Tonikaku Ramen Busan Station Review 2026: Miso, Tomato & Gyoza
Craving something beyond the usual in Busan? Discover Tonikaku Ramen near Busan Station! Our 2026 review covers their unique miso and tomato ramens, plus must-try gyoza.
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Craving something beyond the usual in Busan? Discover Tonikaku Ramen near Busan Station! Our 2026 review covers their unique miso and tomato ramens, plus must-try gyoza.
When you're looking for a lunch spot near Busan Station, what usually comes to mind?
For many, it's often classic Korean dishes like Pork Soup (Dwaeji Gukbap) or Cold Wheat Noodles (Milmyeon).
I've had my fair share of Gukbap every time I visit Busan Station, but this trip, I was craving something a little different.
That's how I ended up at Tonikaku Ramen, a well-regarded spot known for its delicious Japanese-style ramen near Busan Station.
If you're in the mood for authentic ramen in the area, this place is definitely worth checking out. Here’s my honest review after trying it myself.
Easy to Find from Busan Station!
Tonikaku Ramen is conveniently located on the second floor of a building near the Choryang Post Office, heading towards Choryang Station from Busan Station.
You might walk past it at first, but with a clear sign on the first floor and a prominent 'Ramen' sign on the second floor, it's easy to spot.
It's not far from Busan Station, making it a convenient stop for lunch or dinner, especially if you're looking for an alternative to the usual Korean fare.
📍 Tonikaku Ramen
3-6, Jungang-daero 236beon-gil, Dong-gu, Busan, South Korea, 2nd Floor
📍 Operating Hours
Monday - Friday: 11:00 AM - 8:30 PM (Last order at 8:00 PM)
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Closed Sundays and Public Holidays
*Note: They may close early if ingredients run out.
I arrived around 11:00 AM, right at opening time, and there was no waiting. However, by about 11:40 AM, as I was finishing my meal, the place was almost full with only a few empty seats left.
Cozy and Efficient Layout, Great for Solo Diners!
As you open the door, you'll immediately see the kitchen.
While there are a couple of 2-person and 4-person tables further inside, there are plenty of bar seats facing the wall, making it a perfect spot if you're dining alone.
Beyond the innermost tables and some of the wall-facing bar seats, the kitchen is largely visible.
Watching the chefs prepare the meals kept me entertained while I waited for my order.
Every Menu Item is a Winner!
The ramen menu features Tomato Ramen, Miso Ramen, Kara Miso Ramen (available in spice levels 1-3), and for the summer months, Hiyashi Chuka Cold Ramen.
All the hot ramens share a common miso base, with variations for tomato, original, and spicy flavors.
I've visited several times and tried both the Tomato Ramen and Miso Ramen. My companions, who enjoy a bit of heat, opted for the Kara Miso Ramen.
Hearty and Savory Miso Ramen
The Miso Ramen tasted like the comforting miso soup you'd find at a Japanese tonkatsu restaurant – savory and delicious without being overpowering. It's a gentle, satisfying flavor that's easy to enjoy.
Tomato Ramen: A Refreshing Blend of Tangy and Slightly Spicy
When my Tomato Ramen first arrived, the aroma reminded me of tomato pasta, which made me curious! But upon tasting the broth, a subtle spicy kick emerged first, followed by a gentle, lingering tomato flavor that was absolutely delightful.
The tomato flavor wasn't too strong, ensuring it didn't overwhelm the ramen experience; instead, it left a wonderfully clean aftertaste.
With onions mixed in, I found that stirring the broth and ingredients together made each bite even more flavorful.
All ramen dishes come with the same toppings: chashu (pork belly), a perfectly soft-boiled egg, and bean sprouts. The soft-boiled egg was cooked just right, and the chashu, thick and savory with its characteristic soy-braised flavor, paired wonderfully with the miso-based broth.
Since all the hot ramens share the same miso base, the main difference in taste comes from the spice level.
If you're looking for a truly unique flavor, the Tomato Ramen is excellent, but the classic Miso Ramen is also a fantastic choice.
The Kara Miso Ramen offers 3 levels of spice, but everyone's tolerance is different. My friend, who isn't great with spice, found even level 1 spicy, while another friend, who loves heat, said level 3 wasn't spicy enough for them!
Overall, the ramen here tends to have a generous amount of noodles relative to the broth. However, as you eat, the broth amount feels just right.
They also have a summer-only menu item called Hiyashi Chuka, a cold ramen, which I'll definitely have to try on my next visit!
Don't Skip the Gyoza!
I ordered the gyoza, reminiscent of the yakigyoza I've had in Japan, and it was absolutely delicious! It made the whole meal even better!
These are handmade gyoza with a perfectly thin wrapper, generously filled with vegetables – exactly the style I love.
The dipping sauce seemed to be soy sauce with a hint of chili oil. One bite and the flavors in your mouth completely transform.
Then, returning to the ramen, it felt like a fresh new experience, highlighting just how great the combination was.
If you're searching for a restaurant near Busan Station and want to try something different, Tonikaku Ramen is a thoroughly satisfying choice.
Wait times tend to increase as lunchtime approaches, so I recommend arriving a bit earlier to secure your spot.
Tonikaku Ramen operates on Saturdays from 11 AM to 3 PM. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Please note that they may close earlier if ingredients run out.
Tonikaku Ramen is located on the 2nd floor of a building near Choryang Post Office, in the direction of Choryang Station from Busan Station. You can easily find it by looking for the signboard on the 1st floor and the protruding 'RAMEN' sign on the 2nd floor.
Miso Ramen has a light, savory, and rich soybean paste base flavor that isn't too strong, making it easy to enjoy without feeling overwhelmed. Tomato Ramen offers a slightly spicy taste blended with a subtle tomato flavor, resulting in a clean aftertaste, and it includes onions.
Tonikaku Ramen is great for solo diners as it has many bar seats facing the wall. There was no waiting around 11 AM, when they open, but it was almost full by 11:40 AM. A wait might develop as lunchtime approaches.
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