Shabu Shabu House Restaurant

(213) 680-3890

127 Japanese Village Plz Mall
Los Angeles, CA 90012 34.0494 -118.2403

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Neighborhoods: Civic Center / Little Tokyo, Downtown, Central LA

shabushabuhouse.menutoeat.com

Price:

$$

Last updated 6.15.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, People Watching, Family Style Dining, Lunch Spot

Cuisine:

Japanese

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Shabu Shabu House Restaurant

Featured Review

Tara Lis

Contributor

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…

Editor's Tips

Save Money:
Consider visiting during lunch, when orders are almost identical to those available at dinnertime, but less expensive.
The Extras:
Consider taking your meal to go. It's not the same experience, but you can order sweetened Kanro beef, only available on to-go orders.
Know Before You Go:
Arrive 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.
ambiance
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “The overall restauraunt is very comfortable and leaves you with a full stomach, a happy mind, and a satisfied smile.”
  2. “It really is great food and a fun atmosphere but you have to get there early!”
food quality
95.31000137329102% positive
  1. “In the end the meal was SPECTACULAR and the service was friendly and inviting.”
  2. “the meat is decent but my fav shabu place offers THREE kinds of beef, along with chicken, pork, seafood and three kinds of Kobe Beef as well.”
  3. “Ponzu sauce is good too.”
  4. “There are just a few choices, but the ingredients are always fresh, which makes all the difference.”
  5. “Everyone has their own variations; some people throw everything into the hotpot and make a "soup"; some people like to combine the sauces; others like to dip the meat slices in the hotpot one by one.”
  6. “If you want amazing, great quality food, this is the spot.”
  7. “You can order the beef as lean or extra lean cuts.”
  8. “The ponzu sauce is authentic, even better than those I've tasted in Japan!”
  9. “If you are looking for great food and an authentic Shabu experience then this is the place to be.”
  10. “love great food to a fault (since I'm not exactly a high roller).”
  11. “The sauces are authentic and they will eagerly refill your sauces dish upon request.”
  12. “It really is great food and a fun atmosphere but you have to get there early!”
  13. “If your still not full then you can order extra vegetable and extra order of beef to satisfy your appetite.”
  14. “The beef is very good also.”
  15. “The meat is good but the sauce is not good enough, too light.”
  16. “This is one of the best food deals not just in L.A. but in the USA!”
  17. “The food is the key here, so enjoy!”
  18. “You can order your meat regular or lean and can get extra meat, noodles, tofu, etc. whenever you choose (at dinner you get two different kinds of noodles).”
  19. “The food was DELICIOUS!”
  20. “The prices are around the same and the meat used at Shabu Shabu yo is very good quality.”
  21. “This place offers a really good quality shabu beef that cooks within seconds in the hotpot of boiling water and amazing ponzu sauce.”
  22. “The food is so great that there is a line out the door to be seated.”
  23. “delicious delicous delicous and highly addictive!”
  24. “Not only is the meat absolutely first-rate, the ponzu is fabulous and the people are friendly and efficient.”
  25. “What you get inside is organic beef, home-made ponzu sauce, and a no-frills delicious experience.”
  26. “The wait time is as long as the food is delicious.”
  27. “They took my dish away when I was still eating and threw the check on the table, gave me a nasty attitude like 'I can't believe you're still eating!'”
  28. “But the meat is pretty good quality and real thinly sliced.”
  29. “They only serve one thing -- raw beef slices with a plate of raw vegetables that you boil in your own personal hotpot, dip in delicious sauces, and eat with rice.”
  30. “Just go at the right time and you can have yourself a delicious and relatively healthy meal!”
  31. “So go, eat, and enjoy the food and experience.”
  32. “The ponzu sauce that goes with the beef is amazing.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “There are just a few choices, but the ingredients are always fresh, which makes all the difference.”
overall
50.0% positive
  1. “There isn't anything nice about this place, this place even smells bad.”
  2. “If you are looking for great food and an authentic Shabu experience then this is the place to be.”
service
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “In the end the meal was SPECTACULAR and the service was friendly and inviting.”
  2. “The service is fast and friendly.”
  3. “The waiters/waitresses are responsive and provide fast and good service.”
  4. “Also, the service is pretty good.”
  5. “The service tends to be better in the evening, but since my family and I are regulars we always manage to get great service.”
  6. “Not only is the meat absolutely first-rate, the ponzu is fabulous and the people are friendly and efficient.”
  7. “The serivce is fast, breezy, and friendly.”
  8. “The restaurant was very clean and the service was great.”
  9. “Everyone is attentive; although, they don't speak very much.”
  10. “Old Man is really rude”
  11. “Everyone has their own variations; some people throw everything into the hotpot and make a "soup"; some people like to combine the sauces; others like to dip the meat slices in the hotpot one by one.”
  12. “Terrible service!”
value
75.0% positive
  1. “the wait is ridiculous, but its so worth the wait because it just builds up your hunger and cravings for shabu shabu!”
  2. “The overall value is acceptable.”
  3. “This is one of the best food deals not just in L.A. but in the USA!”
  4. “The prices are around the same and the meat used at Shabu Shabu yo is very good quality.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “The wait time is as long as the food is delicious.”
  2. “It's a very unique experience: you have to eat quick or you will feel like they are rushing you, going in a party of more than two-three guarantees a REALLY long wait or you wont be seated together.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/06/10

It's worth is everytime.

by meark

This place never stops to amazed me. It's long wait and the not so cleam bathroom can be a easy turn-off. But, the once you sit and start putting your condiments in in your boiling pot in front of you, everything is forgiven. The quality of meat and constant service at your meal satisfies you completely. it's worth it.

  • Pros: Quality
  • Cons: The wait
3 Star Rating: Average

12/15/09

Good, but overrated

by JamieLA

The wait here sucks! ive been here a few times and the wait was over an hour. But when you finally get sat they rush you through your meal. But the meat is pretty good quality and real thinly sliced. Ponzu sauce is good too. But the vegetable plate is pretty sucky and the peanut sauce is bland. If the wait were shorter this spot would be better. Its just not worth the wait.

  • Pros: Good quality meat
  • Cons: The wait!! & No cell phones?
1 Star Rating: Poor

07/14/09

i have never been here

by elclassico

could be good.

  • Pros: like i said, i haven't tried it yet
  • Cons: well, ditto.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/07/09

Favorite restaurant in LA but brace yourself

by Girlafraid

It really is great food and a fun atmosphere but you have to get there early! It's a very unique experience: you have to eat quick or you will feel like they are rushing you, going in a party of more than two-three guarantees a REALLY long wait or you wont be seated together. BUT still, the food is worth it. The owner is interesting, he will not argue with you if you don't hear your name- he will just rush you out! I go there pretty often and he recognizes me but I still get the same service. This place isn't about customer service so really keep that in mind. 5 STARS.

  • Pros: Tasty food, cool atmosphere
  • Cons: Long wait
1 Star Rating: Poor

07/01/09

Old Man is really rude

by lupitab29

me and my co-worker signed in our names at 6:00, we have been waiting for 30 mins inside, the man never called our names. when we finally went to check that status, he stated he already called our names 20 mins ago. Now mind you he was raising his voice in front of the customers. as i went back to wait yet again, he escorted us out of the restaurant advising it was too full inside. We were sitting down in the waiting bench inside. So basicly he kicked us out!!! he must of been having a bad day to set him off, but he should not treat his customers so demeaning. I was a regular customer visiting almost 4xs a month. I WILL NEVER RETURN!!!

  • Pros: meat is fresh
  • Cons: the old man who calls out names is REALLY RUDE!!

The Details on Shabu Shabu House Restaurant

Place Categories:

  • great food
  • friendly service
  • favorite place
  • decent meat
  • amazing ponzu sauce
  • authentic shabu experience
  • here sucks wait
  • authentic sauces
  • breezy serivce
  • best shabu
  • like people
  • delicious meal
  • nice owner
  • favorite restaurant
  • great quality food
  • always fresh vegetables
  • best food deals
  • addictive personality
  • acceptable overall value
  • order extra vegetable
  • order extra order
  • full stomach
  • like asian students
  • really good shabu beef
  • always fresh ingredients
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