Visiting Hongdae's CU Ramen Library in Korea (Everything You Need to Know)

Ramen Libraries have become a bit of a viral sensation, with other ramen libraries popping up all over Seoul and in the rest of Asia and into North America as well. If you're wanting to visit a Ramen Library while in Seoul, I recommend checking out the CU Ramen Library in the Hongdae neighborhood. It's easy to get to, and they have directions in English and Korean with a great selection of ramen and various toppings - meaning your first ramen library experience will be a great one!

My Essential Korea Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

For flights, I recommend using Hopper to compare the cheapest travel dates to South Korea.

Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars - just make sure to have a copy of your international driver's permit with you!

I always use AGODA's  easy-to-use platform for hotels in Asia.

To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required) - make sure to have NordVPN ready too while you surf random wifi connections.

For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.

Lastly, my essential packing list when traveling.

Finding the Ramen Library in Hongdae

The actual name of this Ramen Library and CU (a popular convenience store in Korea) location is the "CU Hongik Univ. Sangsang Branch" on NAVER, and is located right outside the famous Hongdae Street. If you type it into NAVER Maps or Kakao Maps it should bring you right there through the app. This area of Seoul is pretty international, so if you get lost you should be able to ask some people nearby to help you.

If you're using the Seoul subway system, the closest subway station to the Ramen Library is the "Hapjeong Station" on the Green Line 2 or Red Line 6, exiting through Exit 3 and then about a 10 minute walk from there. Since this CU is open 24/7/365, there isn't really a time to go or to avoid. I visited in the middle of the day, and there were only a few other people there.

My Favorite Activities in Seoul : 
- Full Day DMZ Tour from Seoul
- Lotte World Tower at Seoul Sky
​- Afternoon Tea on the Han River

Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting

Since the Ramen Library is open 24/7/365, there isn't really a "best" time to go - however I'd recommend timing your visit for when you're feeling hungriest. When you get inside, you'll see the Ramen Library area of the store right away since it's on the street side of the store with large windows.

Before you start making your ramen, you'll need to gather all the ingredients and toppings you want in addition to the type of ramen you plan to cook! On the left side of the store you'll find a refrigerated section that has all the toppings - from meat to seafood, veggies to eggs, the possibilities are pretty endless. On the right side you'll find an entire wall of all different kinds of ramen, organized from the least spiciest to the most spiciest. Once you have everything you want to add to your bowl, you can head to the checkout and pay for everything - and once you pay, you'll be given a bowl to cook your ramen in.

After you pay, you'll follow the directions for whichever kind of ramen you chose to make. In the middle of the store, you'll find the miniature stovetops, all you need to do is scan the barcode on the side of your bowl and place your noodles in the bowl on the stovetop. Once the machine scans your bowl, it'll fill it up with the needed amount of water and boil it on a timer! After it's done, you can add all the toppings you purchased and create your ramen masterpiece!

Most tables in the ramen library are standing space only, and tables are shaped as giant instant ramen cups, so you'll want to keep that in mind. However, there are a few seats lining the windows if you need a spot to sit. After you enjoy your meal, you can simply clean everything up and head on your way!

Watch my Adventures in Korea here!

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Other Blog Posts you might be interested in : 
-> 25 Best Street Foods in Korea
-> COEX Mall Complete Guide
-> My Color Analysis in Korea

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