Shabu-shabu is a representative Japanese nabe (hot pot) dish where thinly sliced meat is quickly swished through hot dashi broth before eating. The name shabu-shabu expresses the sound made when the meat is swished through the broth, and it is loved by many for its unique eating style and elegant flavor. Although this dish, born after World War II, is…
Nabe, a representative dish of Japan’s winter food culture, is a comforting meal where fresh ingredients are simmered in steaming hot broth and shared around the table. It symbolizes Japan’s cultural emphasis on gathering with family and friends, making it a must‑try culinary experience. While Japanese cuisine is already popular in North America and Southeast Asia, truly tasting and understanding…
When it comes to classic winter dishes in Japan, nothing beats nabe—hot pot. Made with a wide variety of simmered vegetables, meats, and seafood, nabe is a bubbling hot pot that warms both body and soul. Loved as a home-cooked comfort food, nabe also varies from region to region, with local ingredients and seasonings giving rise to an incredibly diverse…
Shabu-shabu, where thinly sliced beef is briefly dipped in dashi broth, is highly popular for its simple approach to enjoying the umami of meat and vegetables. It’s one of Japan’s most quintessential hot pot dishes. “Kin no Dashi Shabu Hachiuma Shinjuku Main Store” (referred to hereafter as “Hachiuma Shinjuku”) is conveniently located in the heart of Shinjuku’s Kabukichō area. It’s…
Japan’s wagyū beef has spread its delicious reputation throughout the world and has become a global brand. Shabu-shabu is a hotpot dish that allows you to enjoy the simplicity of wagyu’s flavor by briefly dipping and swishing it in broth, and enjoying it along with vegetables. Located in the bustling heart of Shinjuku’s Kabukichō district, “shabu-shabu sukiyaki steak NIIMURA” (referred…
Japanese hot pot cooking, known for its rich flavors and communal dining experience, is a must-try in Tokyo. From the savory sweetness of sukiyaki to the delicate broth of shabu-shabu, these dishes offer warmth and comfort in every bite. In this guide, we’ll introduce some of the best spots to enjoy authentic Japanese hot pot! Solo sukiyaki and shabu-shabu dining…
Sharing a nabe (Japanese hot pot or stew) with others is always fun, but enjoying it at your own pace is a pleasure of its own. If you want to relish a meal without any distractions, head to “Shabu-Shabu Retasu Shibuya Center-gai” in the popular Shibuya neighborhood of Tokyo, where you can have a nabe all to yourself. Savor Kobe…
Since early times, dashi broth has been an essential part of Japanese cuisine. In 2022, a dashi specialty shop opened in New York City, and now the ingredient continues to attract attention from around the world. In order to better understand the allure of dashi, the Umami bites editorial team visited the restaurant “Okaka Shinjuku” located in Shinjuku, Tokyo. At…
Japan’s wagyū (beef sourced from specific Japanese cattle breeds), now globally renowned, comes in various brands, each offering distinct flavors and aromas. Among them, one highly recommended brand is “Kagoshima Kuroushi” from Kagoshima Prefecture. This brand has achieved the title of Japan’s best in competitions where wagyu from all across the country is evaluated. Its meat quality, texture, and the…
Shibuya, with its globally famous Scramble Crossing in front of the station, is one of Tokyo’s premier entertainment districts. Photo of Scramble Crossing in Shibuya Although strongly associated with fashion and youth culture, Shibuya’s charm extends beyond that. It’s an area teeming with a variety of eateries including restaurants, cafes, and bars. From quintessentially Japanese ramen to exquisite wagyū beef…
“Mo-Mo PARADISE” is a restaurant chain that has expanded its presence worldwide, with a focus on Asia, including Thailand and Indonesia. In Japan, it has two locations, one near Shinjuku Station’s East Exit and another in Kabukichō, where you can savor hotpot dishes made with domestically sourced beef. The standout feature of Mo-Mo PARADISE is undoubtedly their all-you-can-eat hotpot with…
Sukiyaki and shabu-shabu are classic Japanese hotpot dishes that have At “Hitori Shabu-shabu Nanadaime Matsugorou Shinjuku TOHO Building” (hereinafter referred to as “MATSUGORO Hitori Shabu Shabu”), you can really appreciate the true taste of meat at reasonable prices, which has been driving a lot of customers to its doors. “すき焼き,” Sukiyaki 2,948 JPY (tax included) MATSUGORO Hitori Shabu Shabu is…
Restaurant renamed to “Hokkaidō Menkoinabe Kumachan Onsen Shibuya” and operating with a partially revised menu. The restaurant “Hokkaidō Menkoinabe Kumachan Onsen” (hereafter referred to as “Kumachan Onsen”) opened for business in 2020 in Sapporo, Hokkaido, quickly becoming a go-to spot for single-serve hotpot meals. What’s fun about the name? Well, in local Hokkaido slang, menkoinabe means “cute hotpot,” and kumachan…
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…