Shabu Shabu Gyuta

***Update 3/29/2019***
Daie/Aeon mall is now closed!!
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Rating: OK
Meal:  Lunch
Price:  1200 yen
Payment:  Credit cards accepted
Dishes: Mixed Pork/Beef Sukiyaki
English Menu: Yes

Smoking: No

ShabuShabu and Sukiyaki are two slightly different versions of a cook it yourself type of meal that is quite popular here.  I hardly ever eat it for lunch though as it's kind of a sad thing to do by yourself.  There are no "small" tables really, so I end up taking up a four person table all to myself.  Both styles involve a pot in the middle of the table, raw meat, and a buffet of vegetables, noodles and other sundries.  ShabuShabu consists of a larger pot with lots of broth (sometimes different types of broth are available) boiling.  You add your meat or veg to the pot, cook it a bit, then grab it out and eat it with rice.

Sukiyaki uses a shallower cast iron pan and a smaller amount of dashi and a sweet dark sauce.  Same idea though, put your stuff in, cook it, then eat it.  You also get a raw egg or two, which you mix up and then dip your meat or veg into as you eat it.  It's really very good.  As you keep cooking down the stuff in the pot, you can add more liquid to prevent it from burning.  This has the added benefit of concentrating the flavor and the very last bit in the pan is the best.






For what you are getting, the prices are quite reasonable.  You can totally pig out if you want to...but not forever!  There is a time limit.  And more meat is extra.  Speaking of pigging out, I kind of went overboard on the noodles, and was in a coma most of the afternoon.  Another reason I don't eat there often.  I give it an OK overall since I don't really enjoy the experience too much.  Sukiyaki is my favorite of the two, but it's still more work than it is worth.