In just a few days, June is coming to an end and the wet season has begun. The air feels damp and cold, and the sound of rain grows heavier. Surprisingly, this brings a sense of tranquility to our minds and souls. During these chilly rainy moments, let’s savor it more and make it cozier with the taste of a flavorful hot pot filled with meat, mushrooms, vegetables, tofu, noodles, dim sum, and more. In Japanese, they call this popular delectable soup shabu shabu.
What Is Shabu Shabu?
Originating in Osaka, Japan in the 1950s, shabu shabu is a popular style of Japanese hotpot (nabemono) because of its unique way of serving on the table. Unlike other hotpots served to customers that are already cooked, it is served on the table with raw ingredients, such as tender meat and raw vegetables, mushrooms, noodles, and more.
Perhaps, you are also wondering what’s the meaning behind its mysterious name. According to the website Savor Japan, “It is after the Japanese onomatopoeia for “swish, swish,” which refers to the sound made as each piece of meat is swiftly swirled around in the boiling broth just before consumption.”
How to Cook Shabu Shabu?
Cooking shabu shabu at home is akin to embarking on your adventure to tranquility, especially during the rainy and cold afternoon or night. As soon as the casserole is placed on the portable burner and the broth begins to simmer, it seems like a sense of warmth and comfort covers your kitchen or your living room (wherever you are cooking alone or with your dearest people). To experience better the joy of cooking it, you can follow some tips below.
- Once the broth boils, lower the heat to avoid overcooking.
- Add the vegetables. Take note to put first the vegetables that take a longer time to cook such as carrots (also mushrooms). Leafy vegetables are cooked easily.
- Next, cook the meat and seafood. Okay, this is the step where the name shabu shabu lives up. When you cook the meat, do it like fondue. Swish a piece of meat briefly on the boiling broth.
- Enjoy it with dipping sauces. Traditionally, meat is dipped in sesame sauce and vegetables in ponzu sauce, but feel free to experiment and find your favorites.
- Cooked rice is its great accompaniment to and can be used to soak up any leftover broth in your bowl at the end.
Where to Eat Shabu Shabu?
Lahat Food is a food delivery app that offers nationwide delivery of Asian cuisines. Simply download the app on your mobile and complete the registration process. Once registered, you can now choose a variety of food from various merchants that offer your favorite Asian dish. For shabu shabu enthusiasts, below is a list of restaurants where you can satisfy your craving for this popular Japanese hotpot.
1. Hothae Korean Chinese Cuisine
In Malate Manila, the Hothae restaurant is known for its delicious beef shabu shabu. They offer two enticing sets. The first set includes high-quality beef, a variety of seafood such as shrimp, squid, and fish meat, a set of fresh vegetables, Korean noodles (udon), a specially crafted dipping sauce, a selection of balls, and flavorful broth. The second set features premium beef, a ball set, a tantalizing sauce, and a savory soup.
Price: Set A (1,500 Pesos)
Set B: (1,200 Pesos)
Order here: https://www.lahatfood.com/share/stores/58c320ef-a454-4c35-9be6-6089cf38829f
2. Aini Shabushabu
This Makati-based shabu shabu restaurant offers a mixture of beef and seafood in a single hot pot. For the broth, you can choose between mild and spicy. Their flavorful shabu shabu is packed with ingredients that will surely make you enjoy eating your favorite dish. It includes beef bib eye, beef short plate, pork loin, assorted seafood, assorted vegetables, assorted balls, two kinds of noodles, and sauce.
Price: 1,500 Pesos
Order here: https://www.lahatfood.com/share/stores/c9c254f3-cf5e-43f2-80bb-5d1a79d09a69
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