Incheon shabu hot pot with fruit-and-vegetable broth: Guksuhwa

My partner and I went for brunch today at Guksuhwa's Namdong headquarters branch in Namdong-gu, Incheon! I'm normally a big fan of shabu-shabu style food so I went in with high expectations. Thanks to our opening run 🏃🏻‍♂️➡️ the restaurant was quiet at first and we could eat at a relaxed pace, but by the time we were leaving around noon, nearly every table was full,, lots of families and what looked like coworkers out for a company lunch.

Where Guksuhwa is in Namdong-gu, plus hours and parking

Guksuhwa's Namdong headquarters branch is located at 565 Sorae-ro, Namdong-gu, Incheon, between Namdong-gu Office and Namdong Asiad Stadium. Hours are 11:00 - 21:30, break time 15:00 - 16:30, last order 20:40, and it's closed September 24-26 for the Chuseok holiday.

There's a huge parking lot as wide as a sports field. Come lunchtime, this whole 'field' fills up with cars | ˶'ᵕ'˶）

The space beside the entrance is styled like a small garden.

Forty years down one road — the house of a Korean master craftsman.

Inside Guksuhwa: is it comfortable with kids?

Guksuhwa's Namdong branch is spacious, comfortable, and spotless. The interior is done in warm wood tones that pair really well with the lighting. Of course the tables are spaced well apart, and there are baby chairs too.

Not really a place for eating solo — this is a spot for family or couples. ( ˶°ㅁ°˶)❤️

We sat by the window and could see the stadium diagonally across. We actually spotted other customers with babies around the same age as ours, and it made us think, 'we should have brought our kids too! ( ˊᵕˋ)' Our first child loves kalguksu and meat dishes, so it crossed my mind again mid-meal (*爫ᴗ爫)

Kimchi and various sauces are self-service at the bar.

Guksuhwa meal kit and ready-meal prices

Guksuhwa also sells convenience meal kits! There's a video playing next to the display showing just how generous the portions are — helpful if you're deciding whether to buy one!

• Chadol yangji soup ₩8,000
• Budae-jjigae ₩6,500
• Bone haejangguk ₩6,500
• Galbitang ₩9,900
• Stir-fried jjukkumi ₩8,000
• Gambas ₩9,000
• Aged kimchi and pork rib stew ₩17,000
• LA-style seasoned flower ribs ₩37,000
• ₩1,000 off for 2 packs, ₩3,000 off for 4 packs

What comes with the rib galbi noodle hot pot for two (41,800 won)

We ordered Guksuhwa's rib galbi noodle hot pot for two (₩41,800) 🍖 When you think shabu-shabu, you usually picture thin-sliced sirloin, tenderloin, chuck roll — but shabu-shabu with rib galbi!?

Once we sat down and ordered, the basic side dishes arrived. Two kinds of kimchi, neatly plated, and a salad that was more generous than expected, so we were already picking at things before the hot pot even showed up,, ( 'ω' و(و "

Since it's a rib galbi noodle hot pot, two dipping sauces came for the vegetables and meat — chili sauce and shabu soy sauce. Plus kalguksu noodles and porridge ingredients for the finale. Oh, and a spicy chili paste too — if you want the hot pot spicier, taste and add the paste gradually.

The table came with instructions on how to enjoy the rib galbi noodle hot pot properly. The correct eating order: meat and vegetables first, then kalguksu, then vegetable porridge. It's the unwritten rule ꙳⸌(ᵒ͈̑ᴗ̂ᵒ͈̑ )?

The ultimate visual — rib galbi noodle hot pot

Two thick beef rib bones: enough food for two people?

And finally, the rib galbi noodle hot pot arrived. One pot, absolutely packed to the brim with meat and vegetables (ง •̅ ▽ •̅ )ว The 'rib galbi' isn't just a name — you actually get two genuinely thick rib galbi bones. Plus plenty of other cuts like brisket and beef sinew mixed in.

With that much meat, it doesn't feel like a hot pot where you're just eating noodles — it feels like a real, full meal with meat included ( *¯ ꒳¯*), so it was really filling. You know how eating just vegetables leaves you hungry again fast,,?

The meat comes pre-cooked, so you just wait for the vegetables to finish. We shared it as a couple and never once felt like the portion was too small. We ate a very satisfying meal!

The real kicker was the broth.

How the fruit-and-vegetable shabu broth tastes

The vegetables and meat shabu salad are delicious, obviously, but Guksuhwa's broth is genuinely next level. They say it's made from fruit and vegetables, and I thought, 'no amount of seasoning could ever fake this flavor.'

It's sweet, yet the broth itself is thick and deep. But that sweetness isn't a sugary sweetness. It's not aggressively seasoned or loaded with MSG, so this shabu broth — you could drink it endlessly,, The rich flavor from the meat naturally blends into the broth, and as the vegetables cook through, it develops into a whole different depth from the first sip.

Personally, I think this hot pot's real charm isn't just the generous meat — in the end, what stays with you is the broth. It was genuinely delicious ‎꒰ ᐢ｡o̶̶̷ ·̫ o̶̶̷｡ᐢ ꒱

As we were finishing our meal, a staff member brought over a dessert drink — pomegranate.. (or maybe omija) — one for each of us. Sweet and tangy, great for cleansing the palate.

Tella's favorite rib place strikes again

Who is Guksuhwa best for?

We came as a couple this time, but given the portion sizes and the atmosphere, Guksuhwa seems like the kind of place that would get major praise as a family outing or a spot to bring your parents. Above all, what stuck with me most was the sweet, deep flavor of the rib galbi noodle hot pot's shabu broth.

With plenty of meat plus vegetables and noodles all in one pot, it made for a really satisfying meal — next time I want to bring the kids along too ❤️ If you're a shabu-shabu fan like me, the usual thin sirloin and tenderloin slices are great, but I'd suggest trying this thick, meaty rib galbi version at least once ( ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈ )ꕤ.˖ Whether it's with kids, parents, or coworkers, Guksuhwa is a place that should satisfy everyone. Another delicious meal today 🫶🏻