Nowon shabu-shabu restaurant with freshly sliced beef: Hana

Hana Shabu Shabu, a name that means flower

I looked it up because the name was unusual, and apparently it means “flower” in Japanese. True to its name, I was struck by the table set with such care, as though a single flower were blooming. I felt good from the moment we walked in because we were welcomed so warmly and kindly.

Spacious tables and group seating

The table was spacious, so I could sit comfortably with my friend. There is also plenty of group seating, so I thought it would be great for a family meal in Junggye or a company dinner in Nowon. There were seats by the bar as well, so the dining space felt roomy.

How are the vegetables prepared?

My friend is serious about food and always pays close attention to how ingredients have been prepped, haha. My friend loved how cleanly the vegetables were prepared. Even the mushrooms arrived so neatly arranged that they looked fresh before we had even started eating. At some shabu-shabu places, the vegetables can be roughly prepared, but here you could see the care put into every item. The portion of vegetables was generous too, which was satisfying. There were many kinds of mushrooms, and each was so neatly trimmed that it was a pleasure to eat throughout the meal.

Chilled beef sliced right after ordering

The beef was sliced when we ordered it. I could even see the chef slicing it in the kitchen. They said it was chilled beef, and the freshness was definitely different. The moment it went into my mouth, it was tender with absolutely no unpleasant smell. The more I chewed, the richer the beef tasted and the more its juices came through. Briefly swishing each slice in the broth really brought out the beef's natural flavor. The quality was clearly different from places using frozen meat. Since it was sliced immediately after ordering, the freshness was at its best.

Traditional house broth and a variety of sauces

The broth was wonderfully clean-tasting. They described it as a traditional house broth with a deep yet mild flavor, and it had a warmth that felt comforting in my stomach. Because it was not overpowering and let the natural flavors shine, I could taste the beef and vegetables even better. I loved the feeling of warming up as I sipped the broth. As the beef and vegetables cooked in it, I could feel the broth becoming deeper and richer.

Several house sauces were available, so we could enjoy different combinations depending on our tastes and mood. I alternated between sesame sauce and ponzu sauce, and they changed the flavor of the beef completely. My friend also tried different sauces and said they were delicious. With so many options, the meal stayed enjoyable right through to the end.

Finishing with udon in the broth

After finishing the beef and vegetables, we ended with udon. The flavors of the meat and vegetables had soaked into the broth, so the udon was really delicious. It was a clean, neat, and tasty finish. I was satisfied right up to the very last bite. I eat shabu-shabu often because I love it, and Hana Shabu Shabu felt wholesome thanks to its clean flavors, savory beef, and fresh vegetables.

A meal where even the small touches showed care

At Hana Shabu Shabu, I could feel the sincerity in every small gesture. From preparing the vegetables and slicing the beef to making the broth, it felt as if all the visible ingredients, atmosphere, and warm service were little “flowers,” each carefully brought into bloom to create a meal found only here. It felt nice to see how thoughtfully they treated every guest.

Parking and reservations

It was convenient that we could register for two hours of free underground parking. When looking for a good restaurant in Junggye-dong, it was nice to visit without worrying about parking. Reservations are available and group seating is fully equipped, so it may be even more convenient to reserve ahead.

Lunch shabu-shabu menu and prices

• Lunch 11:30–15:00, excluding weekends and public holidays: brisket + sirloin 150g ₩23,000 / sirloin 120g ₩26,000
• Lunch shabu-shabu course: brisket + sirloin 150g ₩27,000 / sirloin 120g ₩30,000
• Dinner from 15:00, including weekends and public holidays: brisket + sirloin 170g ₩29,000 / sirloin 150g ₩32,000
• Seiromushi, steamed in a hinoki cypress basket, and the seiromushi course are also offered at the same respective lunch and dinner prices as shabu-shabu.
• Add-ons: brisket 100g ₩12,000, sirloin 100g ₩19,000, vegetables ₩11,000, hinoki-steamed beef 150g ₩18,000
• Meal options: gyudon ₩10,000, mentaiju ₩10,000, marinated prawns 5 pieces ₩15,000

Seiromushi is steamed with hinoki cypress, apparently. Like a steamer basket~ I had the lunch shabu-shabu menu.

Seiromushi next time

Just as the restaurant describes itself as a place that creates “one-of-a-kind time” for any occasion—family gatherings, meals with friends, or dates—it was a special day with my friend and a pleasantly blooming mealtime at Hana Shabu Shabu! Next time, I want to try the seiromushi steamed with hinoki cypress too. I heard it tastes quite different from shabu-shabu, so I’m curious.