramen, with more seafood flavor.
Other Notable Options
- Vongole Tomato Ramen (12,000 KRW): A seafood twist with clam-based broth.
- Chinese-style Hot & Sour Tomato Ramen (13,000 KRW): A bold, tangy option for spice lovers.
- Spicy Tomato Ramen (9,500 KRW): The most affordable way to try a different flavor profile.
Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken) — The Side Dish (3,500 KRW)
The karaage is a good side option if you want a fuller meal. It came out looking properly crisp on the outside, and the portion was enough to share before the ramen. I would not call it the reason to visit, but it works well if one bowl of noodles never feels like enough.
Rarizo — Rice in the Broth (1,000 KRW)
Once you’ve finished your ramen, add rice to the remaining broth and eat it like risotto. This makes more sense here than at many ramen shops because the tomato broth is thick enough to coat the rice. For 1,000 KRW, I would add it if you are hungry. The restaurant also offers free rice if you leave a Naver photo review (check the Naver Place page for current promotions).
Things I Would Check Before Going
- Avoid the lunch rush: The restaurant gets busy until around 1:30 PM on weekdays. If I were bringing a visitor, I would aim for 1:30-2:00 PM instead of noon.
- Check for coupons: The Naver Place page occasionally offers coupons (like a free drink). Download before you visit.
- Waiting system: During busy periods, use the Tableing kiosk at the entrance to join the waitlist remotely.
- Solo-friendly: Counter seating makes this one of the more comfortable solo dining spots in the area.
- Hair ties provided: A small but thoughtful touch I noticed at the table — useful when eating a hot bowl of ramen.
- Restroom note: There is a restroom door inside the restaurant area. The posted sign asks guests to close the door fully, which is a small but useful detail if you are dining in.
FAQ
What is the tomato ramen place in Gangnam? Taiyo no Tomato Ramen (태양의 토마토 라멘 강남점) is a Japanese ramen chain with a Gangnam branch near Sinnonhyeon Station (Exit 6, Line 9). The restaurant serves tomato-based ramen in several variations — the most popular being Cheese Tomato Ramen (10,500 KRW). It is on the 2nd floor near CGV Gangnam and open daily 11 AM–9 PM.
Is Taiyo no Tomato Ramen good for people who don’t like tomatoes? Surprisingly, yes. The tomato flavor is present but not overpowering — it blends with the chicken broth to create a more balanced, savory taste. Several visitors who aren’t tomato fans have found it enjoyable.
Is it easy to find from Gangnam Station? The restaurant is actually closer to Sinnonhyeon Station (Exit 6, Line 9). From Gangnam Station, it’s about a 10-minute walk. Head toward CGV Gangnam and look for the large second-floor signage.
Can I eat here alone? Yes. The counter seats make solo dining normal here, and ordering is done by tablet, so you do not have to explain your order at the counter.
Is the shrimp cream ramen worth the extra effort? If it’s available, yes. It sells out quickly (limited to 10 bowls per day), so arrive before noon to have the best chance of getting it.
Do they accept English orders? Ordering is done via tablet at your seat, which includes images of each dish. No Korean language skills required.
Would I Go Back?
Yes, if I were already in Gangnam or Sinnonhyeon and wanted a quick lunch that is different without being difficult. I would not send someone across Seoul just for this bowl, but I would happily recommend it to a visitor who likes tomato pasta, wants to eat alone without stress, or needs a simple lunch near CGV Gangnam.
The cheese tomato ramen is the best first order. If you strongly dislike tomato-based soups, skip it. If you are curious, mix the cheese into the broth before judging it; the bowl gets better after the first few bites.
Rating: 4/5 Best for: Solo diners, office lunch, adventurous eaters Skip if: You strongly dislike tomato-based dishes
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