Day-trip lunch at a Naju Innovation City shabu-shabu spot: Yuyu Shabu

On this Naju outing, I was once again stuck on where to eat, so I stopped by Yuyu Shabu, known as a go-to spot in Naju Innovation City, and tried the half-and-half shabu-shabu. I was looking for something filling but not too heavy for a day trip, and it ended up being more satisfying than I expected.

Yuyu Shabu Naju Innovation City branch: address and hours

• Name: Yuyu Shabu Naju branch
• Address: 22 Baemet 1-gil, 1st floor, Units 113–114, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
• Hours: 11:00 ~ 21:00
• Break time: 15:00 ~ 17:00 / Last order 20:20
• Parking: Building's 2nd floor parking available, nearby side streets also possible

When is Yuyu Shabu worth a stop?

• Lunch or work gatherings for Naju Innovation City employees
• Company dinners and group meetups
• Family meals / weekend dining
• Family outings with kids
• Date-night dining
• A meal stop after a drive near Gwangju
• A dining stop after visiting Bitgaram Lake Park

Parking at Yuyu Shabu: 2nd floor of the building only

The building where Yuyu Shabu Naju Innovation City branch is located has retail parking only up to the 2nd floor. Floors 3 through 5 are reserved for hotel guests, so shop visitors need to stick to the 2nd floor.

If you're driving, this is worth knowing. You can use the dedicated retail parking up to the 2nd floor — just move the traffic cones on the 2nd floor yourself before parking. But floors 3 to 5 are hotel-only parking, so shop visitors should stay on the 2nd floor and below. Knowing this in advance makes the visit much smoother.

Inside Yuyu Shabu: table spacing and the group room

The interior of Yuyu Shabu Naju Innovation City branch was bright and comfortable overall, with generous spacing between tables for a relaxed meal. There's also a room space good for group gatherings or family dinners.

As soon as I arrived at the building, the clean exterior caught my eye. The entrance was wide and easy to find, so even first-time visitors shouldn't have trouble locating it. The interior was bright and pleasant overall, and the tables had enough spacing for a comfortable meal. There's also a room that's great for group gatherings or family dinners, so it looked like a solid choice for a work dinner too.

Self-bar: free vegetables and mushrooms

One of the things I liked most about Yuyu Shabu was the self-bar. There was a good variety of vegetables and mushrooms, and you could take as much as you wanted. Everything looked freshly kept, which made me trust the place more, and it was fun putting together my own plate to taste.

Yuyu Shabu menu and prices

Half-and-half shabu-shabu: mild broth vs spicy broth

What I ordered at Yuyu Shabu Naju Innovation City branch was the half-and-half shabu-shabu. One side came with a mild broth, the other with a spicy broth, so I didn't get tired of it even by the end.

I ordered the half-and-half shabu-shabu. One side had a mild broth, the other a spicy broth, so I didn't get bored even to the end. The meat cooked up tender, and eating it with the vegetables made the texture even richer. The mild broth brought out the natural flavor of the ingredients, while the spicy broth had a sharp, savory kick — switching between the two was part of the fun.

The staff's friendly service also stood out during the meal. They quickly helped whenever needed, and the restaurant was kept clean and well managed, which made the meal even more enjoyable. Beyond the food itself, the overall service made the dining experience feel that much more comfortable.

Is Yuyu Shabu a good lunch on a Naju day trip?

If you're looking for a good restaurant in Naju Innovation City, I think Yuyu Shabu is a solid choice. It's great for when you want a hearty meal while traveling, or a relaxed meal with family or friends. I'd definitely want to stop by again the next time I plan a Naju trip, and I'd recommend it as a stop on a Naju Innovation City travel course. 😊