If you've been in Korea long enough, you will have heard someone or another talking about ramen. In the case of Korea, this means instant ramen, which comes in a number of usually hot and spicy varieties. In the United States, we are also familiar with the instant version of ramen that sells under various names including Top Ramen and Cup O'Noodles.

Ramen originally came from China, where the noodles are called "lo-mein". Nobody knows who first introduced the Japanese to this noodle, but it had become a favorite dish in Sapporo, the capital of the northern province of Hokkaido. The ramen craze spread throughout Japan, to the point where it is almost impossible to not cross paths with a ramen restaurant anywhere in that country. In the 1970's, the craze spread to North America and other parts of the world. Ramen became popular in Korea during the 80's with the introduction of Shin Ramen, the best selling brand in Korea.

The Ramen sold at this restaurant has nothing in common with the instant varieties, except for the name. If you've ever been to Japan and tried ramen at any street-side shop, you would understand when I say instant ramen doesn't even hold second noodle (excuse the pun) to the fresh ramen made by an expert ramen chef; A good chef has to train for almost a decade to amass the ability required to make a truly satisfying bowl of steaming ramen noodles.

Kyushu Ramen continues that tradition by introducing one of Japan's most well-known Ramen chain names to Korea; it is one of the only places in Korea where you can have authentic, fresh, Japanese Ramen noodles.

The menu offer a number of different Ramen dishes for varying tastes. The noodles at Kyushu Ramen are hand-made, as they should be. There are three basic varieties of soup bases used to make ramen: soy-sauce (shoyu ramen), (tonkotsu ramen), and fermented bean paste (miso ramen). You will find all three types of soups at Kyushu Ramen. In addition, the menu includes a number of "regional favorites" such as the Tonkotsu Ramen from Fukuoka, the Shoyu Ramen that is the specialty in Tokyo, the Buttered Corn Ramen that comes from ramen's native land of Sapporo, and the Char-Siu Ramen with Chinese Barbecued Pork. Ramen prices range from 5,500 for the Tonkotsu Ramen to 8,800 won for the Paigo Ramen.

The restaurant also offer a variety of dishes similar to those found at any Udon restaurant - Katsu (pork cutlet), Donburi (rice bowl dishes), and Soba (cold noodles), to name a few. There is even a "Koreanized" dish, Nagasaki Jambong, to satisfy the taste of even the most finicky of Korean eaters that refuses to eat any food other than Korean. These dishes run from 5,500 won for the Katsu-don to 11,000 won for the Yamakake Soba. There is also a Shrimp-katsu that runs 13,200.

Finally, there is a selection of appetizers including Gyoza (potstickers), fried oysters, Chicken Karake (fried chicken), Char-Siu (Chinese Barbecued Pork), and others. These range from 3,300 won for the Gyoza to 7,700 won for the fried oysters.

If you're looking for an inexpensive, tasty meal, then Kyushu Ramen is the place to go. The restaurant is clean, and it is located right in the heart of the shopping district of Apkujong-dong. There is also a sushi restaurant located on the second floor with private rooms available. Once you try the food here, it will change your mind about ramen forever.