Mapo shabu-shabu restaurant with rose risotto: Shabu in Seoul

Whenever I want top-grade meat, from 1++ Korean beef to Prime Angus, Shabu in Seoul Hapjeong Branch (샤브인서울 합정점) comes to mind. It is a premium shabu-shabu dining spot that studies the ideal thickness and aging for each meat, including 1++ Korean beef, Prime Angus, Black Nine wagyu, and Grade 1 black pork. In its calm white-and-wood space, I could enjoy deep broth and precisely sliced meat.

Easy access and parking at Hapjeong Delight Square

The 3 hours of free parking were so convenient and great.

It is also well known as a good restaurant at Hapjeong Delight Square, and its transport access and pleasant interior made it ideal for gatherings. Free parking is such a huge benefit in an area like Hapjeong, where getting around can be tricky, haha 👌

Its quiet, atmospheric space is also why it is considered a Hapjeong date spot—just perfect for spending a special time with someone you love ✨

Different thicknesses and textures for each cut

They say they research and serve the ideal thickness and texture for each meat, including 1++ Korean beef boseopsal, Prime Angus al-moksim, and Black Nine wagyu ribeye. The fact that they adjust the ideal slice thickness for every cut was so impressive; it felt like thoughtful care that even considered the texture of every bite 👌

Cuts with abundant marbling are served at the temperature best suited to shabu-shabu, so the fat and juices stay at their best. It showed the expertise of a premium dining restaurant ✨

There were soy sauce, chili sauce, and sesame sauce to bring out the savory flavor of the shabu-shabu—so good!! :) We even received assorted fish balls through a flyer event.

Spicy mushroom broth and other broth choices

This is said to be Shabu in Seoul's signature broth, made with fresh shiitake mushrooms, assorted vegetables, and only natural ingredients, with a spicy kick added. The deep, rich flavor from shiitake mushrooms steeped for a long time, combined with the spice, brought out the meat's flavor even more.

You can choose from clear mushroom, spicy mushroom, crab doenjang (soybean paste), and sukiyaki broths, and they say the pairings are tailored to the characteristics of each meat to maximize savory flavor. It felt like more than a simple broth—it was carefully designed ✨

Prime Angus salchisal shabu set

The Prime Angus salchisal shabu set was a menu where tender meat and a rich beefy aroma came together perfectly.

When I briefly dipped the thinly sliced salchisal in the hot broth, it cooked in an instant while seeming to hold onto all its juices. That was really impressive 👌

Prime Angus al-moksim shabu set

The Prime Angus al-moksim shabu set delivered deep savory flavor in every piece, thanks to al-moksim's characteristic rich marbling.

Al-moksim enjoyed as shabu-shabu had a tenderness unlike regular grilled meat. Briefly cooking it in the broth made it taste even juicier and softer ✨

You cannot leave out the dumplings and potato glass noodles either!! And there were Vietnamese rice-paper wraps too!! It was truly the best.

Shrimp rose risotto made with the remaining broth

The finishing dish was rose risotto, and even the shrimp was perfect, haha. The rich rose sauce blended with the broth left after the meat, creating risotto with an even deeper flavor 👌

Ending the shabu-shabu with a filling risotto made the whole meal feel even more complete ✨

A clean finish with omija tea

After the hearty shabu-shabu course, the refreshing, tangy omija tea cleared my palate nicely 💫

I think Shabu in Seoul Hapjeong Branch is a premium shabu-shabu dining spot where you can experience the difference of a precisely designed meal 🌟 The carefully researched thicknesses of top-grade meat, the tender pairing of Prime Angus salchisal and al-moksim, the deep savory flavor of spicy mushroom broth, the rose risotto and omija tea finish, the white-and-wood space, and 3 hours of free parking were all satisfying ✨