Korean Shabu-Shabu

One of my favorite food is Korean shabu-shabu. Our favorite place to have it is a famous chain-brand called “Chae-seon-dang” (Hangeul: 채선당). We used to go to their branch at Dongmyo Station (subway line 6) when we were still living in Changsin-dong.
Korean shabu-shabu is a three course-meal. The restaurant offers “beef shabu-shabu” (쇠고기) and “seafood shabu-shabu” (해물). My husband likes seafood while I prefer beef. The minimum order is for two people. We would just have two orders of beef (9,000 won each) or seafood (11,000 won each). Then we’d order an extra serving of beef for 5,000 won.
The first things that the waitress brings to our table are the side dishes: water kimchi, salad, and two kinds of sauces.

Beef shabu-shabu includes cooking thin slices of beef, veggies, dumpling, mushrooms, rice cake, fish cake in a soup (국물). The noodles or kal-guk-su (Hangeul: 갈국수) are cooked after eating the beef and veggies. The last part is the “juk” (Hangeul:ì­‰) or porridge.

We usually cook the tofu, fish cake, onion, mushroom and veggies first. Then we add the beef. I always eat the beef with the veggies dipped in the orange-colored sauce. I would sometimes consume about half-a-cup of the sauce.

After we’re done with the beef, we cook the noodles in the remaining soup. It takes about 4 or 5 minutes. Finally, we add the rice with chopped veggies, kim (seaweed) and egg for a tasty porridge.

At this Korean restaurant, you’ll find that the table has a bell so one could easily call the waitress. The order is marked at a menu pad and left on the table. After eating and you’d like some coffee, you can get a cup for free from a coffee machine. Of course, to help you get rid of the aftertaste or to freshen your breath don’t forget to have a piece or two of peppermint candy.

Korean shabu-shabu is a must try. It’s inexpensive and filling!