Open-run spicy shabu kalguksu with veggie and dumpling refills

It's been forever since I've been to Gran Passage! And really forever since I've had Deungchon kalguksu! I suddenly had a huge craving for Deungchon out of nowhere — there are plenty of shabu-shabu places and plenty of kalguksu (knife-cut noodle) places, but Deungchon has its own special flavor, you know?! Being here after so long made it feel even more special, so here's my review of Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu at Gran Passage!

Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu Gran Passage Branch, 2nd floor of the Green Zone

If you've never been to Gran Passage before, you might find it confusing — it's split into three zones: Purple Zone, Orange Zone, and Green Zone! Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu is on the 2nd floor of the Green Zone, right near the elevator!

The exterior and waiting area

Such a classy, clean-looking exterior.

We went early in the morning and waited a bit haha! There's a waiting area out front so it wasn't a problem at all — and true to its reputation as a popular spot, other customers were waiting too!

• Hours 11:00–21:00
• Break time 15:00–17:00
• Last order 14:00 / 20:00

The menu — beef is an add-on order

Deungchon means spicy flavor to me, but they actually have an algongi (fish roe) spicy kalguksu here????? It seemed to be the basic spicy base with algongi added.

Oh, and on the menu board it says shabu kalguksu (hot pot + beef + noodles + fried rice + dumplings) = ₩30,000 for two, but when you actually order, it's structured as shabu kalguksu (hot pot + noodles + fried rice + dumplings) = ₩20,000 for two, plus beef add-on = ₩10,000!! Same total price, but you have to add the beef separately — keep that in mind!!

Since it had been so long, we decided to go basic and order Deungchon's signature spicy flavor.

The interior seating — can groups fit?

The inside was neatly arranged as you'd expect right at opening time, right? The tables were spacious too, and it looked like it could fit a group easily.

So this is the overall menu!! There were also vegetable options like bean sprouts only / minari only / mushrooms only??? Total win!!!! Still, we chose to get all the vegetables.

The spread: spicy shabu for two plus beef add-on

They even prepared beef and the porridge for the leftover kalguksu (with dumplings)!

This, this is it — the beef looked fresh and the kalguksu noodles were just the right thickness. I once went to a shabu-shabu buffet where the noodles were so thin and mushy it was disappointing, but here... the original kalguksu noodles were great.

The sauce containers were nicely sanitary

The basic table setting has a small plate, soy sauce, and wasabi — and this was actually pretty clever. A lot of other places have grimy-looking sauce containers, but here they weren't the typical kind — more like a Lock&Lock-style sealed container, so it felt more hygienic.

Spicy kalguksu for two with beef add-on (all vegetables included)

The spicy kalguksu is finally here~~ Did Deungchon always have bean sprouts? Having bean sprouts in there was actually a nice surprise~~

That handle is usually hot, right? But the staff told us it wasn't hot, so we could grab it comfortably while cooking, haha. Once it boils, turn it down to level 4!

We'd been out running errands since 8am, so we were starving — threw the beef in and threw the dumplings in too.

My husband usually stays still while I take photos, right? But he must have been really hungry, because he was already scooping food out haha.

I scooped out a bite too and tried it! Deungchon really is all about that minari kick. The minari is seriously delicious...

Adding more vegetables and dumplings — no bean sprouts allowed, though

We always add extra vegetables so... haha, after just a bite or two we added more vegetables right away, and then thought about adding something else,,, and ended up adding dumplings too! It's not like they'd taste bad, right~~

They piled the added vegetables in generously. For the vegetable add-on, there's no bean sprout option — only minari and mushrooms. It was a bit disappointing there was no bean sprouts, but with that much minari, I was happy anyway..

Started up again with the remaining beef.. haha, you really do need to add the beef to get that broth deeply infused, you know!!??

The kimchi isn't self-serve

Oh right, also, the kimchi here isn't self-serve. They bring it to you directly — when we asked for a lot, they gave us a ton haha. The staff are kind, checking in on the tables occasionally and bringing what you need.

Finishing with kalguksu and Chinese-style fried rice

After eating our fill, it was finally kalguksu time — even though it simmered for a long time, it didn't get mushy. Chewy noodles soaked up that rich broth and it was so delicious.

And now, the moment we'd been waiting for — the fried rice!! Once we'd eaten enough kalguksu, the staff came over themselves to prepare it haha. They poured the remaining broth and noodles into a separate bowl, then took the whole pot away to stir-fry it!!

I was surprised when the fried rice arrived! I was expecting something more like porridge, but it turned out to be completely Chinese-style fried rice??? I knew every place has its own style, but I didn't expect such a dry, Chinese-restaurant-style fried rice — and then I took a bite and haha, it's good? My husband was eating it too, going 'how did they fry it like this?' One last bite!! we said, then kept looking at the leftover rice and eating more, and more. I really thought I was going to explode.

A Hwaseong favorite for shabu-shabu! Take a walk around Dongtan Lake Park and then try the meat-vegetable-noodle-rice course at Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu! You've all probably had it at least once. You know the taste — that familiar taste! You know how scary that is!!! haha