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Shabu Shabu House Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Japanese Restaurants Fondue Japanese, Fondue [Edit]
127 Japanese Village Plz MallLos Angeles, CA 90012
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Little Tokyo
(213) 680-3890
- Hours:
Tue-Sun 11:30 am - 2 pm
Tue-Sun 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Garage, Street, Validated
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
712 reviews for Shabu Shabu House Restaurant
Review Highlights
"Don't forget their iced coffee at the end."
(in 43 reviews)
"And we worked the garlic, green onions and horseradish."
(in 50 reviews)
"...cannot beat the price of this place and the quality of meat."
(in 31 reviews)
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712 reviews in English
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Review from Ray L.
Philadelphia, PA
1/29/2012
I absolutely love this place! Although I have (literally) waited 3 hours for dinner here before. To be fair, that was New Year's Eve, and it was super crowded, so I guess that should explain it. But in any case, don't be surprised to wait more than an hour before you get seated.
Because this place is so popular, I would really not recommend coming here with more than 4 people. And if you want to cut down on wait time, I would suggest limiting yourself to a party of 3 or under. (This is the rare case where more is not necessarily merrier, since there is limited seating!)
The food is amazing, and by that, I mean the fresh slices of beef (because there isn't THAT much by way of variety of food offerings). The beef is so tender! And the real kicker is the ponzu sauce! Don't forget to add the garlic, green onions, etc. too. There's also the peanut-based sauce (which you should try if you've never had it) but I love the ponzu and never stray from it when I'm here.
I don't like my beef overcooked, so I generally just swish it in the pot for a few seconds only, but that's entirely up to you.
You can get your parking validated here, but it's only good for 2 hours, so sometimes if I expect a super long wait time I'll just park on the street. -
Review from Bobbie W.
2/8/2012
This place is good but the wait...seriously? Their meat is pretty good quality and their veggies are pretty standard but I don't think it's that spectacular to waste away 2 hours of my life. Whenever there's a wait, I just go across the street at Shabu Shabuyo and fulfill my shabu fix there.
This place is pretty small but they turnaround seats pretty quick. It's not really a place to sit and talk while eating because so many people are waiting outside. To be honest, I feel a little rushed when I eat here but that's the price you pay for good meat I guess.
The longest I'll wait for this place is 45 min. After that, I'm on to the next one. -
Review from M C.
Beverly Hills, CA
2/5/2012
After a 1-2 hour wait, meh.
They are pretty rude. It comes from the fact that they are constantly frantic. I know people rave about this place, and the line is a sign that people really like this place. But I don't get it. It's not like this place tastes amazing. It's a small plate of meat that you cook yourself in a hot soup. The meat quality is better than most, I will give it that. But it's not rocket science. It's not like they're heads and shoulders above all shabu shabu places. Standard rice, tofu, cabbage to throw in the soup. Standard peanut butter, soy sauce, hot pepper. Nothing out of the ordinary. And they'll rush you in and out. Again, taste is ok. Price is good I suppose. But if your time is worth more than money, don't bother. -
Review from Evan Y.
Los Angeles, CA
2/8/2012
Verdict: MAYBE!
it's decent but too popular/hyped and mainstream now. -
Review from Daphne L.
Los Angeles, CA
1/28/2012
Started coming to Shabu Shabu house when I was a kid but stopped coming in recent years because I moved away from area. Moved back to LA and came here for lunch with 3 other friends yesterday, food is still very consistent, still love the ponzu sauce (best ponzu sauce ever).
Shabu Shabu House go-ers know that the wait is always long unless you come before or after the rush hour, they open at 11:30 AM and the line starts before then. They also rush to take your pot away from the stove to set up for the next person and clean your plates/bowl while you're waiting.
Come here if you want good food not if you want nice ambience or good service. Expect to feel kind of rushed when you're eating because they keep cleaning up around you and there are always a ton of people waiting outside but the food is so so good! -
Review from Andrew S.
1/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
Pros:
Do it yourself style
Lots of meat (I got the extra meat)
Lots of different condiments
Bomb sauce
Good Value
Cons:
Super long line, if you don't get there 10-15 mins before they open, then don't expect to eat for another 45ish minutes -
Review from Craig R.
1/3/2012
There are over 700 reviews already telling you this place is good. Yes, I am a fan of the food but the owner can come off as a bitter bastard and if you are not prepared the experience can be uncomfortable. I'm just here to give you the basics so you don't get embarrassed by the owner Yoshi.
Once you're seated you'll get your plate of meat, some veggies, udon noodles, rice, and 2 sauces (peanut and ponzu). Yoshi's Ponzu sauce is amazing. For your sauce there are extras you are supposed to put in: Radish, garlic, green onion, spices, and spicy oil. If you are new to this, ask Yoshi to make your sauce for you. From there you're ready to go. Cook and eat.
Fair Warning:
* Do not wander off because if you are not there, "Yoshi will not Care."
* Do not ask how much longer the wait is.
* Do not be loud.
* Do not use your phone.
* Do not walk through the middle of the restaurant where they slice the meat.
* Do not finish your shabu and then sit there and talk. GTFO!
Treat Yoshi with respect and he will return the respect.Listed in: Asian Persuasion
-
Review from Alice K.
Short & sweet:
Service: 3
Food: 3
Price: 2
Cleanliness of bathroom: n/a
Shabu Shabu House is really tiny. So the outrageously long wait here might not necessarily because the shabu shabu is that tasty, but because the restaurant is unable to hold more than something like 35 people.
Apparently, the tip is to get there right when they open at 11:30. We got there at 12. On a Saturday. (Mistake mistake mistake). The result was almost a two hour wait. I think we were seated at around 1:47. I know this because that was when I texted a friend saying, "we waited so long..."
There's nothing special about the shabu shabu here. The quality of the meat is good, but everything is cooked in the standard boiling water. Two quantities of meat (medium, large) and a really small bowl of vegetables are given to you. Two small squares of tofu, two small bunches of the long, stringy white mushrooms, three pieces of leafy greens... two bowls for the shabu sauce and peanut sauce. And the ever present bowl of rice.
After waiting two hours, I was dumbfounded. I could have easily eaten three times the amount I was given.
We ate with the ease of a gazelle sprinting (hopping?) away from a predatory lioness. There are people waiting and they have nothing more to do than to stare. So, yes, I had my 15 minutes of fame eating my very, very average shabu.
Oh, but the iced coffee was good. But how about I just go to Japan for it instead of going to Shabu Shabu House next time?
Also, cash only. WTF? The large shabu meal is $14-15/person and if you're in a large group, the bill can be significant. I don't know anyone who carries that much cash with them anymore. -
Review from Arlyn G.
Los Angeles, CA
1/16/2012
Was in Little Tokyo this past Thursday picking up some stuff from Kinokuniya and Enbun Market and was done sooner than I thought, leaving me with a horrible commute home. It was maybe about 6:20pm. I figured since I was in the area and had the time, might as well grab dinner here and shabu shabu sounded amazing. I'd been to Shabu Shabuyo, so I wanted to try something different and whenever I've been to the plaza, this place has been packed. There must be a reason everyone comes to this place, right?
Positives:
-You can request for lean or extra lean cuts of beef
-Service (once you've been seated) is prompt and friendly
-Quality of beef is good and the slices aren't paper thin
-Good variety of fresh veggies
-Simple menu with decent dinner plate prices: $16 for a medium/regular and $19
Negatives:
-The owner, a friendly Japanese man, quoted the wait at 30-45 min. The paper sign said 30-60min. After waiting an hour, I figured, how much longer could it be? After being there for 90 min, I was at the point of, "I've waited this long, I can't just leave" and so I continued to wait. It turned out to be just shy of a 2 hour wait and was just for me!
-They didn't have the seethe or scooper so I could remove all the foamy stuff from my pot
-The goma (sesame sauce) was much more watery than I'm used to and like
-Cash only
-The women's bathroom door is smaller than the doorway, so there's a good 1/3-1/2" space between so you can totally see into and out of the bathroom. I'd be careful about where you're standing when you pull your pants down!
There wasn't anything mind blowing about the food or this place except for why everyone is coming here. If you don't want to wait hours, go across the street to Shabu Shabuyo and pay a couple dollars more. Or head out to the OC and check out California Shabu Shabu. -
Review from Juliet A.
Northridge, CA
1/31/2012
I went to eat here once let me tell you that food was amazing and the service was AMAZING too BUTTT the wait time was horrible we had to wait 2.5 hours just to eat but it was so worth it
-
Review from Jenny O.
12/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
What you see is what you get. The menu is simple (you only get two? choices) and the restaurant is tiny, the wait is long, but people eat and they go. The food is definitely yummy, but don't look for mind-blowing ambiance or waiting service or anything bedazzling really.
And that's why SSH is a 4 instead of a 5. Really, the food carries this place. I love it, I always have. But now it's SO crowded and the waiting list has already doubled by the time you've gotten to the little plaza at 5:30 sharp. SHARP. Two pages deep. WTF. Yes, it goes by quickly, but at the same time, I feel like I'm being rushed by the waiters now.
The meat is excellent, and so are the sauces. My only other gripe about SSH is how they don't have broth for the noodles that I like to eat at the end of everything. I guess I didn't mind not having that way back before I had California Shabu Shabu in Costa Mesa. I've been exposed to the good stuff and I can't shake it! So... 4 stars it is, Shabu Shabu House.
**Cash only. -
Review from Cindy G.
Los Angeles, CA
1/27/2012
My husband, daughter, & I went there to celebrate our 10th Wedding Anniversary. Had a great time! Cooking the food right at the counter was so much fun & delish too!
-
Review from Tiffani C.
Arcadia, CA
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
Best Shabu place around! There's always a long wait if you don't get there early. So sometimes I joke with my hubby about how maybe it's just cause we wait so long and we're so hungry that this place always seems so good. Ha ha, but it is so good! Seating is a pain if you have young kids with you but the owner is nice and he always tries to seat families in the far corner away from all the traffic.
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Review from ED L.
Los Angeles, CA
12/29/2011
I can't really figure out what the rave is all about for this place. Every time when I walk by at nights... it's always filled with people and the wait is about 30 minutes. I have heard that this place rocks from other patrons who has been here. But, I still cannot figure out why it's so good.
I ordered a large beef combo that basically comes with 15 pieces of thinly sliced beef. Sure they slice it from a slab in front of you, but what's the big deal? The broth is basically hot boiling water where you put in the meat, veggies that comes with it, some noodles, a few small bricks of tofu, and that's about it.
Anyhow, the meat was very tasty... and it feels like a Japanese deli inside when it's actually a shabu place. To me, it just seems like any other shabu-shabu places I have been to.
This place is small, and everybody sits on the counter to eat while the waiters/waitresses works in the middle. I feel rushed when I'm inside eating while there is all these people sitting or standing awaiting for their seats.
Not really a comfortable atmosphere to enjoy a meal. The fluorescent lights are too bright, the walls are white, and it's quite uncomfortable with all the hindrance around.
The cleanliness is okay I could assume. But this place needs an overhaul to make it more attractive. Yes, remodel the whole place and make it cozier per my thoughts. The food is good, but not great. I could get the same quality stuff elsewhere maybe cheaper. Oh well. Just alright but not worth the wait. And no big deal. -
Review from Tiffany L.
Irvine, CA
2/9/2012
Hands down best shabu shabu place! My family and I have been coming here for over ten years and it's still remained the same with their high quality angus beef slices. It's cheaper to come for lunch and honestly, no matter when you go there will always be a wait! A short wait is about 30 minutes or so but sometimes there are so many people that it could take up to 1 and a half hours. The owner is a very nice old grandpa but beware- he walks around with his handy little clipboard every 20 minutes or so to check if you're still waiting, so don't stray too far away from the restaurant! Oh! And no texting in the restaurant haha. Its a bit silly but the owner has all these signs in the restaurant that say "no texting" and such. I guess they really want their customers in and out in a jiffy because there are always so many people waiting. Really though, by far the best shabu shabu place I've ever tried.
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Review from itsPeggy O.
Los Angeles, CA
12/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
4.5 stars. Quality of beef's varied throughout the years esp lately. But overall still very good.
I'm not sure if I wrote a review for this place before, but I've been coming to this restaurant for almost 17 years. That's a pretty long time. It's still the nice Japanese old man that checks on the waiting list and he seriously works every time I come! His wife used to work here but I haven't seen her in a while. Prices are pretty fair compared to other restaurants. I'd say it's a couple bucks more but well worth it for the quality and service you get.
Comes with two sizes medium 10 pcs ($16 dinner) or large 15 pcs ($19 dinner). Lunch is also a few dollar less than dinner. I am most impressed that you can jog down your meat preference or the type of meat on the waiting list (lean, fat, medium, etc). I also get the iced coffee with my meal, you add the sugar syrup and milk on your own to perfection.
There isn't anything bad I can say about this place. Parking can be a pain but there is actually a parking lot and they do validate for a couple hours. I usually find street parking but it can be difficult. The wait is intense no matter when you go. I believe they end lunch at 230pm and reopen at 530pm for dinner service. U can roam around the plaza for mochi ice cream or the Japanese snacks in the market. There are also bite size snack in one of the restaurant in case if you're dying from waiting. I like to shop around for fun while I wait. I've brought so many people here over the years and it became everyone's favorite. I know they sell the meat and sauce to go but it's really not the same. Gotta eat here for the whole package.
They used to take credit card and cash but as of 7/15/11 CASH ONLY. There's ATM Chase machine right outside.
The old guy will check on you every 15 mins so don't wander around too far or too long, or leave someone behind at the place to stay in line. There's no reservation so first come first serve.
P.s. for heavy meat eaters u can always older extra plate of meat a la carte. Not sure if it's on the menu but my dad always did it when he was super hungry.
As we speak, I am waiting for my boyfriend from work so we can eat here!! :)
Happy 17th anniversary shabushabu house, Ive always loved you since I was a child. -
Review from Jim A.
Los Angeles, CA
11/25/2011
Best shabu shabu in Los Angeles.
I have been going here since 1991
Why so good? They make the best ponzu and sesame seed sauce. So good they have started selling their ponzu in bottles!
Go here! Give it a try!
Wait don't I want to keep this place a secret! -
Review from Nikki G.
Los Angeles, CA
11/16/2011
I finally was able to try Shabu Shabu House after venturing to Little Tokyo many times. Fortunately, we had no wait, but it looks like our luck ended there.
I felt like I was in a "restaurant" in a third world country which was being operated out of a garage. The service was terrible - no one spoke English, or any language for that matter. In fact, the "servers" barely acknowledged your existence. It was uncomfortable, and I felt the pressure immediately to finish and get out of the restaurant. In fact, my stomach still pangs because I ate so fast. To the owners, if the wait is an issue, please consider expanding or redesigning the setup of your space in an effort to seat more customers at once.
The food was okay, but the beef was a little rough for my liking and there wasn't a variety of vegetables. We were also slammed with our bill in the middle of dinner and our hot pot was removed and placed to the side of the table where we could finish eating our beef. It was very disrespectful. Lastly, there was a sign that read "Cash Only - Effective July 15, 2011". I didn't know that credit card machines went out of existence on that date. Really? There was another sign on the wall that said "No Texting and/or Using Cellphone", which I didn't get either? This isn't a five-star dining establishment so I don't understand how texting would interrupt my dining experience other than me warning my friends NEVER to come here.
This experience was by far one of the worst and I would recommend Shabu Shabu Yo any day over this "restaurant". -
Review from Lily Y.
Cerritos, CA
It's a small restaurant located in the Japanese village in Little Tokyo. When you walk in, make sure you sign-in on the clipboard that's located against the wall on the right side of the restaurant.
Their menu is basically a medium or large shabu shabu meal. I got the medium for about $15 and it was definitely more than enough food. I think it had about 10 slices of beef, whereas the large was 15 slices.
Great shabu shabu restaurant! High-quality, tasty meat. Lots of vegetables and noodles. Great sauces too!
Downside, usually a really long wait... I don't know if I would wait an hour to eat dinner here.. but definitely worth the money. -
Review from John A.
Los Angeles, CA
10/28/2011
A Jewel in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo The reason why so many give this place a low rating is because the owner is the Soup Nazi of Shabu Shabu. He will kick you out, ask you to leave and generally be an unkind jerk if he dislikes even a miniscule thing you do.
You must (emphasize MUST) treat him with absolute respect to get good service. However, the food is magical and perhaps the best Shabu Shabu in the Western United States. The place is for rugged diners. It's not a foo foo presentation experience.
You are in the grit of Little Tokyo, dining in a Shabu Shabu house that mimics that which you might find on the streets of mother Tokyo. Enjoy the lean beef plates, they are the best. Everything is fresh and spices plus atmosphere is absolutely realistic wonderful. I love it! -
Review from win k.
12/1/2011
This is a very tasty shabu shabu place, that is, if you like shabu shabu.
Let's face it. The whole appeal of having shabu shabu isn't just the taste of the meat (although that's part of it), but it's the whole experience of what you do and how you do it.
With that said, the meat here is of very good quality and the sauces are quite flavorful. If it looks confusing, remember that the salad goes on the yellow, the meat goes on the black.
Located within Japanese Village Plaza Mall, the real down side to this restaurant is the waiting period. You will wait for at least an hour. It always seems to be crowded. The interior is quite small given the demand. A group of less than 3 is probably a good idea, but smaller the better.
It is $7 to park in the structure (especially in the evening), but you can get it validated for 2 hours (and get the money back).
The big window gives a nice view of the interior of the place from Japanese Village. Steam flying everywhere as people chow down on their meat. It has a certain urban, blue-collar look, perhaps something you might see in Japan in a busy street corner.
You can go for medium amount of meat for $15 or go for a large amount.
Once again, the real downside is the wait. -
Review from Tex B.
Tempe, AZ
11/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have had Shabu Shabu from Thailand to Singapore. In the states Shabu Shabu can be hit or miss either because the cuts of meat are not of good quality and/or the condiments are unappetizing.
Shabu Shabu House does a great job offering fresh cuts of meat, cut to your preference, with incredibly delicious dipping sauces.
The menu is simple, Large plate or Small plate of meat. Every plate comes with tofu cabbage and veggies. This restaurant is in such high demand because of its simplicity, it does the 2 most important things well, the slices of meat and the condiments. -
Review from Kiko Z.
Los Angeles, CA
11/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Love this place!
Long waits but totally worth it for the quality and price you get!
I always come for lunch and order the large plate of beef. It's not a place to take your dates because instead of talking to each other, it usually ends up becoming a love affair between you and your shabu shabu pot. You test the temperature, you stir in some flavor, you dip the raw beef in there and patiently wait for it to turn just the right amount of browny-grey before dipping it gently into the delicious ponzu sauce.....it takes concentration man!
I love coming here on my own actually, mainly because the boyfriend isn't a fan and I'm usually in the area for a business thing or to get a haircut, so I'm almost always on my own, just sharing my alone time with a boiling pot of broth and some tasty meat :)
Just a tip, put your name down at least 1.5 hours before you plan to eat, and then go do some shopping at American Apparel while your stomach is empty. Are their clothes made a size down on purpose? cos they're tiiiiiight. -
Review from Mike K.
Murrieta, CA
11/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
SHabu Shabu means "Swish, swish" in Japanese. Two swishes would be 4 points in a basketball game. Here on Yelp, it translates into 4 stars. Language barrier kind of an issue. I think they are Korean not Japanese. Anyhow, the food was very fresh and flavors with their condiments and sauce was awesome. The server was nice and helpful.
No free refills on sodas as they serve cans. -
Review from Thavy N.
Long Beach, CA
12/1/2011
After reading all they hype I finally sat and waited to have the BEST Shabu Shabu ever. It was not the case with this place. In fact I will say it's the worst! You are not greeted at all at this place, it looks dirty, they do not tell you you have to sign in. So, if you do not know this beforehand you will look like an idiot just sitting there for no reason until you start seeing a slew of people signing in, and you just realized how much time you have already wasted. This place is also a "cash only," but that was the least of my problems. You cannot also use your phone there...dunno why.
Well, when it was our turn we were rushed to our seats and the food already there. I wanted only veggies, but they wouldn't do it because they said it was all pre-made. How hard is it just to give me extra vegetables minus the noodles? The meat was cut too thick and did not melt in your mouth like Yojie's and that was just it for me. I hate this place and just don't get why it's popular. Service is terrible, price is terrible, and the food is terrible. -
Review from Sandra C.
11/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is great. I love that the menu is nice and short--straight to the point, and your meal comes nicely cut right after you sit down. Of course, the average wait til you actually eat is about 45 minutes, I think this hot pot restaurant is worth it. It redeemed hot pot for me in Los Angeles.
The quality of the meat was pretty fresh, and the meal itself was delightful. I wouldn't suggest coming here with a large group though....it's nice if you go with three other people tops. -
Review from Greg D.
11/2/2011
This was my first Shabu Shabu experience. Man...I've been missing out! For those who aren't familiar, Shabu Shabu is thinly sliced pieces of raw beef u boil on your own with an individual pot of boiling water in front of you. VERY FRESH!
First off...the wait is always long. On a typical Friday or Saturday night, give yourself at least an hour wait time. We went to this place called Joy Mart right across the way and drank sake while we were waiting. If you sit in their outside patio, you can clearly see The Shabu Shabu House. When you sign in, just put Joy Mart down so they know you're over there. They will actually come get you when your seat is ready.
The restaurant is very small. They make good use of the space though, with everyone sitting around the staff almost like a circle bar. The wait it long, but once you sit down your food is instantly brought to you like a fine tuned restaurant machine. If you figure the time it takes at a traditional restaurant for the waiter to get you drinks, for you to place your order, and then for the food to arrive, the overall time of your dining experience is pretty close.
There is a man slicing the meat right in front of you on one of those deli slicers. This is some really fresh rib eye! I got the large portion (15 slices) for $18. It comes with noodles, veggies and unlimited rice. Once you cook the meat you can dip it in the home made ponzu sauce...which is AMAZING.
It's actually a lot of work to eat your meal, especially if you're a first timer, but I was getting it towards the end. You have to multi task! HAHA! I'm definitely a fan of this place and will be coming back for sure. -
Review from Celine L.
Cerritos, CA
10/12/2011
I have to admit, the food is decent for its price. But everything else? HORRIBLE. (which explains the one star)
We had a party of 9, written down and everything. After waiting for 45 minutes, the old man (who could be the boss) told us that we have to split up in 7 + 2, and if we don't, he would put us at the bottom of the list under 10 other tables. So we consented, and kept waiting. He was very rude overall and did not care if we walked out or anything.
Finally, the 7 of us sat- 4 people in one area, 3 people in another. The man emphasized that he sat groups down together.. but we're still separate..
First thing I noticed on the wall- Cash Only- Effective July 17, 2011. Cash only means that this restaurant does not have to report their income thoroughly and can undercut the government. Cash only is fine, but the fact that they are just starting cash only after years of this restaurant being open?
Another notice on the wall: No texting and/or using your cellphone while sitting. WTF? Are we in school now? The only reason they put that sign up is because they want us to sit, eat, and go, basically leech our money off us. This restaurant isn't about service and friendliness; their goal is to get people in and out of the restaurant in no time.. besides the 1 hour wait. We waited for 1 hour.. and after 20 minutes of sitting down the staff will try to get you to leave. wow.
Their technique? Slam the bill in the middle of our group. I mean, we're not even done eating. Some of us had more than half of our meat left, and the others were only half done. Service is horrible; before you sit, they place the hot pot, vegetables and sauces already. Right after, the meat. And.. that's all. In my friend's case, he wasn't even done eating and they took his pot away... uhh... what? I mean, service would be nice but.. this?
Our minimized group of four were disgusted with the staff. We paid separately, but we prepared our tip together. As two of us stood up, a rude woman in the staff yelled to us, EXCUSE ME, can you leave some tip! and jabbed at the empty black cheque holder. At this point, our group was SHOCKED. What kind of restaurant does that... first they don't service us; they never replenished our waters until we asked, and never came by. Luckily, we pointed to our pile of tips that we all contributed together. She glared at us, at the tips, then glared at us again as we walked away. Good thing we shut her up.
Our group of two who had not sat down yet had to wait for another 45 minutes. We had long left, and the man did not give the seat to them. I mean, we took 20 minutes to eat; we were very fast. Because of their impoliteness and the experience we had, the other two people in our party left shortly thereafter, and of course, the man did not care.
This experience was by far one of the worst. If you're craving some shabu shabu, I would recommend Kushi Shabu in the next plaza over. Although it is a bit more expensive, everything is included, and it is an all-you-can-eat. The service is impeccable and the food is delicious. They always give you more when you ask, and a whole meal is provided. -
Review from Angel S.
Los Angeles, CA
12/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Simple. Straight-forward. Satisfying.
I came here for lunch on a Wednesday around 12:00pm with two friends. I signed in my name, how many people were in my party, and our order (which you only have to choose between a Medium or Large). We were seated in about 30-40 minutes, and our broth was already boiling and meat sliced, happily welcoming our hungry stomachs.
I ordered the medium meal and it was more than enough food for me! I think it was about 10 pieces of meat, with veggies, udon, and rice. I like how simple everything was. Everything you need is just in front of you, and there really isn't any need to interact with anyone else. With that being said, if you're looking for a place where you can sit down, chill, and have a deep conversation with whoever you're dining with, I don't think this is the right place to go. My friends and I were so focused on cooking and eating our food that there was little time left for conversation. It also doesn't help that there's always a long wait, so everything feels a teensy bit rushed. I didn't mind though, since I had a delicious meal and left feeling super full and happy.
I actually give Shabu Shabu House 4.5 stars, but I round down to 4 because, although I had a great meal, I really don't think it was the BEST shabu shabu I've ever had (although I'd admit it's pretty damn close). Also, I could do with a little more interaction and conversation with those I'm dining with. We would try to hold conversations, but it was difficult due to the fact that we had to keep watching our pots and fishing for our meat/veggies and also because of the way the seating works. We were all in a line and it just made it a little hard to keep up with each other.
I'd definitely want to come back, but I'll probably try to get here a little earlier with just one other person. -
Review from Li H.
Corona, CA
12/9/2011
i love ttheir shabu meat. great shabu shabu restaurant only because the meat is very flavorful. I only gave it three stars because when i go out to eat... i'm not only paying for the food but also service and environment. the environment is crap; looks like the place hasn't been renovated for a while. i don't expect top notch service, but i would prefer not to be given shit-faces from everyone that works here.
for those of u reading this because u have never been here and r trying to decide if you want to.. might be wondering: why is this place so popular still?
because the meat is just that good! no one cares about the "no cell phones, no texting" sign. no one cares that there's no credit card allowed. no one cares about the long 1-2 hours wait. no one cares that the food is out before you're seated. no one cares that the place looks kinda dirty. people only care about getting the shabu meat in their tummies!
i will keep coming back as long as the meat stays the same. BUT as soon as another place can come close, i'm moving on. -
Review from Amy F.
Pasadena, CA
1/6/2012
Sucks!!! We went here due to the popularity of this place. I was greatly disappointed in their food. They only give you two sauces and the pot only has water in it. The only good thing about the place is the beef. I haven't gone to that many shabu shabu restaurants but I know a good one when I see one. This is definitely not the place to go for decent shabu shabu. If you already parked and in the plaza, try Cafe Dulce. They have the best coffee and sandwiches by far.
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Review from Nancy F.
Los Angeles, CA
11/14/2011
I know I may be late in the game but I'm slowly but surely learning to love shabu shabu. So I was quite excited to try out Shabu Shabu House in Little Tokyo. As noted by Yelpers, there is wait and even though I got there before opening on Saturday, we didn't make the first cut and had to wait for the second round. Surprisingly the wait was not too long but you learn why once its your turn to be seated.
The menu is basic - we went for lunch so it was either combo A (10 slices of beef) or B (15 slices of beef) and you write down what combo you want on the waiting list so that once you are seated, your order is ready for you, including a boiling pot of water.
I was pretty disappointed that there were no broths to choose from and only a simple pot of boiling water to cook your meat and veggies. While the meat quality was good, I wanted my meat cooked in a spicy miso soup - how I miss thee. When the soup is good, I usually don't even need to use the side sauces but alas, this time it was necessary.
There are the usual seasonings of garlic, sesame oil, chili flakes to add to your soy sauce as well as the typical peanut satay sauce. I alternated between the spicy soy sauce mixture and the sweet savory peanut sauce but still felt something was missing.
The servers attentively watch your boiling pot and once you take out your last piece of meat, they ask if they may take your pot off the boiler and so that they can begin heating up a fresh pot of water for the next customer. While this is quite an efficient system, I couldn't help but feel super rushed to finish up my meal and didn't get to savor the last bits of veggies.
It was a nice experience to try out this popular Shabu House but one experience may just be enough for me. -
Review from William H.
Santa Monica, CA
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Delicious food, but the wait is 1+ hours on a good night. Service is good once you are seated. Restrooms are not so clean.
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Review from Mel D.
9/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
I would say closer to 3.7 so I rounded up to a 4. I LOVE shabu shabu. I just recently moved to LA so I haven't had the pleasure of trying different Japanese Shabu Shabu places. I don't count places like Koji's...only authentic Japanese places. There are a few good ones in Orange County. First, the price was awesome. There are 2 choices in ordering the meat - medium and large (LUNCH). I believe the medium was $11.98 and the Large was $13.98. The meat portion was comparable to any other place I've been. I've had better Goma dipping sauce. The ponzu was fine. I felt the veggies were lacking. You only get napa cabbage, some sort of green leaf veggie, tofu, carrots, green onion and udon. Other places might throw in mushrooms, onions and cilantro. But it was still perfectly filling without having that whole "food coma" feeling. Shabu is actually quite a light and a healthy meal.
The one thing that was a little irritating but understandable at the same time - they were too efficient in a way that you know they want you to eat fast and leave. They start clearing plate/bowls once it clears. Let's say I grab the last piece of meat to boil, within 1 second someone comes by to clear the table. When you are done cooking all the food and you are just eating, they take away the hotpot and replace it with a new one for the next customer. BUT, the place is super busy and it does speed up customers to eat and run (not really by choice for me!). But I would go back unless I find one better in the LA area. -
Review from Matthew P.
Los Angeles, CA
9/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came here after work and for a Friday night, it wasn't as busy as I expected to be. The wait here is normally from 30 mins to 1 hr but I only had to wait about a good 20 mins. While waiting, there's a outdoor karaoke on Friday nights or you can try the Japanese street food that sells takoyakis, dangos, and other yummy treats.
But onto the review, I have been coming to this place for over a year now and the one thing I love about this place is consistency. The taste of the boiled meat is always light and fresh and the veggies that come with the meal are always tender and green.
The price is a little on the pricier side with medium portion going at $15 and the bigger portion being $17 but with the unlimited peanut and ponzu sauce, it's a great deal.
Besides the wait which I think is really not bad with all the outside vendors, I feel that this restaurant is a hidden jewel in Little Tokyo. -
Review from cindy y.
Burbank, CA
11/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came here with a group of 12 on a Saturday (early lunch). We requested to be seated together and was told it was possible but we needed to wait longer. After waiting outside for almost 2 hours, the owner told us we had to split in 4 groups. WTH? Why didn't he tell us that in the beginning?
I have to admit, the meat quality was very good but I still don't think their food is worth the long wait. The most annoying thing about this place is that they rush you. Even though I wasn't done eating, the waitiress kept asking if she could take my pot/plates away. So rude!!
I will not be coming back here.. -
Review from Michelle W.
Woodland Hills, CA
9/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Insane reviews for this but I feel I have high expectations especially after having shabu shabu in Taiwan...In Taiwan you get a lot of portions for an inexpensive price.
This place was $11 something for lunch and they give you a big plate of meat. The broth doesn't really have any flavor unless you had your own flavoring to it. The sauce is pretty good which I think is why most people go here but I don't think it's worth it. I wish they would give you more vegetables instead of the two cubes of tofu and the few strands of vegetables!
The service is quick and they clear your plates and everything relatively quickly. Also, they have a policy of not using your cellphones or texting while eating since they get so many customers waiting in line. Also sometimes the people wait near you which could make you a bit anxious while eating!
The wait is super long but it's a small and popular place so definitely try to get there early in the morning. -
Review from Agnes A.
Encino, CA
9/30/2011
We come on Saturdays, as early as 10:30 a.m to be on the first list, coz wait is ridiculous. The place opens at 11:30 am & closes at 2:30 pm for lunch and opens again for dinner at 5:30 pm. When you are seated food is served hot, fresh and delicious the worst part is as soon as you are done eating , you need to get up right away coz of the long wait so people after the first batch can be seated.
You have a choice of lean meat or the regular meat. Vegetables are fesh. Their sauce is Yummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
People are friendly, helpful & accomodating.
The wait is long compared to normal restaurants.
BUT IT IS WORTH THE WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -
Review from Cristina C.
North Hollywood, CA
9/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
most of these reviews are pretty much spot on. The wait is ridiculous. there's no effort in its ambience. they rush you when you finally get a seat &when they're busier than usual, they can get pretty rude. oh yeah, cash only. w/ no real warning except a paper taped to the side of the restaurant.
so why a fiven star rating? i'm telling you the food is worth it. something about the meat, the vetgetables &the sauces combined just does it for me. i'm literally in my own little world when i finally get seated &taste the goodness this place has to offer. you cook the food yourself but there's no really wrong way to cook it.. it always comes out bomb. i've been coming here for about 9 years now &can still say that this is my favorite place to eat. its in the middle of japanese village so theres a lot to do while you wait. anyway, this place is great. good price for amazing flavor. oh &try their iced coffee too. seriously just writing about this place is making my mouth salivate.
so if you're looking for good eats, &dont care for the whole socializing part of a sit in restuarant, go here. oh &they validate, that's always a plus. :) -
Review from Carlos O.
Bell, CA
10/10/2011
This is the best Shabu Shabu I've eaten by far.
Very simple but yet very tasteful and filling. This spot has a real basic menu, small, large, vegetables. There is non stop traffic from the time the list goes out, which is about 1hr prior to the doors opening. If you can i recommend you show early and get your name on the list. If not consider a 1hr-2hr wait during peak times, weekends, and evenings. If you have time to spare and are in no hurry to be seated show when ever and you'll have a few places to choose from if you want sit and have a beer, coffee or need to get some new shoes all within 5min walking distance. I love this place and when I have time or crave this joint I make the time to head here. Just make sure your on the list and back 30min for they close otherwise even if your on the list you wont be seated.
Dont be put off by the basic or lack of decor in the eatery. The country music playing in the background some how fits in. You'll enjoy the comfort of talking to the person to the left or to the right of you its a little cozy.
Enjoy
