Mother's birthday at a Gimpo shabu-shabu restaurant, 4 sets: Homilwon

Dieting is a 365-day concern haha. I still need my meat, and as someone who prefers meat in onsuyuk (boiled pork) or shabu-shabu form for dieting, I visited a really solid spot near my house — 'Homilwon.' The entrance alone screamed good-restaurant vibes!

Homilwon Shabu Kalguksu Gimpo Main Branch

Where is Homilwon Shabu Kalguksu Gimpo Main Branch? Parking and hours

Homilwon Shabu Kalguksu Gimpo Main Branch is in a standalone building at 142-17 Geolpo-ro, Ga-dong, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do. Since it occupies its own building, there's no need to worry about parking — space is plentiful.

• Location: 142-17 Geolpo-ro, Ga-dong, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do (standalone building)
• Hours: Daily 11:00–21:00, last order 20:10
• Open as usual throughout all holiday periods

What kind of restaurant is Homilwon? Agaricus mushroom broth shabu kalguksu and suyuk

Homilwon Shabu Kalguksu Gimpo Main Branch is a Korean restaurant known for its shabu kalguksu and onsuyuk made with agaricus mushroom. I love that the menu has so many options to fit everyone's preferences.

What the family ordered: two suyuk sets and two jjukkumi sets

The dining hall is sunlit with a nature-friendly feel. Menus can be ordered by set: Master's Amazing Onsuyuk + Agaricus Shabu Kalguksu ₩15,900, Luxurious Jjukkumi Set + Agaricus Shabu Kalguksu ₩17,900, Homilwon Agaricus Shabu Kalguksu ₩12,900, Chewy Cold Onsuyuk Set + Agaricus Shabu Kalguksu ₩14,900, Full Table Special Agaricus Shabu Kalguksu (Jjukkumi + Onsuyuk) ₩19,900, Energy-Boosting King Galbi Shabu Hotpot (King Galbi + Octopus) ₩22,900.

We ordered two shabu-shabu + onsuyuk sets and two shabu-shabu + jjukkumi stir-fry sets. As a base, there's a self-serve bar set up with beef radish rice you can freely help yourself to as an appetizer. Since this place is known for its onsuyuk mastery I was already excited, and spicy jjukkumi is one of my favorite courses too, so I was really looking forward to it >.<

The beef-and-radish rice self-serve bar

This is beef radish rice you mix to taste with freshly pressed sesame oil, the special soy sauce blend, or gochujang (red pepper paste) sauce, alongside yeolmu kimchi (young radish kimchi) or napa cabbage kimchi. Since it's unseasoned as-is, it's great for kids too and a huge hit with the elders. We each polished off a bowl before even starting the main course haha.

Suyuk, shabu beef, mushrooms and vegetables on the table

The shabu meat comes out,

and the onsuyuk, topped with pollack roe salad and garlic chili, comes out clean and neat. Various mushrooms are served, and the colorful, crunchy wood ear mushrooms were delicious. Bean sprouts, minari (water celery), and bok choy are also set out, and vegetables can be ordered as an add-on.

Rye kalguksu noodles and the porridge finish

The kalguksu is made from rye rather than wheat flour, so it's gentle on the stomach, and it comes with a finishing porridge set as well. The porridge felt so wholesome too >.<

How spicy is the jjukkumi stir-fry at Homilwon?

The jjukkumi (spicy stir-fried octopus) with its smoky charred aroma was less spicy than expected, holding a nicely moderate heat!!!! Loaded with vegetables too, so the texture was ~~~so good👍

Mother's birthday gathering: how the whole family reacted

The adults love vegetables so we ordered more of those, and the kids love meat so we ordered more of that too — with onsuyuk and jjukkumi it was so, so generous. My aunt's family came since it was Grandmother's birthday, and unlike the typical trendy shabu-shabu, they raved that it felt much healthier and really special.

The chewy onsuyuk, the deep flavor of the agaricus mushroom broth, the mildly spicy jjukkumi paired with vegetables, and finishing with rye kalguksu and porridge — it was such a perfect, generous, great-value spread♡ Homilwon can satisfy everyone in the family's taste!! Next time I'm going to try the fancier-looking Energy-Boosting King Galbi Onsuyuk Hotpot^^