Tried out the new Tabu Shabu with friends A + D, W, Z, and T on Monday. This new place took over what used to be The Melt in El Paseo de Saratoga. Going in, I was wary about committing to a hot pot; generally, big soups don’t play well with my weak throat / esophagus.
That being said, things turned out fine. In Japanese shabu-shabu, the soup is not directly consumed. It is used mainly to cook the meat + veggies, which absorb much of the liquid and flavor present. Having to swirl around the ingredients manually did mean a lot of movement and stretching for my right arm, but it survived.
I went for the standard options: spicy miso soup + white rice + all the veggies + kale ramen + reserve prime short rib. After tax and tip, I paid $24.
For me, the portions given were great. I was able to finish almost everything while feeling full. At the end of the meal, 1/3 of the bowl of rice still remained on my plate. However, I may be a unique outlier; T, who was sitting next to me, complained about not having enough to eat.
All in all, I’m satisfied enough to go back if others want to, but not impressed enough to suggest it on my own. Plus, the way the restaurant is formatted with seats like a bar makes it more difficult to hold big group conversations.
PS: after the meal, I did end up regurgitating lots, but that could be due to dessert; being stuffed as I was, I shouldn’t have bought a large Happy Lemon w/pearls.
