Mala shrimp shabu-shabu for two in Uijeongbu: Cheongdam Shabu

Uijeongbu Dongo Maeul restaurant: Cheongdam Shabu, single-serving shabu-shabu (text and photos © Sorijang)

🍂 Did you know a new shabu-shabu place has opened in Dongo Maeul?! Cheongdam Shabu serves shabu-shabu, hinoki steamer and sukiyaki in single-person sets, which used to feel like too much to tackle alone. The interior is classy too, so it's a great spot for meeting up.

Where is Cheongdam Shabu Dongo Maeul Branch, and where do you park?

Cheongdam Shabu Dongo Maeul Branch (청담동샤브) is on the Dongo Maeul restaurant street in Singok-dong, Uijeongbu, with a public car park across the street, so driving is easy. Because it sits right on that restaurant street, it's also easy for Uijeongbu locals to reach on foot or by public transport.

If you come by car, there are lots of places to park nearby, and the public car park is right across the street, so parking was easy even at peak time :)

Interior and seating: is it roomy enough for two?

Cheongdam Shabu has a wood-tone interior with tables for two and four, and each person gets their own induction burner, so everyone can order something different.

I'd guess this is the neatest, calmest restaurant in Dongo Maeul. The wood tones plus yellowish lighting made it feel warm, and

the tables for two and four are spaced widely apart, comfortable whether you come alone or as a pair.

📍 You might worry it's too cramped for two, but the tables were spacious, and with one induction burner per person, each of us could order to our own taste.

Cheongdam Shabu menu and prices

The main menu is shabu-shabu, sukiyaki and hinoki steamer, all available as a single portion. For a lighter meal there are cold buckwheat noodles (naengmomil) and perilla oil makguksu, and for sides there are dumplings, pork cutlet and karaage.

True to its name as a single-serving shabu-shabu place in Uijeongbu, everything on the menu can be ordered as one portion.

The main menu splits into shabu-shabu, sukiyaki and hinoki steamer, and you can choose both the broth and the meat, so it's easy to pick to your taste,

and there are cold buckwheat noodles and perilla oil makguksu for anyone wanting something simpler, which makes this Dongo Station spot good for meetups. There are also sides like dumplings, pork cutlet and karaage, plus various extra add-ins, so order those if you need more food :)

Mala shrimp and spicy beef chuck flap shabu-shabu review

That day we ordered the mala shabu with assorted shrimp (₩15,900) and the spicy shabu with beef chuck flap (₩16,900), and added mixed vegetables (₩5,000) and nutritious porridge (₩2,000). Every table is set with chili, sesame and soy sauces, minced garlic, cheongyang chili peppers, napkins, paper cups and cutlery, so there's no need to get up and fetch anything.

• Mala shabu _ assorted shrimp 15.9
• + mixed vegetables 5.0
• Spicy shabu _ beef chuck flap 16.9
• + nutritious porridge 2.0

I loved how neatly everything came as a single-person set! The standard set includes mushrooms, vegetables, sweet pumpkin, fish cake, flat konjac noodles and dumplings, plus a kalguksu noodle add-in, so the amount is plenty even without extras, but we added mixed vegetables and it was even more generous.

Both the meat and vegetables looked fresh, which I loved! Each of us picked our own broth and enjoyed our meal, and

there are three sauces, soy, sesame and chili, so you can mix things up..!!

Cheongdam Shabu mala broth vs spicy broth: what's the difference?

The spicy broth had a sharp, hot kick, while the mala broth really captured that signature numbing flavor.

When I pick mala broth at a shabu-shabu place that isn't a mala tang (spicy mala soup) specialist, it's mostly disappointing, but Cheongdam Shabu.. this place does mala really well 🫶🏻

The mala aroma and flavor are strong, so anyone who likes mala tang will definitely love it, and if you're not a fan of the numbness, the hot spicy broth will suit you better.

One of us chose the assorted shrimp, which comes with thin-sliced beef brisket and shrimp, and the other chose the beef chuck flap. The chuck flap was definitely tastier than the brisket, and boiling the kalguksu noodles included in the set made the amount just right.

Nutritious porridge to finish: which broth goes best?

If you're still a little hungry at Cheongdam Shabu, add the nutritious porridge (₩2,000). The standard or spicy broth goes better with it than the mala.

If you're a bit short on food, add the porridge. Keep in mind that the standard or spicy broth definitely pairs better with it than mala, so

if two or more of you go, try one mala and the other standard or spicy, and finish with the porridge 🍽

Overall impressions of Cheongdam Shabu Dongo Maeul Branch

Cheongdam Shabu Dongo Maeul Branch in Singok-dong, Uijeongbu charmed me with its clean, tidy atmosphere. Most places near Dongo Station are hard to eat at alone, so I'm glad there's finally a single-serving shabu-shabu spot that's an easy first step for solo diners, and I'll probably come often.

* It was also nice for chatting while eating as a pair, so do visit when you get the chance 🫶🏻