Seongnam Korean restaurant for family shabu-shabu: Daonjeong

As the weather gets properly cool, you naturally start craving a warm, filling bowl of soup, right? So let me tell you about our visit to Daonjeong Shabu Son Kalguksu, where I had such a neat, comfortable meal with my family. This is a Wirye shabu-shabu specialist where the light broth and fragrant vegetables came together so beautifully that it really sat easy on the stomach. We arrived right at opening time, 11 AM, and there was already a steady stream of people coming in—it felt like a truly beloved neighborhood favorite.

How was Daonjeong Shabu Son Kalguksu for a family meal in Wirye?

Waiting and parking: It is popular enough that I would recommend arriving at opening, and the building offers 2 hours of free parking, too—such great access!

Space and atmosphere: There is a spacious, pleasant main dining room as well as private separate rooms, making it just right for a family gathering.

Recommended menu: I highly recommend the shabu suyuk set, where you can enjoy clear broth, crispy minari jeon (water parsley pancake), and suyuk (boiled pork) all at once.

Daonjeong Shabu Son Kalguksu has a clean, polished interior that makes for such a warm, relaxing atmosphere. Along with the spacious, pleasant main hall, there are separate spaces that work well for family gatherings or company dinners, so you can eat in privacy.

Ordering the shabu suyuk set with clear broth

Once we were shown to our seats, I took my time choosing from the menu on the tablet at the table. The tableware was so neatly arranged, and the table was spotless—not a speck of dust—so I was already in a great mood before eating. There are quite a few broth choices here: clear, spicy, doenjang (soybean paste), and perilla seed. We chose the clear broth to really taste the ingredients themselves, then ordered three servings of the shabu suyuk set (₩14,900 per person at the time of our visit), which comes with suyuk and minari jeon.

There was an information board on one side of the table, with everything carefully explained—from how to make the house soy sauce to tips for cooking kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) with the sand timer. Even first-timers will be able to enjoy everything at its very best without any confusion.

Finally, our food arrived, and the neat spread on its wooden tray looked seriously appetizing.

The boribap (barley rice) was beautifully served in elegant brassware. Mixing in the seasoned vegetables made it absolutely delicious! I gave it a good stir with my spoon and happily dug in.

The pot of clear broth was piled high with bright green minari and pale bean sprouts.

When the broth began bubbling away, I briefly swished the thinly sliced beef through it and took a bite. The fresh fragrance of the vegetables and the clean flavor of the meat blended together so gently!

The beef was wonderfully tender, never tough at all. Dipped in the special soy sauce, it left a subtle savory flavor lingering across the palate.

The side dishes included with the set made the table feel even more abundant.

The thin minari jeon tore apart easily with chopsticks, and as soon as I ate it, its crisp texture and fresh aroma burst in my mouth.

We had the thinly sliced suyuk with the rich house sauce and fine shreds of cabbage. The savory pork flavor came through satisfyingly, making the light feel of shabu-shabu much more substantial. Then we added the green fresh noodles to the broth, now full of meat and vegetable flavor, and cooked them for exactly 5 minutes. The broth soaked right into the noodles, and they got chewier with every bite.

The final course I could never skip, no matter how full I was! The juk (rice porridge), slowly cooked with chopped vegetables and rice in the remaining rich broth, was soft and nutty and soothed my stomach so nicely.

Is it good with children, and is parking easy?

• It is popular enough that guests keep coming in from its 11 AM opening time even on weekday lunches. If you are visiting at peak time, I recommend arriving a little early if possible.
• Even with children who cannot eat spicy food, the clear broth is not harsh at all. There are plenty of child-friendly choices, including tender suyuk and barley rice, so there is no need to worry.
• You can conveniently use the building parking lot. The basic 2 hours are free with your meal, so it is especially easy for families arriving by car.

There is also a self-service bar on one side of the restaurant, where you can help yourself to plenty of extra broth made with hwangchil and beef bone stock, plus kimchi. After the meal, you can even have peach iced tea and maesil-cha (plum tea), which really made the place feel generous.

The entrance snack you should not miss

When you are on your way out, be sure to fill a paper cup with the gangnaengi (puffed corn snack) by the entrance! It is sweet and crisp without a hint of staleness, truly the best little palate-cleansing snack for the trip home. When you are craving a neat, stomach-soothing meal, how about stopping by Daonjeong Shabu Son Kalguksu in Wirye?