Unlimited veggie shabu-shabu for a diet dinner in Naju: Yuyu Shabu

When you're dieting but your mouth won't cooperate at dinner

I'm on a diet these days, but suddenly at dinner my mouth just went off. At times like this you have to pick a menu that at least cuts down on the guilt. So I came to Yuyu Shabu, a shabu-shabu spot in Bitgaram-dong known for exactly that.

• 🥑 22 Baemet 1-gil, 1st floor, units 113 & 114, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do
• 🥑 Open daily 11:00–21:00 / break time 15:00–17:00 / last order 20:20
• 🥑 Open every day during Chuseok holiday
• 🥑 Parking lot available
• 🥑 Private rooms available

Rooms must be reserved in advance through Naver Reservations ⭐️

Luckily my friend liked the place I picked too — because she's also a mouth dieter (haha, women, am I right…). There's a ground-level parking lot here, so parking is definitely easy. We parked and went in through the back entrance.

The restaurant's vibe and the weeknight wait

Overall the place has a cozy, compact feel.

Even on a weeknight, there were quite a lot of customers. I guess everyone else came dragging their significant other along on their diet journey too,,

I want to eat and not gain weight ㅜ ??: Then eat vegetables.

Ordering the basic Yuyu Shabu for two

We sat down and ordered the basic Yuyu Shabu (18,000 won) for two. Writing this now, I suddenly regret not finishing with egg porridge — I love eating porridge boiled in the leftover broth after shabu-shabu, and I missed out this time. ㅜ Definitely getting the egg porridge next visit,,

As soon as we sat down, they brought out soy-egg sauce. The egg was practically shouting with freshness.

The unlimited vegetable salad bar setup

There's a separate salad bar here, so you can bring back unlimited enju mushrooms. For a mushroom nerd like me, that's a massive win. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The salad bar is packed with broth, peanut sauce, three kinds of mushrooms, bean sprouts, napa cabbage, bok choy, kimchi, and more.

As soon as we ordered, the staff set up the broth right away.

And then..! The main event — shabu-shabu!!!! It comes plated quite beautifully. It's the kind of visual where the saying "a good-looking dish tastes good too" really applies. The meat and vegetables all looked fresh overall, so very good. I was really pleased.

The staff kindly explained how to eat it. Very kind. Honestly, we already knew exactly how to eat it even without being told — because we're not, you know, usually pigs..

The taste, eating mostly vegetables

Alright, time to actually eat.

No time to waste — vegetables and meat straight into the broth. I actually love enju mushrooms the most out of all mushrooms. (TMI) Sizzle (clap) bubble (clap)

The basic set that comes out is already pretty generous, but honestly the real kick of shabu-shabu is the salad bar. Being able to grab as many vegetables as you want, unlimited, is the biggest perk. Simmer the vegetables in the pot and they go down easily without getting boring at all. (Since shabu-shabu is mostly vegetables, my stomach is definitely lighter and digests better the next day.)

Want a bite?

The private room and the photo spot

There's also a separate room area in the back of the restaurant, which seems great for group diners who want to eat quietly.

I highly recommend it as a group gathering spot.

I've gained weight fast lately so I can't post a selfie, but there's a small photo spot set up in a corner of the restaurant. Hehe.

If you suddenly find yourself craving shabu-shabu, or want a delicious meal while trying to diet, go to Yuyu Shabu without a doubt!