"A popular Southern California chain with locations in Irvine and Costa Mesa is expanding to San Diego, landing in the Mira Mesa complex that also houses Seafood City Supermarket and the Boiling Crab. Mokkoji Shabu Shabu Bar is a do-it-yourself Japanese-style hot pot where diners cook sliced meat, seafood, and vegetables in individual pots of water or broth; it offers broth bases including miso, spicy pork, sukiyaki, and fire crab. Premium shabu-shabu ingredients range from sliced prime rib, fatty beef belly, and brisket to Maine lobster, diver scallops, Jidori chicken, and Australian wagyu, and each selection is paired with rice, housemade goma (sesame) sauce and ponzu, plus vegetable sides. Dinner sets for two — including a surf-and-turf combo and a beef sampler — come with sake or beer, an appetizer, and dessert. Partner Kiet Tran says the chain is looking to rapidly expand in the area, and the Mira Mesa location is expected to open by January 2024." - Candice Woo