Nowon sushi buffet at 3pm on a weekend: braised pork belly, Kuu Kuu

I wanted a big, filling meal with my younger sister on the weekend, so we went to Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch (쿠우쿠우 노원점). It's where I go whenever I'm craving sushi, and once again the variety was great and I left happy. People who love raw fish and people who can't eat it can both enjoy it, so it works well for family meals and get-togethers too.

Where is Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch, and where do you park?

Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch is on the 6th floor of the Seoul Oncheon building at 247 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul. If you park in the Oncheon building lot, it's free for up to 2 hours, so coming by car was easy. That said, on the weekend I had to wait a bit for a parking spot!

Even at an awkward time like 3pm, it was crowded! On weekends I'd recommend leaving yourself some extra time. It's also close to Nowon Station, so it's easy to reach and a convenient place to meet up.

Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch interior and seating

The moment I walked in I was surprised by how big it is. The tables are spaced fairly far apart so it didn't feel cramped, and there were all kinds of guests: families, friends, couples and office workers.

I thought it would be good for anyone looking for a company dinner spot in Nowon, too. There's plenty of seating and the food turns over quickly, so even at busy times the trays were almost never empty. It's kept clean overall, so the whole meal felt comfortable.

What's on the buffet at Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch?

Honestly, it was harder to find something they don't have.

Sushi selection

As a proper Nowon sushi buffet, the sushi alone is hugely varied: salmon, raw shrimp, flounder, tuna, yukhoe, beef, gunkan (sushi wrapped in seaweed) and rolls.

Hot dishes for people who don't eat raw fish

There were lots of dishes for people who can't eat raw fish, too: pizza, pork ribs, dongpayuk, jokbal (braised pig's trotters), kkwabaerou (Chinese-style sweet and sour pork), udon, tempura and pasta. Whoever you come with, it's easy to match everyone's tastes.

Dessert corner

The dessert corner was pretty satisfying too. Crepe cake, waffles, ball ice cream, regular ice cream, fruit and cakes, so there was plenty to eat right to the end.

How the salmon sushi and other sushi tasted

I really love salmon, so I started with salmon sushi here too.

The salmon wasn't fishy and was soft, so I brought back several plates and enjoyed them all the way to the end.

The raw shrimp sushi was plump and springy, and the yukhoe sushi was better quality than I expected.

For a Nowon sushi buffet, the sushi selection is what matters, and there wasn't a single item that disappointed me much.

Food Party seasonal menu: dongpayuk (braised pork belly) and red snow crab pasta

The Food Party corner, this season's menu, was better than I expected! The dongpayuk was sweet and tender, and the red snow crab pasta was creamy and delicious.

If you only eat sushi, you might get a little tired of it, but eating these in between kept me from getting sick of it right to the end.

Finishing with crepe cake and ball ice cream

And the desserts at Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch weren't just an afterthought, they were pretty good.

The crepe cake was moist, and I was too full for the waffle, but you can get it warm, and with ball ice cream too I got a proper finish to the meal ><

Who Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch suits best

• People looking for a place for a family meal
• People who want to eat their fill with friends
• People who want more than just sushi
• People looking for a restaurant to visit with kids
• People looking for a restaurant with parking

With so many dishes that kids and older relatives who can't eat raw fish can enjoy, I could see why it's such a popular family-gathering spot in Nowon!

Verdict: allow extra time on weekends, and don't skip the salmon sushi

Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch was very satisfying this time, with a wide range of sushi and a well-prepared seasonal menu.

The salmon sushi was my favorite, and besides sushi there were pork ribs, dongpayuk, pasta and desserts, so I enjoyed it all the way to the end.

Weekends are really crowded, so I think it's more comfortable to go at a less busy time. It's a good place to try on a day when you want sushi and a variety of other food too.

Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch opening hours and prices

• Location: 6F, 247 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: daily 11:00-22:00 (last order 20:30)
• Adults and middle/high schoolers: weekday lunch ₩27,900 / weekday dinner ₩31,900 / weekends and holidays ₩35,900
• Elementary schoolers: weekday lunch ₩16,900 / weekday dinner ₩17,900 / weekends and holidays ₩18,900
• Preschoolers: ₩9,900 for weekday lunch, weekday dinner, and weekends and holidays alike