Korean Ramen Heaven: 88 Ramyun Stage at The Hyundai

Welcome to Korean ramen heaven! The 88 Ramyun stage at The Hyundai mall in Seoul’s Yeoido is covered, floor to ceiling, in instant ramen. Virtually the entire inventory of Korean instant noodles is available in this tiny shop. However, the best part is, everything is sorted in rainbow colors AND they sell ramen cake!

The Story Behind 88 Ramyun Stage

88 Ramyun stage began as a pop-up store that opened in January of this year. The B2B food and beverage business platform Wecook opened the pop-up in order to promote its business.

Wecook is a company that deals with all of the logistics of running a business. They aid in recruitment, the operation of share kitchens, advertising, etc. Actually, it is quite uncommon for a B2B business to open a pop-up store such as this that services the general public. But, well, it definitely worked!

The shop lit Korean social media on fire. Nearly every influencer in Korea has a set of posts against the backdrop of the rainbow-colored instant ramen wall. Although the pop-up was originally set to only be opened for a few months, it seems that it is now a permanent fixture in South Korea’s trendiest mall – The Hyundai.

The Ramen

88 Ramyun stage has an impressive ramen inventory. They have any instant ramen that you would typically see at your local Korean supermarket and so much more! 

They have the typical Shin ramen, Guri ramen, and Chapagetti. Plus they have every variation available of the internationally acclaimed Fire Chicken Noodles (불닭볶음면). Besides well-known favorites, 88 Ramyun Stage also sells a few new releases, local favorites, and indie brands. As an instant ramen fanatic, I have a few recommendations. 

Roasting Jjajeongmyun Truffle Oil

My first recommendation is Roasting Jjajeongmyeon Truffle Oil. It is sooo good! The noodles are triple roasted, so they don’t get too soggy even if you overcook them a bit. And, who doesn’t love truffle? However, besides being delicious, I’m also a big fan of the company that releases them. Pulmuone uses pesticide-free ingredients from farms located in Korea. They are a brand that is known for being environmentally friendly and having positive relationships with its partner farms.

Pat Kalguksu

I consider myself a flavor adventurer and this ramen is definitely not for the faint of heart. These are knife-cut noodles in a red bean paste broth. It’s similar to read bean porridge, but the rice has been replaced by noodles. While most modern interpretations of red bean porridge are sweet, this instant noodle mimics the OG pat flavor. It’s salty and savory. If you are someone who likes halmae-mat (grandmas’ favorites) as much as I do, you should definitely try this instant noodle!

Reeva Shrimp Flavor

Reeva is one of the many international instant ramen brands you can find at 88 Ramyun Stage. It is a popular instant ramen brand from Vietnam. And, I know why! It has the signature well-rounded flavor typical of South East Asian cuisine. I found the Reeva Shrimp to have a light seafood taste, a bit of a spicy punch, topped with a refreshing citrus flavor.

Other Products

You will find that they don’t just sell ramen at 88 Ramyun stage. They also sell ramen accessories! Their inventory does change from time to time. However, currently, they sell ramen pots, ramen timers, and even ramen croc plugs.

If you are looking for the perfect gift for a friend who is obsessed with instant noodles, this will be your one-stop shop. To make things convenient, they even sell gift sets. The gift sets come in Korean-style ramen pots, including a few packets of ramen, and a few ramen-themed knick nacks.

Ramen Cake

What has put 88 Ramen Stage on the map as a weekend destination is their eye-catching ramen cakes. You can purchase their ramen cakes for between 5,500 to 6,000 won. While they call them cakes, they are more like a parfait. 

The ramen cakes are sold in cups with a crumbly cake-like base, with layers of cream and some fruit pure depending on your chosen flavor. Then, they are topped with a sweet doughy layer that imitates ramen noodles. Finally, the toppings of your choice are added. The eggs and bacon pits are made of gummies and the jjajang sauce is made of sweet red bean paste.

Conclusion

88 Ramyun is a must-visit destination for those who love ramen. The store is not very big so it is an easy stopover if you are already in the neighborhood. 

However, being the most popular mall in all of South Korea, The Hyundai is best avoided on the weekends. 88 Ramyun Stage is located in the basement near the mall’s food court. As a result, it is hell on earth during peak hours plus, if you arrive late, they may run out of popular items. The mall is open until 8 PM on the weekdays. And so, if you live in Seoul it is a great place to go after work or stop before relaxing at the Han River on a day off.

The Hyundai Seoul (더현대 서울)

Address:   108, Yeoui-daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Korean Address:  서울 영등포구 여의대로 108 더현대 서울
Operating Hours: 10:30 AM - 08:00 PM

Click Here to learn more about The Hyundai! The mall is one of the most beautiful malls in the world, featuring terraced gardens and indoor waterfalls.