Hapjeong shabu-shabu with private rooms and sofa seats: Shabu in Seoul

The weather's been so up and down lately — rain one minute, sun the next — that I've been craving something hot and deep-flavored. So this past weekend, my husband and I headed out to Hapjeong, one of Seoul's hottest neighborhoods, for a cozy date.

Now that I'm pregnant and have more free time, my husband and I have gotten really into hunting down hot spots all over Seoul together — it's become our little hobby. This latest spot was genuinely so satisfying that I had to share it with you all! It's Shabu in Seoul Hapjeong Branch, a Hapjeong shabu-shabu place already famous for its upscale vibe and premium quality.

Where Shabu in Seoul Hapjeong Branch is and how to get there

Shabu in Seoul Hapjeong Branch connects directly underground to Hapjeong Station Exit 8 and basement level 2 of Delight Square. This convenient access was actually one of the reasons we chose this place — even I, someone with zero sense of direction, found it super easy to get to without getting lost.

Plus, it connects via underground passage straight to the popular restaurant lines at nearby Mecenatpolis, so it's the perfect route for shopping or catching a movie before or after your meal, haha. On days like these when the weather's unpredictable or fine dust is bad, being able to move around comfortably without worrying about the weather was the best!

Private rooms and sofa seats: the interior was exactly my taste 🤍

The moment we arrived at the entrance, the aura felt different — instead of feeling like a shabu-shabu place, it gave off the sophisticated air of a luxury hotel lounge or fine dining restaurant, and I felt my mood lift the second we walked in. Soft, warm lighting wrapped around the interior, creating a cozy atmosphere, and toward the back, there were carefully arranged private rooms for 8 and 10 people.

The space itself was spacious with plenty of partitions and booth seating, making it perfect not just for couples' dates but also for formal gatherings like wedding invitation meetups or family dinners with parents — it really had that Hapjeong hot-spot presence ✨

Since we figured it'd be crowded on the weekend, we booked ahead, and we were led straight to a comfortable, spacious sofa seat with no waiting. From the moment we walked in to the moment we left, the staff never lost their smile and treated us so kindly that we really felt pampered, haha.

Why the spicy broth was the right call 🔥

We sat down at our neatly set table and slowly looked over the menu. This place has a really wide range of meat options, from 1++ Korean beef to premium pork! There were also several signature broths to choose from according to taste, and we went with the spicy broth — the kind that would wash away all yesterday's fatigue while showing off a sharp, savory kick! Just a note: the fried rice served at the end changes depending on which broth you pick!

Every single piece of neatly arranged tableware and sauce dish reflected the delicate craftsmanship you'd expect from a Hapjeong shabu-shabu hot spot. After ordering, it didn't take long before a basket of stunningly fresh assorted vegetables arrived at our table, along with vivid red premium beef that made your mouth water just looking at it. No exaggeration — the moment we saw it, my husband and I both let out an audible 'wow' at the exact same time, haha.

How fresh were the premium beef and assorted vegetables? 🥹

The vegetables used here seem to be carefully selected fresh every morning — the napa cabbage, bok choy, sweet pumpkin, and mushrooms were all vibrant and green without a single spoiled spot. As the spicy, sharp broth started bubbling in the center of the table, we generously piled in bite-sized vegetables and dipped in thinly sliced beef, cooking it just until the pink disappeared.

The beef had zero dryness or gamey smell, melting smoothly on the tongue the second it touched — it was pure deliciousness.

Rose risotto and omija tea: finishing every last bite

No matter how full you are, you can't skip the finishing course — the highlight of shabu-shabu, right? This place had an interesting twist where the type of fried rice depends on the broth you chose, and since we picked the spicy broth, we got rose-flavored risotto as our finishing dish!!

This was genuinely not greasy at all and so, so tasty,,,, thanks to it, we both ate every last bite happily and were completely satisfied!

The omija tea (five-flavor berry tea) they gave us at the end was seriously,,, the perfect meal,,, this grateful shabu-shabu spot even kept my morning sickness away ㅜ3ㅜ

Is Shabu in Seoul Hapjeong Branch good for a weekend date?

From the luxurious interior and cozy atmosphere to the freshness of the ingredients and the attentive, kind service from the staff, nothing was missing — it was a perfect weekend meal. With its excellent access straight from the station via underground passage and how spotlessly clean the interior was, I'd highly recommend this as a date course for couples, hahaha.