Shabu Shabu House Restaurant
Los Angeles, CA 90012-3908
Phone: (213) 680-3890
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- Central Avenue
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10pm
Editorial Review for Shabu Shabu House Restaurant – by Tara de Lis
In Short
Outside, it's chaos: Whether for lunch or for dinner, throngs of people line up at this landmark neighborhood eatery, often sited as the first shabu-shabu restaurant in all of California. The crowds are as diverse as they are large--imagine a mix of stroller-set Japanese families, young hipster couples in emerging overseas fashions, hungover '80s pop stars and fanatical foodies who ceremoniously make the drive all the way from the O.C. Once inside, customers are seated at a horseshoe-shaped counter, their hot pots already boiling in front of them, flanked by the restaurant's only two dipping sauces: a light soy and nutty-sweet sesame. The menu is basic, and essentially consists of only two choices--10 slips of beef or 15. From there, it's a matter of cooking your veggie sides, such as carrots, mushrooms and lettuce. These ingredients go in the water itself, whereas condiments like garlic paste, pepper and green onions are stirred into the sauces. Once the meats and sides cook, you dip into the sauce and mix with steamed rice. That's it, but it's divine in its simplicity.
Hits: This is widely hailed as some of the best shabu-shabu in town, making it worth the wait. Vegetarians can opt for extra vegetables instead of the meat options, and the meat itself can be ordered fatty or lean.
Misses: If you've never experienced shabu-shabu before, or aren't the biggest fan already, you might want to work your way up to this experience, lest you walk away feeling cheated by the often hour-plus wait. The sake and beer selections are minimal.
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Insider Tips
Know Before You GoArrive early or during off-peak hours to avoid what can sometimes be an hour or two wait. At lunch, there's usually no host taking names; instead, write yours on the clipboard by the door. Either way, make sure you listen closely for your name to be called--if they call it and you're not there, you will lose your turn and you will have to sign up again.
Save MoneyConsider visiting during lunch, when orders are almost identical to those available at dinnertime, but less expensive.
The ExtrasConsider taking your meal to go. It's not the same experience, but you can order sweetened Kanro beef, only available on to-go orders.
User Reviews for Shabu Shabu House Restaurant
08/14/2008 Posted by tca1234
I have been coming here since I was a kid in the 90's. This is the best shabu shabu that there is. I have tried the one on citywalk ( just one of the choices on a japanese menu), hollywood and highland and the one in sherman oaks and I must tell you it is the ponzu sauce that keeps me coming back. (They now have bottles which they sell for $5.50 each) Normally order a large and have never had to wait more than an hour cause I am familiar with how the flow of traffic is there during the week vs weekends. My only complaint is that many of the customers expect something totally different and would know better if they read up on shabu shabu (as well as proper etiquette when eating it). So my complaint is really about the clientele, not the restaurant. The service tends to be better in the evening, but since my family and I are regulars we always manage to get great service. I live in the Chatsworth area and still manage to make time to get there at least twice a month, more if my schedule accomadates.
Pros: It is the best shabu shabu in the greater los angeles area
Cons: the wait
06/12/2008 Posted by insynwyn
This place isn't that great. Nothing special, don't know why people wait for this place. After eating this place, it made Ka Ga Ya super heavenly to go to.
Pros: asian people
Cons: food wasn't that good
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