Kid-friendly Samgakji shabu-shabu with easy parking: Shabu in Seoul

Visit date: Saturday, September 19, 2026

Shabu in Seoul is a place my kids really love, since we've been to a few other branches and already knew the taste and vibe would deliver. After Yunsik finished his soccer match, we were trying to figure out what to eat around Samgakji, and I was so happy to discover the Shabu in Seoul Yongsan Main Branch. The kids were hungry after all that exercise, so we walked straight in without hesitation for a late lunch of shabu-shabu. Being so close to Samgakji Station made it easy to find, and it's the kind of place that's comfortable to drop into as a family, so I walked in with a bit of excitement.

What Shabu in Seoul Yongsan Main Branch is like, and is there a wait?

Shabu in Seoul Yongsan Main Branch is a shabu-shabu specialty restaurant 247m from Exit 3 of Samgakji Station. We arrived at a somewhat off-peak time after the soccer match, so thankfully we got seated right away without a waiting number.

But even though there was no wait, the dining room was still packed with plenty of guests eating, which made me feel that every branch of this chain is popular.

The same calm, upscale interior style I'd felt at other branches carried through here too, and the space was pleasantly comfortable, so I liked the atmosphere.

How to order at Shabu in Seoul: the cut first, then 5 broths

At Shabu in Seoul, you order by first choosing your meat cut, then picking the broth you like. There are 5 broths available: clear mushroom, spicy mushroom, crab miso, sukiyaki, and beef tomato — and the dessert course changes depending on which broth you choose.

For anyone visiting Shabu in Seoul for the first time, let me explain the ordering system a bit. Each broth comes with its own set dessert dish, like this:

• Clear mushroom - egg porridge
• Spicy mushroom - rosé risotto
• Crab miso - doenjang (soybean paste) rice roll
• Sukiyaki - yakisoba
• Beef tomato - tomato risotto

Each broth is paired with its own matching meal, like a set course, so even first-timers can enjoy a variety of interesting combinations.

The three sauces on the table and my favorite mix

The sauces provided as standard are sesame sauce, chili sauce, and a refreshing yuzu soy sauce, three in total. Minced garlic and chili also come out on the side for you to add as you like.

My favorite combination is loading up the chili and sesame sauces with garlic and cheongyang chili respectively. The spicy kick and nutty flavor come together beautifully, and dipping meat into it is pure heaven!👍

Prime Angus eye of round shabu-shabu set with clear mushroom broth

We always love the same combo, so without any hesitation we picked the Prime Angus eye of round shabu-shabu set with clear mushroom broth.

Soon the pot was filled with rich, boiling broth, and the pale pink Prime Angus eye of round and a generous assortment of vegetables were all set out.

This was my first time at the Sinyongsan branch, but since the menu was so familiar, it was adorable — and honestly made me laugh — watching my little ones pick up the tongs and cook the meat like pros, just as they had at another branch before.

Dipping the well-cooked meat lightly into the nutty sesame sauce and the chili sauce, the umami exploded in my mouth.

We finished off the fresh vegetables and the nutty egg porridge, made by simmering rice in the meat broth, right down to the last bite — a truly welcome restaurant that filled our hungry stomachs after all that exercise. It felt like we'd found a truly satisfying lunch spot to enjoy with the kids near Samgakji. Even as a first visit, the Shabu in Seoul Yongsan Main Branch delivered exactly the clean flavor and friendly service I'd hoped for. It would also make a fine meeting spot near Samgakji Station.

Getting to Shabu in Seoul Yongsan Main Branch and where to park

• 🧭 61 Hangang-daero 62-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea (1F)
• ⏰ Daily 11:00–22:00
• Break time 15:00–17:00 (none on Sat, Sun) / Last order 14:30, 21:00
• 🚇 247m from Exit 3, Samgakji Station (Line 4, 6)
• 🚗 Samgakji temporary public parking lot nearby

I used the Samgakji temporary public parking lot. It's about 100m from the restaurant, a 2-minute walk. It has more spaces available than nearby areas, so it's easy to park. Parking fees are also light, and being so close to Shabu in Seoul made it an incredibly convenient lot to come and go from with kids.

Why we would come back with the kids

Even though I already knew and loved this brand, this was my first time visiting the Sinyongsan branch, so it brought a whole new kind of enjoyment. The kids adore it too, so next time we visit the National Museum of Korea, I definitely want to stop by again for a solid meal. With its neat presentation and generous portions, it's a shabu-shabu restaurant in Samgakji made with care, perfect for a good time with kids. It was a perfect route for a weekend outing with the kids, wrapping up with a hearty lunch. If you're looking for clean, deeply flavorful shabu-shabu near Samgakji Station, I confidently recommend Shabu in Seoul Yongsan Main Branch.