Booth-seat shabu-shabu course in Hapjeong, Seoul: Shabu in Seoul

The mornings and evenings have gotten chilly lately, so I was craving hot shabu-shabu. So I went straight to Shabu in Seoul, one of my favorites. I'd visited the Sinyongsan branch before with Cheongmo and friends, but this time I had errands in Hapjeong, so I tried the Hapjeong branch! The vibe was great and the service exceeded expectations, so let me write this review right away ~~!!🖤

Shabu in Seoul Hapjeong Branch

• 📍Shabu in Seoul Hapjeong Branch, Basement 2, Delight Square 1, 14 World Cup-ro 1-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• ⏱️Daily 11:00–22:00 (break time 15:00–17:00)
• 🅿️Delight Square 1 parking lot / up to 3 hours

How to find Shabu in Seoul Hapjeong Branch from Hapjeong Station

Shabu in Seoul Hapjeong Branch is on basement level 2 of Delight Square 1. You can find it easily by following the Delight Square passage (the one with the Kyobo Book Centre sign) down to B2. It's also clearly marked on the building's floor directory, so even I, who's terrible with directions, found it without wandering around.

There's a menu banner out front along with a large screen playing videos, so it was easy to check the menu before going in. What stood out was the thoughtful touch at the entrance: a sign saying 'have a cool drink' next to a beverage dispenser for waiting customers!

Inside Shabu in Seoul Hapjeong Branch: why the booth seats suit dates and wedding-invitation dinners

The moment you step in, the overall interior of modern yet natural wood and beige tones gives off a really warm, upscale feeling. Shabu in Seoul Hapjeong Branch is thoughtfully arranged with booth seats, group round tables, and standard tables so you can enjoy it however suits your group size and purpose. Since most seats are booths, outside eyes and noise are naturally blocked off, making it really well suited for dates, small gatherings of 2–4, or wedding-invitation meetups.

The sofa seats are plush and soft so you're comfortable even sitting for a long time, and each table has a tablet, tissues, and a neat setup of utensils and sauce dishes.

Ordering at Shabu in Seoul Hapjeong Branch: meat, broth and what comes with the set

Shabu in Seoul is a premium shabu-shabu dining concept where you mix and match your meat and broth yourself!

• 1. Choose a premium meat (1 of 6)
• 2. Choose a signature broth (1 of 4)
• Base set: total 11 vegetables (5 veggies, 4 mushrooms, glass noodles, bunmoja) plus a finishing meal and finishing drink (omija tea/schisandra berry tea) included

The biggest charm of Shabu in Seoul is that the finishing meal changes depending on which broth you pick! It really feels like eating a course meal. I always used to go for the clear mushroom broth, but this time I tried the spicy mushroom broth!

Black pork belly and prime Angus chuck flat in the spicy mushroom broth

What we ordered

• ✔️ First-grade black pork belly (1 serving)
• ✔️ Prime Angus chuck flat (1 serving)
• ✔️ Spicy mushroom broth / rose risotto

The vegetable basket was packed full — shiitake, oyster mushrooms, enoki and various other mushrooms, sweet pumpkin, bean sprouts, napa cabbage, plus glass noodles and cute character-shaped bunmoja rice cakes. The prime chuck flat had gorgeous red color and marbling. Dipped briefly in the broth, it was savory and tender to bite into — amazing. I was a little worried the black pork belly might have any off-smell, but there was none at all — tender, clean-tasting fat layers that paired well with the spicy broth.

Each table comes neatly set with bottles of chili sauce, sesame sauce, and soy sauce, along with garlic, minced chili, and white kimchi pickles. Mixing the meat and vegetables with different sauces was genuinely fun.

The mushroom-based clean broth with added spice made for a hot, refreshing soup that was outstanding.

As the vegetables and meat simmered, the broth's flavor grew deeper and richer over time.

The finish at Shabu in Seoul Hapjeong Branch: rose risotto and omija tea

One reason I chose the spicy mushroom broth was this rose risotto finish! After you finish eating, if you ask, they'll stir-fry rice with the leftover broth base, their special rose sauce, cheese, and pepper until thick and rich. One bite in, I thought 'wait, a shabu-shabu place makes risotto this good?' — it was savory and rich, seriously impressive. I'd always finished with egg porridge before, so this felt like a new adventure, and I was very satisfied!

Toward the end of the meal, they bring out omija tea (schisandra berry tea) in a double-walled glass. It's a sweet-tart, clean finish that washes away the greasy feeling left in your mouth, ending the meal on a happy note.

Is Shabu in Seoul Hapjeong Branch worth it for shabu-shabu near Hapjeong Station?

Shabu in Seoul Hapjeong Branch delivered a proper course-meal experience — fresh premium shabu-shabu in a tidy, upscale setting, followed by a thoughtfully made rose risotto and refreshing omija tea. I'd strongly recommend it for a special date with someone you love, as well as for wedding-invitation gatherings or family meals with people who matter to you. If you're looking for a polished, good-vibe restaurant near Hapjeong Station, definitely give it a visit!