1pm parking and sanitized spoons at a Yongin shabu-kalguksu: Yun Ujae

When my dad asked if there was anything good to eat, I tried thinking about what we could make at home, but nothing came to mind. So I opened up the map app and started browsing nearby places, and that's how I stumbled onto Yun Ujae Shabu Kalguksu Gogidong Branch!

From the photos, it looked like you could get red broth, kalguksu (knife-cut noodles), and even fried rice, which seemed exactly like our family's thing. I showed my dad and he immediately said let's go, so we headed out for a spontaneous meal out. If you're looking for a family restaurant in Suji, Yongin, this is worth a try.

Location, hours, and parking

With "Gogidong" in the name, I first thought we'd have to drive all the way into Gogi-ri, but it turned out to be closer to Sinbong-dong than I expected.

At the entrance there was a tablet for registering your name on the waitlist and a waiting area. Even though we arrived after 1pm, the restaurant already had quite a few customers.

When we arrived, the parking lot only had one or two open spots, and I saw cars parked along the roadside nearby too. But by the time we finished eating and left around 2pm, the lot had plenty of space. If you're visiting on a weekend or during peak mealtimes, I'd recommend giving yourself some extra time.

Interior and atmosphere

The restaurant was bigger than I expected, and the tables were spaced generously apart, which I liked. Not being crammed too close to the next table made it easy for our family to chat comfortably while eating. That said, with three of us and everything from the shabu-shabu pot to various side dishes piling up on the table, it did feel a little tight during the meal.

One thing that personally stood out to me was the spoons! They came out sanitized in hot water, which gave the impression that they were paying attention to hygiene too — I really liked that.

What we ordered and how it tasted

• Shabu-kalguksu, ₩11,500 per person × 3 people (red broth, regular spice)
• Crispy seafood pancake, ₩16,000

Shabu-kalguksu is one order per person, so we ordered three servings to match our group. The pancake looked so delicious in photos that we added the crispy seafood pancake as well.

Turns out the shabu-kalguksu at ₩11,500 per person includes everything from the meat to the kalguksu noodles to the fried rice at the end. Considering today's prices, isn't that a pretty solid deal?

The table had a detailed guide to the eating order, so even people unfamiliar with shabu-kalguksu can just follow along and it's not difficult at all.

How spicy is "regular" spice, really?

We went with the red broth in regular spice. The broth wasn't overly sharp or salty — just right for enjoying comfortably. I was a bit worried the regular spice level might be too hot, but our whole family ate it happily without any trouble.

Eating order — meat and vegetables, then the flat noodles

You pull out the meat and vegetables first, and once the broth is boiling, you call over a staff member to add the flat noodles. The staff tears the noodles in by hand and sets down an hourglass timer too — just wait until the sand runs out, then dig in.

The crispy seafood pancake exceeded expectations

While waiting for the flat noodles to cook, let's try the crispy seafood pancake.

The dish that impressed me far more than I expected that day was actually the crispy seafood pancake. Sometimes when a restaurant calls their pancake "crispy," it ends up overcooked and hard. This one wasn't like that at all — the edges were lightly crisp like a fried snowflake, while the inside stayed moist, that perfect crispy-outside, soft-inside style.

It also had plump shrimp inside, so there was a satisfying chew too! Dipped in the soy sauce that came with it, the seasoning was just right. As soon as it arrived, our whole family dug in, and before we knew it the plate was clean. Shabu-kalguksu alone is plenty filling, but if you're visiting with a group, I'd recommend adding a crispy seafood pancake to share.

The noodles were flat with a soft, tender texture, and the broth had seasoned them nicely — really tasty.

Finishing with kimchi fried rice

After the shabu-shabu and the kalguksu, we were already starting to feel full, but it doesn't end there. Last up is the fried rice, of course! With kimchi and sesame oil mixed in, it was savory with bits of kimchi giving it texture so it never felt greasy. Broth, then noodles, then finishing with fried rice — it really felt like a proper full meal.

Final thoughts

The progression from meat to kalguksu to fried rice made for a filling meal, and at ₩11,500 per person the price wasn't a burden either. The regular spice level was manageable for the whole family, and above all, the crispy seafood pancake exceeded expectations enough to stick in my memory. The restaurant is also spacious, making it a solid option for family meals in Suji, Yongin, or anyone looking for a place to eat near Sinbong-dong. If we come back, I'd order the same combo of shabu-kalguksu and crispy seafood pancake again.