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Tue-Sun. 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Tue-Sun. 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
"I'm so happy I discovered San Sui Tei. It's really easy to miss this place because it's toward the end of the block populated by the likes…" read more »
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5-stars! The only, ONLY con to this joint is the wait. If you go during the lunch hour, expect at least an hour wait time after signing in.
The food is great, no frills and bring on the rice (the refill your rice for free). Shabu Shabu at its best here. The condiments are good too and the dipping sauces are A+!
Mmm.... shabu shabu! I'm always so tempted to give them a 4 star review because every time I come here, it's packed! Doesn't matter what day or time you get here, you are in for a long wait as long as 1 1/2 hours--so bring a good book to read.
Last night, the girls and I decided we wanted Shabu Shabu so we met here. We waited around 30 minutes to get seated (this is where I dock the star), but as soon as we got seated, our pot of water was already boiling, the ice waters were placed as we sat, and the servers started to bring the veggies, rice, sauces and the meat. I didn't even have to ask for garlic or any other sauce because EVERYTHING was right there in front of us.
The quality of the meat was incredible, the sauces were amazing, the amount of veggies were JUST RIGHT, and the rice, well, it's rice! Writing this review makes my mouth water all over again.
Advice: As soon as you get there, write your name down! Then browse all the other cute stores around the area.
Man, this place is totally over-rated!
Their food is just okay, could be better. If you order regular size, it probably wont fill you up. I've been to other places where they give you much more vegies than this place.
What sucks is the looooong wait.. It makes you wonder, is it really worth 45 to 1hour + of your time?
Other reason that I rate them 1 star is their service.
The servers aren't friendly and they are always so eager to take your pot away. You wait an hour to finally sit down, and you must rush to eat & finish your meal in their given period of time.
One time they actually took my pot away when I wasn't done w. my food! And the waitress said in a rude tone of voice, "there's people waiting!!" I was there for only 20 minutes. Besides, is it my fault that the place is so small that people have to wait a long time and watch you as you eat? Or is the price so cheap that you should really chop down your food in a rush and leave, so the owner wouldn't go broke and close down the restaurant?
I will never choose to go back to this place. I don't think the food is really all that great to compensate for the extra long wait and BAD SERVICE.
So good, the best Shabu I have ever had. The quality of the meat is BOMB.
The only bad thing is the wait is long...but it is worth it in the end.
Been coming in here every week for the past 5 years. I've tried shabu at other places before and this one is the best. It's not even comparable. Considering the quality of meat, it's very cheap. I've never taken any one here and didnt say how good the meat is. Since I've been a loyal customer, the guy that cuts the meat knows what my husband and I like and always save the most marbled meat for us without asking.
The only drawback is the wait. It's getting more and more insane year after year. We used to be able to wait for less than 1 hour before it opens to be the first customer but now we have to leave 1.5 hours before opening if we want to get to the first round. You can tell that it's worth it since I've put up with all the waiting every week for the past 5 years. Why bother going to a more expensive similar place when you can go to shabu house?
Meat: Beef Excellent, very fresh and tender. I always get fatty meat and a large size.
Sauce: Excellent. I love their sesame sauce with a little bit red pepper and a lot of green onion.
Rice: Excellent, Love their japanese rice.
Price: Decent.
This is my favorite place for shabu shabu. 5 stars!
Just the wait is CRAZY at lease one hour more..
Sigh..
I wish I have a friend live close by can sign my name on the wait list.
This place is way over rated and they literally push you out the door, so they can seat the next dummy in line...
PERFECT... HANGOVER... FOOD!
* God called me.
* Said "Change your hangover remedy!"
* I says, "Aye Aye, Cap'n"
* He says, "Foolish Fool!!" and slaps me and I fly across five towns.
* I land in the SHABU SHABU house and beg for forgiveness.
* A thunderbolt hits the restaurant
* I am smitten with a plate of Shabu Shabu before me.
That was my religious experience. I am now a female nun and have converted to Shabu Shabu-ism, where I have weekly worshipping sessions with the old dude from the restaurant...
Only he doesn't know, so don't tell him. Shhh... this will be our little secret. lol
-Shabu Shabu One-
YUUUUMMMMYYY!!
I haven't had my own hot pot before (everywhere else I've been to has one pot for the entire table) and it makes so much sense, it should be a standard!! They have their meat all over the place and are cutting nit before your eyes so you can tell that it's fresh. Even if you couldn't see that, the first bite of goodness would inform you of the bombness!
Wait was for a bit but not too unreasonable - we ended up going into the Japanese market for some grocery shopping =)
Two thumbs up - recommended!!
PS. the little old man is so cute! We had a white guy with us who had never had Shabu Shabu and he kept checking up with him to make sure everything was good and that he was cooking his stuff properly. ADORB!
The meat is pretty fresh and tender, i like it.
(but i think shin sen gumi has better meat)
I also like their rice...really Q and can be refilled ^^
But the line is always long......
BEST SHABU SHABU PLACE IN LA. However, we prepared to wait as you put your name on a knarly list. I usually order a LARGE MEAT PLATE because I hardly come here, but this place is a ton of FUN. Of course, COMPANY AGAIN is EVERYTHING. I am no longer friends with this guy I used to work with in the City of LA, yes "Innocent Dan", you are LAME!!!! What a dumb ass for always being a nagging a hole. The wait here is ridiculous but WORTH IT. COme early I tell myself to avoid the nasty crowd.......damn I am getting hungry just writing this review.....LOL
wife and I went and when we left, said in unison "not as good as Koji's Japan" at Hollywood and Highland. long wait, decent price, fresh meat cut right in front of us. A+ on the ponzu sauce, but that was the highlight. everything else was just okay.
Koji's is pricier, but tastier and overall more enjoyable experience.
The best shabu shabu at the best price in LA!
Melt-in your mouth, thinly sliced and perfectly marbled pieces of meat? Check.
A lovely assortment of veggies and tofu? Check. (I like to put these in first to flavor the water for the meat)
Mind-blowingly tasty sauces in which you can add heaps of green onions, daikon and garlic? Check.
A clean, efficient, quaint and cozy place to share a fun, cook-it-yourself dinner with couple friends? Check.
A 30-minute to hour+ long wait, any time of the week, day or night? Unfortunately, check.
You can select medium/large, lean/regular meat and there are different lunch/dinner prices. I paid $16+tip for a lean medium for dinner last night with girlfriends.
It's harder finding street parking than it is to find room for dessert after eating at Shabu Shabu House. Part of your $6 parking fee will be refunded with validation from the restaurant if you park at the lot off Central.
Wo tanoshinde kudasai!
I was introduced to Shabu Shabu House nearly six years ago and have been an enthusiastic regular ever since, gladly driving the 35 miles from my home in Rancho Cucamonga for lunch or dinner whenever my schedule and budget allow me to do so. It has become my absolute favorite place to eat.
For shabu shabu, no other restaurant in the greater Los Angeles area even comes close. Over the last six years I have tried at least twenty other shabu shabu joints all around Northern and Southern California to constant disappointment. Where other restaurants skimp on quality ingredients, preparation, and service, Shabu Shabu House goes above and beyond. The beef is true wagyu of the highest quality, and is always freshly prepared at the perfect temperature and thickness. The sauces are unbelievable. The gomadare is at once creamy, semi-sweet, and rich, perfectly complementing the bold and savory ponzu--together they create a taste sensation that is all its own. Over six years and likely over a hundred visits I have never once had a bad service experience. The servers work extremely hard at a fast pace all throughout the day trying to get the massive number of people they attract in and out as smoothly as possible. They are polite, responsive, and always ready to help you out.
Shabu Shabu House is the original Shabu Shabu experience in the states. It was the first, and remains the best. Accept no substitute.
The wait....lllooonnnggg....still waiting....finally seated.
My boyfriend and I went during a weekday night and once finally seated down realized they were closing soon. He and I had no idea on what to do so we watched the people next to us to see how they were preparing their food. We did as we watched but I don't think we did it all too correctly. The meat was tender but as a meal overall, it wasn't what I had imagined. My boyfriend is Asian so I expected him to know how to prepare it, but he's Vietnamese, not Japanese, duh me. We were halfway into our dinner when almost the entire restaurant disappeared. Everyone in the kitchen was running around because they wanted to get the heck outta there. I felt rushed, really rushed. I had my plates with food on them, half of my food, and was asked if they could clear the plates out, I said no. I had waited an hour and wanted my food. The staff was hurrying up cleaning the place out. One major negative comment- the staff kept on saying very vulgar things to each other, and very loud in Spanish. I'm Mexican and understood everything they were saying. That made me feel very uncomfortable. Note to self, don't go there again close to closing time.
Like I said, I was probably not eating my food with the correct sauces so I will give Shabu Shabu another chance. Anyone wants to teach me how to correctly prepare it? I based my review mostly on the experience I had that night, not a very good one.
Based on food and service they would have 5 stars is just that wait is killer! Usually if we know we want to eat Shabu Shabu we try to get here are 11 so we can be the first people on the list and only have to wait 30 minutes instead of an hour. It is hit or miss because there are a lot of there people who try and do the same thing. You get a choice of large (15 slices of meat) or regular (10 slices of meat) and you have to write your order down when you put your name on the wait list clip board. I usually get the large but i also have a couple extra slices that i end up giving to one of the guys in my group cause they never say no to more meat.
Once you are seated, every person gets their individual pot to cook their vegetables and meat. Their meat quality is what puts them above the other Shabu Shabu places I've been too. You see them cut the slabs of meat in front of you and its not frozen like most places. They also offer two different kinds of sauces that you can flavor to your liking with garlic, chili, green onions, dicon, etc. Don't forget that you also get unlimited rice, which is always a plus. The servers are really nice and super attentive. It is not the fanciest place in the world but you get good food and good service if you are willing to wait. It is one of my favorite places in Little Tokyo so i think its worth it :)
Love the food. Create staff. nice decor!
Great shabu shabu place in LA! Great food, great price, but really long wait and not good for big groups.
Small lilttle place that pack a great punch! Good beef with amazing sauce. I waited for almost an hour to get a seat, but it's worth my wait. Good Food to go for a cheap shabu shabu... hope they don't raise the price.
The "old man", as my bf and I like to call him, is nice. But he's a stickler on the "name calling policy" which is that once your name is called, if you don't respond, you're off the list! Gasp!
So try to check where you are at every so often, and stay in the area where you can hear him or the other woman that works there.
But to his credit, they do try to find you in the vicinity, including at ce fiore next door.
My fav mix:
ponzu: add green onions, and dikon.
Sesame sauce: garlic, lots...yum. and the sesame oil (it makes the sauce taste super rich)
Water: garlic, yummmmmmy.
Enjoy (the wait!) and the food!
A stellar deal (dinner in LA for two at just a hair above $30? Nice!).
This place has NOTHING by way of ambiance. It feels like everyone is staring everyone else down... and I think they played (gasp) country music while we were waiting!
The owner seemed really nice but his estimates on the wait were sooo off! (Note: Once you go in, head around the counter to the right and put your name on the clipboard, along with whether you want a large/15 slice or regular/10 slice order. And then... you wait! Be careful though--if you wander around while you wait make sure to come back by 9:30 or whenever they close their doors for the night, or else you're S.O.L.!) They told us it would be 30-45 minutes and it was well over an hour before we were seated.
With that said, the food was GREAT, cheap (I repeat, CHEAP) and I'd definitely go back... just not when I'm starving! If you have difficulty making decisions then this a great place to go--literally the only choice you have to make is if you want a medium or a large!
If I could put more stars I would!! Please, I love this place, and on my last visit I was part of the first tier of people who got to go inside first!! (there's always a list, even before they open.) Everything is on point here, the meat, the sauce, the veggies (lots of um) and the iced coffee at the end. I've been eating here for years and it's worth the long wait.
notoriously known as "that shabu place with the old man where you have to wait forever".
but they do have good shabu meat with interesting sauce. the old man will walk around and mix up the sauce for you if he thinks you are doing it wrong. he will also scold you before the meal if your name is called and your entire party isnt there, so dont even think about trying any tricks like that.
the wait will be a lot happier for you if you go to the bar across the plaza and drink beer. be sure to indicate on the list where you are though.
follow the rules and you will have an, um, intersting experience. not exactly the most relaxing restaurant i've ever been to, but christ do i love a good shabu meal...
The best shabu shabu... ever.
There was one week where I just craved this place so much that I went 5 days out of 7... really. It was pretty sad.
But... that's how good this place is. So very simple, but so very good. I guess the simplicity is what makes it even better.
However, if you're looking to socialize over the meal, this is not the place to go. First off, you will have many pairs of hungry annoyed eyes staring at you and trying to literally push your butt of your chair so that they can have your space if you stay for any longer than it takes to shovel all the food in your mouth. Plus, when you're just about done, the servers will actually whisk away your pot... sign that you should get going.
Nevertheless... I'm going here for dinner again... probably tonight or tomorrow.
the best shabu shabu hands down... you can't find the same meat quality anywhere else... the only down side is the average 1-2 hour wait regardless of what time or day you go... trust me, it is well worth the wait!
Honestly, this place is really nice. The meal was bursting with flavor at a price that is less than I'd pay elsewhere for the same thing. I felt like I got a lot of food for my money.
Unfortunately, the wait sucks, but this isn't really the fault of the restaurant, so I don't feel like I can take off stars.
I've been to quite a lot of shabu shabu restaurants but none of them could ever truly measure up to the ponzu sauce of this place. The ponzu sauce is just so terribly delicious, they sell it to the public in a bottle. If you're too late and they sell out that day, you'd have to wait for more the next day. They don't offer "Sukiyaki" soups or any other flavored soups for that matter. This small establishment also doesn't offer any other types of meat other than their perfectly sliced rib-eye. The one thing I'm not too crazy about is the customer service (rush, rush, rush!) but I don't blame them because there is always a wait to get into this place and the faster we eat, the more customers get in. I'd say the wait lasts for about 20 minutes. So, if you're ever in the Downtown, Los Angeles area and you're craving some meat and veggies dipped in soup and sauce, this is the place to be!
Normally I don't give any place that does shabu shabu with just boiling water anything more than 2 stars. After all I can just buy the thinly sliced beef from Mitsuwa and shabu shabu it around in a pot of boiling water at home and probably get more slices of beef for less money. However, the owner at Shabu Shabu was so nice I have to give this place 3 stars. He mixed the sauces for my friend and I. How many shabu shabu restaurant owners does that? He was so nice.
The crappy thing about this place is that ... well...there's no decoration whatsoever inside. It's just walls. It looks kinda ghetto. If you've ever hot pot in flavored broth, the beef in plain boiling water thing just doesn't really quite hit the spot anymore. The wait is long, even on week nights.
I think I might come back to place again if I'm in the area. I really did enjoy my iced coffee. Ooh if you decide to try this place out, they do validate. So don't forget your parking ticket.
Call me sentimental, but this places reminds me of the reciprocated love of brothers: my brother introduced me to this place a couple years ago and it serves as our sanctuary of brotherhood, where we reflect on childhood and gaze into our uncertain futures...in our hot pots of water.
Yes, the wait is long - think the time between Portishead's follow-up release to Dummy - but I think it's worth the wait. Plus, there are typically shops open at night for you to browse during your 45 min to 1 hour wait.
Nevertheless, the meat, thinly cut but thick in flavor, comfort you for your troubles and wrap your taste buds in their deliciousness. The limited seating (maybe 20 bar stools total) and unattractive decor make this a no-frills, no nonsense place for you to dine, enjoy the splendor of its meat, and get the hell out cuz the drill sergeant host is waiting to fill your seat.
Can't wait to go back!
5-stars because I didn't have to wait. I went EARLY on a Thursday, about 6:00 PM before catching a play and we stood for maybe 3 minutes. I thought maybe we'd have to get ice cream before dinner but it worked out great.
Such a good value for $15, the meat is well marbled, and the sauces are addictive. I've had much more expensive shabu that wasn't nearly as good because it comes down to a) meat and b) sauces to discern a difference. Service is prompt and courteous but they want to get you the hell out. My boyfriend is a turbo eater so we got the bill way before I was even close to finishing. That said he is not a hot pot/shabu fan even he thought this was much better than he expected.
I'd definitely return for an early dinner during the weekdays. I wish it were closer than the crappy shabu by my house :(.
this has to be the BEST shabu restaurant I have tried. The meat is high quality and peanut and soy ponzu sauce is made very well.
I have looked all over for a replacement but I have yet to find one...kinda find it strange it would be to serve a quality shabu, I guess it's more difficult than it seems, or the owner of this place has the meat supplier cornered.
Aside from the shabu nazi taking the seats and the long wait, I'd have to give this place 5 stars and totally worth the wait.
After utterly gorging on the Kogi Truck, my friends and I were still intent on having shabu dinner. Or...at least I was. It seemed logical to scrap the All-you-can-eat Kushi Shabu plan and venture over Shabu Shabu House, where a lengthy wait would do us some digestive good.
We showed up and were seated immediately. What the heck?! My impatience monster was slightly appeased, but my stomach (at 80% capacity) was not.
Oh well. I still had to order the large.
What I absolutely love about this place is the complete efficiency. Don't come here with a group of 15 looking to hang, out, chit chat, etc. By the time you're seated, your pot of water is already on the hot plate and boiling. There's some dude whose sole purpose is to slice prime ribeye all day long and layer it on a plate. Slice, layer. Slice, layer. He must have buff biceps by now. Food appears in minutes.
For $17 a plate (for the large, $14 for the small), it's the best deal in the city. I swapped plates with my friend since he objected to the sheer amount of visible fat in his beef. I took it with glee. Fat = flavor.
This place is what good shabu is all about, you won't appreciate it fully until you experience some BAD shabu. I guess the trick is to come when there's a Laker game to avoid waiting.
Expect to wait AT LEAST 30 minutes any time of day. I stopped by today but unfortunately could not do the 1.5 hr wait. However, if you're not bending over in hunger, WAIT! - it'll be worth it. I don't think I've ever been to another restaurant that has such a simple approach to shabu shabu. Simple broth, fresh vegetables, and thinly sliced beef - perfection. I love that they slice the beef in front of you and their service is great!
MENU:
lunch portion small plate of beef shabu shabu with all the veggies and noodles that come with it, bowl of rice, and a glass of cold iced coffee
PRICE:
~$15/person
fresh's 2 CENTS:
if you're in Little Tokyo and you're in the mood for some filling soup with beef, noddles, and rice, head on over to Shabu Shabu House and write your name down. You can look around the other stores in the shopping area to kill time.
We waited an hour. For two people. AN HOUR. We didn't even get seated until after they had been closed - for 20 minutes. I was so hungry and so angry I was ready to leave, even after the investment of time I had already put in.
And then we were seated. And we ate. And I almost cried, it was so good. Once we did sit down, the service was super fast and friendly, and the owner (I think?) even showed us the best way to make the sauces for dipping.
Seriously, I can still taste this meal if I think hard enough about it. I would go back right this second and eat there if they were open... maybe tomorrow morning... hmm... seriously, it's like crack. Delicious, thinly sliced, cook-it-yourself crack.
So, in short: I learned not to go here if I'm starving or have a large party (probably more than four people would be bad). Otherwise, I can't think of any reason not to eat here. Every. Day.
Wow I never had shabu shabu before until my friend Shane took me to this very tasty little eatery tucked in little Tokyo. I thought the dinner was so tasty. In this restaurant you get to prepare your dish the way you like it. It can either be real spicy the way I like it or real moderate, either way I think you will love it.
The staff was very nice and very helpful to our needs. The atmosphere was very typical of a Japanese restaurant nothing to spectacular, but clean.
this place has melt in your mouth meat. mmmm. i have been craving it for a week at least and even had udon at zip trying to feed my asian soup craving. you can read my review on that to see how disappointed i was...
anyways, as a westsider i dont make it downtown a ton and i have been there a bunch this past couple weeks working on a project there so i have been requesting shabu shabu house every day. i have only been there once or twice and it was definitely memorable enough crave for over a week straight. my bf thought i was being a brat for requesting we go there so much in the time we have been downtown recently but i didnt care...i was going to drag him there kicking and screaming and i knew he would understand once he tasted it.
the first couple times i went there were for dinner and i had to wait along with everyone else for between 30 minutes to an hour. however, i dont really mind the wait because as said before, the name of the game at this place is efficiency. i might as well hang out outside on a bench talking with my friends before the meal since once inside you are herded in and out quickly but it doesnt matter because you are too busy stuffing your face to care. the wait does suck if you are starving when you go though, but all worries go away once you have your first bite of tender flavorful meat.
anyways, today we went for lunch at around 12:15 and got right in. yay! the large is the perfect amount of food if you want to be a little stuffed but able to move and the medium is just right...but this is the kind of place i want to be rolled out of like violet in willy wonka. they do play classic country, which makes this place even more charming for me. even though there is nothing by way of ambiance, i dont really notice since i am mostly staring at the pile of meat in front of me and less at the walls. plus, the owner is efficient but extremely friendly. he will show you the ropes if he can tell you are still a newbie and i never feel rushed and personally, if i am rushed i do try to remember that there are probably 15 people outside waiting to get in so i can lolly gag on my own time.
anyways, this restaurant has amazing food and friendly service. i have never had a problem and will go back as often as i can...especially since i wont have to talk my bf into going back anymore and hopefully he will initiate!
and next time, i will try the ice coffee for sure!
ps. VALIDATED PARKING is in the lot on 1st for Japanese Village Plaza Mall...NOT on 2nd and San Pedro which connects to the Japanese Village Plaza Mall via different mall. keep that in mind. :)
This was my first experience in eating Shabu Shabu. And I was very content with my experience. Place is great! Love the simplicity of the food and the restaurant itself. Fresh veggies, and thinly sliced meat, dipped into either of two delicious sauces with some rice... What's not to love about it!
Dear Shabu Shabu House
I know I'm not your only admirer, but still - I miss you when we're apart. I dream about your steamy-ness flushing my face as I swish-swish. You're ponzu is better than any other I have tasted, your meat is divine, not too thick, not too thin, perfectly marbleized sheets of yumminess.
And so - I'll continue to wait (and wait and wait and wait) my turn for a spot in the horse shoe.
Yours very truly,
Addicted
4 stars for the fresh meat and their yummy peanut dipping sauce
1 stars for the looooooooong wait!
Oh my world! How rude!!
It's been months since I've dined at Shabu Shabu and today I felt like it was stroke of luck to find the wait was 30mins only! So we waited to be seated and 20 minutes into my meal the waiter asked if we were done. My two friends were some what on their way to finishing their meal and i was still working on mine because it came late. They had to prepare a vegetarian dish which consisted of extra vegetables and noodles which in my opinion wasn't too hard.
Now I understand they are conducting business based on volume and I'm extremely tolerant and quite surprisingly peaceful when it comes to bad service...
After the 3rd time the bus boy and waitress asked me if I was done and reached for my plate I had it. I had to put my hands over my hot pot and say, "Please stop. I am not finished, stop rushing me you're being rude. Look I still have fresh vegetables on my plate that I haven't cooked." Oh he says and walks away however, when the waitress came back to ask one more time if I was finished. I lost my appetite and stopped eating. It was simply too much.
My friend spoke with the manager and it seems they don't seem to care whether if you enjoyed your food or not. They're only interested in your money. I'll quote the manager, "well this place isn't not really for enjoying the food if you want to do that there are other places." wtf? omfg?
Good Riddance Punk
Free Large Hot Sake (10oz) !
Los Angeles, CA
$ushi $pecial!
Neighborhood: Hollywood
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Japanese
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Japanese
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Japanese
Neighborhood: Wilshire Center
Category: Japanese
Los Angeles, CA
Category: Japanese
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