Apgujeong Rodeo room dining with mom, wagyu shabu set: Shabu In Seoul

I went to Apgujeong Rodeo with my mom recently. When it's just the two of us I always agonize over where to eat, but since she loves shabu-shabu I took her to Shabu In Seoul Apgujeong Rodeo, a well-known shabu-shabu spot in Apgujeong. We got the Black Nine wagyu, and it was such a good choice that I have to write this up as a strong recommendation!

Where is Shabu In Seoul Apgujeong Rodeo, and when is it open?

• 📍 12 Seolleung-ro 155-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 2nd floor
• ⏰ Daily 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM / break time 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
• 🅿️ Valet parking, ₩5,000 for 2 hours

Valet parking at Shabu In Seoul: 5,000 won for two hours

Parking in Apgujeong can be a hassle, but Shabu In Seoul Apgujeong Rodeo offers valet parking for just ₩5,000. Even with a car, you can hand it over and walk straight in, which meant we didn't have to worry about parking at all and could just focus on the meal. (The valet guy told us three separate times not to stop anywhere even if we finished eating early, haha.)

Shabu In Seoul Apgujeong Rodeo is a premium shabu-shabu dining restaurant on the 2nd floor of the building. The moment we walked in, the atmosphere was way more upscale and calm than I expected — I was glad I'd brought my mom here, haha.

I could tell right away she was loving it, which made me happy too! Honestly a great pick if you're hosting guests or bringing your parents.

Ordering the Black Nine wagyu shabu set for two by tablet

Every table has a tablet, and at Shabu In Seoul Apgujeong Rodeo you order through it. There are only two decisions to make: 1. Broth, 2. Meat.

On the left were five kinds of broth. I was really curious about the crab and doenjang (soybean paste) broth, but my mom wasn't interested, so haha, we picked the most basic one — clear mushroom.

There were six kinds of meat.

• Grade 1 black pork belly
• Grade 1 black pork shoulder
• Prime Angus eye of round
• Prime Angus tri-tip ⭐ BEST
• 1++ Hanwoo bottom sirloin
• Black Nine wagyu flat iron

We ordered the Black Nine wagyu shabu set for two plus an extra order of mixed vegetables!

Everything from the broth to the wagyu was so good we kept gasping the whole meal. The Black Nine wagyu flat iron in particular — the meat itself was so tender and delicious it practically melted in my mouth, haha. The portion was huge too, tender and completely satisfying. We're definitely getting the Black Nine wagyu again next time.

The matcha ice cream that shows up later was provided as part of a review event! It's so luxurious and delicious, don't miss it.

Inside Shabu In Seoul Apgujeong Rodeo: rooms, window seats, island counter

Shabu In Seoul Apgujeong Rodeo is running a corkage-free event right now. The wine display is so stylish — makes me want to set up my own wine or liquor collection like that at home someday.

The dining time limit is 1 hour 30 minutes! Shabu In Seoul Apgujeong Rodeo also has baby chairs and a portable charger rental service.

Overall the interior was really clean and upscale. Beyond 2-, 4-, 6-person tables and larger group seating, there are also private rooms and window seats — lots of different seating types. In the center of the restaurant are island-style seats for 2-4 people, with private rooms to the left and larger tables plus window seats to the right.

Three private rooms with glass doors

You could tell every detail was thought through — efficient for serving shabu-shabu, enough distance between tables that conversations stay private, and tables large enough to handle lots of vegetable and meat orders. (I was completely won over, haha.)

There were more private rooms than I expected, which would be great for family meals or important occasions. There are three rooms, numbered 1, 2, 3, all with glass doors — you can leave them open so it doesn't feel stuffy, or draw the white curtains for privacy.

Behind the 6-person table where a group of six guys who looked like coworkers were having a good time, there were two or three raised island seats — a slightly unusual setup. Mostly families or people dining with their parents sat there.

You'd expect a shabu-shabu place to feel a bit crowded and noisy, but this one had a calm, relaxed atmosphere overall, perfect for a leisurely meal with my mom. Exactly right for a day when you want to eat quietly and just talk with your mom.

What really stood out that day was the staff. Every single one of them was so attentive it didn't feel like part-timers were serving us — my mom kept commenting on how kind everyone was. I honestly thought the owner was personally waiting on us, haha. The food matters, but these small touches really elevate the whole dining experience.

How to eat shabu-shabu here: broth-matched dessert and minced garlic

After ordering, there was a guide on how to eat at Shabu In Seoul Apgujeong Rodeo with my mom, so I read it carefully.

• ✔️ Each broth pairs with a different dessert! Clear mushroom – egg porridge / Spicy mushroom – rosé risotto / Crab doenjang – doenjang rice roll / Sukiyaki – yakisoba / Beef tomato – tomato risotto
• ✔️ Omija (schisandra berry) tea is served with dessert
• ✔️ Add minced garlic to the broth and sauce! (This felt like the real trick — it really brings up the flavor)

Our food arrived! Even the bowls were so my style. I did exactly as instructed, haha — the moment the broth arrived I threw in the minced garlic. This broth was really my style. Not overly salty or strong-flavored, but savory with depth, the kind you keep wanting to spoon up. My mom said the broth was rich and delicious too, so it wasn't just me being hungry!

Vegetable plate with bunmoja noodles and julienned green onion

True to a premium shabu-shabu spot, the vegetables were super fresh. What set it apart from other shabu-shabu places was that it included glass noodles (bunmoja) and finely julienned green onion — much easier to eat that way.

The star of the meal: Black Nine wagyu ribeye

And now, today's star — the Black Nine wagyu! Flat iron cut, haha. So delicious, how could it not be. Looks great, and don't even get me started on the taste.

A quick photo before it goes into the broth!

Another thing that set Shabu In Seoul Apgujeong Rodeo apart from other shabu-shabu places was the tools, haha — they looked seriously professional-grade. Easy to grip, easy to cut.

Each table has sauce-making ingredients set out, so we scooped into our own sauce bowls and added cheongyang chili and minced garlic. Chili sauce / soy-oil sauce / sesame sauce, with chili and crushed garlic added — the sauces suddenly become so much more elevated, haha.

Once the vegetables cooked a bit and the broth started boiling, we turned the heat down to 4 and dropped in the meat! In goes the top-grade Black Nine wagyu flat iron!

So tender! Really soft, and thanks to the amazing broth, it tastes elevated even without dipping it in any sauce.

On top of that, we used the two sheets of rice paper to make fresh spring rolls, and when we needed more, added another order of mixed vegetables! So good, haha.

We figured vegetables digest fast so we should eat plenty, so we added extra mixed vegetables — and let's just say my mom and I both ended up with bellies full as a mountain, haha. We finished off every last bit of the chewy, well-cooked glass noodles too.

Egg porridge, omija tea and matcha ice cream to finish

When you request dessert, about 10 minutes later a staff member comes over and adds the reserved broth into rice (this part was different from other shabu-shabu places!)

They generously top it with sesame oil, pepper, and seaweed to make a really elevated vegetable porridge!! And with it came the refreshing omija tea for dessert.

And we finished it all off with the incredibly delicious matcha ice cream from the review event!!