The key takeaway from Paju Provence's popular restaurants is the potential disconnect between the viral 'Flower Platter Shabu-Shabu' visuals and its actual taste. While Udum Garden's rendition offers Instagram-worthy aesthetics, some diners find the broth lacking and the portion sizes modest.
- The Flower Platter Shabu-Shabu for two is priced at ₩47,000 (approx. $35 USD).
- Additional beef brisket can be ordered for ₩10,000 (approx. $7 USD) per serving.
- Parking is available at the Provence parking lot across the street.
Based on the original Korean blog post and linked source page, translated and summarized by BackToLink for global discovery.
What's the real deal with Paju Provence's Udum Garden Flower Platter Shabu-Shabu?
We visited Udum Garden, a restaurant in Paju Provence that gained fame for its visually stunning 'Flower Platter Shabu-Shabu,' often featured on Instagram Reels. While the location near the Provence village entrance is convenient, the lack of an elevator in the building might pose a challenge for elderly guests or those with strollers. Inside, the decor wasn't as upscale as expected, but the self-serve bar offered a good variety of dipping sauces and shabu-shabu broths. A nice touch was the complimentary soft-serve ice cream for dessert.
Ordering was easy via a tablet menu, and a serving robot named 'Udum-i' delivered the food, reducing the need to flag down staff. However, the basic side dishes were quite sparse.
Flower Platter Shabu-Shabu: Stunning Looks, But How Does It Taste?
The Flower Platter Shabu-Shabu for two (₩47,000, approx. $35 USD) arrived looking just as beautiful as the Instagram Reels suggested, with fresh vegetables and mushrooms artfully arranged like a flower. However, the portion of meat for two people felt a bit small. Only two fish cakes were provided, necessitating an additional order. Underneath the meat lay a bed of bean sprouts. The meal also included kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) and sujebi (hand-pulled dough flakes) to enjoy after the main shabu-shabu. While the process of adding various vegetables, seafood, and mushrooms to the broth was enjoyable, the broth itself was disappointing. It was bland and tasted almost like burnt soy sauce, making it one of the least satisfying shabu-shabu broths I've ever had.
Feeling the meat portion was insufficient, we ordered an extra serving of beef brisket for ₩10,000 (approx. $7 USD) per person, which turned out to be much tastier than the original meat. The bite-sized dumplings were also good, with a chewy texture and rich juices.
Does Udum Garden Warrant a Return Visit?
Given the lackluster broth, we didn't have high hopes for the kalguksu and sujebi. Ultimately, a significant amount of food was left unfinished, leading to a personally disappointing dining experience. It's crucial to note that the flower platter itself is very hot, so extreme caution is needed, especially when dining with children or placing it within easy reach. I nearly burned myself multiple times while reaching for side dishes or dipping sauces. Ironically, the complimentary soft-serve ice cream was the most enjoyable part of the meal. I regretted not choosing a different menu item instead of the Flower Platter Shabu-Shabu. If you prioritize Instagrammable aesthetics, it might be worth a visit, but if taste is your main concern, you might want to reconsider.
Important Considerations for Visiting Paju Provence Restaurants
If you're considering Udum Garden in Paju Provence, keep a few things in mind. First, parking is not available directly in front of the restaurant; you'll need to use the Provence parking lot across the street. Second, the building lacks an elevator, which could be inconvenient for those with mobility issues. Third, the flower platter gets extremely hot, so exercise caution, especially with young children. Fourth, the broth for the Flower Platter Shabu-Shabu can be polarizing, so manage your expectations regarding taste. Lastly, the portion size might feel small for the price, so consider ordering additional items. Planning with these points in mind will help ensure a smoother visit.
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