Dongdaemun shabu-shabu restaurant with a free vegetable refill coupon

I stopped by here for lunch by chance while out looking at clothes near Dongdaemun, and I was so happy with it that I wanted to share. Dongdaemun is so crowded, and there are lots of restaurants, but finding a proper place to eat is a real headache, right? I wanted something filling that would sit well in my stomach, not spicy delivery food or street snacks, and the reviews have been really good lately, so I went to Cheongdo Minari Sikdang Dongdaemun (청도미나리식당 동대문점).

A tip before you go to Cheongdo Minari Sikdang Dongdaemun

Before you go, be sure to download the free extra-vegetable coupon on Naver Place or the app. Thanks to this coupon I got a refill of fresh vegetables and left really full.

Bottom line: I'm 200% going back, I was that happy. It's a tiny tip, but don't forget it!

Location and atmosphere: between Dongdaemun Station and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station

Cheongdo Minari Sikdang Dongdaemun sits right about halfway between Dongdaemun Station and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, so it was really easy to find. It's close to the subway, so access is great.

Inside, it was much bigger than I expected and very clean. The tables are spaced widely, so it never felt stuffy and was comfortable.

There was none of that greasiness or smell you often get at shabu-shabu or grilled meat places, so I liked it from the first impression. It was early lunchtime and there were quite a few customers, but the place is big, so it didn't feel crowded and we could eat comfortably.

Cheongdo Minari Sikdang menu

Minari shabu-shabu: why I chose the clear broth

I ordered the restaurant's signature minari shabu-shabu (shabu-shabu with water dropwort greens), and I picked the light clear broth.

When you think of minari shabu-shabu you usually picture a red broth first, but I was curious because this place is said to be famous for its refreshing, deep clear broth. It turned out to be an excellent choice! If you like clean, neat flavors, it'll definitely be your thing.

What I honestly loved after trying it

1. Generous, fresh Cheongdo minari and vegetables (the coupon refill is a lifesaver!)

I was surprised by the look of it the moment the pot arrived. Fresh, vivid green Cheongdo minari was piled up on the pot like a mountain.

You can tell they don't skimp on ingredients, which put me in a good mood before I even ate. Minari that's old or tough is chewy and hard to eat, but the minari here was really tender and soft. I blanched it just briefly and ate it while still crunchy, and the fragrant minari aroma spread through my mouth. It tasted so soothing.

On top of that, when I used the free extra-vegetable coupon I'd downloaded at the start, a staff member kindly refilled a whole load of fresh vegetables. I could pile on as much of my favorite veggies as I wanted without feeling awkward, and I honestly thought the value was crazy.

2. Tender, soft shabu-shabu beef

The shabu-shabu meat that comes with it was in great condition too. The bright pink color was vivid and you could see how fresh it was.

I lightly cooked the meat in the boiling broth and wrapped it up with the blanched minari. The savoriness of the beef mixed with the crunch of the minari, and I could have eaten it endlessly. The meat wasn't tough at all and practically melted in my mouth, so I ate it marveling.

3. A deep, refreshing clear broth you can't stop sipping

This clear broth is seriously amazing. At first it tastes clean and refreshing, but as the minari and mushrooms keep steeping and the meat soaks in, the broth gets richer and richer over time.

It isn't an artificial seasoning taste but a deep savoriness from natural ingredients, so you never get tired of sipping it. One mouthful of the hot broth settled my stomach and warmed my body, and I thought, this is as good as any health tonic food.

4. A special sauce that adds depth

Dipping the meat and minari deep into the special sauce on the table gives it a whole different charm. It's sweet and sour with a slight kick, which cuts the richness and is wildly addictive. The sauce was so good that I magically ate far more vegetables than usual.

5. A self-serve side dish bar so you can eat without feeling awkward

I tend to eat a lot of white kimchi, pickled onions and sauces with shabu-shabu, so it's often awkward to keep calling the staff over. But Cheongdo Minari Sikdang Dongdaemun has a self-serve extra side dish bar near the middle of the restaurant, set up very hygienically and neatly!

Finishing the shabu-shabu with kalguksu and fried rice

The shabu-shabu finish is kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) and fried rice. You know the real fun of shabu-shabu starts after you finish the main part, right? When I'd fished out most of the meat and vegetables, I added kalguksu noodles and boiled them.

Putting the noodles into the clear broth, already as rich as it could get, let the noodles soak up all that flavor, and it was heavenly. The broth clung to them instead of sliding off, and I slurped them down in no time.

The real final highlight was the fried rice. I stir-fried rice, egg, sesame oil, seaweed flakes and finely chopped minari in the little bit of remaining broth myself, and it was the ultimate in nuttiness. I was full but couldn't put my spoon down, and I scraped the bottom of the pot clean before leaving.

Getting to eat plenty of vegetables with the free coupon, plus kalguksu and fried rice as a filling set, made it a top-satisfaction meal.

Verdict: if you want an easy-on-the-stomach meal in Dongdaemun

If you're looking for a gentle, non-spicy, wellness-style place around Dongdaemun, I sincerely recommend Cheongdo Minari Sikdang Dongdaemun. You get to enjoy fresh Cheongdo minari generously, the meat quality is good, and the refreshing clear broth makes it a place both adults and kids would like.

The portions are generous and the restaurant is spacious, so I think it's a great spot for a tidy meal with friends or family. When you come shopping in Dongdaemun or want a neat place to eat nearby, do give it a visit. And never forget to grab the extra-vegetable coupon before you go! I'm planning to go back soon with my parents.