We didn’t set out to find anything special that day. The weather had turned gray, the mall was crowded, and we just wanted a decent meal.
That search led us into the North Parking Building of SM Mall of Asia—an unlikely place to discover one of the most comforting Korean hotpot Manila experiences we’ve had in a while. Behind a quiet, understated entrance, we found Shaburo21, a Korean restaurant that immediately stood out.
Although well-established in Korea, this is Shaburo21’s first Philippine branch. It hasn’t launched to media yet. There’s no marketing campaign, no opening buzz. Still, from the first few minutes at our table, we could tell: this wasn’t just another Korean dining spot.
A Calmer Way to Dine
Unlike most Korean barbecue joints, Shaburo21 creates a setting that feels more like a modern café than a traditional restaurant. Warm-toned wood, a soft ambient soundtrack, and carefully spaced tables make the room feel open and intentional.
More importantly, the pace of the meal matches the space. There are no grills to manage, no timers counting down, and no buffet trays to navigate. Each table includes its own hotpot setup. Guests choose from five broth options—House Special, Spicy, Miso, Pho, or Mala—and then personalize their meal.
The ingredients arrive fresh and neatly plated: thin-sliced beef, mushrooms, tofu, vegetables, and noodles. Everything invites you to take your time. You cook at your own rhythm, talk between bites, and let the experience unfold slowly.
Compared to the fast, quantity-first approach of other Korean spots, this style feels intentional. It encourages presence rather than urgency.
A Finishing Touch That Surprises
What truly distinguishes Shaburo21 comes at the end of the meal.
After we finished the last of our hotpot ingredients, our server returned—not to clear the table, but to prepare egg porridge from the broth we had built. At tableside, they stirred in steamed rice, egg, scallions, and seaweed, letting it thicken into something warm and deeply flavorful.
This final dish wasn’t simply a way to use leftovers. It felt like a thoughtful close to the meal—a tradition in Korean hotpot culture that values every part of the process.
The porridge, enriched by everything we’d cooked, tasted like comfort. And more than that, it gave the meal a quiet sense of closure. It reinforced the idea that Shaburo21 values every stage of the dining experience, not just the start.
A Menu Built on Comfort
While hotpot anchors the experience, Shaburo21 also serves a compact menu of familiar, comforting Korean dishes.
We tried the sukiyaki, a sweet and savory soy-based broth with delicate beef and glass noodles. The gyudon and butadon offered flavorful rice bowls—generous, but not overwhelming. Each main dish came with a few classic banchan: kimchi, tofu, and dumplings.
Although the offerings are limited, each one feels considered. The restaurant doesn’t try to overwhelm diners with options. Instead, it provides a small collection of well-executed dishes that complement the main experience.
Portions feel balanced. Flavors are deep without being heavy. The result? A meal that satisfies without exhausting you.
How Shaburo21 Stands Apart
Across Metro Manila, Korean restaurants have become familiar fixtures. Many of them operate on volume—endless meat, grill smoke, noise, and time-bound seating.
Shaburo21 offers something else. It slows everything down.
There’s no rush. You cook in broth instead of over fire. You talk, sip, wait, and return to the pot again. The atmosphere encourages focus and presence, not distraction.
And while its approach is rooted in Korean culture, the spirit of the place connects naturally with Filipino values. We also gather around warm meals. We linger at the table. We understand that food isn’t just for sustenance—it’s for bonding.
A Soft Opening with Room to Breathe
As of writing, Shaburo21 remains in soft opening. It hasn’t launched publicly. There’s no influencer rollout. No promotional hook.
This means you can still walk in and enjoy the space as it was intended: without the buzz, without the lines, and without feeling rushed.
The quiet atmosphere won’t last forever. Eventually, the word will spread. But for now, you can experience Shaburo21 at its most genuine—a slow meal in a calm space, rich in flavor and intention.
If you value places that let you stay a little longer and eat a little slower, now’s the perfect time to visit.
What Makes It Worth Discovering
Shaburo21 doesn’t rely on gimmicks or trend-driven dishes. It doesn’t try to go viral. What it offers instead is something more enduring: a dining experience that respects your time, your taste, and your desire to slow down.
So the next time you find yourself at MOA, looking for comfort without the noise, try something new.
Start with a broth. Cook slowly. Talk more. And when the porridge arrives, notice what it means—that the best part of the meal wasn’t just the food, but how it made you feel.
Because while Shaburo21 begins with hotpot, it ends with something more.
And that’s exactly why it’s worth discovering.
Shaburo21 is now in soft opening.
📍 Level 1, North Parking Building, SM Mall of Asia
📱 @shaburo21ph
