We had heard about yet another new hot pot place opening up on Kapahulu Avenue.
Last week, Shabu Shabu Bangkok opened up in the space vacated by Yakiniku Toraji on the corner of Kapahulu and Kaimuki avenues.
So one of my girlfriends — who, I realize, loves eating anything out of a metal pot — agreed to try it with me.
We didn’t know what to expect. We had both only tried Japanese-style shabu shabu here — and loved it. But when she was in Hong Kong a few months ago, she ate at a hot pot restaurant and lived to rave about it. So she was optimistic. I was just hungry.
According to the restaurant’s menu, shabu shabu can trace its roots to the Chinese winter dish shuan yang rou. After it was imported to Japan, the name changed to shabu shabu, onomatopoeic for the “swish, swish” sound thinly sliced meat make when swirling in the hot broth.
While we both love the concept of Thai-style hot pot cooking, the experience didn’t blow us away. It was tasty and fun — and the company was great! — but we weren’t knocked off our chairs. Would I got back? Sure. But would I go here once a week, the way I would W&M Bar-B-Q Burgers or Rainbow Drive-In? Nah.
Here’s what we ate:
At the trailhead
Shabu Shabu Bangkok, 949 Kapahulu Ave. 808-732-7666.
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13 Comments
Hello Cat!
I didn’t know that it was open already. It’s like the Hanaki Shabu Shabu in Manoa where you help yourself with the fuud items.
Oh I forgot to say, Happy Fuud pics Friday !!!!! 🙂
Yes! Cat’s trademark Fuud Pix Friday is back!
Nice to know what the raw ingredaments look like, but I missed the final results. Looks like it didn’t stay on the plate long, hehehe.
Final results weren’t pretty, not the way I eat!
I haven’t been to shabu shabu in a long time — we usually do the yakiniku thing. I drive past this place all the time, so it’s nice to see what it looks like from the inside! Thanks for sharing, Cat!
this review is still making me hungry.
Fuud Pix Friday AND a Waipio Little League win… does it get any better? 😉
I can’t help but be reminded of the ’80s album by INXS, “Shabooh Shoobah!”
Never got to go to Toraji (no parking like Cat said) and now won’t get to go either.
Good to know that you have a choice of flavored broth. Some Shabu Shabu places only give you some type of broth (hot water) and Konbu. You season the broth with what you cook.
Another option for a more healthy dinner one night.
I like to think shabu shabu is healthy… Is it, right? I mean, I eat it so often, I would HOPE it is! 🙂
CAT,
Aaaiiiyyyaaahhh! Fuud Pix! Tenks! I wondered why Toraji closed, the fuud was decent albeit a bit overpriced. It seemed popular but I guess once the novelty wears off, a lot of these types of restaurants fade. Across the street the Wasabi izakaya is changed as well. The pix of raw ingredients is guud but it seems no different than other places…the sauces however, appear to be intriguing. I think lack of parking may kill this place as harrycovair or is it haricovert (in French)?, pointed out.
@Annoddah_Dave I only went to Toraji once, actually, right when it opened. The parking was always a problem… But now that you can park at Safeway, everywhere on Kapahulu is fair game!
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