DipDipDip Tatsu-Ya - Review - Crestview - Austin - The Infatuation
"Calling DipDipDip Tatsu-Ya a hot pot restaurant is like calling Medieval Times a chicken joint. Sure, there’s hot pot—it’s one of the only Japanese-style shabu shabu spots in Austin—but this isn’t your typical casual bottomless affair. Instead, it’s an intimate experience with inventive, Austin-inspired ingredients. photo credit: Mackenzie Smith Kelley The dining room feels a bit like being below deck on a really nice pirate ship. It’s dressed from floor to ceiling with intricate woodwork, with long, shared tables featuring wooden dividers that offer a hint of privacy—though you’ll likely still overhear your neighbors chatting about their puppies or dream jobs. Because while you could come here with a couple of friends or a coworker, this is definitely a date night destination, complete with warm lighting, close quarters, and enough rising steam to smooth out your wrinkles. photo credit: Mackenzie Smith Kelley Everyone gets a personal induction burner and a sandglass to track their meats, making every bite feel a little bit like a race against time. And unlike more traditional shabu shabu places that start with nothing but water, the bases here are all flavored—choose from one of four options (including Ramen Tatsu-Ya’s popular tonkotsu broth), then decide if you want to order à la carte, omakase, or from a small menu of pre-cooked bowls. photo credit: Mackenzie Smith Kelley Over the course of dinner, you’ll experience everything from simple meats paired with a salty truffle sukiyaki to the “Keep Austin Dipping”—a tiny bowl of shiso queso that rests in the broth, because this city has a codependent relationship with melted cheese. For traditional all-you-can-eat hot pot, look elsewhere. But if you want a fun experience that feels uniquely Austin, DipDipDip Tatsu-Ya is worth the visit. Food Rundown photo credit: Mackenzie Smith Kelley Tatsu-Ya Omakase You'll choose from one of four broths and receive a selection of starter vegetables, rice, and noodles. Prices range from $45 to around $100, with higher-tier sets featuring premium meats, including A5 wagyu in the "Baller Omakase." We recommend going with one of the omakases to take any guesswork out of things. photo credit: Mackenzie Smith Kelley À La Carte So you decided to choose your own adventure. Much like the omakase, pick your broth (at various price points), then select from the menu of assorted dips, meats, seafood, stuffed wontons, and extras (like the queso). This is a solid option if you know exactly what you want or just want a lighter meal." - Nicolai McCrary
