Nowon sushi buffet for group meals with tteokbokki: Kuu Kuu

A Nowon sushi buffet that pleased the whole family

When a weekend or special occasion rolls around, choosing somewhere the entire family can eat together is one of the biggest dilemmas, isn’t it? You have to satisfy everyone from older relatives to kids, so picking a menu is never easy.

The place my family and I visited together this time was Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch (쿠우쿠우 노원점), a Nowon favorite for family gatherings that won everyone over with its spacious, pleasant setting and varied menu.

How were the space, private rooms, and parking?

It is prominently located on the first floor of the Seoul Oncheon Building near Nowon Station, so it was very easy to find. As soon as we stepped inside, the bright, comfortable interior in natural wood and white tones welcomed us, and I loved the atmosphere right away. With an enormous space of more than 300 pyeong, it can comfortably accommodate groups. There are also private rooms that can be used almost like a private rental for anywhere from 14 to 200 people, so I could see why it is considered a top spot for Nowon company dinners and large gatherings.

There was good news for anyone who enjoys a drink, too. They are running a review event that offers unlimited real Terra and Kelly draft beer for free—not budget beer like Filite—so you can pair your meal with a refreshing draft without feeling the extra cost.

For reference, the standard dining time is 2 hours, but it becomes 1 hour 30 minutes if there are guests waiting. There is a dedicated parking lot behind the building with 2 hours of free parking, but it can fill up on weekends and public holidays, so taking public transportation or using a nearby paid lot may be a good idea.

The sushi corner with generously sized fish toppings

As soon as we were shown to our table, I headed straight for the sushi corner, the heart of this Nowon sushi buffet. Just as I had heard, the variety of sushi was truly incredible.

I heard that the fish portions were recently made larger so the texture of flatfish and salmon would fill your mouth, and after trying them, I could see it was true. The fish was very generously cut while the rice portion was just right, letting the rich flavor of the seafood come through. The shrimp sushi made with sweet shrimp had extra savoriness, and even the flying-fish-roe gunkan sushi, with roe that popped in my mouth, was fresher than expected.

For my first plate, I loaded up on fresh raw salmon sushi, thick-topped flatfish sushi, red yuk sashimi gunkan sushi, and sushi topped with springy shrimp.

Hot dishes and sides that rival a specialty restaurant

What makes this place such a real hit is not only its sushi selection, but also the quality of its hot dishes and side menus, which were every bit as good as those from a specialty restaurant.

I do not usually expect much when I pick up meat dishes or sides at a buffet, but here, even the look of everything made my mouth water. There was an amazing variety of meats, including nicely browned chicken drumettes, crispy fried shrimp, sweet-and-sour pork, barbecue, smoked duck, and lamb chops.

The LA galbi and tteokbokki I refilled again and again

Among them, the dishes that completely won my heart were definitely the LA galbi and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes). The LA galbi had a subtle smoky aroma and a deeply soaked-in sweet-savory marinade. The meat was so tender, and it slipped right off the bone—so delicious. Buffet galbi is often tough or only coated on the outside with sauce, but this LA galbi was pleasantly sweet and became nuttier the more I chewed, so I cannot even count how many times I went back for more. The unexpected star of the buffet was this tteokbokki. Its thick, sweet-spicy sauce tasted just like the rice cakes we ate in front of school as students, and it was well absorbed into the rice cakes, cutting through the richness of the meat perfectly.

Beyond salmon sushi, the yukhoe sushi, aged-kimchi beef brisket sushi, takowasabi gunkan sushi, and savory inari sushi were all excellent one by one. The seafood and toppings on the sushi were very clean-tasting, with no fishiness at all, so even family members who are picky about sushi kept exclaiming and enjoying their food. As befits a well-known Nowon restaurant, food turnover was fast, so every sushi item felt moist and fresh as if it had just been made, even at a buffet.

Pizza, salads, and Dippin' Dots ice cream

Beyond the main dishes, there was clear care in the freshly baked pizza, savory soup, and salad bar as well. Fresh vegetable salad, pumpkin salad, and ricotta cheese made for a very satisfying palate cleanser.

Smoked duck and lamb chops full of their distinctive flavor were recently added, making it possible to enjoy a wide range of tastes across Korean and Western food. Best of all, I heard that Dippin’ Dots, previously available only at weekday dinner or on weekends, have been upgraded to be served at lunch as well. The colorful, sweet little ice cream beads are exactly the sort of thing children would love, so I think they will be especially popular with families visiting with kids during school breaks.

From generously sized, fresh sushi to sweet, tender LA galbi, addictive sweet-spicy tteokbokki, and varied desserts, every dish felt thoughtfully made and high in quality. Its spacious, open, comfortable dining room makes it great for group gatherings or company dinners, and the menu is full of options that everyone from older relatives to children can enjoy. I am definitely planning to return for an upcoming family gathering 👍