Yongga Hotpot Myeongdong Review: All-You-Can-Eat Guide
Discover Yongga Conveyor Belt Hotpot in Myeongdong, Seoul. Enjoy customizable individual hotpots, a massive buffet, and unlimited draft beer for under $20!
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Discover Yongga Conveyor Belt Hotpot in Myeongdong, Seoul. Enjoy customizable individual hotpots, a massive buffet, and unlimited draft beer for under $20!
Seoul Dining
Yongga Conveyor Belt Hotpot
Hey there, fellow travelers! It's Lisa, your go-to travel blogger! :)
✔️ This is a 100% honest, self-funded review based on my personal experience.
Have you heard of Yongga Conveyor Belt Hotpot? It’s currently taking social media by storm as the ultimate individual, all-you-can-eat Chinese hotpot and shabu-shabu spot in Seoul. To be honest, I've already visited this place more than five times on my own dime. It's just that good! 😀
🔎 What is Yongga Conveyor Belt Hotpot? It is an individual-pot, all-you-can-eat dining experience where you can savor authentic Chinese hotpot. Think of hotpot as a richer, incredibly customizable version of your favorite spicy broth, packed with fresh ingredients cooked right at your table.
When people ask me for the best restaurants in Myeongdong, Yongga is always at the top of my list. While they have opened several branches across Seoul recently, the Myeongdong location has a fantastic, bustling international vibe that makes you feel like you're on a global culinary adventure.
Let me break down why I keep coming back here every time I visit Myeongdong, including tips on reservations, avoiding long lines, and navigating the parking situation.
Table of Contents |
✔️ Location & How to Get to Yongga Hotpot Myeongdong |
✔️ Reservations & Waiting Tips |
✔️ Yongga Hotpot Prices |
✔️ My Honest Review |
✔️ Myeongdong Parking Tips |
📍 Yongga Conveyor Belt Hotpot Myeongdong
2F & 3F, 12 Myeongdong 3-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
⏰ Hours: 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM daily
( Last order at 11:00 PM )
☑️ Open year-round
Yongga Hotpot is nestled right in the heart of the bustling Myeongdong Shopping Street.
✔️ Subway Line 4 Myeongdong Station: 5-minute walk (approx. 0.2 miles)
✔️ Subway Line 2 Euljiro 1-ga Station: 3-minute walk (approx. 0.1 miles)
It's incredibly close to major landmarks like Myeongdong Cathedral, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Lotte Department Store, and Shinsegae Department Store, making it the perfect spot to refuel after a day of shopping and sightseeing.
Yongga is famous for its long queues. While you can't book a table in advance, you can join the virtual queue using the Catch Table app!
Time of Day | Waiting Status |
Weekdays around 5:30 PM | Queue #4-5 / Approx. 10 mins |
Weekdays after 7:00 PM | Queue #50+ / Approx. 40+ mins |
Weekends & Holidays | Expect 1+ hour wait |
✅ Pro Tip: Register on the Catch Table app before arriving to minimize your wait time.
⚠️ Note: You must confirm your arrival once you are near the restaurant, so don't join the queue too early!
⚠️ Groups of 3 or more might take longer to get seated due to the conveyor belt layout.
>> Join the Catch Table Queue for Yongga Hotpot
Since it's an all-you-can-eat buffet style, the pricing varies depending on the time of day and the day of the week.
<📌 Yongga Hotpot Pricing>
Menu | Price (USD) |
Weekday Lunch | ~$12 |
Weekday Dinner (After 3 PM) | ~$15 |
Weekends / Holidays |
It's a flat-rate buffet, so you just order per person.
✔️ Kids' Pricing:
Children under 3'3" (100cm) eat FREE / Children under 4'3" (130cm) eat at HALF PRICE.
You get to choose your own broth (1 pot per person!):
Mala / Sukiyaki / Cheongyang Chili / Tomato / Mushroom / Bone Broth
❤️ The crowd favorites are the Bone Broth and Mala Broth.
A continuous parade of fresh vegetables, meats, and noodles glides past on the conveyor belt. Just grab whatever you like and drop it into your boiling pot!
There's also a self-serve station featuring a DIY sauce bar, Guobaorou (sweet and sour pork), fried rice, stir-fried mala xiang guo, and fried chicken—all included in the price!
With regular shabu-shabu or mala spots easily costing over $20 per person these days, the sheer variety and quality you get here for under $15 makes it an absolute steal.
There are also premium add-ons available for a small fee.
You can order shrimp paste, beef tripe, or flying fish roe bags separately. (Tip: They often run a review event where you can get the premium shrimp paste for free, so be sure to ask!)
+ You can also add unlimited draft beer for just ~$2! (Unbelievably cheap!)
Having visited the Myeongdong branch more than five times, I've got the system down. By queuing in advance on Catch Table, I only had to wait 5 minutes before being seated.
While duos are typically seated at the bar counter, we lucked out this time and got a spacious 4-person table, which made the dining experience even more comfortable.
I went with my favorite, the Bone Broth, while my husband ordered the spicy Mala Broth!
✔️ Warning: The standard Mala Broth is quite spicy (comparable to spicy Shin Ramyun). If you aren't great with heat, definitely ask for the mild version!
✔️ Sauce Bar Pro Tip: Mix Yongga's signature sesame sauce with two spoonfuls of the spicy Mala broth. Trust me, it's a game-changer!
The conveyor belt is packed with fresh choices like Napa cabbage, bok choy, bean sprouts, and enoki mushrooms. You can pile them in as much as you want.
They offer beef short plate, chicken, pork, shrimp, and squid, alongside specialty items like wide glass noodles, flower-shaped glass noodles, duck blood, shrimp balls, panda-shaped rice cakes, and bamboo shoots. The variety is incredible!
My personal absolute must-have is the frozen tofu—it absorbs the broth like a sponge and tastes amazing! They also have fried chicken, cheese balls, and even egg tarts to round out your meal.
You also get unlimited access to Chinese herbal teas and sodas.
Did I mention their Guobaorou (sweet and sour pork) is absolutely legendary? Pairing the hot, spicy soup with a bite of sweet, crispy pork is pure heaven.
Don't forget to grab some soft-serve ice cream on your way out to cool down your palate! ❤️
The only downside to Yongga Hotpot is that they do not offer free parking. Due to the nature of Myeongdong, very few restaurants provide parking spaces, so I always rely on paid public parking lots.
✔️ App Recommendation: Download the "Modu Parking" (모두의주차장) app. It allows you to compare hourly rates and purchase discounted day passes in advance.
✔️ Perfect Day Route: Park your car, take a leisurely stroll along Cheonggyecheon Stream, explore the Myeongdong food stalls, and check out nearby attractions like Pop Mart or Heytea.
⚠️ Traffic in Myeongdong gets extremely heavy on weekends, so taking the subway is highly recommended!
Q. Can I reserve a spot at Yongga Hotpot via Catch Table?
Yes! You can join the remote queue through the Catch Table app. Just remember to confirm your arrival at the restaurant location once you get close!
Q. Is this spot suitable for solo diners?
Absolutely! Since it uses an individual-pot system, it's one of the most solo-traveler-friendly dining spots in Seoul.
Q. Is there a child discount?
Yes. Kids under 3'3" (100cm) eat free, and kids under 4'3" (130cm) get 50% off.
If you are looking for an incredible, budget-friendly dining experience in Seoul, I highly recommend Yongga Conveyor Belt Hotpot. The lively international atmosphere makes for a fun night out.
Whether you are traveling solo or with a group, it's a fantastic spot to enjoy. Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions, and happy eating!
The weekday lunch is ~$12, and the weekday dinner (after 3:00 PM), weekends, and public holidays are ~$15. For children, those under 100cm tall eat for free, and those under 130cm tall get a half-price discount.
Advance seat reservations are not available, but you can join the remote waitlist via the Catch Table app. However, you must verify your arrival once you are near the restaurant, so it is recommended to register for the waitlist while keeping your travel time in mind.
The rule is one soup base per person, and you can choose from Mala, Sukiyaki, Cheongyang Chili, Tomato, Mushroom, or Beef Bone broth. If you would like unlimited draft beer, there is an additional charge of ~$2.
The restaurant does not provide its own parking. If you are driving, we recommend using the Modu Parking app to purchase a full-day or afternoon pass for a nearby paid parking lot in advance.
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