How to eat Shabu-shabu: A Guide to Japanese Hot Pot Heaven

Learn how to eat shabu shabu like a master with this video, and read on for more information.

Shabu-shabu is eaten with a variety of thinly sliced meats and fresh vegetables. Paper-thin slices of beef and pork are the most common offerings, but chicken, seafood, and even lamb are served in some restaurants. Tofu is another good protein option that is also suitable for vegetarians. For the vegetables, napa cabbage, onion, carrot, and mushrooms are fairly standard, in addition to seasonal produce like tender spring greens, sweet summer corn, and autumn yams.

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One thing about how to eat shabu-shabu which sets it apart from other kinds of Japanese hot pot meals is that it involves dipping meat and vegetables into a large variety of assorted sauces.  The two main styles of shabu-shabu dipping sauce are ponzu, a citrusy soy sauce, and goma-tare, a type of sesame sauce. Condiments like sliced green onions, grated daikon radish, shichimi pepper, and chili oil can all be added to customize the flavor.

Shabu-shabu is usually enjoyed with a bowl of rice. Typically, plain steamed white rice is offered, but sprouted brown rice is a good choice for a healthier option. Noodles can also be enjoyed with shabu-shabu such as harusame, a type of thin glass noodle, or thick udon noodles, which can be added to the soup pot at the end of the meal.

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Then, add vegetables to the pot and cook briefly to add flavor to the broth. Harder vegetables like carrots will take longer to cook, while leafy vegetables tend to cook more quickly.

Next, cook the meat and seafood, swishing the pieces lightly through the broth or submerging them briefly. Cook only enough meat at a time for one or two bites, rather than trying to cook everything at once. Shabu-shabu should be enjoyed like fondue, with the ingredients cooked over the course of the meal. In addition, adding too many items to the nabe pot at once can lower the temperature of the boiling broth and interrupt cooking.

Enjoy the cooked meat and vegetables dipped simply in sauce, or eat them together with rice.At the end of the meal, rice or udon noodles mixed with raw beaten egg can be added to the broth for everyone to share as a finisher.