Nowon sushi buffet family meal with upgraded shrimp sushi: Kuu Kuu

Getting there from Hagye Station and parking

It is about an 8-minute walk from Exit 2 of Hagye Station, on the sixth floor of the Seoul Oncheon Building at 247 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu. Being right beside the main road is a real plus: even first-time visitors can find it without getting lost.

If you are driving like my family did, use the Seoul Oncheon Building's underground parking lot. Kuu Kuu customers get two hours of free parking, so you can put parking worries aside. By public transport, it is just the right leisurely walk from Hagye Station—a lovely way to build an appetite before eating.

A 300-pyeong dining hall and seating for family gatherings

Outside the restaurant

The anticipation starts quietly building the moment you ride the Seoul Oncheon Building elevator and press 6. When the doors open, the Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch sign welcomes you in grand style, and the exterior already looks like something special. A neatly arranged entrance, an unfussy signboard, and the faint aroma of food drifting out from beyond the door—it was the kind of first impression that makes you think, “We came to the right place today.” Even at dinner time, there were guests waiting in line. Would you believe me if I said I did not mind that line at all?

Inside the restaurant

The moment I stepped inside, I could not help but gasp. The natural wood and white interior makes you feel as if you have entered a little resort in the city. Warm wood finishes and bright lighting come together in such a calming space. Most surprising of all is the scale: more than 300 pyeong of vast dining hall opens up before you, so even when it is busy, you can eat comfortably without feeling crowded.

Whether you are with family, friends, or work colleagues, there is a seat that fits. Private rooms accommodate 40 to 60 people, while group seating offers independent spaces for 14 to 200 people, almost like hiring your own venue. For a family gathering in Nowon, I wondered if there could be a more complete choice.

There is also a play area for children.

Five reasons to visit Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch

• Two kinds of draft beer, Terra and Kelly, are served free and without limit. Get the unlimited draft beer benefit through the review event.
• Norwegian fresh salmon sashimi, smoked duck, and lamb chops—premium items that are difficult to find at other Kuu Kuu branches are available only at the Nowon Branch.
• Flounder, salmon, and shrimp sushi have all been upgraded. The fish is thicker, and the shrimp has been switched to botan shrimp for deeper flavor.
• The more-than-300-pyeong space has generous gaps between tables and pleasant air, making it large enough for extended-family gatherings and group events.
• Dippin' Dots, once available only at weekday dinner and on weekends, is now served at lunch too. It is a small change, but one that makes a huge difference to overall satisfaction.

Introducing the upgraded menu

Norwegian fresh salmon sashimi

This is the real deal. When I found Norwegian fresh salmon sashimi here—something you apparently cannot even find at Kuu Kuu Gold branches—I looked back at the menu for a moment. “Is this really here?” I wondered. The second a slice touched my mouth, salmon's rich, nutty aroma tickled my nose, then the tender flesh melted softly over my tongue. There was not a trace of forced fishiness, only the freshness of the sea filling my mouth. It was so overwhelmingly delicious that I wondered whether this was the reason we had come today. The kids kept reaching for more, too.

Smoked duck

It looked promising from the moment it landed on my plate: glossy in color, with a springy texture that seemed gently pressed. One bite first brings the chewy yet tender texture unique to duck, followed by a subtle smoky aroma that leaves a fragrant finish. It is the sort of all-rounder that pairs well with any item beside it. It was wonderful with rice, and absolutely fantastic alongside a glass of draft beer. This is one I especially want to recommend to anyone who came looking for a good family-meal restaurant in Nowon.

Lamb chops

Having lamb chops at a buffet is already extraordinary, but the flavor was just as extraordinary. The lamb's deep flavor and fragrant aroma are alive and well, yet the meat is remarkably tender. With the first bite, you think, “Oh, this is good.” With the second, “This is the real thing.” By the third, your plate is already empty—this menu item has that kind of magic. The fact that my husband went back for three more servings says it all, does it not?

Flounder, salmon, and botan shrimp sushi

The renewed flounder and salmon sushi are on another level from before. The fish portions are much larger, so one bite fills your mouth with fish. The flounder has an excellent springy chew, with moist yet firm flesh that works perfectly with the shari (sushi rice). Just looking at salmon's distinctively red, rich cross-section makes your mouth water, and eating it delivers about twice the delight you expect.

If I had to pick the sleeper hit of this upgrade, it would absolutely be the shrimp sushi. Its flavor changed noticeably after the switch to botan shrimp. The shrimp is plump, and when you bite into it, a sweet, nutty flavor bursts out as the scent of the sea fills your mouth. Compared with the previous shrimp sushi, it is a genuinely meaningful upgrade. I should add that this shrimp sushi was what the children ate most.

Unlimited Terra and Kelly draft beer

Unlimited draft beer is, quite literally, real. Terra has a refreshing, clean finish, while Kelly leaves a soft, fruity note—you can alternate between them according to your mood, which is this place's hidden charm. The moment I took a sip of draft beer with smoked duck and lamb chops as snacks, I knew we had made the best choice for dinner today.

The variety of rolls is one of Kuu Kuu's charms. It may be a sushi buffet, but you have to clear out the sushi too! Just when you are starting to tire of sushi, dig into fried foods or sweet-and-salty meat. Have a drink with it as well.

It may be called a sushi buffet, but Kuu Kuu's Chinese dishes are delicious too. Be sure to try them all. There is also a new LA galbi (Korean-style grilled beef short ribs) menu item.

We finished with ice cream for dessert. I was genuinely surprised by how good the ice cream was.

If you are looking for a good place for a family gathering in Nowon, I think the meal my family experienced today could be a useful benchmark. Food quality, a comfortably spacious setting, and the cheerful abundance of unlimited draft beer—the three elements came together perfectly for dinner. On the way home, every member of the family said in unison that we simply had to come back for lunch next time. 😊