Hwaseong shabu-shabu family lunch by Dongtan Lake Park: Deungchon

We went out for a family meal around Dongtan Lake Park for the first time in a while. We used to go to Dongtan Lake Park really often with our child, but after not visiting for a while, I noticed Gran Passage had filled up with quite a few more shops. While looking for somewhere to have lunch near the park, we chose Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu Gran Passage Branch (등촌샤브칼국수 그랑파사쥬점), which kept appearing whenever I searched for good places at Gran Passage. Honestly, we had enjoyed Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu at other branches too, so there was not much menu deliberation, haha. We visited for weekend lunch with our child and my husband.

On the second floor of Gran Passage opposite Dongtan Lake Park

Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu Gran Passage Branch is on the second floor of Gran Passage, opposite Dongtan Lake Park. You can use the building parking lot, which makes it convenient for a family meal by car.

There can be a wait at weekend lunch, so it is better to arrive a little early rather than right at mealtime.

Two parties waiting at 1 p.m. on a weekend

We arrived at around 1 p.m. on the weekend. As expected, it was busy, with about two parties ahead of us. People kept coming in behind us too. You could really tell this is a popular shabu-shabu spot near Dongtan Lake Park.

Still, turnover was faster than I expected, so we did not wait long and were seated in under 20 minutes. It seems like avoiding the lunch peak by even a little would cut down the wait.

Choosing mushroom kalguksu broth and adding shabu beef

The menu lets you choose spicy, perilla seed, or clear broth for the mushroom kalguksu (knife-cut noodles), while shabu beef is ordered separately.

Since mushroom kalguksu is available from two portions, you add shabu beef separately. Being able to adjust the meat according to your appetite or party size was a plus.

What our family ordered

There were three of us including our child, but we ordered two portions of clear mushroom kalguksu plus 190 g of shabu beef. Two portions of mushroom kalguksu were ₩20,000 and the added shabu beef was ₩10,000, for a total of ₩30,000.

I liked that the meat was not locked into a set portion from the start; we could add only what we needed. People eat different amounts of meat with shabu-shabu, after all, so those who want lots of meat can add more, while people who prefer vegetables or kalguksu can stick with the standard spread. That flexibility is handy.

Clear mushroom kalguksu chosen for our child

The fun part of Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu is definitely choosing the broth. Mushroom kalguksu comes in spicy, perilla seed, or clear broth, and since we were visiting with our child, we chose clear without hesitation. My personal favorite at Deungchon is usually the spicy broth. Before we had a child, I almost always ordered spicy, but this time we needed something our child could eat too, so it had been a while since I ordered the clear broth.

We could choose the vegetables too: water parsley, bean sprouts, or half water parsley and half bean sprouts. I like both, of course, so we chose half-and-half.

A pot piled high with water parsley, bean sprouts, and mushrooms

When the pot arrived, it was absolutely loaded with vegetables. I tend to prefer shabu-shabu with heaps of vegetables like these rather than lots of meat, so I loved it. The distinctive aroma of water parsley and the crisp texture of bean sprouts kept the clear broth from tasting plain; it was really quite good.

And there were plenty of mushrooms too, something you cannot leave out when talking about Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu. Mushroom lovers would probably be very happy with this part.

From shabu-shabu to kalguksu and fried rice

The charm of Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu is the full course you eat right through to the end. First, you add water parsley, bean sprouts, and mushrooms and eat the beef shabu-shabu; then you put kalguksu into the broth; finally, it ends with fried rice.

Because you eat it in the order of shabu-shabu → kalguksu → fried rice instead of finishing with one pot, even two portions make for a very filling meal. I especially love eating the fried rice at the end, so this course is practically essential whenever I come to Deungchon, lol.

The area around Dongtan Lake Park is lovely for a walk and café hopping, but it has also gained so many places to eat. Among them, Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu suited everything from a Dongtan Lake Park date to a family dinner or lunch with friends.

Especially with a child, it was nice to have the option of non-spicy clear mushroom kalguksu. On the other hand, if you are visiting with adults only, I personally recommend the spicy mushroom kalguksu. The slightly fiery Deungchon-style broth with lots of water parsley and mushrooms is seriously so good.

A walk around Dongtan Lake Park after lunch

Coming back to Gran Passage for the first time in a while, I found that it had changed quite a bit, with many more good restaurants than before. Still, I think I understand why Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu stood out so often among all the options.

With a child, you can have clear broth; with adults, the spicy broth is great. And because you get shabu-shabu, kalguksu, and fried rice all in one meal, it is an easy yet filling choice for a family meal. Above all, its location right in front of Dongtan Lake Park makes it great for lunch followed by a walk, or for a Dongtan Lake Park date. There may be a wait at weekend lunch, so I recommend arriving a little early or avoiding peak time. Even after all this time, Deungchon was still Deungchon, haha.