Shabu kalguksu with boiled pork in Seongnam: Daonjeong

Why I went to Daonjeong for kalguksu in Wirye

Kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) is something most people love. We go out for it at least once a week, thinking about which noodle place to choose, whether that place was good, and searching for great kalguksu spots. That is how I found Daonjeong Shabu Kalguksu, a popular place in Wirye! I had to find out whether it was good enough to be one of the first places that comes to mind for kalguksu in Wirye, so off we went.

The interior was clearly visible from outside and felt wonderfully open, while the signboard and menu outside had me pondering what to order. There was a minari pancake, and also a maesaengi pancake—maesaengi is a little unfamiliar to me, but it somehow made me curious. Looking at the menu, there was a set where you could have boiled pork and a pancake together?! At a kalguksu place, that is possible?! With all that curiosity and menu indecision, I went into Daonjeong.

A roomy dining room and ordering guide

The open dining room had generously spaced tables compared with other places where they are packed tightly together, so I could eat without worrying about the people at the next table. It was so nice not to feel cramped at all as soon as I walked in. Sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window, I looked outside while considering the menu.

Each table had a kindly detailed guide explaining how to order and how to enjoy the meal properly, so it was easy to understand what would arrive without having to wonder. Choosing from the menu at Daonjeong Kalguksu, a shabu-shabu place in Wirye, did not feel too daunting.

The self-service bar and review event

Looking around the restaurant, I found a self-service bar, and the owner's thoughtful touch really stood out: dessert was ready for after the meal. There was even iced tea and maesil tea (Korean plum tea)! Even if I was full, I was determined to have a cold glass of iced tea. 😊😊 Scissors and other useful tools were also available at the self-service bar.

Wow! There was a review event going on too, so be sure to take part! The choices offered for posting a review were so good that even the review event had me deliberating at this Wirye shabu-shabu spot, Daonjeong. Fish cake, dumplings, or extra noodles… it was a tough choice.

Shabu kalguksu with minari and boiled pork

I ordered the shabu-shabu that comes with minari and boiled pork, and when the food arrived, the shabu broth and kalguksu came first, set up with my favorite wood ear mushrooms and beautifully colored mushrooms. It was Daonjeong's signature shabu-shabu kalguksu in Wirye, pretty to look at too. The pot was packed full because they had been so generous with the vegetables; it looked like they had not skimped on ingredients at all, and I could feel how fresh the vegetables were. Daonjeong in Wirye felt like a place that pays attention to every little detail.

Spicy shabu-shabu and crisp minari pancake

The full meal arrived: spicy shabu-shabu, boiled pork, and a minari pancake. They explained how to eat the boiled pork and suggested dipping cabbage in the sauce, and this was seriously, seriously delicious. What an unusual combination—boiled pork and cabbage!

I loved how rich the shabu broth was, the minari pancake was crisp through and through, and the boiled pork was so tender that it disappeared the moment I wrapped it in cabbage and put it in my mouth. Everything at Daonjeong Kalguksu in Wirye was satisfying. Each dish felt sincerely made, and I liked it more with every bite.

With every menu item delicious and parking so easy, Daonjeong was one of the great places to eat in Wirye. If you are wondering where to eat around Wirye Plaza, Daonjeong would be a choice you will not regret. When kalguksu is on your mind, Daonjeong 😊👍🏻