Tabu Shabu North Park
Restaurant · San Diego ·

Tabu Shabu North Park

Restaurant · San Diego ·

Premium proteins, individual pots, and flavorful broths with porridge

friendly service
premium meats
sake brunch
hot pot
shabu shabu
individual pots
sukiyaki broth
miso broth
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by Tabu Shabu
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null
Tabu Shabu North Park by null

Information

3647 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104 Get directions

$20–30

See Menu
Restroom
Accepts reservations
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Trendy

Information

Static Map

3647 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104 Get directions

+1 619 408 0369
tabushabu.com
@tabushabu

$20–30 · Menu

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Trendy
•Good for groups
•Good for solo dining
•Vegetarian options

Last updated

Jan 28, 2026

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@eater
391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

Where to Find Hot Pot Restaurants in San Diego | Eater San Diego

"This trendy North Park hot spot adheres to the Japanese tradition of shabu shabu with individual pots around a counter. What distinguishes this hot pot from others is the premium proteins from Snake River Farms and Double R Ranch with grass-fed and hormone-free meats. Go for the take-home porridge with leftovers, egg, and rice. They don’t take reservations so know it’ll be busier on a cooler day." - Helen I. Hwang

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/chinese-hot-pot-restaurant-japanese-shabu-shabu-korean-taiwanese-san-diego
Tabu Shabu
Tabu Shabu North Park
@eater
391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

Comforting Japanese-Style Hot Pot Comes to North Park | Eater San Diego

"Arriving on 30th Street just in time to welcome diners in from the rain, I found Tabu Shabu serving shabu-shabu, or Japanese-style hot pot, to warm bellies. Expanding from Orange County—where it operates popular locations in Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa—the eatery replaces Paesano’s in North Park and has thoroughly remodeled the 50-year-old space into a horseshoe-shaped dining bar with individual cooktops at every seat. The dining experience starts with your own pot of broth (seaweed dashi, spicy miso, tonkotsu pork, or sukiyaki) and a choice of proteins, from waygu short rib to grassfed rib eye, Kurobuta pork, and wild scallops, to cook in the seasoned stock and dip in either sesame sauce or ponzu that can be punched up with ‘hot drops,’ a fiery hot pepper infusion. Meals come with rice and noodles plus a plate of various vegetables, and intrepid diners can pre-book the ‘Godzilla Challenge’—three pounds of meat plus veggies, rice, dumplings, and porridge—which is free if you polish everything off in less than 30 minutes. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, offers a weekday happy hour from 5–6 p.m. and a bottomless sake brunch on weekends, and owner Jeff Chonis is planning another Tabu Shabu in Carlsbad at The Square at Bressi Ranch." - Candice Woo

https://sandiego.eater.com/2020/2/10/21131511/tabu-shabu-japanese-hot-pot-restaurant-north-park
Tabu Shabu North Park
@eater
391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

Interactive Japanese-Style Hot Pot Heading to North Park | Eater San Diego

"Expanding from Orange County into North Park, Tabu Shabu — which already has locations in Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach — is taking over Paesano’s 50-year-old, 2,250-square-foot site on 30th Street and will open after a thorough remodel in Fall 2019, bringing an interactive, authentic Japanese shabu-shabu experience. Shabu-shabu, literally meaning “swish-swish,” involves swishing meat, seafood, and vegetables in boiling broth and dipping them in sauce; at Tabu Shabu diners choose from four broth bases (seaweed dashi, spicy miso, tonkotsu pork, and sukiyaki) and order proteins such as prime rib eye, wagyu short rib, Jidori chicken, Kurobuta pork, and wild Mexican shrimp in four-ounce, eight-ounce, or half-pound portions, each served with a veggie plate that includes shiitake mushrooms and napa cabbage plus noodles, rice, and goma (sesame) and ponzu (citrus soy) dipping sauces. Founder and CEO Jeff Chon says the concept’s foundation is bringing authentic Japanese shabu-shabu to different demographics, and he is actively looking to add another Tabu Shabu in North County." - Candice Woo

https://sandiego.eater.com/2019/3/26/18281722/tabu-shabu-japanese-hot-pot-restaurant-north-park
Tabu Shabu North Park

Matt J.

Google
Went here with friends and we had a really great time. The Wagyu and the other meats were honestly amazing — super fresh, great marbling, and you can really taste the quality. Every plate that came out looked great and tasted even better. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly — very warm, always checking in on us, and happy to explain things or give recommendations. It really made the whole experience feel relaxed and welcoming. The place itself is very clean, with a modern and kind of hip vibe, but still feels cozy and comfortable. Overall, we really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere here — definitely a spot I’d be happy to come back to.

Yibo L.

Google
Just tried Tabu Shabu (North Park) and honestly loved it. The whole “everyone gets their own hot pot” setup is such a fun, low-stress way to eat—no fighting over one pot, you can go at your own pace, and it feels like dinner and an activity. Food-wise everything tasted really fresh. The veggie spread was crisp and plentiful, and the thin-sliced meats were great quality—quick to cook, super tender, and really satisfying. The sauces were also a big win; you can mix and match and it’s hard to go wrong. Trendy vibe but still comfortable—clean, modern, a little upbeat, and perfect for a date night or a group hang. Service matched the vibe too: friendly, attentive, and helpful with explaining how it works without being overbearing. We left full, happy, and already talking about coming back.

Patrick W.

Google
Went to Tabu Shabu North Park with friends and had a great experience. The place has a clean, modern vibe and feels very comfortable. I got the sukiyaki broth, which I absolutely loved — rich, slightly sweet, and super flavorful. We ordered the Angus ribeye and prime beef belly, and both were incredibly tender, aromatic, and delicious. The ingredients were very fresh, and everything cooked beautifully in the broth. Service was excellent — friendly, attentive, and on point the whole time. Overall, a very satisfying meal and I’d definitely come back. Highly recommend.

Tracey P.

Google
Individual pot style hot pot at the bar counter. The service and good quality is excellent. The sweet broth is one of the best broths I’ve had. They provide a big enough portions of vegetables, rice, and noodles to fill you up. The meat quality is great and the sauces are well prepared for dipping.

LiInC

Google
This restaurant is a real gem. We went here because of the great vegetarian options. Usually at other restaurants I have to pay full price although I'm vegetarian. They are very kid friendly too (had some crayons and a coloring sheet). I also liked that they immediately asked about allergies and took care of it very well. Another great thing is that you will be seated at one big round table. Most important thing though is that the food was amazing (although I can't say anything about the meat). Loved the service, loved the atmosphere, loved the food, loved everything!

Dani W.

Google
This was outstanding! The atmosphere, the food and the service were amazing. I would highly recommend! Ask about the broth mix with chili and pork( you won't be upset). When you're finished everything is packaged up in a nice to go soup!!

Breana M.

Google
Menu is smaller than it used to be and they made some changes but it is still delicious. The meat quality is going to be hard to beat elsewhere. They used to offer free 2nd plate on veggies if you wanted more as well as broth if you got low. That didn’t happen this time. However, we were so full by the time we got to the end that we didn’t need it. The staff was friendly and doing their best to keep up with a full place even though they looked short-staffed. Another good experience.

Madison F.

Google
This was my first ever hot pot experience and every choice I made was just perfect! It was such a fun experience and I didn’t want to stop eating even though I was very full. I really appreciated the variety of vegetables offered to add to my soup. I used absolutely everything and couldn’t recommend more highly.
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Marlene T.

Yelp
SO MUCH FOOD. I love hot pot. This might be a biased review bc I haven't had hot pot in a while and this hit the spot. My friend brought me here and immediately, I was excited. I got my own spicy pot of broth and ordered lamb. They brought out beef, but when I shared the mistake, they left the beef and brought out lamb without hesitation and apologized. Def didn't need both meats, but will gladly eat to my oblivion. Highly recommend.
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Ben L.

Yelp
Waiting We got there with 2 parties ahead of us. The waiter took our name. We waited for a while and there were spots becoming available but no one called us. Eventually I had to go to one of the waiters and ask when we can get seated. He said we would need to wait as they could not handle more people. However, after like a minute we were seated to the exact spots that were available. I'm just not exactly sure how the logistics work there. Food If you know hotpot / shabu shabu, this is not the place for you. It's a very basic entry level and the price they charge is way over. Their beef is decent, but their lamb tasted like rubber (would not recommend). We ordered the large plate for meat and it came out just bare minimal for one person. There was no secret flavor or sauce that would make you raise your eyebrow. Overall, I would not visit this place again.
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Jordan D.

Yelp
Came here on a whim because we were craving hot pot and didn't want to roll all the way out to Convoy. When you walk in, it's all bar seating (which personally i am not a fan of lol, gets super loud to me), but that's more about design theory than the food. The food is what we're here to discuss. I'm iffy on doing a personal shabu experience vs like a shared one with friends, but i get the reason behind the personalization. This all said...it was DELICIOUS! I appreciate how much you're able to customize what you want and how - i did the lamb and shrimp combo, which was great though not the most bang for buck i thought it'd be. the veggies they give though - GENEROUS. and i ate all of it up. i love that you can adjust your own broth to your liking too (so maybe i do like the individual expedrience??) also i got their dumplings that you boil in the broth you make too and they were fantastic. the service was a bit on the slow side, and it really wasn't so busy yet. i had to follow up several times for some things, BUT the team was so kind and i appreciated them for doing the best they could! i REALLY loved that after you're done with you hot pot, they can actually throw everything into a noodle soup for you. it's kind of like you got a whole other meal for one, that was neat (and filling). Overall i'd say 4.5 stars because really it was great experience and i would definitely be back now that I know what to expect. extra points for this trivia game they had on their screens you could participate in that was hella fun!
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Kim P.

Yelp
Great place for individual shabu shabu. Choose your broth, rice, noodle style and protein. Veggie plate and hot tea are included. For broth I suggest the miso - it has a nice mild flavor. On my last visit I tried the sukiyaki - which is good for cooking but too sweet for drinking like a soup. The ribeye is great, I've also tried the beef belly which is extra fatty but adds great flavor to the soup. Service is friendly and attentive. Seating is at a u-shape counter. Prices are reasonable and they even offer 20% off during weekday happy hour.
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Jane A.

Yelp
TAKE ME TO TABU (3.2 stars) - FOOD: ok - SERVICE: excellent - PRICE: decent - AMBIANCE: u shape bar The only hot pot in North Park. I love me some hotpot/shabu shabu but I've def been to much better places than Tabu. I had high hopes for the place only to feel mediocre about it. Pick your broth. (Sukiyaki) Pick your rice. (White) Pick your noodle. (Ramen) Pick your protein. (Wagyu) CUCUMBER SALAD- refreshing before a savory meal. A little over done with the dressing. RECOMMEND SUKIYAKI - yes it's a sweet broth but felt this was too sweet compared to other sukiyaki broths I've had and wish I went for the pork broth instead. WAGYU ZABUTO SHORT RIB ($34/regular) - of course I'm going to go for the quality protein. This was the most expensive protein in the menu. I really liked this cut of meat, wasn't too chewy if accidentally overcooked in the broth. Nice rich savory taste. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. I didn't like how we cannot control our own bowls destiny. If we want it hotter or colder we have to tell the bartender/server. One person running the service can be sometimes busy that you don't always get their attention right away. But they def try to do their best making their rounds. My overall meal was just ok, good but nothing amazing. I've had better and I've had worst. Not I. A rush to come back because I make a pretty mean shabu shabu at home. Until the next review...

Yibo L.

Yelp
Just tried Tabu Shabu (North Park) and honestly loved it. The whole "everyone gets their own hot pot" setup is such a fun, low-stress way to eat--no fighting over one pot, you can go at your own pace, and it feels like dinner and an activity. Food-wise everything tasted really fresh. The veggie spread was crisp and plentiful, and the thin-sliced meats were great quality--quick to cook, super tender, and really satisfying. The sauces were also a big win; you can mix and match and it's hard to go wrong. Trendy vibe but still comfortable--clean, modern, a little upbeat, and perfect for a date night or a group hang. Service matched the vibe too: friendly, attentive, and helpful with explaining how it works without being overbearing. We left full, happy, and already talking about coming back.
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Jiansen W.

Yelp
Tabu Shabu is a restaurant specializing in pot per person Shabu-Shabu, a Japanese hot pot style that involves cooking thinly sliced meat, seafood, and vegetables in a flavorful broth at the table. AMBIANCE High-top, bar-like layout. Everyone gets their own pot SERVICE Friendly, helpful, and front loaded as all food gets delivered upfront. FOOD BROTHS MISO: briny kombu and savory white miso TONKOTSU: flavorful pork bone broth NOODLES 5/5 udon: thick wheat flour noodle, soaks up flavors 4.5/5 fresh ramen noodle 4/5 shirataki: yam starch noodle, love that there's a carb free option PROTEINS 5/5 LARGE Prime Premium Ribeye. Tender, beefy 4.5/5 REG Reserve Prime Short 4/5 LARGE Beef Belly: tender, quite fatty ?/5 PREMIUM Combo DBL PARKING Street side
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Katherine C.

Yelp
Loved the miso broth and all the veggies. Very much a big portion of meat. The service was fast, and they neatly put away take out boxes for anything that was left over. The ambiance is casual, nothing super fancy. It's north park-esque!
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Athena A.

Yelp
Great hot pot spot! Super friendly! Good range of options! And nice drinks! I love the pumpkin they give on the side!

David E.

Yelp
I came here with my wife and young child, excited for hot pot. The waiter told us the wait would be 2 hours and 45 minutes, so we decided to leave. Being suspicious of the wait time, I called the restaurant right after and asked about the wait time for a party of 3 adults. The answer? 20 minutes. This shows either dishonesty or discrimination against families with children. Either way, it's unacceptable. There are plenty of restaurants that treat all guests with respect and honesty. This one does not.
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Suraj P.

Yelp
The food here was delicious and the experience is so fun and unique! If you haven't tried shabu before this is definitely a great spot to try! The staff is very friendly and they helped to explain all the different options and how it all works. I love that seating is all around the bar. But it can be tough if you have a larger party to be able to chat with everyone. Definitely worth checking out!
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David R.

Yelp
Fun dining experience, friendly service, lively atmosphere (everyone seated in giant counter surrounding the staff. Great veggies, the beefs were terrific (and you don't need to get the most expensive ones -- the regular ribeyes were amazing), and be sure to leave room for your broth at the end! And, good sake! A fun evening out with family or friends.
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Joann T.

Yelp
We (party of 4) came by on a Monday around 5:30 PM--it was pretty empty initially, which was nice. I believe they've got Happy Hour until 6 PM on weekdays (20% off the bill). As mentioned by other reviewers, absolutely top-tier service and staff. Our server, overheard us celebrating a couple of milestones and went above and beyond--surprising us with a complimentary bottle of champagne, a Wagyu sampler, and mochi ice cream. We were completely blown away by the kindness and hospitality. It made the experience extra memorable! Parking is mostly side-streets and residential areas, not too bad for a week day, but I can see it filling up quickly on weekends. Overall, a wonderful experience. The setup is a wraparound bar where everyone gets their own hot pot. Great atmosphere, excellent service, and delicious food--would absolutely recommend!
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Lynn L.

Yelp
ORDER sukiyaki broth (3/5) -- w/ udon & beef belly my group of 5 waited over an hour at around 6:40pm. not worth the wait. no matter where i go for shabu, i always get the sukiyaki broth. however, the sukiyaki here is way too sweet for my liking. the regular beef belly comes with around 10 pieces, which is far less than most places. there is a good amount of vegetables, but i noticed 3/5 of my party didn't get squash & the other 2 did. not a big deal though. you basically just get full off the carbs. SERVICE my server was nice, but i wish he was more attentive. everything came out before we got utensils. overall, still really kind service. AMBIANCE lots of street parking available. inside is nice with bar style seating.
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Pauline T.

Yelp
I've been here a couple times with my friends, and it's pretty decent. We've always been seated right away and parking is not too bad but it is located in North Park so it's all street parking. It's right next to a residential neighborhood and I've always been able to snag a spot. The decor inside is really trendy and modern with neon signage lights and framed photos. It's all bar seating so if you're short, you're out of luck. Service is friendly. Although this place is good, it's not my go-to hot pot place for a few reasons. For the price point, I don't know if it's quite worth it. I've ordered the tonkatsu on both occasions and while good, at the end, the soup base was really salty. Also, just me being picky but I didn't like how we weren't able to add the fire drops inside our actual soup and only in our sauce. I will say though I love the choices they offer in noodles. I love shirataki noodles so imagine my surprise when I saw that they offered it as an option here (I've never seen any other place do that). If you're watching your macros, I definitely would recommend coming here but me personally, I don't think it's my go-to for now.
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Nancy T.

Yelp
Great place to try when in north park! The concept is so neat for a personalized Shabu experience and you get your broth turned into noodle soup or porridge in the end. We did the pick 2 meats with tonkatsu and miso broth. We don't regret our choice at all. Wagyu Chuck Eye + Kurobata Pork Wagyu Chuck Eye + Beef Belly ALL SO GOOD!! Don't forget to grab the truffle oil for dipping. Bryce took care of us; very chill vibes. Nice to see everyone working together to complete their tasks. Dining is very cozy bar style... we also left with Tabu Shabu Padres merch. GO PADRES!
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Jacqueline D.

Yelp
Was visiting SD with my boyfriend recently, we were craving some shabu and came across Tabu Shabu on Yelp! First thing's first, parking here is so weird and kinda limited. There's literally no parking lot or anything, just street parking in a very deserted area with no other businesses around LOL. Not gonna lie, I was concerned for a bit, but everything turned out to be fine. Walking in, I really liked the vibe and ambience of the restaurant. It was decked out in Christmas lights + decor and neon signs! The entire restaurant is basically bar seating and a forewarning when you walk in, it's so steamy and foggy inside that it can be hard to see at first LOL. It was a Monday night so it was pretty empty. We got seated and decided on the miso broth, prime beef belly, white rice, and udon to share! The quality of the meat was excellent and the miso broth was so flavorful! Everything from their dipping sauces to the veggies tasted fresh and paired well with our meal! The service was very attentive and they helped us whenever possible. In all, this is a solid shabu spot in SD, but the location was a bit sketchy to me and kinda threw off my experience. Would recommend though if you're craving shabu and are ever in the area!
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Natalie C.

Yelp
The spot for the most yummy meal that satisfies the palate tummy and soul. There's also nothing quite like the experience of crafting your own meal w a savory soup and all the fixings and eating it as a porridge, ramen, rice bowl or anything in between. Service is always spectacular. Beers and sake are top notch. Warm and inviting vibe.
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Dan P.

Yelp
Ordering is very similar to Mokkoji: you choose a broth, carb, rice, and protein. Definitely pretty filling but healthy. Love the GF and vegetarian options available. Seating is bar style which allowed staff to be very attentive to your needs and concerns. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming - definitely the highlight of dinner. Street parking available.
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Wendy H.

Yelp
Food fresh and amazing!! Concept of hot pot with add your own flavors was too notch. I got the udon with short rib and it melted in my mouth! Service and attention to detail is top notch! Kevin S shows passion with his job and strives to make it enjoyable experience. He took the time to explain everything and then gave us space and time to make our decisions! The quest part of the experience was waiting on the broth to boil! The only reason I gave this place 4.5 stars is the seating arrangement is kind of odd so you can't hear yourself or neighbor once the seating is full. If your easily over stimulated it might be a little rough on you. Everything else was great!!! I will return!
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Ashley C.

Yelp
I went to Tabu Shabu yesterday, and I had an OK experience. At Tabu Shabu, everyone gets their own individual broth, which is nice if you and your party want different soup bases. When you order, you select your broth, rice, noodle, and protein. I selected miso, white rice, udon noodles, and reserve short rib. I thoroughly enjoyed my selection. The miso had a nice, light flavor to it and did not taste greasy/oily. It simply just tasted like miso soup, which I liked. I also enjoyed the cut of my meat as well as the sauce selection they had. I was, however, a bit disappointed in the portion sizes. The price of this place is a bit hefty for a non-AYCE shabu restaurant. I understand the sentiment (and definitely enjoyed the food), but it feels as if you're mostly paying for overpriced vegetables. I wish their price point was lower or that they gave you a bit more meat/sides. The service, however, was excellent! The worker was very sociable and kind. Despite this, however, I am not too sure that I would return. For this price, I think that you could get good quality AYCE shabu elsewhere.
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Joy W.

Yelp
This is solid spot for hot pot. Love the bar set up and that the server controls the dipping sauce behind the counter which I feel keeps things clean/hygienic versus having an open bar for customers to grab their own. Quality meats and generous plate of both veggies and even rice! Servers are attentive and price is fair. Highly recommend spot!
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Christian W.

Yelp
Great food! Love the custom options and customer service. The crew worked FAST! I got the miso with pork and white rice. The veggies and meat tasted very fresh. I'd come again.
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Ashley W.

Yelp
Food: 5/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 5/5 I was pleasantly surprised after being a bit hesitant when I observed that I was the only Asian customer when I walked in and none of the employees were Asian from what I could see. A hot pot place without Asians? I wonder how this will turn out... and it turned out amazing! The menu is a bit on the pricier side but the quality was amazing. I appreciated that they basically provided everything you would need for hotpot and if the broth or sauce was not up to your individual taste you can customize it and change things up. The miso was a bit bland for me but after adding some fish sauce/sesame oil and a bit of gochujang it was perfect. They helped pack the leftovers. I ordered the LG (1/3 lb) wagyu and it was the perfect amount for dinner. I would probably try a combo of meats next time. I used the rice in the broth to make a porridge for my next meal.
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Alex B.

Yelp
Obsessed. The staff is a collection of gems. The mochi ice cream dessert is a fun conclusion to the meal. I'll admit, it's more work than a normal date night, but it's really scrumptious! The protein is high quality and the soup bases are flavorful. The side sauces are my favorite additions, sometimes I want to drink them. It feels relatively healthy, it's filling, and it's just a good time. I even brought my mom, and she had a blast playing with the favors and sipping sake with a side of Sapporo. I'm here for it.
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Karly C.

Yelp
Some of the best broth I've ever had (and you can season / tweak it to perfection with their add-ins that come with each pot). The meat is delicious too but the portions don't feel filling for what we paid at the end of the meal. I appreciate that they let you take home leftovers (they should really sell their full broth to go!). Service is strong - everyone was super informative and friendly. Very impressed with their ability to keep turning seats and accommodate dates or groups. When they first opened I remember having a great impression of a trendy spot with great moody ambiance - perfect date night vibes. We just visited for the first time in a while and I'm not sure if I misremembered or something changed because it felt a ton more casual and meh ambiance-wise. Really brightly lit and for lack of a better term, it looked sort of "worn." We'll be back for the food for sure and definitely recommend it to others with the caveats noted above!
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Jack H.

Yelp
Amazing food and atmosphere. Really enjoy sitting at the bar and the service is friendly, fast and informative. Took our 5 year old, was great experience for him. Definitely a good find, will be back!
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Carolyn M.

Yelp
A more traditional shabu type of set up where they sell in sets (cannot remember if there's an AYCE option) but still great quality especially if you join their rewards program. The service here was excellent and I love that they give you a soup base to make a udon at the end if you like that! Parking is available nearby off the streets, read for signs. Would love to come back!
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Norma R.

Yelp
The food was great and so was the service and ambiance. I would definitely recommend this to others!
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Janet R.

Yelp
I wish I could give this place 10 stars. I have never had such wonderful service before in my life! I went with my mom and the servers there treated us as though we were the VIP guests in the place. They were wonderful at refilling everything we wanted and needed and they even made sure we were taken care of. The service is immaculate! Not only that, the food was wonderful. The pork broth was no salty and they gave such a wide variety of veggies to eat with our meals. We left feeling extremely grateful and satisfied!

Michelle P.

Yelp
Best shabu shabu in san diego! Food-is delicious and so are sauces especially the sesame sauce

Anton P.

Yelp
Great food 10/10 experience great staff and the meat is excellent! Jake helped us choose the best meats and also the broth. We will be coming back. Price is great also!
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Tracee B.

Yelp
Not your average dining experience which was pretty enjoyable. The flexibility of options for the hot pot was good with various broths, meats, and noodles. It's nice that they recommend you mix it up with your party so then things can be shared. It's on the pricey side though so beware. Lots of food, but lots of money too! Almost $200 for three of us and we got chicken, shrimp, and rib eye. Staff will maintain the pot heat and boiling point and you just let it do its thing by throwing in all your goodies! I was truly stuffed by the end of our meal. We came on a Friday evening around 7:30 and luckily there was no wait time. Heard that's not always the case though so you may need to be prepared to wait.
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Julius L.

Yelp
Long story short everything was great! 7.5/10 For starters Michelle was a great server, she was helpful and insightful with the menu and our questions. The size of the restaraunt is nice. My main gripe is that the amount of noodles they give was not enough for the amount of time you'll spend at the table. The meat was great, the broth enhancer is delicious, the veggies are good too. All in all the time spent was good and would come again
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Mark P.

Yelp
My wife and I continue to frequent this place for date nights and it never misses. It's always a fun spot to bring friends and family when they are visiting from out of town, and everyone loves the experience. Get the broth booster, the pickled serranos, the crunchy chili garlic, just get everything. You truly can't miss.
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Cindy T.

Yelp
One of the best hot pot places I've been to! Definitely beats the hot pot places in AZ lol. As soon as you enter it smells sooooo good! The staff is friendly. It can get busy so if you can place yourself on the waitlist via Yelp I highly recommend that. The food was bomb. ( I wish I got pics but when food is good- your stomach eats first!!) You customize it to your liking. I got the miso broth (spicy), added ramen noodles & had beef as my choice of protein. Everyone has their own little station & you cook it to your liking. I loved the tray of assorted veggies you can add to your broth. The mochi dessert was delicious. The gentleman who seem to run the place or is head manager is so cool! He knows how to maintain conversations & not be awkward around guests. Would love to come back whenever I'm in SD again!
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Alyssa N.

Yelp
I've been craving hot pot for sooo long and I was able to check this place out! Visited on a Wednesday night and there was no wait to be seated. The seating is bar-style, so you sit pretty close to other customers. Its a nice ambiance watching the staff prepare the food in the middle though :) I ordered the sukiyaki broth with beef belly. The regular size meat plate was the perfect amount. The broth was sweeter than others I've tried but still really yummy. They are generous with their vegetables and sauces as well. Staff was friendly and attentive! I would visit again.
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Julie B.

Yelp
After coming back a couple times, Tabu Shabu has become a convenient Japanese-style shabu with premium meats. As one of the few restaurants open late in the area, they offer a trendy option with bottomless sake brunch on weekends, local drafts, and even a food challenge. It's a $6 difference for large 2 item combo vs premium ($32 & $38). Good experience if you don't have shabu at home, with street parking available.
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Sarah K.

Yelp
I LOVEEEE TABU SHABU! The quality of the meat at tabu shabu is top tier and the place itself is very clean. I've gone 4x total with friends, family, and alone and honestly it has hit the spot each time. Steven is my favorite server here and is sooo sweet, personable, and helps you in figuring out what you want to eat and takes care of you really well making the experience a phenomenal one. You can sample the broths before picking and even mix broths together if that's what you prefer. While this isn't a place known for sushi, their spicy salmon hand rolls are large and very fresh! I would recommend trying it for those who are sushi lovers. The service here is quick even when its busy. I personally recommend the sukiyaki broth with udon and wagyu short rib. But if its your first time here, you should try the two item combo to see which meats you like best. Overall amazing food and service.

cati

Yelp
The ambiance of the restaurant is amazing! It was very chill and the servers are very friendly. They will greet you and try to give you suggestions whether what to order (first time customer here). Food was good aside from my broth had a - Fly. I didn't realize it until it was my 2nd to the last bite. I told the server, he said he will replace my broth but I refused since I'm already done eating and I also loss my appetite after knowing that I've been slurping the broth with fly. The server gave us 20% employee discount because that is all he can do. Anyway, lesson learned for me - to always check the broth.
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Ruby G.

Yelp
We were looking for a close hot pot place and one that stayed open late and we found this place. It's super aesthetic but all of us are vegetarians. They only had meat options and nothing if you are not a meat eater. We thought it would be Chinese style with two different hot pots. Instead we were given just vegetables to put in hot soup. The waiter was nice but the pricing was confusing. I wish they'd add an option for vegetarians or something.
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Cassandra B.

Yelp
First time having hotpot and this place is it! The service was incredible. We had a larger group and were nervous about a long wait but only waiting for about 20 minutes. Waiter was so patient with those of us who hadn't been to hotpot before and explained everything to us. It's a casual place, very fun and upbeat. The food is delicious! Especially on a cold San Diego night.
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Adrianna B.

Yelp
I love hotpot, and this place has an amazing selection of proteins to choose from, including some premium wagyu cuts. The service has always been pretty good, even though they're always packed! I'd be prepared to wait if you're pulling up on a weekend for dinner, I haven't tried eating here at other times. Also great alcohol selection to match with your shabu. Staff is always super friendly too.
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Alenn R.

Yelp
What sets this place truly apart is the service. The workers are hilarious and do their part to ensure that your experience is one of a kind and memorable. A fair warning, it's a little on the pricier side of Shabu. And that's fine, because you're definitely tasting that price difference in quality. This isn't an AYCE, it's more an eat at your pace. Would I go here again, yes. Do I sometimes think twice on the price, yes. From an honest perspective there are a ton of places that will give you the quick fix, this isn't that. It's an experience you enjoy.
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Anthony T.

Yelp
First time eating at Tabu Shabu. Came in for lunch when they opened Saturday noon and were the first ones at the restaurant. The two working were Steven and Luke and Steven had the pleasure of being our server. He was extremely attentive, informative, and honestly some of the best service I've received from a restaurant in a long time! Food was excellent, my friend and I did a shared pot (+$6 to share), you get to choose two broths. You get to sample the broths before deciding and you can also mix and match them. It was suggested to get the tonkotsu mixed with the chili oil, which my friend ended up getting and really enjoying. I opted for the sukiyaki which was also enjoyable. We ordered the two item for the meats and selected ribeye and lamb. Overall experience was great and would definitely return. The restaurant is U-Shaped where servers were in the middle. Parking isn't the best cause it's street parking but it's North Park, so that's expected. CHECK IN ON YELP TO RECEIVE FREE MOCHI ICE CREAM! Food: 4.5/5 Service: 6/5 Parking: 3/5
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Andrea V.

Yelp
Came here for a late valentines dinner and luckily it was a weekday so we were seated rather quickly. The food and the presentation was a whole experience for us bc neither of us had tried hot pot before, but it definitely won't be the last time for me. I loved it, the soup was great and I loved that it was us doing the "cooking", very fun date night.
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Faith D.

Yelp
I have to admit I am totally new to hotpot, after only trying it for the first time last year and I love it! Still practicing my meat twirls and trying to figure out how to put together good sauces! What we ordered: * sukiyaki broth | udon * spicy miso broth | ramen * reserve angus ribeye * prime beef belly Loved their sukiyaki broth and the pasteurized egg it came with definitely elevated each bite of meat and had me wanting more! My fiancé loved his miso broth and it was nice that they put the spicy paste on the side so that you can control your spice level. We were so hungry we basically finished everything we ordered but next time I will definitely have to try to save some leftovers because I saw that they can make a porridge for you to take home! The bar seating is kind of tight, and I was constantly trying to adjust things on the table to keep them out of the way for my neighbor. I went with one person and it's fine for two, but a group might be hard to take.

Todd B.

Yelp
Fantastic food but better service. Aaron and Luke are the best! Will definitely be back!

Elaine M.

Yelp
Best first experience for my family! I've been to hot pot before but never got to experience it like this. The owner was amazing at explaining everything to us, and ensuring we were all prepared for our meals. He was pleasant company, obviously loves what he does, and such a great host! I will definitely be returning and recommending to my friends!