The Japanese word “kawaii,” meaning “cute,” has come to be a global term and phenomenon spread worldwide thanks to pop culture, including anime and manga.
On top of that, you can see the influence of “kawaii” reflected in Japanese cuisine as well these days.
Located in Shinjuku, “Shabu-shabu Honpo Shinjuku Usagiya (referred to below as ‘Usagiya’)” is a restaurant where you can eat some shabu-shabu that’s so kawaii you’ll want to take a picture of it!
In Japanese, usagi means “rabbit” and ya means “shop,” and you can see why the store has this name when you take a look at their signature dish:
Shabu-shabu in Shinjuku that might be too cute to eat
At Usagiya, you can enjoy all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu hotpot. They offer three delicious different courses: “Usagiya Course,” “Silver Course,” and “Bronze Course,” each with varying prices depending on the choice of meat.
Usagiya Course: 3,828 JPY (tax included)
Wagyu beef, lamb, beef shoulder loin, beef belly, pork loin, pork belly, chicken breast, chicken thigh, chicken tsukune (chicken meatballs)
Silver Course: 3,278 JPY (tax included)
Lamb, beef shoulder loin, beef belly, pork loin, pork belly, chicken breast, chicken thigh, chicken tsukune
Bronze Course: 2,728 JPY (tax included)
Beef belly, pork loin, pork belly, chicken breast, chicken thigh, chicken tsukune
*Please note that all courses include a common selection of vegetables and one additional dish.
If you’re looking to savor a variety of meats in your shabu-shabu hotpot, the highly recommended course is the Usagiya Course, named after the restaurant itself.
This course boasts the most extensive selection with nine types of meat, including wagyu beef, lamb, and beef shoulder loin, making it the most fulfilling option among the three courses.
Menus with English and Chinese language are available
Opting for the Silver Course allows you to choose from eight types of meat, excluding Wagyu beef, and it’s the most popular course at the restaurant.
For those looking for a budget-friendly option, the Bronze Course offers six types of meat, including beef belly, pork loin, pork belly, chicken breast, chicken thigh, and chicken tsukune.
All courses offer a choice of shabu-shabu hotpot soup, with options like sesame soy milk, kombu (kelp), and sukiyaki-style among the eight varieties available.
Additionally, you can add the adorable “Usapyon Dashi” (this can be translated as “Bunny Hop Dashi”) for an extra 330 JPY (tax included), which features a soup made from kombu stock.
“うさぴょん出汁,” Bunny Hop Dashi 330 JPY (tax included)
Both the regular soup and the Bunny Hop Dashi are based on the same kombu stock, so they naturally complement each other in flavor. The soup becomes even richer with the addition of the cute rabbit dashi.
This emphasis on cuteness in cuisine is something that might just be distinctive to Japan, and Umami bites writer Steven was quite smitten with the looks of the Bunny Hop Dashi.
It’s almost too cute to eat! When you place the bunny in the hotpot, it looks like it’s enjoying a bath at a Japanese hot spring!
At Usagiya, the visually adorable Bunny Hop Dashi is a specialty, and there are days when it sells out. If you want to make sure to have it in your hotpot, it’s a good idea to make a reservation in advance.
The selection of one-dish items at Usagiya is also extensive, including various types of gyoza, meat buns, edamame, and more, totaling 10 different options. It’s not just about shabu-shabu hotpot; there’s a lot to enjoy here.
They also offer a variety of vegetables such as Chinese cabbage, standard cabbage, and green onions. You can even order ramen and udon noodles.
Even with the richness of these offerings, the highest-priced course is 3,828 JPY (tax included). No matter how much you order, the price remains the same, which is quite a pleasantly surprising deal.
While the pricing is impressive, the restaurant also places a strong emphasis on flavor. In particular, the wagyu beef available in the Usagiya Course is known for its tender texture, making you want to keep coming back for more.
Additionally, they offer a plan where you can have all-you-can-drink alcohol for 1,100 JPY (tax included) or all-you-can-drink soft drinks for 550 JPY (tax included).
If you plan to order three or more drinks, it’s a good idea to simply go for the all-you-can-drink option for a good value.
Usagiya offers dining with a wonderful view of Shinjuku
Usagiya is located right in the heart of the Kabukichō district, near the entrance of the famous “Godzilla Street,” which extends from Kabukicho Crossing to the Shinjuku Toho Building (the street gets its name from the landmark Godzilla sculpture on the Shinjuku Toho Building).
The restaurant sits on the 7th floor of its building. From the window-side seats in the restaurant, you can enjoy a view of the bustling Kabukichō Crossing, where many people come and go.
At night, the surrounding neon lights illuminate the area, creating a quintessential Shinjuku scene.
Window-side seats are quite popular, so making a reservation is highly recommended
Looking down at the city of Shinjuku from the window makes you feel like you’re right at the center of Tokyo, all while enjoying a delicious shabu-shabu meal. It’s a wonderful experience.
Furthermore, Usagiya’s spacious interior features 70 table seats. This wide range of seating options, accommodating solo diners to groups, makes it convenient for parties of all types.
The presence of partitions between the table seats creates a relaxed atmosphere, allowing you to enjoy your meal in comfort.
Usagiya’s interior
If you’re looking to dive into Japan’s “Kawaii culture” and also a shabu-shabu hotpot that’s a hit on social media, why not pay a visit to Usagiya?
You can’t go wrong when it comes to generating buzz online with posting a picture of the adorable Bunny Hop Dashi!
Usagiya’s exterior
Information
| Store name | しゃぶしゃぶ本舗 新宿 うさぎや Shabu-shabu Honpo Shinjuku Usagiya |
|---|---|
| Address | Shinjuku Pick Peck Building 7F, 1-17-13 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
|
| Access |
Seibu-Shinjuku Station 3-minute walk from Seibu-Shinjuku Station Main Exit
Shinjuku Station（SJK） 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Station East Exit
|
| Phone number | 03-3208-9623 |
| Reservations | Accepted Phone, Hot Pepper Gourmet |
| Payment |
|
| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | Mon-Fri. 17:00-23:00（last order 22:30） Sat-Sun. & nat’l holidays 12:00-23:00（last order 22:30） |
| Closed | No holidays |
| Seating | 70 table seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking A smoking room is available |
| Official website | None |
| Other information |
|
※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of October 2023.
