Iwata

About

A Japanese ramen shop tucked beside the stairway in the basement food court of Yeouido’s Manhattan Building, serving clear double-stock and rich chicken-paitan ramen.

In Yeongdeungpo’s Yeouido, Iwata makes its case with two very different kinds of ramen: clear broth seasoned with soy, salt, or chili, and richer paitan versions built around chicken. The choice is more than a matter of color. It sets the tone for the bowl, whether you want a clean, savory soup or something heavier and more comforting. Paitan shoyu is a defining order. Its deep brown broth combines the weight of chicken soup with soy’s salty edge, topped with chashu, a seasoned egg, menma, scallions, and nori. One visit found the chashu especially soft and the egg’s yolk still tender; the same diner thought the thin noodles were softer than ideal and found the garlic notably assertive. That contrast is useful to know: this is a bowl for anyone who welcomes bold, savory flavors, while diners seeking a firmer noodle bite may want to request it. The menu allows choices for both noodle firmness and seasoning. For a lighter route, shoyu and shio belong to the clear-soup lineup; akara adds a spicy option, with heat adjustable according to one account. The paitan family also comes in shio and spicy akara forms. Beyond soup, mazesoba brings a different rhythm: seasoned minced meat, greens, scallions, seaweed, and egg yolk are mixed through the noodles, with rice available to finish the remaining sauce. Karaage is another tempting detour, described by a diner as hot and crisp straight from the fryer. Iwata’s setting suits a quick solo lunch as well as a meal with company. A long counter makes eating alone feel natural, while two- and four-person tables offer room for small groups. It sits on the basement level of the Manhattan Building, the former Yeouido Department Store, and can be easy to miss among the basement eateries. Lunch queues are reported, so an early arrival may help. Beer and highballs extend the menu into after-work territory: a bowl of ramen, a cold draft, and the low-key bustle of a neighborhood lunch spot.