Shabu Cuisine Shinsegae Myeongdong Review 2026: Solo Hot Pot Dining

On a recent shopping trip to Shinsegae Main Branch in Myeongdong, my friend and I were looking for a light, early dinner. We explored the bustling underground food court, hoping to find something satisfying but not too heavy.

That's when our eyes landed on a delightful discovery: **individual shabu-shabu**!

Shabu Cuisine Shinsegae Main Branch Menu

Compared to other shabu-shabu restaurants, Shabu Cuisine at Shinsegae Main Branch is a bit pricier, likely due to its prime department store location.

The **Shabu-shabu Nabe Udon is ~$9**, while the **Beef & Vegetable Shabu-shabu costs ~$12**.

We asked about the difference, and the staff explained that the Nabe Udon is served as a pre-cooked udon dish, whereas the **Beef & Vegetable Shabu-shabu** is the traditional, interactive hot pot experience we know and love.

Even add-ons like extra meat or mixed vegetables were a bit steep at **~$5**.

Since we were craving the classic hot pot, we both ordered the **Beef & Vegetable Shabu-shabu** for ~$12 each.

As a big fan of shabu-shabu, I've tried many places, but what makes Shabu Cuisine at Shinsegae Main Branch stand out is their use of **refrigerated Australian beef**!

Most shabu-shabu spots serve frozen beef, so realizing it was fresh, high-quality meat made the slightly higher price tag completely understandable.

I noticed a sign warning about hitting your knees on the bag hanger under the table. Curious, I looked down and found a clever **bag hook** at each seat, which was incredibly convenient for keeping our belongings off the floor.

Since it's individual shabu-shabu, you dine at a bar-style counter, so having a dedicated spot for bags was a thoughtful touch.

They also offered three different sauces, so you could customize your dipping experience to your liking.

Another pleasant surprise was the individual bottle of water. It wasn't just ordinary bottled water; it was their custom-branded **deep-sea water**!

Seeing the mineral content listed on the label, I felt a sense of trust, knowing they paid attention to even the drinking water.

Perhaps because it was **refrigerated beef**, the shabu-shabu cooked quickly and was incredibly tender and flavorful.

While the vegetable portion wasn't huge, it all looked fresh. A particularly fun topping was the **fried tofu pockets** (yubu jumeoni) included in the mix!

After enjoying the beef and vegetables, it was time to add the **kalguksu** (knife-cut noodles).

Each table had extra broth available for refills, and the individual induction cooktops allowed us to control the heat to our preference, making for a very comfortable dining experience at Shabu Cuisine Shinsegae Main Branch.

Overall, the portions at Shabu Cuisine Shinsegae Main Branch aren't overly generous. If you have a larger appetite, you might find it a bit light (I noticed some guys next to us ordering **extra meat**).

However, for my friend and me, who were looking for a lighter, healthier meal, it was perfectly satisfying and a clean, enjoyable experience. We left feeling quite content.

While the price initially seemed a little high, the premium **refrigerated Australian beef** and the unique **deep-sea water** justified the cost in our minds, elevating it beyond a typical food court meal.

I discovered that Shabu Cuisine is primarily located in **department store food courts** beyond just Shinsegae Main Branch.

I was also curious about the 'by Paul' in their branding. I wondered if it was related to the French bakery Paul, but it doesn't seem to be the case. The mystery remains!

While it's not a place I'd go out of my way to visit, if I found myself near a Shabu Cuisine again and needed a clean, satisfying meal, I'd definitely consider it!

Shabu Cuisine Shinsegae Main Branch

Wellness Archive Index

Slightly pricey, but the refrigerated Australian beef and deep-sea water justify the cost.

Anticipation: ★★★

Experience: ★★★

Memory: ★★★

*What is the Wellness Archive Index?