Hangang Ramen: How to Make Han River Ramen in Seoul

Have you ever seen people cooking instant ramen at a convenience store and enjoying it outdoors? In Korea, this is a popular way to enjoy a quick meal, especially at parks along the Hangang River in Seoul. Known as Hangang ramen (한강라면) or Han River ramen (한강라면), this simple meal has become a familiar part of Korean food culture.

The noodles themselves are familiar Korean instant ramen. The experience is different: you buy a packet at a convenience store, cook it in a special machine, then take your hot meal outside to eat by the river. It is an easy meal and a casual way to enjoy time outdoors.

Inside a Korean convenience store, customers can choose from a wide selection of instant noodles, cook them at self-service machines, and enjoy them at nearby tables.

Quick Facts About Hangang Ramen

Korean name: 한강라면 (Hangang ramyeon)
What it is: Packet instant ramen cooked in a special convenience-store machine
Best-known setting: Convenience stores at parks along Seoul’s Hangang River
Popular parks: Yeouido, Banpo, Mangwon, and Ttukseom
Good for: A casual picnic, a quick meal, or a break during a riverside walk
Keep in mind: Machine instructions, store hours, and available toppings vary by location

What Is Han River Ramen?

Han River ramen is instant ramen cooked using a special ramen machine commonly found at some Korean convenience stores. The name comes from its popularity at convenience stores in the Han River parks in Seoul. People began buying instant ramen at these stores and cooking it themselves using special ramen machines. As this experience became popular, the name Han River ramen came into use.

Hangang ramen machines at a Korean convenience store, with cooking instructions and recipe suggestions displayed above.

Despite its name, Han River ramen is not limited to the Han River. Today, you can also find ramen machines at convenience stores in other locations across Korea. The name reflects where this style of ramen became popular, rather than a place where it can only be eaten.

Picnic tables and ramen-themed displays outside a Korean convenience store, where visitors can sit and enjoy their Hangang ramen.

How to Use a Han River Ramen Machine

Using the ramen machine is simple, but the controls vary by store. Follow the instructions and pictures shown at the cooking station.

Buy packet ramen at the convenience store. Choose your flavor and pay before going to the machine.
Get the designated cooking bowl. Use the bowl provided for the ramen machine, not a regular cup-noodle container.
Put the noodles and seasoning in the bowl. Add any toppings you bought, following the store’s instructions.
Choose your ramen on the machine. Some machines let you select a type from the screen; others may ask you to scan the packet’s barcode.
Follow the water instructions. Depending on the machine, it may dispense the water automatically or ask you to add it yourself.
Start cooking and wait. The machine heats the water and cooks the noodles. Wait until the timer finishes before lifting the bowl.
Carry the ramen carefully. The bowl will be hot, so hold it as directed and take it to your picnic spot.
Clean up when you finish. Follow the signs for disposing of leftover soup, food waste, and packaging.

Place the noodles and seasoning in the designated bowl, then follow the machine’s instructions to cook them. The steps may vary by machine, so check the directions displayed at the store.