Dongdaemun shabu-shabu restaurant with mala broth: Shabu Torang

Now that the weather has turned cooler, I’ve really been craving a steaming bowl of broth. That’s how I ended up at Shabu Torang Jang-an Direct Branch, a shabu-shabu (Japanese-style hot pot) spot that’s said to be popular in Jang-an-dong. I’d passed along Janghan-ro in Dongdaemun-gu without knowing it, but it turns out this place is quite well known nearby.

Getting to Shabu Torang Jang-an Direct Branch and parking

As you’d expect from a popular Jang-an-dong restaurant, it’s on a main road, so it isn’t hard to find. If you take the bus, it’s just a one-minute walk after getting off at Sae Seoul Hospital! It’s also only a four- to five-minute walk from Korea Hospital or Jang-an Intersection stops.

The parking area is beside the store entrance! It is a little tight, though.

The exterior and interior atmosphere

The sign stands out with its white background and softly glowing yellow light. You can also check the prices and menu from outside.

Inside, it has a cozy feel. There were lots of wall-side tables where even solo diners could sit comfortably. When I went on a weekday evening, it was busy and there was about a five-minute wait! Still, turnover was quick, so the wait didn’t feel long.

Each seat has a tablet, so you choose the menu and add items yourself. It was really convenient to order that way.

Main dishes and after-dish options

At Shabu Torang, you simply choose a main dish and an after dish! Main dishes include the standard Shabu Torang Shabu, spicy shabu-shabu, mala shabu-shabu, tomato shabu-shabu, and sukiyaki.

For after dishes, there are pastas (cream, rosé, cream mala, and cream Buldak), risottos (cream, rosé, cream mala, and cream Buldak), and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) in rosé, cream mala, cream Buldak, or soup styles. You can make your shabu-shabu meal varied and filling with extra dishes or toppings. Along with drinks such as ade, cola, and cider, they also have soju, beer, and highballs.

A dinner of classic shabu-shabu and mala shabu-shabu, ordered separately

I visited with my husband, and because we could order from our own tablets, we each placed our own order. Having an individual induction cooker was great too, since we could each eat what we wanted.

I ordered the classic shabu-shabu with rosé pasta, while my husband chose mala shabu-shabu with juk (rice porridge) and added a few toppings.

My classic shabu-shabu was really simple! The broth was clean and not overpowering. I simmered the assorted vegetables, then added the meat and enjoyed the hot pot. There were three sauces: chili, peanut, and soy sauce.

My husband’s mala shabu-shabu, egg juk, and the toppings he added separately arrived. With all those different things, it was quite a generous amount.

The classic shabu-shabu had exactly that clean, familiar shabu-shabu flavor! The mala shabu-shabu had a warming kick, a tingly sensation, and delicious spice. With mushrooms, vegetables, and soft fried tofu skin, it was a hearty spread, and the broth seemed to deepen step by step as it cooked.

Rosé pasta and egg juk to finish

Even after enjoying the shabu-shabu, we had rosé pasta and egg juk. Instructions for making them were provided too, so they were easy to prepare.

Shabu Torang is easy to enjoy without feeling burdened even when you’re alone, and if you visit with a partner or friends, everyone can order what they want. So if you’re looking for good shabu-shabu around Jang-an-dong, I’d like to recommend it! There may be a wait because it gets busy at dinner, but I was that satisfied—I personally want to come back next time to try another broth.

• Both the clean classic broth and the pleasantly tingly mala broth were satisfying.
• The tablet ordering system was convenient.
• As a popular spot, there may be a wait and the restaurant can feel a little crowded.