Jang-an-dong shabu-shabu finished with Tuumba rosé pasta: Shabu Torang

Today I went for a clean, solo-friendly shabu-shabu meal at Shabu Torang Jang-an branch. You can freely mix and match broths, meats and noodles depending on your taste, so here's my review of a really filling meal~

Where is Shabu Torang Jang-an Direct Branch, and is there parking?

Shabu Torang Jang-an Direct Branch is at 146 Janghan-ro, 1F, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. It's a bit of a walk from the station, but I got there quickly enough once I started walking~

• Janghanpyeong Station Exit 3 → 20 min walk
• Yongmasan Station Exit 3 → 25 min walk
• Parking is limited, only room for 1–2 cars.

The exterior is decorated with a photo of actor Ryu Soo-young, so it was easy to find.

How do you order at Shabu Torang?

The menu at Shabu Torang Jang-an Direct Branch has a wide range of choices, from mains all the way to the after-dish.

You choose your base broth first, then add whatever toppings you need one by one. There were so many options I ended up photographing all of them. >_<

I referenced Ryu Soo-young's recommended combo and ordered exactly that. Spicy broth with pasta..! It's a combo you can trust. 🥰

So..! I ordered two different broths as below, and we split them to eat.

Chicken breast in the plain broth, seasoning in the spicy broth

Ta-da~ The long-awaited food arrived. This was my first time trying chicken breast with the clear, deep plain broth. The broth was clean and light without being heavy, and paired well with the natural sweetness of the vegetables. A cold Pepsi Zero on the side made everything feel even cleaner~

The tips for eating well and the sauces were all well kept up. I kept looking around while eating.

For one pot we mixed in the seasoning too, and it wasn't just plain spicy — it was the kind of tangy, refreshing spicy that any Korean would love. The longer it simmered, the more the meat fat and vegetable stock blended together for a deeper broth flavor.

Or if you're on a diet or just prefer a mild, clear broth, enjoying just the plain broth is perfect. You might worry the chicken would be dry, but it came thinly sliced and tender, and cooking it briefly in the broth kept it moist.

What beef neck and 90g of beef belly add to the pot

Beef neck is low in fat, light but with a chewy bite, and when it soaked up the broth the savoriness doubled.

Being able to mix things up however you like was a huge plus. It was fun getting to add whichever extra ingredients I wanted.

We also added 90g of beef belly, and the just-right layer of fat gave a soft texture while adding a rich meaty flavor to the broth. It upgraded the broth to something even more substantial. 😊

Especially cooking the chicken breast thin, shabu-shabu style, made for a wonderfully soft, non-dry bite. Adding the vegetable and chicken breast set gave us a healthy, refreshing bowl packed with protein and fiber.

With plenty of fresh napa cabbage, mushrooms and protein, we felt full but not weighed down all the way to the end. This truly earns its spot as a Jang-an-dong favorite, a Dongdaemun favorite, and a great-value Jang-an-dong lunch~

Finishing with cream pasta: the spicy Tuumba rosé pasta

Instead of the usual kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) or fried rice to finish at Shabu Torang Jang-an Direct Branch, I chose cream pasta. Wow.. that turned out to be a genius move!

We simmered the cream sauce and pasta noodles down in the reduced spicy broth until it thickened~ In the end we got a spicy Tuumba rosé pasta with deep flavor that rivaled any dedicated Western restaurant.

The savory depth of the tangy broth combined with the smooth cream in a really unique way. Even now, thinking back, I can still taste it.

Solo seats and the atmosphere at Shabu Torang

Shabu Torang Jang-an Direct Branch has plenty of single seats set up, so you can enjoy a solo meal without worrying about it. There are various other seating types too, so it's fun picking where to sit. We sat at a two-person table with a privacy screen in front, which let us finish our meal comfortably.

Actor Ryu Soo-young, who was popular on the show Pyeonstorang, is the face of the advertising, which gave it a friendly, familiar feel. 🥰 The phrase "a taste like nowhere else in the world" stuck with me. Even during the busy lunch rush, the restaurant was well-organized and clean.

The owner and staff all greeted us warmly, which put me in a good mood too. They were so kind that this became one of those places I want to come back to. Haha. Overall the facilities were clean, and the displays and organization were tidy, making it a pleasant place to be the whole time.