Suyeong bar for flower hot pot and giant futomaki: Daeun

Today, I went to Daeun (대운) in Namcheon-dong for a warm nabe (Japanese hot pot) and giant futomaki.

Daeun is a place where you can enjoy both Korean and Japanese dishes. I heard they make their food with fresh ingredients.

Why We Ordered Flower Hot Pot and Giant Futomaki

It seemed like their most famous option was the set that arrives as a generously loaded full table, but we were craving a warm hot pot today, so we ordered the flower hot pot and giant futomaki. This pairing went so much better than I expected that I wanted to recommend it, haha.

Daeun Namcheon-dong's Atmosphere and Seating

The restaurant felt larger in person than it looks in this photo. There were seats farther inside and a variety of tables, so it looked like a decent place to visit with a group too.

As you would expect from a Japanese-style drinking spot, there was a wide selection of alcohol, making it a nice atmosphere for having a drink with your food.

Once we sat down, a jeon (Korean savory pancake) came out first, along with the basic side dishes. They were not just the usual ordinary restaurant sides; each had a little character, so they were fun to look over. As we waited while eating the jeon, the flower hot pot—today's main dish—arrived!

A Warm Flower Hot Pot Rolled Like Blossoms

Just like its name, it really looked like I was looking at flowers. The ingredients were layered and rolled up, similar to mille-feuille nabe, but even ordinary mille-feuille hot pot is not easy to make beautifully. Seeing every piece rolled individually into flowers was so fascinating. It made me think, wow, even a simple hot pot can look this pretty, haha.

What’s Inside the Fist-Sized Giant Futomaki

While the hot pot came to a boil, we tried the giant futomaki first. It was truly huge, just as its name suggests. It was almost fist-sized, so it felt a little intimidating to put in my mouth in one bite, lol. But honestly, I loved that 😋

When I looked inside, there were large pieces of salmon and egg, plus shrimp tempura, so it felt completely packed with fillings.

I also love burdock root in gimbap (seaweed rice rolls), and I liked that it was included here in a soft, tender form. With so many ingredients in one piece, every bite had all kinds of textures. Even one futomaki felt quite filling, so I think it would be fine without ordering a separate rice dish.

Flower Hot Pot That Tasted Even Better After Simmering

As we ate the futomaki, the hot pot began bubbling away too. After it was fully cooked, I tried the flower hot pot, and personally, it tasted much better after simmering than it did when I was simply admiring its shape. Maybe because of its rolled structure, it felt like the meat juices and vegetable broth were held inside. Eating it with the soup made the flavors feel rich and full in my mouth.

I think anyone who likes shabu-shabu or warm nabe dishes would have fun with this. It looks different from standard mille-feuille nabe, so it is enjoyable to look at, and it was nice watching the ingredients cook as it simmered. It was also the perfect dish for a drink with warm broth on a chilly day.

Ordering a warm hot pot together with futomaki that you can eat almost like a rice meal, as we did, seems like a great combination. The flower hot pot lets you enjoy warm broth and ingredients, while the futomaki lets you eat big fillings all at once, so it was fun having two very different dishes together. It would also suit anyone who wants to share a variety of food rather than eat just one menu item.

When I’d Recommend Daeun

If you want to enjoy a pretty hot pot and giant futomaki together in Namcheon-dong, keep Daeun in mind. It was also a nice place to visit on a day when you want to pair delicious food with a drink. The flower hot pot especially stayed with me because it looked beautiful and was served warm, haha.

• People looking for a good warm hot pot in Namcheon-dong
• People who like generously sized giant futomaki
• People who enjoy shabu-shabu and nabe dishes
• People who want to try a visually beautiful hot pot
• People who want Japanese-style drinking snacks and a variety of alcohol together
• People looking for a place to share a hearty meal with friends or companions

The flower hot pot, rolled up like flowers, was especially impressive to me, and it paired so well with the giant futomaki. If you are looking for warm food and a drink in Namcheon-dong, give it a visit!