Dongdaemun shabu-shabu restaurant with creamy pasta: Shabu Torang

I had been here before, and the memory was so good that I really wanted to come back—so I revisited Shabu Torang, a great shabu-shabu spot in Jangan-dong, Dongdaemun. The Jangan-dong branch is a hot spot with nearly 3,000 reviews. I felt it then too, but it really is such an innovative restaurant.

They have made a system that is perfect for eating alone, even for a menu that is usually hard to tackle solo. It is fun to choose pasta, risotto, and all kinds of toppings to make yourself exactly as you like, and the prices are incredibly affordable too. You can eat until you are full for around ₩15,000.

Location, parking, and hours

Shabu Torang is at 1F, 146 Janghan-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. Parking is limited, with free parking for only one or two cars.

Hours are 11:00–22:00, with last orders at 21:00.

Inside the restaurant and the one-pot-per-person system

The restaurant is fairly spacious, with a cozy, clean interior and atmosphere. There are different seating options for one to four people, and since everyone eats from their own pot, it works whether you come together or alone. Everyone can eat comfortably. There is also one kiosk per person.

Shabu Torang menu options

• Broths: mild, spicy, mala, tomato, and sukiyaki.
• Meats: beef chuck, beef belly, chicken breast, and more.
• After dishes: various tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), signature-sauce cream pasta, mala and Buldak risotto, egg porridge, and more.
• Toppings: flat glass noodles, sujebi hand-torn dough, dumplings, fish balls, wheat rice cakes, and more.
• They also sell a range of drinks and highballs.

I felt it again: this is a restaurant with such a fun concept. I recommend it when you are looking for a shabu-shabu specialist in Jangan-dong, Dongdaemun for a solo meal or date.

Sauces prepared at every seat

Each seat has three sauces—chili, peanut, and soy sauce—so just serve yourself according to your taste. Cups, water, wet wipes, and tissues are set out too.

Have a quick read through the instructions before eating :)

Mild broth with beef belly and flat glass noodles

Mild broth + beef belly (90g) ₩7,900 + flat glass noodles ₩1,500 + cream pasta ₩2,900.

Your order arrives plated on a tray like this, with a bowl for serving yourself. I normally do not eat much, so I did not choose too many items, and my total came to under ₩15,000. Since you are charged only for what you pick, there is no pressure. Just choose exactly as much as you want to eat. Shabu Torang is an efficient, good-value spot in Jangan-dong :)

How to eat the spicy-broth shabu-shabu

Spicy broth + beef belly (90g) ₩8,700 + kalguksu noodles (90g) ₩1,500 + boiled dumplings (6) ₩1,500 + cream pasta ₩2,900.

It is very simple to eat too. Set the induction hob to level 5; once it is nearly boiling, add the vegetables, your extra toppings, and cook the meat. For the spicy broth, they give you sauce separately. It can be spicy, so I recommend adding it little by little to taste. The base broth is the same, so that part is no problem.

How to make cream pasta with the leftover broth

• Move the vegetables into a bowl so only half a ladle of broth remains in the pot.
• Pour the pasta or risotto into the pot, then set it to level 3.
• Stir and reduce it until thick and creamy, then turn off the induction hob.

You absolutely have to try this!

Jangan-dong shabu-shabu that is great for solo dining

I recommend Shabu Torang, an unusual Jangan-dong restaurant that lets anyone eat shabu-shabu—a menu that can be difficult to have alone—efficiently and affordably ♡