Years of Survival: Over 5 Years 

I first visited in 2020, and it’s been a local favorite ever since.

Authentic K-Level: 3/5 

“Nabe” means “pot” in Japanese. It’s a dish where vegetables, meat, and broth are boiled together in a shallow pot. While it has Japanese roots, Korea has a very similar tradition called “Jeongol.” 

Ordering Difficulty: Low (Tablet-based) 

Each table has a tablet for ordering, and it supports English, making the process incredibly easy.

Ordering Tips(The Must-Tries):

  • Sukiyaki If you prefer a more meat-focused dish, Sukiyaki is the way to go. It offers a richer, slightly sweeter flavor profile compared to the Mille-feuille Nabe.
  • Mille-feuille Nabe “Mille-feuille” is French for “a thousand leaves.”
    This pot is packed with layers of fresh vegetables. While raw vegetables can sometimes be bitter or stiff, they become incredibly soft and flavorful once they soak up the savory nabe broth. Don’t worry—there’s plenty of meat tucked inside too!

Dining Tips

  • The Raw Egg “Sauce”: When you receive a small dish with a raw egg, whisk it well to break the yolk. Use it as a dipping sauce for your hot vegetables, meat, and fish cakes. It not only cools down the hot ingredients but also wraps the flavors in a silky, rich texture.
  • The “Full Course” Experience: A single Nabe order is enough to fill up two hungry adults.
    1. Enjoy the main Nabe first.
    2. Once finished, they will serve Kalguksu (handmade noodles) to cook in the remaining broth.
    3. Finally, they will prepare a savory porridge (Juk) using the leftover broth, vegetables, and an egg. You won’t leave hungry!

Getting There

A pleasant 10-minute walk from Jamsil Station, enjoying the view of Seokchon Lake along the way.

Nearby Attractions

Lotte World, Lotte World Tower, and Seokchon Lake.

Local Tip for Cherry Blossoms: Seokchon Lake was originally formed from a branch of the Han River. It’s famous for its cherry blossoms, but it gets incredibly crowded during the peak season. If you want a peaceful view, go at dawn. I used to jog here at dawn in 2020—it was nearly empty, except for a monk who was always out for a morning walk.

One response to “Sujak Nabe (수작나베) Seokchon Lake: A Hidden Gem in Jamsil”

  1. […] finishing with golden fried rice—is a ritual unique to Korea. It follows a similar “logic” to Sujak Nabe near Seokchon Lake, but with a distinctly spicy, local […]

Leave a Reply

Discover more from Native Dining Korea

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading