I Finally decided to try Shabu-zen and I have to admit I loveee it.. I'll definitely be coming back.
(4)
Matthew D.
On the advice of other Yelpers, we stopped in here for a Sunday afternoon lunch. Busy, but not so busy that we couldn't get a seat. The staff was very friendly and all too eager to assist you with your choices, which, if you've never been to a place like this (we hadn't) is helpful... I had the beef, which was excellent, and my wife had the seafood platter, which she said was also excellent. No complaints. Would definitely go back again...
(4)
Sara S.
I'll be quite honest. If I'm going to go to a restaurant, I normally want my food prepared for me. I mean, that's kind of a given... HOWEVER, I will make an exception for Shabu-Zen. Shabu-Zen was my first hotpot experience. I've been meaning to go for a long time, but I was a little intimidated by the whole thought of preparing my own meal (yeah, I don't cook). It was the first really cold night of the season, so I thought this was the perfect occasion to try it out. I ordered the veggie platter, and it was BIG. Not only did it have a superfluous amount of vegetables, but all sorts of tofu. As in, a few different kinds of tofu. The veggies included watercress, lettuce, tomato, corn, mushrooms, fungus (I didn't know it was fungus until after I ate it), noodles, and other things. I chose the chicken broth, which was very tasty but not an overwhelming flavor. I'll admit, I was a little confused. I didn't know how long to cook anything for, or if there was any particular technique. I just winged it, and it seemed to go well. However, I've seen places that have a little "instructional manual" inside the menu, and I think that would have helped. I really wanted to get chicken, but I'm paranoid about raw chicken. Maybe next time.
(4)
John L.
This place was awesome. They had a 4 grades of beef to choose from including prime. You can choose many different kinds of broth including, regular original, chinese herbal, chinese spicy, thai tom yum, and korean kim chee. The lunch special was relatively affordable and included udon, vermicelli, or steamed rice. Extremely large variety of things to choose from to put in your broth. Even vegetarians will find enough to choose from. I've gotta go back if I'm ever in Boston again.
(5)
Jen H.
Cold New England day.... it's windy.... there is snow coming down at a steady pace... I'm near downtown crossing, and I'm hungry. What a better meal when it's cold outside than soup... right? WRONG.... SHABU is where it's at. I like Shabu-Zen because they give each person their own hot pot. I don't mind sharing, but sometimes I like to be greedy... and have what I want, how I want it, when I want it. Shabu-Zen lets me do that with my own steaming pot. During lunch time, they seat you and immediately place a pot of the normal broth in front of you. If you want a flavor broth, just ask when you order. I opted to change mine to the Tom Yum broth. It was good, not overly spicy, but enough to give a little flavor kick. The meat combo of lamb and beef with the udon noodles was DE-LISH! The staff was really good about refilling the broth, but not overfilling to the point that the flavor was really diluted. If I remember correctly, the lunch combo was $8.50 + $2.50 for the flavored broth - not bad for a nice, filling, Shabu Shabu lunch. My only complaint about Shabu Shabu in general - I'm 3 for 3 of getting something on myself when eating... and I'm normally a very neat eater. OBVIOUSLY, I need to eat more Shabu and get the technique down. So - who wants to take me out?! ;-)
(4)
Heejin L.
FREAKIN good. there are different types of meat to choose from. ex kobe beef, short rib are my fav. also, there are different broths to choose from. i like the kimchi broth and their regular broth. they also have sashimi. the sashimi is decent. and the grilled beef tongue is good. they have drinks like mango smoothies which are also good. (i like the mango and the watermelon ones. the green tea latte is also good.) yum yum yummy. there's a wait. but i think it's worth it. a definite go when i visit boston again.
(5)
Tiff L.
The food was okay and the service was slow. I expected much more food for the price that we paid. I could have spent the same amount and have gotten more food if I had hot pot at my house. I rather spend my money elsewhere than here!
(1)
CeeCee R.
What better for dinner on a frigid cold winter night than a pot of steamy hot pot? Shabu Zen seems to be a good destination. I usually would give them my five stars but last week they skimped out my regular order of seafood platter. It seems to me that their seafood platter portion have been on the stingy side. My sisters savored their orders of A1 sliced beef. Thursday nights may not be a good time to go there if you would like to have conversations. It would be very likely for you to bump in to larger groups doing sake bombs. Hot tip! For those of you who would like to avoid waiting for a table, come pre or post peak hours (anytime between 5-6.30 PM or after 8 PM). If you'd like to try Shabu Zen with a large group of people, try their Brighton location.
(4)
Monica R.
I have been frequenting Shabu Zen for over 3 years now and there is no end in sight. I love this hot pot experience better than most others. Don't expect the usual sesame sauces (though they will serve these if you ask). When you are seated (bar style dining unless you have a group of 3 or more to get a table) a dish of soy sauce sits in front of you alongside smaller dishes of fresh scallions, a spicy pepper mixture, minced garlic and a tangy textured BBQ sauce. Mix em up while your broth begins boiling. I recommend ordering the spicy kimchi broth which is also served with a side of kimchi... delicious. If you order a meat meal or combo it will be delivered with a heaping vegetable side. You will get an option or udon noodles, sticky rice or vermacheli. You will leave STUFFED. Smoothies are awesomely fresh and a must have. They do them in "to-go" form as well!!
(5)
Adriana P.
I've been going to Shabu-Zen for years now...I think it gets better every time I go! So good-I always order the short ribs and extra mushrooms. The Kimchee broth is amazing! I don't think you can go wrong here-never had a bad meal at either location! Allston is a much larger space but is paceked on weekends...and no reservations for less than 5 people! Definitely head in for some Shabu Shabu!
(5)
Omar F.
Went there for the first time with a friend this week and had a great time. The waiter was attentive and very nice, the atmosphere was relaxing, and I enjoyed a great Shabu dinner. I had the meat platter, and chose to have lamb and pork. It was really good and I paid $15 with tip for it. I ordered with rice but you can choose noodles if you want. My friend had the seafood platter and it was also really good. Both of us were full by the time we finished and we felt good for two reasons. 1) We only paid $15 for really good food and a great atmosphere and 2) the food was healthier than what we would usually get if we're looking for a tasty meal. Check it out, it is a great place.
(4)
L L.
Despite being an Asian, I have never had hot pot. My family doesn't do it. My mom's had it before, but it must've been before I was born or maybe she went out and had it and I didn't know about it (I'm guessing it's the former). I've always wanted to try it, though. Whenever I mentioned it, my boyfriend didn't seem very interested. Today is my birthday and based on all the good reviews for Shabu-Zen, I decided to go there with my bf for our first hot pot experience. I found this place before I even moved to Boston (only a couple months ago) and I've been trying to find a reason to get him to come here. Well, since it's my birthday and the bf jokes that I'm so indecisive all the time, I decided to come here. We both enjoyed our time there. The waitress we had was extremely helpful when we explained it was our first time. I knew how it worked and I told my boyfriend (and it's kinda self-explanatory), but we let her demonstrate how to cook your food. I had the combo meal, chicken and pork, and he also had a combo of chicken and beef. He kept his broth as the pork broth and I got the Thai Tom Yum; it's sweet and spicy. I LOVE spicy stuff. I even threw in some of the dipping sauce into it. Unfortunately, a piece of pepper got lodged in the back of my throat. My throat was burning. My boyfriend is always laughing at the weird faces I make at certain times, like when he's tickling me and I'm trying to hold in the laughter. It wasn't really a laughing matter this time -- at least not for me since it burned like crazy -- but he laffed anyway. :[ But it's okay. I ended up drinking all my water AND his iced tea. Take that, biatch. But anywho, other than that, it was great. I loved the vegetables. I eat all my veggies (I even ate the bf's; he didn't like the cabbage and water cress). The only thing I didn't want was the enoki mushrooms. Like with most foods that I don't eat, it's not that I don't like it; I just don't want it. I would've taken more greens, black mushrooms, and tofu if I could. Or rice, which was good. It was short-grain rice (I think most people refer to it as Japanese rice or sushi rice). I wish I had more. I love my rice. :[ Hmm, what else. I think most people, when they make hot pot, cut the meat into smaller pieces. The meat that was served was thinly sliced, as it should be, but the pieces were big -- or long, I should say. I'm not complaining about it, it was fine, but because of the way it was cut, I think that's why there was a need for the strainer-like spoon. If you dipped the slice of meat in the broth with just your chopsticks, you could lose parts of the delicate meat because they would fall off and get lost in sea of broth amongst your vegetables. The waitress recommended that we put the raw meat in the strainer spoon thing and put it into the broth, turning it over with our chopsticks (fork for the bf) to make sure it's thoroughly cooked. It was helpful, but I guess it could've been avoided if the pieces of meat weren't so long. I think we got our money's worth at Shabu-Zen. I was a little disappointed that the soda was $1.75 and instead of giving me a glass of soda, they gave me a wine glass filled with ice and a CAN of Sprite. :[ I would've just stuck with water if I'd known we were paying that much just for a can. We were done with dinner a little before 7, which was a good thing. It started getting really busy at that time. It was still pretty quiet when we got there at 6. I'll definitely be stopping by there again, and I'm probably going to try the Chinese Spicy broth next time.
(5)
Leighann F.
My very most basic step-by-step guide to your Shabu Zen experience: Step 1: pick your poison Step 2: drink some tea Step 3: play chef Step 4: enjoy your edible creativity Step 5: Rinse and repeat steps 2-4 My poison? Surf and Turf with pork. A giant portion of food, made to order by yours truly, and enjoyed at a pace I controlled. Maybe I wanted to eat that entire mushroom first with a bite of squid. Maybe I feel like having only a piece of pork next. Perhaps just a nibble of salmon with a giant piece of leafy green goodness followed by a mouthful of noodles dipped in my special sauce. No, you cannot have any of my special sauce. You can make your own, clearly. A fun, interactive, tummy-filling experience. Good for kids. Messy for most of us. Your inner control freak will thank you for it. What's not to love? Oh, well maybe the staff talking smack about in a language you don't understand because you're the last people in there late at night. HeHe.
(4)
Anita S.
I love this place. Plain and simple, one of my favorite restaurants of all time. The meat is always fresh, perfect, thinly sliced deliciousness, the lamb being my hands-down fave. The plum wine and the red bean dessert are solid as well. I miss it so much!
(5)
Doris W.
I love Shabu and this is the only place my boyfriend and I would go for it. It's like comfort food. So comforting, especially in the winter. Unfortunately, we don't make the trek out to Chinatown much since their Allston location is closer to home and 2x bigger. Through the years, their service (a few times patchy) and food has been consistent. There really isn't much to putting together raw produce and meat on a plate. Their veggie platter has gone through some changes. Some things have come and gone and sometimes its abundant and sometimes it's lacking. However, I LOVE their smoothies. Watermelon and lemon ice are my favorites. That's probably one thing you would have to get there. The short ribs and meat combo is what I always order. If I'm hungry, I get salmon to cook on the side and doesn't cost much. Their appetizers and sashimi is pretty good as well. Mmmm. Shabu.
(5)
Alicia H.
For a Shabu-virgin, this is a good place to go. Our waiter, upon learning it was our maiden voyage, was very instructive and helpful (and spoke English very well). He also made so excellent recommendations and some fun tips and tricks! I don't I can add much more about how great this place is than all those who have gone before me - but for what's it's worth, I'll throw another 4 stars on the Shabu-Zen pile! :) There is one note I'd like to make actually. They do NOT actually take reservations. Oh sure, you can call and they "take your reservation," but they do not actually reserve anything for you. We made a 6:30pm reservation for four people and three of us showed up at 6:15 and asked to be seated. They said we could not be seated until our entire party arrived, fine, whatever. However, they gave the last available table away at 6:25 (mind you we had a 6:30 reservation in reality). We then proceeded to wait for a table until 7:15. So they either literally employ the STUPIDEST hostess in the world, or they do not in fact take reservations.
(4)
Ali E.
I was threatened by a friend of mine who didn't want me to review this place because he was afraid more people would come. I had never done hot pot before and I am totally hooked. We waited a few minutes to be seated, but only because we wanted a table for the four of us. The waitress was at our table immediately with green tea and once we had ordered our veggies were upon us in seconds. We ordered the Seafood Supreme and the Meat Combo with lamb and pork. Both were very good, but the Seafood Supreme was awesome - everything was so fresh! The little pots of sauces and spices were a huge plus for mixing and matching purposes. And at the end you get to make yourself some soup with the leftover broth and rice. yum.
(5)
Lnc T.
I swear, I'm like one of the few asians who couldn't careless for hot pot. The food is decent, but def. not to die for. The bill is always around $25 per person and for what I'm getting in return? I rather just go buy stuff from the asian market and make my own hot pot or some other amazing asian dish. I'm not saying this place is horrible, but its just not my personal preference. They have really good mochi though! I probably would be dragged back considering all my friends are hot-pot fanatics, until then!
(3)
Daniel M.
I'm not sure what can be further said about Shabu-Zen but I was very happy here. Since this was our first time (with the Shabu Whore out of town I was left to my own devices) we sat down at our table slightly overwhelmed by the many bowls and utensils in front of us. Luckily help was on the way. Our server was so adorable. When we told her it was our first time her eyes lit up and she began to explain everything to us as best she could. She took care to make sure we had a vegetarian broth and even came back with veggie BBQ sauce. It's nice that they have have the split pot so our carnivorous friend could still have what he wanted without making me want to die. The vegetable plate was a mound of familiar pieces and others I had to have explained to me. Everything, after a dip in the bubbling brew, was so delicious it didn't matter that I hadn't a clue what it was a minute before. The variety you receive on this platter for $12 is quite impressive. We had so much fun cooking our food that in the beginning we were transfixed, not speaking to one another, as we figured out how to put things in and how to reclaim them. All this you must do while not scalding yourself or making a hideous mess. I at least succeeded in not burning myself. Mess be damned, I was having a great time and could care less. The house sake complemented the meal well and left us (after a bottle) just tipsy enough to feel good. Not enough to ruin the rest of the evening. Best part of this was when our server came over and saw that we had finished the bottle: "OH! You've finished. *fist pump* YES!!!" I. Loved. Her. The mochi was a nice way to round out the meal as well. Enough to cool you down after a steamy meal, but not enough to bust the gut. All-in-all I walked out of here FULL but not stuffed and feeling great about life. The food is fresh and healthy and the service amazing. Guess I'm a convert too.
(5)
トモ T.
All you really need is ONE good place for real Shabu-Shabu and that's what you have in Shabu-Zen. A great way to get through those Boston winters is sitting in front of boiling water. What I like about this place is that they give you choices of beef quality from Kobe Beef ($38) to regular beef ($11). I like to go with regular beef and eat 2 orders. SHABU SHABU: In case you are not familiar with Shabu-Shabu: There is a big hot pot with boiling water that sits in the middle of the table. While seafood and chicken is offered in the menu, the main item is thinly sliced BEEF. You take a chopstick and dip the beef into the pot. You wait 8-10 seconds (unexperienced people do it much longer, which over cooks the meat and makes it tough). You then dip into your sauce of choice. YOU DO NOT DRINK THE SOUP!!!!! Only negative aspect is difficulty in finding free/metered parking in this area. You might have to just suck it up and do paid parking.
(5)
Andrew D.
Next time in Boston? I would definitely return to Shabu-Zen. Nice laid back and, what it seems like, a local favorite for hot pot. We hung out for quite a bit here as another friend joined us after a little while. So we had a chance to sample many different things and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Cooking your own food is always a bit strange when you GO OUT TO EAT, but I think there's also something about pacing your meal out.
(4)
Millhouse R.
You know I thought I had found this place as being new and was quite happy to be a first reviewer. Especially for a Boston restaurant. A first review of a five star beaner place would be the second joyous occasion I experienced with Boston. My first being the '86 Mets. Oh well. You beat me to it. What can I say which hasn't already been said? Shabu Zen is a great place. It's a Japanese style hot pot restaurant frequented by the young and hip which happens to have delicious, do it yourself food. I was actually looking for a Chinese place for dinner. When I headed back to my rent a crib I went past Chinatown, saw all the ducks and bbq pork hanging in the windows and figured I'd give it a try. So after walking and window shopping I spot Shabu Zen, look at the menu and see the place packed with Asians and I figure "why not?" After all Beantown's Chinatown is probably the same thing as NYC's except for the Szechuan style baked beans and Hunan clam chowdah. Also, I see a lot of folks pack the Fung Wah buses in NYC going to Boston. Some of them have to be restaurant owners, right? I was sat down immediately and my order of the Grade A prime rib with Chinese herbal broth, a side of bbq tongue, some marinated baby octopus and a beer was served for me to cook immediately. Simply delicious. The broth had a green tea/senchai taste and the prime rib with its nice fat content melted in your mouth and packed a nice beef flavor. All vegetables were fresh to the point of being earthy. Both tongue and octopus tasted like they should and came in a pleasant marinade. Now here's the ironic thing. My decision being based on the multitudes of Asian patronizing Shabu...they were all Yankees. Can't judge a book by the cover right? Everyone from my server to the gentleman and his friends next to me to the folks standing on line were from around the States such as Mass, Kentucky, NYC and so on. They all sounded like Harold. And I have to say this was more than half of the pleasant experience. Shabu Zen is not only a culinary and cultural (in all aspects) delight, it's also very clean and relaxing. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Solomon C.
I love how the waitresses don't quite button their shirts up all the way, making pervs like me look twice. I'm sure it must get hot working here! But seriously the waiter or waitress is usually attentive to what I need. Try the "Chinese Spice" (Ma-Lah!) whooooooooo!!! SPICY!!! Oh... Incase you don't know what Shabu-zen is all about, here's the gist of it: You get a plate of vegetables and pot of broth, you order a dish of raw meats, toss it in and enjoy! ************************************* if you're driving, I suggest going to Shabu Zen's Allston location on Brighton Ave. They have a parking lot.
(5)
Ivy F.
I saw Shabu-Zen has pretty good comments on Yelp so we decided to try. We had 3 people and ordered beef & seafood, beef & lamb, seafood platters plus another beef and pork later. Overall, their meat was pretty good; seafood and fish were a little fishy; the Chinese spicy broth was pretty good if you can eat spicy especially after you boiled all the meat, the soup is delicious! I'm fairly happy with their food quality but the price was quite expensive considering I could have hotpot buffet for $20@ in Hong Kong but I understand it is not what people mainly eat here so I am willing to pay for it particularly in the winter, hotpot is always good medal in such cold weather! One thing that I didn't like there is the place was not very clean, the floor was filthy and slippery and the bathroom was gross...
(4)
Samantha M.
One of the most fun places I've been to in Chinatown. I'd never tried hot pot food before, and this was delicious. I had the beef and pork, for dessert the red-bean soup which was surprisingly yummy and made a good attempt at settling my stomach. Nonetheless I stopped at CVS on the way back to the train for some Zantac.. my stomach's weird like that.
(5)
Victoria J.
I went here with two of my dear work friends during a cold, cold wintery New England night. We were walking around trying to find a place to eat and we walked by this place and decided to try it. The service was - mediocre. Not necessarily bad, but definitely not good. We ordered the crispy & spicy octopus tentacles - delicious! For our main, we had the meat combo with 2 different broths : Szechuan Spicy & Japanese Curry. The Szechuan was uneventful, the Curry - Amazing! The combo plate came with veegtables, kobe beef, pork, and udon noodles. It was the first time we had all tried Shabu-Shbau and we all loved it! I'm sure there are places that are even better, but for first time Shabu eaters, we were not disappointed!
(3)
Jerome Patrick S.
This is a fun dining experience plain and simple. Order yourself a meat combo (chicken, beef, or pork) pick two and go with the chinese spicy broth. Have yourself some saki or a Sapporo and wait for the broth to boil, then start shoveling the good stuff in. Be careful when mixing up your soy sauce, most of the ingredients they provide turn your soy sauce into liquid magma with the slighest addition of spices. I have been to Shabu Zen so many times now and everytime I go I always leave with a full healthy feeling belly, never once have I felt all gross and bloated after a big meal at Shabu. Skip the desert that they offer, it is a cold bean soup that is very different and odd. I have had it twice and I sort of kind of like it, but at the same time hate it. It's free so give it a try if you are feeling adventurous, but don't let it wreck your whole evening and remember it was free. Oh yeah, start practicing with those chopsticks...
(4)
Nancy L.
Shabu Zen specializes in the cuisine call hot pot or shabu-shabu, the Japanese onomatopoeia for "swish swish" (although I don't see the connection between those words, at all). A summary: Swish swish, the delicately marbled slivers of meat goes in. Swish swish, quickly turns brown in the simmer broth. Slam dunk: into special sauce. Gulp, all gone. Rinse and repeat. ^____^ my tummy and my wallet is happy. PS: great for cold winter days, slow eaters, lazy conversations, people who like to prepare their own food, poor students, and sake.
(4)
Trevor S.
If somebody ever told you about a nondescript sort of place jammed amidst a row of brightly colored eateries on a skinny little road in Chinatown, they might have been talking about Shabu-Zen. A bit of a twist from the typical shabu shabu, gone are all-you-can-eat, but in are strangely flavored broths. Herbal broth? Kim chee broth? Not really something that goes with the house made soy sauce, but a good twist. A brightly lit, cheap and cheerful place. Popular and perennially packed. Big tables that are fun to take a group to. A big bar like thing in the middle that's fun to go to with just a friend.
(4)
Archana V.
First time hotpot experience and it was so much fun! We were a group of 12 and had to wait a long time before we were seated in spite of calling them in advance. Minus 1 star for that. But the food itself was delicious! Definitely looking forward to my next visit here.
(4)
Bruce R.
Delicious fresh food, generous portions and excellent service.
(5)
N. R.
When I visited Boston my friends were threatening me that if I dont go to Shabu Zen, I'm a complete idiot. So I stopped by the place and it was rather different than all of the other Shabu restaurants I've been. I like the individual shabu bars. It's such a great idea. Many times I wanted to go to a shabu-shabu restaurant alone just for lunch but it's rather impossible. Most of the other restaurants asks for at least two orders for shabu-shabu. Then, I dont want to sit all by myself in those big tables that were meant to seat four people. It's just sad. In Shabu Zen, I'm just disappointed that despite the empty tables on Thursday afternoon, they wont seat me & my boyfriend at one of the tables. He's an asian food noob, so he panicked when he knew he had to cook his own food. So the broth came, and it's not like the regular shabu-shabu broth, which was flavored with a piece of kelp. This one was flavored with dashi. Not a complaint, because I love dashi. Then our food came. The beef was great. The quality is outstanding. Probably one of the best slices of hoptpot beef I've ever had. However, I'm not liking the fact that I only get 3 pieces of napa cabbage. And the udons were a disappointment. Why can't they use the cold, thick udon noodles compared to the dry ones which they were serving? Oh and we ordered takoyaki for appetizer. It tasted great, but it wasnt as firm as it's supposed to be. so texture-wise it was just like a ball of slob that's barely holding its form to its toothpick. Me no likey. Overall, the service was good. They were attentive and they keep refilling my broth. The food? Mehh... It was alright. Would I come back? I think I just love shabu-shabu too much to not come back.
(3)
Jazmin I.
While trying to decide which place to eat at in Chinatown, my friend suggested we go to Shabu-Zen for their mochi ice cream. So we had the classic hot pot, some pot stickers and rice. We had a variety of items. The dumplings turned out to be quite scrumptious. I should have ordered more! Everything was tasty. Though one of the waitresses who took the place of our previous one kept trying to rush us and lowered our timer. I guess the only thing I did not like was the red bean desert. But that's a matter of preference. Yes, this place is worth another visit. It's not so pricet either.
(4)
Yvonne Y.
Comfortable environment , reasonable prices. We have a party of 3 and ordered as much as we like in 4 rounds . Good food, 6 drinks (beer, strawberry smoothies, green tea), and the end only cost US $ 33 per head (tips included) satisfied, highly recommended for travellars as well as conference attendees ! If I have read yelp.com's review earlier, we could have even better quality of life in Boston !
(4)
Ming C.
I came here for lunch. I got seated quickly. My waiter promptly started my hot pot and asked my bf and I for our drinks. You can choose two meats on one plate, or individual plates. I was pretty full with ordering one plate. Prices range from 8.50-$12 for one plate. It all comes with vermicelli, udon, or rice. And a veggie dish with napa, one tomato, one mushroom, one tofu, one corn on the cob, and broccoli. And there is three dipping sauces. Hot pot boiled quickly. And you just enjoy yourself! Try tasting your soup from the hot pot afterwards. (Oh, they have a variety of soup base. We had the pork one.) Extra costs for certain kinds of soup base.
(5)
Tiffanie L.
I love this place, we've been going here for years and now there's another one in Alston Brighton, my Husband and I personally prefer the fun of going into Chinatown however. This is our favorite place. Hot Pot cuisine is very authentic as well, in fact, you cook your own food, so no complaints to the chef since you are the chef. Service is amazing as well, plates are cleared away promptly. I haven't been disappointed yet. I enjoy the flavor and the experience so much, once we went twice in the same weekend. If you're new to the experience, just tell your waitress, they'll walk you through your choices.
(5)
Yuki K.
For a GRUB GIRL, this isn't usually my cup of tea to satisfy my hunger but they deserve these four stars, because we can't find anything similar here in the west coast!!! It's definately not a typical shabu shabu, I was surprised about dipping tomato in water but with the mighty sauce, anything went well. The dipping sauce they serve for the course, you won't find it any where else. (They probably use a chinese sauce?) Light eat like this with some cool, spicy sake like Gekkeikan...ahhh perfect for cold nights.
(4)
Diamond Y.
I absolutely love the food here. Now I cannot stop going there.
(4)
Jeffrey H.
If there's one thing I can count on Ligaya for, it's taking me places I've been missing out on. This is certainly one of those places. As for my review, well, I have no idea on terminology or phrasing, so please accept my apologies as I attempt to review this Japanese restaurant. We sat up around the bar and opted to prepare our own meals. They set you up with a pot of hot broth that is simmering in front of your station. Ordering from the menu that included seafood, chicken, beef, and other ingredients, I chose the chicken. Served on a large plate and rolled up, I wasn't quite sure what I was looking at. "Throw your chicken in," Ligaya suggests. Okay, it's the chicken. Got it. Next an assortment of vegetables and tofu are just asking to be boiled. You're next mushroom! *THROWS IN* Noodles? *THROWN* Carrot? You too, bub. *THROWN* I prepare my meal as I see fit. Order, length of time cooking, everything. Look at me, the chef! With a plate to stack your masterpiece on and several dipping sauces to mix and match with the chives and such, I find myself to be cooking a fantastic meal. I was sad when I ran out of noodles. I didn't plan accordingly. I wish there was another mushroom...next time I'll save that toward the end. I cooked and I learned. I played and I ate. Oh, and there was nothin' wrong with the sake and the bean soup to end the meal. This was fun. Let's do it again!
(4)
Christopher N.
I didn't know what to expect when I planned this one. It was quite an experience. The food: priced appropriately. The atmosphere: warm and active. Dipping your meat and veggies into a pan of boiling water was the game. The veggies are fresh. The meat was probably fine too, but being in science, I just don't trust the raw meat thing. We implemented quite a strategy to avoid cross contamination of the chopsticks with salmonella. No one got sick, so it may have worked. Or, we just over reacted (in a not so serious manner). Really, we just had fun and that was the goal. The wait was 45 minutes and I would still go back to this place.
(4)
Maria M.
Another go-to place in Chinatown when we're hungry and want something that's not too greasy or fried. The bf always gets the surf and turf, which is plenty of food for him and I always get the chicken and lamb or beef. I've tried their different broths, and the one I love the most right now is the Mongolian spicy broth, mmmmm. I love that every dish comes with a large platter of veggies that includes cabbage, tofu, shitake mushroom, tomato, corn and more... mmm. We also love their smoothes. The bf loves the mango smoothies and I really enjoy the lychee smoothie with real lychee at the bottom.
(4)
R G.
great. nice atmosphere, mostly polite waitresses, tasty food. minus one star for feeling a bit rushed (it's a pet peeve of mine). they explained everything (my bf had never been and I didn't remember all of the condiments) and didn't make us feel like idiots for not knowing. the bf and I got the beef and pork combo platter and the seafood platter and shared freely between our plates. this was an excellent strategy. as was going on a cold january night. we will be back.
(3)
Spencer N.
I took my family here when they came to visit. They had never had shabu before and i was cravin some shabu zen, so I thought it would be a great idea. This is such a great place to take ppl visiting the area or go to on a date. Its cheap and fun(good sake too...) It is usually pretty packed, so you will prolly have to do the awkward waiting around in the doorway thing. You know, when you block people on accident but still try to keep your place...yeah. its hot. We ordered the double pot of broth(kimchi and regular). For being a tiny family, we can pack away the food. So naturally we decided to each order a entree. Umm...maybe this want a great idea because with 2 surf n' turfs, a sea food platter, 1 chicken and one steak...Im sure we over killed atleast 3 cows and helped over fish the ocean. Holy crap. You could easily get away with only 3 ppl ordering and have enough. The food is incredibly fresh and comes with a HUGE tray of veggies. I also saw the staff giving shabu lessons to first timers.
(4)
Jenn L.
This is the first Japanese hot pot restaurant I've ever been to and I was not disappointed! ^_^ I love the choice that I got and their sauce is amazing! I love it and the seafood salad thing, that was fantastic as well. I love the atmosphere of the restaurant. It is very clean and classy.
(4)
Trammy D.
My uncle took me here after I landed in Boston and it was pretty great. We ordered a whole bunch of food and my favorite was the beef tongue (yeah, i know. I was hesitant at first, but with a little lemon, it was amazing), lamb, & of course beef. The broth was delicious and had a little kick. It wasn't as spicy as I wanted, but still good. The udon noodles were good, too. For dessert, we ordered the green tea mochi. It was my first time eating mochi and I must say ... i loved it! I would definitely come back again next time I'm in Boston!
(5)
S L.
Great place to try Shabu Shabu!
(5)
Nathen S.
Went here on Friday night around 10. Busy but no wait for two at the low counter. Appetizer, beef tongue was excellent. We had pork and beef, and seafood platter. Both were delicious and we had udon noodles which were good. All was in the szechuan broth which was hot but not overkill. Service was great, friendly and attentive. Definitely a favorite of mine. This was my second visit and I look forward to my next.
(4)
Michelle P.
1. Meat first, to season the broth and vegetables 2. Noodles last when the broth is all delicious 3. The bowl has a handle like a sippy cup so ladle it in and drink and if you order a bottle of sake they make it sound like oh my god it's such a BIG bottle are you sure? but really, it's just a normal bottle, and yes, you are sure.
(5)
Paul S.
Great hot restaurant!! Get the lychee smoothie and beef/chicken entree with spicy broth.
(4)
Olivia C.
I would like to do the intermittent short-cut cleanse and go to Shabu Zen once a month. I want to drink lovely green tea with brown rice. I want to sit with in a giant open rectangle with individual cookers. I am not used to community eating; I can't count taking lunch with a g-chat at my cubicle. Sitting at the Shabu Zen rectangle seems better than watching CNN at the high bar. Also, I can't really afford to eat at the booth if I wanted to; it's a $75 minimum! I love the challenge of cooking your own meal out with friends. I've been to Hot Pot parties; but now that Helen is gone I have to pay to play.It's like an instant extracurricular. I am still mastering the art; still overcooking some veggies; yet no nutrition is lost as I drink the broth! Still putting too much POW in the hot POT and my tongue is singed and my sinuses lit for a good part of the meal. You're supposed to dip the cooked pieces in your own garlic/asian bbq/soy/scallions/hot pepper mix--- I ate more vegetables in one sitting then some of my Long Island counterparts have eaten in a month. It's amazing how many more vegetables you can eat when they are cooked with such zest! My rabbit friends got me into the Vegetarian Delight Plate: "For healthy people, no meat, no meat!" No meat, that is, if you specially request the veg broth. Veg plate includes; fried frozen tofu, vegetarian meatballs, taro, two kinds of mushrooms, cabbages, bang choy, broccoli, tomotes and carrots and corn on the cob amoung other vegetables that I dined intimately with yet don't know by name. Tip! Some vegetables take seconds to cook in boiling water! Tip! Your tofu stuff is ready when it is floating! The young folks working the inner rectangle were very friendly and helpful with our Iron Chef dabblings and enthusiasms. I tried to break meatballs and cabbage pieces into the bite size pieces I am used to but they wind up flying all over the Zen Den. Gotta eat the heat in one piece. After the Vegetarian Delight I guarantee you you will feel a sense of peace and will neither feel full or hungry. There is also a Shabu Zen downtown but everything Zen costs $2 more.
(5)
Billy Su B.
ever see a drunk imbecile light their cigarette backwards? who came up with this nonsense anyway? let's lure a bunch of white people into a room, serve them tons of sake, and give them little sticks to eat with. two teensy sticks. typically this is not an issue, i could eat a mountain of greased mini-peas with chopsticks. it's all fun and games till someone drinks a bottle of sake. my *favorite* china town pit-stop. go and have an assortment of bok choy, australian kobe beef, wild mushrooms, shrimp, tofu, cabbage, water cress, chicken, and broccoli, all bathed in the spicy kimchi broth. when i crave shabu zen, nothing else does the trick. the food here is gorgeous. tips: order the pork meatballs and the beef tongue, my favorites :) DON'T come on the weekend, it takes forever.
(5)
Anna L.
I've probably been to this place 6 times now within the last 2 months. The food is consistently fresh and delicious. The Kim-Chee Broth is a MUST TRY! It cost 20 (is that correct?) dollars for the surf and turf and there were enough food for me without feeling hungry (i'm also eating for 5 people.) The only complaint is that the condiment is not free for all, you have to ask for more of this or more of that. I like cilantro and sesame oil and hot oil in my dipping sauce, which i have to ask for. Other than that, this is a great yummy place!
(4)
Mai O.
There are not many restaurants I like that are not authentic, and Shabu-Zen is one of those rare exceptions. If you go there expecting authentic Shabu-shabu, you are not going to get that, so be aware. (If you want that, you need to just come to my place! lol) None the less, it is one of my favorite places in Chinatown. Pros: The fun thing about this place is that you get to seat on a counter with individual soup pots, with different flavors (regular, tom yam, and korean etc. I like tom yam version.) And then you get to pick which meat/fish you want for your own. Usually in Japan, you share a huge pot among many people and share meat (beef and pork). Shabu-zen's method of individual pots makes Shabu-shabu more accessible as an everyday meal. It also makes it more comfortable for those who come from occidental cultures background, since you are not sharing the same pot with many people which tends to be seen as a "yucky" thing. The dipping sauce is not very Japanese, but none the less pretty good. You put hot green pepper, garlics etc. to spice the say sauce up. They do have a sesame sauce by request, but it's not really the same as a sesame sauce you get in Japanese Shabu-shabu, so I suggest you stick to what they give you. They also give you an option of rice or noodle, my favorite is Udon. After everything is eaten, you throw udon into the hot pot and eat it in a bowl, mixing a bit of soy sauce dip remains. After you eat it, you feel like you've just been to a sauna. All nice and warm! Oh yes, and their lychee shake is nice too. Cons: If you go there during the busy hours, the place is PACKED. When I last went there, I was told 30 mins wait, and I ended up waiting 1 hour. And you should wait at the restaurant, because if they call you and you're not there, your turn is gone. And as always, Chinatown parking isn't the easiest job of the world.
(4)
Tracy H.
Fantastic place for Japanese hot pot. I make it a point to come here when in Boston for my yearly St. Patty's trip. The service is always friendly and the food is so good...perfect thing to eat in the freezing March weather. Love it. Love it a real lot.
(5)
Daniela L.
Since I heard of this place (or one with the same name) in Sao Paulo, decided to try. As soon as we arrived, someone pushed my husband and I to the bar counter. A waitress came by with no patience at all and I asked how it worked. She said something quickly in a very bad English and was looking at me impatiently. I was looking for something raw, Japanese style and not something that I have to pay to cook for myself! Waitress said we could order something and left. Came back again and tried to explain something like 2.000 words in a minute and pushed us to order what she suggested and left again. The garlic and other things already on the table were clearly not changed after the last costumer. We ate the sushi or sashimi and order the combination. Our plan was based on what we enjoyed more, order some more. Well, there three varieties and three pieces of each. One of them looked and smelled strange like a brown snail. We had a burst of laugh and could not stop because we paid 10 bucks for that, and the waitress was very rude. We asked for the bill and she left it on the counter, facing the other side. It was horrible, never again! It was my first time trying it, so I didn't know what to do with all the garlic, chilis, and hoisin sauce or how to eat the noodles (with or without the broth). We just winged it and it came out nicely. At times I was a little concerned about overcooking or undercooking something, especially when you discover something read more » in the bottom of the pot at the end. However, it is those findings that make for an interesting meal.
(1)
Julie C.
i am no longer a Shabu virgin! this place is great, cute , and yummy! altho bf and I clearly order waaay to much food! but managed to stuff most of it down as usual! the tom yum soup was really good and spicy . i adore the fresh veggies they give you and the beef is just excellent. what i love is make a mini noddle bowl with my food and thats really good as i loove broth and could drink soup everyday. the waiter didnt bother us too much and cleared out plates when empty. the sapporo beer we order went down smooth with the food. i would come here again, our bill came to $50 bucks which was not so bad for 2 beers, a tom yum broth, surf and turf platter with beef, and veggie platter, and 2 orders of seaweed salad. this place would be great for a group too.
(5)
Tai T.
Shabu shabu... OK what's the big deal right? You're paying for a scolding hot bowl of soup in which you are required to cook your own food in. Well that's what I usually think... For some reason I really liked this place. Maybe because the weather sucked when I was there in May (worst than in Seattle) or maybe they have individual portions if you sit at the bar. They have a great setup, good soup base, and fresh ingredients. The place was packed even on a weekday evening. It's definitely more Chinese than Japanese here... given that the whole staff spoke Cantonese and it was in Chinatown. All in all a good experience. I definitely recommend if you're in the area and looking for a light but satisfying meal.
(5)
Kristina M.
Love this place! I'm torn between 4 and 5 stars, but will go with 4 for the moment, because a) I would have liked a bit more tofu on the vegetarian plate, and b) I had been looking forward to the complimentary red-bean soup dessert, which we didn't get (no big deal, though, since we were all pretty full). I went with a group of friends on a Friday night and we had such a good time! The vegetarians among us had the spicy Kimchi broth, which was excellent (don't know about the meat broth the others had, but I suppose it was good, too). The platters with food were HUGE - it was so much food, we didn't know where to put it all (let alone how to finish it all), and it was all very fresh and delicious. (Although, as I said, I think I would have preferred to have more tofu on the vegetarian combo.) Service was very good (we had to wait for a table, but that was expected, and once we were seated service was prompt and friendly), and the Sake (we shared two "big bottles") was amongst the best I have ever tasted (I'm not usually a big Sake fan, but I really liked this one). I think we spend almost 3 hours cooking and munching our food away, drinking and chatting - it's such a fun thing to do with a group. Very interactive and relaxing, and perfect for a cold winter night. I can't wait to come back! (Prices are pretty decent, too, our bill came out at about $29 each, but that included tip and all the drinks - we had two big bottles of sake plus a few beers.) If you haven't been here yet, and like Fondue and the like, you should definitely try this!
(4)
Derek L.
So I come here with my cousin and family for Christmas Eve. It's been over a year or two since I have been to Chinatown. It was kind of cool to walk down the street where the infamous youtube video "Drunk fight in chinatown" took place. Anyways the food was very good, service was pretty good and the place was run pretty efficient. We ordered the A3 the Seafood and the Surf and Turf. The bill came out to around a hundred bucks for five people including tip but we only ordered four entrees, which in this day and age is not bad for Japanese food. Its owners are either Korean or Taiwanese probably. The majority of the Japanese restaurants in this country are now owned by the former empires colonials. They chafed under the occupation but loved the food!
(5)
Bo L.
I love this place. I drive from Albany to eat here on weekends. It's very decently priced and huge servings compared to other shabu places I've eaten. It's a nice restaurant with a clean set up. I always crave this place... it's filling and the vegetables they give are in nice large portions as well.
(5)
Noel R.
A pretty solid Shabu joint worth 3.5 stars. Nothing blew me away but everything was tasty, the portions were large and service was good. Can just imagine getting Shabu at this place on a cold Boston weekend..
(3)
Tim F.
I was not a fan of hot pot growing up. It takes hours to eat (requiring hours with obnoxious relatives). I'll pass. Shabu-Zen changed hot pot for me. I will never be the same again (thank god). Thank you Shabu-Zen. Anyway, I love this place for the diverse selection of meats, veggies, and seafood; the bustling atmosphere; the cute, very Asian waitresses; and the people watching. Where else can I catch the game and listen in on a mullet sportin' Cantonese dude hittin' on the hostess/waitresses/cashier with their accented English? Is the English suppose to impress them? The place is always crowded for dinner. There is plenty of individual bar-type seating and only a few tables for groups. I suggest coming before the dinner rush (around 7pm) if you've got a large group. Otherwise, good luck getting seated in a reasonable time. Oh, and if you're not washing down the tasty soup with some beer or sake, may I suggest a smoothie? Those are pretty good, too. Lychee or mango are my favorite.
(4)
Wesley C.
A pioneer in the shabu business. used to be the best because there were no other competitions, but now the competition is very fierce and tides has certainly turned. a few advices, dont slice ur beef so thin especially the A1(prime ribeye) and A2(prime sirloin), they taste like rubber, charge more if you have to. update ur broth(instant paste, spice bags just dont cut it ). update ur menu.
(2)
Laura C.
Thank you Yelpers for an amazing find! We were walking around the city today and getting hungry when we found the reviews for this place. The beef, beef tongue, chicken, and sashimi were excellent. We loved the sides too - everything was so fresh and delicious. We also loved how you could completely customize your sauces and cook it yourself. We'll definitely be back - and soon!
(4)
Roni E.
Unfortunately, this place lost a star simply because of the fact that they made our party wait to be seated because we weren't all there yet. (Mainly my fault with me being an ass and being late while my car was serviced, but I digress.) Needless to say as soon as I got there, we were seated to a nice booth. Looking around this place seemed small yet packed. Quite a popular location for a Friday evening meal. They had a bar like atmosphere in the middle for singles and small parties with individual bowls of soup. Our table had 2 electric stoves for our hot pots. The waiter was really nice in that we were really trying to get acclimated with their menu. That and there were a bunch of us that are completely new to this kind of thing. We started off with soup type - apparently there are more than 1 broth, which I didn't know about. And my family does this at home! In my house it was just spicy or not spicy. We ordered 2 seafood platers, 2 meat combos (chicken/pork), 1 vegetable platter, 2 rib eyes... served with your choice of rice, vermicelli, or udon. Now although that sounds like only a few plates, this filled our entire table. I was so overwhelmed by how much food we had on our table, I had no idea where to start or what to do. I also have never had so much food on a tiny little plate that they had in front of me. The soup spoon they had was a ladle... Why would we have a ladle for a spoon? At any rate, I never really drank the soup either, so I wasn't sure why they had a spoon. Another reason for a lost of a star was a mixture of things... 1. no teapot on the table. This should be left there for self refillings amongst the table. I should not have to keep asking for tea. Or the servers need to be more attentive to tea filling needs. 2. No spicy hot sauce to mix with my soy sauce. Where's the damn chili sauce?! 3. The table could have been bigger, since it was a table made for 6. Where are you suppose to put all the plates if you got 2 hotpots in the middle and everyone's got their dinnerware in front of them? This isn't a normal restaurant with individual plates. It's family style! BIGGER TABLES PLEASE!!! PARTIES OF 6 OR MORE - 18% gratuity is already added. They do the math for you :-) NOTE: Parking across the street is available, but there's a $22 deposit. Cash only. And is $5/half hour. Is it worth it or would you rather go looking for a parking spot for a good half hour? It's up to you to decide.
(3)
Sam T.
I absolutely love this place because it's the perfect meal for any occasion but it's especially yummy on a cold winter day. I always get the Surf and Turf with Lamb and I order Fish Meatballs from the a la carte menu. I have tried several of their broths but the Mongolian and Kimchi are my favorites so I usually split the broths between the two of them. Another reason I keep going back is because of the service, it is without delay and extremely friendly.
(5)
B C.
Since this place has been thoroughly reviewed, I will be brief. We come here at least couple time a month. As a matter of fact, it is my 6 yo's favorite restaurant. He will even ask for it by name. Here is what we order almost all the time 1) half regular and half medium Chinese spice broth; 2) an order of the short ribs platter (this includes a plate of veggie); 3) sauteed baby clams; 4) udon noodles; 5) pork dumplings; 6) uni sashimi; and 7) mango smoothie. For the quality of the food and ingredients, the price is incredibly reasonable.
(5)
M M.
I ate dinner here with a group of 5 other people. We had to wait for a table that would fit us, which is no big deal, but while we were waiting, we were told we couldn't sit at the bar because it would mess up the place sittings. We also weren't offered anything to drink while we were waiting. Fast forward to the actual meal. The food was very good, but the service was terrible! Not once were our water glasses refilled. No one ever came by to check on us, and normally at a meal where I would drink 2-3 glasses of beer, I was never given the chance to order anything beyond the first. The restaurant wasn't crowded so it wasn't that the staff was too busy. Our waiter spent the entire time tidying things behind the bar instead of making sure we were okay. We were done with our food for almost 15 minutes before we gave up on waiting and had to get up and find someone to ask for our check. For that kind of terrible service, the price of the food should have been half of what it was. There are plenty of other shabu joints in the city, avoid this one!
(2)
Tracy C.
Went there with couple freinds from west coast last night. Food was awsome and services are five star. Highly recommended.
(5)
Alex S.
I think Shabu Zen is overpriced, and would give it 3.5 stars if I could...but I must admit, I still can't help being a little bit in love with the place. It's definitely a fun experience, and the food is, overall, quite delicious. When there's that much garlic involved, it's hard for it not to be. The vegetarian platter ($8.95 weekdays/$11.95 weekends) is stocked with an assortment of goodies, some of which I had never tried before. There is a good variety of items on the platter, ranging from three kinds of tofu to succulent greens, several types of mushrooms, carrots, delightful turnip cakes, and even some corn on the cob. While I admit that one or two of the items are a little odd for my tastes (I'm looking at you, mushroom ball!), Shabu Zen's vegetarian platter is still pretty fantastic. The standard broth at Shabu Zen is pork based, but they will swap it out for a veggie-friendly variety if you ask (same price). I really enjoy switching it for the vegetarian spicy kimchi broth (+$3); it really adds to the flavor of all of the food, and tastes wonderful on it's own (I know you're not "supposed" to drink the broth, but I always have some. If they're going to show ridiculous network news on a flat-screen, I hardly consider this an "authentic" experience that I must be true to). But again, the prices at Shabu Zen are a little inflated. I would go more often if the cost was a bit lower, or seemed more justified. It's not incredibly overpriced, per say, but just enough that it won't become a regular lunch spot. If you can make it, go during the week--you get the same platter at a discounted rate (this doesn't apply on holidays). Otherwise, swing by once in a while for lunch with a few friends; it's never very crowded (unlike at dinner, I've heard), and always a lot of fun.
(4)
Tricia N.
THE CONCEPT: Individual hot pots instead of 1 big hot pot for the table. This is great if you want to go by yourself or if you have a group with difficult food preferences. Your beef tongue doesn't have to contaminate your vegetarian friend's broth. They call it Shabu....but they also have a variety of non-Japanese broths to choose from. We had the Chinese spicy broth and the Korean spicy broth. They were both pretty good. You can choose the level of spiciness. The wait was 30 minutes but we sat down in 10 minutes due to all of the unfortunate people that left. Make sure you wait in the restaurant. You will lose your turn if you don't. A large percentage of the place is bar seating, great for 2 or 3.... but if you have a group I would recommend waiting for a table. I had to use my cell phone to call my friend 3 seats away. Totally love it, definitely will be back.......
(4)
Katia M.
I went here with my boyfriend last night. It was a haven of warm air on a cold, rainy night, and we were very happy to be seated almost immediately at the large "bar" area. Even though it's a low table, my very tall significant other had no problem with the seating arrangements. Although there is a $60 minimum charge for the tables, there is no such charge for the "bar" seating. We ordered the combos, he got the meat combo and I got the vegetarian one ("for healthy people," according to the menu). I enjoyed the impressive variety of fake meats/tofu, and he enjoyed real meats, not to mention trying my well-cooked taro root and a bite of the frozen tofu, both of which he liked. I even mastered eating corn on the cob with chopsticks, not to mention the art of munching a whole baby bok choy. All told, we had plenty of food and plenty to do in our stay there. It was a fun experience and it most certainly hit the spot. I can't wait to go back again. Next time, I think I'll try it la carte. Oh, and though I don't think it's obvious on the menu, yes, they have vegetarian broth, but be sure to say something, because the default is, I believe, a pork broth. Forewarned is forearmed!
(5)
Beth M.
I lost my shabu shabu virginity at Shabu Zen this weekend. I had actually had hot pot before, but never out at a restaurant, and it was really amazing. Everything was just so-- tiny plates of this and that to make your own sauce, big plates of veggies, tofu and bean curd, razor thin rolls of super fresh meats, bowls of noodles, tiny cups of sake, chop sticks and ladles and cooking utensils, and the giant boiling delicious mothership of broth in the middle of the table...at first it's a bit of a frenzied meal as you get everything cooking and start eating, but then as the sake kicks in and you get into the swing, it becomes sooo leisurely and nice, especially at Shabu Zen with its clean lines and minimalist coziness. And everything is SO FRESH and SO TASTY. Delicious sake too. There's definitely a long wait for a table on weekends at the usual dinner time, but it is well worth it...well well worth it. They even took our cell phone number and offered to call us when our table was ready so that we could take a walk. I so cannot wait to come back.
(5)
Doris K.
I LOVE DRINKING THE SOUP! Just don't drink the soy sauce. After you've cooked all the yummy goodness, you should drink the soup at the end. It's just so good. Shabu Zen's portions are much much larger than Kaze and many of the things are 5 cents! cheaper. Although it doesn't have liquor they still have wine and beer to quench your alcoholic appetite. My suggestion is to get the veggie combo and one small meat or seafood plate. The bf and I got the surf and turf and a veggie combo and left feeling like rolly pollies! We were so stuffed that I even had to unbutton the top of my jeans in the car to breathe. Note: Don't get the frozen tofu though; it's just not what frozen tofu should be. Also they don't take reservations!! I've called several times to ask.
(4)
Kevin B.
I came here last week with my new friend Nicole M. and her high school buddy. I did not really know what to expect. This was a dinning experience out of my very meager realm of experience. We sat at the counter and each person has their own bowl of broth that is heated. Your order your selection of meats, seafood or other such entre like substances and they also bring you a plate of vegetables and a carb of your choice. I went with the lamb/chicken combo and the udon noodles. You basically just throw your meat and assorted vegetables into the pot and cook it until you think it's done and eat till your heart and stomach are content. I have two major problems with this establishment. They didn't have a very good wine selection and I have absolutely no skill with chop sticks. I mean I need to take like a remedial chop stick class. What can I say, I'm 100% certified grade A cracker.
(5)
Shang S.
I can't decide whether I like Shabu Zen or Kaze better, but having come here during lunch hour, a $7.50 hot pot is a great deal! The regular per-person prices are just slightly cheaper than Kaze, I'd say I paid probably $3 less here for the same amount of food. I only wish I could adjust the temperature of the heat myself (control freak?) and that there were more of this one kind of mushroom I liked in the vegetables. Otherwise, highly enjoyable experience. I overcooked my vermicelli - don't leave it in your broth for too long! It's also smaller than Kaze, so if you come in with a large group (4+), you might get seated at a table, which means that you all share one electric top, rather than an individual heater for every person. That's not usually a bad thing though, as I'm sure they can divide the pot for you if you want more than 1 kind of broth. My bf got the seafood platter, which was very fresh. Just don't spend $2.50 on one piece of green tea mochi ice cream. It lasts about 10 seconds.
(4)
Jin W.
The first Shabu restaurant in Boston. After a rocky 1st year start the restaurant is now the leading brand and process that is being copied all over town but they still have the best selection of foods and the only shabu restaurant that offer Ponzu sauce.
(4)
Heather M.
There is something so comforting and satisfying about sitting down in front of the scented steaming broth, putting in a few slices of meat, some watercress and maybe a piece of tofu, cooking until perfect, then dipping in your soy/scallion/pepper mixture and repeating until you've cleaned all your plates - even in 80 degree weather. This has to be one of my favorite places to eat - it makes me happy just thinking about it.
(5)
Andrew R.
This place is incredible. I've been coming periodically for the past six years or so and I've never been disappointed. The food is fresh and delicious, the atmosphere is warm and enthusiastic, and you always leave full. I particularly enjoy getting a raspberry smoothie alongside my order of A1 beef. Shabu-Zen is a great alternative to a conventional American dining experience. Even when a friend first brough me to try it, I remember not feeling intimidated or overwhelmed as I (and probably many others like me I'm guessing) often feel in such new dining experiences. The pricing is a bit expensive, but I don't mind it. Shabu-Zen makes for a great occasional treat to enjoy. Try the green tea mochi ice cream dessert! If you're considering bringing a child or children, I wouldn't rush into it. For older children, there's probably no issue. In fact, I never see my high school-age brother eat as many vegetables as he does when I take him here. Younger kids, however, would likely be turned off. The bottom line is that you should give it a try, especially if you've never had shabu before.
(5)
Pete K.
Alright, let's get one thing straight: Boston's Chinatown has something like 150 restaurants, ok? If you don't want to wait 30-45 minutes for a table at Shabu Zen, there are 20 other places to eat on the same street. I'm sick of everyone saying how long the wait is at Shabu Zen. You know WHY the wait is so long? Because the food is that good! Trust me, if the food was bad, if the service was lacking, if the prices weren't right, this place would not be doing the kind of business that it is. You don't pack an Asian restaurant on a Tuesday night in the middle of Chinatown with a bunch of Asians if you're serving bad Asian food, am I right? (Maybe white people will show up, but not Asians! Yet another sign of how good the food is.) In fact, Shabu Zen has done so well, other shabu places have opened up in Chinatown to capture some of the demand for this type of dining. What to get? More like, what NOT to get! I've never gone to Shabu Zen with someone and heard they didn't like what they ordered. This is hot pot dining. Everything comes out from the kitchen raw, pre-sliced, and you put it in a boiling pot of broth (there are several varieties) at your table. So you're the chef! With a quick tutorial of how long to leave certain items in the pot, you should be fine.
(4)
nika b.
I had the best time at this restaurant. Everything was delicious and I love doing shabu shabu because it goes at your own pace. Take your time to relax and enjoy the experience. Stretch your comfort zone and try something new while you are here.
(5)
Josh R.
I had never tried Japanese fondue before, so this was a new experience. I was very pleasantly surprised. If you like meat and spicy soup-sauces, you should definitely give it a shot. We tried a number of things from lamb to various seafoods, and they were all tasty. Wash down the goodness with a couple of beers at lunch, and the afternoon is all warm and fuzzy. The kimchi broth was my favorite. They didn't offer happy endings, but you can find those around the corner.
(5)
Steven M.
Gotta love the post garlic breathe. Let me tell you...don't eat this and go out afterwards! Unless you want all the attention in the room focused in on you. A++
(5)
jeeem c.
Since all of my friends have been raving about this hot pot place. I honestly thought it was going to be a "mouthgasmic" (yes... mouthgasmic). Like the "very first time" for my palate.... but it did not live up to its hype. Why? Food: We ordered the Mishima Kobe Beef along with the Seafood Supreme, and had the kimchi and regular broth. And of course, it came with the assorted veggies and etc. Well, the kobe beef was good.... but not that good as everyone raved about... quite frankly I was a little disappointed. For $40 bucks and you get about 6-8 slices of beef, yes the texture was great and all, but the full round flavor was just not there. I know that there are sauces and such, but you don't want to mask the flavor of kobe beef with artificial flavoring. The seafood supreme was good, wished they used more of the "seafood" items rather than filling up the plate spaces with leftover chopped sashimi or salmon and tuna. The veggies were superb, if anything I was content with the selection of veggies that they gave us to dip in. Also, I recommend getting the udon noodles, the vermicelli there is sup-par. The dessert was not worth mentioning.... the sweet black bean was just eh. *3 Stars* Drinks: The sake there was great! We tried a variety of them there, but warm sake is always the best it seems. It just gets the full flavor of the food. I recommend getting bottles and bottles of the house warm sake. It'll do the job. If you don't like warm sake, try any of the dry sake there. *4 Stars* Service: I felt bad for our waitress... I've worked in the food service for 4+ years and.... you just need to know the menu when the customers ask simple questions about it. Like if you don't even know the special kobe beef that is available for the day... why are you even working there. Heh. Is it not your job to be pushing to sell more of the "better" items on the menu rather than choosing just the beef or chicken? We got our food in a timely matter I guess... but had to wait forever warm sake. At least 30 minutes. Like come on. I've worked at a japanese restaurant before and it'll only takes like 2 minutes to pop that thing int he microwave and warm it up. Enough with the excuses. I'm sure that there are other waiters/waitresses who are great at what they do at shabu-zen... not in our case this time. *2 Star* Overall: 3 Stars I probably won't come here again unless one of my friends from out of town begs us to death to eat shabu shabu, but it is definitely not one of my top ten places in Boston. Actually... not even my Top 25. Like my rating... it was "A-OK"
(3)
Kenny L.
This is where my Yelp family all started! Great place to brings groups along to share the experience. Our Yelp bowling team definitely enjoyed it. Be sure to get reservations for groups (and they won't seat you until everyone comes). Just the right amount of food to go around. We got the rib eye, seafood supreme, and the meat combo. Everyone also get a small plate of vegetables to cook with and you can finish it off with red bean soup! I think I might just add bathroom ratings to Yelp too. This one is fine, but you have to push the door hard to get in. Be sure read Roni E.'s review as well!
(3)
Wang E.
My boyfriend and I eat here every week. If not, more! I am OBSESSED with this place. I love it! Since I'm a slow eater, I get to cook/eat at my own pace so that my food doesnt get cold. The atmosphere is lively! Always people chitchatting, music and tv on so it never gets quiet. Since my boyfriend eats a lot, a plate of meat, udon and a side of veggies does not fill him up. We always need to order extra meat and an appetizer. It's a bit pricey since we always have to order a lot. On average we spend $50 for just us two. But it's fine because we enjoy this place. Warning: For people who are going to eat here for their first time, bear with the workers because the waitress and waiters some times may not give you enough attention or they could be REALLY FORGETFUL!
(5)
Yvonne W.
I'd give this place a 3.5 star rating. My friends and I went here a few months ago because I was craving hot pot and couldn't stop talking about how much I wanted to do huo guo. So we came in, probably waited about 20 minutes, and then were seated. The decor here is pretty nice -- I'd heard before that it was a no-frills type of place, but if you're used to dining at typical restaurants in Chinatown, this place could actually be considered *gasp* sort of nice and clean and shiny inside. Since there were four of us, we got three entrees and some dumplings as appetizers. I just remember thinking that the noodle portions were small and I wished that the noodle selection were bigger (like at Kaze). The entree portions were decent, but they didn't seem as big as Kaze's or other places I've had hot pot, either. When you go to a shabu shabu place, never get the free soup base! Always spend the extra couple of bucks to get one of their specials. We had the Sichuan spicy soup base (SO good, but so HOT!), and I can't remember the other one we had, but it wasn't spicy and was pretty good, too. We sort of left this place feeling really thirsty, so maybe there was a lot of MSG in that broth. But overall, I'd say we had a good time.
(3)
Andrew R.
The layout is nice, a wide open space with a big flat panel TV in the corner to add a nice touch. A clean establishment but the server wasn't very helpful. Food being plopped down in front of you with no explanation seemed rude and if you've never eaten there before you may not know what it is. She did explain when I had asked however. Drinks went unfilled until I had to get the servers attention. The music needs to be changed as well, playing pop music was a tad irritating. The food was good and very well priced, portions were generous. The servers lack of experience did bring down the overall feel of the place, otherwise a good eatery.
(3)
John F.
This was my first experience with hot pot, and I think I might be hooked now! The novelty of cooking your food at the table was something I really enjoyed. And, the food itself was very good; the quality of the meats and veggies was very good, and the garnishes/sauces they supplied were very flavorful. They mention their "special" soy sauce, and they mean it! Last but not least, the prices were very reasonable. Which is a major selling point for me, as I'm sure it is for many of you. This was great for a bunch of people (I went with 4 friends), and I would totally go back. In fact, I'm already planning the next visit.
(5)
Stefanie Y.
I love this place! It's cozy, the food is good, and the waitress/waiters are pretty, LOL. I like the short beef rib combo the most. The size seems like a little smaller for guys, but it's not expensive. I love the sesame source and their fruit smoothies. It's an idea place if you have 2~4 friends.
(5)
A G.
We come here ATLEAST once a month. The hot spicy broth is perfect for cold boston days, really bad days, when you're feeling under-the-weather days and also the great days when you just want to eat something that makes you feel like you're being hugged. Its the first place we bring all visiting family and friends to and the one thing they all want when the come back to visit. Not only is it delicious, its also fun and interactive so take friends. Recommended: Thai Tom Yum broth-spicy.
(5)
tom k.
Konichiwa mofos! I guess I was too busy making a mess with my hot pots, because this review is tar-day ... but I do love it ! I can entertain myself for hours here, with food lovin' goodness ... It's such an orchestrated disaster, and I relish every moment of it. We're talking about bubblin' broth, mixed meat platters, heaps of veggies, fish dumplings, inexpensive sushi, sake and Kirin Ichiban ... what more could a guy ask for? Nothing more, nothing more I tell you! It's a joyous experience every time, that always involves laughing with friends and the nice staff. I think it's quite a good value for the really good ingredients, and the extended time spent having an interactive dinner. Heiwa ;)
(5)
Inna H.
I have heard about this place from a friend. After eating here on Saturday night I become a fan myself. It is a bit pricey but it is worth it. The food was fresh and tasted great. I just wish the service was a bit better. But that's what you mostly going to get in Chinatown. I will def. be back for a great surf and turf combo.
(4)
Jang David K.
I can never get full from Shabu-Zen unless I order 3 servings of meat, 2 servings of vegetables and by the time I'm actually full, I've spent about $45. So I try to avoid this place because I know I have to drop $45 or more to make my belly full. I think Toki (another Shabu joint across the street) offers better meat, but in portions, broth and vegetables, Shabu is the king in Allston baby. This place offers such a healthy meal because you are encouraged to eat slowly (you gotta cook EVERYTHING) and get all your vitamins and minerals from variety of fresh seafood, meat and vegies. You can literally do whatever you want with your meal. It's a fun place to go with a group of friends. If you've never tried Shabu Shabu, I recommend this place. By the way, it's a nice spot to take your lover for a date. Please avoid this place if you are just a fatso like me who's desire is to stuff food as fast as possible. It's for those who are patient and careful with their food. For me, I don't have time for that.
(4)
Don A.
Ya just got to go here and experience this place for yourself. You won't be disappointed
(4)
Jennie W.
My Chinese friends used to host hot pot nights all the time when we were in college, but this was the first time I've done shabu in public. Since everyone sits at a bar and watches each other, it can be a little intimidating. You definitely have to get over yourself to eat here. People will watch you, and maybe they will laugh as you spill boiling broth on your shirt and attempt to shove enormous pieces of steaming cabbage into your pie-hole. But the food makes it totally worth it. I am a hardcore carnivore, but, surprisingly, the veggies and tofu were my favorite hot pot items. I loved the mini corn-on-the-cobs. Even though I was ridiculously full after dinner, I noticed a pile of watermelons chilling behind the bar, and inquired. "We make watermelon smoothies," the waitress answered. OH YES. Quite possibly the most delicious smoothie on the planet. Must. Make. Room.
(4)
Mabel N.
This is def. one of the best hot pot places in Boston. I have try other places, this is really one of the best hot pot places in Boston. I usually get the Short Ribs entree along with some sesame sauce on the side for my ribs. I also love their mushroom balls, fish pastes, beef tongues, Sautee clams and oysters. Ohh I am also a fan of their watermelon drink...yummy!!!!!!!
(4)
Samantha G.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. So for those who don't know, what you do here is order plates of raw food and cook them in boiling pots of delicious broth. They have a great selection of raw plates with all sorts of meats and veggies. There are also great sides, my favorite are the dumplings-you get 4 for like $2.50. All in all, this place is awesome. The only drawback is that if you go on a weekend night you will probably have to wait quite a while. Best to go with 4 or fewer so you don't have to wait too too long.
(5)
Katherine D.
I can't believe I waited so long to try this place. A few friends and I went for lunch and they've got such reasonably priced lunch meals. We each got meat combos and shared miso broth. I guess you can choose a flavored broth, but i LOVE miso so we stuck with the original. Ambience is pretty cute. Service was fine. Food was just excellent. I'm definitely going back.
(4)
Jack M.
WOW. I don't know what was hotter: our hot pot or that WAITRESS. WOWIE. You GOTTA go if just to see this woman - I can't talk about it anymore - but holy christmas she was just....... I'm speechless. - Food! Yah I love hot pot. And I didn't think much about this place before I walked in, but it's very nice inside. I think they've remodeled, based on the place I saw versus some of the older photos here. There's one large counter with spots for hot pots, or you can get a table along the sides of the wall. I got beef and lamb and it was AMAZING. So wonderfully fresh and just fun to cook and eat. They give you all the fixings to mix up your own sauce which was incredible! I loved it. Watch out for those green peppers- HOT! Almost as hot as that waitress! I also got some pork gyoza, which were also excellent. And CHEAP! Like $23 for two people to have this wonderful stuff! Highly recommended! - Waitress-lady, will you marry me??
(5)
nguyet l.
Very good food! I love hot pot. They have 7 different type of broth and their meat is amazing, soft and melts in you mouth. Waiters and waitresses were very nice professional. all good things. missing star is for not having the ability to adjust the temp of the pot yourself like other places. but I could understand because there are a lot of people who fool around with that. I was just very annoyed about asking them to adjust it for me every time.
(4)
Francisca W.
nothing against them personally, but i always prefer to do hot pot at home instead. eating out, yes, saves me the trouble of prepping, but i get to pay double for half the food, and i don't always want everything that's included in the set. ordering extras (ex. beef ball was $4 for, like, 6) is even more costly than the $20 set w/few slices of beef to begin with. besides, the essence of hotpot is in the soup--which is very ordinary here. nothing a pot o' water and some chicken bouillons can't do. even so, yeah, $20 should get you filled w/all the stuff they provide. but w/the few slices of beef and a large chunk of vegetables, i really can fare much better at home w/that budget. eating at home also takes away the long lines, the noise, parking issues in ctown, etc. and while hot-potting IS potentially a sweaty business, at least when at home, i can take off my sweater as freely as i want. one thing i appreciate about this place (if i remember correctly), is that they let you scoop your own dipping condiments as you see fit. i HATE places that charge you extra for dipping sauce by the dollop. seriously!??! :)
(3)
Parim A.
Went here on Saturday night and had to wait nearly an hour to get a table for 4. The host was very nice and kept checking on us a few times. As for the food, it's okay. The Chinese herb broth was alright and there was nothing too special about the dipping sauce. I heard you could ask for sukiyaki sauce from them, too. They will bring you a bottle. I think the food would taste better with it. Will try this next time I'm in Boston. However, the watermelon smoothie was pretty good and refreshing. Order this and you won't be disappointed. Anyway, sorry Shabu-Zen, but I had better shabu shabu in Los Angeles.
(3)
Jim W.
Solid, reasonably priced shabu shabu with slightly smaller portions of veges than what I've gotten used to on the west coast; however prices are (shock!) actually adjusted downward accordingly. Lots of upgrade options - everything from beef (sirloin -- usda choice -- usda prime -- Kobe), various vege addons, to broth types. The majority of the restaurant is set up bar style with individual hot pots circling a U-shape. If you want a table, be prepared to wait. On a casual Sunday afternoon the entire restaurant, including the bar, was full before 6p.
(4)
Victoria C.
I love this place! I've been a royal customer here since it opens up and have brought many friends here. Some of them have never tried hot pot. Shabu Zen never disappoints anyone. The regular broth is great and I love the Vegetarian Delight combination and of course the beef. I always order fresh fish paste and black mushrooms on the side. My husband loves their sashimi as an appetizer. The location at Chinatown isn't ideal for big groups but it's a wonderful place for a fun/different date.
(5)
Heather G.
OK so the food itself isn't anything spectacular. It isn't anything special. you can get the same stuff at the grocery. That is not the point of Shabu at all. The point is to play chef with the cooking and the sauce-mixing. The point is to have a meal that is out-of-the-ordinary and breaks the mold. The point is to have a fun/bizarre experience melding the worlds of eating out and cooking at home - all the fun of cooking with none of the hassle of grocery shopping, dishes, and cleanup. Do yourself a favor - to fully enjoy the experience, resign yourself to the fact that this will not be the tastiest or most flavorful meal you'll ever have. You won't be waited on. Your palette will not explode with a unique and interesting flavor combination you've never had before, and you will not try a new/weird ingredient you haven't seen/had before. You will, however, have a great freaking time getting steaming broth all over the place and trying to find your rice noodles as they cook up and turn clear, making it IMPOSSIBLE to see them (and if you can, you certainly can't grab and rescue the slippery suckers) in the broth. You will have a great time mixing up the sauce to your specifications (and changing your mind mid-meal and starting the sauce over). You will have a great time laughing at your dinner companions as they try to maneuver the noodles, meats, veggies, and sides with the big spoon and chopsticks whist simultaneously attempting to not get scalded or soaked. And, most of all, you will hopefully have a great time being laughed at by the locals as you fumble through the process. Be aware that the wait is really long on Saturday nights, and the system for dolling out tables does not seem to be first-come-first-served. It seems arbitrary and/or based on whom the hostess likes the best/has a rapport with. Don't even try to argue/reason. Just go with it and be patient. And allow yourself lead-time for waiting before you show up. And one more thing - I know the bean soup dessert looks weird, but just try it. It's one of those foods that I classify as "Don't really like it but can't stop eating it". Very odd. Enjoy!
(3)
Bruce B.
One of my favorite spots to eat in Boston. Try the kimchee broth extra spicy I think its the best one. For some reason this location seems better than the allston location.
(5)
Mai N.
Here for the first time. Was not disappointed at all. Rec - tom yum soup. Cant go wrong with beef or seafood. Good sign of a busy restaurant-- busy even during off hours- ie monday 2pm... when it's not lunch or dinner time. Would go again.
(4)
Julie H.
Holy amazing! It was our first hot pot dinner and oh mama are we addicted. The service was great and super helpful. The short rib beef and lamb are an absolute must. Now if only we could get them to open one in NYC!
(5)
E L.
We had business dinner meetings all week so we wanted a more casual dining experience. We came here and sat at the bar. The bar seating had a rather friendly bunch that kept ordering sake bombs and we decided to partake. Half a dozen bombs later, I can't say I remembered my own name, but I do recall the food and setup was pretty darn good. If you like hotpot, it's worth a try - lots of vegetables, various meats and the sushi is fresh.
(4)
Daryn F.
We were looking for somewhere to eat after the David Cross show, so I turned to yelp and saw we were near a shabu joint. I have never had shabu-shabu before, but didn't want to appear too green, so I whipped out the trusty iphone and wiki'd shabu-shabu (XTRA NERD POINTS). I'm still not positive I did everything "right", but it was a pretty good meal nonetheless. I started out with the seaweed salad because that's how I roll at Japanese restaurants. Seriously, I could eat a bathtub full of that stuff. Unfortunately for me they usually only give you like 5 or 6 chopstick grabfulls (how do they say a spoonful in chopstick using countries??). My friend got edamame which are really hard to mess up. I ordered the seafood platter, but in retrospect I should have gotten the "surf and turf." The seafood was good (clam, scallop, shrimp, squid, salmon, some unidentifiable stuff) but near the end I kinda wanted a few pieces of meat as well. I got mine with rice, and again I kinda wish I had gotten udon noodles instead. The vegetables were fresh (broccoli, carrots, corn, tomato). Yes I know tomato is a fruit, calm down. Armed with my researched knowledge, near the end of the meal I ladled out the broth into a separate bowl and mixed in the rest of my rice and slurped it up. I have been to Japan and I know slurping is not only acceptable but the preferred way to eat soup, so I didn't hesitate to pick up my bowl and slurp away, much like I used to do with my breakfast cereal's milk many many years ago. The broth had acquired quite an interesting flavor from cooking all of the seafood and from the scallions and garlic I had thrown in earlier. I felt like I didn't eat that much actual food, but I made up for it on broth and left the place feeling pretty full! Oh also there was this "dessert" that came out at the end. It looked like beans and rice almost, but it had sort of a sweet flavor to it, but not too sweet. Not bad! P.S. the waitress was gorgeous, +1 star
(4)
Holly K.
Love this place. I was afraid to go in just because I had never tried hot pot. The server was so friendly and helped me through it. I ended up having a great time! Vegetables are fresh and delicious and is the beef. Try the kimchee broth and taro!
(4)
Liz A.
Again, the country mice come to the big city...looking for culinary adventure... Given that we were staying in the theatre district, Chinatown made sense. An acquaintance recommended this place, so we went. Great server explained everything, was attentive. The hot pot stuff was fun; in retrospect, I wonder if we should have gone for the spicy broth rather than the standard. Overall, we found the food a little bland, but we suspect the problem was us, not the food or cooking. Food seemed healthy and well prepped and presented.
(3)
Mabel L.
I'm surprised that Boston's Chinatown has quite a few businesses serving up hotpot or more accurately shabu shabu. Of the lot, this is one really nice place. While the servings are pretty much the same as other places, the 4-star rating is for the general cleanliness and friendly atmosphere that the place has. Would have been a 5-star if the service was more prompt and friendly. One trip had my waiter seated at the bar on his phone for an hour. If you want a nice meal with a small group of friends, come here. If you have a larger group and not as large a budget to go around, Hot Pot Buffett Inc. is your best call.
(4)
Jessica L.
Tonight, I had the seafood platter in pork broth, because they were out of miso broth. It was good, not outstanding, but reasonable for the price ($12). The noise level was moderate. Wasn't especially fond of the music, which was straight-up pop (Taio Cruz, Katy Perry, Kings of Leon). I guess I was expecting something calmer, more "zen." Also, the service wasn't terribly attentive, but it was busy on this Saturday evening (around 5:30-6:15). My friend and I were in a bit of a rush to get to a movie, but even after he got out of his chair to go ask for the check, no check came. We had to flag down another waitress. I still give them 3 stars because the food was fine and the price was right. The dining area is also brightly-lit and neat- and clean-looking, which adds to the ambiance.
(3)
Eric F.
What a great go-to spot in Chinatown! All the basic combos (beef, chicken, lamb, etc. with veggies, rice/udon/vermicelli, and dessert) are very reasonably priced and I loved the kimchee broth =D Interior is well-kept and spacious, conversation is easy with the relatively low ambient noise, and making your own little creations is more fun than you might expect hehe.
(4)
Kathleen F.
I had not been to shabu zen in a couple of years and was pumped to go back with some friends recently. The food is still very good, great quality meats and yummy veggies, and the smoothies are good as well. But the service was awful. The waitress kept forgetting to bring us things, and even completely forgot to bring us stuff when we asked for it twice. I think it is also a bit pricey for cooking your own food, I would be willing to pay that much if the service matched the prices but it really does not at all.
(3)
Brian B.
Because Yelper Marc brought me to a new restaurant and I loved it, I felt I should Yelp about it! This was a totally new cuisine choice for me, and I must say I had doubts about going for soup on a day that was over 90F. It is really a neat way to see how different foods influence the flavors of a basic broth (I had the Thai Tom Yum which is awesome). It helps to go with a seasoned Shabu-master (Marc) so you know what the hell you are doing. But everyone should try it - its a fun way to eat, and the flavors are very good, especially since you make them yourself!
(5)
Mochi Z.
This is definitely one of the best hot pot places in Boston. I am not saying that because I worked at this place before, but from trying other places, this is really one of the best hot pot places in Boston. As a matter of fact, Shabu Zen was the first hot pot restaurant that was opened in Boston and did extremely well. After it became a hit, other owners in town started to launch their own hot pot restaurants. It is really hard to compete with Shabu Zen because the owner, David, did a lot of research (traveling around the world) before he opened this place up. The place is a bit pricey especially for the amount of food you get, however, its really good. From appetizers to drinks, its all very good. Appetizers: Sauteed Claims, Sauteed Beef Tongue and Gyoza. Definitely try eating the vermecelli noodles with sauce in the sauteed clams. Entrees: Short Ribs and the Prime Rib Eye is definitely good. Chicken is a bit dry, so I wouldn't recommend it. Seabass is good too, but its seasonal. Kim Chi broth is super good especially with the udon noodles. Tom Yum broth is super good with seafood. Drinks- the smoothies are really good and really fresh. Its with fresh fruit I promise! The place has some really good sake drinks too!
(4)
Lisa I.
Being from Los Angeles and Japanese, I would not say that Shabu-Zen is authentic Japanese shabu-shabu. The best I can describe Shabu's authenticity would be, if someone went to a bookstore and read what you should use as ingredients for shabu-shabu, they would would probably end up with what Shabu-Zen lays out. Given that Boston doesn't have a great selection of authentic Japanese places, I'm still giving Shabu-Zen 4 stars for the fact that its cheap, fast, and in a convenient location. It may not be the most authentic place, but I can honestly say that I've not had a bad meal in the 5-10 times I've been there (which is more than I can say about certain places in LA or Boston). This place is great for you and a few friends, but probably not best for groups since the wait time is pretty substantial if you go during rush hour. Service is a little slow, but let's face it, you cook yourself so you can really only be upset at yourself if something goes wrong. Going at lunch time or odd-hours during the weekend will make this experience so much better since the line can get to be so long! I would recommend Shabu-Zen before the other place down the street. I'll be back soon :)
(4)
El S.
I've shabu'd in LA, Orange County and New York City.....Shabu Zen is the best one yet! My wife and I went there last Saturday in the middle of the afternoon....it was quiet and delicious. You have to ask for the peanut sauce (my one complaint) but they have lots of hot peppers, tobasco and other things that most Shabu joints I've visited don't have. They also give you your own soup ladle and strainer and most importantly give you a choice of noodles or rice. That's a rarity in the Shabu world. The prices are reasonable too. This is the best Shabu spot in the US...trust me....I've been around and I'm smarter, better looking and way, way funnier than any of you.
(5)
Gail F.
One rainy Saturday night the boyfriend and I decided to venture into Chinatown for some good old fashioned hot pots. We stumbled upon Shabu Zen and had the perfect little evening. We sat at the bar and were served immediately. The waiter was very attentive and provided helpful suggestions for saki. We ordered the perfect sized bottle and continued to order our meals. We got a mixed grill of hot pot meats and tried the extra spicy broths. Whats great about shabu is that its not only delicious but its an interactive meal. Its the perfect amount of food that you can cook to your taste. We've already been back since our first experience. Its the perfect way to spend a Saturday night.
(4)
Eli E.
i love this place! The meat and veggies are fresh. The standard broth is delicious and so are the flavored ones (for $3 more). Soy sauce isn't too salty or sour. Good portions. Sauteed baby clams are awesome. The price is very reasonable. Brighton is roomier with TVs and accommodations for large parties. But I think the Chinatown location has a sliiiiiiightly more flavorful standard broth.
(5)
Wei W.
Love this place. While there's usually a wait on the weekends for dinner, lunchtime is pretty good and the service is reasonable. I have yet to be disappointed from the do-it-yourself meals (minus the meat cutting and such). With hot pot, there's little that can go wrong (besides service) since you're doing all the cooking yourself. You get your choice of broth - if you prefer spicy broths, they have an assortment of those, but I usually go with the chicken stock. All the meats are thinly sliced so that it takes about 20-30 seconds to cook in the broth. The vegetables come out first so those get thrown in as soon as the broth heats up, and everything is so filling. I recommend the prime rib-eye, meat combo, surf and turf, or seafood supreme, if you're a meat-eater. There's also a la carte, which entails ordering your choice of sides that you can make into a meal, from fish balls to assorted veggies. Have a smoothie with your lunch or dinner - I'm a big fan of the strawberry, raspberry, and kiwi smoothies. They also make them to your desire (strawberry banana is delish). Top it off with some green tea mochi and the complimentary red bean soup for dessert and you're good to go!
(5)
Dena N.
I go to this place so often because I love their broth. I love the kimchi flavored soup base because it makes everything so much more flavorful. I would recommend getting the beef because it is the best tasting course in the restaurant. The chicken is not good because it usually comes out dry. The seaweed salad here is also really great. The service here is usually good. The only complaint is that it is always crowded...so if you came here for dinner, then expect at least half an hour wait. The place is not too big, so it would not be good to come here with a big party. Overall, I would come here again and probably very often.
(5)
Diane Z.
The lengths that I will go for good Shabu Shabu! I drive 2 hours to Boston to go here just for dinner! I went last night and once again it was awesome! I always order the meat combo (beef and pork), noodles, mango smoothie and the spicy szechuan broth. Everything was fresh and delicious and the order of oysters were cheap ($5) and so fresh. I definitely suggest a visit when in Boston! The only reason I didn't give a five star was the service. They tend to forget to bring your side orders and drinks. They also ran out of the Japanese mojito!
(4)
Nadia B.
the best tasting &funnest dining experience i have ever had . my boyfriend took me for the first time a couple weeks back and i have returned an unreasonable amount of times since . i am completely addicted to this stuff .
(5)
Erin C.
This was my first shabu experience and I can't recommend it enough. I ordered the vegetarian option and was pleasantly surprised by the variety of veggies going on. The broth was killer too. Those mushroom ball things are so addictive! The price really can't be beat either for the amount of food you receive. Service is a bit off, but nothing that would make me not want to return. Also, make sure you don't wear your favorite lovely coat here unless you like to smell like shabu for the rest of the week. Love this place!
(4)
Jane B.
We were a group of 8 looking for a good meal and a good time. Being a larger crowd, we tried to call for a reservation.They told us that they would put us down on their list but it wasn't a real reservation. Basically it means you end up on the top of the wait list...and because we wanted to all sit together, when we arrived it was a bit of a wait. One table for 4 opened up and then we waited about another 30 minutes for the table next to it to be free for the rest of our party. Not a huge deal. There aren't a ton of places this size that would have been quicker to seat a party of our size in Chinatown. There was a constant stream of traffic in the place and the diners ranged from Asian families to hipster college kids. I think there were even a few out on dates too. No one in our party had eaten shabu-shabu before and we were all excited to try a new experience. To start, you select your meat (there are 3 kobe options among others beef, chicken, etc), seafood, tofu, veggies, etc. You can order by entree, which comes with veggies, rice or vermicelli noodles, or off the a la carte menu to try smaller varieties of things. Your selection is then brought to you and you dip it in a boiling pot of broth set at your table. They also bring garlic, scallion, chillies and a BBQ sauce for you to season your meal as you see fit, with, of course, the ever present soy sauce. A cup of green tea was poured as we sat down. I started off with the gyoza and then went for one of the beef choices and assorted veggie a la cart options. The gyoza were delicious. The beef came sliced very thin, and only required a short dip in the steamy, boiling broth. Delicious. There were beers ordered and a bottle of the house saki (hot). Someone at our table had the puffed tofu (basically fried) which I kept looking at longingly, but I was quite full with my own meal. The clam sashimi (forget which in particular) was well liked as well. It took a tiny bit of figuring out how to get the smaller items in and out of the broth, but they provide mini-spiders (the cooking utensil type, not the creepy-crawly type) which were invaluable for fishing out a few of the items. As the pots boiled away, the waitstaff came around and topped up the pot with fresh broth. When the pots get going, it's almost like getting a facial from the steam--beautification while you eat! We finished off our meals with ice cream mochi (I had the red bean paste, others had mango and green tea flavors) which was absolutely delightful. Overall, it was a great meal (and the company was definitely part of that) enjoyed by all. We were even pleasantly surprised when the bill came and it was just $30 per person. Not to shabby. With polite service, fresh food and decently prices, I'd definitely go back. And probably with a smaller crowd.
(4)
Maliza H.
I usually like the food here and i often go there almost every week. However, the service is not friendly, the waitress/waiter were standing there chatting all the time. No one care to bring water or ask if i need something. They won't bring water or napkin if you don't ask for it....
(4)
Ryan L.
My first experience with hot pot and i would absolutely come back. Fantastic food, fantastic atmosphere, fantastic service. A+
(5)
Joanna F.
It's probably mostly because I didn't like the hot pot concept, but I didn't love Shabu Zen. I thought the atmosphere was kind of hideous. The service was really quick and it was quite a bargain for the amount of food we got. I got the meat combo with lamb and chicken. Something about the idea of eating off of the same plate that raw chicken and lamb sat on kind of disturbs me. And eating off of the same chopsticks I used to cook the meat. Maybe that's my own issue though. The lamb and chicken were delicious once cooked, although chicken tends to dry out very quickly. The vegetables that came on the side were ok... I could have used something heartier. A lot of these reviews said people were full after eating here... I wasn't at all. I felt like I got maybe 10 bite sized morself of meat and a few veggies and maybe a half a cup of vermicelli... Not satisfying. And it was a lot of work for the amount of food. I guess it didn't help that I was ravenous when I got there. All in all, it's a very authentic and interesting experience, but not really my cup of tea.
(3)
Ronnie D.
Great food and service! Salmon sashimi was delish, and the mongolian broth was unreal. Highly recommend.
(5)
Bee M.
The service is not bad, but not great also...its more on the suck side tho, You know how Chinese places are, lol. But, as for the food, it is great! A little expensive if you a big eater aka American.... I love the tools they lay out for you to use while you eat! I love hot-pot at home but hot-pot at a restaurant is so proper.
(3)
John A.
This was a super unique dining experience and definitely hands on. Our waiter was very patient in explaining the whole process. Basically, you order seafood, beef, chicken, or veggies and they bring the food over to you raw. You then proceed to cook the food yourself at your table in a hot pot of boiling broth. You're free to make any combination you like and you can even customize the dipping sauce. All meals come with a huge side of vegetables and all the green tea you can drink. Overall the food was very tasty and it was something different from the typical dining experience. Shabu-Zen is located off a little side street in Chinatown which further adds to the interesting, unique vibe of the place. The overall ambience was fast paced and even a bit loud. I don't mean that in a negative way because this place was great, but it may not be the best restaurant if you want to have a quiet night out. However, if you want a fun, unique dining experience in a more modern, hustle and bustle atmosphere then Shabu-Zen is certainly a good place to try out.
(4)
Chortipsukontar M.
This is what I want to go every time that I think of shabu. Unfortunately I couldn't do it because it is really hard to find a parking space in china town and I am so upset about it. The foods are a hot pot that right but it's totally different to the others cause it is the best hot pot in mass and they are not cheap for customer I mean if you asked for get an extra of sauce or chili they are no chart you any penny and I recommend this shabu zen. The staffs are friendly and more help too
(5)
Katie S.
I came here with a bigger group to celebrate a birthday and had mixed feelings. Shabu is my favorite style of food and the selection here was decent. But we got dirty looks from staff and other customers any time we laughed. I wouldn't suggest thIs location if you're going with a larger group.
(3)
Meghana A.
I had my first hot pot experience here! It was such a fun way to eat and easy on the wallet too! After walking in, you can take a seat around the center u-shaped bar and begin cooking your own hotpot soup with your choice of meat and veggies in a personal hot pot in front of you! I like spicy food so I tried the spicy kimchi broth, which was so yummy and perfectly spicy for my taste. The process was fun and a little overwhelming at first because the server furnishes a plate full of thinly sliced raw meat, which you will cook in the boiling broth. I was afraid of messing up my meal by cooking it wrong, but then I discovered its virtually impossible to mess up since the ingredients naturally taste good together. Do take the vegetables out of the boiling broth once they are crunchy enough for your taste to prevent them from getting soggy. You are provided the right utensils for periodic stirring and straining out veggies and meat from the hot pot. Definitely try the mango mochi ice cream. If you don't order a dessert, the restaurant gives you a complementary red bean dessert. For a more manageable dining experience, I imagine this is the type of place that would be more fun for a party of four or less, not a huge group. I can't wait to go back!
(4)
Spanky M.
Frame of refernce warning: I have not had shabu shabu at other Boston places. The shabu shabu was average at best. I had the short rib and the second meat selection, I think it was USDA grade a something or other. The meat had that bloody meat flavor that is normally found at mediocre or worse shabu places. The service was on top of everything though and made my $45( with tip) experience very good. I think that the place is miss named as it really is Chinese hot pot. The difference for many will be almost nothing but for those who know it is enough to deter you if you truely are looking for shabu shabu. The vegetables were average and the dipping sauces were not trad japanese b/c it's hot pot. All in all a relatively expensive experence that was fun because of all the hustle and bustle but not all that great tasting. I can't say I will be looking forward to coming back here.
(3)
Kelly C.
Can't believe I haven't written a review for this place! Best winter restaurant. Nice warm steam, always groovy music playing. You can eve eat at the bar and watch the game. Fresh fruit smoothies! Cook your own veggies, meats, and seafood. Mix your own special sauce. Get the fish balls!! So good. I always get extra mushroom balls too, and I don't like mushrooms, but these things are GOOD!
(5)
Robyn C.
Hot Pot can be easily described as the melting pot...but Chinese! If your new, it's pretty simple and as Solomon C. said, "You get a plate of vegetables and pot of broth, you order a dish of raw meats, toss it in and enjoy!" To be honest, it's going to be hard to review this as everything was just truly marvelous! The food was to die for and had tons of space to eat even though it was packed with a full house. Kimcheeeeee broth, try it! We all walked out of this place wanting more more more! and then talking about it for the following days to come. I shall be going back as soon as I reach Boston again!
(5)
Em E.
This place was awesome! There's great cuts of meat, plenty of veggies, and the hot sake is only $5! The food seems to be really light, but you still manage to get full without breaking the bank. The waitresses are friendly and attentive too!
(5)
Avin N.
Came here last week with a large group of friends for my first hot pot experience. I don't really have a good reason for never having tried it before-- meat, spicy broth, noodles, sake, cold beer-- all things I'm a big fan of. Really have just been cheating myself. Shabu Zen was packed when we got there around 8pm, and despite having a reservation, we still needed to wait about 10 minutes. Not a big deal, as we were a large group (10 of us) and Shabu Zen is a small place by design. Soon enough we were in, and spicy Chinese broth and sake were already on their way. We had a couple hot pot regulars in the group who took lead on ordering, which was definitely helpful. The food was great overall, and as the bottles of sake kept coming, soon enough it's fair to say we all lost track of what we individually ordered and were just dipping into the meat free-for-all in the boiling pots of broth. If you're afraid of a mess, the hot pot experience is definitely not for you. I think I will have to wash the sweater I was wearing at least twice to get all of the broth and overall hot pot aroma out of it. But that's definitely not a complaint-- the food was fantastic (I recommend the beef and chicken, the seafood looked a little sketchy). Gyoza as an appetizer was also a big hit. Service: despite being a large and, as the night went on, increasingly intoxicated and I'm sure exceedingly loud group, the waitresses were all very attentive, patient, and clearly experienced in handling a group like us. Even if you don't think the idea of a hot pot dinner sounds enticing, I'd suggest going for the experience. Particularly with a large group, it's definitely a unique dining experience worth trying at least once.
(4)
Jeremy H.
Okay lets get this straight: ONLY GO HERE IF YOU LOVE AMAZING FOOD AND PLAYING WITH IT!!!! Now that I have put that out there this place is awesome! Before you get anything get the clam cooked in something stupidly delicious appetizer and get ready to lick the plate clean, then change your adult diaper because that was so amazing, and hunker down for your meal. If you know Shabu Shabu style cooking stop reading and get your ass to Brighton or Chinatown. The premise is that you get a bubbling bowl of boiling liquid (the simple chicken and veggie broths are awesome, and the spicy broth will make most Americans whimper and cry, but they are damn good) You then have an assortment of uber-high-quality meat sliced paper thin, veggies, tofu (I always get an extra side of assorted tofu since it kicks ass), and noodles. You proceed to put stuff in the boiling liquid (only dip the meat so you do not cook it to all hell) and then fish it all out into a soup cup. Then you eat this, and repeat. As the meal goes on the flavors in the liquid become more intense, and more personalized to what you add. This is an amazing culinary experience. So get ready to make a small mess and play with your food, because this is one of my favorite places in all the world!!!!
(5)
Mike S.
** PLEASE READ BEFORE TRYING THIS RESTAURANT ** I've seen several positive reviews of this place and prior to my last dining experience at SZ, I'd be inclined to agree. However, a couple of months ago, celebrating a friend's birthday, I had **the absolute worst dining experience of my life** at this restaurant. Here's how: The minor: 1) The hostess paid little to no mind to us and told us we'd be seated within 30 minutes. After over an hour, nothing - no apologies, no anything. The major: 2) While eating my soup I noticed several live bugs swimming in my bowl. They looked similar to fleas (not roaches). The person across from me had the same problem (we were sharing the same pot). We immedately called over the waiter and here's what happened. 3) The waiter called over the resident manager who confirmed they were actual bugs and made some statement that they "hide in the fresh vegetables". After taking away all the food, she proposed to take 10% off of the total bill, which wouldn't have even covered one of the two bug-infested meals. Outraged, I demanded at least half the bill off to which she said (after haggling and negotiating since she wasn't budging)... 4) I'll call my manager. So we wait... "I can't get ahold of him. I can do 10% and that's all". So I said we'd wait. After about 20 minutes and asking her to call the manager a couple more times, we eventually get our two spoiled meals with drinks and appetizers comped (which turned out to be roughly 40% of the bill). Unreasonable, but I settled. 5) When we got the bill, we noticed they overcharged us a meal we didn't order AND overcharged another member of the party for a higher cut of beef than he'd ordered. After more fighting, they realized their mistake and fixed the bill. From start to finish, they could not have done anything more wrong. At the minimum, someone should be on staff at all times with authority to make decisions about who to comp and when. Further up, lessons in restaurant etiquette. At the most, bug-free food. After this incident, I emailed the restaurant as well as Phantom Gourmet. I never got a response back. So, with my newfound Yelp account, I decided to share this experience to make sure nobody goes through the dining experience my friends and I went through.
(1)
Monica N.
I love this place! You can't go wrong with hot pot on a cold winter day in Boston.
(5)
Linh V.
It's not as fancy as the Allston one. Cozier I suppose and the pots at the counters are actually within reach! Wowzers i can actually see to the bottom of my pot. The garnishes weren't fresh, my chili peppers were black and my broth looked like it had been sitting on top of my burner for hours until i arrived. The portions actually seem a lot smaller, that or the presentation isn't as great as that of the Allston one. Real talk. Shabu-Zen as a whole is nothing special. Make it at home.
(3)
Cee B.
Cook your food in a broth, at the end the broth becomes a stew very flavorful from all the food it has cooked. Enjoy the udon at the end with the broth. The undo soaks up the tasty broth it is delicious. Definitely pick seafood or kobe beef, both of which are best for shaub shabu since both cook quickly and taste good without need for marinate. Let the fresh seafood and beef show off their flavor in a simple broth. Smoothie is really good with shabu shabu. it cools you off from the hot broth.
(4)
Ligaya T.
Shame on me! After decades of shabu experiences I just now, thanks to Toro E's review, learned that you are NOT supposed to drink the dashi (broth). Ummm, hear this my Japanese friends, how could you let me dishonor myself this way? Or is it my fault for never paying attention to how you eat? Well, it's a good thing that I don't give a damn about being a proper Japanese lady (liberties of being a Filipina/Czech one) so I'm going to keep lapping up the delicious soup. I would suggest getting the spicy broth. The herbal one is a bit strange and has those floating red pimento looking things that taste slightly medicinal. I'd recommend getting the beef rounds or the seafood if you're a pesca. With the array of fresh vegetables served with it, the meal is healthy and nourishing. Words of advice: don't be afraid to use the wire basket to catch stray pieces. Use the sauces, mix up the garlic and scallions, it adds awesome flavor. Oh, and even though it seems really strange to eat sweet legumes, try the red bean soup. Most of the time my head is so fascinated by what's going on in the pot that I don't even notice the surroundings, but busy as this place is, I have had my share of looking around while waiting for a seat. It's spotless if you'd like to know. None of that no wiping up after the last person, and they always change the pots, no pouring fresh soup in. Yeah, it's gross but I've seen it happen elsewhere. They manage to keep these cleanliness standards high until they close at midnight, so if you're hard up for options to McD's in the middle of the night, bookmark this place!
(4)
Sandy B.
I've been here every time I've been in Boston. On cold days (well, cold for me) in Fall/Winter and I couldn't have asked for a better way to get away from the windchill. In the warmer months, I love their watermelon smoothies! I could drink like five of them if shabu wasn't so filling. Everything has always been really fresh, from the meat to the seafood. How great it is kind of depends on whether or not you know what you're doing, though. They could be a bit more generous with the udon noodles, but my friends and I have always left completely stuffed. It's nice cos there's something for everyone, and I've tried something different each time. No complaints about the service (we've always avoided the rush hours) and overall, a lovely experience.
(4)
Cara G.
"Do you like shabu-shabu?" "Um...I was kind of into his early stuff, before he joined G-Unit." Hmmm. Clearly I had a lot to learn. My friends & colleagues promised me, for the low low cost of $7.50, not just lunch but an eating experience, and any chance I get to follow M. through the twisty streets of Chinatown, feeling all shifty and exciting, I take: thus it was that we headed to Shabu Zen. "Shabu-zen!" it sounds like a magical command. Want a bowl of broth put on a cloisonn hot plate? "Shabu-zen!" Want a long plate of raw, curled chicken? "Shabu-zen!" Tiny bowls of chopped pepper, garlic, barbecue-ish sauce, and scallions? "Shabu-zen!" I like the following things about Shabu Zen: The vegetarian option on the menu reads "no meat, no meat!" There is a sign at the cash register that threatens a $75 minimum for parties consisting of fewer than 3 people There is rumored to be a liquor license As it turns out, waving a piece of raw meat around in a bowl of steaming liquid is not my preferred lunch experience, though I'm all for interactive food. Maybe the amount of raw chicken --- I really don't want to use the word "slabs" here --- freaked me out a little bit. But as an experience, I'd recommend it to anyone. So yo G., check out this Shabu-Shabu, before he sells out entirely. Word is bond.
(2)
Melissa D.
Ahhh-getting a facial from the delights stirring in your hot pot! After reading people's reviews, I was stoked to go. I took the South Station stop on the red line but the Chinatown stop on the Orange Line is equally the same distance. We got there early, 5:00pm is the perfect time before the dinner rush. Menu choices: Appetizer: Gyoza pan fried -meat nestled in perfectly crisp wontons Entree: Seafood Combo and Beef Combo - this was perfect portion for 2 people, seafood was fresh and the chicken and beef are sliced so thin, once you dropped them in the hot pot they cooked right through! Dessert: too full This is a great place for a group and enjoyed the rush and liveliness of the place. Here they don't rush you, which is always great. The very next day, i wanted to go back sooo bad.
(5)
Tiff S.
The food, was okay, same as any other shabu place here in boston. my biggest complaint is that this shabu-zen makes lies about the minimums at the tables. Their menu clearly states that during dinner hours there is a minimum charge of $60 dollars per table. I went on a weekday, lunch time, and asked for a table and said we would order at least $60. they told me the charge was $75. we ended up having to sit in a row at the bar, while the tables were left EMPTY the whole time. why are they so unwilling to accommodate their customers? the other shabu places, even the one in allston, are MUCH friendlier. i read a review down there that they told them minimum of $100. STAY CONSISTENT and stop lying to the customers.
(1)
Grace U.
XD this place rocks my socks off period. end of story. the end. but since you guys are prob. scratching your heads going wtf?? i would elaborate. -broth: YUMMYY IN MY TUMMY -meat/seafood: HAVING A PARTY IN MY TUMMY WITH THAT BROTH -vegetables: its a fresh fiesta! -service: if they were on the dark side i'd go over immdiately -overall: think of it as a party in your tummy with totally awesome service. should you go there? um hell yeah.
(5)
Shuan L.
In the 2.5 years I have been living near Boston, my bf and I have vowed to try different restaurants in Chinatown. But nearly every time, we cave and end up at Shabu Zen instead. It's just so good. We usually share the Meat Combo and Seafood Supreme, which gives us a wide variety of things to eat. The side of vegetables that comes with each entree is a good size -- enough to make you full, but not so much that you need to be wheeled out of the restaurant. On occasion, we'll also order some assorted tofu (my bf is a big fan of the frozen tofu, which has an interesting texture) or assorted mushrooms. Their smoothies are also excellent. They're served in very tall skinny glasses which can be awkward to drink from, but a little thing like that will not stand between me and a smoothie. I recommend the watermelon and green tea flavors. Now I'm getting thirsty just writing about them. Damn. The place tends to fill up around 7pm or so on weekend nights, particularly in the winter. Sometimes the wait can be around an hour long. They don't take reservations, so if you don't want to wait, get there before the dinner rush starts.
(4)
R.G. W.
Ah, the great debate: Shabu-Zen vs. Kaze Shabu vs. the-lesser-known Shabu Village! I suppose what it all "boils down to" (ha!) is what you're looking for in terms of atmosphere and included veggies/tofu. All three places have equivalent offerings, in terms of broths, quality of meats, service staff, prices, and restaurant cleanliness. Shabu-Zen offers a bustling, bistro-like atmosphere, whereas Kaze Shabu tends to be a bit more intimate (high-backed booths, upstairs/downstairs seating areas). I personally like Shabu Zen over the other two places because their default service includes some basic tofus, tofu skin, and fishcakes with the veggies & enoki mushrooms, and everyone automatically gets cold azuki bean soup for dessert. (In order to get the tofus & enoki 'shrooms at the other two places, you have to order them separately). "Zen" doesn't have the 'home-made fish paste noodle' that Kaze has, but it does have some nice assorted meatballs. I like Shabu Zen's extra spicy Korean broth, but the standard broth is good too. Another great thing about 'Zen is that they'll seat you right up until 11pm (weekdays), if you're running late for dinner...
(5)
Hans M.
It's good, don't get me wrong. With 1 draw back tho --- It's damn expensive. Not because the food isn't good, but for how much I pay, we got better Shabu in town, no need to "Zen"...besides, since when we get a parking spot near Chinatown.
(4)
Mike G.
3.5 stars not the best shabu place ever. but i really enjoyed the prime ribeye & veg selection(tomato??). plus i can put my 'extensive' cooking skills to practice. and yes to slurping all that broth after. t-a-s-t-y!
(3)
Tristan S.
I ordered the beef & chicken combo plate. It came with a healthy amount of both, as well as a veggie plate and udon noodles for a side. We were offered four garnishes for our soy sauce, which I dumped in together. The beef was incredible. Tender, quickly cooked, and delicious. The chicken was slightly less impressive, but still good. All the veggies were fresh and did nicely when cooked. The atmosphere is great - you sit at long bars, which arent cramped but promote a fun atmosphere to do your cooking and eating in. Service was quick and friendly - the price could've been a bit better, but on the whole, a great time. My vegetarian girlfriend had the pure veggie plate which was pretty overwhelming, but full of good stuff. Recommended to *anyone*
(4)
Sarah S.
I am a true fan of Shabu Zen in Chinatown, Boston. The hot pots here are fabulous and will not leave you disappointed. Also, I really like the layout/design of the restaurant overall. The bar style is very cool in the middle of the restaurant and they also have normal tables as well. There is also the typical bar there. Another plus about this place is the awesome smoothies they have- they are great. The service overall is pretty good, waiters are friendly and take your orders fairly quickly. If you haven't been here yet, stop by Chinatown and try out Shabu Zen for yourself.
(4)
Mike L.
Food was really fresh and filling. Good atmosphere and spicy soup base was awesome
(5)
Benjamin S.
Fantastic hot pot, wonderful service. We were seated instantly at seven on a Saturday night and spent the next hour and a half slurping through the vegetarian plate and a lamb-and-beef combo, leaving waterlogged and thoroughly delightful. The gregarious waiter was attentive and kind, our barley tea and soups were never anything less than full, and the vegetarian plate was filled with a slew of creative morsels: taro balls, frozen tofu, enoki strands, etc. A brief word to mitigate the rather unfortunate slew of comments bemoaning their empty bellies: if you need a slab of meat in order to feel full, there is no dearth of burger joints throughout the greater Boston area. Chill out and try some taro balls, dudes.
(5)
Jen Y.
OH my effin god. this is my new favorite asian splurge place. I had to work late and I had plans to meet with some of my old co-workers from my last job and they suggested this place....i was tired, crabby, irritated and cold that I had to drag my ass all the way to chinatown..PLUS i was freakin' starving so I wanted something dead and greasy in front of me so hot soup in a pot was not my idea of a meal. as soon as i walked in I changed my mind...i was freakin' ravaged with hunger so I ordered first the veggie plate because raw meat freaks me out. Everyone around me got loads of meat and I felt left out so I made the waiter come back and add chicken to mines....OMG we got half kimchee broth and half regular broth and it was the best meal i've had in freakin' MONTHS. The chicken was thinly sliced and not gross raw so the minute u threw it in the boiling water it cooked right away...i was obsessed with the fish "bbq" paste thing and I wasn't satisfied that there was one lil dish for 4 people, so I made the waiter (who was flirting with me) get me MORE...I wolfed that sucker down! the veggies were good too...some japanese white mushroom thing that was really yummy...I also got a side of seaweed salad...and u get free dessert in the end. the prices are decent...for 4 people the bill came out to be able 65 bucks...if you want to add side dishes it ranges anywhere from 2-10 bucks////it was totally fun and a cool experience. I asked the waiter if he would wrap my fish paste as a joke.. he responded "why, anything for u" that's freakin' customer service right THERE!
(5)
Amie L.
If you like BUGS IN YOUR HOT POT and been overcharged on your bill....please go here. First of all, I waited over an hour for a table for 7 even though the hostess kept on saying in a few minutes. Everything was good until one of my party member discovered some bugs in his bowl. Then another member of my party checked hers and sure enough, there were bugs in her bowl as well. When we talked to the waiter, he took one of the bowl and go talked to another lady. She then came over and offered ONLY a 10% discount off of our meal OR one free mochi for everyone (which was suppose to be free with the dinner meal anyways). She didn't apologize and TOLD US TO CHECK THE WATERCRESS OURSELVES the next time IF we come back and that sometimes washing doesn't always get rid of the bugs..... ummm....can anyone said HEALTH VIOLATION?? Also, there was NO manager and they couldn't contact him. After arguing for 20 minutes, they gave us our check and overcharged us, even AFTER they took off the 2 meals that had bugs in it. Instead of charging us 4 meals, they charged us 5 meals and charged us for extra things on two meals even though we didn't order it. AND MIGHT I MENTION, they DIDN'T EVEN APOLOGIZE....
(1)
Nicky N.
This is not a review of the food, more so of this location of Shabu Zen. I love shabu, but I am entirely unsure why this location has one whole star higher than the Allston location. The food, portions, prices, etc are exactly the same. I've been to the Allston location probably 20 times with no incidents. I come to the Chinatown location once, and...dun dun dun... As a party of 7, we crowded into a booth and the 7th person had to sit on the end. Partly into our meal, the hostess who thought she was hot stuff comes to take the 7th person's chair to use as a 'doorstopper' to hold up the decorative paper folding wall! She insisted that my friend squeeze in to one side of the booth (despite it being evident that there was no space). Needless to say, we refused and suggested that they use one of the five baby high chairs sitting around instead. The hostess gave a displeased look and hustled off. Shortly afterwards, our waitress knocked over a hot, full cup of tea DIRECTLY onto my other friend's lap. She brought over napkins, but my friend had to sit through the rest of the meal with soaked jeans then go outside into the 20 degree night with no retribution from the wait staff or management. Lastly, we were overcharged on our bill. The guy said it would be complicated to remove the charge and instead gave us "free" mochi to "make up" for the mistake. Ridic!
(2)
Aboud Y.
Thumbs up from me. Everything was good and the service was great.
(3)
J B.
This place is top notch fantastic. The waitresses are always super nice and understanding of vegetarianism (offering vegetarian bbq sauce and vegetarian broth). The food is excellent and even the veg plate is super filling.
(5)
sally b.
Wow, so good and great prices. Agreed with the other reviews of long wait time, get there early. My first time I made a huge mess, but they seem used to this and only laughed at me a little bit. Don't be afraid to have your waiter explain the process of making/eating. The lamb is incredibly delicious, and the sashimi is so fresh. Highly recommended.
(5)
Kim N.
Ah, Shabu Zen... When I first moved to Boston, this was one of the first places I went to. I complain a lot about Asian food being sub-par in Boston, but actually, they get shabu shabu really well. The food is fresh, they have tasty broths and side dishes, and I love that you have the option of rice OR udon noodles (as I tend to lean more towards noodles). For apps, I always get the gyoza and the beef tongue, and for meats, I usually go for the lamb. I've had the other special broths before, but my fave is the original. This place gets -1 star because it's always packed and I hate waiting, and also they once accidentally spilled hot tea on my friend's hand and did not apologize. Allston locale gets 5 stars because we've never had to wait and no one has spilled tea yet. :)
(4)
Mark W.
Great flavors though this food experience. The best is when you eat the corn that's been simmering in the flavored filled broth for 30 plus minutes.
(4)
Elaine H.
I am a regular visitor of Shabu-Zen. Being raised in Taiwan, shabu is always something I miss from home and I am so glad to have Shabu-Zen around although it is not exactly the same from back home. I usually order their short rib (A3!!) and always pair it with sesame sauce or raw egg yolk. Occasionally I would order the vege platter when I feel like being healthy. Shabu is definitely a healthy way of eating because everything is boiled and not artificially processed. Also order sauteed beef tongue and baby clams for appetizers! They also have a wide variety of smoothies and are all very tasteful. Staff are attentive and I always leave the restaurant incredibly full and satisfied. Highly recommend for those who have never had shabu!
(4)
Jackie C.
For most people, this is the place to go when craving shabu shabu. The shabu isn't bad but its a tad bit overpriced and the service leaves a lot to be desired sometimes. This place is pretty small, so it gets stuffy, and the wait sometimes can't be a headache.
(3)
Julie C.
Shabu zen is one of my favorite places in C-town. I use to like it more when they first opened and there wasn't a wait. Ask for the sesame sauce, they don't give it to you unless you ask and your experience there will be so much better. This sauce is great. I tried to make it at home, but failed miserably. I recommend going during the weekday lunch hours. The food is the same, but $5 dollars less and not as busy. One peeve I have is that they started having a minimum for people who want to sit at the table. I went with one other person and asked for a table when it wasn't busy, and they told me we had to eat at least $75 worth. Can they really do that? Anyway, try the watermelon smoothy. YUM!
(4)
Thomas H.
What an experience! I had never eaten shabu-shabu so my server took some time to explain the entire process. It was a lot of fun and the food was delicious. Highly recommended!
(4)
Eileen D.
Very good hot pot restaurant. I gave it 4 stars because the menu is slight limited. After coming 10 times, you figure out which stock base you like and don't like. I like the regular chicken stock base. You basically cook your meats and vegetable in a pot with stock at the table. Meats and vegetables are then dipped in a soy sauce dipping sauce you can customize. I like mine with garlic and scallions. I use a bit of satay paste on the meat after dipping before I enjoy the food with rice. Get the regular beef (cost less) instead of the prime rib beef. I have ordered both and by the time you cook it and put the sauces on, you really can't tell the difference. Meats are cut into thin strips. Other recommended meat choices: Pork and Fish Paste Don't forget to enjoy the broth after cooking some meat and vegetables in the broth!
(4)
M Z.
Taste is good. I like to go lunch time. good price and good service.
(5)
Andre C.
The best palce for hotpot/shabu-shabu in Boston, period. The meat is very fresh, and the mixture of dipping sauces and soup is also excellent. The only grudge I have against Shabu Zen is the sometimes erratic service, and a menu that I find overpriced. Then again, they don't really have any competition so there is no need to lower the prices.
(4)
Steve L.
This is the best shabu shabu place I've been to. I'm from CA so I've gone to numerous shabu places in CA and this beats them all. The service is better than most. The portions are fairly priced with good quality meats. The soups are delicious. Although the New England area may be famous for other cuisines, this is a must visit, especially on a cold snowy night during the winter. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!
(5)
stacey l.
Love this place. It is great for lunch time. You can get in and out in 20 minutes if you know what you want ahead of time. i love the spicy Chinese broth (beware of the beef bone in there if you can't have beef). Hard to swing this place if you have a large group. Prepare to wait for a table.
(4)
Pete S.
Oh my god. Went for lunch and want to go back for dinner. Why did I wait so long? I've never done this shabu-shabu before. Let me just say, I will now eat all my meals in this fashion. Cereal? Cooked in boiling milk at the table. Pizza? Only dipped in boiling tomato sauce. Crackers in boiling jam, tuna in boiling mayonnaise, etc. The food is spicy, simple, fresh, and delicious. The sauces are light and flavorful. The price is right and the portions huge. If you like pho, this is like making your own just the way you like it, right at the table. Wow. What a great, great meal this was, and as someone who prefers cooking things myself, it was so much fun, too. ...Ice cream in boiling fudge, potato chips in boiling onion dip, salad in boiling dressing, soup in boiling... well, you get the point.
(5)
Justin G.
Shabu-Zen is great for a change of pace. It can be a little intimidating if you haven't had Shabu-Shabu type food before, but don't worry... you can watch all the pro's around you due to the uniquely shaped hot-pot bar and you will be a Shabu pro in no time at all! I am not a huge fan of their broth as it tastes a bit bland, cooking the meat first with the supplied spices will help with this. They have a great selection of meats and seafood that are all high quality and fresh. The wait staff is attentive and eager to answer questions. This is a great place to go during the week and it tends to get more crowded during the weekend.
(4)
Elaine C.
Is there any other place for decent Hot Pot in Boston? The answer explains why Shabu Zen can charge the amount that they do and refuse to take reservations. The menu selection is somewhat limited (not enough fish/meat balls, intestines, stomaches, and pigs blood!!) and the portions are smaller than what I'm used to, especially the non-meat items. However, hot pot is all about the atmosphere, and I will grudgingly admit that the clean and brightly lighted decor of the restaurant, the aromatic smell of fresh cooked food, and the excited chatter of voices make for a great time with friends and family. Overall, this place is pretty good.... for Boston. Also... make sure you check out the list of "daily vegetables" written on the back wall. It includes delicious items not listed on the menu.
(3)
Po L.
Swish to your hearts content Hot Pot: *Boiling broth of your choice in front. *Plate of Veggies and thinly shaved raw beef (quality up to you) I prefer prime. *Throw the veggies in, grab the beef, but don't let GO and swish. It cooks quick cause it's so thin. *Dip beef in soy sauce, Korean BBQ, chillies and garlic and enjoy in your rice or udon. *Repeat Be advised you will end up smelling like your food when you go. The wait is long so get their early or make a reservation. Be sure to try the mango smoothie. They do validate parking in the Beach St. garage, but only during dinner time (chk the times). There are other places that offer hot pot, but this is one of the few that specialize in it. Say hi in Italian to Chef Chui in the kitchen. Recommend - Yes
(4)
christina c.
Oh I am a fan too!! I use to live down the street and wish I went more. I always get the Vegetarian Delight For healthy people, no meat, no meat! - $11.95. Super yummy with the spicy broth, and I love Spice!! The watermelon drinks are the best way to cool your mouth after a spicy meal too. Only bad thing is there can be a line and not a lot of waiting space so be prepared. Also I lost my ID once outside and a nice server from the restaurant found me on facebook and returned it! Extra star for that.
(5)
Jen J.
My favorite hot pot spot. It may not seem like you get a lot of food at first because the meat is sliced so thin, but you will definitely leave with a full belly. I usually go for a meat combo while my friend gets the seafood platter and we share it all. If you sit at the counter, you get your own hot pot versus the communal ones. Your order comes with a choice of rice, vermicelli, or udon noodles, plate of veggies, and condiments served in little dishes (soy sauce, scallions, garlic, pepper, and bbq sauce). You can use the spices as a marinade to put your meat in before cooking, or as a dipping sauce for after the meat is cooked. Don't use it as a dipping sauce after you've put raw meat in it though! For an additional cost, you can also add some extra flavor to your broth. My choice is Tom Yum while my friend gets Kimchi. Time will fly by as you are "swishing", so plan for a long lunch. Don't forget to order a shake, too! Very clean, open, and modern looking. Friendly service.
(5)
Yb W.
Since I wrote my last review, I have been frequenting Shabu-Zen on a weekly basis (and sometimes biweekly)--and I am still loving it. Kim chee broth is the way to go. I also highly recommend adding an order of their fish paste. And the watermelon smoothie is to die for:)!!
(5)
Susan D.
I ate at their bar counter with my hubby. We shared two different broth flavors; tom yum & miso. The seafood platter was a nice mix of fresh pieces. The same with the beefy plate. It was my first time trying it, so I didn't know what to do with all the garlic, chilis, and hoisin sauce or how to eat the noodles (with or without the broth). We just winged it and it came out nicely. At times I was a little concerned about overcooking or undercooking something, especially when you discover something in the bottom of the pot at the end. However, it is those findings that make for an interesting meal.
(3)
Emily M.
Had my first shabu shabu experience at Shabu Zen this past Tuesday night. It deserves 4 stars if only for its ability to satisfy not only me, essentially a low fat vegan, but also my father, a meat and potatoes, quantity over quality, kind of guy. He raved for days! They give you a ridiculous amount of food for the price. I thought the vegetarian version might end up being a little skimpier-but i was wrong! But even though you're stuffed you don't feel that bad bc the cooking technique keeps it so healthy! The server was great and more than happy to explain the ins and outs of shabu-ing to us newbies. Perhaps a bit too eager, as he essentially cooked my sister's entire plate for her. She didn't love that. I HIGHLY recommend paying the extra 3 bucks and getting a flavored broth. We got the Tom Yum broth on our server's recommendation and it was DELISH! I never even bothered with the plain broth! Only cons--it's pretty messy. There were a few broth splashing incidents as food slipped from between the chopsticks. Also, after the meal was over we sat back, loosened our belts, and realized we'd hardly said a word to each other throughout the entire meal, besides "Hey, that's my mushroom!" and "Move your bok choy, I can't reach my tofu!" So a first date might be tricky. I think if you sat at the bar with the individual pots you could do it though. Finally, you work up a bit of a sweat with all the steam--not the greatest in the summer. I can definitely understand why it's typically a winter meal and why Shabu Zen is beyond packed during those months. Overall, a great, unusual time and the only time I considered my dining experience to be a workout! Also, the black bean soup dessert is so crazy--but really good!
(4)
An-Chian K.
This place is totally awesome! It's clean and well-lit, the food is delicious, the portions are large and the servers are very nice. It's hard to go wrong! I've had Shabu Shabu in many other countries (including Japan) and these guys hold their own.
(5)
Joyce K.
I always have an excellent, dirt-cheap meal at Shabu-zen. I love the all-inclusiveness of their meal options. My friend loves the Finest USDA Prime Rib Eye of Beef ($18.95) which is kind of pricey relative to other options on their menu which is why I opt for the seafood platter ($11.95). I don't like fish cakes so I just get more of everything else and I eat the white fish and salmon raw...it's like huge chunks of chewy, fleshy, glorious sashimi. Could I get food poisoning from doing this? I don't know but it's ridic because I just eat the fish as my "appetizer" while I'm happily stewing my veggies and then cook the squid and scallops, etc. AWESOME DEAL!!! The waitresses can only be described as adorably cute. They fill your cup with green tea as soon as you're seated and help you select the best smoothies and platters. They don't seem to care that you made a HUGE mess (and you will). After clearing off our mess of noodles, sauce, and bits of veggies, our waitress made the following astute observation, "You really enjoyed your meal"...and we did.
(5)
Anthony L.
went here for lunch, good tasty food, but i was not full at all and didn't want to spend more money
(3)
Tiffany D.
It's good, but overrated/priced a bit. It's sooo crowded, but very clean and good. You can go to other places NOT in Chinatown for delicious, fresh and plentiful - with more choices - Shabu/HotPot.. BUTTT I still really like the place. A1!!! And Enoki mushrooms for me. With some baby clams and sauteed cow tongue for sides!!! I like the spicy soup too!!! OH and be sure to try one of their fruit shakes, really yummie!! Now bring on the SAKE~ (make sure it's COLD sake, makes no sense to eat hot hot shabu with HOT sake! But then a nice COLD BEER is best!)
(4)
Maritza M.
Yummy Yummy! Tip: call ahead to put your name on the list...that way you won't have to wait FOREVER to get a table.
(4)
Leon T.
I'm really amazed that this place gets such raving reviews from everyone else. Don't get me wrong, this place is great, but it's not all that special. I'm probably saying this with bias because I'm so use to having it at home with my family constantly. What does make this place stand out from other shabu places is the great service. The waitresses are always attentive and very polite. However the prices are pretty steep whenever I go with a group. You can get it all for less if you're willing to sacrifice down the street at Kaze.
(3)
Jen B.
I really love this place. I keep going back and somehow I still haven't written a review. The waiter was very prompt which I appreciate, especially given how packed this place is every time I go. Its a pretty good deal and I always leave feeling full but not stuffed, which I take as a good thing. Also, try the mushroom plate, its really fantastic. I've eaten at the counter and at a table and I definitely prefer the tables. So far I've been about five times and have yet to have a bad experience.
(5)
Chin C.
Well this restaurant was one of my favorite. I love the meat and the hot pot. I often went there after a long night party. Anyway last time when I went there something changed. Where was my friendly waitress? My friend ordered a sauteed beef tongue, but our waitress brought us a raw one. We told her and guess what, she said next time we have to tell her that we want the sauteed one not the raw one. OK lost in translation can happen, but the way she talked and looked at us was not something we were expected. In short, food is still great but service is below where it used to be. I think may be my waitress just had a bad day.
(3)
Ashley S.
Today was my first hot pot experience and it was GREAT! I was really intimidated at first about not knowing how to order and eat the shabu shabu, but we told the waiter it was our first time and he was very helpful. I got the seafood platter and it was delicious. I think my favorite part was drinking the yummy broth at the very end. I'll be back, next time with more confidence!
(5)
Eddy C.
My girlfriend and I were in town for a wedding (we're from Chicago) so we decided to hit up Shabu Zen because we can't get any shabu shabu where we live (I still can't believe there isn't a single restaurant in Chicago that offers it. The first restaurant to come to their senses and start offering shabu shabu here would undoubtedly make a killing!). We were both very impressed and satisfied with our meals. My girlfriend got the Seafood Supreme and I got the Surf & Turf, both of which were priced at $16.95, which I thought was extremely reasonable all things considered. The portions are very generous and definitely enough to satiate even the most massive of hungers. The beef that I got was definitely of a good quality -- very tender with excellent marbling and lots of flavor. The seafood was all very fresh (I especially liked the cod) and the veggies and noodles complimented all the meat very well. The broth was both tasty yet not too overwhelming; you can also pay an extra $3 to have your broth flavored in one of four ways. You even get a small bowl of red bean soup for dessert, which was a nice touch. Service was excellent -- very attentive but not to the point of being obnoxious. Ambiance is lively yet laidback -- mostly younger folks with a smattering of parents out with their kids. We got there at 7 pm on a Saturday night and didn't have to wait but by the time we left at around 8:15 pm, there were people waiting to be seated so plan accordingly. All in all, it was a terrific meal and I would enthusiastically recommend Shabu Zen to both shabu shabu veterans and noobies alike!
(5)
Khalid S.
Like so many of my fellow Yelpers' reviews, this was my first Shabu experience, and I liked it a lot. For those of us who really enjoy food and don't just eat in order to fill their bellies, this is a must-go. Like I said I haven't been to any of the other hot pots places, maybe they're all this much fun. But they've definitely got at least a few things going for them including prompt service, cleanliness, helpful and friendly wait staff (very very cute waitresses), fresh food and overall environment. I had the supreme seafood platter with steamed rice. Honestly, going in, I didn't have the slightest of ideas that I'll be cooking my dinner myself, so I told my waitress that this is my first time and asked whether she could help me :) and she did. Overall, a very pleasant experience and surprisingly not that expensive either. A word of caution for my Muslim yelpers... please ask for vegetable or beef broth, cause pork broth is kinda like the default and if you don't ask, it's what you're going to get.
(4)
Priscila K.
I always want to bring people who are visiting me from out of town to this place. It's not just a meal, it's an experience! I am vegetarian and it's great for me and it's great for my carnivore friends too :-)
(5)
Kimmy P.
50 minute wait on a Friday at 7PM for 2 seats. MAKE RESERVATIONS BEFOREHAND! Things to know... -Come with a larger group, faster turn around for groups between 4-6 people. -Be prepared to use chopsticks. -Dessert with a meal combo does not include the mochi ice cream, but a tiny bowl of red bean soup. -The tofu is soo delicious (order this a la carte if you want more than 2 pieces with your meat combo) None of the above is meant to deter you. This place is AMAZING! Great for a first Shabu Shabu experience.
(5)
Serena L.
in trying to decide between a shabu place (kaze shabu was our other option as we were in chinatown), i decided to come here based on the yelp reviews. we were NOT disappointed! i love the U-shaped tables where you can have your own pot but bigger groups can sit at a table. the portions are pretty generous too. i ordered the surf and turf and only really ate the beef. it was difficult to determine if the seafood was fully cooked. the seafood portions were diverse; it came with scallops, salmon, cod, fishcake, and calamari. the veggies were also nicely portioned. the only thing i didn't like was the extra charge for a different type of broth; it was $3 extra. i got the chinese spicy and my husband got the korean kimchee. the chinese spicy was good but not too hot which was nice. the red bean dessert was very good. the servers were attentive. it definitely helped that i could understand and speak to them in chinese too! i'm definitely coming back for more!
(5)
Kip J.
Good, fresh meat & seafood. Good service. Portions seemed a bit small for the price. Unique dining experience. Gigantic u-shaped table where people sat on the outside and the servers worked on the inside. Got the USDA Prime beef and the seafood supreme as well as the red bean soup for dessert. Overall pretty good and a nice change of pace from many restaurants. Would go again, but not chomping at the bit to go there ASAP.
(4)
Korri Leigh C.
Went to Shabu Zen for my first "Shabu Shabu" experience and had a fabulous time. Thanks to my fellow yelpers' recommendations, I got the surf and turf which is a great deal....tons of meat and fish which you know has to be fresh since they serve it raw. Two huge plates of sliced tenderloin and cod, salmon, scallops, squid..not to mention the fresh veggies and noodles. Definitely check out Shabu Zen for a fun, ethnic, and cheap meal.
(5)
Jenny S.
This place has a warm social atmosphere, like a great den to hide in on a rainy fall day- it feels good to be in here. First off, the sashimi is so fresh and super cheap. I always get the prawns, beef and veggies with noodles. You make your own dipping sauce- I throw some garlic in my pot and make everything extra spicy with pepper flakes- but hey that's me- you can basically do whatever you want to do with your food here- palates open and the pot is your blank canvas. Everything is super fresh and cheap, I think if I was able to eat here once or twice a week, my life might feel that much more complete!
(5)
Ed Konagaya K.
Very good place to know what is "Shabu shabu", a Japanese food style!! I brought some of my friends from various countries there!! Every of them liked not only the taste of food but also its unique style of food (dipping sliced beef or pork in boiled water)!! Price is around $10~15 and definitely worth it!! One thing I do not like about the place is that the place is always very crowded, and sometimes we have to wait over an hour...
(4)
Christine R.
The most fun Christmas dinner I have had in a while!
(4)
Laurita M.
I met some out of town friends at Shabu-Zen for a leisurely lunch and boy was I pleased with my decision. They offer delicious hot pot japanese and while it may be a little expensive, it is well worth it. The staff is almost overly helpful, but I can't really complain because they have good advice and they're so cute and excited about helping you. They also are very flexible and willing to accomodate any special dietary needs or preferences. I would definitely reccomend getting the special broths for $3 extra. Totally worth it. We got the Tom Yum and it was great. We ordered the surf and turf combo plate and even though I usually try to stay away from red meat, the beef was divine. The meal was simple but tasty. We topped it off with mango smoothies with tapioca balls--a perfect ending to a delightful meal. I wouldn't go here if I wanted a quick lunch, but it's a great place to go to share a meal with friends. Plus the whole set up with the hot pot keeps you from completely inhaling the delicious food--instead it forces you to savor. Great for speedeaters like me!
(4)
Alan T.
One of my favorite restaurants in Boston. The atmosphere is dynamic and one of a kind. Makes eating that much better! What's the atmosphere like? well imagine that in the middle of the room there is a U shaped table. Customers can sit on the outer edge of the U and have their own hot pots. Then surrounding the U are booths/ tables where other customers can sit and have their own hotpot, family style or as individuals. Personally, I loved sitting at the edge of the U. The experience was so much better!
(4)
Eric W.
Hot pot, wherever it's served, is an event. The participation element is great for dates, and the ability to easily customize your dish is great fun. In the winter especially, it's warming and comforting. Please be slow, though, because otherwise you'll burn your mouth, esophagus, and everything else along the way. In comparison with Little Q, the Quincy equivalent, the broth is sub par and a bit plain, but the ingredients are among the best you'll find. My advice on the meats is to stay on the cheaper side, as a lot of the subtle elements of high quality meat will be lost in soup's complexity. Also, the dumplings are a must.
(5)
jenilee p.
you wanna see how cultured and f'ing exotic i am? i'll show you. off to shabu-zen we go, biatch. consider this statement as your special badass inner monologue when you suggest an alternative for your team's weekly obligatory deli run, and immediately get the raised eyebrow "what you talkin bout willis" look. even as they say "shabu to tha what?" you know. yes you do. a healthy meal, and a fun interactive "this is how we do it" will show the uninitiated just how nice a shabu shabu run can be during the cold of winter. you will lead them to fun in the middle of mid-week hell. oh yes you will, and that in itself will get you that promotion and prove how captain kickass you really are. maybe not. but just the same, i'm happy that there is a reliable standard shabu shabu joint readily available for my pleasure in the heart of chinatown. it's easy to convince people to come along, when it's a genuinely healthy meal, and each person can sit at the long bar and flop along with their individual simmering broth pots, assorted vegetables and meat of choice - occasionally people shy away at the "share your broth" technique of other shabu shabu restaurants. the broth which shabu-zen provides is not bad, not great, but gets the job done. wait staff is attentive, and prices are reasonable. i'm a sucker for their plate of vegetables, especially a nicely boiled piece of cabbage (don't laugh - with the sauce, that cabbage is filling and killer), and their meat combo plates will leave the soup tasting savory and guaranteed to warm you from the inside. i suggest first blocking off your calendar for the taking of a long lunch, and upon arrival of your veggie plate, start simmering the corn, carrot, and mushroom, as they'll take a bit of time. as soon as the meat arrives, take a five second swish of each thin slice into the broth, as you will add flavor to the liquid itself. mix your sauces liberally, with the provided onions and spices. at the end, don't be shy, take a sip or two of your soup concoction... it'll be delicious. and above all, if you've been to shabu before, and people you've brought along look a bit intimidated, take the plunge and show them how it's done. they'll enjoy the experience more. overall, i'm a fan of shabu-zen. not the best, but boy, what a great standby when you need something a little different.
(4)
Kestrel S.
So delicious! The service is lovely, the food is fresh and very tasty. It exceeded all our expectations.
(5)
Hamza H.
This place is a disappointment. It's like there's no proper management. They refused to seat me at 12:25 am on a Friday night when the posted time is 1:00 am When I asked, I was rudely told that they're not seating Anymore cause they're slow. Well In that case their website should also change according to the status of the restaurant. I wouldn't recommend this place due to their lack of customer service.
(1)
Kim B.
Parking all day across the street is $22 I am a visitor here so I don't know good places besides yelp and word of mouth. My cousins come here often and they brought me. I really liked it. I eat shabu shabu alot and my expectations are high. I got the mongolian spicy with pork and beef. the quantity was worth almost $9. and the soup was flavorful. I really liked it. The yellowtail carpaccio was ok. not as fresh as i had before. overall alchohol drinks were good and strong. Food was good and service was good. Although the people who made the drinks took forever which was weird since it wasn't that packed. I saw them talking more then they were making drinks. lol i'm not tryna be a hater its just dude make the drinks and when its slow talk later. people are thirsty! haha but service was great though besides that part. haha
(4)
Brenda B.
Meat cuts are low grade and stingy. At best, it is a quick and dirty, last minute lunch decision. Wouldn't recommend it really.
(2)
David H.
I loved hot pot so much better seven years ago when it was still relatively unknown to the masses. Never-the-less, this place is a great spot for hot pot. Don't fool yourself into thinking any other broth is better than the Tom Yum. Lemongrass splashing against your food, it's heavenly. Szechuan is another good broth as well.
(4)
Fifi W.
I am not a hotpot expert, but comparing to my hotpot experience in both Hong Kong and Taiwan, Shabu-Zen is absolutely on top 10. I got miso broth and pork and beef combination for my dinner. They will provide you a vegetable platter and your choice of a bowl of rice, vermicelli or udon. If you think that you cannot fill you stomach with 10 pieces of meat and a small plate veggie, you are wrong. They can fill up a huge portion of your stomach. The broth is delicious and all the meat and veggies are fresh. The waiters are so friendly and they are always happy to help.I will definitely visit again during my stay in Boston because Shabu-Zen gave me an unforgettable experience.
(4)
Juan A.
Very nice food.. excellent service. First time there and they explained me the system with paciente. I loved the food..
(5)
Katherine L.
LOVE THIS PLACE! My first time having hot pot. The waiter took his time with my friend and I to teach us how hot pot works. It was super super helpful. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE! The food was delicious and the employees are very attentive. Can't wait to go back! If you've never had hot pot definitely go!
(5)
Jason J.
All you need to know is that you should be ordering some variation of the Hot Pot here. Never, and I mean never, order the Gummy Bear martini. Just take my word for it. The enticing $7 price tag is not worth the tears. If Shabu-Zen were like a fantasy football team (fantasy foodball?), my roster would be stacked with with the likes of Vegetables, Sirloin Beef, and Pork. I'm not sure where I am going with this metaphor because I don't know anything about fantasy football. Regardless, get these things and be happy. Service is usually very friendly, though sometimes they can be a bit slow, especially with larger groups. Not a big deal, because this is more of a place to sit down and relax for a bit. The prices are very fair for the area as well. Yay.
(4)
Sarah K.
I came here with a friend since we were near Chinatown and wanted something to warm us up. My friend has been to this place several times, and wanted to take me. I ordered the spicy broth (forgot the name) and it was good. I think I ordered the rib-eye beef which was $19.99 per serving. The meat was very tender and delicious. I do think that it is more expensive than other hot pot places I'm used to in California, but that's a completely different region so it's probably not fair to make comparisons. They have a variety of items in their menu including sashimi, which is unlike other hot pot places. I haven't tried it, but it's nice that they offer it. I definitely look forward to trying this place out again!
I have been here many times in the past but service has worsened over time. On a Saturday afternoon the hostess refused to seat people despite a huge number of empty tables. Where is management when you need it.
(1)
M K.
They know how to do hot pot right! I think this is the best hot pot place in town. Price is very good too (around $12 per person if you get a regular meat option). I always get their watermelon slusy, it goes so well with the hot pot. The only thing about this place is that it's so small, so it's very likely that you have to wait for your table on weekends. Other than that, I love this place!
(4)
Allston O.
We were there last night. I was skeptical about their concept (i.e. cook your own food), but I really liked it. The meat is sliced to thin that it is cooked in a minute. I am mostly grateful to the bartender who ran after us for couple of blocks to give the movie ticket I dropped there (We were on our way to the movie theater). That was such a nice thing to do. Also, the place has a great ambiance. I would go there for a fun date. Definitely will go back.
(5)
A K.
My husband and I finally tried Shabu-Zen this past weekend after literally years of us meaning to go. When we walked in, we were immediately overcome with the aromas/steam/and noise. Though pretty darn loud, this place is great. In my opinion, you should be in an adventurous mood if you're going to go here. If you're dining as a party of two, I recommend just going for whatever seats they have open like the ones in the middle of the room at the counter. You get a really neat experience, you're able to still feel like it's just two of you, but you get to see what everyone else around you is eating, and interact. If you really are just too shy for that sort of thing, there are individual tables too. Onto the food - we ordered the meat combo plate and a seafood plate. Miso broth and mild kimchi broth. The meat/seafood, veggies...all fresh, tasted great. The broths were amazing. The dipping sauce was delicious - I got mine to be just right. We both ordered vermicilli noodle as our side (next time, I definitely want to try the ramen noodle). What I loved was having my own little hot pot right in front of me at the counter...my husband and I could share, but it was awesome having control over my own meal like that. I've been to other shabu restaurants and the feel of this one was definitely the best. Also, the wait staff is very, very friendly and helpful. Service is wonderful here. Definitely recommend this place! I would go here over other Shabu restaurants in Chinatown.
(4)
Brittany M.
Great hot pot!! Fresh food, good service. I usually get the Mongolian broth (a little spicy) with the seafood dish which is so good, you also get some fresh vegetables and rice or noodles. You really have to try this place specially if you have never been to a hot pot restaurant.
(5)
Mike B.
We have been here late night on Christmas Eve the last few years and have always had a great experience. She was the one who knew, I did not. Now I know and Like it a lot. Service has always been great, food quality is great, and the Christmas spirit is...well go somewhere else for Santa. A plus - sake shots - I am a convert!
(5)
Christina L.
Absolutely delicious! The meat and vegetables were all fresh and prepared very nicely. The broth was also amazing and probably some of the best I've had. The service was slow at first but still friendly and helpful. The entire restaurant was packed and when I left, the line was out the door so that should tell you how popular this place is.
(5)
Amanda P.
I've been coming here for years now!! The customer service is always lovely. I haven't found a hotpot place that can beat shabu-zen.
(5)
Linda T.
Laid back atmosphere and good seating area for small groups, big groups, or individual. Friendly staffs who are attentive enough without feeling like they're nagging you. Fresh meat, baby clams, and vegetables. Broths are good and reasonable prices. This is 1 out of 2 places I would go to for hot pot. However, no parking, as expected in Chinatown so if you're not from the area... have fun with public transportation or finding parking.
(4)
John L.
Right in the middle of Chinatown Boston, you wouldn't suspect such a great place! Walk up a flight of stairs and through double doors and you wouldn't think it would be this large of a restaurant. There is a large bar in the middle where you have your personal hot plate. The regular tables have a center hot plate large enough to hold a separated pot. If you are getting the typical hot pot meal (which is why you are here in the first place), it is worth it in Boston. You get to choose their deliciously sliced beef. Don't bother with the premium cut since it tastes the same and you're jjust paying more for nothing. Only gripe I have is the extra $2 for the "premium" soup base. Why does it cost $2 extra for spicey soup? Maybe $1 more...? I would rather get a side instead for the extra cost. Anyways, service is excellent. They quickly pick up empty plates and refill water when need be. Will definitely be back after a long day of skiing heading back south :)
(4)
Darren F.
Food- Wow, talk about doing one thing and doing it right. My first experience with hotpot cooking was not only delicious, but a total blast. Pick your broth,pick your meat and veggies and go to town. Broths are from mild to spicy, Mongolian or Thai style, or vegetarian. A vegetarian platter is available, but for the carnivores there's a bounty of meat. Beef, lamb, chicken, pork, seafood including prawns, clam, squid, salmon, cod, and scallops. You can mix and match mix different meat/veggie combos and each meal comes with udon or jasmine rice. It's all fantastic and fresh. There's a variety of salads,sashimis and desserts as well, Japanese and American beers and wine available. Price- Very reasonable prices and plenty of food that comes on each platter. One meat platters are around 11 bucks and the combos around 17. The top grade beef is 20 bucks. Service- You're doing the cooking yourself, so no complaints about how the food is done. The waitstaff is quick to check in and very friendly. Atmosphere- It's clean inside and out and located in the heart of Chinatown. A must do if you're here for the first time. This could easily move up to 5 star territory if it's the same awesome experience the next time around. I'll surely be back.
(4)
Alee G.
I've rediscovered my love for hot pot! When a good friend of mine decided to surprise me by showing up at my job last friday evening, I made the suggestion that we go to Shabu Zen for dinner. I've had hot pot before, but it had been a while. Upon our arrival to the restaurant, we were seated immediately. Perfection! I'm not one for long waits. After glancing over different menu options, we ordered. The server was timely and polite. I ordered the beef and lamb with Udon, and my friend ordered the beef with Udon. I love the interactive aspect of hot pot, and how you cook everything yourself right in front of you! The sauces and seasonings they provide are tasty (BBQ sauce, garlic, soy, chili and scallions) and the vegetables are fresh (bok choy. tomato, tofu, etc...). I had a hard time scooping the noodles out after warming them up in the broth, but boy were they delicious! I wish they had of given me a bigger helping :-). I also ordered a strawberry smoothie. That too, like everything, was fantastic. Honestly, I really have nothing bad to say about this place. You should definitely check this place out. The prices are very reasonable, the food is excellent, and the experience is unforgettable!
(5)
JJ J.
Great service and atmosphere. Both management and staff are very friendly and efficient. The soup base is really good as well. The portion however leaves a lot to be desired. Echoing one reviewer below, both the amount of meat and veggies is little for the money. After spending $25 per person for three people I still left hungry.
(3)
Madelyn Y.
I have tried many many hot-pot restaurants, but for some reason I always crave and want Shabu-Zen. Maybe its the broth or maybe its the meat. Their quality of their food is great and the price is affordable. I love the Szechuan broth base with the regular orders of prime beef rib, seafood supreme, with 2 orders of oysters. Their oysters are large enough and worth it. We have been trying the beef tongue with a squeeze of lemon and tobacco and it tastes great!
(5)
Lisa B.
SO this was one of my visit's this weekend... The meal in it's self is pretty traditional Japanese style dining. The food was ok (since you cook it yourself.. to rule out food poisoning) .. My ranking is low however,more for the lack of cleanliness! It is an issue... we sat at the bar where you can see everything... I was sitting right across from the fridge, filled with sliced rotten avocado's all night...and rice bags and dirty dishes piled on the floor... There is definitely a limited bar selection... so if your looking for a nice fruity drink... think again.. I will cross this place of my list...
(1)
Michael A.
I walked into Shabu-Zen with a hot-pot craving friend of mine having only a vague idea what to expect (my first time trying this cuisine). I have to admit, the ambiance was fun but I wasn't too impressed with the overall experience I had. To the credit of the restaurant, it's not their fault, it has to do about your pallet. In fact I think this style of business is smart because they let "you" cook your own food and screw it up on your own... yet still get paid for it ;) Let me put this in perspective... and yes this will be more of a zen filled philosophical post than my typical restaurant reviews which targets the experience, not the restaurant (they were very kind and helpful throughout dinner). The idea of a hot-pot meal sounded great to me since I'm extremely fond of pho (Vietnamese noodle soup that kicks lots of flavor). Having pho in mind I had at least some idea of what to expect. But you know what the problem was for me? I had to work too hard at my meal and for the lack of flavor in every bite I just don't see how it was worth it. Again, it's fun while you get to experiment cooking your slivers of meat (that curl up into nothingness) while pulling out your soggy veggies because you let them boil for too long. But I remember leaving hungry... oh well. I'm still glad I tried it and I "might" try it again sometime after I finish the "How to Shabu for Dummies" cook book.
(3)
Alexis S.
If you like to play with your food, or if you like your food prepared a certain way, then this is the restaurant for you. I've never had HOT POT before, after this experience, I'm a fan.
(4)
Frank S.
I owe it to this place to write a fantastic review. After almost every midterm and final and a lot of dark frustrating study nights in between, Shabu-Zen has helped me erase those memories with loving food and alcohol. I am absolutely certain I have not spent less than $60 every time I've visited. You're welcome. I have to compare them to Kaze, since my buddies love Kaze more. I like Shabu-Zen's beef better (more flavourful), soup (I HATE tom-yum soup, thank you for not offering it), and they have sesame sauce (if you ask) to go with your ponzu. Also the waitresses here girls here are prettier. They also encourage Sake Bombs as evidenced by their posters advertising them. And they've certainly upgraded their cups. My last trip up here, I slammed the table for the sake bomb so hard the glass broke, releasing hot sake and cold beer over my gal-pal's leg. Sorry. Let's recap. Good food, pretty waitresses, and sake bombs. Cons? It's pretty pricey. But hey, that's Boston for you.
(5)
Hayley Y.
I wish I could give this place more than five stars! It is the first Japanese hot pot I have ever been to, and my dad and I stumbled upon it by complete accident. We then ate there three times in four days! We're from out of town and had to get as much of it as we could. The atmosphere is great, the food is delicious, the hot pot makes it fun! I HIGHLY recommend this restaurant if you're ever in Chinatown, and if you're not, I recommend making a special trip there!
(5)
Emily Z.
A bunch of friends have been asking me my favorite Asian restaurants in Boston for a while. Until recently, I wasn't able to give them much of an answer. Shabu-Zen has to be in my top 3. I wandered here on a second date to try something new. Even on a Tuesday night, the place is packed. We were seated at a table at their bar area by the kitchen. It was a high traffic area which I normally don't like. In this case was an excellent area to spy on everyone and learn the tricks of this meal. The menu is pretty easy to understand, you pick a meat plate, a broth and noodles or rice. When you receive your meal, you also get a veggie platter, which looks like a piece of art itself. Once you get your food, the decision making really begins, since you practically have to make your meal. In hindsight, it's maybe not the best place to go on a date if you don't have a sense of humor or can't live in the moment because it is a rather messy meal. One thing to note is that the waitress wasn't particularly helpful as she didn't suggest different broth flavors we could try or recommend other things to try. Their sushi is to die for however and a must try, extremely cheap and inexpensive.
(4)
Evan J.
It's quite fun cooking your own food in the pot! The Thai Tom Yum broth is spicy and delicious. They gave a pretty wide array of vegetables and tofu samples to be cooked in the pot - I recommend specifying which kinds you want, as I didn't eat half of what they gave me. Also, the tomatoes didn't look particularly fresh. Good for a little adventure, though I've heard their Allston location is better.
(3)
Omi H.
I LOVE Shabu Zen! Definitely the best hot pot around! The location in Allston is just as good and larger. The dipping soy sauce is the best part of the meal, sooo good, I'm still trying to figure out what exactly is in it. If you like watermelon, you HAVE to try the watermelon shake, I order it every single time. I've also gone there and ordered the watermelon shake to go as well. This is probably my favorite restaurant in all of Boston; I could eat here every night. I have definitely eaten here 3 times within a week before, and loved each time. I didn't really like it when they took the corn off the regular veggie dishes and you had to order it as a side. Also, I always use a ton of hot peppers in my dipping sauce, and one time I was there with a group of people and and when I asked for extra, the waitress said that her manager doesn't like them giving out more than what they originally serve. But she eventually gave me more. I actually don't like their new meatballs either, there's some other type of meat or something inside them. But now I just order the mushroom balls instead. But even with these changes, I still love the place! mmmm, now I want to go!
(5)
Jessica D.
Shabu Zen is great if you want to try something different. It's a fun and interactive meal. If you've ever been to The Melting Pot, and think that you have had hot pot... I hate to break it to you, but you have not. This place is reasonably priced and delicious. This food makes you feel good. You will be lighter on your feet after this meal. I love this place in the winter. I've tried the kimchi, spicy Chinese, plain, and the Thai Tom Yum broths and have never been disappointed. If you want to go the seafood route, its always fresh so no need to worry. I usually get the chicken and beef combo and I have never felt the need to upgrade my meat (no pun intended). It's a little difficult to figure out how to eat here on your first visit. But don't worry, there are no rules. In fact, slurping is not only accepted, but encouraged.
(4)
Christian P.
I'm truly shocked that I enjoy a restaurant so much that essentially asks you to pay good American money to make your own soup, but I do. First of all, I don't intend to scour the city for gourmet mushrooms and obscure Asian vegetables. I'm very, very lazy. Nor do I have the skill or patience to slice fresh meats paper thin or create my own complex broths. These tasks are best left to professional meat-slicers and broth-makers such as you will find here. For the first-timer to shabu-shabu, it may seem like a violent train wreck trying to feed yourself, but once you get the hang of things, it's incredible. The trick is figuring out how long each ingredient takes to cook in the boiling broth. Once you do, you're golden, Ponyboy. I've tried the beef, chicken and seafood combos and enjoy them all. Side note: I'd punch my mother in the gut for one of their watermelon smoothies. It can get crowded early and Chinatown generally smells like mystery farts- but other than that, I have nothing but good things to say about this place.
(4)
Jimmy L.
My family and I had a good time eating here. The waitress was attentive, friendly and helpful. The food and concept was really simple and delicious. Although they don't have more choices of sauces, it's good enough. We had the Chinese Herbal and Thai Tom Yum broths. Both excellent. Beef Short Ribs and different variations of fishballs and Of course veggies. all good. I am not a fan of the hostesses working there, we waited a long time when there were plenty of open tables available (not bar seats). Her reasoning was because they seated a larger party meanwhile we only had 5 people. My personal tip for her is that if you have no rsvps, no one else waiting and it's getting close to closing time, then maybe you should just seat the party that's been waiting for 40 minutes especially when you told them its only a 15 minute wait. Nevertheless, I'm giving 5 stars because I'm thinking that the long wait was an anomaly.
(5)
Andrew S.
Shabu Zen is always a treat. Parking can be difficult, but there is a parking lot across street if needed. I like the standard broth, but kimchee broth and spicy Chinese broth are available for a small up charge. The "vegetarian" is delicious with a tonnage of vegetables. The seafood, seafood deluxe, steak, pork, lamb and various combinations are all good. When I am super hungry I order the seafood deluxe. We always ask for the sesame paste which adds to the flavor, this is mixed with the Chinese barbecue sauce, garlic, hot peppers, soy and scallions. The sesame sauce is mandatory. It is bit of work cooking your own veggies and food, but this is a lot of fun too. The service is usually very efficient and pleasant. The main seating at the semi-circle is preferred. We order the Odon noodles with the soups.
(5)
Jenn S.
First time eating hot pot and it was so fantastic. I almost feel bad for any other hot pot venues I visit in the future because this set a high bar. The waiter was nice and explained how it "works" and the entire menu to us, which was very helpful. There was a vegetarian delight option and also many customizable vegetarian options, which is rare to find in Chinatowns. When the food was delivered we thought we weren't going to be able to finish it, but it was the perfect serving size - we both left very contently full. Cheap, delicious, and good service - I couldn't ask for anything better.
(5)
Kris B.
Inexpensive quality hotpot with delicious spicy beef broth. Go for the lamb, seafood, and tongue if you feel adventurous.
(4)
Daniel G.
Good food and friendly service, probably be coming back when I visit Boston. Nice place where you cook a soup at your table and add ones choice of veggies and meat.
(4)
Niki M.
My first time here and my first hot pot experience! They were super helpful and patient with me, taking the time to explain the process and the menu options. The food was fantastic!! I highly recommend this place for the yummy food and wonderful, kind, knowledgable and friendly staff!!
(5)
Vy V.
What can I say about Shabu-Zen except the fact that I love you. I facking love you! Shabu is my go to spot. I could eat it all day, everyday if possible! I've actually gone twice in a day before. Anywho! I've come here since they opened in 2002 or whenever it was and I keep on coming back. Before the Allston location opened the lines were ridiculous but nothing would stop me from waiting and getting my Shabu fix. Everyone would wait and it was always worth it. I don't even need to read the menus anymore when I go, it's ingrained in my brain. Their meats, seafood and veggies are fresh. Their broths are extremely flavorful - my favorites are the kim chi and tum yum. I'm a big condiments girl so whenever I'm at Shabu I have to have my soy sauce with lots and lots of sate barbecue sauce, peppers and cilantro, my sesame sauce and my sukiyaki sauce. Try the fish paste, sauteed beef tongue and tuna carpaccio. You won't be disappointed. Order anything actually. You'll love it all. Guaranteed! Best shabu shabu in all the land and I've tried a lot. I take all my friends here when they come to visit and they fall in love. I think everything is laced with crack. That must be it. Don't forget the red bean soup at the end! It's definitely the cherry on top of the delicious shabu cake.
I love me some shabu - especially in the winter when it's cold, snowy or rainy. I love the broth - kimchee or tomyum. The meat are cut perfectly. The veggies they provider me is more than enough. The sauce is addictive. The list goes on. Come hungry, leave happy! p.s. they usually give you some red bean pudding/dessert at the end and that's also very good!
(4)
Mike J.
This was a go to spot when I lived in Boston and miss it a lot! Highly recommend! :)
(5)
Izzy W.
Oftentimes I feel sorry for Bostonians cos almost each time I went to an Asian restaurant that received rave reviews on Yelp it usually turned out to be pretty disappointing. Like this one. The service was pretty good - one star for that. But I came here for food. It just isn't THAT good. I had the Szechuan style broth, it tasted like a mixture of multiple spices, only failed to resemble the greatness of mala. The sauce was a big fail, they don't have their "special" sauce , it is just the shacha sauce you can get in any Asian supermarket, lame. The smoothies were tasty though, really fresh. It cost me 31 dollars (pretip). I could have had better Asian food in New York/California for maybe half or 2/3 of the price. But I guess I should stop ranting because there were a lot of people waiting for tables and they seemed really loving this place. Would I come back? Maybe, because this just might be the best of a bunch of mediocre Asian restaurants in Boston. Alas.
(3)
Noni W.
Best hot pot place I've been so far. The sauce they serve with the meat is really flavorful and makes a huge difference.
(5)
A L.
Definitely a fun alternative to a boring night out to eat! The place is busy, and on a Friday night there was a short wait, but well worth it. I don't have a lot of experience with Asian style hot pot, but if the crowds are any indicator, this place has got it figured out. I had the Kim Chee flavored broth and my boyfriend tried the Mongolian spicy broth. We had an assortment of meat and seafood. Portions are generous, the waitress we had was extremely pleasant and informative. I only wish I lived closer so I could visit more frequently!
(5)
Remie M.
my first meal in MA!!! so my Boston decided he wanted 2 take me 2 one of his fave places 4 lunch. . . We parked in the back, we walked in they were barely opening. It was my 2nd day in the east coast so I was still adjusting to the east coast time, i was 2 tired to think hahaha so he helped me on what 2 order. . . he ordered the meat combo plate, beef tounge and fish paste in a kimichi broth. . . i ordered the meat and chicken combo, i wanted it in the miso broth but they had ran out so i did the traditional boring chicken broth. The food came out in a fast and orderly manner It was with udon noodles and veggies on a seperate plate. Its fun cooking food!!! The staff was friendly and responsive. My water glass was never empty!
(5)
Jerry L.
Princess recommended that we eat here, and very glad that we did. The orders: The Jerry: Prime rib eye - slices of beautifully marbled rib eye steak Princess: Seafood - shrimp, clams, mussels, squid, fish Each of the orders also comes with greens, tofu, mushrooms, and other goodies. Take your ingredients and dump it in your individual boiling pot of broth. Being a bit of a neat freak and a little bit of a germaphobe, I really liked this setup. No sharing of chopsticks, etc. Shabu-Zen is labeled as Japanese, but many of the ingredients, workers, and patrons are mostly Chinese. Bill is reasonable - about $25 per person with tax and tip included. Princess loves this place.
(4)
Tori U.
Only Negatives: long lines at night and not feeling completely full afterwards. Soooo this place is really popular and crazy busy at nights. I mean, your bad side might just come out trying to establish your territory as late comers try and creep past you. Resist elbowing them in the gut. And although I wouldn't recommend it for anyone with a migraine or in a rush, everyone else SHOULD TRY IT. And I am a pretty tough reviewer! Ok, so this is cook-it-yourself hotpot kind of deal, so I don't know how great it is for younger children. That being said, I had it when I was 11 and loved it. Get ready to get friendly with your neighbour as this place fills up. Also, it's LOUD. My mother was a hard sell for the idea of paying to cook your own food and her only complaint was the plain-jane broth. We might just have to kick up the flavor level next time! Completely interactive and with lots of variety (tofu, beef, pork, lamb strips). You get a choice of vermicelli or flat noodles with your meal as well as a plate of vegetables. And you get to mix your own sauce out of a variety of condiments. Boom. It's just great. *Don't* come here for the mediocre sushi or the same-old, same-old appetizers. They are just not worth it. This place is on the pricier side but it's Boston, so all is forgiven. Spend the cash on the Shabu. Double broth it and get a variety meat platter. Sort out how long each item needs to cook for. Eat to your heart's content, friend while looking at the hot waitresses. Also, my friends say the Sake Bombs change people's lives. But I am not one to just take someone's word on it...oh well, gonna have to go back!
(4)
Tina W.
NIce service and good food. love it!
(4)
Julie D.
The surf and turf combo(seafood and choice of meat) is awesome! I always have a great and fun experience here, love the tom yum broth, sauteed baby clams and the beef slices are cut thinly. Shabu Zen is also inexpensive compared to Q in chinatown and other hot pot places. My waitress Peggy was also very nice and attentive.
(4)
Olga Q.
Be prepared for a long wait (unless you get there early) and leaving with odd smelling hair. Other hot pot places in the Boston area have been HUGELY disappointing with high prices, button mushrooms, and blah broth. The prices here are reasonable for the area and the veggie options are great (love the taro, tofu skins, and mushroom balls). The broth add-ins are good for those that want a little kick. Been here many times and always end up leaving very full.
(4)
Pete J.
Great interactive Shabu restaurant that I took my team to, for an out-of-work, inexpensive, fun evening. We started with some sushi and dumplings for appetizers, which were ok. But you don't come here for just-ok sushi, you come here for the Shabu, so get a selection of broths, from the basic chicken, to the spicy and delicious kimchee. Everyone orders their own protein and veg and let the dipping, cooking, fun-times begin.
(4)
Alexander N.
First time in Boston, came all the way from Cali. Pretty good hot pot with good quality meat. Met a girl named Jenny, forgot to give her my number and left with out saying goodbye. She was beautiful.
(4)
Chris C.
Shabu Zen is one of my favorite places to eat in Boston. Not only to they offer quality ingredients for Shabu Shabu, they also have a great broth and big project tv's if you're hoping to catch the game. I was there this past winter for the NFC, AFC Championship game and our group of 5 was situated right in front of the 80 inch projector screen. Talk about having a front row seat. Now being a restaurant, I was wondering how I was going to possibly watch 2 games (4.5 hrs minimum) at a restaurant. Despite being busy, the restaurant was very accomadating and we ordered food, and continued to add on meat or veggies for 4 hours. There was no pressure by asking us if we were done or sending out the bill. No joke, we were there for 4 hours relaxing and enjoy our hot pot. They even add more broth for us when it gets low and the service is great. You can ask for more dipping sauces and that asian bbq sauce. For Boston prices, it's actually reasonable and not too expensive. Obviously if you order the best meat and seafood, it will always be price. I think our meals were about $25 per person (including tip) and I left super full. I would probably only eat Shabu Shabu during the Winter time, but this is definitely my GO-TO spot for this in Boston! -- Check out my other reviews at nextstopdc.blogspot.com
(4)
Cassy H.
You go to shabu shabu for the experience more than the food. It's like playing house.. like I'm the housewife cooking in my kitchen. Oh yes, most definitely. :) I've been here twice and sat at the bar both times. Apparently, in order to sit in a booth, you need to have a party of 3 or spend at least $65. Not sure if I'm a fan of that rule. Anyway, bar sitting was fine with me, because I got my individual hot pot right in front and cook my food as I wish. I've ordered the house special pork broth and Korean kimchi broth (mild, can't handle super spicy). And, I enjoyed both. Definitely go with the house special pork for your first time; a good way to break into this hot pot cooking type of dining experience. As for those of you that enjoy some spice and heat in your food, I definitely recommend the kimchi broth. It'll definitely clear up your sinuses. As for the protein of choice, I went with beef both times.. can't go wrong with Prime USDA beef. Overall, a good amount of food for a great price and fun, interactive dining experience. :)
(4)
Angela N.
My first hot pot experience and I loved it! They were very friendly and helpful when choosing what to order and how to cook and eat the dish. We tried the miso and the Mongolian soups, with beef and also the surf and turf combo with lamb. The meats were tender and delicious and the veggies were fresh and colorful.
(5)
Arthur M.
First time at a hot-pot restaurant, and it was a fantastic introduction. We got there right before the dinner rush (7:30 on a Friday) and were seated within 10 minutes. Our waitress, Peggy, was extremely helpful as we explored the menu, and the food was fantastic. The casual atmosphere is great, and while there are booths, we really enjoyed the counter seating...very conducive to striking up conversations with fellow diners. Definitely added to the experience...
(5)
Jon A.
This meal was a lot of fun and a great time! The food is a reasonable deal and very good for larger parties. I would recommend getting miso over chicken broth though, the flavor is just not there in the chicken.
(4)
Maggie N.
I'm not a hot pot expert, but I've always been happy with my experience at Shabu Zen. Shabu Zen is a lovely place to visit, especially during those wet, rainy, snowy, cold nights in Boston. The drill is simple: you choose the broth, then choose the protein/ veggie that you like to dip in that delicious, mouth-watering pot of broth. I usually order the Mongolian broth. For the courses: I've tried most and liked most, so my best advice for you is... well, pick what you think you'd like, the menu is pretty self-explanatory. If you have the bills to splurge, try their wagyu beef special - it's the one that should only be dipped in the hot broth for 5 seconds. The meat just melted in my mouth while sending me to heaven... They have an okay selection of sake, I like the unfiltered Momowaka sake. When you're done, the waiter/ waitress will bring out a cup of red bean dessert, which I think is pretty cool and totally delicious if you still have any room for it. Ambiance: It's pretty loud, and you WILL smell like hot pot (hey, what else do you expect??) So if you're trying to impress someone on a first date by donning your nicest suit/ lacy dress and Louboutin shoes, this might not be the place. It's a cool place to chill with friends and/or family. One thing: it'd be much better if you come before the peak time. One time I came with two friends around 8pm and had to wait for almost an hour and a half. If you only have 1-2 people, usually sitting at the "bar" is available as an option. Pricing: For two people, I believe we spent a little under $100 including tip. That included 2 appetizers, 1 seafood supreme plate and another main plate, 1-2 extra a la carte dishes, one small bottle of sake. We left the place thinking we could die from being too full, so even though the price is a bit high, it was a lot of food. Will definitely be back whenever I visit Beantown.
(5)
Y L.
Rude hostess. We have a party of 5. They had a 6 seat table available and with no reservation. But, they are trying to push us to sit on the bar seats (we have young kids making this impractical) and simply refuse to give us the table with 6 seats, even after we asked nicely. They were also amazingly stuck up about it as well. There were nobody else waiting on a relatively slow Sunday, and I am just shock they are willing to let a table be empty, just to have 6 people versus 5, and to have us leave than just have a tiny bit of service and business mindset! They clearly are not owners, as an owner would know the importance of customer service. There are 4 other shabu places in walking distance in Chinatown and just as good. So don't bother with this one. They've grown to be too full of themselves to care anymore.
(1)
Clara L.
I won't say I was overly impressed with my experience at Shabu-Zen. Don't get me wrong, hot pot is always delicious. The prices are not expensive, which is a plus, but it is not as great of an experience as other places in the city I've been to before. The service can be a little slow, and the tables were a little messy when I was dining there. They do serve your hot pot in separate pots, so if different people want different broths, it is easy to do. A good place to go if you want something cheap and delicious.
(3)
J L.
It was just an average tuesday night at 7:30 and the place was pretty packed so you know its gotta be good! We ordered a surf and turf(great value! basically a regular order of beef and a plate of salmon, cod fish, squid, and scallops for $5 more) and a regular order of beef. Everything was great, and pretty inexpensive compared to the shabu shabu restaurants in San Francisco. The only complaint I have is that they don't have that delicious peanut-y dipping sauce they you can find in other shabu places. Our waitress was nice and attentive, I will definitely go back if I am ever in town.
(4)
Sylvia C.
My mom is a vegetarian and she always gives thumbs up to Shabu-Zen for their vegetarian platter (decent variety mix) that keeps her going back.
(4)
Sun K.
Living in Los Angeles, near all the Asian restaurants...I have tasted so much better. We get tasty soup with huge amounts of vegetables. Also dipping sauce selections are amazing in Rowland Heights, CA. Here, you get soy sauce?! I asked for ponzu & the yellow peanut sauce. I think the owner needs to come out to California and learn. Their soup base was so watery and flavored by salt. The meat was fatty and white. Its good enough for Boston...but since I know better, I think once was enough. I was craving for some warm soup on a cold day and it was good enough.
(2)
Paul D.
Hot pots are great. Super selection of different broths as well as meats and veggies to go with it. You can order separate veggies as well and sampled for first time the gyozzas today - very nice. Service is very attentive and fast. Prices reasonable so all in great value.
(4)
Jonathon C.
If there were (6) stars is probably give them that! This place was so fun!! It's like melting pot for Chinese food. They bring u a boiling pot filled with wonderful seasonings that u pick, we went with spicy Mediterranean. You get a plate of veggies/tofu and u can pick seafood/chicken/beef and then rice or noodles. The staff was very helpful in "how to shabu-zen". They actually cooked our food for a minute or two. We had a great guy sit next to us at the bar and buy us Drinks which made it an even better night . Place was clean and very busy but we didn't have to wait too long. Highly highly recommend this true treasure to Boston.
(5)
John D.
First off let me say they have a very kind wait staff, very upbeat with alot of smiling and pleasurable to speak with. If you are a newbie to hotpot I recommend this place as there staff will walk you through it. Broth is not as tasty as other establishments I have been too. In Brooklyn I get portions twice as big for 2 3rds of the price.
(3)
Katie P.
My boyfriend and I just made our second trip here and once again loved it! I have to write a nice review of course! The waitstaff is wonderful; everyone was helpful and friendly. The food is just awesome! We got the USDA beef, the seafood supreme, and a side of pork dumplings. Everything is so fresh and it's surprisingly fun to cook your own dinner in the little pot of delicious broth! I also got the kiwi smoothie with pearls (boba) which was delicious! It tasted like a fresh kiwi, perfect! We will definitely be returning, hopefully very soon!
Great meal and price. We got a ton of food with the 2 meat selections that includes the veggies and rice. Two adults and one toddler ate on about $35. Will be back for sure!
(5)
Gracie G.
This place is amazing! The decor is simple, but the tables and hot pots are great. They have a huge bar to serve you and plenty of family sized tables. The menu was relatively extensive. Our waiter was so nice and helpful. Really took his time when explaining the 'hot pot' dining experience. Love it!
(5)
Matthew C.
The wait at Q was horrendous. I wasn't too keen on spending a lot of money for dinner anyways, so I pulled up Yelp and found Shabu Zen. Best. Coincidence. Ever. Shabu Zen is exactly what it appears to be--if not a little better. The broths were all excellent (we ordered chicken, spicy Chinese, and spicy Kim-chi). The meats and veggies were all good quality and fresh. Service was prompt, un-intrusive, and and friendly. I left full and super happy. I would go again. Heck, I would have gone again the next night if I hadn't caught a bus to NYC.
(5)
Amy Y.
Clean and bright environment gave it a plus. I went on the day of super bowl. So all the flat screen TVs all over the restuarant was awesome. I sat in front of the bar right in front of the TV while boiling my beef. Quality of overall decent. Not bad at all. But its not a wow. I got the beef set. Portions can be slightly bigger with the price. More veggies would be nice. But it is clean. Thats what I look for in a shabu shabu place. The waiters were really friendly. Keep asking if I need anymore things or if everything was ok. And when his shift was over, he told me to speak to the other waiter if I need anything and apologized his shift was over. So overall service and environment gave it an extra star. :)
(4)
Jialu T.
Nice hot pot. I really like drinking Japanese beer there. Coconut sorbet is the best choice for dessert!
(4)
Alena K.
I discovered shabu zen about a month ago and ever since I have not been able to go more than 3 days without it, I am literally addicted and have lost interest in all other food, no joke. I get the schezuan chinese broth with the seafood and lamb platter, it is soo so amazingly good. I also really enjoy the veggie delight when I want to switch it up.
(5)
Wesley C.
The beef is really good.
(4)
Rick M.
Atmosphere: This is a fun place. You can either sit at a table of your own or up at the bar. Food: I don't want to repeat what others have said on here. You cook your own food, choosing your broth, meats, noodles and veggies. It does taste good, but I come here for the experience not because it is so delicious. Although other reviewers seem to think the prices could be cheaper, I thought they were reasonable. You won't walk away hungry. Get a bottle of hot sake to go with your meal. Overall: This is a good place to take a date. For someone who has never been to a place like this, it's a unique and enjoyable experience.
(4)
Rose E.
Our first experience with hot pot, and it was wonderful. Service here is fantastic and the food is very good and fresh. The seafood supreme platter had great variety. My daughter loves octopus, so she was especially thrilled with the baby octopus appetizer in sesame oil and the fresh calamari for the hot pot. The clams were wonderful, and all of the fish tasted very fresh. I enjoyed the spice and full flavor of the mandarin broth, but the chicken broth was also excellent. We finished off with the mandarin sorbet for fun and enjoyed it thoroughly.
(5)
alysia f.
I can't begin to explain how much I enjoyed my first experience, but that is most likely due to the fact that I am currently in a food coma from all the food I devoured. My waitress Wendy was very helpful, explained to me all the dishes, making recommendations, and giving me tips on the various methods to dip food in the hot pot. It was great and I spent part of my time here taking pictures and recommending to friends. I will definitely be back! Now I just need to slowly ease my belly out the door.
(5)
Sarah J.
I got the USDA prime beef hot pot with udon noodles and the house pork broth- $12. This was my first experience with a hot pot. My strategy was to throw in the veggies first, then throw in the beef piece by piece so not to leave it in that long, then throw in the noodles at the end since if they cook for too long they get soggy. I recommend putting the garlic on the bottom of one of the small bowls and keeping it there, pouring broth over it and then drinking it down. It was delicious--great place to go on a winter day. The broth they gave was a little flavorless--I suspect to encourage people to add in the flavorings for an additional $3. They have some good bar selections too. Hot pots aren't really my thing, but I would go back to share the experience with someone else.
(4)
M.E. F.
I haven't been to any other Shabu restaurants, so I can't really compare (hence 4 stars), but just in terms of restaurants, I love this place! Such a good spot for coming on cold Boston evenings. A great date spot too, I've only been here on dates and it's a lot of fun. I think the activity in the middle of the room might turn some higher-class diners off, but if you don't mind workers filling dishes with garlic in front of you, it's no bother. I recommend the Mongolian broth.
(4)
victoria c.
Ok, it's date night. First thing we do is order a whole bottle of umeshu to share. That way I know he'll be drunk off his ass, and I'll be pleasantly buzzed. Then, I undergo the internal dilemma that I always face when I come here. I want to order the seafood plate. I love seafood. Dammit, I want seafood. BUT THE VEGGIE PLATTER IS SO GOOD! (For healthy people! No meat! No meat!) Damn, I want those yam cakes and taro slices so badly. What do I do... ughhnn. Oh, right. Order a la carte. Thus ensuring that I will have way too much food in front of me, will not be able to finish my meal, and will leave here so full I can hardly waddle back to my apartment. YEAH. So the food comes, and clearly I am so engrossed in perfectly cooking each and every morsel that I forget to drink my umeshu. Quick! Down three glasses in a row! The place is packed and they want out seats, rush rush rush!! Stomachache.
(5)
Hieu P.
Amazing place... not a traditional shabu shabu broth... really tasty. I will definitely come back here when I'm in boston again.
(5)
Corona W.
I am totally obsessed with Shabuzen. Ever since I started working in downtown, I have been visiting the restaurant, at least twice a month. I foresee that the number of trips are going to increase as the weather gets colder. I always get the Mongolian soup base for my pot. It has just a little bit of spiciness to it and it is so good. Portions are also great - for example, the meat combo comes with vegetables and two choices of meat. I always get the lamb and beef but I think you can also get pork or chicken. (I think it's only $12 for all that food! Whoah!) The service here is also way better than the majority of other Chinese restaurants in Chinatown.
(4)
MisoSoup O.
High end/quality of vegetables and clean well organized place. This is the first restaurant I will return to the coming weeks. 2 Vegans and one child ordered 2 main dishes (Vegetables Kimchee mushromm balls with Vegetarian Broth and noddles) and 2 appetizers and left happy! (the quantity not only the quality was generous)!. Yummy. (just try to avoid the shrimp paste...)
(4)
Sharon D.
Unique and fun in Chinatown! It's a little overwhelming until you realize it's just veggies, meat, broth and sauces. Pick what you like, throw it in the boiling broth, fish it out, sauce to taste, eat. I loved the kimchi flavored broth. For added fun, I highly recommend bringing your engineering/technical/ocd friends and watch them try to work out a system for keeping the food organized and cooking times aligned. Nothing like a bunch of geeks finding a use for their iPhone and Android device timers.
(4)
jim h.
This was my first hot pot experience and I loved it! Told the waiter, Michael, I was a rookie and he guided me through the whole thing. Great service and great food!
(5)
Liz G.
It's been a while since I've had hot pot--I'm far from an expert as I've only had it once before--and a recent trip to Shabu-Zen did not disappoint. If you're looking for something different and just want to take time to sit back and enjoy your meal, this experience is for you. If you're reading this review, you may already know what hot pot is about; you get a plate of meat and veggies and cook them yourself in a pot of broth that sits on your table top. Be aware that if you're a vegetarian, you don't want to use the same broth as a meat eater--obviously. There are no individual broth bowls, although you can split the hot pot down the middle into two different sections. Overall the meal was really good, but the dessert, a red bean soup, left much to be desired. Should I complain about that though? Probably not. The meal was reasonably priced ($11) and the dessert was included, so really, nothing was lost.
(5)
Levian L.
Average good hot pot. Me and my boyfriend and two other friends came here for dinner. We were all very excited. The service was good, food was fresh and tasted fine. We ordered the pork broth and the Mongolian broth, and some sides and three combos. This was our first time came here for hot pot, we were all a little disappointed as everything came in very small portion. We were going to try the dumplings and so we ordered one as a side, but only to find that four tiny dumplings were served in one side, so we had to ordered a lot more enough for four people. It would make it less complicated if they raise the price and increase the portion so then we can order a decent sized side dish instead of ordering at least six sides of dumplings. Other than the food portion, the place was overall good. Just no sure if I would come back though.
(3)
Nate Y.
This is a fun way to have dinner with a group. You have food flying everywhere, constantly being thrown in and taken out of the hot broth. It's probably the most active way of having food that doesn't involve a sport or sex. It was a pain in the ass to have to wait to be seated for a party of six when at least five of us were already there. Read further details on Roni's and Kenny's review. P.S. Apparently the labeling on the restrooms are meaningless since a female kitchen employee came out of the "men's" room.
(4)
Lauren B.
My first Shabu Shabu experience! I went on the recommendations of others and did the spicy Kim Chee broth and seafood sampler, while the hubby had the sirloin. We both loved our entrees, everything was extremely fresh and tender once cooked. I cannot say enough good things about this place, the waitresses were very friendly and explained the proper way to cook everything. After a few drinks, white tuna sashimi app and two entrees, we left incredibly satisfied, but also looking forward to our next visit!
(5)
Sean B.
Super quick. Tasty. Easy. Fun. The restaurant is nicely kept, and the wait staff asks you for your order almost right away. And since you're the chef here... the raw food comes right out! Bonus Tip - 2 orders are usually good for 3 people, so don't worry about ordering an extra plate... and if you do, the price is very affordable. 3 of us totaled a tab of $36 for Surf and Turf and Meat Combo plates, including side vegetables and a red bean soup. Thumbs up!
(4)
Jenny S.
Pretty good hot-pot. Clean-cut and individual pot. Nice sauces as compliment. ok service.
(4)
Anthony N.
Best shabu in Boston. My wife has dragged me to this place multiple times and it's finally starting to make sense to me. 1. Order your meats (veggies cone with) 2. Choose a broth (I love the spicy Tom Yum) 3. Let your broth boil 4. Drop in your meats and veggies 5. Enjoy! Apparently you're not supposed to consume the broth but idgaf. That Tom Yum is yum and I nom nom and you should too.
(5)
Linda L.
This place was pretty full on a Sunday night. The hostess took a bit to get to asking us how many were in our group. The restaurant itself was clean and very big. There's a center individual hot pot bar seat area and then tables with joint hot pots around the perimeter. We chose to sit at a table and share one pot. The server didn't come by our table till 15 mins after we sat down. Then after we ordered food and drinks, the food came before our drinks did...and only after we asked for them. We chose the Japanese miso and Mongolian broths and had a split pot. The miso broth was mild and good if you like the flavor to be more in the sauce not the broth. The Mongolian broth was not super spicy but still flavorful. We got the meat combo plate and a seafood platter. The meat was pretty fresh, though not a big portion. The prices are a big on the high end. The plates come with vegetables and your choice of udon, vermicelli or rice. The vegetables plate includes corn, enoki and shiitake mushrooms, Bok choy, Napa and some other greens. Overall decent place but not very attentive service.
(3)
Kaylee L.
My friend and I were there for a dinner. I ordered chicken broth and my friend got vegetable TomYum broth. We were very excited as it was one of our favorite place to eat. As our order arrived, we started eating. We were having good time until my friend noticed something with black color on her broth. She took it out on soup spoon. After looking clearly at the "weird thing" on the spoon, we realized it was an INSECT. It was unbelievable. My friend stopped eating right away. We called a Waiter and told him we found an INSECT on the broth. He took it without saying anything. After 5 min, a waitress came and asked "Do you want to change the order or cancel it?" without even saying Sorry to us. That was the worst experience we had. It's not that we were dying to hear sorry from them, but they didn't have any customer service skill at all. They took the incident as nothing happened. Firstly, my friend was a VEGETARIAN, and secondly it was an INSECT. No one came and apologized to us (seemed like they didn't even have a manager). At the end, even though they did not charge $13 for Vegetable Delight for the order of my friend, they still charged $4 for the TomYum broth which contained the INSECT on it. WE ARE NEVER GOING BACK TO THIS PLACE AGAIN.
(1)
Emily L.
You have to come here for their lunch specials! Come right at 12 though cause it gets packed real fast after that. Their lunches start at $7.50, prime beef, veggie plate, and noodles. How do you beat that?? I however do not recommend coming here for dinner. They do not allow reservations. A friend tried calling in and they said they would put his name down but when we got there they said they dont take reservations. They said what they meant was it mentally prepares them for how many people would come through the door. What kind of answer is that??? With that said would only come here for lunch due to their lunch special.
(4)
Debbie B.
Dinner for 3 We took our newly turned 21 daughter as she just arrived from out of state and wanted Chinese food. I do NOT like Chinese food but it was all about her. We had never been to a Chinese hot pot and should have watched YouTube videos or made our own as we had a hilarious experience. We selected pork base with Chinese herbal they brought out a pot split in two with each broth on one side. The veggies arrived and what an elegant presentation! Our sake arrived almost overflowing (truly that was the best part!). The meat arrived shaved in thin slices and seafood was cut in uniform pieces. Unfamiliar with this style of cooking (similar but not quite Melting Pot) we asked our server for guidance. He opened a package of chopsticks, placed the meat in the boiling broth and scooped it out. We were in awe. We could do this! We asked if we had to cook the udon noodles and told yes. Maybe the waiter was messing with us or maybe it was the sake because this was the funniest thing to cook noodles and try to scoop out of the boiling broth via chopsticks or the slotted, wire spoon. We think half the noodles are still in the broth. One think to note, we had small bowls of scallions, garlic, chili paste, barbecue paste and soy sauce to mix our own special creative sauce. The barbecue one was to die for good! Now, I mentioned I do not like Chinese food. I LOVED this Chinese food. So yummy, so fun, and such a wonderful experience.
(4)
Lillian C.
This is a solid Chinese owned shabu place. The ingredients are always fresh and of better quality than the AYCE places. They have plenty of bar seating as well as tables. I like the personalized pots better than the big pots tho. I had the surf and turf here and it was A LOT OF food!!! I really liked the fish filet - not sure which type of fish it was. There was a good variety of items in the seafood portion too. The meat was also pretty normal. I really like that they give you garlic and chilis right off the bat! I always put those in my sauce! The broth is light and becomes super flavorful at the end of the meal. I always like to cook some noodles and eat that with the broth, with some satay sauce, to end my meal. They also have the Zipang sparking sake that I really like! It comes in a small bottle and tastes delicious!
(3)
Vivian D.
Amazing hotpot place! I've been going here for years- no where else I've been to can top this hotpot spot. Everything is FRESH. We usually get the Surf & Turf combo with beef, alongside with some appetizers like salty beef tongue and salty baby clams. That's the way to go. Their mango smoothie is delicious! I wish they kept their peach smoothie though. I used to get that before mango- but mango is still refreshing and yummy!! Everyone is really nice. Never have I ever had a bad experience with Shabu-Zen. 5 stars all the way.
(5)
Thu V.
I like this hot pot place for several reasons: The meat quality is top notch! Vegetables are fresh. The Tom Yum broth has the perfect balance of spice and flavor. The Herb broth is simple, yet flavorful The raw squid is delicious! They have delicious fruity drinks that compliments your meal. I had a few friends come to San Diego last month and I took them to some of our famous hot pot places and they kept raving about how hot pots in Boston are so much better. So of course, I made it my mission to try hot pot while in Boston and they did not lie and Shabu-Zen did not disappoint. All hail to Shabu-Zen!
(5)
Ying X.
This is my go-to location for when I want shabu-shabu style hot pot in Boston. The appeal of an individual pot is that you are 100% in control of what's going on with your food, so you know exactly when you put each item in (and when they're ready). I'd definitely recommend just ordering a main course option. For the price you pay, you also get quite a bit of meat/seafood and veggies, and it even comes with your choice of rice or noodle (most other places, you have to order this separately). I like to go for the lamb and beef combo, mostly because those are my two favorite hot pot meats, with Chinese Herbal broth. You can also split a few a la carte side orders with other people in your party, but don't order too many - the main course is already pretty big. Everything is very fresh and service pretty fast. Downside is that you'll have to wait for quite a while when it gets busy (which is pretty often), but I think that's sign of a good restaurant. I've also never had to order anything extra because what they provide in one course is way more than enough to fill you up.
(4)
Santita N.
Great location, easy seating, good choices in meats and vegetables, and straightforward ordering sequence. We invited a few of our friends who had never experienced hot pots before, so we want to make sure their first experience is a good one. Took some getting used to with the menu, but we finally figured out the amount to order, and the types of meat to order. The meats were cut well and they are fresh. We got the most economical option, and it was still delicious! The vegetables are also fresh - good variety between mushrooms and your basic hot pot stock veggies. The herbal broth was okay, not sure if I really tasted the "herbs" in the herbal pouch. We also had the regular pork broth and the spicy broth. Both were delicious! I do wish there's more appetizer options. But hey, this is a hot pot restaurant, can't ask for too much. Also, I wish the premium beef were priced a bit lower - they were extravagantly expensive.
(5)
Irene C.
I remember while I first visited Boston in 2008, we couldn't get in Shabu Zen because of we were large group and the wait was over 1 hour. After 6 years, I visited Boston again with hubby and I decided to give it another shot and see if we could get in, and ....YES!!!! Finally!!!! They told us we have to wait for 30 minutes but it ended up we only waited for 10 minutes. We ordered Prime Rib Eye of Beef and Seafood Supreme, the portion is Ok for a girl but probably won't be enough for a guy. The meat, however, is really fresh, I would recommend you not to order the regular beef plate but to upgrade it to Prime Rib Eye or other better beef options cause you get what you are paying for. One more thing, the correct way to eat Shabu Shabu is using the chopsticks to pick the one sliced beef and then dip the meat into the hot broth and quickly cook it. Cook the sliced meat for about 15 secs -20 secs ( or while color turned) and then they are ready to be eaten. I saw some people put all meats into the pot at once and keep cooking them, the meats probably will not taste good in that way cause if you overcook the meat, it will just become dry and tasteless. The waiters are very nice and they speak really fluent English, if you are not sure where / how to start, they will be more than happy to give you some advices.
(4)
Ashley C.
This was my first time at a shabu-shabu place. Food: I ordered the sirloin beef with miso soup broth. The miso was just the right amount of salty. I felt like they could've given more meat, especially considering that the slices served were pretty thin. They served a variety of fresh veggies -- the small mushrooms being my favorite! You just dip your food into the broth for a couple of seconds (meat takes about 15-20 secs) and then WA - LAAAA !! Your food is done .... soooo fasssttt! Service: They seat you down and you cook your own food. Not much customer-server relations here. I would like to try a shabu shabu place again, but don't think I'd come back here. The food wasn't amazing, but it wasn't bad either. The serving size did not fill me up at all and it cost about $20 (that's kinda pricy to me). But definitely a good place to eat for the cold winter we've been having in Boston!
(3)
Lawrence H.
One of the best shabu shabu places on the East Coast, Shabu-Zen serves amazingly fresh and marbled meat for reasonable prices. I came the other night and ordered the seafood supreme as well as the two meat combo (lamb and beef). The meat's marbling was rich, weaving together fat and lean to create a sumptuous texture and flavor. Seafood was reasonably fresh (some of the items were still frozen, like the clams) and there was a good variety: squid, scallops, salmon, cod, clams, fish cake, and peeled prawns. Each entree comes with a vegetable plate containing shiitake mushrooms, napa cabbage, enoki mushroom, baby bok choy, carrot, corn, tomato, watercress, broccoli, and tofu. You also get a choice of noodle or rice (udon, vermicelli, or steamed jasmine rice). You can always order extras a la carte, and these can range from standard fare that comes with your entree to more interesting and adventurous additions. For instance, I regretably added beef brisket ($4) which was chewy and tough. An addition of sea bass ($10) was surprising when it came to the table, as it was Chilean seabass, not regular sea bass. It was still tender though, a Pyrrhic victory at the dining room table. Still, you cannot debate the freshness and perfection of the meats: sliced perfectly (neither too thin nor thick), marbled nicely, and served at the right temperature (too warm and they would collapse from curls into a mush on the platter, too cold and they're frozen). For shabu shabu, Shabu-Zen is my go to place.
(4)
Joyce L.
Not to sound like a complete foodie or anything, but I was SO happy during my entire meal here. I usually don't really enjoy hotpot.. mostly because I am incredibly impatient and can't wait for the broth to boil and for the meat to cook (ridiculous, I know...) but this place made me a HOTPOT LOVER! Service: fine, no complaints Serving size: great Price: pretty affordable ($15-20 each) Broth: SPOT ON (if any complaints, wish the spicy broth was spicier. I'm sure if I asked for them to make it a bit spicier next time, they would) Shabu-zen has shown me that good things come to those who wait... 5 minutes for their broth to come to a boil :)
(5)
Daniel H.
A spin off of the traditional Chinese hot pot where instead of a group of people sharing one large pot, individuals get their own small pot. The food are ordered via different types of combinations (lamb, beef, pork etc.). If that's not enough for you, additional food can be ordered in smaller sizes. What's nice about this place is the variety of broth that can be selected from tomato broth to Szechuan spicy broth to Korean Kimchi. However the sauce that accompanies the hot pot are a little bit lacking. You get four pre-made sauce plus a plate of soy sauce that undermines the creativity of what you can do with the food, since the whole point of hot pot is DIY which it involves. I wish there was a sauce station where customers could pick and choose what to add to their food. The meat portions seemed reasonable for $15-20 that you paid for and the vegetables appeared to be fresh. The tomato broth that I ordered was flavorful. The service was not worth mentioning, since you are doing the cooking. However they did mistook my order and brought beef instead of the pork and lamb that I ordered. Overall, a affordable and enjoyable place for anyone who wishes to try Shabu/hot pot for the first time.
(4)
Al R.
We did not really know what to expect when going there. It's mostly a "hot pot" restaurant. Pick appetizers if you want, then select a broth, pick add-on flavorings (note:not needed!), pick main proteins...and then let the feast begin. The vegetables and meats were fresh and excellent quality. Delicious and fun!!!! We'll be back.
(5)
Kimberly T.
When I first came here, I hated this place. I'm a regular at Hot Pot Buffet and coming here and looking at the portions, they're super small. But after giving it another try, I think I'm going to come here more often. My friend and I had the surf and turf combo with beef and we ordered another plate of beef, and that filled us up. The waiters/waitresses were super friendly but the hostess seemed a bit rude. Other than that, I would come here to avoid overeating as one would at Hot Pot Buffet. You can get a full meal here for a cheaper price than you would at Hot Pot Buffet if you order carefully.
(4)
Dianne N.
It's alright. The broth was tasty. The meat, seafood and vegetables are pretty fresh but it's not super awesome. I love the individual hotpot though. More hygienic and manageable.
(3)
Theodore T.
I like this restaurant for the atmosphere and the fresh meat and vegetables. Better types of broth can be found at other hot pot places, but Shabu Zen is definitely reliable and doesn't disappointment. I usually get two beef and a seafood plus udon, rice, and kimchi broth. I like sitting at the bar like setting, though if you're looking for a booth you need to have at least a couple people with you. Their vegetarian platter option is the best out of all the local hot pot places I've tried.
(4)
Ben L.
Meh.... Nothing quite special here to me. Food: I had the Mongolian broth and it clearly said it was going to be spicy. As soon as I got it, I took a little sip and asked myself, is this a freaken joke? there red pepper flakes everywhere in this soup and it doesnt taste spicy at all and I have a sensitive tongue. No, it's not like it taste bad, but i expected something to really give it a kick but not even. just flavorful broth thats not really worth $5 to me at all. I prefer to skip over that and get the herbal. Probably most fresh thing i ever seen is the meats. I had the chicken, beef, and beef bonless ribs. Veggies look decent as well. Cant complain really much on it, tastes just fine and how it should be. Service: Quite good, I had a gentleman who was dealing with a bunch of girls I was with who couldnt decide what they want as if they want to jump off a cliff or not. Very smiley cheerful guy I had who served us everything we need. Bathroom: For chinatown, it's not bad, enough said who really looks into the bathroom anyways? Price: Not really worth it to me at all. I came with 4 other people, we dont eat that much and we only ordered 2 meals and very few a la carte. I swear, only ordering that, the bill should of been only around $40 dollars for the simple things we gotten. Nope, it turned out to be about $85, and the real damage was from their Mongolian "spicy" broth. 2 different hot pots, divided in half, $5 each = $20. Are you insane shabuzen? Im all set with this place. No I dont hate it, but I cannot come back if Im going to pay double of what I expected. I can really see most yelpers wont agree with me, but I've had hot pot my whole life and going to buffet places really give me a better satisfaction than a place like shabuzen. TASTE wise. If you have some money you're willing to spend and all, feel free to come here, but i prefer hot pot buffet if you're at entry level or in fact, all kinds. It just makes people damn happy.
(3)
Christopher W.
Fast, simple , and accurate review for people who don't want to read a novel finding out if a place is good. Ordered: ( 2/3 stars) The lunch special from 11am-3pm is the best value! I ordered the A5 beef, which is the regular beef slices. for $7.50 you get a good sized plate of assorted veggies, and a good portion of beef. Will make you full. Excellent sauce combinations. I'm a regular. For the price, there is no other hot pot place in Boston that can beat this place. Service: (1/1 star) Good service. Cleanliness and parking (1/1 star) Big parking lot in front of the restaurant (must pay) or street parking availble I'm a regular here.
(4)
Uge C.
If have been here twice, the first one was my first time ever having hot pot, and was an awesome experience. I should have tried it before, I thought while I was eating this super tasty food. We spent in the restaurant around 2 hours, you need time to cook the ingredients byyourself and to finish all the broth, so no rush and enjoy the meal!!! I loved the kimchi broth with lamb combination, the waiter was very helpful.
(5)
Bill C.
Wow - my wife and I tried this place based on the reviews here on Yelp and some other sites and were very impressed. It's not fancy, but the atmosphere is clean and nice. The individual hot pots are a great idea because each person can customize the broth to their liking. So, my wife got something to compliment her seafood platter (a huge array of salmon, flounder, octopus, clams, shrimp and such) while I got a really good Szechuan broth for my beef platter. The only drawback was that my wife ordered a sashimi appetizer before the hot pot and will skip that next time. She said it was kind of fishy and wasn't the best quality of yellowfin. However, the cooked seafood made up for it. We'll be back.
(4)
Julia K.
Hands down the most affordable and high quality hot pot restaurant in Chinatown. You really can't beat 1 meat, variety of veggies, noodle, & cold red bean dessert soup for $12-$15 based on type of protein selected. Also the service is very good; all of the servers are attentive and bring out requested items very quickly. The smoothies/slushies are also very good. This was my go to for a fresh watermelon smoothie with no added sugar until Tea Do came around just a couple of shops down from this restaurant.
(5)
Dedania M.
Compared to my last review, the service was a bit better. The place wasn't packed so we were quickly seated and greeted by a cute waitress then followed by a male afterwards. We ordered oysters, lamb combo, chicken combo, and takoyaki. Hands down, the lamb was so yummy. The chicken was a bit drying but you can't expect much out of chicken and how long you put it in the pot. The takoyaki was so delicious and I honestly wanted to order more but I'll be an irresponsible spender for my love for takoyaki. Friend thought the oysters were too pricey and weren't as fresh as he wanted; lame. This isn't my favorite place to hot pot but it's a convenient location.
(3)
Thuy T.
Who wants bug soup?! I found 3 of them in my pot. They took $5 off the bill. I asked for another discount and they gave me another 10%off. The service was quite disappointing
(1)
Angelica O.
The staff are wonderful, Jenny an adorable server there is amazing! She is very attentive and always makes sure I'm taken care of! The hostess there Cindy is also awesome she always helps out the guests and explains the menu items!! Not to mention the prices are great! The food is pretty darn delicious! Only critic is the cleanliness of the the bathroom which is like any other place in china town lol! Overall great steal if you happen to be in town :)
(5)
Xia L.
I love going to Shabu Zen! This place is definitely better than going to that dirty hot pot buffet place. I rather pay more than to have worms in my food! Plus this restaurant is decorated beautifully. You get cozy seats. You can't beat it. My friend and I came around 6pmish for dinner time. We ordered half miso soup and half maylasian spice (my throat was burning). We also got the usual-beef,lamb, and of course you cannot forget the seafood! Everything comes with a platter of veggies and your choice of noodles. Our waitress was extremely friendly. She refilled our tea/water serveral times throughout our meal. I believe their customer service has turned up a notch! I will be back here for sure! Oh i forgot we also ordered fried oysters for appetizers! These were delicious.
(4)
Isabella C.
I came here on a Saturday night and they were a bit crowded. We'd called in the afternoon trying to reserve, but they told us that they didn't take reservations. (They did, however, put our names down on their waiting list... This was ridiculously vague as we weren't sure whether it meant we were essentially waiting for a table before getting there. Turns out that it meant nothing as we still had a 30 minute wait once we got there and put ourselves down on the list again.) Other than the long wait and the confusing reservation process, I thought the restaurant was not bad. The seating was decently comfortable though our table for seven was spread across two tables for four and the two tables were not properly aligned with one another. I was expecting the place to have one hotpot stove for each person but it turned out to be one per table for four. This meant a bit of compromising and work on our part to make sure the soup base choices worked out. Each hot pot dish included vegetables and tofu or meat, depending on what each person ordered. I thought that the vegetables offerings were quite fresh and varied, with baby bok choy and cabbage, amongst others. I was disappointed that there was no egg, but everything else seemed sufficient. Some members of my party found the meat to be lacking in quantity while others seemed satisfied. I would say that overall the pricing felt a bit high but it was still a fun hot pot experience.
(3)
Katie K.
Top quality meat. Great selection of veggies. The broth was insanely delicious by the end of it all! Good service too. We really enjoyed this place.
(5)
Marissa A.
Great place for hot pot. They won't seat you until your full party has arrived. Our server was attentive and helped us with our choices. We were a party of three and we ordered the surf and turf (surf is comprised of calamari, salmon, fish cake, white fish, scallops, maybe something else I'm missing and the turf is either lamb, chicken or pork - we chose lamb). Because we were all hungry, we ordered the meat platter as well, chicken and pork. For broths we chose vegetarian (free) and szechuan ($3). If it's a cold day and you're feeling down in the dumps about winter, this is the best cure. The final result is a delicious soup with a wide array of choices. Each bowl you scoop is a new surprise. Sure you'll leave smelling like hot pot, but your full belly keep you happy.
(4)
Minnie M.
I love this place so very much, for 8 years I've gone every time I'm in Boston. For $16, you can get your choice of broth ($3 extra if you get the sichuan broth which is worth it), veggies, a meat platter of both chicken and beef (or any other combo of meat/veggie/seafoood, your choice of noodles or rice, and satay sauce and soy sauce. I'm obsessed with tofu, so I get the assorted tofu for $4 extra. If you want dessert, get the coconut sorbet afterwards! It's easy getting a spot if you're a solo diner or you go at 6, but if you have a large party you may have to wait. I prefer the individual hot pots at the bar.
(4)
Leah H.
It's been ages since we had Shabu Shabu so we thought we'd give Shabu-Zen a try. We arrived around 8pm on a Saturday and could see quite a few people waiting in the lobby and on the steps up to the restaurant. We hit a local bar and went back around 9:30pm and only had to wait 5-10 minutes. We sat at the counter/bar. I love that you get your own little hot pot so you can season it accordingly. We got the top beef option (I got regular - husband got jumbo) and I added the assorted mushrooms. Our waiter (super friendly and helpful - Hui) recommended the Vegetable broth. You can make it spicy for a few dollars more but why bother when you get a great little chili sauce brought to you - spice to taste! Beef was delicious, assorted mushrooms were a great add (if you're a mushroom fan), really excellent dinner. Highly recommend if you're looking for a great night out.
(5)
Janet H.
Pretty solid shabu shabu. There are so many options here but I recommend the tom yum soup and the szechuan soup. Be careful, they can both be pretty spicy! The broth is pretty flavorful on its own. I kept forgetting to dip my veggies and meat in the sauces. Among the four of us, we ordered 2 entrees (seafood platter and beef) and 1 side (takoyaki). Portions were pretty small... so we all went down the street to eat some buns to fill ourselves up. Haha. Total cost was ~$15/person. Not too bad. I'd give this place a 3.5... food wasn't memorable. But wasn't bad either...
(4)
Ashley N.
I haven't tried other hot pot places in Boston, and probably will not because I do like this place! The prices are reasonable and the food is fantastic. They seated a group of 7 and we ordered lots of meats/seafood/vegetables. The broth was amazing. I like how they gave us choices of which broths we could choose from. There were plenty of food options for everyone and we all left with happy tummies. We went for a friend's birthday and yay! they let us bring outside dessert in! They even let us refrigerate the cake. They brought out the cake and allowed us to use their plates/spoons. I take note of this, because other American places wanted to charge us. So yay super plus! Service was also great and overall enjoyed the food.
(5)
Chase S.
Hot pot with affordable prices, plenty of variety, and good ventilation -- BINGO! This is a delightful place with late hours that I frequent heavily. The portions for price are great -- surf and turf could easily feed two people (or one large. Ahem). The additional "add-ons" for between 2-3 dollars are worth it. I recommend the tofu skin and tripe. It works great for groups as you can order a couple of things for the table. If you do bring a group, make sure it's before the 7pm rush on the weekend as you'll find yourself waiting a while. The Saki list is decent and the juices with pulp or pearls added are fun. The servers can get a little busy but flagging anyone down is the norm and easily garners attention -- often the waiters will get/do what you need even if it's not your waiter which is nice (i.e. turn up/down heat of the hot pots, refill drinks, order more, etc). Next level rec: trial some different broths! As I mentioned at the top, you don't come out reeking of hot pot. Hot pot lovers know what I'm talking about--the ventilation is very good here. Mind you, I did not say you will not smell of hot pot, but it won't be cause for immediate shower upon returning home.
(5)
Michael B.
Best hot pot. Friendly staff. Great food. Came here for a day trip. Planned on going to Windsor dim sum. Two doors down. Saw the hot pot sign and changed my mind right there. Good thing I made that choice.
(5)
Ching S.
I love this place! It is my Hot Pot to go place while in Boston. The beef and vegetables are always fresh. The broths are delicious as well. I've only tried the Kimchi (my fav) and the Chinese Spicy (Szechuan style). The portions are just perfect. The place always satisfies my cravings and I always leaving feeling very satisfied.
(5)
Katalyst S.
This was a nice surprise. The waiter was very helpful and we ordered A LOT of food. Somehow it was so good that I think I could've kept eating. We got seated right away and I liked that the restaurant was raised above street level. This was just a good way to start the afternoon. I'll definitely be coming back!
(5)
XB S.
Great place! Service was awesome, staff were friendly. Food was good!!! This will be my to go place whenever I'm in Boston!
(4)
Naomi C.
I've been craving for a really traditional, classic, Taiwanese shabu shabu for so long. This one is really awesome that the flavor so close to Taiwan and solve my home sick. Even I live in LA for one year I've never tried that good shabu shabu as this place. The vegetable plate is not as big as those in Taiwan and there is not of fish cake. But the soup flavor and the smell you walk in is really similar with 錢都 (Taiwanese definitely know what I'm talking about.) Anyway, it totally can be a reason I come to Boston again. Taiwanese people come and give it a try!!!
(5)
Mike P.
Absolutely amazing food and service!! I had the Mongolian spicy broth with chicken and beef. Others in my party had the miso broth and a tomato broth. All were excellent. Come hungry!!
(5)
Nanci C.
The customer service here is just terrible. I guess that's just the way it is in many Asian businesses. Very rude and the portions are small. You wouldn't be full when you spent $90+ on your table. The soup is watered down and it's not the soup they will boil for hours to bring out the flavors. They're like any other Shabu restaurants out there that uses paste to make their soup. If you order seafood, they will just spray some water on it to make the appearance look fresh. They do it in all these Shabu restaurant. Once I've found a pubic hair on our plate. It was disgusting and we brought it back to them. All they did was rinsed the plate with seafood and the waitress brought it back with lots of water on the plate. I guess the man in the kitchen didn't clean his hands after he used the restroom. If you want legit hot pot experience, you should try it whenever you get a chance to visit China. Many Japanese took a lot of Chinese culture and food and name it their own. But at least make it better instead of worse. Thank you for such terrible customer service experience. I will never go back to this place and wouldn't recommend. Too bad there wasn't Yelp when I first went to this place.
(1)
Diane M.
There were plenty of tables open yet it still took a while for them to seat us.. we had the regular miso and tom yum soup base, it was decent. Not really a big fan of the dipping sauce, but overall experience was okay
(3)
Kacee E.
Yay! Gluten-free soy sauce and rice vermicelli! Also all delicious seafood options if you're a veggie conscious person. Love love love
(5)
Shaye R.
This is my favorite hot pot place in Boston. I have come here many times and introduced many people to it and it has always been a hit! It's wonderful at the end of a cold winter day and between the meat, the GIANT plate of veggies and the bowl of rice or noodles, I always leave full and warm. They have a really diverse menu, with several different meats and little side dishes (meat balls, wontons, dumplings) to add into the broth. I do think the broths are what makes this place. The standard pork broth is fine, but I find the spicy broths really add a lot to the meal. My favorite is the Mongolian. I usually have to ask the servers to make it spicier to suit my taste, but they are always really nice about it. As far as the service goes, they tend to leave you alone for the most part, something I actually prefer. The whole essence of hot pot is do-it-yourself, so I don't mind a server setting me up, silently adjusting the heat of my hot plate if it gets too high or too low, and otherwise leaving me be unless I flag them down. One thing I will note is that I find the cheapest cuts of meat work best with this kind of meal. I once "splurged" for the USDA Choice Rib Eye Beef over the standard $14 plate of beef, and I didn't find it as tasty.
(4)
David N.
After having many meals of american seafood, my gf was ready for some Asian food. With the cold weather of Boston, hot pot sounded like a great idea! We have hot pot in Houston, but it's just not the same when it's 90 degrees outside eating hot pot and 30 outside and warming up to hot pot. This place has both group table hot pots and individualized hot pots. There was only 1 place in Houston that has the individual pots so we opted for that route. I actually like this method better, because you get your OWN pot. Yes, it's great to share, but sometimes you cook a certain item and it ends up missing because your friend ate it. The only person you can blame is yourself. I had the Thai style broth, which was just OK, but my gf had the Korean Kim Chi styled soup broth and that thing was delicious. In this case I cooked everything in my pot but I stole her broth to sip on.
(4)
Teresa C.
First time here and tried the Mongolian broth. Tasty even after the water refills. It's not spicy and is salty in a good way. I chose the udon and was happy with it for it was super good with the broth. I had the surf and turf with lamb (didn't taste too gamey). My bf had the herbal Chinese broth with the deluxe meat combo which he thoroughly enjoyed. We ordered meatball samplers o the side. I liked the pink and beef balls as they were super tasty and was different because of the meat inside. I would recommend this to anyone looking for shabu shabu for the first time or comfort :D.
(5)
Manisha M.
My favorite shabu place! I have been coming here for years and I have never had a bad service and the food is always great! If you like spicy broth, I would highly recommend the "Chinese schezuan". It's a little oily as it is but you can ask for less oil. If you are a hookah fab, the hit or miss Nile lounge is next door!
(5)
Kalypso C.
Great hot pots. Takoyaki was ok but everything else was fantastic. Great atmosphere and nice servers!
(5)
Matin P.
My first time trying a Japanese restaurant where you cook it yourself and I must say I'm impressed, the food was very delicious, had the prime short ribs with the Mongolian broth and egg noodles! Loved the combination and the waiter was kind enough to explain exactly how to mix everything and how to cook it to get the best flavor and experience! Also had the mochi ice cream they had, I only recommend the mango and the strawberry! Definitely go here if you're looking for a different type of restaurant experience ! Def 5 star!
(5)
Greg S.
My general rule of thumb for Chinatown is 'don't eat anywhere a friend does not recommend'. So Naturally this was a place I was taken to... It is by far the best hotpot experience I have had to date. They are fast and don't skimp on the veggies, and the staff will help you figure things out if you need it (from ordering to how to cook your veggies). I say sit at the counter so you can get your own broth, which is something I don't see in a lot of places. So consider this a recommendation from a friend.
(4)
Denise M.
Updating my review after visiting 3 times in the month of December. I describe this place as an eating experience, not just a delivery service. It's one of my favorite place to go out to eat. Fresh vegetables and meat selections. I'm pretty much addicted to the Mongolian broth. I didn't realize the base; chicken, pork or vegetarian is the beginning. I had a group event here an mike the amazing man explaining in detail the entire menu, the process and cook times. It's not everyone's Japanese cup of tea but it turns my cup round multiple times. It's simple but a nice cooking experience. Fun and healthy!!!
(5)
Justin B.
The owner has become cheap, they no longer serve fresh chili peppers, but hot chili oil. At least offer it on the menu. (I don't mind paying for it even though it used to be free).
(1)
Helen L.
We stumbled into this place with no idea how to eat it. They were very nice and tried to be helpful in answering our bumpkin questions. We're still not sure if we did it right, thoughts. We know the end result was a delicious, fun meal that I'd love to try again after I YouTube what's really supposed to happen! The kimchi broth was amazing and the gyoza was the best I've ever had.
(4)
Shirley Y.
This used to be my go to shabu restaurant in chinatown. The service is good, the kimchi broth is delicious and the veggies are always fresh. However, their meat cuts quality have seriously gone down. I always order boneless short rib and couldnt believe when the order came out. It was thin slivers of meat on the plate, less than half of my friend's beef order and nothing like the short rib I usually get. My waitress offered to send it back but then came back with the same plate because the kitchen refused to open a new package of meat. She explained that it depends which part of meat they cut from. I dont get why it was the same price, if the pieces will be small, add more or change the price to compensate. It will be a long while before I will come back here.
(2)
G U.
Ate the vegetarian and chicken hot pot. Food was alright. We would say this is not the best shabu shabu in town. But its nice that you can get individual pots if you're sitting at the bar.
(2)
Addie M.
I adore this place. There are a few hot pot joints I've tried out- but this specific location in China town, is a must must must! The first time I ever popped in was 2010- it's been a favorite gem ever sense. The woman at the front desk used to always greet us with a hug when we came in. It's a great socializing place- and a good place for a first date ;) The one in brighton comes close- but the tyler street location will always be the best! The service is always spot on,the food is fresh and scrumptious and the price, in my opinion is perfect. Please open one in the Chelmsford/Billerica area!
(5)
Carmen K.
This was our first time and we truly enjoyed it. The meal was so fresh. My husband and I enjoyed it. We are from PA but the next time we come to Boston we will be back to Shaba Zen.
(5)
Mindy M.
I've been here twice now and will always come back when in Boston. I'm still perfecting the art of eating this meal without making a mess of the placemat. Can't wait to practice again soon.
(4)
Robert Y.
3.5 chinese run japanese restaurant in Boston Chinatown. I 've had better hot pot in bay area but for boston not bad. The meat quality was surprisingly average with fresh veggies and decent variety of broth. The prices for a la carte are fair. Overall I wasn't disappointed since I had low expectations to begin with. A decent option in Boston Chinatown.
(4)
Lotus R.
Good value for lunch.clean place with good service. The base of hot pot soup was pretty good. Will probably go there again if in the area again. The size was perfect for us.
(3)
Victoria H.
I went to this place with some of my friends last summer. The place was a decent size. Nothing too big or too small, it was just righr.the service was nice, but they were very quick to deliver our Meats and vegetables for our broth. Which was very good. Their meats and seafood, had a very fresh taste to it. their meat was nice and it melted I'm my mouth. But the real star of the meal, was non other than the terrific broth. I had a minso broth to cook my meat and seafood. They were amazing. However, I'm not a big fan of the desserts. By the time me and my friends were done eating, we were full and pleases. I would definitely come back for their food, but not so much for their dessert.
(4)
Diana W.
Delicious shabu! I ordered the lamb and tomyum soup, which was good. Standard soup base is actually nothing, so make sure to add extra money flavoring to your soup! Comes with free dessert too !!! One of my friends left early and the people let us have her dessert. I would say that is great service!
(5)
Buddy T.
Best Shabu place ever. If you have to choose with other shabu place, come to this restaurant. It is very nice and the food is great.
(5)
Tin P.
Ok... Shabu-Zen... Ok... Can you stop? Urghhh.... So good! Stop! Yes, it is what it feels like at this place. Food-orgasm. So delectable, so delicious. I actually rated Shabu-Zen a 4.5 stars cause of the long-wait and the little pricey. But let forget about all those pain, shall we move to the good stuffs? We came in as a group of 4. It was snowing hard in Boston so it is definitely a great idea to eat Hot Pot. We ordered: The Seafood Combo, Jumbo Beef (4 times), and the Deluxe Beef Combo (1 times). Shabu Grading Rubric: Dipping Sauce: Like they called it: Zen-dipping sauce. Just simple Amazing, it is a mix of ponzu sauce with secret paste, mince garlic, and scallion. So so good, it is good just eating itself. The Broth: 2 kinds of basic sauce: pork and vegetable broth. Then you can added the flavor you like. We had: Korean Kimchi, Chinese Herbal, and Mongolian, medium Spicy. The broth came out quick and did i mention that you can have 3 choices of broths? Even better!! The sauce is simply delectable. Vegetable: As Fresh as you can get for the vegetable. It has all the components of the vegetable required for the wonderful Shabu Experience. Well the udon is not really good but who care about Udon. i can care much much less about Udon. Fresh and variety of vegetable. Excelente! Now The Meat: Oh My God! So high quality, so so good. Best beef you can get on earth. Now that I am talking about normal Jumbo Beef. You know what a Deluxe Beef Combo (Short rib and Rib Eye) taste like? Heaven on earth. Dip in for 20 sec, and the piece just exploded in my mouth. So Delicious. Oh man! I never have this wonderful Shabu experience. I definitely went to many good Shabu but not a Zen leveled like Shabu-Zen. You guys did a wonderful job. I can all care less about long wait, pricey tag, and skinny udon. 5 STARS!
(5)
Arthur C.
I love how cheap the sides are here! Shabu-zen is well priced and a great fun place to dine! Great service, great atmosphere, and above all, great food! I ordered a main (Pork with house pork soup) which already comes with your choice of noodles and a plate of veges and tofu, and then split a few extra mains with a friend: I'm a big fan of taro, enoki mushroom and tempura tofu. We paid around $20 each including tip which I thought was a pretty good deal! Don't be afraid to ask if you want the heat on your hotpot turned up or down to cook/eat/boil slower or faster!
(4)
Be E.
Shabu-Zen is definitely my favorite hot pot place in Boston. When you are doing hot pot, you are looking for the experience as well as the food. It's a great hangout place. There is a lot of seating, but the place fills up quickly, so get there early, especially if you're in a large group. Service is friendly, not overly friendly, but fine. They are there to simply bring drinks, turn on your pots, and bring the food. They do, however, go the extra step of asking if you've done hot pot before (something not done at other hot pot restaurants I've been to). I always come in a large group and order plates of seafood, veggie, and meats. All food is very fresh and tasty. For the vegetarians, or veggie lovers - vegetable plates are large and have a ton of variety which is great!
(5)
Eduardo N.
Actual food was so-so, not great, not terrible. Just interestingly presented and endlessly self-customizable on the spot. All about the visuals really, and getting REALLY REALLY involved in your meal's preparation. The other reviews have already detailed the how part of it, so I'll just supply my opinion of the "what." This was a nice visit, service was ok, people watching was good, the place is interesting and lively. But for the money you pay and the food you actually put in your belly? Meh. More gimmicky than anything, in my estimation. It's not crazy expensive by any means, but in Chinatown you can get a lot more food for the same money and not have to lift a finger to prepare any of it in any way! So, cheap slackers like me, are better off going elsewhere nearby, methinks.
(3)
Manuel V.
Came here because of the Yelp reviews. Never been to a Shabu-shabu place before, great first time experience, our waitress was more than happy to explain and demonstrate how to Shabu works, great service and delicious food. Started with the assorted carpaccio and had the surf and turf with the szechuan broth. The seafood carpaccio was incredible and the szechuan broth was perfect, really liked the place, the food and the service, definetly will be back when I visit Boston.
(5)
Peter A.
I've always been a fan of hot pot. My first Japanese hot pot experience was here at Shabu Zen actually. This place is always busy, so expect to wait 10-15 minutes when you step foot inside the door. The prices are very affordable for hotpot, and you can always split it up with your friends, so it's not too costly. I always get the beef broth, and veggie delight, and the vegetables are always fresh. Definitely give place a try when you come to Chinatown in Boston!
(4)
Anum I.
We ordered supreme seafood as we have kosher like dietary requirements.. It was alright. The vegetables didn't have as much variety (tomato, a few sprouts, lettuce, one carrot slice, one mushroom.. Etc).. But the sauces were really tasty! We he ordered kimchee and spicy Chinese broths.. Both were nice. The spicy Chinese broth had the right amount of zen peppers which tasted good.
(3)
颖瑶
Food is good, which I prefer the seafood combo. My favorite is the dessert part- green tea ice cream. Then that's it!
(4)
Andrew H.
Great little find. Individualized spots at the bar make it an awesome stop for lunch. The Mongolian broth was very flavorful, the meat was delicious and the service prompt and polite.
(4)
Victoria W.
Loved this place until tonight. Poorly managed and rude staff. Arrogant waiter was goofing around, eating on the job,and while joking with coworkers started laughing and spit out food in front of us and on our food. Appalling. When asked to be more professional, he replied that I should "calm the f*** down." I complained immediately to the young girls at the desk, but they were essentially powerless and lost, explaining that "he had a temper." Just appalling. Go elsewhere. Zero stars.
(1)
Kimberly Y.
Hubby and I came here late on a weeknight. Itwas packed and there was a line. Luckily they had 2 place settings left in the wrap around bar so we were seated right away. Service was OK. We had several waiters come help/serve us and about half way through our meal it seemed that our main server left and another took her place. No one told us of the change and I found this confusing on who we should wave down when we needed anything. Anyway, onto what's important; the food! The broths were good. I got kimchee and hubby got the plain. We ordered beef and pork and got a ton of veggies. Even though everything was fresh and tasted good, I still prefer Kaze a little further down the street for the ambience and service.
(3)
Amber X.
I ordered Vegetable delight combo, it is a large portion. The place is very clean, and the friendly staff too. Good for people in group or solo. Appetizers are fair.
(4)
Jonathan H.
This place knows how to do hot pot well! We got the jumbo prime grade beef combo ($18) along with 5-6 a la carte dishes (~$3-4 each). The beef beautifully marbled, and the jumbo size was almost too much for the two of us. Great meat, yummy sauce, good spicy broth... my stomach feels all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it :) The service here is great as well. One of the servers goes above and beyond by doing small things like rotating our meat plate when we had eaten all the pieces of meat closest to us. Everyone we interacted with was polite and responded quickly to our requests for more water, broth, etc. Also, the watermelon smoothie ($4) we got was delicious! My only complaint is that the udon noodles weren't really udon. They were a softer, flat noodle that didn't hold up well to cooking in the broth. I would have preferred they didn't advertise it as udon on the menu, because had I known it wasn't, I would have gotten vermicelli instead. Overall, though, this was a minor blip in an otherwise fantastic and delicious experience. I highly recommend Shabu-Zen, and look forward to going back myself!
(5)
Paul Y.
The wait was so long- oh my god four times I almost abandoned hope. I could have completed a degree from Harvard in the time before I was seated. However, that was really not a knock against these guys; they are popular because they are a quality restaurant. However, all in all, this is a solid, if uninspiring hot pot spot. Maybe its because I have to compare against family gatherings, but there was nothing remarkable about Shabu-Zen. The meat was decently priced (obviously more than if you just bought some at the supermarket) and the broth was unfortunately, insufficiently spicy (rectified with ample hot sauce). I do recommend the vermicelli as well as the lamb though. However, I think hot pot just makes for happy meals and happy people, and I think it is definitely worth a visit. It is not gastronomic nirvana, but it is a solid place to have a social and interactive meal
(4)
Dandan Z.
I liked it because I basically like all the hot pot if not too bad. I ordered kimchi pot and I think it was delicious. Definitely will go again even tho it's little pricy.
(4)
DDD D.
Discovered this place with my daughter a few years ago, yikes 11 years ago, she was 14. I go there at least 3 times a month. I bring friends, family, and they all love the entire experience. The food is very fresh, the broths are all delicious, and the beer is cold, the sake hot. Once in a while the service gets bad when the staff is having employee meal and they forget about you. Otherwise the food is 5 star.
(4)
Kriti J.
This is my favorite shabu of all time. I've been to other shabu places but this is my number one on the list.
(5)
Hang P.
I was craving hotpot so badly, I came to Shabu Zen, and was definitely satisfied. My friend and I came around 8pm, and it was decently packed on a Wednesday night. We were immediately greeted/seated by the hostess, and sat in the middle of the restaurant with the individual pots. I never had my own pot before, so I thought this was pretty cool to experience. We had a male waiter, he was very nice and quite accommodating (refilling water, asking how we are doing, etc). For chinatown, that's quite amazing! My friend and I both ordered the beef combo, comes with assortment of veggies & side of your choice, I chose udon. I LOVE thin udon, and this place had it! Already hooked. I got the Tom Yum broth, and it was the BEST Tom Yum broth I've ever had at hotpot! Tangy and spicy, WOO! The beef was also bomb. In all, the service and food was awesome. I see myself coming back often for some bomb diggity hotpot.
(5)
Yoki L.
Best Shabu!!! Seafood is good. However I won't have chicken next time. Warm and nice service. Compared to some other restaurants in Chinatown. This one is much more clean.
(5)
Ariel Z.
Love love love! It's hard to find a decent place for hot pot, and even though this is Japanese style, it is the best I've found in the area. Savvy hot pot goers already know the drill: choose one or two different broths (my fave: spicy), meats, veggies, etc. The rest is pretty straight forward...like placing all the "tough" items, such as radish, lotus root, carrots, etc. first into the broth. Towards the end of the meal, these will be soft and ready to eat. The thinly-cut meat and veggies tend to cook quicker, so those can be pretty much gobbled up right away. Once each item is cooked all the way, you can dip these into a bowl of sauce that they provide for each person. I like to add vinegar and red chili to mine. Just be careful not to burn your tongue, since the mushrooms and bokchoy in particular take the form of searing lava if you're not paying attention. The reason why I like the hot pot here so much is because the broth is actually flavorful, unlike Hot Pot Buffet. You also aren't charged extra for not finishing your items or going over your "time limit" (again, unlike Hot Pot Buffet). Highly recommended for those long, cold winter months. You know I will be there...in fact, I am already here ;p
(4)
Ben S.
Of the hot pot restaurants in Boston, there really isn't a more surefire crowd pleaser. The broths are all great (I usually go for the kimchi) and the combo plates are just the right amount of food for just the right price. I'd consider Shabu-Zen to be hot pot "easy mode," as it's much less confusing to any newcomer than the more a la carte hot pot restaurants in chinatown. If you're new to the game, you couldn't possibly find a better starting point.
(5)
Elleen P.
I came here on a cold early afternoon with two of my friends for some nice warm hot pot for lunch, and I must say that this place fulfilled our expectations. Although it wasn't anything amazing, it sure felt good in below freezing weather. I got the short rib, my friend got the thin beef one (can't remember the exact name), and my other friend got the surf & turf. We also shared two soup bases -- one mongolian and one pork. The pork base tasted a little bland, but the mongolian one was pretty good. Just enough spice for a little kick, but not too unbearably spicy. In my opinion, the surf & turf is a really good deal -- for $17, you get the same portion of thin beef plus a good amount of seafood. Our server was pretty nice as well -- since it was our first time here, he explained what people normally ordered and gave us recommendations without trying to make us pay more for different add-ons. Overall, I'd say I had a pretty good experience here. The only thing was that it was a little pricey compared to other places in Chinatown, but I think the food quality was pretty good so it was worth it. :)
(4)
Samrat P.
Good fresh and fast shabu place. Heavily recommended. Big drink selection as well as meat and broth selection. All meals come with great side sauces and fresh crunchy veggies.
(4)
Lihua R.
Great food!
(5)
Jenny S.
more like CHINESE HOT POT even though they advertise "Japanese shabu" NOTE: you can split the hot pot 3 ways & if you want to try 3 diff soups or levels of spicy! ---tom yum hot pot mild spicy ---tom yum hot pot medium spicy: perhaps my favorite!! ---kimchi hot pot: tasted more like miso than kimchi ---rib eye: liked the thinness & quality of the beef!! ---short rib: also enjoyed the fattier taste of this beef! ---complimentary kimchi for the table ---free red bean soup dessert: tasted too much like barley ---each order comes w/ lots of veggies & either rice/udon/vermicelli noodles! mix your own sauces w/ the ingredients provided at the table to ADD more flavor after cooking!! the restaurant gets CROWDED so come early or put your name down & come back (we missed our name being called but they still seated us next when we returned)
(4)
Clint S.
Its been about 4 years since I came here and nothing has changed, this is still one of the best hot pot restaurants I've been to. Broth is flavorful, meat is good, smoothies will never be forgotten, and prices are affordable. Almost everything you want in a hot pot restaurant worth traveling for.
(5)
Delvin S.
This shabu lacks of costumer service and the food is not bad but it's not the best compared to the other location in Allston. I would of prefer my server to actually asked me if I needed anything between my meal but I guess they prefer to talk to each other and take their time. I'm not gonna lie, 25 dollars for 2 people is the ideal price for meal if you get there before 3 oclock. Over all the food gets a 7/10 and the service gets a 4/10.
(2)
Michelle Y.
I don't get the hype of this place. 2.5 stars at most. I've had waaaaay better Shabu in California at various places and also in Hawaii. I could eat shabu 2-3 times a week if I didn't travel so much. This is the only shabu place I have ever been to that serves such small portions of their "fresh veggie plate". I got 4 small Bok Choy, maybe 5 slices of Napa cabbage, 2 small pieces of tofu, a small slice of tomato, a 2.5 inch piece of corn on the cob, and some enoki mushrooms. Every shabu restaurant I've been to provides at least 2-4 times of this with plenty of Napa cabbage and spinach. Shabu Zen gives you soy sauce as sauce and little tiny plates to mix your own sauce. A poor selection of green onions, garlic, red peppers, and Chinese bbq sauce. Traditional shabu places give you 2 sauces: sesame sauce (for meat) and ponzu sauce (for vegetables). And usually provide an unlimited use of green onions, daikon, and garlic to mix into your sauce. The meat I ordered was the priciest on the menu. USDA prime rib of beef or whatever. $20 for 10-12 slices. Beef slices were sliced nicely thin and good sized. However, it was dry and gross. Maybe the chef just kept slicing and gave me something else (choice beef) but it was not the quality of meat that I would ever eat again! Rice was dry! I got the bottom of the pot. I had a few bites of crusty, hard rice. Gross. I really wanted to like this place because I loooooveeee eating shabu and I was excited about all the reviews. But this place had bad quality meat, poor veggie plate, and bad sauce. 2 stars for food 3.5 stars for service - my server nice and it wasn't busy. I would never eat here again because of the meat and the sauce. Thumbs down on shabu for Boston. :(
(2)
Justin B.
My first experience with Hot Pot. It was refreshing. I try to stay away from chain restaurants and Americanized versions of ethnic foods so this was not one of those. The food was awesome. Location is convenient and not to far from the orange line. Service was great. I will be there this weekend with friends whom I have been bragging to about this place. Cant wait!
(5)
Kahlia A.
This place is awesome! I love the sechuan broth with USDA prime beef! Really recommended in cold weather!
(5)
Meghan F.
Loved this place! Staff was friendly and attentive. We had the hot pot with miso broth and Mongolian broth. chicken, pork, and the best....Japanese Kobe! It was authentic and delicious! Very flavorful and fresh! Our kids can't wait to go back!
(4)
Kim W.
what an enjoyable experience. The pork was awesome! The vegetables fresh and the atmosphere incredible. We decided to each do our own hot pot and liked being able to share and cook to our liking. Will go back. My daughter and I ordered the surf and turf. We both love it!
(4)
Danisha J.
My first time here. We ordered the beef and spicy Mongolian broth. Wow! De-lic-ious!!! My six year old (her broth was not spicy) says she wants to eat here everyday! What a wonderful experience.
(5)
Minju K.
I would definitely recommend this place for hot soup and fresh veggies & meat. I love eating asian hot pot when it's cold out. Great food for affordable cost!
(5)
Claude F.
BEST HOT POT IN BOSTON!!!! Here is why: Number 1: The price. Lets face it folks! With Rents skyrocketing in the Boston area due to the corrupt relationship between City Hall and the real-estate people (The Realtors agree to pay the ridiculous property taxes and in exchange the City looks the other way to predatory behaviors of landlords towards tenants) we can all use a break. And Shabu-Zen delivers that break in a BIG way!!! Finest USDA Prime Rib Eye of Beef - $19, Top Grade Black Angus - USDA Choice Rib Eye Beef - $17, Boneless Short Rib Beef - $17, Selected Sirloin Beef - $15, Pork - $11, Chicken - $11, Lamb $12!!! And even better: SEAFOOD PLATE: Scallops, prawn, salmon, cod, squid, clam, and fish cake - $17!!!! ALL AT REALLY GENEROUS PORTIONS!!!!! And most of the Broths for the hot pot are complementary!!! (that means Free to those of you who went to a Southern university) And for Dessert: Mochi Ice Cream for $2.50!!!! When was the last time you got a great dessert at a nice restaurant for under 3 dollars?...yeah...I did not think so. Number 2: Quality of the food. 5 STARS ALL AROUND!!! Totally agree with my fellow Elite Yelpers Clara L and Jason J who wrote that the food is entirely "Delicious!" (Note: I think they are secretly dating by the way. Notice they always review the same restaurants at the same times....hmmmmm) The Quality and freshness of the food here is OUTSTANDING!!!! Normally in Boston "You get what you pay for!" Here you get much much more! Its really the same hot pot quality as Little Q but at bigger portions and half the price. EVERYTHING we ordered was DELECTABLE!!!! Number 3: The Service. They were just so friendly and nice. I came here with a party of 8 (even though I only had reservations for 5...since my friend Tong joined us with her drinking buddies at the last minute) and they totally were able to accommodate us no problem. I thought they were VERY fast, quick to bring us new waters, quick to answer questions and just overall: a 5 star wait staff....unlike the arrogant pricks at little Q (Slasher review to follow). However...1 star off of a well deserved 5 stars for an incident that happened there. One of my party of 8 was my good friend Tong. Tong, like most international students at BC, has a serious drinking problem. As we are walking in I notice Tong is trying to sneak in a Bottle of JÄGERMEISTER (as she has attempted so many times at so many places in the past). I think to my self: "Okay, No Problem. They will just take it away from her like the wait staff at every other restaurant I have taken her to has done. But Nooooo...they did not! (I think they were just too nice) So as we ate the delicious Hot Pot, Tong Drank half the bottle of JÄGERMEISTER...Then the other Half...Then got really drunk...Then the wait staff very politely asked to leave...Then Tong started flashing people on the whole Green line ride back to Brighton (to the utter delight of the men on the train who cheered so loud, as they were taking pictures and making videos, that it hurt my hearing) Ugh!!! But other then that unfortunate occurrence...I highly recommend Shabu-Zen!!! I would just say to the wait staff: Frisk any BC students coming in from now on. Tips on coming here: A. If you have never had Hot Pot before and think General Chao's chicken is authentic East Asian cuisine like a very white friend I brought (see photo) You may find some of the stuff on the seafood platter to be a bit odd. So Stick with the beef to play it safe. B. Take the MBTA (just not with a drunk girl) Finding parking in this part of chinatown is like being attacked by a great white shark and big foot on the same day. Its just not going to happen. (Note: I stole that last joke from here...www.myfoxboston.com/story/22295972/2013/05/Â20/hiring-a-family-affair-in-mass-government C. Bring Cash to pay and you MAY get a big discount! D. JÄGERMEISTER is meant to be drunken in small portions. By the Glass, NOT the bottle...and not if you weigh 98 pounds and think a bra is just a weird american custom. E. Come early or make CORRECT reservations. This place fills up fast! But Do come often. This place is just THAT good! Ps. Props to my Fellow Yelpers (and good friends) Jason J and Clara L for writing the reviews that brought me and my group here. Pss. Email me if you want to see the pics of the greenline trip home. (WARNING!!! Not suitable for younger viewers!!!)
(4)
Liz R.
Shabu Zen ruined me for future hot pots... and I didn't even know it at the time. What an experience! We went on a weekday evening, late-ish (well after 9pm), and the place was packed to the hilt. Packed the two hours we were there. (I seriously wondered if anyone worked in Boston if they're out shabu-ing it up til 11pm on a school night - ha). We told them it was our first time, and they patiently explained the whole thing. Lots to explain. Lots of choices. I went with the short rib dinner with noodles, spicy Szechuan style broth, plus a side of shrimp. Ken chose the Surf and Turf dinner with rice, spicy Mongolian style broth. I normally wouldn't go short ribs, but I was intrigued by the gorgeous curls of raw meat that went by, inquired, and thought 'I gotta have it'. Glad I did, because that meat was so tender. Sure, it should be, only being waved around in the hot broth for a couple seconds before dipping in sauce and shoving in mouth... but it was. Yeahh me. Ken's steak was good also (he preferred it actually), but most of his surf was just OK to me (once again, he really enjoyed it... so to each their own). I loved the veggies in the hot pot, mixed with noodles and slurped out of my dipping sauce bowl. Loved everything about this place - casual, laid back, eat at your own pace we'll add more broth if you run low. My kind of dinner. When we got home, we searched for Shabu Shabu immediately...found one... but just not the same. No dipping sauce. No noodles. No flavorings to the broth. So, if my first addictive taste of Shabu Shabu is wrong...well... I wish they had a wrong place here in the D!
(5)
Erik H.
This place was outstanding. Different, laid back, cool, just overall awesome. Located in the heart of Chinatown boston it was perfect for a birthday date. I opted for the chicken and lamb in a sauzuan sauce. It was super tasty. The veggies, sauces. , service were all top notch. Very casual atomeshere which is nice because you are cooking your own food. I would gladly take the hour trip here again. Only next time is shojo for lunch across the street followed up with dinner here.
(4)
Eri E.
I've been here twice in two weeks! This place was rec'ed to me by a few local friends. I haven't had decent Shabu Shabu since I lived in San Francisco. Shabu Zen is a nice hole in the wall in the depths of Chinatown. It is a bit of a walk from either South Station or Boylston, but well worth it. It's a really fun dinning experience with friends or family. I prefer the spicy house broth. You get a nice serving of vegetables. Expect $15-ish for a meal. You definitely get your money's worth here. It's very hearty especially if you have some dietary restrictions. I tried the vermicelli and it was all right. I prefer the udon noddles - they're a thinner udon, not the thicker udon I'm used to, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Just be ready, the broth splashes everywhere! But that's part of the fun! Great place for groups of people and there is parking across the street. Only issue was that our waiter (on both occasions) didn't stop by to pour water as often as other restaurants do.
(4)
Michelle T.
SO GOOD! Fresh veggies, meats, seafood. The assorted carpaccio was amazing. So were the beef tongue. We tried the Tom Yum, Miso, and the standard broths. They were all excellent. I loved the puffy tofu (not that they were special here, but they are perfect for shabu!).
(5)
John D.
A Saturday night at 8pm, oh boy it was a full house and it took me 1/2 an hour to find parking. Even for a table of 2 it was a pretty decent wait. The hostesses took my name down and apparently there were 2 Johns with another party of 2 so there was a little confusion when our names were called. No problem, my friend and I let them go first. Eventually we were seated with some free drinks on the house, We were sat at a bar I guess you could say, off towards the left side of the restaurant where you get a little hot pot for yourself. That was pretty interesting because I'm always used to the large hot pots made for groups. Very nice. For soup bases there are 3 levels of spice; mild, spicy, and something... I ordered mild Kim chi, which isn't spicy at all! It's flavorful like Kim chi but I wish I ordered a spicier version. My friend ordered a spicy Szechuan and that was yummy too! A popping $3 per broth flavor however. We ordered something like angus beef combo and surf and turf with more beef! Wonderful. It comes with a side of typical veggies like boy choy, mushrooms, corn, tofu, and cabbage. Also comes with and udon, rice, or vermicelli. On top of that I ordered a side of tofu, fish balls, pork dumplings! All of the beef was very yummy, these are always my favorite cuts of meat with short ribs and some other things LOL. Veggies were typical veggies, nothing out of the ordinary! Udon was really yummy, they were thinner than I was used, to but it was still great. Tofu and fish balls were also simple and pretty basic, nothing special. But the pork dumplings I didn't really like. Maybe I overcooked? Perhaps. Service was pretty chill. They knew when we were ready to order and the food came out shortly, it didn't feel that long of a wait for our food. Our waters doe came a little before our food. Very thirsty during our meal LOL.
(4)
Jane C.
Service: Great! Made the poor guy run around a lot for more food, more condiments, more sauce, more water. My server also rotated the plates for you, a small but nice gesture. Portions: On the small side, -1 star. Price: Affordable at ~$17 per, but buffet is definitely a better deal. Broth: Got the Szechuan medium spicy, and it was NOT AUTHENTIC TASTING. Doesn't mean that it wasn't good - just not authentic. Also, achoy is my absolute favorite hotpot vegetable and I ordered many, many plates of this here. Would come again in a heartbeat.
(4)
Wayne T.
Typical hot pot, lunch is a good value, unfortunately, no msg free option, decor inside nice, can get crowded, good with bunch of friends
(4)
K. Brooke Z.
The szechuan broth is delicious! Great with veggies. We've tried many of the broths. The plain-ish ones leave lots to be desired. Try the Thai Tom Yum instead! The veggie delight platter is enough veggies for two, or to fill you up beyond belief. Ask the servers about the house Sake warm, it was tasty and well received by our table. This meal takes a long time to eat, but its worth it for the experience. One of my favorite places to dine with friends and catch up for an hour or two.
(5)
Joseph B.
On top of being a pretty good deal, this place has really got some good shabu shabu! Everyone gets their own personal shabu pot which means everyone can order and have what they want. Friendly staff. Lot of different meat types (including Wagyu from Japan, Australia etc.) mean that you will not have to settle. The shabu broth types are range from traditional to Mongolian and the tea is free. Without drinks I has a really nice meal here for $17! One minor criticism.. seating is Japanese Kaiten Sushi counter style so its not great for conversations.. but OK if you want to sit next to your date. =)
(4)
Karen C.
Price is decent. The place is clean and the portions are decent but the service is very slow. It takes forever for the waiters to come to serve each order. Normally I would hope that they walk around to see if anyone is missing water or needs to pay. But none the less it's a good place to come with friends.
(3)
Terry H.
been here many times since my undergrad years, the food and the quality has been consistent for the past 12 years. never disappoint. Shabu shabu can't get anymore authentic than this, comparable to the shabu shabu serve in Taiwan. I only wish that they can blast the AC more when the restaurant is pack with people eating shabu shabu.
(4)
Mike T.
Best tasting Hotpot in Boston. I always come here for the Tom yum soup base and the beef selections. I love their house special peanut sauce as well. Place is a bit expensive though I would suggest going here for lunch. Prices are half the cost and you the same amount of food basically minus some veggies.
(5)
Sam L.
Hot pot is standard, service wasn't that great though. Didn't fill up our water even once and waitress gave the annoyed look when asking for more sauce.
(3)
Steve W.
The hot pot is such a fun way to eat. I got the meat combo, and chose pork and chicken as my two items. Both were very good. I originally ordered the broth Szechwan style, but it was way too spicy (and I normally like hot foods), but the staff was great and traded it out for a different option. The staff was willing to assist a shabu newbie and answer questions as well. Overall a very good meal!
(4)
Adrienne R.
Um, holy crap. I remember why this is my favorite shabu place in Chinatown! We went on a Saturday for a late lunch during some crappy, snowy weather (surprise) so it wasn't super busy. I ordered the lamb with pork broth and rice. The rice was so sticky! And the lamb wasn't so thin-cut that it fell apart on the plate as it thawed. Chopped garlic, green onions, and the smoky bbq paste came on the side so I added those to both my sauce and broth. My roommate got the veggie plate and it was freaking loaded with veggies, mushrooms, and tofu. I went home extremely satisfied! The wait can get pretty long on the weekend for dinner, so keep this in mind!
(5)
Meg C.
Hands down all time favorite place to eat hotpot. Their food is always so fresh and you definitely get what you pay for. They never skimp and it's absolutely delicious. So worth the price. I love their watermelon smoothies, it tastes like I'm sticking a straw into a watermelon. So fresh!
(5)
Olivia W.
I love going to this place ... I like the idea of having personal hotpot. My favorite meet is the beef which is most expensive on the menu( I forgot the name...) . Definitely worth the money. The A5 combination is also very popular. The beef in this conbination is also very good( much cheaper). Water melon smoothie is a awesome drink to go with the hotpot, if you are not a beer person.
(4)
Josephine L.
Much better than other shabu I've had in Boston but still miles away from what I can get back home. This place would honestly be 3 stars, but I can't fault an establishment for not being as good as places in Asian-dominated cities and it really wasn't that bad overall, plus the service was good, so heck, let's make it 4 stars. It's not cheap but it's not expensive. For $15 (everything included) you can get a full shabu meal sans seafood (that'll cost another $5 or so). All the ingredients are nicely cut/sliced, clearly fresh and beautifully arranged. They give more sauce ingredients than at other shabu places which is nice, but the portions aren't as big so you end up having to ask for seconds (which is okay, as they gladly give them). (Sauce tip: I like to mix my satay sauce with the soy, add some garlic and a tiny bit of scallions. Ask for seconds of satay, as you'll want a pretty even ratio of soy : satay. Prepare to dazzle your taste buds.) I'm used to bigger personal pots so couldn't dump as much in as I would have liked, and I'm also used to being able to control the temperature at all times (can you tell I've been spoiled by my hometown?), but the servers kept the heat on at good increments so I was able to cook everything in a timely manner. They also offered plenty of re-fills of the delicious broth, so no complaints overall. (Cooking tip: Cook your noodles (esp vermicelli) at the end, since they absorb liquid. This way, they also soak up the flavors of all the food you've been cooking and believe me, it tastes incredible. Sprinkle some of the soy-satay sauce over the noodles, mix, and you will be wolfing this down.) If you have a friend who's never had shabu before, this is a good place to take him or her. That was my case and my friend raved about how delicious and healthy the meal was. The only thing that wasn't so impressive was the dessert of chilled red bean soup (she didn't like it and I prefer it hot, plus SZ's tasted really made-from-powder-ish) but other than that, it was a fun night.
(4)
Danny K.
Very delicious. Fairly healthy. Kinda expensive.
(5)
Lorrie M.
I had an extremely enjoyable lunch experience here at Shabu-Zen and I again wish that shabu places in the bay area were more like this. It was pretty cheap and the broth they offer, the lunch specials, the sides and the meat was all in abundance. The service was prompt, clean, and very friendly. We were immediately seated and offered a variety of options. The waitress even convinced us to get fish cake but she claimed it was tofu fish cake, haha ... Overall it was a hearty, filling and warm meal. Perfect for an overcast / rainy day in Boston. There are so many bakeries and other eateries in this area (Chinatown) that you really just can't go wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed it so it's a great place for lunch!
(4)
john e.
I hope they keep this place as it is and the prices at good value. I have been going here for years, with friends, "other", or solo. All modes are very well accomodated. You have a choice of broth or all vegetable broth. They have sushi grade seafood, which is my choice and optional green tea. The staff are excellent. The bean desert is wierd, but it's healthy all the same.
(5)
JoBeth U.
I could eat this food for every meal for the rest of my life!
(5)
Sheila G.
My daughter treated me to my first authentic "hot pot" dining experience here on Saturday night after and we were seated in less than 10 minutes. I was told the smoothies were very good so I resisted the temptation to order my usual Diet Coke and ordered a strawberry smoothie. I was glad I did, it was the best I've ever had in any restaurant. It was thick, cold and sweet, yum! Since this was my first time the waitress explained the "hot pot" concept and I ordered the "Meat Combo" of beef and chicken with chicken broth and white rice. As I waited for my order I opened my chopsticks and proceeded to test using them. (It was not a pretty site). The waitress witnessed my pitiful attempts and without saying a word laid a fork at my place setting. My order came with a heaping plate of fresh vegetables (Bok Choy, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, tomato, and tofu) and I proceeded to "cook" the meat, and vegetables in the broth. The place setting consisted of several small containers of Chinese barbecue sauce, soy sauce, green onions, garlic and peppers for mixing according to your taste. (I skipped the peppers) I dipped the meat and vegetable in the mixture of soy sauce, barbecue sauce, scallions and garlic,. and enjoyed every bite. I even tried several more times to use the chopsticks, succeeding only occasionally. (I brought my chopsticks home and promise to practice). My daughter warned me that the dessert was different and she predicted I would not like it. She was very right. To me it was not good at all. It was a grainy liquid with beans and mushy white ingredient I can't even describe. Overall, it was a fun, reasonably priced, different experience. This isn't the type of place I would visit on a regular basis but on occasion and it's a great place to bring someone who appreciates trying new things.
(4)
E H.
A great experience! And fun too! My first time at a hot pot restaurant, not my hubby's though and he loved it too!! I got prime beef in Mongolian broth and he had the short rib in Kim Chee-delicious! Also the honeydew smoothie was so good (not too too sweet)-I ordered two and its so worth it. Staff was very friendly! The place was insanely packed and we got there at 6:30 right before the mega rush :) so go earlier or later and enjoy!!
(4)
Matty B.
I absolutely love Shabu-Zen! Honestly, the food is incredible, fresh, clean, and if prepared (by you....) correctly it's positively delicious. One of the main reasons why I go is because the food is so amazingly fresh. I highly recommend the supreme seafood platter with the assorted mushrooms on the side. It's always a feast and the price is so inexpensive that it will blow your mind. If your visiting Chinatown for the first time and you've never had hot pot before Shabu-Zen is a mandatory stop. It's also a great location because of the interaction with the food and with a touch of sake makes for a really fun night with friends. The server to guest ratio is always very high, so food comes out quickly and feel free to order small initially because you can order ala carte and a large order can be overwhelming.
(5)
LadyS M.
Had brunch with my daughter today and it was really good ! Lunch is very cheap there compare to Kaze/Tokyo. I haven't gone to Shabu-zen for years until today and I think I will be coming here often again
(5)
Hans H.
Came here because of the great reviews. TBH I wasn't particularly wowed. The portions were decently sized, service was fine, but nothing too incredible. Overall: a decent place for shabu, but not that memorable.
(3)
Snuffles B.
Disclaimer: I do not like Shabu Shabu/Hot pot in general - I think there is just something plain wrong about straight up boiling meat and flavoring everything with the same sauces. I ended up here on the choice of a friend, and for novelty. The place is large, clean, has decent service. Most importantly, food is very fresh - we were debating if the fish could be eaten raw, but decided best not to find out. We had the Surf and Turf w/ beef and ordered more beef. The meat is perfectly sliced, the tofu flavorful, fishcake tasty and a good veggie and seafood variety. The broth is quite mediocre but better at the end when the food essences (and fat) have infused. The key item is that their sauce is quite tasty, which is basically what all your food ends up tasting like - I'm not sure, but it seemed lik some kind of fermented bean. $15/person - while pricey for C-town, will barely get you a drink a few blocks away. While the food is really only about a 3-3.5, as much as I ever think I'll enjoy boiled meat.
(3)
Alison M.
This place was so fun. The fiance and I had never eaten hot pot before so it was a exciting new experience. Not only that, but it was so delicious. Seriously yum! We told the waitress we were newbies when we sat down and she was happy to explain everything and teach us how to cook all the ingredients and how to mix the dipping sauce. Right off I ordered the beef and a Mongolian spicy broth. I do not recommend doing that. There were so many red cut up chillies in there and it was burning my lips before they even started heating it up! I told the waitress and she wisked it away returning with a delicious pot of Mongolian with much, much less chillies. It was a good choice. I also got rice which I think was a great idea, because this isn't really soup. It's like cooking your own meat and veggies and then you eat it in another bowl so just mix it with the rice. The fiance ordered the seafood and beef combo and you get twice as much food, but I wasn't really a fan of the seafood. It was really fishy and I never know how long to cook anything. The beef was really good though and sliced super thin. It looks like a ton of food when they set it down, but somehow I was able to finish and probably could have put away more seeing how yummy it all was. Hot pot is a lot of work and it's a messy business, but it's also a ton of fun and really good. I would definitely return and recommend anyone who hasn't tried it to do so.
(5)
Jennifer K.
Kimchee was delicious. First time ever at a hot pot resturant. Great experience wod try again for sure. Vegetables were very fresh and fish tasted fresh as well. Definitely not a first date kinda place. Can get messy
(4)
Austin S.
Thought it was overhyped. Food? Good. Service? Good. Decore? Gross. Honestly the food is very good but spending $40 for a plate, veggies, beer, and rice I'm just not that into.
(4)
Lynn C.
Sometimes finding the meat that you had put in the hot pot a minute ago is actually on someone's plate can make you a little jittery, which is not good when you are sitting next a giant pot of hot broth. Shabu-Zen eliminates this problem by providing you with individual pots, but then also makes you pay for it, as each one of you has to pay for the soup base; whereas if you were fighting each other for the food in the pot, at the very least you get to split the $3 soup base among each other. Otherwise, shabu-zen is really a very mediocre hot pot place. Their kimchee broth was alright, and their prices are about $20/person. The line, definitely not worth it. I'd rather go to Kaze down the street for their awesome soup bases---unless, of course, I am not in the fighting mood.
(3)
Suzy H.
Good food and awesome price! (just standard beef for 12 bucks...for dinner!) Had great portions and the servers were nice. It sucks that they don't have bigger tables. Our party had 8 people and we had to wait quite a bit...Not completely their fault though. There were two tables who just wouldn't leave for an hour after they finished their meals. They just SAT THERE AND TALKED...ON A FREAKIN FRIDAY NIGHT. It'd be good if customers were a bit more conscious but whatever. Other than really thick-faced Asians (who just sit there and talk and talk and talk), this place is a good place to go.
(5)
Micky L.
Last weekend was my first time there. There was a long line on Saturday night. My friends and I ordered meat combos, some seafood and watermelon slush. I would strongly recommend the watermelon slush!!!good for hot pot!! And the free red bean soup dessert is also tasty!
(4)
Denis L.
Meh. I'm not new to shabu so perhaps my expectations are higher than those of people who find this to be a novelty. Pros: Meat selection and quality are pretty good. Cons: Overpriced for the overall experience, broth, portion size, distinctive odor of this place in particular (not kidding, maybe it was just the one time I was here but it was pretty funky)
(2)
Nina N.
I've been here twice. The first time was during the Lunar New Year, I believe. It was busy and it was my first time. I had no idea what to do, where to put the food, what utensil to use, what sauce to use, what goes in the pot and what should be used as a dipping sauce. It was hectic but fun. The drinks were ok. I had pina coloda. I've had better. If you're traveling in two and would like to try the place out, I reccommend sharing two different dish rather than ordering two of the same dish. I had the seafood hotpot while my bf had the beef hotpot. We had different hotpot flavors too. Appetizer wise, there is this baby clam dish that is good. If you're used to getting a lot out of your dollar, this might not be worth the money to you since the portion is very small and the taste is not going to blow you away. It is just something different to try. Overall, expensive and good. I'll have to write more when I eat there again as I have forgotten a lot of the dishes names.
(4)
Lydia H.
All I can say is... YES!!! I have been on the lookout for an authentic hot pot restaurant in Boston since I studied abroad in China and fell in love with this particular Asian cuisine style in 2007. Yes, it's taken me five years. Shabu-Zen is it. Completely true to what I used to eat in Shanghai. We ordered the house special pork broth and vegetarian just to try, since at the tables you can have two broths in one big pot. We got the sirloin (waiter was very helpful and explained this was the least fatty beef) and the vegetarian option, and I was so happy-- they had practically all of my favorite veggies and so many forms of bean curd, it really felt like I was back in Shanghai. The beef was tasty, too. Make sure you mix up all the sauce ingredients, as others said, and it will be delicious, once you get the hang of it (mix sauce here, pour some for dipping there, use one plate for cooling your food right after you take it out of the broth, etc).
(5)
Zhibo P.
It's a good place for just 1 person to have hot pot.
(4)
Shaina P.
Wow. I did not realize how social eating shabu really was until last night's shabu-zen experience. And I don't mean social amongst the people your with, but at Shabu-zen, everyone is a friend. In the heart of bustling Chinatown (Tyler Street), Shabu-Zen is quite the hot spot. For a table for four, we waited a half hour and enjoyed a drink up the street until receiving a friendly call from the staff to notify us that our table was ready. The dining space is fairly large with a huge center console surrounded by individual bar seats (actually I have no idea what goes on in the middle), not overly crowded, and slightly old-looking on the inside with an institutional edge. Apparently Shabu-zen is both kid- and sake bomb-friendly ($13 for bombs for 4 ---how many times can one say four in a sentence??). The cutest little boy celebrated his big brothers birthday by sticking his face in a fat slice of cake on one side of the restaurant while a group of 4 girls slammed their fists on a table once every 5 minutes for approximately 30 minutes on the other side. My group of four proceeded to make a sticky mess all over the table and over every accoutrement that covered all inches of our shabu table in between. Wild, I tell ya. Sharing a couple meat entrees and ordering a ton of side extras was definitely the way to go. I have no idea what we were eating half the time but I was quite buzzed after a half day spent sipping at Wine Riot and my meal was delicious just the same. So, the food isn't too shabby (broth increasingly flavored by a myriad of meats and seafood and vegetables), but this restaurant shines in the experience and price.
(5)
Alan M.
I love this restaurant, the concept is excellent, and the food is always fresh. They have a good variety of broth you can choose from and I always get the Vegetable platter, with a bunch of ala carte in items, some of my favorite includes their tofu plate with several kinds of tofu's, the mushroom plate that contains a wide range of mushrooms, and fish paste, this has to be one of the best things on the menu. The fresh fruit smoothies here are also wonderful, full of fresh fruit and flavor... watermelon and honeydew melon are my favorite. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone that has never tried Shabu Shabu before as it is a wonderful experience.
(5)
Jennifer S.
How to eat shabu shabu hot pot Pick your broth: Regular (pork) Vegetarian (seaweed-don't be scrrrd its good and doesn't make you want to run for the bathroom in 20) Pick your meat: Beef, chicken ( just don't -it's white meat and gets really tough), pork, lamb, seafood, or tofu Pick your carb: Udon noodles, white rice or rice vermicelli noodles. Automatically comes with an assorted veggie plate that includes napa cabbage, watercress, tofu skin, tofu, corn, and an obscure piece of carrot and tomato (for flavoring broth??) Order extra veggies if you want- I suggest the baby bok choy and mushrooms but do what you like. TIP: you can actually customize the veggie plate. I like to dispense with the obscurities and just get a plate of napa and baby bok. only problem is if you do that you miss out on the watercress so it's a problem. While you wait you make your little dipping sauce with the bits in front of you. Add all the bits (bbq sauce, chili peppers, garlic & scallion) to the soy sauce. Mix w/ chop sticks. Order extra of the things you like. I like more garlic and bbq. Some people ask for extras like chili sauce, vinegar, sesame sauce -stuff like that. When your veggie plate comes put all the stuff that takes a long time to cook in now -things like cabbage, corn, carrot, mushrooms and tofu skin take a while & then few things that don't take long so you have something to eat NOW. Figure out how raw/cooked you like your vegetables. Noodles have already been cooked so they just need about 1 minute or less to heat up. use little strainer they give to scoop them up. For the meat just dip it in and swirl until it's not raw otherwise it gets over cooked. Put noodles back in bowl quickly-don't let waitress take your little bowl away!!! Boys: Try not to be a creeper and overtly flirt with the very sweet, lovely and accommodating waitresses. Some people like to just dip each piece of cooked whatever in dipping sauce and eat. I like to make a mini bowl of soup with the broth, a piece of meat, some strands of noodles, a soft and luscious piece of very well cooked cabbage and a ladle of the dippy sauce. Slurp it up with the help of chop sticks in one hand and ladle in the other. REPEAT. Tip your waitress
(5)
T T.
Shabu-Zen is perfect for cold winter nights in Boston; what better way is there to deal with the cold than a satisfying bowl of hot noodle soup with delicious beef! The shabu-shabu comes with a hearty portion of ingredients (enoki mushrooms, cabbage, corn) and thinly sliced meats that you cook in the broth. I had the regular pork broth but would love to come back and try some of the spicy options. The only disappointing part of the meal was the udon noodles, which were not really udon noodles and were more like a stir-fry noodle.
(4)
Melissa P.
It was my second shabu shabu experience. I was disappointed the first time I had it, which was in JAPAN! Although fun to cook the items in the boiling broth were bland. My second experience was at Shabu-Zen and it was wonderful. I ate, sipped, slurped up all of the contents in my bowl. I dipped my delicious enoki mushrooms and salmon in the tangy chili, smokey, dipping sauce that I blended together with the ingredients provided. When all the floating pieces of food in my pot were gone, I poured the broth over udon noodles and happily ate that too. What caught my eye about Shabu-Zen is not just the fresh fun food, but how open and cheerful the waitresses were to teach their guest how to eat shabu shabu properly. Why miss the fun?
(5)
Wolfe S.
Great hotpot choices with veggie options and several complimentary spices.
(5)
Marlana Y.
...-_-... I went here recently with2 friends after the lunch rush was over, so it wasn't busy or overcrowded. I don't know what happened, the portions are very small compared to what I remembered when they were first opened, but the prices are still the same. So after I finished eating, I was still hungry. The service was very slow. The waitress forgot to order our appetizer and we ordered Tea ( which included free refills) but the waitress never refilled it unless I tried to get her. I had to ask for a refill 3 times. I like it when waitresses don't hassle you or rush you but she never came to our table to check up, at all. I think its nice to go to a hot pot place at least once to experience it, but I will most likely not return to this location.
(2)
Wendy L.
This location TRUMPS the Allston Shabu-Zen. Bigger portions, more variety of vegetables and fresher ingredients. This is probably the only thing that I love but is still fairly healthy. Since I reviewed the Allston location first and gave my opinion on the food I am going to focus on the differences between these two locations. This location gives you more stuff in general even the meat. The soup and soy sauce mixture are both more consistent here. The only downside to this location is parking...there is a lot outside the restaurant but it's pretty expensive and street parking is a nightmare in Chinatown. My favorite is still A3 - Short Ribs with Udon noodles and a side of Fish Paste. I know Fish Paste sounds weird but it's delicious. Spicy Kimchi is the best broth with the most flavor. This restaurant does stink up your clothes though so you may not want to put on your best. I would not recommend this for a first date especially if you plan on adding garlic in your soy sauce mix and ordering kimchi broth. Just saying!
(4)
Kenneth F.
Tasty. Fresh. Healthy. 1 order of beef + 1 order of seafood + 1 kimchi flavored broth + 1 chinese herbal broth + side of tofu! = ~$40 I always love places where you cook your own food. Really, you can only argue about the freshness of the ingredients because if you say the meat or vegetables were over/undercooked...well guess who's fault that was smartie! The ingredients were definitely fresh here though - and I like the fact that they give you so much variety with your vegetables. I hate going to shabu shabu or hot pot where you have to order every individual vegetable separately, and if you're going with just one other person, you end up with no variety. I can't comment on the normal broth - but both of the different flavored ones were great in their own way. And the contrast between the two just made it that much better. I would stick away from the Chinese herbal if you are not accustomed to that taste though. Looking forward to more meals here :)
(4)
Richard A.
I love Hot Pot. I love Shabu-Zen. The restaurant is small but very cozy and I find it much more comfortable than their other location. The staff is great and is more than willing to help out customers that are new to the Hot Pot experience. The broth and Hot Pot ingredients are great, as is everything else on the menu. I try to make it a point to eat here every time I am in Boston.
(5)
Lynn L.
I love the noodle(versilla something) in the spicy Szechuan broth! Really tasty! Service is good too!
(4)
Connie S.
As far as hot pot goes, this is shabu-shabu on the more upscale end (they arrange the meats so beautifully!) without being unreasonably priced. The spicy broth is where it's at. It's got a whole pepper or two floating around in there, but it's not so spicy that you can't drink the broth by itself... which we did until the last drop. You can't go wrong with any meat dish here (I have a personal preference for lamb and pork), which all come with a bowl of noodles and a heaping plate of veggies. We shared 4 meat dishes amongst 6 people and several sides (fish balls, mushroom assortment, tofu and the fish paste-- all of which were good) and we were pretty full from that. It gets pretty busy on the weekends and they don't take reservations-- expect to wait 30-45min for a table of four or larger. But the service was good: super friendly hostess and helpful, attentive waiter. My only admonition: be prepared to have your hair and clothes smell strongly of hot pot when you leave.
(4)
Anita L.
Perfect place to go when it is cold n freezing outside. I ordered their surf n turf for $16.95. Good amount of food for the price (but if you are a guy, you probably need to order extra food). Beef and seafood were both okay. I debated for a while if I just want the regular shabu or pay an additional $3 for the Chinese Spicy Soup Base. Having good spicy food always put a smile on my face, but the Chinese Spicy Soup Base didn't do it for me. It wasn't spicy at all.
(3)
Scott B.
When it comes to Shabu, there's something inherently creative within something so blatantly simple. Meat, vegetables, boiling broth.... GO! Shabu-Zen provided another button-popping shabu shabu experience. Hearty portions, delicious broth, and plentiful veggies all contributed to the most delicious of Japanese soups ever consumed. The atmosphere was nice, the beer and sake selections were good, and of course... the game was on. My only complaints are that our server wasn't very friendly; clearly in a terrible mood, and someone came and refilled my broth when I got near the end. The concentrated broth at the end of my meal is one of my favorite parts of the shabu shabu experience... so he basically diluted my hopes and dreams. And ruined Christmas. Overall, the experience was fantastic, and I will certainly return!
(4)
Amelia D.
This place is so delicious. I've been multiple times and I am in love. The prices are very reasonable. I can't remember if they change if you go for lunch vs. dinner, but we went for lunch today and it was only $12 for the meat combo (I always get beef and lamb). So fresh, so delicious. Please don't ever change Shabu Zen! You are perfect as is! The mongolian broth is my favorite. I've also had shabu at Q Restaurant nearby, which was also very good, but I still think Shabu Zen's is the best! So many spices floating in that brothy pot. Deilcious, delicious, delicious! Only thing that could possibly make it better is if this place had dim sum as well. I will be back...a million times. :-)
(5)
Harri S.
Chinese, spicy, EXTREME!!!!! That's the way to go. This can be extremely fun if you have a Canadian friend on hand. Grab a couple of beers and some good friends to get in on a communal hot pot and shabu your brains out. It's tons of fun. Also, their homemade mochi hits the spot.
(4)
Joanna H.
Expensive for Chinatown but cheap because it's hot pot. Spur-of-the-moment lunch visit today with my coworker. It was perfect for the more than chilly Autumn weather. Servers are friendly and efficient. I got the $12 Beef. Nothing exceptional, not fatty at all, but at least it made the soup tastier. Loved all the veggies and the side of assorted tofu we ordered. I la la loveee hot pot and my favorite part of it is at the end when you pour the meat-infused soup into your rice and eat it like porridge. I highly recommend it. $15 hot pot for lunch. Don't think it gets cheaper than that in Boston! (If it does, please let me know :)
(4)
Wei L.
Usually Hot pot Buffet is my go-to place for hot pot. we got 15% off coupon, so decided to check this place out. Definitely pricey than the other place, just arrange the meat and fishes in a nicer way. quality wise is about the same. I like how they provide different dipping sauces. When we went, there was a birthday party, so extremely loud. But in general, it is okay..not super impressed.
(3)
Chris S.
Pretty standard Shabu place - my main gripe is the pricing, because Shabu places in Boston are almost always priced 5x more than what the raw materials actually cost, so it hurts me a little bit on the inside to pay so much when it's equally viable to just go to the Asian supermarket a street away and buy the ingredients and cook it yourself at home, haha -____- Though, it's nice to come there when you've got a cold. For groups larger than 2, I suggest just going to the hot pot buffet next to the Chinatown arch. You can eat a lot more for your money and it's easier to get seated. Their portions are not very big, so I suggest supplementing the free rice/udon they give you with an additional order if you're especially hungry. Be wary of ordering the a la carte hot pot fixings, because you will end up paying $4 for something like 6 fish balls, which for the same value you can get a box and a half of at the Chinese supermarket -____-
(3)
Jenelle J.
Hidden gem of Chinatown! Fresh shabu-shabu with lots of fun vegetables to cook in the broth, extremely efficient wait-staff who attend to your every need before you even think of it, and a nice relaxed eat-at-the-bar kind of atmosphere. And not too pricey to boot. Great way to warm up on a cold Boston winter night!
(4)
I Y.
I'm a huge fan of hot pot and whenever my friends and I are in Chinatown and in the mood for some shabu, we always come here. The place is clean, staff's always friendly and the food is just good. I always leave here satisfied :)
(4)
Jess W.
I've only been to this Shabu Zen a handful of time compared to the one in Allston but it's just as good, if not identical in service and food. This Shabu Zen is definitely smaller in space and almost always requires a wait for dinner. I hardly stray from my favorites which are either the meat combo with beef and lamb or the surf and turf combo if you want a little seafood. The base broth is plenty flavorful so I've never ordered the other soup options. Best of all, they give you the chilled red bean soup when you're done which is always a welcomed and refreshing end to the meal.
(4)
TophBeiFon G.
You should know that I LOVE HOT POT!!! I will never EVER get sick of it......EVER. Hot pot is the perfect communal meal on any day of the year but especially much more beneficial and satisfying during the cold months. Warm your belly up with hot pot, it'll thank you for it later. Plus, it's the kind of meal that can get straight up gluttonous but have no fear. With the abundance of fresh veggies, you won't even feel guilty about it. Well, that's just me. I'm very big on broth and ALL the broths at Shabu Zen are wonderfully flavorful. The veggies are always fresh and the meats are thinly sliced to perfection. The main courses on the menu are served with a choice of noodles or rice. It's been vermicelli or Udon for me every single time. I've tried most everything on the menu. And besides the surf and turf combo, here are my two absolute must haves with each meal: 1. Sauteed baby clams -- It's very addicting. Slightly peppery. I can't figure out the ingredients yet but just you wait.....someday. 2. Surf Clams -- w/soy sauce and wasabi. Don't even bother cooking those suckers. They shrivel up and become rubbery. I consume sashimi style along with scallops and salmon off my surf plate. I'd say Shabu Zen is pricey but you get what you pay for. Most weekend nights Shabu Zen usually starts packing up around 6pm. But that's not going to deter any one. I've been to the Allston and Chinatown location. Personally, I prefer Chinatown because it's quaint and cozy. The waitstaff are seasoned and so very efficient. There's a no fuss no rush atmosphere about this place. It's what hot pot meals are meant to feel like. You're in and out, full and satisfied. That's all folks.
(5)
Cynthia D.
It was my first time in Boston, and what is it I look for? SHABU SHABU!! I've been feeding for it since my time in Chicago at Joy yee's noodle house. I came here with my significant other...more like dragged him here actually lol, and we ordered the Surf and Turf to share (about $19) and the octopus balls ($6?). They gave us separate broth pots (bonus points!) So we got to try 2 different types of seasonings bubby did. I like trying things in it's original state before messing around with it, any who, he had the Mongolian seasoning in his which was an additional $3. VERY SPICY if you leave in the peppers for a while, still good though. The vegetable variety and amout was kind of lacking to what im used to getting like , but I guess if you want more you gotta pay extra.
(4)
Alexandra D.
My first hot pot experience, I was not disappointed! I've been wanting to try hot pot for a long time and just never got around to it. I had beef and pork and it was delicious! It's pretty fun if you've never tried it, I loved mixing all the different things together and finding out what works best with all the flavors. I'd love to go back and try all the different broths. Great overall experience, although as I saw some one else wrote, there is a funky smell going on in there that I noticed the moment I walked in...almost like b.o. But I'd definitely go back anyway!
(5)
NN R.
Best salmon sashimi in Boston... believe it or not. Probably because it's an authentic Japanese restaurant. Food is fresh and great selection. I love the Berkshire sausages. However, I will go just for the salmon sashimi, it is THAT good.
(5)
Zig W.
#NAME?
(4)
Michael L.
Old women go hard here. I came here with a couple friends on a random weekend and there was this family doing sake bombs... but the only thing was that they didnt really know how to do it right. It started with them hitting the table to knock the sake shot off the chopsticks but they obviously didnt know what would happen because after it made a splash the woman almost jumped out of her seat in surprise and laughed hysterically. Then she proceeded to drink the sake bomb but instead of chugging it she was sipping on it until the waitress said she was supposed to chug it. She then started to chug the drink and in an effort to get every last drop, she tilted the glass high over her mouth. The only thing was that she didnt think about the shotglass that was still in the cup and it fell with a thud on her mouth and nose. Like I said. hardcore Man. what a site to see. I must have been creeping pretty hard to even remember all those details. I got the Prime Rib Eye of Beef which was pretty good but I was sad to see that there was not a meat combo for the top tier meats. There was only a meat combo for the regular meats. The serving size was just about right but I could have definitely eaten more. At least I did not leave the place hungry. The worst thing you can do is pay for a expensive meal and then go to a fast food restaurant after to fill yourself up. lame The chicken broth was free. Nothing special. The Kimchi broth wasnt too bad... pretty much on par with the other kimchi broths ive had in china town. My friend left his # on a receipt for the waitress but she never called back. LOL. Were going to have jokes for days now.
(4)
EricaLynn J.
And you thought you couldn't cook anything well! Shabu-Zen brings joy to the normally boring "oh, just do it yourself." You're in charge. Pick what you want and start cooking it on your table. Sure, it looks a little strange to the newcomer, but any newbie can just look around the place for the satisfied grins on the veterans. That should calm your nerves! That said, the service doesn't always bring the same warmth. I suppose that when the whole point of your restaurant is to let the customers do most of the work, people might not think that the customers need or want their attention so much. Not the case. It's always good to be checked on. Overall, Shabu-Zen is a great place to go when you are looking for a unique experience and have great food dressed up how you want it on the fly. Great for groups, and just as great for a date or just you.
(4)
Kelly L.
This is one of my favorite restaurants ever. When I used to live in Boston, I would come here for my birthday every year and of course during non-birthday occasions as well. I love the portions, the selection, quality of food, sauces, drinks - basically everything about it. You can't go wrong with anything you order!! No other hot pot place compares and I've been to hot pot places in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and NY. I never get sick of it but for some reason, after every time I come here, I need to make a visit to the bathroom when I get home....
(5)
Vivian L.
Unique place for shabu. Clean and tasteful. Love their sauce. always a long wait at night. If you want quality shabu, go there for sure.
(4)
Caralyn C.
This was my first "hot pot" experience. I was a fan! Several of my friends have raved about this place, so today I decided to check it out as I was in the city taking photos of the New Year celebration. While my friends and I were waiting to be seated, the "lion" came in and paraded around the restaurant in celebration of the new year. It was a special treat to see. We also spoke with the manager who was very nice and explained the meaning behind the traditions. We went for the chicken and beef with udon. Since this was my first hot pot experience, I didn't quite know what to do with all of the dishes and fixings that were brought over. Do I pour the sauce into the broth? Do I dump the garlic in too? What is that squishy brown thing on the vegetable plate? Oh, a mushroom? Gross. Won't be adding that. Hmm, will all of these vegetables fit in the pot at once? How long do I cook the chicken for? Clearly a rookie, so I asked our waitress a few questions about the proper way to prepare the pot. I know they were busy as it was the new year, but I thought she could have been a smidge more helpful. She didn't really go above & beyond to explain. Regardless, she was still pleasant and offered us dessert at the end of the meal. We tried the sweet red bean soup. So interesting! I thought it was going to to be warm and was surprised when I discovered it was served chilled. Although this isn't what I view as a "dessert," the Japanese do, so of course I was going to try it. Pretty yummy! All in all this was a great first experience at a hot pot restaurant. I hope to someday return = )
(4)
Art J.
Awesome place. Great bang for your buck. A lot of food, very laid back and nice people working here. A must try.
(4)
Sidi L.
combos are so good and cheap. it suits one person and a group of people. they have free red bean soup，and it's sooooooo goooooodï¼ï¼ï¼I would definately come againï¼
(5)
Cyn C.
If I have a craving for hot pot, but I don't have time to drive down to Quincy, I will hit up one of the Shabu Zen's. I actually prefer the one in Allston/Brighton, as it is roomier, with less wait time. I wish they didn't charge extra for special broths, b/c that seems wrong. I love the plate of veggies (oh yum!) but I wish there were more veggies. And more noodles. And... well. If you're hard up for hot pot, Shabu Zen will hit the spot. If you REALLY want it all, you gotta go to Quincy. This location loses a star for the long long wait times. This restaurant will tell you 20-30, but be prepared for that to turn into an hour.
(3)
Vicky c.
I've"ve been a die-hard fan since the beginning. It IS my favorite restaurant in Boston. My husband and I had our second date here and he loved it too. I always joke about it that if he didn't like it, I'd have to choose Shabu Zen over him. The food is fresh and the broth is so delicious. I love adding fresh fish paste to my choice. The hostesses are always friendly and nice. The servers are mostly efficient except when they get too busy. I've introduced this spot to many friends who have never tried it - they all love it after the experience.
(5)
Catarina C.
One of the best restaurants in Boston! Also, one of the cleanest (looking, and i hope im not wrong) restaurants in Chinatown!!! In the concept of hot pot, service isn't the most important. I'm too busy counting the seconds it takes for my beef slices to cook in boiling broth. Everytime I go it is late night because...well I work. So every experience is marked by the staff eating at the "bar", with one or two coming over every so often to refill my broth..which isn't a problem for me because, again, I'm watching my food cook hellllooooooo. I always get the surf and turf, with a choice of beef, lamb or pork (beef it is!), and an assortment of seafood. Yum!! I also get free vegetables AND a side of noodles or rice. Note, wear elastic waistbanded pants because buttons will become difficult after this meal. The red bean soup that comes as dessert is the perfect finish. Plus, try a smoothie if you're into that....they make them tall and ice cold. So good! Let's say you do as I did one night and skip over to the other hot pot restaurant in Chinatown that's open late because ShabuZen closed before you got there. Don't do it! The quality of food is not the same, prices are higher and the restaurant's pink halogen lighting just reminds me of a whorehouse. Go home, heat up some leftovers and come back to Shabuzen earlier next time, duh.
(5)
Marie C.
I love this place...delicious, inexpensive, and a great place for a family dinner, a date, or an after work dinner.. I've been in Japan where the Shabu Shabu is pretty similar to Shabu Zen: fresh ingredients that you cook up yourself in a hot pot, and flavor with a sauce that you season to your taste. I suggest drinking the leftover broth as a flavorful soup, and highly recommend the watermelon (non alcoholic) drink for any kid - big or small.. The bean dessert (not a misprint :) is good too! Great for a before theatre/concert dinner, or basically as a stand alone night out (though they're so quick here, you will be in and out in about an hour)..check this place out!
(4)
Payal P.
first hot pot experience! amazing! were able to walk in around 8 on a sun night with no wait (for two), groups were waiting. the service wasn't so great but the waiter did help us order and told us what to do...offerred to come back when we got our food to show us what to do but never did till we asked someone. the food as fresh and delicious, price was decent to me and we loved it! got the split pot with kimchi broth and tom yum broth and for the food we got the surf and turf (lamb, the option lots around us were going with) we also added on shrimp, tofu and extra veggies. didn't realize till we were too full that you can make your self a little soup with the broth. no hot pot on philly but i can;t wait till the next time i go to a hot pot place as it is my new favorite-would-be-obsession if it was anywhere near me!
(5)
Wenqing L.
I think it's owner is Japanese... Some of my friends thought the hotpot there is realy yummy, but I like Q restaurants much more. I oredered chicken as my main dish, it tastes just so so...The free tea is good, though.
(2)
Tony Z.
Dear Shabu Zen, Just because I come with a party of 7, and just because you're automatically getting 18% off my table, does not mean YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH NOT PROVIDING SERVICE! Our party was literally ignored the entire time we were there. We had to flag someone down to order, and once they brought our drinks we never saw them again. Yes, we did eventually get our food but no, we didn't get any checkups, water refills, etc. And also we had to flag someone down to ask for the check. So a warning to fellow yelpers, if you're going with more than 6 people, be very very careful as they will be providing very minimal service, especially if it's busy. We tried looking for a manager but after 10 minutes just gave up. Shame on you shabu zen. The reason why restaurants do the 18% is to protect servers since a 6+ person table would be a big portion of their covers. It's NOT so that you guys can slack off and still collect a tip.
(1)
Teresa T.
Even in 100+ degree weather my grandpa wants to come to Shabu-Zen. He loves their mango smoothies, and I love their lychee smoothies. Shabu Zen has become a staple place for my family to eat at - you can cook and season your own food just how you want it. The fact that there is this component makes it a neat experience. Each meal has more than enough food and the atmosphere is very laid-back. I am a huge fan though the only thing about Shabu Zen is that you leave the way that your food smelled.
(5)
Lanhy N.
I love Shabu Zen! The location in Allston offers better service and less wait time! Their Kimchi broth is AMAZING! It is spicy and full of deliciousness. Of all the shabu places I've been- shabu has the best broth. ( For me, shabu is all about the flavor in the broth) Their smoothies are delicious as well- they taste just like the fruit itself. Lychee, watermelon, lemon, mango ALL great choices. Their greentea shake is wonderful as well- but you can definitely tell it is very caloric and rich. They give a free redbean dessert at the end of the meal- YUM Their portions have gotten smaller through the years but I am a loyal customer and will stick with what I know will satisfy!
(5)
Manfred S.
Have been here many times and always liked it. Consistently great quality, nice service. Always a consistent 4 to 5 stars. Why 5 now? My sister was in town and had to fly out early in the afternoon. Problem - she is a part-time vegetarian. Hence, I never know what to expect from her. She craved udon. I craved meet. Winner. When she ordered a veggie plate, the waitress immediately verified that my sister is a vegetarian - and on this day my sister was vegetarian. So they switched the broth on the spot. Just a nice attentive gesture - not standard in Boston. Everything else was done well too - hence Woohoo ...
(5)
Sal W.
Very not bad. Had the tom-yum and szechuan broths with beef and seafood platter. Both were good but the szechuan broth had a fantastic flavor. The meal came with a dessert of red-bean soup, but honestly I felt like it should have come with a side of chips given that it tasted more like a bean dip. This place was pretty busy. Service was sub-par. Food Quality/Taste = 4 Stars Portion Size Given Price = 2 Stars Price = 3 Stars Service = 1 Experience with Staff = 3 Stars Decor = 3 Stars
(3)
Summer L.
Loved the environment, very clean and welcoming! I had the chicken and seafood and it tasted very fresh. The service was great. Overall great experience.
(5)
Tammy L.
To this day, I still have no idea why people rave about this place. I will admit that this place is good for a dinner with friends...if you're not thinking about the prices on the menu. Or the portions, for that matter. Perhaps part of the reason why I'm so skeptical about this place is because hot pot aka da been lo is part of my Chinese upbringing. We throw in tons of food into the pot and chat while the food boils. But at Shabu-Zen, I feel that the portions are too small. Assorted meatballs...I think we were given 6-7 for $4.00. I kept thinking, "Are you serious? I could run over to C-Market and a pack of these beef meatballs for $4.00." Of course we could have ordered more, but come on, give me $4 and I could get 12 beef balls. Needless to say, I was still very hungry after I left the place. Even though I stuffed my face with a bowl of udon, meat, and enoki mushrooms. And seafood. The service, however, was pretty good. Well, at the beginning, I was thinking, "You're kidding me, right? You guys open up in Chinatown and you don't speak a word of Chinese?". Well, I thought this because my dad was talking to the waitresses up front in Chinese, and they all did was stare at him like he hadn't said anything. Is "table for four" so hard to understand? But then again, I assume that not all of the staff there speak Chinese. It just makes me wonder, though. Who exactly are they targeting as customers? I don't know. I'm still skeptical of this place. I'm hoping to visit it once again...and maybe change my rating. Haha, hate me all you want. =D
(3)
K S.
ahhhh Shabu, how I absolutely LOVEEEEE you, not the morning after though. Best Shabu in the area. Watermelon smoothie is a must. Also beef bones which arent on menu, is really goooood :) The new martinis and cocktails arent that great. Actually theyre gross. Stick with the sake or even the sparkling sake they offer (forget the name) I will soon be Duchess.
(5)
Timothy H.
Both locations are really spectacular. But there is something "character-building" about trudging through sketchy chinatown at night to this hidden gem. Order the Watermelon Bubble tea.
I like shabu-Zen hot pot i use to go there once a week in cool weather,,, I special like the Mongolia soup, its a little bit spicy which is very tasteful,,, as well as its comes with all kinds of vegetable, also there have good green tea serve too,,
(5)
Ngan T.
My all-time favorite hot pot restaurant, hands-down. Never had a bad experience from here, ever. And there were weeks, months that I ate here 3-4 times a week. Maybe it's just me, been going to the Chinatown location for 6 years now. Almost always get the same thing. I'm more of a plain jane type of hot pot person so I always get the plain broth which is my favorite - don't really care much for the other flavored broths. Love the waiters/waitresses there once you get to know them and once they get to know you. I've also had Kaze a few times, as well as numerous other hot pot restaurants around the country where it was available (including NYC, LA, SF, Little Sheep in Vancouver - which I wasn't impresed with) but I always come back to Shabu Zen in Boston as my favorite. I love the personal pot aspect, yes it is a little pricey but the broth, the bbq sauce, the fish paste and just how it's fresh, can make up for it. Oh and the watermelon smoothie!! Other hot pot places may have more variety of food that you can cook up compared to Shabu, but I have been really happy with the selection that they have here as limited as it seems.
(5)
Lydo r.
The thought of going to a restaurant to prepare my own food made me pass on the shabu experience many times before I was pretty much obligated to go since an ex-boss decided to take me here for a meeting. This might have been my ex-boss' best business decision ever! Shabu-Zen has stood out from the many other surrounding hot pot places in Chinatown from day 1 and although i have tried venturing for hot pot in the vicinity, i always end up eating my hot-pot meal at Shabu-Zen. (they do have the better value hot-pot in Chinatown) I've never received less than stellar quality food and that is a the way it should be at a place that serves their foods raw. The colorful display of meats and veggies at the beginning of the meal is absolutely inviting and just whats coming is just so much fun. What a concept!! Think about owning/working at a restaurant where you'll never have to hear people complain about the done-ness of their meat/fish (everyone is an expert). Think about taking your date here and even if you are just finding out he/she is a vegetarian, you'll both be able to stay and enjoy your dinner. Think about taking your kids out to dinner and never have to worry about them getting bored and annoying because they have to keep busy making their food. GENIUS! I usually go for the surf and turf, and my turf of choice is lamb- delish!!! Be prepared to smell like food for a while after leaving the restaurant (maybe this a turn on for your date and will work to your advantage). Tables are for groups of 4 or more and the big table for small parties(1-3 ppl) does get a little crowded with the many plates that take part of the shabu experience. (not bothersome enough to keep me away from this place)
(4)
Michael C.
I've been here multiple times and am usually satisfied. I would give this place 4 stars but the simple fact that 3 shrimp balls cost 2 dollars brings down the rating.
(3)
Aris L.
according to me the shabu2 was average, because i try the shabu2 in Los Angeles area and they are better there..the meat was good, but the peanut sauce was average..i try the veggie soup (seaweed only) CONCLUSION = RECOMMENDED!!!
(3)
Derek W.
I have no reason to give this place anything but 5 stars. I had never been here before and used the nearby app on my phone for yelp and discovered this place. We had a waiter and I simply told him we are newbies help us out. We ended up ordering the seafood supreme and the Prime A1 Beef on the menu. My eating partner and I mixed and matched the foods, however we didn't reach into each others pots. (hey now) Our waiters name was Hugh and he was more than helpful with recommendations and exactly how to cook and prepare your food. The vegetables were very fresh and there was a huge variety of them. To end the meal I busted out my yelp app again to see if anyone could recommend desert(s). I saw a couple people mention the Mochi, which is basically an ice cream surrounded by some pastry type shell. Not the fried ice cream crap you get in chinese restaurants, this was fresh and delicious. We also got watermelon smoothies with bubbles ? Bubbles ? Yeah I had no freaking clue what that meant, but it comes with some whacky stuff at the bottom that my eating partner could not get enough of. Oh yeah tapioca, not my thing but I get it. I mean the straw is fat and wide, it would bring new meaning to a brain freeze if you got after it. Oh yeah the warm Sake' was delicious as well. So keep in mind this is Chinatown, parking is a bitch but there is a lot across the street and the attendant was super friendly. Clearly a big baseball fan, because he commented on my Red Sox plate. I will definitely go there again.
(5)
Kelly M.
Shabu Zen has a number of delicious options for both carnivorous and vegetarian hot pots. I'm not sure of the final bill, but it was all very reasonably-priced and the atmosphere is warm and friendly. Most importantly, they have posters on the wall to alert you that you can, and should, order sake bombs here.
(4)
Michelle J.
Probably my favorite place on the planet. Enough said.
(5)
Adam P.
A little expensive, but not ridiculous. Even though the portions aren't huge, you'll be surprised how quickly you get full anyway. Definitely go with a special broth (I'm a kimchi fan myself) and try a sampler if you've never been there before. It's a pretty fun date night and definitely one of the cleaner options in Chinatown...
(4)
Nicole V.
Shabu Zen has become my go-to place to take visitors. It's about $20 a head for a tremendous amount of good food. At this point I think I have tried just about everything on the menu. I really enjoyed the clams as an appetizer and thought the goyza were mediocre, but you honestly don't need an appetizer. My favorite is the veggie platter. You get a HUGE plate of freshly cut veggies to throw in some boiling broth and cook up. There's some weird stuff on there (they give you some type of mushroom ball that can look like an eyeball) but that's half the fun! It's definitely worth it to upgrade your broth. The kim-chee is our favorite. My advice would be to start out on the lowest level and ask them to add more if you're not huge into spice. As others have said, it really is more about the experience. It gives all of our visitors something to talk about and anyone who has visited twice has requested to go back! Next mission: get some sake bombs.
(4)
Michael L.
Part of what I liked about this so much is that I didn't have to pay for it. That said, my parents asked me to recommend something after we'd spent the afternoon at the Aquarium. I have wanted to try Shabu for quite a while, but I wasn't sure they would go for it. In the end they agreed to try it out, and even though we had a half-hour wait, our 7 person party was seated together at two adjoining tables. In ordering, one chooses a broth (Chinese Spicy, Medium Spicy) Meats or Veggies (Beef and Pork) and Carb (Udon). Make sure you don't take it too far with the spiciness unless you are very serious about spicy food. The Medium Spicy was really spicy, and I think the hottest would have been inedible to me, even though I eat spicy food most every day. The main thing about the experience was just how fun it was. We all had a blast just trying out different combinations of goodness, often accompanied by "do you know what this is?" queries to each other. Often the answer was "delicious." I can't say the meats were the high point because everything was so tasTAY, but they were absolutely incredible. Positively bursting with flavor. We also got a couple of appetizers (seafood dumplings were especially good) and a bottle of sake, bringing the price of the meal to around $170. 18% gratuity was included. I'm not sure it'd be so fun to go to alone, but it would be a great date meal and very enjoyable with friends!
(5)
Anne W.
We were on the prowl looking fot hot pot in Chinatown and were only able to find this place. We were worried about it turning out to be more Japanese than Chinese.. but no worries.. it's very Chinese. They give you soy sauce and Chinese bbq sauce.. and a raw egg if you request it. The food is okay.. it's not a lot really so if you're really hungry, you must order more. The 2 meat combo: 6 slices of pork, 4 slices of lamb, some starch, and small veggie plate. The beer is cheap though! Another dislike.. there is no way to control your heat. And most of the seating is bar style. P.S. You'll probably smell like Chinese food the entire rest of the day. Ahhhh.. you smelll delicious.
(2)
Kate L.
I have been here several times. The cook your own dumplings are the best dumplings I have ever tasted. You should order everything raw and cook it in the broth if you go here. But the server recommended the fish paste that you cook and it tasted like fishy glue. DO not get this! Everything else was great! Don't forget to eat the broth as soup w the veggies and sauce mixed in!
(4)
use your t.
Our 1st time here. My wife used to live in Japan many years ago and used to enjoy Shabu Shabu there sometimes, but she may never have had it back here in US in many, many years. We both thoroughly enjoyed everything: food. way room looks, service, price very reasonable. She had various fish with Mongolian flavoring added. -- very tasty, spicy but different. Wished I chose Mongolian flavoring in mine as it was unusual As a vegetarian, I had VEGGIE PLATTER with Sichuan flavoring added. Nothing wrong with Sichuan flavoring, spicy like it should have been. Mongolian just different type of hot spicy. But I still THOROUGHLY enjoyed mine. Many interesting, tasty vegetables. She enjoyed her seafood. Fun boiling food ourselves. We sat at the tables in the center, not a booth. Only minor downfall was the Udon noodles were not authentic in terms of feel, taste or size (were not thick), but this is a quibble.
(5)
Katie W.
Love this place! It's interactive eating at its best. The meat combo is the way to go, if your with a friend you can order all four meats and share (chicken, lamb, beef, veal)! LOVE LOVE LOVE the Chinese spicy broth--an incredibly flavorful beef broth with spicy chilies and the Korean kimchi is great too. Everyone starts with kimchi cabbage starter which is flavorful. I love that you can make your own adjustments to your sauces as well since they give you the Asian BBQ sauce, garlic, soy, scallions separately to mix together on your own. Plus they give you a red bean dessert with is a sweet treat! I like sitting at the bar the best, but tables are great too. I would keep this place to a girls night out, My boyfriend and I came here one night and he left still hungry.....
(4)
Hieu T.
Dear Shabu Zen - Food: I love your hot pot! Your meat (prime rib) are juicy and tasty. The variety of veggies were awesome. I absolutely love the fish balls. I love how we can have two separate broths at one table. My favorite broth would be kim chi. The spice for that broth is always "just right". I tried the "berry, berry martini" tonight and it was delicious. I love that it has gummi bears in it. And the $5 dollars special for this martini wasn't too bad. Service: This is the reason why you guys are getting a "one star". You told us that the wait for 4 people was 30 minutes. We say okay. We saw an empty table for 4 and no one was sitting there. We asked you if we can sit there. You say that it is waiting on a party. But I know that Shabu Zen DOES NOT take reservations from anyone. So I thought it was a bit strange. That table was empty for the next 25 minutes. The table next to that empty table of 4 left. But you didn't sit us, however, you push the two tables together and sat a larger party of white customers, which just arrived after us. On top of it, you took one of the chairs that we, the waiting customers, were sitting on for that party. This is unacceptable and discriminatory. First, you do not sit another party down when that party arrived later then the other two parties sit there.. You could have sit us first at the empty table, and by the time the table next to it is done, you could rotate another small group in. And that large party will just have to wait for another 30 minutes for a large table to be empty. And second, do not put empty chairs out for your customers to sit while they wait for the table and then take it away because one of your tables need it. What happen if the waiting customer say no. The hostess actually took the chair without asking if anyone was sitting there, so I told her ...that is very poor customer service. And she explain to me that she didn't see anyone sitting there and i told her that you saw us. You know that we were sitting there. On top of it, she gave us and attitude after she sit us down. This is not the first time that I experience discriminatory service at an Asian restaurant. Non-asian customers tend to be treat better than Asians. However, Shabu Zen is not a cheap, hole-in-the wall restaurant. You could have treat us a bit better with the price that you charge. Very disappointed.
(1)
An L.
Fresh vegetables, except watercress wasn't super fresh. Good food. Not a stand-out, but very clean. Unable to control the heat of hot pot, makes it cumbersome. Angus was very good. Nice cold bean dessert at the end, complimentary. Nice touch.
(3)
Jeff M.
This place is good fun. Depending on how good of a cook you are the food can be delicious too. I'll definitely come back here; its just hard to rate a restaurant where you are the chef.
(3)
Thy L.
Shabu Zen used to be all the rave. I feel slightly disappointed as I see how it's changed over the years. The proportions have gotten so much smaller! I know we're in a recession and you have to cut costs, but so do I! The prices haven't changed but the amount of food is probably 20-25% less than what it was before. The quality of the food is still good but I'm only giving it 3 stars because 1) smaller portions (they didn't even give me corn the last time I went) 2) limited soup choices compared to Shabu Restaurant in Quincy or even Kaze a couple blocks away 3) the skinny udon they have. Udon is suppose to be fat. I do recommend getting their fish paste, their sauteed beef tongue and sauteed baby clams. It's the best around.
(3)
Megan S.
Hotpot??! Overpriced. 'nuff said.
(2)
Don W.
I finally had a chance to try Shabu-Zen. A few months ago I had asked the Yelp community whether I should go to Shabu-Zen or Kaze, and when the votes were counted, Kaze won by a small margin. We went, we had a good time, and since then I've wondered about Shabu-Zen. Now I know. Shabu-Zen was really good. The beef, seafood, and vegetables were all fresh. We got the standard broth and it was really nice. There's no point in elaborating because there are already 200 reviews for this restaurant, so I'll stick to the basics. We walked into Shabu-Zen at maybe 7:30 on a Sunday night with no reservations and they had no trouble seating us. For three dinners, a bottle of wine, and a bottle of sparkling water, it was $80 including the tip. That's a good deal. I think Kaze was a little better, but the difference is slight. Either one will fill you up inexpensively.
(4)
Mikki N.
Just had the best lunch ever!!! You can never go wrong with shabu. Since it's Friday and it's during Lent season, we ordered the veggie delight and seafood combo! Ive always think that beef works well in shabu so seafood wasn't that great. The veggie delight was very standard but boy did they fill us up! I'm in love with Shabu!! Y'all need to try this place!
(4)
Sunjung H.
So obsessed with this place! I love shabu shabu and this place has a great little atmosphere. The waiters aren't always that friendly and you sometimes have to wait awhile just to ask them for water but the food is still worth the trip!!
(5)
Lingy Q.
This place is pretty good for hot pot, and they have some good smoothies too. My one problem with it though, is that like all good restaurants that suffer from a big bang of success and slyly slips into disappointment, this one does not disappoint. For the last consecutive three times I ate here, the vegetable sides were less that fresh, and twice they even forgot some plates we'd ordered, but charged for them anyway. It also doesn't help that there's a minimum amount of money associated with eating at a table, and a minimum of three people I think. In my opinion, it's much better to just head over to Kaze, where the food is fresher, they offer bigger portions, more options, and no extra requirements for seating.
(3)
Anne C.
I love shabu shabu, so when this place open I was really excited. There is ALWAYS a long line for this place during dinner time up till close to midnight, so I would advise go during lunch instead. And during lunch, for about $13, you get about the same amount of food that will definitely fill you up. This is especially great for a cold winter day (as you see the windows all fogged up from the outside). There's a great variety of options, and something for everyone - a set meal (i.e., surf and turf) or a la carte. I brought my two former work colleagues recently who have never tried this before, and they were hooked. Remember that you're there for the food and fun, as the service is lacking and just mediocre (take your order, bring food out and take dishes away). One thing I do not like is that after you leave the place, you (and your clothes) smell like Shabu Shabu.
(4)
Mary M.
Everything that has been said has been said already...so all I can say is YUMMY~!! I ate here 2 nights in a row while on vacation. I love how it is shabu shabu, but has a lot of different variety of items you can order (normally for Chinese hotpot). The prices are great too. Oh and the smoothies are really good too. I love this place!
(5)
Matthew M.
Checked out this place for lunch on Sunday with my girlfriend. I really enjoyed it. The service was very friendly and helpful. I got a meat combo (Pork and Chicken) and my girlfriend had the seafood platter which also came with beef. Both were excellent. We also got some dumplings for an appetizer that were great. It came to about $40 which was a little bit much for lunch, but we ate a ton. Both dishes came with Udon noodles which are my favorite. I would definitely recommend this place and will return again.
(4)
Alex C.
Shabu Zen! I would say this is the best shabu place I have been to in Boston! Like the previous reviewer, Kim N., I used to complain a lot about Aisan food being sub-par in Boston. But Shabu Zen changed it all. It is hard to find such great Shabu place in Boston. If you just moved to Boston and want some awesoem shabu.... here is the place for you!
(4)
Donna Y.
Great place for hot pot, particularly when you're in Boston, and it's cold, and you want to warm up. Service is really attentive and great. Prices are on the more expensive side, but it's a great meal and has all the classic hot pot food it should have.
(4)
Kree K.
my favorite shabu shabu in the US :)
(5)
aaron t.
Healthy, yummy, tasty, hot pot. Busy, fast paced environment. Nothing fancy, just fast service, good food, and lots of asians. I crave to eat here when I want HOT tasty food. Good place for a few people. Mainly a stream of pots on a bar like table. They have probably a dozen or so tables for larger groups!
(4)
Nik M.
Hmm had great expectations from this place, took my mom and dad (both primarily vegetarians) for their first Shabu shabu. Food was OK but service was poor. We ordered two dishes to share among the three of us. They charged me $5 for using another pot, which was OK, but they brought one of our main dishes later on and did not explain what was what. We were eating the two side veggies plates thinking it was our veggie delight. Okay maybe I should have known but they could tell us. So mom and Dad had an OK time and with all the mix up I did not feel like being generous with the tip, astoshingly the waitrees followed us to the door and asked me to tip more, is this common? I spent most of my time in California and have never come across such behavior. Anyways this incident prompted me to yelp(I use it very often), I would like to hear if following a customer and asking them to tip extra is common? Not sure if I will ever go back there again
(3)
Victoria B.
This place is great to go to with friends. You get a lot of food and you get to cook your things however you want. It's fun to mix up the broths. The lunch menu is really good and has good prices. I don't find it out of this worl but it's a fun experience.
(3)
Pete P.
so fun! love going to this place. we go at least a few times a winter. its fun with a group of 4 or 6 as you can all sit at one table and live it up. it is a very social way to eat and lots of fun too. the wait can be long... an hour is usual. the food is healthy and damn good. i recommend this place for sure. definately take you time to look up what kind of food it is. if you are the type of person that doesnt like their food touching or other people getting close to their mean this place is not for you! all of the food get cooked in the same bubbling both.
(4)
Angie T.
So I heard about this hot pot sensation from my parent and they tell me they feel healthier just eating there. SO i checked the place out with my boyfriend and the food is great, but the prices were a bit high for my taste. You are basically getting $1for one piece of beef and if you want kim chee it's about $4(?). The service was OK when we went there during a Super bowl and the waiter who served us was glued to the television. So I had to ask for another waiter and from then on everything was just OK. As much as I ate to feel fulfilled, to my surprise the check was over $70. The service sucks ass, but good food.
(3)
Huan z.
One of the best hot pot place around, Japanese Style. The owner is Chinese but lived in Japan for many years to learn to make these hot pot. You have your own pot and adjust your own temperature. Meat are well picked and nice sliced. A bit pricey but worth the money.
(4)
Kelly L.
Excellent food! Was a little pricy for my tastes, considering the portions were pretty small, but it was still pretty decent. You can't really mess up on hotpot, and if you're ever really craving it, this is a really good place to go.
(4)
Tim N.
This restaurant is exactly what Boston needs - diversity. The food is not only very good but the entire Shabu (hot pot) experience is just plain different and fun. The staff is very friendly and eager to offer advice on how to gain the best results. I went to a similar Shabu style restaurant in Hong Kong several years ago and was extremely pleased to find that I can get a similar communal dining experience in my own back yard. Prices are very reasonable and they have a bar area with a giant flat screen TV that always has the Red Sox game on but remember to get there early on the weekend as lines begin to form as early as 7:00PM.
(5)
Tiffany A.
I stopped in here after a shopping excursion. I didn't know what to expect, as I was pretty much unfamiliar with the concept of shabu-shabu (teppanyaki is another story!), so I wasn't prepared to boil my lunch. This didn't sound really appealing to me, so I was slightly less enthusiastic about our lunch prospect than my dining companion, who urged me to open my mind and give it a go. So I ordered the chicken and watched my little pot simmer. They presented me with a little plate of veggie options, which would satisfy me if the meat part of the meal turned out to be a disappointment. Man, this was a great experience! The chicken was great (even if it was boiled), and the veggies were delicious! I had a nice glass of wine to accompany my meal and some green tea. It was an incredibly healthy meal (wine habit aside) and it didn't leave that heavy (though strangely empty) feeling that so many asian food experiences leave you with. There's a spot in Allston that's closer to me, as I don't often find myself in Chinatown, so I'll probably stop in that restaurant later on. Hopefully the experience will be the same.
(4)
Alex F.
I've been to this restaurant before and had a fine experience, but last night I found a small beetle in the Vegetarian Delight dish. We showed our server and her supervisor came out to offer us free dessert, but we didn't want any and they eventually took one of our beers off the bill. I thought they should have taken the vegetable dish off the bill.
(2)
So S.
Japanese Hot Pot!! UNIQUE!! Only one I know in Boston. If you don't know the concept then you must go! It is similar to Fondue but better and much more fun. It is a great date place 'cause there is an activity involved. Basically cook your own food and vegetables in a broth. The food is great and if you have any questions on what you should do, then write me!! Your date will be impressed w/ your cultured tastes. shabuzen.com
(5)
Mabel C.
This place has nice atmosphere and good food, but I feel like I was paying too much money for the small amount of food that I got. Maybe it is because I grew up eating hot pot both at home and in cheaper restaurants, so I can't help thinking that I can get all the ingredients myself and cook at home.
(3)
Brendan M.
I've definitely had better shabu than this, but I believe it's the only option in Boston if you have the craving. The best approach is to go with a large group - you probably don't need to get a plate of meat for everyone as the helpings are quite large. Expect to spend about $20 I've never had shabu shabu in Japan, so I'm not quite sure what's "authentic" but this definitely seemed rather Americanised. My understanding of real shabu is that it's strictly beef only, but these guys also have lamb, pork, chicken and seafood shabus.
(3)
drew d.
YO! We brought our own Ponzu sauce! There were ten of us. Everyone was Japanese except for me, of course. Really. There was a couple of them who just got off the plane from Tokyo! So you know i was with good company on what this shit was supposed to really be like! But i've had ths Shabs before here and in Japan, and all i could say that this was alright to say the most! So i kinda figured out from the get go that this joint wasn't Japanese run. i think the staff was Taiwanese or from Hong Kong. But they wasn't foolin' me. Ah yes. The fact that my homeboy from Osaka was sneaking in the ponzu was a super dead give away! but it was actually kinda funny that we would have to make our dining experience a little more suited to the Japanese's discerning taste. Everyone agreed that the food was good. we all shared each others beef, lamb, tofu, veggies, mushrooms, konyaku, noodles, etc. The meat they served was not of the Kobe Beef variety but the a la Freeze Dried rolled up kind you see at your cheaper local mongolian and shabu shabu joints. Well boo to that! But for 20-30 dollars a person i guess you couldn't expect them to butcher a lamb or cow in the back alley, The only thing authentic that night were my friends doing karate chops and communicating with me in broken English and the Asahi beer that flowed. And that shit was probably brewed in Canada!
(3)
Aubrey G.
I was here for the first time on Monday for a free lunch (put your business card in the fishbowl!). It was absolutely delicious. I went with a veteran, but it is easy enough to figure out on your own. I also recommend the fruit smoothies. I had watermelon and when I was done I longed for another! The place is clean, friendly and fun! Check it out, great for lunch!
(4)
Ryan C.
This is Japanese hot pot style dining where you cook your own food at your table as you dine. The food is good (but not exceptional) and the price is reasonable. The portions appear to be rather small (the meats are so thin, for example) but then I realized that I did leave feeling satisfied. I've been here only twice and I'm still not used to it, but both times I was with hot pot veterans who had their own systems and walked me through the process. I like the food and it's a unique dining experience but I don't think I will become a regular here or at any other hot pot style place. I prefer that the restaurant do 100% of the meal preparation for me and all I have to worry about is enjoying my meal. Oh yes, and I will echo "lovely little panda" that the watermelon smoothie was very refreshing.
(3)
Sandra N.
This is the shabutopia of Boston. It's a salvation from the ruthless Boston winter. It's the answer to soupie cravings. They've got everything covered, from an extensive choice of shakes to a plethora of side dishes. Most importantly though, their hot pots are delicious cauldrons of heaven. The meats are always fresh, and they don't skimp on the vegetables when you order the combo. Remember to get the sauteed clammies, and watermelon shake. The staff is very attentive and kind. They make sure your hot pot is filled with soupie at all times, and adjust the temp accordingly.
(5)
Susan C.
I look forward to doing this every winter, we go at least once a year. There is nothing better on a cold day, especially after a brisk walk from the T, than a steaming pot of shabu. I have always gone with a group of 4 or 5 on a Saturday night, which is unfortunate, because we always end up sitting at the bar rather than at a table, since the wait can be over 30 minutes. The bar is definitely more difficult to socialize with your party, and when it's busy in there, it can get loud. I order up a pot of veggie broth (I guess the standard broth is not vegetarian, so make sure to specify) and the veggie/tofu plate. There's tarrow, tofu and tofu skin, and few other things that I can't readily identify, but are delicious. You also get a plate of veggies that is a bit more robust than what people who order the meat/seafood platters get. Then, you cook away in your steamy pot of goodness. I'm sure it's a lot more fun and social if you can get a table, but it's still tasty even when you're at the bar. The bonus of sitting there is if you seem to be struggling, the staff will offer tips to help set your shabu experience. Yum!
(4)
D M.
I went here on New Years Eve during the day with two friends, and a 13 year old boy. All were happy to partake in the hot pot cooking, and it was lots of fun. I was glad that the youngin' got into the hot pot cooking and ate pretty much everything on his plate, except for the weird little mushrooms. They offer a variety of different interesting items to cook yourself in the broth (we ordered the spicy kim chi broth, which was yummy) and good veggies items for non-meat eaters. It was roughly about $10 a person, more if you got the bigger platters of meats or seafoods.
(5)
Jennifer D.
First time visit and it won't be the last. I'm home now, but already craving the spicy broth. Should have ordered the kobe beef, but chose chicken, which was tasty, but not as good as the one slice of beef my daughter begrudgingly chop-sticked over. Rookie mistake I won't repeat. Loved all the veggies to add to the broth and perfect slices. Ordered mildly spiced broth and it was just the right amount of heat. The portions are just right, even if it is a little pricey-- worth every penny! Can't wait to take friends here and share this excellent place in the heart of Chinatown.
(5)
Mina I.
I love Hot-Pot! I recommend the beef w extra watercress & vermicelli noodles.. I would have given it 3 but - the last two times I have gone I have been treated poorly by the people working there. It is a good location and a fun place for small groups.
(2)
Laura B.
Great shabu-shabu, but sometimes you have to wait a while to get a table.
(5)
Laureen B.
Shabu zen is one of the best Japanese restaurants I have been to ever. It was very clean, the wait staff was super accomidating and the food was awesome. I dont even eat meat and I found there to be really good. Try the beer, its awesome...I also went on a Saturday at 6:30-7 and there wasn't a line at all. So..the wait shouldnt be too bad! Oh and dont worry about looking dumb and making a mess, most people do and no one cares :)
(5)
Jill D.
This place is awesome! It is entertaining cooking your own food in the company of friends with fresh ingredients that are chopped for you. I have done hot pot many times at home with friends and it takes a couple of hours to chop all of the ingredients for a big party. I love having them do it instead. Very delicious!
(5)
Catie R.
One of our favorite restaurants! Some months we go here once a week. Love the seaweed salad & warm saki to start. Got the beef/seafood combo once and it was just overwhelming and way too much food, so always stick to straight beef now. Sometimes wish it hadn't gotten so popular, because we can't get a seat! Chinatown location is smaller, but I think better customer service & friendlier staff. Allston's staff is getting much better though and we go to that location more often now that they've improved. Yum yum.
(5)
Kristin G.
Decent broth, good, quick service. I wasn't knocked out, though. If there was a 3.5 star option, I'd go for that.
(3)
Merri L.
Last night, a bunch of us went to Shabu-Zen in Chinatown in Boston for Shabu Shabu. Shabu Shabu is Japanese fondue. You choose your meat/fish (or they have tofu too), and choose a broth, then you also get a plate of veggies and either steamed rice or a choice of different noodles. Then you cook the meat and veggies in the broth yourself at the table. The traditional broth is fish broth, but this restaurant didn't have it. Although it is usually Japanese, they used things from all different countries. I had the ostrich (which is not Japanese at all). I had tried ostrich years ago at an Australian restaurant in Pasadena CA, where you cook the meat at the table on a hot rock. Ostrich, for those who haven't tried it, tastes similar to steak, but is healthier. I chose the curry broth, which was very good. I also tried the Chinese spicy broth, which was bland and very spicy at the same time (I can't explain why). I found the best way to cook the ostrich is using your chopsticks. If you use the metal instrument they give you, it boils too quickly and falls into the broth. You don't get much meat with the ostrich choice, but it was very good. The veggies were also yummy, we had two types of greens, some cabbage, a piece of corn on the cob (yum!), a mushroom, bamboo, water chestnut, and what was the other one, root from a waterlilly or something like that. I didn't like the cabbage but the rest was so good, especially after cooked in the curry broth and dipped in the sauce. Even the rice was really yummy, nice and sticky. If you like fish, you might want to get the surf and turf. That was the most enormous plate there, three times the meat as I got. You get one choice of meat meat (lamb, beef or pork) and then clams, squid, shrimp, and more. I tried the lamb and it was delicious. If you don't like fish, but want variety, they also have a meat plate, where you can choose two types of meat (lamb, beef, pork or chicken, I think). That gets you a little bit more than the ostrich, but still only half of the surf and turf. The mango smoothies are just like you could make at home, just like purreed mango. The special flavored sodas still taste like soda (not cola), but the kind you could get from the store, maybe Polar brand. They do have sakes and plum wine and more flavors of smoothies too. You get the meat, veggies and side dish all for $12-16, and the broth is about $3 extra (even though you have to have broth to cook it). It's a very good value and a fun thing to do.
(4)
Kayle S.
Excellent Japanese hot pot. There are several other Shabu Shabu places around, but I think this one is the best. Everyone else seems to think so too, so be careful when you go or you'll have to wait quite a long time. I like the seafood platter and the vegetable platter (great mushrooms and roots!). The vegetarian broth is also good.
(5)
Mike D.
this place is awesome. went here before a Jim Jefferies show at the Wilbur Theater in September. cooking stuff in broth is great, right? just a fun dining experience where you can have some control over the flavors that your food takes on. it's just different. i would come into the city just to go to this place. glad we found it.
(4)
Geoff T.
Love this place! A japanese hot pot place (this means you are seated in front of a boiling pot of broth-- with the spices of your choice added-- and actually cook your own meat and veggies in the broth). The seaweed salad is the best I've ever had. This is also a great place for a first date-- it's a learning experience the first time you go in, figuring out what to do with everything they bring you, how long to cook different things, etc.-- so if the conversation is stalling, at least you both have something to do together. Also, it's just plain fun to be playing with your food. Highly reccomended.
(5)
Jim K.
My wife and I loooove Shabu! We get it in New York often, usually at this one in Queens called Little Lam but Shabu Zen is probably one of the nicest Shabu Shabu places I been to when it comes to environment. It's nicely designed, allows people to easily sit by at the bar and enjoy the sports game or at a table with a group of friends. The food is excellent, but the only reason I give it 3 stars is because their service isn't great, but I am not expecting much because I know it's busy and the staff all look like they're in high school or college, and the portions are small. Having spent about $40 for two and still hungry is not a good feeling to have and I didn't feel like spending more for a double portion because for $80 for 2 people at Shabu Shabu is a bit too much.
(3)
Sue D.
We headed to Chinatown on Christmas night since everything else was closed. Simply awesome. Neither of us had tried hotpot before - except a *bad* hotpot experience at a Sichuan place last summer. Anyway, this place was great. The broth is pork based but you can buy additional flavorings to customize it. Also you can buy a package of ingredients or just purchase them a la carte. The service was very nice and helpful for novices. It was a lot of fun too.
(5)
sunny n.
Great Boston first Japanese Hot Pot Restnt...usually crowded..and seating is tight and be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes..especially on weekends and nights! You will get to enjoy "Shabu"...your meal in a choice of open counter seating, Bar-w/ plasma, or booth n tables. The food is excellent with plenty of choices for the health conscious. If it is your first time and you need help trying to figure out how to eat, ask the waitresses who are really courtious and sweet in the midst of all the hustle n bustle of this warm aroma filled loud establishment. BANZAI all the way...finally now in Boston!!
(5)
Sharon C.
Click on the Shabu Zen link and get a sample of their menu. What is really good about this place is that besides the main courses, their appetizers like the sauteed baby clams, their sashimi like the white tuna, and their drinks like the mango smoothie are all excellent. Even their side choice of vermicelli is quality. Yes, it is authentic Japanese hot pot, but it is almost identical with a hot pot cuisine in Taiwan. Ask for their free sesame sauce!
(5)
Angie C.
I'm so suprised to hear some of the challenges. I've never had a bad experience. The host staff had always been nice even when there would be a long wait. The waitstaff has always asked if we had been there or if we had any questions and has even provided suggested sauce combinations or insider hints *SMILE/WINK*. They don't give us weird looks when answering our silly questions that they must get from the 10 guests before us ulike some other ethnic/cultural restaurants. I don't care for the cold soup dessert but it is an honor to consistently be offered the cultural dish at the end of each visit. I don't know about challenges with groups larger than 6 because that happened to be my largest party. The only thing that I do find to be an inconvenience is that if they are busy, and there are only 2 of you, they will almost never seat you at a 4-spot table. You will be referred to the counter bar. I mean, it really is a courteous way to save space for, and seat larger groups quickly, but honestly I'm selfish sometimes and prefer the tables. I guess I do appreciate the effort more on the nights when there are at least 4 of us. Lychee smoothies for all... LAUGH!
(5)
D W.
This is a Japanese version of fondue, where you cook your own food a few bites at a time by dunking it in hot broth at the table. For the moderate-price, it's a great date place, no doubt about it. Call ahead to get your name on the list, or you'll end up somewhere else.
(5)
J D.
an insanely popular place i've seen people waiting here for over an hour for dinner. they don't take reservations, you just add your name to the longest list ever and be prepared to wait. however, i adore this place and every time i visit my parents, we come here for dinner! The service is incredible, the waiters are always very attentive and my water glass was never empty. If you order well, it can be a very affordable way to have dinner! For the four of us, we usually only order 2 complete sets (meat with the side of veggies plus rice, udon, or vermicelli) then order ala carte extras (you get a significantly larger portion of meat this way) and by the end, you have to roll us out of the door. definitely try the different broth flavors, I think they add a lot to the meal versus the standard broth (my pick: thai tom yum). be adventurous, mix EVERYTHING into your soy sauce dish, even the dark paste, you can't really go wrong. as far as ordering...the boneless beef short ribs (so tender), the lamb, and pork all hold up really well to the fast (less than 30 secs!) broth cooking. the seafood is alright, however, I think a lot of the sweetness of shrimp/fish is masked by the salt in the broth. The assorted mushrooms are delicious and get the pork dumplings (raw!) for a super yummy soup treat. my parents swear by the fish paste/meatballs but the jury's still out on that one....drink the soup, who cares if you're not really supposed too :)
(4)
Julie E.
Having never had Shabu before, I decided to check it out after friends suggested it. It was pretty good. The prices were great: the seafood combo with beef for $12.50. In addition to multiple pieces of seafood (2 scallops, cod cakes, salmon sashimi, squid, octopus, and some others) and probably 8-10 rolled beef pieces, it also included a plate of veggies and tea. We couldn't finish. Staff was nice and consistently refilled water glasses. I'll be back.
(4)
Anabelle L.
Best Shabu Shabu ever. I've had Shabu in two different restaurants in LA and both were horrible. No flavor. Shabu-Zen is the opposite of no flavor and it's so much fun. Fresh garlic in soup is the best. I always stuff myself because it tastes so good. I thank my good friends for bringing me here every time I visit! Love it.
(5)
Mihir P.
This restaurant was built around Shabu-Shabu. Each seat has a burner for the broth to rest on. For those who don't know, shabu-shabu is Japanese "fondue" But instead of oil, cheese or chocolate, a boiling zippy broth is used to cook your meat, seafood, poultry or vegetables. This is a fun restaurant as you cook your food in the broth and then get to mix garlic, scallion, chillies and Japanese BBQ sauce according to your taste. Service is polite and quick and the prices are surprisingly low. Sashimi and appetizers are also available for those who don't want to get "Shabu-ed". Get there early and take the T.
(4)
josh k.
This was my first excursion into Chinatown, and after a little bit of being lost coming up from the T (par for the course for me) I was able to meet up with some folks and have the exhilarating experience of paying to cook my own dang food! Well when you put it that way... no, it's actually pretty good. Definitely had one of those "this is where local eat" kinda moments, cause the family at the next table had shabu skills that put us to absolute shame. It was crowded, but not horribly so, I'd recommend reservations. While the dining experience was new, and the activity helped inspire engaging conversation, I was really glad we had someone in the group who had been there before to help my sorry butt. The price was really nice, even with edimame and a glass of plum wine. I'd go back, but check it out see for yourself, make it a date, like another lonely outing to Panera is what you really want, Sheesh.
(4)
Amy B.
Love this place! It's great to go with a group of people or on a double date. My first experience was with someone who has done hot pot before, and I recommend going with someone who is experienced if you have never gone. My second visit was with my Mom and her co-workers, many of whom are Asian. It was even more fun with that group and I learned a lot about the food: how and what to order, and some hot pot traditions/customs. All the food is so ridiculously fresh and it is really fun to cook it yourself and experiment with the different seasonings and sauces provided. The staff is very friendly and helpful, however there is generally a decent wait for a table on most week nights and on the weekend.
(4)
Liz M.
This place was awesome! Five of us went on a Saturday afternoon, ordered 5 main dishes (sirloin, lamb, pork, beef, seafood), and got a bunch of extras. We all ate until we were stuffed and it was only about $20 each. I think that's pretty good for as filling of a meal as it was. If you went to the Melting Pot and ate the same amount of food, it would be at least twice as much per person. Plus, you can eat the broth with the noodles as soup at the end. Five stars all the way! I do suggest going as an early dinner if you want to get a table rather than sit at the bar.
(5)
Steve M.
Shabu Zen was my first Shabu-Shabu experience. It's a nice, clean, well-decorated and laid back place. The wait staff is incredibly fast. I had a chicken plate and my friend had the vegetables, and between the two dishes we sampled, I say go vegetarian! Not that the chicken was bad, but all those extra mushrooms and tofu look really good! Nice Tako-Yaki (octopus balls) too.
(4)
Clint L.
My favorite hot pot restaurant in Boston with super fresh food, almost always. The staff is pretty friendly there. I eat like a pig every time I go. The place is pretty comfortable, other than summer time. The A/C is not strong enough busy. It is pretty busy most of the time(especially dinner and weekends). Hot pot gives me a good appetite(not much fat), since you could boil everything.
(4)
Vern B.
shabu shabu resturants are amazing. first of you get to order what kind of meat you want. They have kobe beef... DROOL then they give you a big bowl of water and you throw all the fixins you want in then you throw your meat int. or veggies if you swing that way. and you cook it yourself. they also have a decent sake selection. this is one of my favorite resturants in boston DEF TRY IT OUT
(5)
T L.
For all you asians and asian wannabes out there, there is a gem hidden in the heart of Boston's own chinatown. shabuzen.com This is a hotpot concept, where raw food is brought to the table. A bowl/bowls of broth to your liking is placed in the middle of the table where the stove resides. Once boiling, you can place whatever meat or vegetables you would like into the bowl. It may seem strange to go to a restaurant and pay to cook for yourself, but you also have to try it for yourself. The menu selection is simply organized yet contains a large variety of meats, vegetables, and seafood. I suggest going with the individual items on the back part of the menu where you get more food then the combo dish. Beef and pork are the choice meats to go. also had the seafood combo, which looks so eat, i ate some of the salmon raw, holla at the upscale beef as well kobe and sirloin; I also tried the beef tripe and clams. if you dont know what you want, take a look around, its basically open so poke your head over. Plates of cabbage, mushrooms, corn, watercress, vermicelli, and tomato are brought to you as well. For the broth, you can season with scallions, garlic, hot peppers, and some other mystery sauce. I give this restaurant two thumbs up, the service was good, waiting time for the food quick (I mean they don't have to cook anything), and the prices very affordable. The only drawback was the half an hour wait. Even at 8 on a sunday night. Therefore I suggest early or late dinner to avoid the huge rush. they have these smoothies made of pure fruit, the mango one is out of this world 9 out of 10
(5)
Melissa L.
I absolutely love this place. The food is fresh and the atmosphere is fun. It's a refreshing break from a normal sit down dinner.
(4)
Jeffrey R.
If you know anything about me you know that for better or worse I find myself downtown an ungodly amount of time each and every week. I'm a glass is half full kind of guy and I try to make the most of it, which downtown Boston does not make easy,. Christ, what is this place, Phoenix? Well, anyway, such was the case, again, this Saturday. With a group we were looking for a central location and happened upon Shabu Zen. The place already stands out as a Japanese spot in Chinatown and that there's more attention to aesthetics than the typical family run restaurants of the neighborhood. Shab Zen is a hot pot restaurant, which already gives it an element of fun. I like that when its all said and done there's about 4 tables worth of "stuff" on our single table (condiments for soy sauce, beer, tea, vegetables, dumplings, random dishes, etc.). Its cool, because the communal nature of hot pot has every hand of every jerk at the table reaching for everything and its a great scene among friends. Our server was incredibly nice, helping guide our idiocy on what kind of broth we wanted and other Japanese cuisine dilemmas. The price was all too fair considering the food was good and plentiful and really you're also paying for a fun time. Recommendations include cook meat quickly and corn should be dropped immediately and pulled out of broth just before you get the check. Shabs Z, we'll be seeing each other soon.
(4)
Ashley M.
I didn't know you could get Shabu in Boton. So the service here is bad. I asked for water twice and never got it, they were too busy to pay any attention to us, etc. However, the food makes up for it... fresh sashimi and seaweed salad, hot pot, and mango drinks... I left happy.
(4)
Michael T.
One of my most frequented restaurants. I'm not a shabu-shabu aficionado, but this place makes vegetables fun for me. The service is off and on, most of the time its great but every so often I feel like they are trying to rush me out to make room for the next guest.
(4)
Georgia Y.
I've never had shabu before this, so I can't judge whether it's "THE BEST OMGZ!" but I can tell you that it was a fun new way to try Japanese food. If you're vegetarian, make sure to ask for vegetarian broth, otherwise you'll get the default animal-based broth. Just buy a bunch of different things, drop 'em in your pot, and slurp away after a few minutes. Also, the bubble tea is delicious, the decor is nothing special, and the waitstaff were generally friendly and helpful.
(4)
Andres M.
Delicious and addictive food. Does it have MSG? I often crave this place. The price and the flavor can't be better. The smoothies are also very good.
(5)
Joe R.
The Shabu Lunch Zen that I received from this place was enough to prompt a 4-star review: pretty good for a cheap-eats spot in Chinatown. There is a lot of fun to be had in cooking your own food in a big community pot of spicy Chinese broth, not to mention if you're there with colleagues and can secretly steal the mushroom they've been meticulously preparing for the duration of the meal. Did I mention cheap (for what you get)?
(4)
Yau S.
As a former loyal customer of Shabu Zen, I recently went to their New Shabu Zen from the Allston location and was very disappointed with our meals. Our party has 3 people and the overall experience was highly disappointing. The 3 of us order 3 Main courses. We finished with all 3 of our vegetables before we had any meat on the tables. Finally, when the server came and asked how things were, I bluntly told him that we need our meats with our meal. He went in the kitchen for another 10 minutes and brought out 2 meat plates that comes with our main course. We never saw the 3 meat dish that we order. We also ordered some sashimi appetizer. The server brought out the appetizer after we were half way through with Shabu Shabu. To make things worst, he never brought us any soysauce or small dishes for our sashimi. We ended up throwing all the sashimi in the broth to cook because we didn't know how to eat them with no sauce. And we paid $10 for the sashimi. Because I am a die-hard Shabu Shabu fan. I also recently tried the new Toki from across the street. I have to say Shabu Zen's meat quality was no where near as good as Toki. I found Shabu Toki not only has better food quality, but also their decor is much nicer. The staffs seem to be much more alert and attentive to customers' need. I also learned that their Head Chef is Japanese that does all their broths all from scratch and no MSG in any of their cooking. I was not dying of thirst after my meal over at Toki as I would have felt after dinning at Shabu Zen. Shabu Zen definitely has a big competitor just across the street in Allston. If you love Shabu Shabu I think you should also try Toki which is only one block away.
(1)
Lillian P.
I went there on a Saturday for the first time. Food was very good. The soy, scallion, BBQ, garlic & pepper sauce was delicious on everything. It took a bit to figure the cooking out but we managed. Our table however was completely cramped. I think it was meant for like a 2 person setup and our group had 5. The place was packed and smaller than I expected. Even though I had reservations, it was almost an hour wait to be seated. It was loud (thanks to the drunken bridal party next to our table) and way too hot. I don't think I'll go back there on a weekend. Ever.
(3)
Kim W.
This is probably my favorite restaurant, and considering that evaluation is coming from a vegetarian who has to see sliced raw meat every time she goes there, that means a lot! It can take awhile to get seated during peak times, but it's worth the wait. I just wish the waitstaff would be around a little more often so I can ask for some icewater -- after awhile of eating hot food and having steam in your face, it's a necessity (and the smoothies are too damn tasty to last very long).
(4)
Laura L.
Have only been there once but dying to get back! I love the set up which is super fun with a little bar like thing around with personal soup bowls. The fresh veggies added to the broth were delicious! I forgot which meat I picked for my meal but all I can say is it was delicious. It's also fun putting together your own soups. The service was pretty good and kept on things.
(5)
Jen and Tim S.
I ate here with a bunch of people from work when some one won one of those free meals through AmEx Advisors. It's definitely a fun and tasty meal spot - just watch out -- our intern didn't realize what the deal was and ate some of the meat raw (he was totally fine).
(4)
Turelie L.
I found this little gem when a friend and I took a day trip to Chinatown when I was still living in MA. Looking for a dim sum restaurant or a noodle bar, we stumbled upon Shabu Zen. Japanese Hotpot??? SOLD! We were hooked the minute we walked in. We were seated at the counter where we each had our own little hotpot set into the table with which to cook our food. We ordered smoothies...all of which are made from the real fruit, not some concentrate. Try the Green Tea Latte! The prices are amazing for the amount of food you get....a huge plate of veggies with cabbage, carrot, mushrooms, watercress, bean threads, tofu and beancurd. We always get the Meat Combo (a couple bucks more than getting one meat and you can choose from chicken, beef, pork and lamb!), tho once or twice I've had the Surf and Turf which adds scallops, fish cake, squid, salmon and whitefish to a meat of your choice. Dinner comes with your choice of udon noodle, white rice or vermicelli. The al la carte gets expensive, but you can add a dish or two from it and share with plenty to go around. I never could finish the entire plate of Taro Root on my own. Also, their Gyoza is to DIE for! For desert, the sweet bean soup is a surprisingly refreshing treat, tho apparently an acquired taste if my friends are any indication. ^_^ My preference is the green tea mochi....an absolute must before leaving. After that first trip to Shabu Zen, I've brought every single friend I know in New England, a friend who visited from Seattle (vegan), my family from NJ, my aunt from Colorado and my fiance to that place and EVERY SINGLE ONE of them LOVES it. The last time I went I was traveling 6 hours up to MA to pick up the last of my things when I moved and my sister and I made an hour detour just to go to Shabu Zen. Every time is wonderful. The food is always outstanding and the wait staff always fast and efficient. Worth the trip every single time. If you can't navigate chopsticks, ask for a fork...they have em! Vegetarian/Vegan? They have the broth and veggie platter for you! Spice lover? They have a spicy broth too! Prices range from $9.99 to $18 or so for the main courses (al la carte is varied). For dinner plan on $25-$30 per person including gyoza ($4), a smoothie ($3.50) and desert ($2.50 or so). Hot green tea is always included with dinner. Count on an hour and a half for an unhurried dinner....cooking your own food with friends takes some time. ^_^ Get there early and take the T, parking across the street is $22. Call ahead after 6:30 pm on weekends because the place fills up fast and you can have a wait up to 2 hours for a table (for groups of 3 or more...less than 3 people and they slap you with a $75 charge) after 8 pm. We always ask for a table when we have 3 or more...it's worth the wait. For two people, the counter is excellent.
(5)
sam c.
shabu zen.. what can u say.. one of the original shabu places.. i started goin the shabu zen about 4 years ago when i first moved to boston and loved it.. the food is good and the atmosphere is awesome.. the price could be alil lower but other wise.. yummy :)
(3)
Brenden L.
I didn't know of any Japenese hot pot style restaurants in the city until I found this gem. The food ranges from simple chicken, pork, veal, and beef at around $10 for a plate of meat and another of vegetables to about $35 for Kobe beef and vegetables. You get to cook your own food in the hot pot and get brought a bean and barley sweet soup as dessert. Green tea also comes with the meal and is delicious.
(5)
Ryan L.
um this place is crazy overpriced and I've had much better shabu in California (the Little Lamb chain) and in my own home. overrated.
(3)
ecdat p.
my favorite restaurant in Boston...healthy food... quick service...I always left there full and happy...
(5)
Rico B.
This is a great place to beat the cold. I love the seating, because you can have your own hot pot. No need to worry about mixing stuff up with other people's food. Servers are nice and tentative. Prices are not outrages also. (Unless you order the Kobe beef or lobster) The price includes the soup base, vegetables and tofu, choice of rice or noodles, hot tea, and red bean dessert.
(5)
Andrea P.
What an amazing experience!!! To be perfectly honest I haven't really heard of this style of cuisine before so I was very intrigued when I first found out. Upon walking in I didn't really know what to expect, especially considering they don't take reservations and it was packed! With a party of 5 we waited about 45 minutes on a Friday night around 8:30, however it was well worth the wait! The concept is fabulous, we ordered two different broths and then most people ordered their platters which simplify the process, my friend ordered al carte for the two of us. Although the platters make things easy I highly recommend the al carte option because you get to try so many different things, all for a very low price. We tried everything from beef to salmon to scallops to an assorted mushroom plate. Everything was fantastic, the sauces you can combine to really add flavor gave it some personal touches to your dish. The service was definitely below average, we essentially had to flag someone down every time we needed something, which would have been frustrating if we weren't so busy enjoying ourselves. I think shabu zen and this cuisine in general is a great experience, you really get to enjoy the food and company because you don't just get one big plate of food to scarf down, you get to enjoy the entire process! Highly recommend, and will definitely be back!
(4)
Vezna S.
Atmosphere: This place was awesome. Modern looking and bright lights. service here was pleasurable. The whole restaurant felt very open and friendly... it's also huge. The server staff was super friendly and helpful. Food: Delicious and addictive food. They had a 4 grades of beef to choose from including prime. You can choose many different kinds of broth including, regular original, Chinese herbal, chinese spicy, Thai tom yum, and Korean kim chee. Extremely large variety of things to choose from to put in your broth. Even vegetarians will find enough to choose from. The green tea they serve in the beginning is really relaxing to drink. Their smoothies are delicious as well. They taste just like the fruit itself. Lychee, watermelon, lemon, mango ALL great choices. Their green tea shake is wonderful as well, but you can definitely tell it is very caloric and rich. Service: Service here has always been friendly although it can be a bit slow when they are packed. Wednesday and Thursday nights around 6-6.30pm are usually good times to go, especially if you need to park your car. Friday nights can be nuts and parking spots in the small lot fill up quickly.
(5)
Nashrah R.
Shabu Zen is my favorite hotpot place in the Boston area because: 1) They serve a generous portion of veggies and tofu with the meat entree selections 2) Fun drinks like the gummy bear martini, which is one of my favorite drinks 3) A refreshing red bean dessert that is served at the end of the meal In terms of improvement, Shabu Zen should work on their broths, which are good but could be better. Other tips: 1) Ask for the veggie dipping sauce instead of the regular one, especially if the regular one tastes a little too fishy for you 2) Be wary that apart from their specified veggie broth, the others use a pork base so be sure to tell them about any dietary restrictions you may have and they will give you a chicken based one instead. Compared to the nearby Q Restaurant, I would say come to Shabu Zen if you want better sides (as opposed to broths), fun drinks and a welcoming atmosphere.
(4)
Josh K.
Probably my favorite restaurant in Chinatown. You got a whole lot of high-quality hot-pot food for $10-15, pretty good service, and rarely much of a wait.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
Sandra G.
I Finally decided to try Shabu-zen and I have to admit I loveee it.. I'll definitely be coming back.
(4)Matthew D.
On the advice of other Yelpers, we stopped in here for a Sunday afternoon lunch. Busy, but not so busy that we couldn't get a seat. The staff was very friendly and all too eager to assist you with your choices, which, if you've never been to a place like this (we hadn't) is helpful... I had the beef, which was excellent, and my wife had the seafood platter, which she said was also excellent. No complaints. Would definitely go back again...
(4)Sara S.
I'll be quite honest. If I'm going to go to a restaurant, I normally want my food prepared for me. I mean, that's kind of a given... HOWEVER, I will make an exception for Shabu-Zen. Shabu-Zen was my first hotpot experience. I've been meaning to go for a long time, but I was a little intimidated by the whole thought of preparing my own meal (yeah, I don't cook). It was the first really cold night of the season, so I thought this was the perfect occasion to try it out. I ordered the veggie platter, and it was BIG. Not only did it have a superfluous amount of vegetables, but all sorts of tofu. As in, a few different kinds of tofu. The veggies included watercress, lettuce, tomato, corn, mushrooms, fungus (I didn't know it was fungus until after I ate it), noodles, and other things. I chose the chicken broth, which was very tasty but not an overwhelming flavor. I'll admit, I was a little confused. I didn't know how long to cook anything for, or if there was any particular technique. I just winged it, and it seemed to go well. However, I've seen places that have a little "instructional manual" inside the menu, and I think that would have helped. I really wanted to get chicken, but I'm paranoid about raw chicken. Maybe next time.
(4)John L.
This place was awesome. They had a 4 grades of beef to choose from including prime. You can choose many different kinds of broth including, regular original, chinese herbal, chinese spicy, thai tom yum, and korean kim chee. The lunch special was relatively affordable and included udon, vermicelli, or steamed rice. Extremely large variety of things to choose from to put in your broth. Even vegetarians will find enough to choose from. I've gotta go back if I'm ever in Boston again.
(5)Jen H.
Cold New England day.... it's windy.... there is snow coming down at a steady pace... I'm near downtown crossing, and I'm hungry. What a better meal when it's cold outside than soup... right? WRONG.... SHABU is where it's at. I like Shabu-Zen because they give each person their own hot pot. I don't mind sharing, but sometimes I like to be greedy... and have what I want, how I want it, when I want it. Shabu-Zen lets me do that with my own steaming pot. During lunch time, they seat you and immediately place a pot of the normal broth in front of you. If you want a flavor broth, just ask when you order. I opted to change mine to the Tom Yum broth. It was good, not overly spicy, but enough to give a little flavor kick. The meat combo of lamb and beef with the udon noodles was DE-LISH! The staff was really good about refilling the broth, but not overfilling to the point that the flavor was really diluted. If I remember correctly, the lunch combo was $8.50 + $2.50 for the flavored broth - not bad for a nice, filling, Shabu Shabu lunch. My only complaint about Shabu Shabu in general - I'm 3 for 3 of getting something on myself when eating... and I'm normally a very neat eater. OBVIOUSLY, I need to eat more Shabu and get the technique down. So - who wants to take me out?! ;-)
(4)Heejin L.
FREAKIN good. there are different types of meat to choose from. ex kobe beef, short rib are my fav. also, there are different broths to choose from. i like the kimchi broth and their regular broth. they also have sashimi. the sashimi is decent. and the grilled beef tongue is good. they have drinks like mango smoothies which are also good. (i like the mango and the watermelon ones. the green tea latte is also good.) yum yum yummy. there's a wait. but i think it's worth it. a definite go when i visit boston again.
(5)Tiff L.
The food was okay and the service was slow. I expected much more food for the price that we paid. I could have spent the same amount and have gotten more food if I had hot pot at my house. I rather spend my money elsewhere than here!
(1)CeeCee R.
What better for dinner on a frigid cold winter night than a pot of steamy hot pot? Shabu Zen seems to be a good destination. I usually would give them my five stars but last week they skimped out my regular order of seafood platter. It seems to me that their seafood platter portion have been on the stingy side. My sisters savored their orders of A1 sliced beef. Thursday nights may not be a good time to go there if you would like to have conversations. It would be very likely for you to bump in to larger groups doing sake bombs. Hot tip! For those of you who would like to avoid waiting for a table, come pre or post peak hours (anytime between 5-6.30 PM or after 8 PM). If you'd like to try Shabu Zen with a large group of people, try their Brighton location.
(4)Monica R.
I have been frequenting Shabu Zen for over 3 years now and there is no end in sight. I love this hot pot experience better than most others. Don't expect the usual sesame sauces (though they will serve these if you ask). When you are seated (bar style dining unless you have a group of 3 or more to get a table) a dish of soy sauce sits in front of you alongside smaller dishes of fresh scallions, a spicy pepper mixture, minced garlic and a tangy textured BBQ sauce. Mix em up while your broth begins boiling. I recommend ordering the spicy kimchi broth which is also served with a side of kimchi... delicious. If you order a meat meal or combo it will be delivered with a heaping vegetable side. You will get an option or udon noodles, sticky rice or vermacheli. You will leave STUFFED. Smoothies are awesomely fresh and a must have. They do them in "to-go" form as well!!
(5)Adriana P.
I've been going to Shabu-Zen for years now...I think it gets better every time I go! So good-I always order the short ribs and extra mushrooms. The Kimchee broth is amazing! I don't think you can go wrong here-never had a bad meal at either location! Allston is a much larger space but is paceked on weekends...and no reservations for less than 5 people! Definitely head in for some Shabu Shabu!
(5)Omar F.
Went there for the first time with a friend this week and had a great time. The waiter was attentive and very nice, the atmosphere was relaxing, and I enjoyed a great Shabu dinner. I had the meat platter, and chose to have lamb and pork. It was really good and I paid $15 with tip for it. I ordered with rice but you can choose noodles if you want. My friend had the seafood platter and it was also really good. Both of us were full by the time we finished and we felt good for two reasons. 1) We only paid $15 for really good food and a great atmosphere and 2) the food was healthier than what we would usually get if we're looking for a tasty meal. Check it out, it is a great place.
(4)L L.
Despite being an Asian, I have never had hot pot. My family doesn't do it. My mom's had it before, but it must've been before I was born or maybe she went out and had it and I didn't know about it (I'm guessing it's the former). I've always wanted to try it, though. Whenever I mentioned it, my boyfriend didn't seem very interested. Today is my birthday and based on all the good reviews for Shabu-Zen, I decided to go there with my bf for our first hot pot experience. I found this place before I even moved to Boston (only a couple months ago) and I've been trying to find a reason to get him to come here. Well, since it's my birthday and the bf jokes that I'm so indecisive all the time, I decided to come here. We both enjoyed our time there. The waitress we had was extremely helpful when we explained it was our first time. I knew how it worked and I told my boyfriend (and it's kinda self-explanatory), but we let her demonstrate how to cook your food. I had the combo meal, chicken and pork, and he also had a combo of chicken and beef. He kept his broth as the pork broth and I got the Thai Tom Yum; it's sweet and spicy. I LOVE spicy stuff. I even threw in some of the dipping sauce into it. Unfortunately, a piece of pepper got lodged in the back of my throat. My throat was burning. My boyfriend is always laughing at the weird faces I make at certain times, like when he's tickling me and I'm trying to hold in the laughter. It wasn't really a laughing matter this time -- at least not for me since it burned like crazy -- but he laffed anyway. :[ But it's okay. I ended up drinking all my water AND his iced tea. Take that, biatch. But anywho, other than that, it was great. I loved the vegetables. I eat all my veggies (I even ate the bf's; he didn't like the cabbage and water cress). The only thing I didn't want was the enoki mushrooms. Like with most foods that I don't eat, it's not that I don't like it; I just don't want it. I would've taken more greens, black mushrooms, and tofu if I could. Or rice, which was good. It was short-grain rice (I think most people refer to it as Japanese rice or sushi rice). I wish I had more. I love my rice. :[ Hmm, what else. I think most people, when they make hot pot, cut the meat into smaller pieces. The meat that was served was thinly sliced, as it should be, but the pieces were big -- or long, I should say. I'm not complaining about it, it was fine, but because of the way it was cut, I think that's why there was a need for the strainer-like spoon. If you dipped the slice of meat in the broth with just your chopsticks, you could lose parts of the delicate meat because they would fall off and get lost in sea of broth amongst your vegetables. The waitress recommended that we put the raw meat in the strainer spoon thing and put it into the broth, turning it over with our chopsticks (fork for the bf) to make sure it's thoroughly cooked. It was helpful, but I guess it could've been avoided if the pieces of meat weren't so long. I think we got our money's worth at Shabu-Zen. I was a little disappointed that the soda was $1.75 and instead of giving me a glass of soda, they gave me a wine glass filled with ice and a CAN of Sprite. :[ I would've just stuck with water if I'd known we were paying that much just for a can. We were done with dinner a little before 7, which was a good thing. It started getting really busy at that time. It was still pretty quiet when we got there at 6. I'll definitely be stopping by there again, and I'm probably going to try the Chinese Spicy broth next time.
(5)Leighann F.
My very most basic step-by-step guide to your Shabu Zen experience: Step 1: pick your poison Step 2: drink some tea Step 3: play chef Step 4: enjoy your edible creativity Step 5: Rinse and repeat steps 2-4 My poison? Surf and Turf with pork. A giant portion of food, made to order by yours truly, and enjoyed at a pace I controlled. Maybe I wanted to eat that entire mushroom first with a bite of squid. Maybe I feel like having only a piece of pork next. Perhaps just a nibble of salmon with a giant piece of leafy green goodness followed by a mouthful of noodles dipped in my special sauce. No, you cannot have any of my special sauce. You can make your own, clearly. A fun, interactive, tummy-filling experience. Good for kids. Messy for most of us. Your inner control freak will thank you for it. What's not to love? Oh, well maybe the staff talking smack about in a language you don't understand because you're the last people in there late at night. HeHe.
(4)Anita S.
I love this place. Plain and simple, one of my favorite restaurants of all time. The meat is always fresh, perfect, thinly sliced deliciousness, the lamb being my hands-down fave. The plum wine and the red bean dessert are solid as well. I miss it so much!
(5)Doris W.
I love Shabu and this is the only place my boyfriend and I would go for it. It's like comfort food. So comforting, especially in the winter. Unfortunately, we don't make the trek out to Chinatown much since their Allston location is closer to home and 2x bigger. Through the years, their service (a few times patchy) and food has been consistent. There really isn't much to putting together raw produce and meat on a plate. Their veggie platter has gone through some changes. Some things have come and gone and sometimes its abundant and sometimes it's lacking. However, I LOVE their smoothies. Watermelon and lemon ice are my favorites. That's probably one thing you would have to get there. The short ribs and meat combo is what I always order. If I'm hungry, I get salmon to cook on the side and doesn't cost much. Their appetizers and sashimi is pretty good as well. Mmmm. Shabu.
(5)Alicia H.
For a Shabu-virgin, this is a good place to go. Our waiter, upon learning it was our maiden voyage, was very instructive and helpful (and spoke English very well). He also made so excellent recommendations and some fun tips and tricks! I don't I can add much more about how great this place is than all those who have gone before me - but for what's it's worth, I'll throw another 4 stars on the Shabu-Zen pile! :) There is one note I'd like to make actually. They do NOT actually take reservations. Oh sure, you can call and they "take your reservation," but they do not actually reserve anything for you. We made a 6:30pm reservation for four people and three of us showed up at 6:15 and asked to be seated. They said we could not be seated until our entire party arrived, fine, whatever. However, they gave the last available table away at 6:25 (mind you we had a 6:30 reservation in reality). We then proceeded to wait for a table until 7:15. So they either literally employ the STUPIDEST hostess in the world, or they do not in fact take reservations.
(4)Ali E.
I was threatened by a friend of mine who didn't want me to review this place because he was afraid more people would come. I had never done hot pot before and I am totally hooked. We waited a few minutes to be seated, but only because we wanted a table for the four of us. The waitress was at our table immediately with green tea and once we had ordered our veggies were upon us in seconds. We ordered the Seafood Supreme and the Meat Combo with lamb and pork. Both were very good, but the Seafood Supreme was awesome - everything was so fresh! The little pots of sauces and spices were a huge plus for mixing and matching purposes. And at the end you get to make yourself some soup with the leftover broth and rice. yum.
(5)Lnc T.
I swear, I'm like one of the few asians who couldn't careless for hot pot. The food is decent, but def. not to die for. The bill is always around $25 per person and for what I'm getting in return? I rather just go buy stuff from the asian market and make my own hot pot or some other amazing asian dish. I'm not saying this place is horrible, but its just not my personal preference. They have really good mochi though! I probably would be dragged back considering all my friends are hot-pot fanatics, until then!
(3)Daniel M.
I'm not sure what can be further said about Shabu-Zen but I was very happy here. Since this was our first time (with the Shabu Whore out of town I was left to my own devices) we sat down at our table slightly overwhelmed by the many bowls and utensils in front of us. Luckily help was on the way. Our server was so adorable. When we told her it was our first time her eyes lit up and she began to explain everything to us as best she could. She took care to make sure we had a vegetarian broth and even came back with veggie BBQ sauce. It's nice that they have have the split pot so our carnivorous friend could still have what he wanted without making me want to die. The vegetable plate was a mound of familiar pieces and others I had to have explained to me. Everything, after a dip in the bubbling brew, was so delicious it didn't matter that I hadn't a clue what it was a minute before. The variety you receive on this platter for $12 is quite impressive. We had so much fun cooking our food that in the beginning we were transfixed, not speaking to one another, as we figured out how to put things in and how to reclaim them. All this you must do while not scalding yourself or making a hideous mess. I at least succeeded in not burning myself. Mess be damned, I was having a great time and could care less. The house sake complemented the meal well and left us (after a bottle) just tipsy enough to feel good. Not enough to ruin the rest of the evening. Best part of this was when our server came over and saw that we had finished the bottle: "OH! You've finished. *fist pump* YES!!!" I. Loved. Her. The mochi was a nice way to round out the meal as well. Enough to cool you down after a steamy meal, but not enough to bust the gut. All-in-all I walked out of here FULL but not stuffed and feeling great about life. The food is fresh and healthy and the service amazing. Guess I'm a convert too.
(5)トモ T.
All you really need is ONE good place for real Shabu-Shabu and that's what you have in Shabu-Zen. A great way to get through those Boston winters is sitting in front of boiling water. What I like about this place is that they give you choices of beef quality from Kobe Beef ($38) to regular beef ($11). I like to go with regular beef and eat 2 orders. SHABU SHABU: In case you are not familiar with Shabu-Shabu: There is a big hot pot with boiling water that sits in the middle of the table. While seafood and chicken is offered in the menu, the main item is thinly sliced BEEF. You take a chopstick and dip the beef into the pot. You wait 8-10 seconds (unexperienced people do it much longer, which over cooks the meat and makes it tough). You then dip into your sauce of choice. YOU DO NOT DRINK THE SOUP!!!!! Only negative aspect is difficulty in finding free/metered parking in this area. You might have to just suck it up and do paid parking.
(5)Andrew D.
Next time in Boston? I would definitely return to Shabu-Zen. Nice laid back and, what it seems like, a local favorite for hot pot. We hung out for quite a bit here as another friend joined us after a little while. So we had a chance to sample many different things and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Cooking your own food is always a bit strange when you GO OUT TO EAT, but I think there's also something about pacing your meal out.
(4)Millhouse R.
You know I thought I had found this place as being new and was quite happy to be a first reviewer. Especially for a Boston restaurant. A first review of a five star beaner place would be the second joyous occasion I experienced with Boston. My first being the '86 Mets. Oh well. You beat me to it. What can I say which hasn't already been said? Shabu Zen is a great place. It's a Japanese style hot pot restaurant frequented by the young and hip which happens to have delicious, do it yourself food. I was actually looking for a Chinese place for dinner. When I headed back to my rent a crib I went past Chinatown, saw all the ducks and bbq pork hanging in the windows and figured I'd give it a try. So after walking and window shopping I spot Shabu Zen, look at the menu and see the place packed with Asians and I figure "why not?" After all Beantown's Chinatown is probably the same thing as NYC's except for the Szechuan style baked beans and Hunan clam chowdah. Also, I see a lot of folks pack the Fung Wah buses in NYC going to Boston. Some of them have to be restaurant owners, right? I was sat down immediately and my order of the Grade A prime rib with Chinese herbal broth, a side of bbq tongue, some marinated baby octopus and a beer was served for me to cook immediately. Simply delicious. The broth had a green tea/senchai taste and the prime rib with its nice fat content melted in your mouth and packed a nice beef flavor. All vegetables were fresh to the point of being earthy. Both tongue and octopus tasted like they should and came in a pleasant marinade. Now here's the ironic thing. My decision being based on the multitudes of Asian patronizing Shabu...they were all Yankees. Can't judge a book by the cover right? Everyone from my server to the gentleman and his friends next to me to the folks standing on line were from around the States such as Mass, Kentucky, NYC and so on. They all sounded like Harold. And I have to say this was more than half of the pleasant experience. Shabu Zen is not only a culinary and cultural (in all aspects) delight, it's also very clean and relaxing. I highly recommend it.
(5)Solomon C.
I love how the waitresses don't quite button their shirts up all the way, making pervs like me look twice. I'm sure it must get hot working here! But seriously the waiter or waitress is usually attentive to what I need. Try the "Chinese Spice" (Ma-Lah!) whooooooooo!!! SPICY!!! Oh... Incase you don't know what Shabu-zen is all about, here's the gist of it: You get a plate of vegetables and pot of broth, you order a dish of raw meats, toss it in and enjoy! ************************************* if you're driving, I suggest going to Shabu Zen's Allston location on Brighton Ave. They have a parking lot.
(5)Ivy F.
I saw Shabu-Zen has pretty good comments on Yelp so we decided to try. We had 3 people and ordered beef & seafood, beef & lamb, seafood platters plus another beef and pork later. Overall, their meat was pretty good; seafood and fish were a little fishy; the Chinese spicy broth was pretty good if you can eat spicy especially after you boiled all the meat, the soup is delicious! I'm fairly happy with their food quality but the price was quite expensive considering I could have hotpot buffet for $20@ in Hong Kong but I understand it is not what people mainly eat here so I am willing to pay for it particularly in the winter, hotpot is always good medal in such cold weather! One thing that I didn't like there is the place was not very clean, the floor was filthy and slippery and the bathroom was gross...
(4)Samantha M.
One of the most fun places I've been to in Chinatown. I'd never tried hot pot food before, and this was delicious. I had the beef and pork, for dessert the red-bean soup which was surprisingly yummy and made a good attempt at settling my stomach. Nonetheless I stopped at CVS on the way back to the train for some Zantac.. my stomach's weird like that.
(5)Victoria J.
I went here with two of my dear work friends during a cold, cold wintery New England night. We were walking around trying to find a place to eat and we walked by this place and decided to try it. The service was - mediocre. Not necessarily bad, but definitely not good. We ordered the crispy & spicy octopus tentacles - delicious! For our main, we had the meat combo with 2 different broths : Szechuan Spicy & Japanese Curry. The Szechuan was uneventful, the Curry - Amazing! The combo plate came with veegtables, kobe beef, pork, and udon noodles. It was the first time we had all tried Shabu-Shbau and we all loved it! I'm sure there are places that are even better, but for first time Shabu eaters, we were not disappointed!
(3)Jerome Patrick S.
This is a fun dining experience plain and simple. Order yourself a meat combo (chicken, beef, or pork) pick two and go with the chinese spicy broth. Have yourself some saki or a Sapporo and wait for the broth to boil, then start shoveling the good stuff in. Be careful when mixing up your soy sauce, most of the ingredients they provide turn your soy sauce into liquid magma with the slighest addition of spices. I have been to Shabu Zen so many times now and everytime I go I always leave with a full healthy feeling belly, never once have I felt all gross and bloated after a big meal at Shabu. Skip the desert that they offer, it is a cold bean soup that is very different and odd. I have had it twice and I sort of kind of like it, but at the same time hate it. It's free so give it a try if you are feeling adventurous, but don't let it wreck your whole evening and remember it was free. Oh yeah, start practicing with those chopsticks...
(4)Nancy L.
Shabu Zen specializes in the cuisine call hot pot or shabu-shabu, the Japanese onomatopoeia for "swish swish" (although I don't see the connection between those words, at all). A summary: Swish swish, the delicately marbled slivers of meat goes in. Swish swish, quickly turns brown in the simmer broth. Slam dunk: into special sauce. Gulp, all gone. Rinse and repeat. ^____^ my tummy and my wallet is happy. PS: great for cold winter days, slow eaters, lazy conversations, people who like to prepare their own food, poor students, and sake.
(4)Trevor S.
If somebody ever told you about a nondescript sort of place jammed amidst a row of brightly colored eateries on a skinny little road in Chinatown, they might have been talking about Shabu-Zen. A bit of a twist from the typical shabu shabu, gone are all-you-can-eat, but in are strangely flavored broths. Herbal broth? Kim chee broth? Not really something that goes with the house made soy sauce, but a good twist. A brightly lit, cheap and cheerful place. Popular and perennially packed. Big tables that are fun to take a group to. A big bar like thing in the middle that's fun to go to with just a friend.
(4)Archana V.
First time hotpot experience and it was so much fun! We were a group of 12 and had to wait a long time before we were seated in spite of calling them in advance. Minus 1 star for that. But the food itself was delicious! Definitely looking forward to my next visit here.
(4)Bruce R.
Delicious fresh food, generous portions and excellent service.
(5)N. R.
When I visited Boston my friends were threatening me that if I dont go to Shabu Zen, I'm a complete idiot. So I stopped by the place and it was rather different than all of the other Shabu restaurants I've been. I like the individual shabu bars. It's such a great idea. Many times I wanted to go to a shabu-shabu restaurant alone just for lunch but it's rather impossible. Most of the other restaurants asks for at least two orders for shabu-shabu. Then, I dont want to sit all by myself in those big tables that were meant to seat four people. It's just sad. In Shabu Zen, I'm just disappointed that despite the empty tables on Thursday afternoon, they wont seat me & my boyfriend at one of the tables. He's an asian food noob, so he panicked when he knew he had to cook his own food. So the broth came, and it's not like the regular shabu-shabu broth, which was flavored with a piece of kelp. This one was flavored with dashi. Not a complaint, because I love dashi. Then our food came. The beef was great. The quality is outstanding. Probably one of the best slices of hoptpot beef I've ever had. However, I'm not liking the fact that I only get 3 pieces of napa cabbage. And the udons were a disappointment. Why can't they use the cold, thick udon noodles compared to the dry ones which they were serving? Oh and we ordered takoyaki for appetizer. It tasted great, but it wasnt as firm as it's supposed to be. so texture-wise it was just like a ball of slob that's barely holding its form to its toothpick. Me no likey. Overall, the service was good. They were attentive and they keep refilling my broth. The food? Mehh... It was alright. Would I come back? I think I just love shabu-shabu too much to not come back.
(3)Jazmin I.
While trying to decide which place to eat at in Chinatown, my friend suggested we go to Shabu-Zen for their mochi ice cream. So we had the classic hot pot, some pot stickers and rice. We had a variety of items. The dumplings turned out to be quite scrumptious. I should have ordered more! Everything was tasty. Though one of the waitresses who took the place of our previous one kept trying to rush us and lowered our timer. I guess the only thing I did not like was the red bean desert. But that's a matter of preference. Yes, this place is worth another visit. It's not so pricet either.
(4)Yvonne Y.
Comfortable environment , reasonable prices. We have a party of 3 and ordered as much as we like in 4 rounds . Good food, 6 drinks (beer, strawberry smoothies, green tea), and the end only cost US $ 33 per head (tips included) satisfied, highly recommended for travellars as well as conference attendees ! If I have read yelp.com's review earlier, we could have even better quality of life in Boston !
(4)Ming C.
I came here for lunch. I got seated quickly. My waiter promptly started my hot pot and asked my bf and I for our drinks. You can choose two meats on one plate, or individual plates. I was pretty full with ordering one plate. Prices range from 8.50-$12 for one plate. It all comes with vermicelli, udon, or rice. And a veggie dish with napa, one tomato, one mushroom, one tofu, one corn on the cob, and broccoli. And there is three dipping sauces. Hot pot boiled quickly. And you just enjoy yourself! Try tasting your soup from the hot pot afterwards. (Oh, they have a variety of soup base. We had the pork one.) Extra costs for certain kinds of soup base.
(5)Tiffanie L.
I love this place, we've been going here for years and now there's another one in Alston Brighton, my Husband and I personally prefer the fun of going into Chinatown however. This is our favorite place. Hot Pot cuisine is very authentic as well, in fact, you cook your own food, so no complaints to the chef since you are the chef. Service is amazing as well, plates are cleared away promptly. I haven't been disappointed yet. I enjoy the flavor and the experience so much, once we went twice in the same weekend. If you're new to the experience, just tell your waitress, they'll walk you through your choices.
(5)Yuki K.
For a GRUB GIRL, this isn't usually my cup of tea to satisfy my hunger but they deserve these four stars, because we can't find anything similar here in the west coast!!! It's definately not a typical shabu shabu, I was surprised about dipping tomato in water but with the mighty sauce, anything went well. The dipping sauce they serve for the course, you won't find it any where else. (They probably use a chinese sauce?) Light eat like this with some cool, spicy sake like Gekkeikan...ahhh perfect for cold nights.
(4)Diamond Y.
I absolutely love the food here. Now I cannot stop going there.
(4)Jeffrey H.
If there's one thing I can count on Ligaya for, it's taking me places I've been missing out on. This is certainly one of those places. As for my review, well, I have no idea on terminology or phrasing, so please accept my apologies as I attempt to review this Japanese restaurant. We sat up around the bar and opted to prepare our own meals. They set you up with a pot of hot broth that is simmering in front of your station. Ordering from the menu that included seafood, chicken, beef, and other ingredients, I chose the chicken. Served on a large plate and rolled up, I wasn't quite sure what I was looking at. "Throw your chicken in," Ligaya suggests. Okay, it's the chicken. Got it. Next an assortment of vegetables and tofu are just asking to be boiled. You're next mushroom! *THROWS IN* Noodles? *THROWN* Carrot? You too, bub. *THROWN* I prepare my meal as I see fit. Order, length of time cooking, everything. Look at me, the chef! With a plate to stack your masterpiece on and several dipping sauces to mix and match with the chives and such, I find myself to be cooking a fantastic meal. I was sad when I ran out of noodles. I didn't plan accordingly. I wish there was another mushroom...next time I'll save that toward the end. I cooked and I learned. I played and I ate. Oh, and there was nothin' wrong with the sake and the bean soup to end the meal. This was fun. Let's do it again!
(4)Christopher N.
I didn't know what to expect when I planned this one. It was quite an experience. The food: priced appropriately. The atmosphere: warm and active. Dipping your meat and veggies into a pan of boiling water was the game. The veggies are fresh. The meat was probably fine too, but being in science, I just don't trust the raw meat thing. We implemented quite a strategy to avoid cross contamination of the chopsticks with salmonella. No one got sick, so it may have worked. Or, we just over reacted (in a not so serious manner). Really, we just had fun and that was the goal. The wait was 45 minutes and I would still go back to this place.
(4)Maria M.
Another go-to place in Chinatown when we're hungry and want something that's not too greasy or fried. The bf always gets the surf and turf, which is plenty of food for him and I always get the chicken and lamb or beef. I've tried their different broths, and the one I love the most right now is the Mongolian spicy broth, mmmmm. I love that every dish comes with a large platter of veggies that includes cabbage, tofu, shitake mushroom, tomato, corn and more... mmm. We also love their smoothes. The bf loves the mango smoothies and I really enjoy the lychee smoothie with real lychee at the bottom.
(4)R G.
great. nice atmosphere, mostly polite waitresses, tasty food. minus one star for feeling a bit rushed (it's a pet peeve of mine). they explained everything (my bf had never been and I didn't remember all of the condiments) and didn't make us feel like idiots for not knowing. the bf and I got the beef and pork combo platter and the seafood platter and shared freely between our plates. this was an excellent strategy. as was going on a cold january night. we will be back.
(3)Spencer N.
I took my family here when they came to visit. They had never had shabu before and i was cravin some shabu zen, so I thought it would be a great idea. This is such a great place to take ppl visiting the area or go to on a date. Its cheap and fun(good sake too...) It is usually pretty packed, so you will prolly have to do the awkward waiting around in the doorway thing. You know, when you block people on accident but still try to keep your place...yeah. its hot. We ordered the double pot of broth(kimchi and regular). For being a tiny family, we can pack away the food. So naturally we decided to each order a entree. Umm...maybe this want a great idea because with 2 surf n' turfs, a sea food platter, 1 chicken and one steak...Im sure we over killed atleast 3 cows and helped over fish the ocean. Holy crap. You could easily get away with only 3 ppl ordering and have enough. The food is incredibly fresh and comes with a HUGE tray of veggies. I also saw the staff giving shabu lessons to first timers.
(4)Jenn L.
This is the first Japanese hot pot restaurant I've ever been to and I was not disappointed! ^_^ I love the choice that I got and their sauce is amazing! I love it and the seafood salad thing, that was fantastic as well. I love the atmosphere of the restaurant. It is very clean and classy.
(4)Trammy D.
My uncle took me here after I landed in Boston and it was pretty great. We ordered a whole bunch of food and my favorite was the beef tongue (yeah, i know. I was hesitant at first, but with a little lemon, it was amazing), lamb, & of course beef. The broth was delicious and had a little kick. It wasn't as spicy as I wanted, but still good. The udon noodles were good, too. For dessert, we ordered the green tea mochi. It was my first time eating mochi and I must say ... i loved it! I would definitely come back again next time I'm in Boston!
(5)S L.
Great place to try Shabu Shabu!
(5)Nathen S.
Went here on Friday night around 10. Busy but no wait for two at the low counter. Appetizer, beef tongue was excellent. We had pork and beef, and seafood platter. Both were delicious and we had udon noodles which were good. All was in the szechuan broth which was hot but not overkill. Service was great, friendly and attentive. Definitely a favorite of mine. This was my second visit and I look forward to my next.
(4)Michelle P.
1. Meat first, to season the broth and vegetables 2. Noodles last when the broth is all delicious 3. The bowl has a handle like a sippy cup so ladle it in and drink and if you order a bottle of sake they make it sound like oh my god it's such a BIG bottle are you sure? but really, it's just a normal bottle, and yes, you are sure.
(5)Paul S.
Great hot restaurant!! Get the lychee smoothie and beef/chicken entree with spicy broth.
(4)Olivia C.
I would like to do the intermittent short-cut cleanse and go to Shabu Zen once a month. I want to drink lovely green tea with brown rice. I want to sit with in a giant open rectangle with individual cookers. I am not used to community eating; I can't count taking lunch with a g-chat at my cubicle. Sitting at the Shabu Zen rectangle seems better than watching CNN at the high bar. Also, I can't really afford to eat at the booth if I wanted to; it's a $75 minimum! I love the challenge of cooking your own meal out with friends. I've been to Hot Pot parties; but now that Helen is gone I have to pay to play.It's like an instant extracurricular. I am still mastering the art; still overcooking some veggies; yet no nutrition is lost as I drink the broth! Still putting too much POW in the hot POT and my tongue is singed and my sinuses lit for a good part of the meal. You're supposed to dip the cooked pieces in your own garlic/asian bbq/soy/scallions/hot pepper mix--- I ate more vegetables in one sitting then some of my Long Island counterparts have eaten in a month. It's amazing how many more vegetables you can eat when they are cooked with such zest! My rabbit friends got me into the Vegetarian Delight Plate: "For healthy people, no meat, no meat!" No meat, that is, if you specially request the veg broth. Veg plate includes; fried frozen tofu, vegetarian meatballs, taro, two kinds of mushrooms, cabbages, bang choy, broccoli, tomotes and carrots and corn on the cob amoung other vegetables that I dined intimately with yet don't know by name. Tip! Some vegetables take seconds to cook in boiling water! Tip! Your tofu stuff is ready when it is floating! The young folks working the inner rectangle were very friendly and helpful with our Iron Chef dabblings and enthusiasms. I tried to break meatballs and cabbage pieces into the bite size pieces I am used to but they wind up flying all over the Zen Den. Gotta eat the heat in one piece. After the Vegetarian Delight I guarantee you you will feel a sense of peace and will neither feel full or hungry. There is also a Shabu Zen downtown but everything Zen costs $2 more.
(5)Billy Su B.
ever see a drunk imbecile light their cigarette backwards? who came up with this nonsense anyway? let's lure a bunch of white people into a room, serve them tons of sake, and give them little sticks to eat with. two teensy sticks. typically this is not an issue, i could eat a mountain of greased mini-peas with chopsticks. it's all fun and games till someone drinks a bottle of sake. my *favorite* china town pit-stop. go and have an assortment of bok choy, australian kobe beef, wild mushrooms, shrimp, tofu, cabbage, water cress, chicken, and broccoli, all bathed in the spicy kimchi broth. when i crave shabu zen, nothing else does the trick. the food here is gorgeous. tips: order the pork meatballs and the beef tongue, my favorites :) DON'T come on the weekend, it takes forever.
(5)Anna L.
I've probably been to this place 6 times now within the last 2 months. The food is consistently fresh and delicious. The Kim-Chee Broth is a MUST TRY! It cost 20 (is that correct?) dollars for the surf and turf and there were enough food for me without feeling hungry (i'm also eating for 5 people.) The only complaint is that the condiment is not free for all, you have to ask for more of this or more of that. I like cilantro and sesame oil and hot oil in my dipping sauce, which i have to ask for. Other than that, this is a great yummy place!
(4)Mai O.
There are not many restaurants I like that are not authentic, and Shabu-Zen is one of those rare exceptions. If you go there expecting authentic Shabu-shabu, you are not going to get that, so be aware. (If you want that, you need to just come to my place! lol) None the less, it is one of my favorite places in Chinatown. Pros: The fun thing about this place is that you get to seat on a counter with individual soup pots, with different flavors (regular, tom yam, and korean etc. I like tom yam version.) And then you get to pick which meat/fish you want for your own. Usually in Japan, you share a huge pot among many people and share meat (beef and pork). Shabu-zen's method of individual pots makes Shabu-shabu more accessible as an everyday meal. It also makes it more comfortable for those who come from occidental cultures background, since you are not sharing the same pot with many people which tends to be seen as a "yucky" thing. The dipping sauce is not very Japanese, but none the less pretty good. You put hot green pepper, garlics etc. to spice the say sauce up. They do have a sesame sauce by request, but it's not really the same as a sesame sauce you get in Japanese Shabu-shabu, so I suggest you stick to what they give you. They also give you an option of rice or noodle, my favorite is Udon. After everything is eaten, you throw udon into the hot pot and eat it in a bowl, mixing a bit of soy sauce dip remains. After you eat it, you feel like you've just been to a sauna. All nice and warm! Oh yes, and their lychee shake is nice too. Cons: If you go there during the busy hours, the place is PACKED. When I last went there, I was told 30 mins wait, and I ended up waiting 1 hour. And you should wait at the restaurant, because if they call you and you're not there, your turn is gone. And as always, Chinatown parking isn't the easiest job of the world.
(4)Tracy H.
Fantastic place for Japanese hot pot. I make it a point to come here when in Boston for my yearly St. Patty's trip. The service is always friendly and the food is so good...perfect thing to eat in the freezing March weather. Love it. Love it a real lot.
(5)Daniela L.
Since I heard of this place (or one with the same name) in Sao Paulo, decided to try. As soon as we arrived, someone pushed my husband and I to the bar counter. A waitress came by with no patience at all and I asked how it worked. She said something quickly in a very bad English and was looking at me impatiently. I was looking for something raw, Japanese style and not something that I have to pay to cook for myself! Waitress said we could order something and left. Came back again and tried to explain something like 2.000 words in a minute and pushed us to order what she suggested and left again. The garlic and other things already on the table were clearly not changed after the last costumer. We ate the sushi or sashimi and order the combination. Our plan was based on what we enjoyed more, order some more. Well, there three varieties and three pieces of each. One of them looked and smelled strange like a brown snail. We had a burst of laugh and could not stop because we paid 10 bucks for that, and the waitress was very rude. We asked for the bill and she left it on the counter, facing the other side. It was horrible, never again! It was my first time trying it, so I didn't know what to do with all the garlic, chilis, and hoisin sauce or how to eat the noodles (with or without the broth). We just winged it and it came out nicely. At times I was a little concerned about overcooking or undercooking something, especially when you discover something read more » in the bottom of the pot at the end. However, it is those findings that make for an interesting meal.
(1)Julie C.
i am no longer a Shabu virgin! this place is great, cute , and yummy! altho bf and I clearly order waaay to much food! but managed to stuff most of it down as usual! the tom yum soup was really good and spicy . i adore the fresh veggies they give you and the beef is just excellent. what i love is make a mini noddle bowl with my food and thats really good as i loove broth and could drink soup everyday. the waiter didnt bother us too much and cleared out plates when empty. the sapporo beer we order went down smooth with the food. i would come here again, our bill came to $50 bucks which was not so bad for 2 beers, a tom yum broth, surf and turf platter with beef, and veggie platter, and 2 orders of seaweed salad. this place would be great for a group too.
(5)Tai T.
Shabu shabu... OK what's the big deal right? You're paying for a scolding hot bowl of soup in which you are required to cook your own food in. Well that's what I usually think... For some reason I really liked this place. Maybe because the weather sucked when I was there in May (worst than in Seattle) or maybe they have individual portions if you sit at the bar. They have a great setup, good soup base, and fresh ingredients. The place was packed even on a weekday evening. It's definitely more Chinese than Japanese here... given that the whole staff spoke Cantonese and it was in Chinatown. All in all a good experience. I definitely recommend if you're in the area and looking for a light but satisfying meal.
(5)Kristina M.
Love this place! I'm torn between 4 and 5 stars, but will go with 4 for the moment, because a) I would have liked a bit more tofu on the vegetarian plate, and b) I had been looking forward to the complimentary red-bean soup dessert, which we didn't get (no big deal, though, since we were all pretty full). I went with a group of friends on a Friday night and we had such a good time! The vegetarians among us had the spicy Kimchi broth, which was excellent (don't know about the meat broth the others had, but I suppose it was good, too). The platters with food were HUGE - it was so much food, we didn't know where to put it all (let alone how to finish it all), and it was all very fresh and delicious. (Although, as I said, I think I would have preferred to have more tofu on the vegetarian combo.) Service was very good (we had to wait for a table, but that was expected, and once we were seated service was prompt and friendly), and the Sake (we shared two "big bottles") was amongst the best I have ever tasted (I'm not usually a big Sake fan, but I really liked this one). I think we spend almost 3 hours cooking and munching our food away, drinking and chatting - it's such a fun thing to do with a group. Very interactive and relaxing, and perfect for a cold winter night. I can't wait to come back! (Prices are pretty decent, too, our bill came out at about $29 each, but that included tip and all the drinks - we had two big bottles of sake plus a few beers.) If you haven't been here yet, and like Fondue and the like, you should definitely try this!
(4)Derek L.
So I come here with my cousin and family for Christmas Eve. It's been over a year or two since I have been to Chinatown. It was kind of cool to walk down the street where the infamous youtube video "Drunk fight in chinatown" took place. Anyways the food was very good, service was pretty good and the place was run pretty efficient. We ordered the A3 the Seafood and the Surf and Turf. The bill came out to around a hundred bucks for five people including tip but we only ordered four entrees, which in this day and age is not bad for Japanese food. Its owners are either Korean or Taiwanese probably. The majority of the Japanese restaurants in this country are now owned by the former empires colonials. They chafed under the occupation but loved the food!
(5)Bo L.
I love this place. I drive from Albany to eat here on weekends. It's very decently priced and huge servings compared to other shabu places I've eaten. It's a nice restaurant with a clean set up. I always crave this place... it's filling and the vegetables they give are in nice large portions as well.
(5)Noel R.
A pretty solid Shabu joint worth 3.5 stars. Nothing blew me away but everything was tasty, the portions were large and service was good. Can just imagine getting Shabu at this place on a cold Boston weekend..
(3)Tim F.
I was not a fan of hot pot growing up. It takes hours to eat (requiring hours with obnoxious relatives). I'll pass. Shabu-Zen changed hot pot for me. I will never be the same again (thank god). Thank you Shabu-Zen. Anyway, I love this place for the diverse selection of meats, veggies, and seafood; the bustling atmosphere; the cute, very Asian waitresses; and the people watching. Where else can I catch the game and listen in on a mullet sportin' Cantonese dude hittin' on the hostess/waitresses/cashier with their accented English? Is the English suppose to impress them? The place is always crowded for dinner. There is plenty of individual bar-type seating and only a few tables for groups. I suggest coming before the dinner rush (around 7pm) if you've got a large group. Otherwise, good luck getting seated in a reasonable time. Oh, and if you're not washing down the tasty soup with some beer or sake, may I suggest a smoothie? Those are pretty good, too. Lychee or mango are my favorite.
(4)Wesley C.
A pioneer in the shabu business. used to be the best because there were no other competitions, but now the competition is very fierce and tides has certainly turned. a few advices, dont slice ur beef so thin especially the A1(prime ribeye) and A2(prime sirloin), they taste like rubber, charge more if you have to. update ur broth(instant paste, spice bags just dont cut it ). update ur menu.
(2)Laura C.
Thank you Yelpers for an amazing find! We were walking around the city today and getting hungry when we found the reviews for this place. The beef, beef tongue, chicken, and sashimi were excellent. We loved the sides too - everything was so fresh and delicious. We also loved how you could completely customize your sauces and cook it yourself. We'll definitely be back - and soon!
(4)Roni E.
Unfortunately, this place lost a star simply because of the fact that they made our party wait to be seated because we weren't all there yet. (Mainly my fault with me being an ass and being late while my car was serviced, but I digress.) Needless to say as soon as I got there, we were seated to a nice booth. Looking around this place seemed small yet packed. Quite a popular location for a Friday evening meal. They had a bar like atmosphere in the middle for singles and small parties with individual bowls of soup. Our table had 2 electric stoves for our hot pots. The waiter was really nice in that we were really trying to get acclimated with their menu. That and there were a bunch of us that are completely new to this kind of thing. We started off with soup type - apparently there are more than 1 broth, which I didn't know about. And my family does this at home! In my house it was just spicy or not spicy. We ordered 2 seafood platers, 2 meat combos (chicken/pork), 1 vegetable platter, 2 rib eyes... served with your choice of rice, vermicelli, or udon. Now although that sounds like only a few plates, this filled our entire table. I was so overwhelmed by how much food we had on our table, I had no idea where to start or what to do. I also have never had so much food on a tiny little plate that they had in front of me. The soup spoon they had was a ladle... Why would we have a ladle for a spoon? At any rate, I never really drank the soup either, so I wasn't sure why they had a spoon. Another reason for a lost of a star was a mixture of things... 1. no teapot on the table. This should be left there for self refillings amongst the table. I should not have to keep asking for tea. Or the servers need to be more attentive to tea filling needs. 2. No spicy hot sauce to mix with my soy sauce. Where's the damn chili sauce?! 3. The table could have been bigger, since it was a table made for 6. Where are you suppose to put all the plates if you got 2 hotpots in the middle and everyone's got their dinnerware in front of them? This isn't a normal restaurant with individual plates. It's family style! BIGGER TABLES PLEASE!!! PARTIES OF 6 OR MORE - 18% gratuity is already added. They do the math for you :-) NOTE: Parking across the street is available, but there's a $22 deposit. Cash only. And is $5/half hour. Is it worth it or would you rather go looking for a parking spot for a good half hour? It's up to you to decide.
(3)Sam T.
I absolutely love this place because it's the perfect meal for any occasion but it's especially yummy on a cold winter day. I always get the Surf and Turf with Lamb and I order Fish Meatballs from the a la carte menu. I have tried several of their broths but the Mongolian and Kimchi are my favorites so I usually split the broths between the two of them. Another reason I keep going back is because of the service, it is without delay and extremely friendly.
(5)B C.
Since this place has been thoroughly reviewed, I will be brief. We come here at least couple time a month. As a matter of fact, it is my 6 yo's favorite restaurant. He will even ask for it by name. Here is what we order almost all the time 1) half regular and half medium Chinese spice broth; 2) an order of the short ribs platter (this includes a plate of veggie); 3) sauteed baby clams; 4) udon noodles; 5) pork dumplings; 6) uni sashimi; and 7) mango smoothie. For the quality of the food and ingredients, the price is incredibly reasonable.
(5)M M.
I ate dinner here with a group of 5 other people. We had to wait for a table that would fit us, which is no big deal, but while we were waiting, we were told we couldn't sit at the bar because it would mess up the place sittings. We also weren't offered anything to drink while we were waiting. Fast forward to the actual meal. The food was very good, but the service was terrible! Not once were our water glasses refilled. No one ever came by to check on us, and normally at a meal where I would drink 2-3 glasses of beer, I was never given the chance to order anything beyond the first. The restaurant wasn't crowded so it wasn't that the staff was too busy. Our waiter spent the entire time tidying things behind the bar instead of making sure we were okay. We were done with our food for almost 15 minutes before we gave up on waiting and had to get up and find someone to ask for our check. For that kind of terrible service, the price of the food should have been half of what it was. There are plenty of other shabu joints in the city, avoid this one!
(2)Tracy C.
Went there with couple freinds from west coast last night. Food was awsome and services are five star. Highly recommended.
(5)Alex S.
I think Shabu Zen is overpriced, and would give it 3.5 stars if I could...but I must admit, I still can't help being a little bit in love with the place. It's definitely a fun experience, and the food is, overall, quite delicious. When there's that much garlic involved, it's hard for it not to be. The vegetarian platter ($8.95 weekdays/$11.95 weekends) is stocked with an assortment of goodies, some of which I had never tried before. There is a good variety of items on the platter, ranging from three kinds of tofu to succulent greens, several types of mushrooms, carrots, delightful turnip cakes, and even some corn on the cob. While I admit that one or two of the items are a little odd for my tastes (I'm looking at you, mushroom ball!), Shabu Zen's vegetarian platter is still pretty fantastic. The standard broth at Shabu Zen is pork based, but they will swap it out for a veggie-friendly variety if you ask (same price). I really enjoy switching it for the vegetarian spicy kimchi broth (+$3); it really adds to the flavor of all of the food, and tastes wonderful on it's own (I know you're not "supposed" to drink the broth, but I always have some. If they're going to show ridiculous network news on a flat-screen, I hardly consider this an "authentic" experience that I must be true to). But again, the prices at Shabu Zen are a little inflated. I would go more often if the cost was a bit lower, or seemed more justified. It's not incredibly overpriced, per say, but just enough that it won't become a regular lunch spot. If you can make it, go during the week--you get the same platter at a discounted rate (this doesn't apply on holidays). Otherwise, swing by once in a while for lunch with a few friends; it's never very crowded (unlike at dinner, I've heard), and always a lot of fun.
(4)Tricia N.
THE CONCEPT: Individual hot pots instead of 1 big hot pot for the table. This is great if you want to go by yourself or if you have a group with difficult food preferences. Your beef tongue doesn't have to contaminate your vegetarian friend's broth. They call it Shabu....but they also have a variety of non-Japanese broths to choose from. We had the Chinese spicy broth and the Korean spicy broth. They were both pretty good. You can choose the level of spiciness. The wait was 30 minutes but we sat down in 10 minutes due to all of the unfortunate people that left. Make sure you wait in the restaurant. You will lose your turn if you don't. A large percentage of the place is bar seating, great for 2 or 3.... but if you have a group I would recommend waiting for a table. I had to use my cell phone to call my friend 3 seats away. Totally love it, definitely will be back.......
(4)Katia M.
I went here with my boyfriend last night. It was a haven of warm air on a cold, rainy night, and we were very happy to be seated almost immediately at the large "bar" area. Even though it's a low table, my very tall significant other had no problem with the seating arrangements. Although there is a $60 minimum charge for the tables, there is no such charge for the "bar" seating. We ordered the combos, he got the meat combo and I got the vegetarian one ("for healthy people," according to the menu). I enjoyed the impressive variety of fake meats/tofu, and he enjoyed real meats, not to mention trying my well-cooked taro root and a bite of the frozen tofu, both of which he liked. I even mastered eating corn on the cob with chopsticks, not to mention the art of munching a whole baby bok choy. All told, we had plenty of food and plenty to do in our stay there. It was a fun experience and it most certainly hit the spot. I can't wait to go back again. Next time, I think I'll try it la carte. Oh, and though I don't think it's obvious on the menu, yes, they have vegetarian broth, but be sure to say something, because the default is, I believe, a pork broth. Forewarned is forearmed!
(5)Beth M.
I lost my shabu shabu virginity at Shabu Zen this weekend. I had actually had hot pot before, but never out at a restaurant, and it was really amazing. Everything was just so-- tiny plates of this and that to make your own sauce, big plates of veggies, tofu and bean curd, razor thin rolls of super fresh meats, bowls of noodles, tiny cups of sake, chop sticks and ladles and cooking utensils, and the giant boiling delicious mothership of broth in the middle of the table...at first it's a bit of a frenzied meal as you get everything cooking and start eating, but then as the sake kicks in and you get into the swing, it becomes sooo leisurely and nice, especially at Shabu Zen with its clean lines and minimalist coziness. And everything is SO FRESH and SO TASTY. Delicious sake too. There's definitely a long wait for a table on weekends at the usual dinner time, but it is well worth it...well well worth it. They even took our cell phone number and offered to call us when our table was ready so that we could take a walk. I so cannot wait to come back.
(5)Doris K.
I LOVE DRINKING THE SOUP! Just don't drink the soy sauce. After you've cooked all the yummy goodness, you should drink the soup at the end. It's just so good. Shabu Zen's portions are much much larger than Kaze and many of the things are 5 cents! cheaper. Although it doesn't have liquor they still have wine and beer to quench your alcoholic appetite. My suggestion is to get the veggie combo and one small meat or seafood plate. The bf and I got the surf and turf and a veggie combo and left feeling like rolly pollies! We were so stuffed that I even had to unbutton the top of my jeans in the car to breathe. Note: Don't get the frozen tofu though; it's just not what frozen tofu should be. Also they don't take reservations!! I've called several times to ask.
(4)Kevin B.
I came here last week with my new friend Nicole M. and her high school buddy. I did not really know what to expect. This was a dinning experience out of my very meager realm of experience. We sat at the counter and each person has their own bowl of broth that is heated. Your order your selection of meats, seafood or other such entre like substances and they also bring you a plate of vegetables and a carb of your choice. I went with the lamb/chicken combo and the udon noodles. You basically just throw your meat and assorted vegetables into the pot and cook it until you think it's done and eat till your heart and stomach are content. I have two major problems with this establishment. They didn't have a very good wine selection and I have absolutely no skill with chop sticks. I mean I need to take like a remedial chop stick class. What can I say, I'm 100% certified grade A cracker.
(5)Shang S.
I can't decide whether I like Shabu Zen or Kaze better, but having come here during lunch hour, a $7.50 hot pot is a great deal! The regular per-person prices are just slightly cheaper than Kaze, I'd say I paid probably $3 less here for the same amount of food. I only wish I could adjust the temperature of the heat myself (control freak?) and that there were more of this one kind of mushroom I liked in the vegetables. Otherwise, highly enjoyable experience. I overcooked my vermicelli - don't leave it in your broth for too long! It's also smaller than Kaze, so if you come in with a large group (4+), you might get seated at a table, which means that you all share one electric top, rather than an individual heater for every person. That's not usually a bad thing though, as I'm sure they can divide the pot for you if you want more than 1 kind of broth. My bf got the seafood platter, which was very fresh. Just don't spend $2.50 on one piece of green tea mochi ice cream. It lasts about 10 seconds.
(4)Jin W.
The first Shabu restaurant in Boston. After a rocky 1st year start the restaurant is now the leading brand and process that is being copied all over town but they still have the best selection of foods and the only shabu restaurant that offer Ponzu sauce.
(4)Heather M.
There is something so comforting and satisfying about sitting down in front of the scented steaming broth, putting in a few slices of meat, some watercress and maybe a piece of tofu, cooking until perfect, then dipping in your soy/scallion/pepper mixture and repeating until you've cleaned all your plates - even in 80 degree weather. This has to be one of my favorite places to eat - it makes me happy just thinking about it.
(5)Andrew R.
This place is incredible. I've been coming periodically for the past six years or so and I've never been disappointed. The food is fresh and delicious, the atmosphere is warm and enthusiastic, and you always leave full. I particularly enjoy getting a raspberry smoothie alongside my order of A1 beef. Shabu-Zen is a great alternative to a conventional American dining experience. Even when a friend first brough me to try it, I remember not feeling intimidated or overwhelmed as I (and probably many others like me I'm guessing) often feel in such new dining experiences. The pricing is a bit expensive, but I don't mind it. Shabu-Zen makes for a great occasional treat to enjoy. Try the green tea mochi ice cream dessert! If you're considering bringing a child or children, I wouldn't rush into it. For older children, there's probably no issue. In fact, I never see my high school-age brother eat as many vegetables as he does when I take him here. Younger kids, however, would likely be turned off. The bottom line is that you should give it a try, especially if you've never had shabu before.
(5)Pete K.
Alright, let's get one thing straight: Boston's Chinatown has something like 150 restaurants, ok? If you don't want to wait 30-45 minutes for a table at Shabu Zen, there are 20 other places to eat on the same street. I'm sick of everyone saying how long the wait is at Shabu Zen. You know WHY the wait is so long? Because the food is that good! Trust me, if the food was bad, if the service was lacking, if the prices weren't right, this place would not be doing the kind of business that it is. You don't pack an Asian restaurant on a Tuesday night in the middle of Chinatown with a bunch of Asians if you're serving bad Asian food, am I right? (Maybe white people will show up, but not Asians! Yet another sign of how good the food is.) In fact, Shabu Zen has done so well, other shabu places have opened up in Chinatown to capture some of the demand for this type of dining. What to get? More like, what NOT to get! I've never gone to Shabu Zen with someone and heard they didn't like what they ordered. This is hot pot dining. Everything comes out from the kitchen raw, pre-sliced, and you put it in a boiling pot of broth (there are several varieties) at your table. So you're the chef! With a quick tutorial of how long to leave certain items in the pot, you should be fine.
(4)nika b.
I had the best time at this restaurant. Everything was delicious and I love doing shabu shabu because it goes at your own pace. Take your time to relax and enjoy the experience. Stretch your comfort zone and try something new while you are here.
(5)Josh R.
I had never tried Japanese fondue before, so this was a new experience. I was very pleasantly surprised. If you like meat and spicy soup-sauces, you should definitely give it a shot. We tried a number of things from lamb to various seafoods, and they were all tasty. Wash down the goodness with a couple of beers at lunch, and the afternoon is all warm and fuzzy. The kimchi broth was my favorite. They didn't offer happy endings, but you can find those around the corner.
(5)Steven M.
Gotta love the post garlic breathe. Let me tell you...don't eat this and go out afterwards! Unless you want all the attention in the room focused in on you. A++
(5)jeeem c.
Since all of my friends have been raving about this hot pot place. I honestly thought it was going to be a "mouthgasmic" (yes... mouthgasmic). Like the "very first time" for my palate.... but it did not live up to its hype. Why? Food: We ordered the Mishima Kobe Beef along with the Seafood Supreme, and had the kimchi and regular broth. And of course, it came with the assorted veggies and etc. Well, the kobe beef was good.... but not that good as everyone raved about... quite frankly I was a little disappointed. For $40 bucks and you get about 6-8 slices of beef, yes the texture was great and all, but the full round flavor was just not there. I know that there are sauces and such, but you don't want to mask the flavor of kobe beef with artificial flavoring. The seafood supreme was good, wished they used more of the "seafood" items rather than filling up the plate spaces with leftover chopped sashimi or salmon and tuna. The veggies were superb, if anything I was content with the selection of veggies that they gave us to dip in. Also, I recommend getting the udon noodles, the vermicelli there is sup-par. The dessert was not worth mentioning.... the sweet black bean was just eh. *3 Stars* Drinks: The sake there was great! We tried a variety of them there, but warm sake is always the best it seems. It just gets the full flavor of the food. I recommend getting bottles and bottles of the house warm sake. It'll do the job. If you don't like warm sake, try any of the dry sake there. *4 Stars* Service: I felt bad for our waitress... I've worked in the food service for 4+ years and.... you just need to know the menu when the customers ask simple questions about it. Like if you don't even know the special kobe beef that is available for the day... why are you even working there. Heh. Is it not your job to be pushing to sell more of the "better" items on the menu rather than choosing just the beef or chicken? We got our food in a timely matter I guess... but had to wait forever warm sake. At least 30 minutes. Like come on. I've worked at a japanese restaurant before and it'll only takes like 2 minutes to pop that thing int he microwave and warm it up. Enough with the excuses. I'm sure that there are other waiters/waitresses who are great at what they do at shabu-zen... not in our case this time. *2 Star* Overall: 3 Stars I probably won't come here again unless one of my friends from out of town begs us to death to eat shabu shabu, but it is definitely not one of my top ten places in Boston. Actually... not even my Top 25. Like my rating... it was "A-OK"
(3)Kenny L.
This is where my Yelp family all started! Great place to brings groups along to share the experience. Our Yelp bowling team definitely enjoyed it. Be sure to get reservations for groups (and they won't seat you until everyone comes). Just the right amount of food to go around. We got the rib eye, seafood supreme, and the meat combo. Everyone also get a small plate of vegetables to cook with and you can finish it off with red bean soup! I think I might just add bathroom ratings to Yelp too. This one is fine, but you have to push the door hard to get in. Be sure read Roni E.'s review as well!
(3)Wang E.
My boyfriend and I eat here every week. If not, more! I am OBSESSED with this place. I love it! Since I'm a slow eater, I get to cook/eat at my own pace so that my food doesnt get cold. The atmosphere is lively! Always people chitchatting, music and tv on so it never gets quiet. Since my boyfriend eats a lot, a plate of meat, udon and a side of veggies does not fill him up. We always need to order extra meat and an appetizer. It's a bit pricey since we always have to order a lot. On average we spend $50 for just us two. But it's fine because we enjoy this place. Warning: For people who are going to eat here for their first time, bear with the workers because the waitress and waiters some times may not give you enough attention or they could be REALLY FORGETFUL!
(5)Yvonne W.
I'd give this place a 3.5 star rating. My friends and I went here a few months ago because I was craving hot pot and couldn't stop talking about how much I wanted to do huo guo. So we came in, probably waited about 20 minutes, and then were seated. The decor here is pretty nice -- I'd heard before that it was a no-frills type of place, but if you're used to dining at typical restaurants in Chinatown, this place could actually be considered *gasp* sort of nice and clean and shiny inside. Since there were four of us, we got three entrees and some dumplings as appetizers. I just remember thinking that the noodle portions were small and I wished that the noodle selection were bigger (like at Kaze). The entree portions were decent, but they didn't seem as big as Kaze's or other places I've had hot pot, either. When you go to a shabu shabu place, never get the free soup base! Always spend the extra couple of bucks to get one of their specials. We had the Sichuan spicy soup base (SO good, but so HOT!), and I can't remember the other one we had, but it wasn't spicy and was pretty good, too. We sort of left this place feeling really thirsty, so maybe there was a lot of MSG in that broth. But overall, I'd say we had a good time.
(3)Andrew R.
The layout is nice, a wide open space with a big flat panel TV in the corner to add a nice touch. A clean establishment but the server wasn't very helpful. Food being plopped down in front of you with no explanation seemed rude and if you've never eaten there before you may not know what it is. She did explain when I had asked however. Drinks went unfilled until I had to get the servers attention. The music needs to be changed as well, playing pop music was a tad irritating. The food was good and very well priced, portions were generous. The servers lack of experience did bring down the overall feel of the place, otherwise a good eatery.
(3)John F.
This was my first experience with hot pot, and I think I might be hooked now! The novelty of cooking your food at the table was something I really enjoyed. And, the food itself was very good; the quality of the meats and veggies was very good, and the garnishes/sauces they supplied were very flavorful. They mention their "special" soy sauce, and they mean it! Last but not least, the prices were very reasonable. Which is a major selling point for me, as I'm sure it is for many of you. This was great for a bunch of people (I went with 4 friends), and I would totally go back. In fact, I'm already planning the next visit.
(5)Stefanie Y.
I love this place! It's cozy, the food is good, and the waitress/waiters are pretty, LOL. I like the short beef rib combo the most. The size seems like a little smaller for guys, but it's not expensive. I love the sesame source and their fruit smoothies. It's an idea place if you have 2~4 friends.
(5)A G.
We come here ATLEAST once a month. The hot spicy broth is perfect for cold boston days, really bad days, when you're feeling under-the-weather days and also the great days when you just want to eat something that makes you feel like you're being hugged. Its the first place we bring all visiting family and friends to and the one thing they all want when the come back to visit. Not only is it delicious, its also fun and interactive so take friends. Recommended: Thai Tom Yum broth-spicy.
(5)tom k.
Konichiwa mofos! I guess I was too busy making a mess with my hot pots, because this review is tar-day ... but I do love it ! I can entertain myself for hours here, with food lovin' goodness ... It's such an orchestrated disaster, and I relish every moment of it. We're talking about bubblin' broth, mixed meat platters, heaps of veggies, fish dumplings, inexpensive sushi, sake and Kirin Ichiban ... what more could a guy ask for? Nothing more, nothing more I tell you! It's a joyous experience every time, that always involves laughing with friends and the nice staff. I think it's quite a good value for the really good ingredients, and the extended time spent having an interactive dinner. Heiwa ;)
(5)Inna H.
I have heard about this place from a friend. After eating here on Saturday night I become a fan myself. It is a bit pricey but it is worth it. The food was fresh and tasted great. I just wish the service was a bit better. But that's what you mostly going to get in Chinatown. I will def. be back for a great surf and turf combo.
(4)Jang David K.
I can never get full from Shabu-Zen unless I order 3 servings of meat, 2 servings of vegetables and by the time I'm actually full, I've spent about $45. So I try to avoid this place because I know I have to drop $45 or more to make my belly full. I think Toki (another Shabu joint across the street) offers better meat, but in portions, broth and vegetables, Shabu is the king in Allston baby. This place offers such a healthy meal because you are encouraged to eat slowly (you gotta cook EVERYTHING) and get all your vitamins and minerals from variety of fresh seafood, meat and vegies. You can literally do whatever you want with your meal. It's a fun place to go with a group of friends. If you've never tried Shabu Shabu, I recommend this place. By the way, it's a nice spot to take your lover for a date. Please avoid this place if you are just a fatso like me who's desire is to stuff food as fast as possible. It's for those who are patient and careful with their food. For me, I don't have time for that.
(4)Don A.
Ya just got to go here and experience this place for yourself. You won't be disappointed
(4)Jennie W.
My Chinese friends used to host hot pot nights all the time when we were in college, but this was the first time I've done shabu in public. Since everyone sits at a bar and watches each other, it can be a little intimidating. You definitely have to get over yourself to eat here. People will watch you, and maybe they will laugh as you spill boiling broth on your shirt and attempt to shove enormous pieces of steaming cabbage into your pie-hole. But the food makes it totally worth it. I am a hardcore carnivore, but, surprisingly, the veggies and tofu were my favorite hot pot items. I loved the mini corn-on-the-cobs. Even though I was ridiculously full after dinner, I noticed a pile of watermelons chilling behind the bar, and inquired. "We make watermelon smoothies," the waitress answered. OH YES. Quite possibly the most delicious smoothie on the planet. Must. Make. Room.
(4)Mabel N.
This is def. one of the best hot pot places in Boston. I have try other places, this is really one of the best hot pot places in Boston. I usually get the Short Ribs entree along with some sesame sauce on the side for my ribs. I also love their mushroom balls, fish pastes, beef tongues, Sautee clams and oysters. Ohh I am also a fan of their watermelon drink...yummy!!!!!!!
(4)Samantha G.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. So for those who don't know, what you do here is order plates of raw food and cook them in boiling pots of delicious broth. They have a great selection of raw plates with all sorts of meats and veggies. There are also great sides, my favorite are the dumplings-you get 4 for like $2.50. All in all, this place is awesome. The only drawback is that if you go on a weekend night you will probably have to wait quite a while. Best to go with 4 or fewer so you don't have to wait too too long.
(5)Katherine D.
I can't believe I waited so long to try this place. A few friends and I went for lunch and they've got such reasonably priced lunch meals. We each got meat combos and shared miso broth. I guess you can choose a flavored broth, but i LOVE miso so we stuck with the original. Ambience is pretty cute. Service was fine. Food was just excellent. I'm definitely going back.
(4)Jack M.
WOW. I don't know what was hotter: our hot pot or that WAITRESS. WOWIE. You GOTTA go if just to see this woman - I can't talk about it anymore - but holy christmas she was just....... I'm speechless. - Food! Yah I love hot pot. And I didn't think much about this place before I walked in, but it's very nice inside. I think they've remodeled, based on the place I saw versus some of the older photos here. There's one large counter with spots for hot pots, or you can get a table along the sides of the wall. I got beef and lamb and it was AMAZING. So wonderfully fresh and just fun to cook and eat. They give you all the fixings to mix up your own sauce which was incredible! I loved it. Watch out for those green peppers- HOT! Almost as hot as that waitress! I also got some pork gyoza, which were also excellent. And CHEAP! Like $23 for two people to have this wonderful stuff! Highly recommended! - Waitress-lady, will you marry me??
(5)nguyet l.
Very good food! I love hot pot. They have 7 different type of broth and their meat is amazing, soft and melts in you mouth. Waiters and waitresses were very nice professional. all good things. missing star is for not having the ability to adjust the temp of the pot yourself like other places. but I could understand because there are a lot of people who fool around with that. I was just very annoyed about asking them to adjust it for me every time.
(4)Francisca W.
nothing against them personally, but i always prefer to do hot pot at home instead. eating out, yes, saves me the trouble of prepping, but i get to pay double for half the food, and i don't always want everything that's included in the set. ordering extras (ex. beef ball was $4 for, like, 6) is even more costly than the $20 set w/few slices of beef to begin with. besides, the essence of hotpot is in the soup--which is very ordinary here. nothing a pot o' water and some chicken bouillons can't do. even so, yeah, $20 should get you filled w/all the stuff they provide. but w/the few slices of beef and a large chunk of vegetables, i really can fare much better at home w/that budget. eating at home also takes away the long lines, the noise, parking issues in ctown, etc. and while hot-potting IS potentially a sweaty business, at least when at home, i can take off my sweater as freely as i want. one thing i appreciate about this place (if i remember correctly), is that they let you scoop your own dipping condiments as you see fit. i HATE places that charge you extra for dipping sauce by the dollop. seriously!??! :)
(3)Parim A.
Went here on Saturday night and had to wait nearly an hour to get a table for 4. The host was very nice and kept checking on us a few times. As for the food, it's okay. The Chinese herb broth was alright and there was nothing too special about the dipping sauce. I heard you could ask for sukiyaki sauce from them, too. They will bring you a bottle. I think the food would taste better with it. Will try this next time I'm in Boston. However, the watermelon smoothie was pretty good and refreshing. Order this and you won't be disappointed. Anyway, sorry Shabu-Zen, but I had better shabu shabu in Los Angeles.
(3)Jim W.
Solid, reasonably priced shabu shabu with slightly smaller portions of veges than what I've gotten used to on the west coast; however prices are (shock!) actually adjusted downward accordingly. Lots of upgrade options - everything from beef (sirloin -- usda choice -- usda prime -- Kobe), various vege addons, to broth types. The majority of the restaurant is set up bar style with individual hot pots circling a U-shape. If you want a table, be prepared to wait. On a casual Sunday afternoon the entire restaurant, including the bar, was full before 6p.
(4)Victoria C.
I love this place! I've been a royal customer here since it opens up and have brought many friends here. Some of them have never tried hot pot. Shabu Zen never disappoints anyone. The regular broth is great and I love the Vegetarian Delight combination and of course the beef. I always order fresh fish paste and black mushrooms on the side. My husband loves their sashimi as an appetizer. The location at Chinatown isn't ideal for big groups but it's a wonderful place for a fun/different date.
(5)Heather G.
OK so the food itself isn't anything spectacular. It isn't anything special. you can get the same stuff at the grocery. That is not the point of Shabu at all. The point is to play chef with the cooking and the sauce-mixing. The point is to have a meal that is out-of-the-ordinary and breaks the mold. The point is to have a fun/bizarre experience melding the worlds of eating out and cooking at home - all the fun of cooking with none of the hassle of grocery shopping, dishes, and cleanup. Do yourself a favor - to fully enjoy the experience, resign yourself to the fact that this will not be the tastiest or most flavorful meal you'll ever have. You won't be waited on. Your palette will not explode with a unique and interesting flavor combination you've never had before, and you will not try a new/weird ingredient you haven't seen/had before. You will, however, have a great freaking time getting steaming broth all over the place and trying to find your rice noodles as they cook up and turn clear, making it IMPOSSIBLE to see them (and if you can, you certainly can't grab and rescue the slippery suckers) in the broth. You will have a great time mixing up the sauce to your specifications (and changing your mind mid-meal and starting the sauce over). You will have a great time laughing at your dinner companions as they try to maneuver the noodles, meats, veggies, and sides with the big spoon and chopsticks whist simultaneously attempting to not get scalded or soaked. And, most of all, you will hopefully have a great time being laughed at by the locals as you fumble through the process. Be aware that the wait is really long on Saturday nights, and the system for dolling out tables does not seem to be first-come-first-served. It seems arbitrary and/or based on whom the hostess likes the best/has a rapport with. Don't even try to argue/reason. Just go with it and be patient. And allow yourself lead-time for waiting before you show up. And one more thing - I know the bean soup dessert looks weird, but just try it. It's one of those foods that I classify as "Don't really like it but can't stop eating it". Very odd. Enjoy!
(3)Bruce B.
One of my favorite spots to eat in Boston. Try the kimchee broth extra spicy I think its the best one. For some reason this location seems better than the allston location.
(5)Mai N.
Here for the first time. Was not disappointed at all. Rec - tom yum soup. Cant go wrong with beef or seafood. Good sign of a busy restaurant-- busy even during off hours- ie monday 2pm... when it's not lunch or dinner time. Would go again.
(4)Julie H.
Holy amazing! It was our first hot pot dinner and oh mama are we addicted. The service was great and super helpful. The short rib beef and lamb are an absolute must. Now if only we could get them to open one in NYC!
(5)E L.
We had business dinner meetings all week so we wanted a more casual dining experience. We came here and sat at the bar. The bar seating had a rather friendly bunch that kept ordering sake bombs and we decided to partake. Half a dozen bombs later, I can't say I remembered my own name, but I do recall the food and setup was pretty darn good. If you like hotpot, it's worth a try - lots of vegetables, various meats and the sushi is fresh.
(4)Daryn F.
We were looking for somewhere to eat after the David Cross show, so I turned to yelp and saw we were near a shabu joint. I have never had shabu-shabu before, but didn't want to appear too green, so I whipped out the trusty iphone and wiki'd shabu-shabu (XTRA NERD POINTS). I'm still not positive I did everything "right", but it was a pretty good meal nonetheless. I started out with the seaweed salad because that's how I roll at Japanese restaurants. Seriously, I could eat a bathtub full of that stuff. Unfortunately for me they usually only give you like 5 or 6 chopstick grabfulls (how do they say a spoonful in chopstick using countries??). My friend got edamame which are really hard to mess up. I ordered the seafood platter, but in retrospect I should have gotten the "surf and turf." The seafood was good (clam, scallop, shrimp, squid, salmon, some unidentifiable stuff) but near the end I kinda wanted a few pieces of meat as well. I got mine with rice, and again I kinda wish I had gotten udon noodles instead. The vegetables were fresh (broccoli, carrots, corn, tomato). Yes I know tomato is a fruit, calm down. Armed with my researched knowledge, near the end of the meal I ladled out the broth into a separate bowl and mixed in the rest of my rice and slurped it up. I have been to Japan and I know slurping is not only acceptable but the preferred way to eat soup, so I didn't hesitate to pick up my bowl and slurp away, much like I used to do with my breakfast cereal's milk many many years ago. The broth had acquired quite an interesting flavor from cooking all of the seafood and from the scallions and garlic I had thrown in earlier. I felt like I didn't eat that much actual food, but I made up for it on broth and left the place feeling pretty full! Oh also there was this "dessert" that came out at the end. It looked like beans and rice almost, but it had sort of a sweet flavor to it, but not too sweet. Not bad! P.S. the waitress was gorgeous, +1 star
(4)Holly K.
Love this place. I was afraid to go in just because I had never tried hot pot. The server was so friendly and helped me through it. I ended up having a great time! Vegetables are fresh and delicious and is the beef. Try the kimchee broth and taro!
(4)Liz A.
Again, the country mice come to the big city...looking for culinary adventure... Given that we were staying in the theatre district, Chinatown made sense. An acquaintance recommended this place, so we went. Great server explained everything, was attentive. The hot pot stuff was fun; in retrospect, I wonder if we should have gone for the spicy broth rather than the standard. Overall, we found the food a little bland, but we suspect the problem was us, not the food or cooking. Food seemed healthy and well prepped and presented.
(3)Mabel L.
I'm surprised that Boston's Chinatown has quite a few businesses serving up hotpot or more accurately shabu shabu. Of the lot, this is one really nice place. While the servings are pretty much the same as other places, the 4-star rating is for the general cleanliness and friendly atmosphere that the place has. Would have been a 5-star if the service was more prompt and friendly. One trip had my waiter seated at the bar on his phone for an hour. If you want a nice meal with a small group of friends, come here. If you have a larger group and not as large a budget to go around, Hot Pot Buffett Inc. is your best call.
(4)Jessica L.
Tonight, I had the seafood platter in pork broth, because they were out of miso broth. It was good, not outstanding, but reasonable for the price ($12). The noise level was moderate. Wasn't especially fond of the music, which was straight-up pop (Taio Cruz, Katy Perry, Kings of Leon). I guess I was expecting something calmer, more "zen." Also, the service wasn't terribly attentive, but it was busy on this Saturday evening (around 5:30-6:15). My friend and I were in a bit of a rush to get to a movie, but even after he got out of his chair to go ask for the check, no check came. We had to flag down another waitress. I still give them 3 stars because the food was fine and the price was right. The dining area is also brightly-lit and neat- and clean-looking, which adds to the ambiance.
(3)Eric F.
What a great go-to spot in Chinatown! All the basic combos (beef, chicken, lamb, etc. with veggies, rice/udon/vermicelli, and dessert) are very reasonably priced and I loved the kimchee broth =D Interior is well-kept and spacious, conversation is easy with the relatively low ambient noise, and making your own little creations is more fun than you might expect hehe.
(4)Kathleen F.
I had not been to shabu zen in a couple of years and was pumped to go back with some friends recently. The food is still very good, great quality meats and yummy veggies, and the smoothies are good as well. But the service was awful. The waitress kept forgetting to bring us things, and even completely forgot to bring us stuff when we asked for it twice. I think it is also a bit pricey for cooking your own food, I would be willing to pay that much if the service matched the prices but it really does not at all.
(3)Brian B.
Because Yelper Marc brought me to a new restaurant and I loved it, I felt I should Yelp about it! This was a totally new cuisine choice for me, and I must say I had doubts about going for soup on a day that was over 90F. It is really a neat way to see how different foods influence the flavors of a basic broth (I had the Thai Tom Yum which is awesome). It helps to go with a seasoned Shabu-master (Marc) so you know what the hell you are doing. But everyone should try it - its a fun way to eat, and the flavors are very good, especially since you make them yourself!
(5)Mochi Z.
This is definitely one of the best hot pot places in Boston. I am not saying that because I worked at this place before, but from trying other places, this is really one of the best hot pot places in Boston. As a matter of fact, Shabu Zen was the first hot pot restaurant that was opened in Boston and did extremely well. After it became a hit, other owners in town started to launch their own hot pot restaurants. It is really hard to compete with Shabu Zen because the owner, David, did a lot of research (traveling around the world) before he opened this place up. The place is a bit pricey especially for the amount of food you get, however, its really good. From appetizers to drinks, its all very good. Appetizers: Sauteed Claims, Sauteed Beef Tongue and Gyoza. Definitely try eating the vermecelli noodles with sauce in the sauteed clams. Entrees: Short Ribs and the Prime Rib Eye is definitely good. Chicken is a bit dry, so I wouldn't recommend it. Seabass is good too, but its seasonal. Kim Chi broth is super good especially with the udon noodles. Tom Yum broth is super good with seafood. Drinks- the smoothies are really good and really fresh. Its with fresh fruit I promise! The place has some really good sake drinks too!
(4)Lisa I.
Being from Los Angeles and Japanese, I would not say that Shabu-Zen is authentic Japanese shabu-shabu. The best I can describe Shabu's authenticity would be, if someone went to a bookstore and read what you should use as ingredients for shabu-shabu, they would would probably end up with what Shabu-Zen lays out. Given that Boston doesn't have a great selection of authentic Japanese places, I'm still giving Shabu-Zen 4 stars for the fact that its cheap, fast, and in a convenient location. It may not be the most authentic place, but I can honestly say that I've not had a bad meal in the 5-10 times I've been there (which is more than I can say about certain places in LA or Boston). This place is great for you and a few friends, but probably not best for groups since the wait time is pretty substantial if you go during rush hour. Service is a little slow, but let's face it, you cook yourself so you can really only be upset at yourself if something goes wrong. Going at lunch time or odd-hours during the weekend will make this experience so much better since the line can get to be so long! I would recommend Shabu-Zen before the other place down the street. I'll be back soon :)
(4)El S.
I've shabu'd in LA, Orange County and New York City.....Shabu Zen is the best one yet! My wife and I went there last Saturday in the middle of the afternoon....it was quiet and delicious. You have to ask for the peanut sauce (my one complaint) but they have lots of hot peppers, tobasco and other things that most Shabu joints I've visited don't have. They also give you your own soup ladle and strainer and most importantly give you a choice of noodles or rice. That's a rarity in the Shabu world. The prices are reasonable too. This is the best Shabu spot in the US...trust me....I've been around and I'm smarter, better looking and way, way funnier than any of you.
(5)Gail F.
One rainy Saturday night the boyfriend and I decided to venture into Chinatown for some good old fashioned hot pots. We stumbled upon Shabu Zen and had the perfect little evening. We sat at the bar and were served immediately. The waiter was very attentive and provided helpful suggestions for saki. We ordered the perfect sized bottle and continued to order our meals. We got a mixed grill of hot pot meats and tried the extra spicy broths. Whats great about shabu is that its not only delicious but its an interactive meal. Its the perfect amount of food that you can cook to your taste. We've already been back since our first experience. Its the perfect way to spend a Saturday night.
(4)Eli E.
i love this place! The meat and veggies are fresh. The standard broth is delicious and so are the flavored ones (for $3 more). Soy sauce isn't too salty or sour. Good portions. Sauteed baby clams are awesome. The price is very reasonable. Brighton is roomier with TVs and accommodations for large parties. But I think the Chinatown location has a sliiiiiiightly more flavorful standard broth.
(5)Wei W.
Love this place. While there's usually a wait on the weekends for dinner, lunchtime is pretty good and the service is reasonable. I have yet to be disappointed from the do-it-yourself meals (minus the meat cutting and such). With hot pot, there's little that can go wrong (besides service) since you're doing all the cooking yourself. You get your choice of broth - if you prefer spicy broths, they have an assortment of those, but I usually go with the chicken stock. All the meats are thinly sliced so that it takes about 20-30 seconds to cook in the broth. The vegetables come out first so those get thrown in as soon as the broth heats up, and everything is so filling. I recommend the prime rib-eye, meat combo, surf and turf, or seafood supreme, if you're a meat-eater. There's also a la carte, which entails ordering your choice of sides that you can make into a meal, from fish balls to assorted veggies. Have a smoothie with your lunch or dinner - I'm a big fan of the strawberry, raspberry, and kiwi smoothies. They also make them to your desire (strawberry banana is delish). Top it off with some green tea mochi and the complimentary red bean soup for dessert and you're good to go!
(5)Dena N.
I go to this place so often because I love their broth. I love the kimchi flavored soup base because it makes everything so much more flavorful. I would recommend getting the beef because it is the best tasting course in the restaurant. The chicken is not good because it usually comes out dry. The seaweed salad here is also really great. The service here is usually good. The only complaint is that it is always crowded...so if you came here for dinner, then expect at least half an hour wait. The place is not too big, so it would not be good to come here with a big party. Overall, I would come here again and probably very often.
(5)Diane Z.
The lengths that I will go for good Shabu Shabu! I drive 2 hours to Boston to go here just for dinner! I went last night and once again it was awesome! I always order the meat combo (beef and pork), noodles, mango smoothie and the spicy szechuan broth. Everything was fresh and delicious and the order of oysters were cheap ($5) and so fresh. I definitely suggest a visit when in Boston! The only reason I didn't give a five star was the service. They tend to forget to bring your side orders and drinks. They also ran out of the Japanese mojito!
(4)Nadia B.
the best tasting &funnest dining experience i have ever had . my boyfriend took me for the first time a couple weeks back and i have returned an unreasonable amount of times since . i am completely addicted to this stuff .
(5)Erin C.
This was my first shabu experience and I can't recommend it enough. I ordered the vegetarian option and was pleasantly surprised by the variety of veggies going on. The broth was killer too. Those mushroom ball things are so addictive! The price really can't be beat either for the amount of food you receive. Service is a bit off, but nothing that would make me not want to return. Also, make sure you don't wear your favorite lovely coat here unless you like to smell like shabu for the rest of the week. Love this place!
(4)Jane B.
We were a group of 8 looking for a good meal and a good time. Being a larger crowd, we tried to call for a reservation.They told us that they would put us down on their list but it wasn't a real reservation. Basically it means you end up on the top of the wait list...and because we wanted to all sit together, when we arrived it was a bit of a wait. One table for 4 opened up and then we waited about another 30 minutes for the table next to it to be free for the rest of our party. Not a huge deal. There aren't a ton of places this size that would have been quicker to seat a party of our size in Chinatown. There was a constant stream of traffic in the place and the diners ranged from Asian families to hipster college kids. I think there were even a few out on dates too. No one in our party had eaten shabu-shabu before and we were all excited to try a new experience. To start, you select your meat (there are 3 kobe options among others beef, chicken, etc), seafood, tofu, veggies, etc. You can order by entree, which comes with veggies, rice or vermicelli noodles, or off the a la carte menu to try smaller varieties of things. Your selection is then brought to you and you dip it in a boiling pot of broth set at your table. They also bring garlic, scallion, chillies and a BBQ sauce for you to season your meal as you see fit, with, of course, the ever present soy sauce. A cup of green tea was poured as we sat down. I started off with the gyoza and then went for one of the beef choices and assorted veggie a la cart options. The gyoza were delicious. The beef came sliced very thin, and only required a short dip in the steamy, boiling broth. Delicious. There were beers ordered and a bottle of the house saki (hot). Someone at our table had the puffed tofu (basically fried) which I kept looking at longingly, but I was quite full with my own meal. The clam sashimi (forget which in particular) was well liked as well. It took a tiny bit of figuring out how to get the smaller items in and out of the broth, but they provide mini-spiders (the cooking utensil type, not the creepy-crawly type) which were invaluable for fishing out a few of the items. As the pots boiled away, the waitstaff came around and topped up the pot with fresh broth. When the pots get going, it's almost like getting a facial from the steam--beautification while you eat! We finished off our meals with ice cream mochi (I had the red bean paste, others had mango and green tea flavors) which was absolutely delightful. Overall, it was a great meal (and the company was definitely part of that) enjoyed by all. We were even pleasantly surprised when the bill came and it was just $30 per person. Not to shabby. With polite service, fresh food and decently prices, I'd definitely go back. And probably with a smaller crowd.
(4)Maliza H.
I usually like the food here and i often go there almost every week. However, the service is not friendly, the waitress/waiter were standing there chatting all the time. No one care to bring water or ask if i need something. They won't bring water or napkin if you don't ask for it....
(4)Ryan L.
My first experience with hot pot and i would absolutely come back. Fantastic food, fantastic atmosphere, fantastic service. A+
(5)Joanna F.
It's probably mostly because I didn't like the hot pot concept, but I didn't love Shabu Zen. I thought the atmosphere was kind of hideous. The service was really quick and it was quite a bargain for the amount of food we got. I got the meat combo with lamb and chicken. Something about the idea of eating off of the same plate that raw chicken and lamb sat on kind of disturbs me. And eating off of the same chopsticks I used to cook the meat. Maybe that's my own issue though. The lamb and chicken were delicious once cooked, although chicken tends to dry out very quickly. The vegetables that came on the side were ok... I could have used something heartier. A lot of these reviews said people were full after eating here... I wasn't at all. I felt like I got maybe 10 bite sized morself of meat and a few veggies and maybe a half a cup of vermicelli... Not satisfying. And it was a lot of work for the amount of food. I guess it didn't help that I was ravenous when I got there. All in all, it's a very authentic and interesting experience, but not really my cup of tea.
(3)Ronnie D.
Great food and service! Salmon sashimi was delish, and the mongolian broth was unreal. Highly recommend.
(5)Bee M.
The service is not bad, but not great also...its more on the suck side tho, You know how Chinese places are, lol. But, as for the food, it is great! A little expensive if you a big eater aka American.... I love the tools they lay out for you to use while you eat! I love hot-pot at home but hot-pot at a restaurant is so proper.
(3)John A.
This was a super unique dining experience and definitely hands on. Our waiter was very patient in explaining the whole process. Basically, you order seafood, beef, chicken, or veggies and they bring the food over to you raw. You then proceed to cook the food yourself at your table in a hot pot of boiling broth. You're free to make any combination you like and you can even customize the dipping sauce. All meals come with a huge side of vegetables and all the green tea you can drink. Overall the food was very tasty and it was something different from the typical dining experience. Shabu-Zen is located off a little side street in Chinatown which further adds to the interesting, unique vibe of the place. The overall ambience was fast paced and even a bit loud. I don't mean that in a negative way because this place was great, but it may not be the best restaurant if you want to have a quiet night out. However, if you want a fun, unique dining experience in a more modern, hustle and bustle atmosphere then Shabu-Zen is certainly a good place to try out.
(4)Chortipsukontar M.
This is what I want to go every time that I think of shabu. Unfortunately I couldn't do it because it is really hard to find a parking space in china town and I am so upset about it. The foods are a hot pot that right but it's totally different to the others cause it is the best hot pot in mass and they are not cheap for customer I mean if you asked for get an extra of sauce or chili they are no chart you any penny and I recommend this shabu zen. The staffs are friendly and more help too
(5)Katie S.
I came here with a bigger group to celebrate a birthday and had mixed feelings. Shabu is my favorite style of food and the selection here was decent. But we got dirty looks from staff and other customers any time we laughed. I wouldn't suggest thIs location if you're going with a larger group.
(3)Meghana A.
I had my first hot pot experience here! It was such a fun way to eat and easy on the wallet too! After walking in, you can take a seat around the center u-shaped bar and begin cooking your own hotpot soup with your choice of meat and veggies in a personal hot pot in front of you! I like spicy food so I tried the spicy kimchi broth, which was so yummy and perfectly spicy for my taste. The process was fun and a little overwhelming at first because the server furnishes a plate full of thinly sliced raw meat, which you will cook in the boiling broth. I was afraid of messing up my meal by cooking it wrong, but then I discovered its virtually impossible to mess up since the ingredients naturally taste good together. Do take the vegetables out of the boiling broth once they are crunchy enough for your taste to prevent them from getting soggy. You are provided the right utensils for periodic stirring and straining out veggies and meat from the hot pot. Definitely try the mango mochi ice cream. If you don't order a dessert, the restaurant gives you a complementary red bean dessert. For a more manageable dining experience, I imagine this is the type of place that would be more fun for a party of four or less, not a huge group. I can't wait to go back!
(4)Spanky M.
Frame of refernce warning: I have not had shabu shabu at other Boston places. The shabu shabu was average at best. I had the short rib and the second meat selection, I think it was USDA grade a something or other. The meat had that bloody meat flavor that is normally found at mediocre or worse shabu places. The service was on top of everything though and made my $45( with tip) experience very good. I think that the place is miss named as it really is Chinese hot pot. The difference for many will be almost nothing but for those who know it is enough to deter you if you truely are looking for shabu shabu. The vegetables were average and the dipping sauces were not trad japanese b/c it's hot pot. All in all a relatively expensive experence that was fun because of all the hustle and bustle but not all that great tasting. I can't say I will be looking forward to coming back here.
(3)Kelly C.
Can't believe I haven't written a review for this place! Best winter restaurant. Nice warm steam, always groovy music playing. You can eve eat at the bar and watch the game. Fresh fruit smoothies! Cook your own veggies, meats, and seafood. Mix your own special sauce. Get the fish balls!! So good. I always get extra mushroom balls too, and I don't like mushrooms, but these things are GOOD!
(5)Robyn C.
Hot Pot can be easily described as the melting pot...but Chinese! If your new, it's pretty simple and as Solomon C. said, "You get a plate of vegetables and pot of broth, you order a dish of raw meats, toss it in and enjoy!" To be honest, it's going to be hard to review this as everything was just truly marvelous! The food was to die for and had tons of space to eat even though it was packed with a full house. Kimcheeeeee broth, try it! We all walked out of this place wanting more more more! and then talking about it for the following days to come. I shall be going back as soon as I reach Boston again!
(5)Em E.
This place was awesome! There's great cuts of meat, plenty of veggies, and the hot sake is only $5! The food seems to be really light, but you still manage to get full without breaking the bank. The waitresses are friendly and attentive too!
(5)Avin N.
Came here last week with a large group of friends for my first hot pot experience. I don't really have a good reason for never having tried it before-- meat, spicy broth, noodles, sake, cold beer-- all things I'm a big fan of. Really have just been cheating myself. Shabu Zen was packed when we got there around 8pm, and despite having a reservation, we still needed to wait about 10 minutes. Not a big deal, as we were a large group (10 of us) and Shabu Zen is a small place by design. Soon enough we were in, and spicy Chinese broth and sake were already on their way. We had a couple hot pot regulars in the group who took lead on ordering, which was definitely helpful. The food was great overall, and as the bottles of sake kept coming, soon enough it's fair to say we all lost track of what we individually ordered and were just dipping into the meat free-for-all in the boiling pots of broth. If you're afraid of a mess, the hot pot experience is definitely not for you. I think I will have to wash the sweater I was wearing at least twice to get all of the broth and overall hot pot aroma out of it. But that's definitely not a complaint-- the food was fantastic (I recommend the beef and chicken, the seafood looked a little sketchy). Gyoza as an appetizer was also a big hit. Service: despite being a large and, as the night went on, increasingly intoxicated and I'm sure exceedingly loud group, the waitresses were all very attentive, patient, and clearly experienced in handling a group like us. Even if you don't think the idea of a hot pot dinner sounds enticing, I'd suggest going for the experience. Particularly with a large group, it's definitely a unique dining experience worth trying at least once.
(4)Jeremy H.
Okay lets get this straight: ONLY GO HERE IF YOU LOVE AMAZING FOOD AND PLAYING WITH IT!!!! Now that I have put that out there this place is awesome! Before you get anything get the clam cooked in something stupidly delicious appetizer and get ready to lick the plate clean, then change your adult diaper because that was so amazing, and hunker down for your meal. If you know Shabu Shabu style cooking stop reading and get your ass to Brighton or Chinatown. The premise is that you get a bubbling bowl of boiling liquid (the simple chicken and veggie broths are awesome, and the spicy broth will make most Americans whimper and cry, but they are damn good) You then have an assortment of uber-high-quality meat sliced paper thin, veggies, tofu (I always get an extra side of assorted tofu since it kicks ass), and noodles. You proceed to put stuff in the boiling liquid (only dip the meat so you do not cook it to all hell) and then fish it all out into a soup cup. Then you eat this, and repeat. As the meal goes on the flavors in the liquid become more intense, and more personalized to what you add. This is an amazing culinary experience. So get ready to make a small mess and play with your food, because this is one of my favorite places in all the world!!!!
(5)Mike S.
** PLEASE READ BEFORE TRYING THIS RESTAURANT ** I've seen several positive reviews of this place and prior to my last dining experience at SZ, I'd be inclined to agree. However, a couple of months ago, celebrating a friend's birthday, I had **the absolute worst dining experience of my life** at this restaurant. Here's how: The minor: 1) The hostess paid little to no mind to us and told us we'd be seated within 30 minutes. After over an hour, nothing - no apologies, no anything. The major: 2) While eating my soup I noticed several live bugs swimming in my bowl. They looked similar to fleas (not roaches). The person across from me had the same problem (we were sharing the same pot). We immedately called over the waiter and here's what happened. 3) The waiter called over the resident manager who confirmed they were actual bugs and made some statement that they "hide in the fresh vegetables". After taking away all the food, she proposed to take 10% off of the total bill, which wouldn't have even covered one of the two bug-infested meals. Outraged, I demanded at least half the bill off to which she said (after haggling and negotiating since she wasn't budging)... 4) I'll call my manager. So we wait... "I can't get ahold of him. I can do 10% and that's all". So I said we'd wait. After about 20 minutes and asking her to call the manager a couple more times, we eventually get our two spoiled meals with drinks and appetizers comped (which turned out to be roughly 40% of the bill). Unreasonable, but I settled. 5) When we got the bill, we noticed they overcharged us a meal we didn't order AND overcharged another member of the party for a higher cut of beef than he'd ordered. After more fighting, they realized their mistake and fixed the bill. From start to finish, they could not have done anything more wrong. At the minimum, someone should be on staff at all times with authority to make decisions about who to comp and when. Further up, lessons in restaurant etiquette. At the most, bug-free food. After this incident, I emailed the restaurant as well as Phantom Gourmet. I never got a response back. So, with my newfound Yelp account, I decided to share this experience to make sure nobody goes through the dining experience my friends and I went through.
(1)Monica N.
I love this place! You can't go wrong with hot pot on a cold winter day in Boston.
(5)Linh V.
It's not as fancy as the Allston one. Cozier I suppose and the pots at the counters are actually within reach! Wowzers i can actually see to the bottom of my pot. The garnishes weren't fresh, my chili peppers were black and my broth looked like it had been sitting on top of my burner for hours until i arrived. The portions actually seem a lot smaller, that or the presentation isn't as great as that of the Allston one. Real talk. Shabu-Zen as a whole is nothing special. Make it at home.
(3)Cee B.
Cook your food in a broth, at the end the broth becomes a stew very flavorful from all the food it has cooked. Enjoy the udon at the end with the broth. The undo soaks up the tasty broth it is delicious. Definitely pick seafood or kobe beef, both of which are best for shaub shabu since both cook quickly and taste good without need for marinate. Let the fresh seafood and beef show off their flavor in a simple broth. Smoothie is really good with shabu shabu. it cools you off from the hot broth.
(4)Ligaya T.
Shame on me! After decades of shabu experiences I just now, thanks to Toro E's review, learned that you are NOT supposed to drink the dashi (broth). Ummm, hear this my Japanese friends, how could you let me dishonor myself this way? Or is it my fault for never paying attention to how you eat? Well, it's a good thing that I don't give a damn about being a proper Japanese lady (liberties of being a Filipina/Czech one) so I'm going to keep lapping up the delicious soup. I would suggest getting the spicy broth. The herbal one is a bit strange and has those floating red pimento looking things that taste slightly medicinal. I'd recommend getting the beef rounds or the seafood if you're a pesca. With the array of fresh vegetables served with it, the meal is healthy and nourishing. Words of advice: don't be afraid to use the wire basket to catch stray pieces. Use the sauces, mix up the garlic and scallions, it adds awesome flavor. Oh, and even though it seems really strange to eat sweet legumes, try the red bean soup. Most of the time my head is so fascinated by what's going on in the pot that I don't even notice the surroundings, but busy as this place is, I have had my share of looking around while waiting for a seat. It's spotless if you'd like to know. None of that no wiping up after the last person, and they always change the pots, no pouring fresh soup in. Yeah, it's gross but I've seen it happen elsewhere. They manage to keep these cleanliness standards high until they close at midnight, so if you're hard up for options to McD's in the middle of the night, bookmark this place!
(4)Sandy B.
I've been here every time I've been in Boston. On cold days (well, cold for me) in Fall/Winter and I couldn't have asked for a better way to get away from the windchill. In the warmer months, I love their watermelon smoothies! I could drink like five of them if shabu wasn't so filling. Everything has always been really fresh, from the meat to the seafood. How great it is kind of depends on whether or not you know what you're doing, though. They could be a bit more generous with the udon noodles, but my friends and I have always left completely stuffed. It's nice cos there's something for everyone, and I've tried something different each time. No complaints about the service (we've always avoided the rush hours) and overall, a lovely experience.
(4)Cara G.
"Do you like shabu-shabu?" "Um...I was kind of into his early stuff, before he joined G-Unit." Hmmm. Clearly I had a lot to learn. My friends & colleagues promised me, for the low low cost of $7.50, not just lunch but an eating experience, and any chance I get to follow M. through the twisty streets of Chinatown, feeling all shifty and exciting, I take: thus it was that we headed to Shabu Zen. "Shabu-zen!" it sounds like a magical command. Want a bowl of broth put on a cloisonn hot plate? "Shabu-zen!" Want a long plate of raw, curled chicken? "Shabu-zen!" Tiny bowls of chopped pepper, garlic, barbecue-ish sauce, and scallions? "Shabu-zen!" I like the following things about Shabu Zen: The vegetarian option on the menu reads "no meat, no meat!" There is a sign at the cash register that threatens a $75 minimum for parties consisting of fewer than 3 people There is rumored to be a liquor license As it turns out, waving a piece of raw meat around in a bowl of steaming liquid is not my preferred lunch experience, though I'm all for interactive food. Maybe the amount of raw chicken --- I really don't want to use the word "slabs" here --- freaked me out a little bit. But as an experience, I'd recommend it to anyone. So yo G., check out this Shabu-Shabu, before he sells out entirely. Word is bond.
(2)Melissa D.
Ahhh-getting a facial from the delights stirring in your hot pot! After reading people's reviews, I was stoked to go. I took the South Station stop on the red line but the Chinatown stop on the Orange Line is equally the same distance. We got there early, 5:00pm is the perfect time before the dinner rush. Menu choices: Appetizer: Gyoza pan fried -meat nestled in perfectly crisp wontons Entree: Seafood Combo and Beef Combo - this was perfect portion for 2 people, seafood was fresh and the chicken and beef are sliced so thin, once you dropped them in the hot pot they cooked right through! Dessert: too full This is a great place for a group and enjoyed the rush and liveliness of the place. Here they don't rush you, which is always great. The very next day, i wanted to go back sooo bad.
(5)Tiff S.
The food, was okay, same as any other shabu place here in boston. my biggest complaint is that this shabu-zen makes lies about the minimums at the tables. Their menu clearly states that during dinner hours there is a minimum charge of $60 dollars per table. I went on a weekday, lunch time, and asked for a table and said we would order at least $60. they told me the charge was $75. we ended up having to sit in a row at the bar, while the tables were left EMPTY the whole time. why are they so unwilling to accommodate their customers? the other shabu places, even the one in allston, are MUCH friendlier. i read a review down there that they told them minimum of $100. STAY CONSISTENT and stop lying to the customers.
(1)Grace U.
XD this place rocks my socks off period. end of story. the end. but since you guys are prob. scratching your heads going wtf?? i would elaborate. -broth: YUMMYY IN MY TUMMY -meat/seafood: HAVING A PARTY IN MY TUMMY WITH THAT BROTH -vegetables: its a fresh fiesta! -service: if they were on the dark side i'd go over immdiately -overall: think of it as a party in your tummy with totally awesome service. should you go there? um hell yeah.
(5)Shuan L.
In the 2.5 years I have been living near Boston, my bf and I have vowed to try different restaurants in Chinatown. But nearly every time, we cave and end up at Shabu Zen instead. It's just so good. We usually share the Meat Combo and Seafood Supreme, which gives us a wide variety of things to eat. The side of vegetables that comes with each entree is a good size -- enough to make you full, but not so much that you need to be wheeled out of the restaurant. On occasion, we'll also order some assorted tofu (my bf is a big fan of the frozen tofu, which has an interesting texture) or assorted mushrooms. Their smoothies are also excellent. They're served in very tall skinny glasses which can be awkward to drink from, but a little thing like that will not stand between me and a smoothie. I recommend the watermelon and green tea flavors. Now I'm getting thirsty just writing about them. Damn. The place tends to fill up around 7pm or so on weekend nights, particularly in the winter. Sometimes the wait can be around an hour long. They don't take reservations, so if you don't want to wait, get there before the dinner rush starts.
(4)R.G. W.
Ah, the great debate: Shabu-Zen vs. Kaze Shabu vs. the-lesser-known Shabu Village! I suppose what it all "boils down to" (ha!) is what you're looking for in terms of atmosphere and included veggies/tofu. All three places have equivalent offerings, in terms of broths, quality of meats, service staff, prices, and restaurant cleanliness. Shabu-Zen offers a bustling, bistro-like atmosphere, whereas Kaze Shabu tends to be a bit more intimate (high-backed booths, upstairs/downstairs seating areas). I personally like Shabu Zen over the other two places because their default service includes some basic tofus, tofu skin, and fishcakes with the veggies & enoki mushrooms, and everyone automatically gets cold azuki bean soup for dessert. (In order to get the tofus & enoki 'shrooms at the other two places, you have to order them separately). "Zen" doesn't have the 'home-made fish paste noodle' that Kaze has, but it does have some nice assorted meatballs. I like Shabu Zen's extra spicy Korean broth, but the standard broth is good too. Another great thing about 'Zen is that they'll seat you right up until 11pm (weekdays), if you're running late for dinner...
(5)Hans M.
It's good, don't get me wrong. With 1 draw back tho --- It's damn expensive. Not because the food isn't good, but for how much I pay, we got better Shabu in town, no need to "Zen"...besides, since when we get a parking spot near Chinatown.
(4)Mike G.
3.5 stars not the best shabu place ever. but i really enjoyed the prime ribeye & veg selection(tomato??). plus i can put my 'extensive' cooking skills to practice. and yes to slurping all that broth after. t-a-s-t-y!
(3)Tristan S.
I ordered the beef & chicken combo plate. It came with a healthy amount of both, as well as a veggie plate and udon noodles for a side. We were offered four garnishes for our soy sauce, which I dumped in together. The beef was incredible. Tender, quickly cooked, and delicious. The chicken was slightly less impressive, but still good. All the veggies were fresh and did nicely when cooked. The atmosphere is great - you sit at long bars, which arent cramped but promote a fun atmosphere to do your cooking and eating in. Service was quick and friendly - the price could've been a bit better, but on the whole, a great time. My vegetarian girlfriend had the pure veggie plate which was pretty overwhelming, but full of good stuff. Recommended to *anyone*
(4)Sarah S.
I am a true fan of Shabu Zen in Chinatown, Boston. The hot pots here are fabulous and will not leave you disappointed. Also, I really like the layout/design of the restaurant overall. The bar style is very cool in the middle of the restaurant and they also have normal tables as well. There is also the typical bar there. Another plus about this place is the awesome smoothies they have- they are great. The service overall is pretty good, waiters are friendly and take your orders fairly quickly. If you haven't been here yet, stop by Chinatown and try out Shabu Zen for yourself.
(4)Mike L.
Food was really fresh and filling. Good atmosphere and spicy soup base was awesome
(5)Benjamin S.
Fantastic hot pot, wonderful service. We were seated instantly at seven on a Saturday night and spent the next hour and a half slurping through the vegetarian plate and a lamb-and-beef combo, leaving waterlogged and thoroughly delightful. The gregarious waiter was attentive and kind, our barley tea and soups were never anything less than full, and the vegetarian plate was filled with a slew of creative morsels: taro balls, frozen tofu, enoki strands, etc. A brief word to mitigate the rather unfortunate slew of comments bemoaning their empty bellies: if you need a slab of meat in order to feel full, there is no dearth of burger joints throughout the greater Boston area. Chill out and try some taro balls, dudes.
(5)Jen Y.
OH my effin god. this is my new favorite asian splurge place. I had to work late and I had plans to meet with some of my old co-workers from my last job and they suggested this place....i was tired, crabby, irritated and cold that I had to drag my ass all the way to chinatown..PLUS i was freakin' starving so I wanted something dead and greasy in front of me so hot soup in a pot was not my idea of a meal. as soon as i walked in I changed my mind...i was freakin' ravaged with hunger so I ordered first the veggie plate because raw meat freaks me out. Everyone around me got loads of meat and I felt left out so I made the waiter come back and add chicken to mines....OMG we got half kimchee broth and half regular broth and it was the best meal i've had in freakin' MONTHS. The chicken was thinly sliced and not gross raw so the minute u threw it in the boiling water it cooked right away...i was obsessed with the fish "bbq" paste thing and I wasn't satisfied that there was one lil dish for 4 people, so I made the waiter (who was flirting with me) get me MORE...I wolfed that sucker down! the veggies were good too...some japanese white mushroom thing that was really yummy...I also got a side of seaweed salad...and u get free dessert in the end. the prices are decent...for 4 people the bill came out to be able 65 bucks...if you want to add side dishes it ranges anywhere from 2-10 bucks////it was totally fun and a cool experience. I asked the waiter if he would wrap my fish paste as a joke.. he responded "why, anything for u" that's freakin' customer service right THERE!
(5)Amie L.
If you like BUGS IN YOUR HOT POT and been overcharged on your bill....please go here. First of all, I waited over an hour for a table for 7 even though the hostess kept on saying in a few minutes. Everything was good until one of my party member discovered some bugs in his bowl. Then another member of my party checked hers and sure enough, there were bugs in her bowl as well. When we talked to the waiter, he took one of the bowl and go talked to another lady. She then came over and offered ONLY a 10% discount off of our meal OR one free mochi for everyone (which was suppose to be free with the dinner meal anyways). She didn't apologize and TOLD US TO CHECK THE WATERCRESS OURSELVES the next time IF we come back and that sometimes washing doesn't always get rid of the bugs..... ummm....can anyone said HEALTH VIOLATION?? Also, there was NO manager and they couldn't contact him. After arguing for 20 minutes, they gave us our check and overcharged us, even AFTER they took off the 2 meals that had bugs in it. Instead of charging us 4 meals, they charged us 5 meals and charged us for extra things on two meals even though we didn't order it. AND MIGHT I MENTION, they DIDN'T EVEN APOLOGIZE....
(1)Nicky N.
This is not a review of the food, more so of this location of Shabu Zen. I love shabu, but I am entirely unsure why this location has one whole star higher than the Allston location. The food, portions, prices, etc are exactly the same. I've been to the Allston location probably 20 times with no incidents. I come to the Chinatown location once, and...dun dun dun... As a party of 7, we crowded into a booth and the 7th person had to sit on the end. Partly into our meal, the hostess who thought she was hot stuff comes to take the 7th person's chair to use as a 'doorstopper' to hold up the decorative paper folding wall! She insisted that my friend squeeze in to one side of the booth (despite it being evident that there was no space). Needless to say, we refused and suggested that they use one of the five baby high chairs sitting around instead. The hostess gave a displeased look and hustled off. Shortly afterwards, our waitress knocked over a hot, full cup of tea DIRECTLY onto my other friend's lap. She brought over napkins, but my friend had to sit through the rest of the meal with soaked jeans then go outside into the 20 degree night with no retribution from the wait staff or management. Lastly, we were overcharged on our bill. The guy said it would be complicated to remove the charge and instead gave us "free" mochi to "make up" for the mistake. Ridic!
(2)Aboud Y.
Thumbs up from me. Everything was good and the service was great.
(3)J B.
This place is top notch fantastic. The waitresses are always super nice and understanding of vegetarianism (offering vegetarian bbq sauce and vegetarian broth). The food is excellent and even the veg plate is super filling.
(5)sally b.
Wow, so good and great prices. Agreed with the other reviews of long wait time, get there early. My first time I made a huge mess, but they seem used to this and only laughed at me a little bit. Don't be afraid to have your waiter explain the process of making/eating. The lamb is incredibly delicious, and the sashimi is so fresh. Highly recommended.
(5)Kim N.
Ah, Shabu Zen... When I first moved to Boston, this was one of the first places I went to. I complain a lot about Asian food being sub-par in Boston, but actually, they get shabu shabu really well. The food is fresh, they have tasty broths and side dishes, and I love that you have the option of rice OR udon noodles (as I tend to lean more towards noodles). For apps, I always get the gyoza and the beef tongue, and for meats, I usually go for the lamb. I've had the other special broths before, but my fave is the original. This place gets -1 star because it's always packed and I hate waiting, and also they once accidentally spilled hot tea on my friend's hand and did not apologize. Allston locale gets 5 stars because we've never had to wait and no one has spilled tea yet. :)
(4)Mark W.
Great flavors though this food experience. The best is when you eat the corn that's been simmering in the flavored filled broth for 30 plus minutes.
(4)Elaine H.
I am a regular visitor of Shabu-Zen. Being raised in Taiwan, shabu is always something I miss from home and I am so glad to have Shabu-Zen around although it is not exactly the same from back home. I usually order their short rib (A3!!) and always pair it with sesame sauce or raw egg yolk. Occasionally I would order the vege platter when I feel like being healthy. Shabu is definitely a healthy way of eating because everything is boiled and not artificially processed. Also order sauteed beef tongue and baby clams for appetizers! They also have a wide variety of smoothies and are all very tasteful. Staff are attentive and I always leave the restaurant incredibly full and satisfied. Highly recommend for those who have never had shabu!
(4)Jackie C.
For most people, this is the place to go when craving shabu shabu. The shabu isn't bad but its a tad bit overpriced and the service leaves a lot to be desired sometimes. This place is pretty small, so it gets stuffy, and the wait sometimes can't be a headache.
(3)Julie C.
Shabu zen is one of my favorite places in C-town. I use to like it more when they first opened and there wasn't a wait. Ask for the sesame sauce, they don't give it to you unless you ask and your experience there will be so much better. This sauce is great. I tried to make it at home, but failed miserably. I recommend going during the weekday lunch hours. The food is the same, but $5 dollars less and not as busy. One peeve I have is that they started having a minimum for people who want to sit at the table. I went with one other person and asked for a table when it wasn't busy, and they told me we had to eat at least $75 worth. Can they really do that? Anyway, try the watermelon smoothy. YUM!
(4)Thomas H.
What an experience! I had never eaten shabu-shabu so my server took some time to explain the entire process. It was a lot of fun and the food was delicious. Highly recommended!
(4)Eileen D.
Very good hot pot restaurant. I gave it 4 stars because the menu is slight limited. After coming 10 times, you figure out which stock base you like and don't like. I like the regular chicken stock base. You basically cook your meats and vegetable in a pot with stock at the table. Meats and vegetables are then dipped in a soy sauce dipping sauce you can customize. I like mine with garlic and scallions. I use a bit of satay paste on the meat after dipping before I enjoy the food with rice. Get the regular beef (cost less) instead of the prime rib beef. I have ordered both and by the time you cook it and put the sauces on, you really can't tell the difference. Meats are cut into thin strips. Other recommended meat choices: Pork and Fish Paste Don't forget to enjoy the broth after cooking some meat and vegetables in the broth!
(4)M Z.
Taste is good. I like to go lunch time. good price and good service.
(5)Andre C.
The best palce for hotpot/shabu-shabu in Boston, period. The meat is very fresh, and the mixture of dipping sauces and soup is also excellent. The only grudge I have against Shabu Zen is the sometimes erratic service, and a menu that I find overpriced. Then again, they don't really have any competition so there is no need to lower the prices.
(4)Steve L.
This is the best shabu shabu place I've been to. I'm from CA so I've gone to numerous shabu places in CA and this beats them all. The service is better than most. The portions are fairly priced with good quality meats. The soups are delicious. Although the New England area may be famous for other cuisines, this is a must visit, especially on a cold snowy night during the winter. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!
(5)stacey l.
Love this place. It is great for lunch time. You can get in and out in 20 minutes if you know what you want ahead of time. i love the spicy Chinese broth (beware of the beef bone in there if you can't have beef). Hard to swing this place if you have a large group. Prepare to wait for a table.
(4)Pete S.
Oh my god. Went for lunch and want to go back for dinner. Why did I wait so long? I've never done this shabu-shabu before. Let me just say, I will now eat all my meals in this fashion. Cereal? Cooked in boiling milk at the table. Pizza? Only dipped in boiling tomato sauce. Crackers in boiling jam, tuna in boiling mayonnaise, etc. The food is spicy, simple, fresh, and delicious. The sauces are light and flavorful. The price is right and the portions huge. If you like pho, this is like making your own just the way you like it, right at the table. Wow. What a great, great meal this was, and as someone who prefers cooking things myself, it was so much fun, too. ...Ice cream in boiling fudge, potato chips in boiling onion dip, salad in boiling dressing, soup in boiling... well, you get the point.
(5)Justin G.
Shabu-Zen is great for a change of pace. It can be a little intimidating if you haven't had Shabu-Shabu type food before, but don't worry... you can watch all the pro's around you due to the uniquely shaped hot-pot bar and you will be a Shabu pro in no time at all! I am not a huge fan of their broth as it tastes a bit bland, cooking the meat first with the supplied spices will help with this. They have a great selection of meats and seafood that are all high quality and fresh. The wait staff is attentive and eager to answer questions. This is a great place to go during the week and it tends to get more crowded during the weekend.
(4)Elaine C.
Is there any other place for decent Hot Pot in Boston? The answer explains why Shabu Zen can charge the amount that they do and refuse to take reservations. The menu selection is somewhat limited (not enough fish/meat balls, intestines, stomaches, and pigs blood!!) and the portions are smaller than what I'm used to, especially the non-meat items. However, hot pot is all about the atmosphere, and I will grudgingly admit that the clean and brightly lighted decor of the restaurant, the aromatic smell of fresh cooked food, and the excited chatter of voices make for a great time with friends and family. Overall, this place is pretty good.... for Boston. Also... make sure you check out the list of "daily vegetables" written on the back wall. It includes delicious items not listed on the menu.
(3)Po L.
Swish to your hearts content Hot Pot: *Boiling broth of your choice in front. *Plate of Veggies and thinly shaved raw beef (quality up to you) I prefer prime. *Throw the veggies in, grab the beef, but don't let GO and swish. It cooks quick cause it's so thin. *Dip beef in soy sauce, Korean BBQ, chillies and garlic and enjoy in your rice or udon. *Repeat Be advised you will end up smelling like your food when you go. The wait is long so get their early or make a reservation. Be sure to try the mango smoothie. They do validate parking in the Beach St. garage, but only during dinner time (chk the times). There are other places that offer hot pot, but this is one of the few that specialize in it. Say hi in Italian to Chef Chui in the kitchen. Recommend - Yes
(4)christina c.
Oh I am a fan too!! I use to live down the street and wish I went more. I always get the Vegetarian Delight For healthy people, no meat, no meat! - $11.95. Super yummy with the spicy broth, and I love Spice!! The watermelon drinks are the best way to cool your mouth after a spicy meal too. Only bad thing is there can be a line and not a lot of waiting space so be prepared. Also I lost my ID once outside and a nice server from the restaurant found me on facebook and returned it! Extra star for that.
(5)Jen J.
My favorite hot pot spot. It may not seem like you get a lot of food at first because the meat is sliced so thin, but you will definitely leave with a full belly. I usually go for a meat combo while my friend gets the seafood platter and we share it all. If you sit at the counter, you get your own hot pot versus the communal ones. Your order comes with a choice of rice, vermicelli, or udon noodles, plate of veggies, and condiments served in little dishes (soy sauce, scallions, garlic, pepper, and bbq sauce). You can use the spices as a marinade to put your meat in before cooking, or as a dipping sauce for after the meat is cooked. Don't use it as a dipping sauce after you've put raw meat in it though! For an additional cost, you can also add some extra flavor to your broth. My choice is Tom Yum while my friend gets Kimchi. Time will fly by as you are "swishing", so plan for a long lunch. Don't forget to order a shake, too! Very clean, open, and modern looking. Friendly service.
(5)Yb W.
Since I wrote my last review, I have been frequenting Shabu-Zen on a weekly basis (and sometimes biweekly)--and I am still loving it. Kim chee broth is the way to go. I also highly recommend adding an order of their fish paste. And the watermelon smoothie is to die for:)!!
(5)Susan D.
I ate at their bar counter with my hubby. We shared two different broth flavors; tom yum & miso. The seafood platter was a nice mix of fresh pieces. The same with the beefy plate. It was my first time trying it, so I didn't know what to do with all the garlic, chilis, and hoisin sauce or how to eat the noodles (with or without the broth). We just winged it and it came out nicely. At times I was a little concerned about overcooking or undercooking something, especially when you discover something in the bottom of the pot at the end. However, it is those findings that make for an interesting meal.
(3)Emily M.
Had my first shabu shabu experience at Shabu Zen this past Tuesday night. It deserves 4 stars if only for its ability to satisfy not only me, essentially a low fat vegan, but also my father, a meat and potatoes, quantity over quality, kind of guy. He raved for days! They give you a ridiculous amount of food for the price. I thought the vegetarian version might end up being a little skimpier-but i was wrong! But even though you're stuffed you don't feel that bad bc the cooking technique keeps it so healthy! The server was great and more than happy to explain the ins and outs of shabu-ing to us newbies. Perhaps a bit too eager, as he essentially cooked my sister's entire plate for her. She didn't love that. I HIGHLY recommend paying the extra 3 bucks and getting a flavored broth. We got the Tom Yum broth on our server's recommendation and it was DELISH! I never even bothered with the plain broth! Only cons--it's pretty messy. There were a few broth splashing incidents as food slipped from between the chopsticks. Also, after the meal was over we sat back, loosened our belts, and realized we'd hardly said a word to each other throughout the entire meal, besides "Hey, that's my mushroom!" and "Move your bok choy, I can't reach my tofu!" So a first date might be tricky. I think if you sat at the bar with the individual pots you could do it though. Finally, you work up a bit of a sweat with all the steam--not the greatest in the summer. I can definitely understand why it's typically a winter meal and why Shabu Zen is beyond packed during those months. Overall, a great, unusual time and the only time I considered my dining experience to be a workout! Also, the black bean soup dessert is so crazy--but really good!
(4)An-Chian K.
This place is totally awesome! It's clean and well-lit, the food is delicious, the portions are large and the servers are very nice. It's hard to go wrong! I've had Shabu Shabu in many other countries (including Japan) and these guys hold their own.
(5)Joyce K.
I always have an excellent, dirt-cheap meal at Shabu-zen. I love the all-inclusiveness of their meal options. My friend loves the Finest USDA Prime Rib Eye of Beef ($18.95) which is kind of pricey relative to other options on their menu which is why I opt for the seafood platter ($11.95). I don't like fish cakes so I just get more of everything else and I eat the white fish and salmon raw...it's like huge chunks of chewy, fleshy, glorious sashimi. Could I get food poisoning from doing this? I don't know but it's ridic because I just eat the fish as my "appetizer" while I'm happily stewing my veggies and then cook the squid and scallops, etc. AWESOME DEAL!!! The waitresses can only be described as adorably cute. They fill your cup with green tea as soon as you're seated and help you select the best smoothies and platters. They don't seem to care that you made a HUGE mess (and you will). After clearing off our mess of noodles, sauce, and bits of veggies, our waitress made the following astute observation, "You really enjoyed your meal"...and we did.
(5)Anthony L.
went here for lunch, good tasty food, but i was not full at all and didn't want to spend more money
(3)Tiffany D.
It's good, but overrated/priced a bit. It's sooo crowded, but very clean and good. You can go to other places NOT in Chinatown for delicious, fresh and plentiful - with more choices - Shabu/HotPot.. BUTTT I still really like the place. A1!!! And Enoki mushrooms for me. With some baby clams and sauteed cow tongue for sides!!! I like the spicy soup too!!! OH and be sure to try one of their fruit shakes, really yummie!! Now bring on the SAKE~ (make sure it's COLD sake, makes no sense to eat hot hot shabu with HOT sake! But then a nice COLD BEER is best!)
(4)Maritza M.
Yummy Yummy! Tip: call ahead to put your name on the list...that way you won't have to wait FOREVER to get a table.
(4)Leon T.
I'm really amazed that this place gets such raving reviews from everyone else. Don't get me wrong, this place is great, but it's not all that special. I'm probably saying this with bias because I'm so use to having it at home with my family constantly. What does make this place stand out from other shabu places is the great service. The waitresses are always attentive and very polite. However the prices are pretty steep whenever I go with a group. You can get it all for less if you're willing to sacrifice down the street at Kaze.
(3)Jen B.
I really love this place. I keep going back and somehow I still haven't written a review. The waiter was very prompt which I appreciate, especially given how packed this place is every time I go. Its a pretty good deal and I always leave feeling full but not stuffed, which I take as a good thing. Also, try the mushroom plate, its really fantastic. I've eaten at the counter and at a table and I definitely prefer the tables. So far I've been about five times and have yet to have a bad experience.
(5)Chin C.
Well this restaurant was one of my favorite. I love the meat and the hot pot. I often went there after a long night party. Anyway last time when I went there something changed. Where was my friendly waitress? My friend ordered a sauteed beef tongue, but our waitress brought us a raw one. We told her and guess what, she said next time we have to tell her that we want the sauteed one not the raw one. OK lost in translation can happen, but the way she talked and looked at us was not something we were expected. In short, food is still great but service is below where it used to be. I think may be my waitress just had a bad day.
(3)Ashley S.
Today was my first hot pot experience and it was GREAT! I was really intimidated at first about not knowing how to order and eat the shabu shabu, but we told the waiter it was our first time and he was very helpful. I got the seafood platter and it was delicious. I think my favorite part was drinking the yummy broth at the very end. I'll be back, next time with more confidence!
(5)Eddy C.
My girlfriend and I were in town for a wedding (we're from Chicago) so we decided to hit up Shabu Zen because we can't get any shabu shabu where we live (I still can't believe there isn't a single restaurant in Chicago that offers it. The first restaurant to come to their senses and start offering shabu shabu here would undoubtedly make a killing!). We were both very impressed and satisfied with our meals. My girlfriend got the Seafood Supreme and I got the Surf & Turf, both of which were priced at $16.95, which I thought was extremely reasonable all things considered. The portions are very generous and definitely enough to satiate even the most massive of hungers. The beef that I got was definitely of a good quality -- very tender with excellent marbling and lots of flavor. The seafood was all very fresh (I especially liked the cod) and the veggies and noodles complimented all the meat very well. The broth was both tasty yet not too overwhelming; you can also pay an extra $3 to have your broth flavored in one of four ways. You even get a small bowl of red bean soup for dessert, which was a nice touch. Service was excellent -- very attentive but not to the point of being obnoxious. Ambiance is lively yet laidback -- mostly younger folks with a smattering of parents out with their kids. We got there at 7 pm on a Saturday night and didn't have to wait but by the time we left at around 8:15 pm, there were people waiting to be seated so plan accordingly. All in all, it was a terrific meal and I would enthusiastically recommend Shabu Zen to both shabu shabu veterans and noobies alike!
(5)Khalid S.
Like so many of my fellow Yelpers' reviews, this was my first Shabu experience, and I liked it a lot. For those of us who really enjoy food and don't just eat in order to fill their bellies, this is a must-go. Like I said I haven't been to any of the other hot pots places, maybe they're all this much fun. But they've definitely got at least a few things going for them including prompt service, cleanliness, helpful and friendly wait staff (very very cute waitresses), fresh food and overall environment. I had the supreme seafood platter with steamed rice. Honestly, going in, I didn't have the slightest of ideas that I'll be cooking my dinner myself, so I told my waitress that this is my first time and asked whether she could help me :) and she did. Overall, a very pleasant experience and surprisingly not that expensive either. A word of caution for my Muslim yelpers... please ask for vegetable or beef broth, cause pork broth is kinda like the default and if you don't ask, it's what you're going to get.
(4)Priscila K.
I always want to bring people who are visiting me from out of town to this place. It's not just a meal, it's an experience! I am vegetarian and it's great for me and it's great for my carnivore friends too :-)
(5)Kimmy P.
50 minute wait on a Friday at 7PM for 2 seats. MAKE RESERVATIONS BEFOREHAND! Things to know... -Come with a larger group, faster turn around for groups between 4-6 people. -Be prepared to use chopsticks. -Dessert with a meal combo does not include the mochi ice cream, but a tiny bowl of red bean soup. -The tofu is soo delicious (order this a la carte if you want more than 2 pieces with your meat combo) None of the above is meant to deter you. This place is AMAZING! Great for a first Shabu Shabu experience.
(5)Serena L.
in trying to decide between a shabu place (kaze shabu was our other option as we were in chinatown), i decided to come here based on the yelp reviews. we were NOT disappointed! i love the U-shaped tables where you can have your own pot but bigger groups can sit at a table. the portions are pretty generous too. i ordered the surf and turf and only really ate the beef. it was difficult to determine if the seafood was fully cooked. the seafood portions were diverse; it came with scallops, salmon, cod, fishcake, and calamari. the veggies were also nicely portioned. the only thing i didn't like was the extra charge for a different type of broth; it was $3 extra. i got the chinese spicy and my husband got the korean kimchee. the chinese spicy was good but not too hot which was nice. the red bean dessert was very good. the servers were attentive. it definitely helped that i could understand and speak to them in chinese too! i'm definitely coming back for more!
(5)Kip J.
Good, fresh meat & seafood. Good service. Portions seemed a bit small for the price. Unique dining experience. Gigantic u-shaped table where people sat on the outside and the servers worked on the inside. Got the USDA Prime beef and the seafood supreme as well as the red bean soup for dessert. Overall pretty good and a nice change of pace from many restaurants. Would go again, but not chomping at the bit to go there ASAP.
(4)Korri Leigh C.
Went to Shabu Zen for my first "Shabu Shabu" experience and had a fabulous time. Thanks to my fellow yelpers' recommendations, I got the surf and turf which is a great deal....tons of meat and fish which you know has to be fresh since they serve it raw. Two huge plates of sliced tenderloin and cod, salmon, scallops, squid..not to mention the fresh veggies and noodles. Definitely check out Shabu Zen for a fun, ethnic, and cheap meal.
(5)Jenny S.
This place has a warm social atmosphere, like a great den to hide in on a rainy fall day- it feels good to be in here. First off, the sashimi is so fresh and super cheap. I always get the prawns, beef and veggies with noodles. You make your own dipping sauce- I throw some garlic in my pot and make everything extra spicy with pepper flakes- but hey that's me- you can basically do whatever you want to do with your food here- palates open and the pot is your blank canvas. Everything is super fresh and cheap, I think if I was able to eat here once or twice a week, my life might feel that much more complete!
(5)Ed Konagaya K.
Very good place to know what is "Shabu shabu", a Japanese food style!! I brought some of my friends from various countries there!! Every of them liked not only the taste of food but also its unique style of food (dipping sliced beef or pork in boiled water)!! Price is around $10~15 and definitely worth it!! One thing I do not like about the place is that the place is always very crowded, and sometimes we have to wait over an hour...
(4)Christine R.
The most fun Christmas dinner I have had in a while!
(4)Laurita M.
I met some out of town friends at Shabu-Zen for a leisurely lunch and boy was I pleased with my decision. They offer delicious hot pot japanese and while it may be a little expensive, it is well worth it. The staff is almost overly helpful, but I can't really complain because they have good advice and they're so cute and excited about helping you. They also are very flexible and willing to accomodate any special dietary needs or preferences. I would definitely reccomend getting the special broths for $3 extra. Totally worth it. We got the Tom Yum and it was great. We ordered the surf and turf combo plate and even though I usually try to stay away from red meat, the beef was divine. The meal was simple but tasty. We topped it off with mango smoothies with tapioca balls--a perfect ending to a delightful meal. I wouldn't go here if I wanted a quick lunch, but it's a great place to go to share a meal with friends. Plus the whole set up with the hot pot keeps you from completely inhaling the delicious food--instead it forces you to savor. Great for speedeaters like me!
(4)Alan T.
One of my favorite restaurants in Boston. The atmosphere is dynamic and one of a kind. Makes eating that much better! What's the atmosphere like? well imagine that in the middle of the room there is a U shaped table. Customers can sit on the outer edge of the U and have their own hot pots. Then surrounding the U are booths/ tables where other customers can sit and have their own hotpot, family style or as individuals. Personally, I loved sitting at the edge of the U. The experience was so much better!
(4)Eric W.
Hot pot, wherever it's served, is an event. The participation element is great for dates, and the ability to easily customize your dish is great fun. In the winter especially, it's warming and comforting. Please be slow, though, because otherwise you'll burn your mouth, esophagus, and everything else along the way. In comparison with Little Q, the Quincy equivalent, the broth is sub par and a bit plain, but the ingredients are among the best you'll find. My advice on the meats is to stay on the cheaper side, as a lot of the subtle elements of high quality meat will be lost in soup's complexity. Also, the dumplings are a must.
(5)jenilee p.
you wanna see how cultured and f'ing exotic i am? i'll show you. off to shabu-zen we go, biatch. consider this statement as your special badass inner monologue when you suggest an alternative for your team's weekly obligatory deli run, and immediately get the raised eyebrow "what you talkin bout willis" look. even as they say "shabu to tha what?" you know. yes you do. a healthy meal, and a fun interactive "this is how we do it" will show the uninitiated just how nice a shabu shabu run can be during the cold of winter. you will lead them to fun in the middle of mid-week hell. oh yes you will, and that in itself will get you that promotion and prove how captain kickass you really are. maybe not. but just the same, i'm happy that there is a reliable standard shabu shabu joint readily available for my pleasure in the heart of chinatown. it's easy to convince people to come along, when it's a genuinely healthy meal, and each person can sit at the long bar and flop along with their individual simmering broth pots, assorted vegetables and meat of choice - occasionally people shy away at the "share your broth" technique of other shabu shabu restaurants. the broth which shabu-zen provides is not bad, not great, but gets the job done. wait staff is attentive, and prices are reasonable. i'm a sucker for their plate of vegetables, especially a nicely boiled piece of cabbage (don't laugh - with the sauce, that cabbage is filling and killer), and their meat combo plates will leave the soup tasting savory and guaranteed to warm you from the inside. i suggest first blocking off your calendar for the taking of a long lunch, and upon arrival of your veggie plate, start simmering the corn, carrot, and mushroom, as they'll take a bit of time. as soon as the meat arrives, take a five second swish of each thin slice into the broth, as you will add flavor to the liquid itself. mix your sauces liberally, with the provided onions and spices. at the end, don't be shy, take a sip or two of your soup concoction... it'll be delicious. and above all, if you've been to shabu before, and people you've brought along look a bit intimidated, take the plunge and show them how it's done. they'll enjoy the experience more. overall, i'm a fan of shabu-zen. not the best, but boy, what a great standby when you need something a little different.
(4)Kestrel S.
So delicious! The service is lovely, the food is fresh and very tasty. It exceeded all our expectations.
(5)Hamza H.
This place is a disappointment. It's like there's no proper management. They refused to seat me at 12:25 am on a Friday night when the posted time is 1:00 am When I asked, I was rudely told that they're not seating Anymore cause they're slow. Well In that case their website should also change according to the status of the restaurant. I wouldn't recommend this place due to their lack of customer service.
(1)Kim B.
Parking all day across the street is $22 I am a visitor here so I don't know good places besides yelp and word of mouth. My cousins come here often and they brought me. I really liked it. I eat shabu shabu alot and my expectations are high. I got the mongolian spicy with pork and beef. the quantity was worth almost $9. and the soup was flavorful. I really liked it. The yellowtail carpaccio was ok. not as fresh as i had before. overall alchohol drinks were good and strong. Food was good and service was good. Although the people who made the drinks took forever which was weird since it wasn't that packed. I saw them talking more then they were making drinks. lol i'm not tryna be a hater its just dude make the drinks and when its slow talk later. people are thirsty! haha but service was great though besides that part. haha
(4)Brenda B.
Meat cuts are low grade and stingy. At best, it is a quick and dirty, last minute lunch decision. Wouldn't recommend it really.
(2)David H.
I loved hot pot so much better seven years ago when it was still relatively unknown to the masses. Never-the-less, this place is a great spot for hot pot. Don't fool yourself into thinking any other broth is better than the Tom Yum. Lemongrass splashing against your food, it's heavenly. Szechuan is another good broth as well.
(4)Fifi W.
I am not a hotpot expert, but comparing to my hotpot experience in both Hong Kong and Taiwan, Shabu-Zen is absolutely on top 10. I got miso broth and pork and beef combination for my dinner. They will provide you a vegetable platter and your choice of a bowl of rice, vermicelli or udon. If you think that you cannot fill you stomach with 10 pieces of meat and a small plate veggie, you are wrong. They can fill up a huge portion of your stomach. The broth is delicious and all the meat and veggies are fresh. The waiters are so friendly and they are always happy to help.I will definitely visit again during my stay in Boston because Shabu-Zen gave me an unforgettable experience.
(4)Juan A.
Very nice food.. excellent service. First time there and they explained me the system with paciente. I loved the food..
(5)Katherine L.
LOVE THIS PLACE! My first time having hot pot. The waiter took his time with my friend and I to teach us how hot pot works. It was super super helpful. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE! The food was delicious and the employees are very attentive. Can't wait to go back! If you've never had hot pot definitely go!
(5)Jason J.
All you need to know is that you should be ordering some variation of the Hot Pot here. Never, and I mean never, order the Gummy Bear martini. Just take my word for it. The enticing $7 price tag is not worth the tears. If Shabu-Zen were like a fantasy football team (fantasy foodball?), my roster would be stacked with with the likes of Vegetables, Sirloin Beef, and Pork. I'm not sure where I am going with this metaphor because I don't know anything about fantasy football. Regardless, get these things and be happy. Service is usually very friendly, though sometimes they can be a bit slow, especially with larger groups. Not a big deal, because this is more of a place to sit down and relax for a bit. The prices are very fair for the area as well. Yay.
(4)Sarah K.
I came here with a friend since we were near Chinatown and wanted something to warm us up. My friend has been to this place several times, and wanted to take me. I ordered the spicy broth (forgot the name) and it was good. I think I ordered the rib-eye beef which was $19.99 per serving. The meat was very tender and delicious. I do think that it is more expensive than other hot pot places I'm used to in California, but that's a completely different region so it's probably not fair to make comparisons. They have a variety of items in their menu including sashimi, which is unlike other hot pot places. I haven't tried it, but it's nice that they offer it. I definitely look forward to trying this place out again!
(4)Minping W.
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(5)Harry S.
I have been here many times in the past but service has worsened over time. On a Saturday afternoon the hostess refused to seat people despite a huge number of empty tables. Where is management when you need it.
(1)M K.
They know how to do hot pot right! I think this is the best hot pot place in town. Price is very good too (around $12 per person if you get a regular meat option). I always get their watermelon slusy, it goes so well with the hot pot. The only thing about this place is that it's so small, so it's very likely that you have to wait for your table on weekends. Other than that, I love this place!
(4)Allston O.
We were there last night. I was skeptical about their concept (i.e. cook your own food), but I really liked it. The meat is sliced to thin that it is cooked in a minute. I am mostly grateful to the bartender who ran after us for couple of blocks to give the movie ticket I dropped there (We were on our way to the movie theater). That was such a nice thing to do. Also, the place has a great ambiance. I would go there for a fun date. Definitely will go back.
(5)A K.
My husband and I finally tried Shabu-Zen this past weekend after literally years of us meaning to go. When we walked in, we were immediately overcome with the aromas/steam/and noise. Though pretty darn loud, this place is great. In my opinion, you should be in an adventurous mood if you're going to go here. If you're dining as a party of two, I recommend just going for whatever seats they have open like the ones in the middle of the room at the counter. You get a really neat experience, you're able to still feel like it's just two of you, but you get to see what everyone else around you is eating, and interact. If you really are just too shy for that sort of thing, there are individual tables too. Onto the food - we ordered the meat combo plate and a seafood plate. Miso broth and mild kimchi broth. The meat/seafood, veggies...all fresh, tasted great. The broths were amazing. The dipping sauce was delicious - I got mine to be just right. We both ordered vermicilli noodle as our side (next time, I definitely want to try the ramen noodle). What I loved was having my own little hot pot right in front of me at the counter...my husband and I could share, but it was awesome having control over my own meal like that. I've been to other shabu restaurants and the feel of this one was definitely the best. Also, the wait staff is very, very friendly and helpful. Service is wonderful here. Definitely recommend this place! I would go here over other Shabu restaurants in Chinatown.
(4)Brittany M.
Great hot pot!! Fresh food, good service. I usually get the Mongolian broth (a little spicy) with the seafood dish which is so good, you also get some fresh vegetables and rice or noodles. You really have to try this place specially if you have never been to a hot pot restaurant.
(5)Mike B.
We have been here late night on Christmas Eve the last few years and have always had a great experience. She was the one who knew, I did not. Now I know and Like it a lot. Service has always been great, food quality is great, and the Christmas spirit is...well go somewhere else for Santa. A plus - sake shots - I am a convert!
(5)Christina L.
Absolutely delicious! The meat and vegetables were all fresh and prepared very nicely. The broth was also amazing and probably some of the best I've had. The service was slow at first but still friendly and helpful. The entire restaurant was packed and when I left, the line was out the door so that should tell you how popular this place is.
(5)Amanda P.
I've been coming here for years now!! The customer service is always lovely. I haven't found a hotpot place that can beat shabu-zen.
(5)Linda T.
Laid back atmosphere and good seating area for small groups, big groups, or individual. Friendly staffs who are attentive enough without feeling like they're nagging you. Fresh meat, baby clams, and vegetables. Broths are good and reasonable prices. This is 1 out of 2 places I would go to for hot pot. However, no parking, as expected in Chinatown so if you're not from the area... have fun with public transportation or finding parking.
(4)John L.
Right in the middle of Chinatown Boston, you wouldn't suspect such a great place! Walk up a flight of stairs and through double doors and you wouldn't think it would be this large of a restaurant. There is a large bar in the middle where you have your personal hot plate. The regular tables have a center hot plate large enough to hold a separated pot. If you are getting the typical hot pot meal (which is why you are here in the first place), it is worth it in Boston. You get to choose their deliciously sliced beef. Don't bother with the premium cut since it tastes the same and you're jjust paying more for nothing. Only gripe I have is the extra $2 for the "premium" soup base. Why does it cost $2 extra for spicey soup? Maybe $1 more...? I would rather get a side instead for the extra cost. Anyways, service is excellent. They quickly pick up empty plates and refill water when need be. Will definitely be back after a long day of skiing heading back south :)
(4)Darren F.
Food- Wow, talk about doing one thing and doing it right. My first experience with hotpot cooking was not only delicious, but a total blast. Pick your broth,pick your meat and veggies and go to town. Broths are from mild to spicy, Mongolian or Thai style, or vegetarian. A vegetarian platter is available, but for the carnivores there's a bounty of meat. Beef, lamb, chicken, pork, seafood including prawns, clam, squid, salmon, cod, and scallops. You can mix and match mix different meat/veggie combos and each meal comes with udon or jasmine rice. It's all fantastic and fresh. There's a variety of salads,sashimis and desserts as well, Japanese and American beers and wine available. Price- Very reasonable prices and plenty of food that comes on each platter. One meat platters are around 11 bucks and the combos around 17. The top grade beef is 20 bucks. Service- You're doing the cooking yourself, so no complaints about how the food is done. The waitstaff is quick to check in and very friendly. Atmosphere- It's clean inside and out and located in the heart of Chinatown. A must do if you're here for the first time. This could easily move up to 5 star territory if it's the same awesome experience the next time around. I'll surely be back.
(4)Alee G.
I've rediscovered my love for hot pot! When a good friend of mine decided to surprise me by showing up at my job last friday evening, I made the suggestion that we go to Shabu Zen for dinner. I've had hot pot before, but it had been a while. Upon our arrival to the restaurant, we were seated immediately. Perfection! I'm not one for long waits. After glancing over different menu options, we ordered. The server was timely and polite. I ordered the beef and lamb with Udon, and my friend ordered the beef with Udon. I love the interactive aspect of hot pot, and how you cook everything yourself right in front of you! The sauces and seasonings they provide are tasty (BBQ sauce, garlic, soy, chili and scallions) and the vegetables are fresh (bok choy. tomato, tofu, etc...). I had a hard time scooping the noodles out after warming them up in the broth, but boy were they delicious! I wish they had of given me a bigger helping :-). I also ordered a strawberry smoothie. That too, like everything, was fantastic. Honestly, I really have nothing bad to say about this place. You should definitely check this place out. The prices are very reasonable, the food is excellent, and the experience is unforgettable!
(5)JJ J.
Great service and atmosphere. Both management and staff are very friendly and efficient. The soup base is really good as well. The portion however leaves a lot to be desired. Echoing one reviewer below, both the amount of meat and veggies is little for the money. After spending $25 per person for three people I still left hungry.
(3)Madelyn Y.
I have tried many many hot-pot restaurants, but for some reason I always crave and want Shabu-Zen. Maybe its the broth or maybe its the meat. Their quality of their food is great and the price is affordable. I love the Szechuan broth base with the regular orders of prime beef rib, seafood supreme, with 2 orders of oysters. Their oysters are large enough and worth it. We have been trying the beef tongue with a squeeze of lemon and tobacco and it tastes great!
(5)Lisa B.
SO this was one of my visit's this weekend... The meal in it's self is pretty traditional Japanese style dining. The food was ok (since you cook it yourself.. to rule out food poisoning) .. My ranking is low however,more for the lack of cleanliness! It is an issue... we sat at the bar where you can see everything... I was sitting right across from the fridge, filled with sliced rotten avocado's all night...and rice bags and dirty dishes piled on the floor... There is definitely a limited bar selection... so if your looking for a nice fruity drink... think again.. I will cross this place of my list...
(1)Michael A.
I walked into Shabu-Zen with a hot-pot craving friend of mine having only a vague idea what to expect (my first time trying this cuisine). I have to admit, the ambiance was fun but I wasn't too impressed with the overall experience I had. To the credit of the restaurant, it's not their fault, it has to do about your pallet. In fact I think this style of business is smart because they let "you" cook your own food and screw it up on your own... yet still get paid for it ;) Let me put this in perspective... and yes this will be more of a zen filled philosophical post than my typical restaurant reviews which targets the experience, not the restaurant (they were very kind and helpful throughout dinner). The idea of a hot-pot meal sounded great to me since I'm extremely fond of pho (Vietnamese noodle soup that kicks lots of flavor). Having pho in mind I had at least some idea of what to expect. But you know what the problem was for me? I had to work too hard at my meal and for the lack of flavor in every bite I just don't see how it was worth it. Again, it's fun while you get to experiment cooking your slivers of meat (that curl up into nothingness) while pulling out your soggy veggies because you let them boil for too long. But I remember leaving hungry... oh well. I'm still glad I tried it and I "might" try it again sometime after I finish the "How to Shabu for Dummies" cook book.
(3)Alexis S.
If you like to play with your food, or if you like your food prepared a certain way, then this is the restaurant for you. I've never had HOT POT before, after this experience, I'm a fan.
(4)Frank S.
I owe it to this place to write a fantastic review. After almost every midterm and final and a lot of dark frustrating study nights in between, Shabu-Zen has helped me erase those memories with loving food and alcohol. I am absolutely certain I have not spent less than $60 every time I've visited. You're welcome. I have to compare them to Kaze, since my buddies love Kaze more. I like Shabu-Zen's beef better (more flavourful), soup (I HATE tom-yum soup, thank you for not offering it), and they have sesame sauce (if you ask) to go with your ponzu. Also the waitresses here girls here are prettier. They also encourage Sake Bombs as evidenced by their posters advertising them. And they've certainly upgraded their cups. My last trip up here, I slammed the table for the sake bomb so hard the glass broke, releasing hot sake and cold beer over my gal-pal's leg. Sorry. Let's recap. Good food, pretty waitresses, and sake bombs. Cons? It's pretty pricey. But hey, that's Boston for you.
(5)Hayley Y.
I wish I could give this place more than five stars! It is the first Japanese hot pot I have ever been to, and my dad and I stumbled upon it by complete accident. We then ate there three times in four days! We're from out of town and had to get as much of it as we could. The atmosphere is great, the food is delicious, the hot pot makes it fun! I HIGHLY recommend this restaurant if you're ever in Chinatown, and if you're not, I recommend making a special trip there!
(5)Emily Z.
A bunch of friends have been asking me my favorite Asian restaurants in Boston for a while. Until recently, I wasn't able to give them much of an answer. Shabu-Zen has to be in my top 3. I wandered here on a second date to try something new. Even on a Tuesday night, the place is packed. We were seated at a table at their bar area by the kitchen. It was a high traffic area which I normally don't like. In this case was an excellent area to spy on everyone and learn the tricks of this meal. The menu is pretty easy to understand, you pick a meat plate, a broth and noodles or rice. When you receive your meal, you also get a veggie platter, which looks like a piece of art itself. Once you get your food, the decision making really begins, since you practically have to make your meal. In hindsight, it's maybe not the best place to go on a date if you don't have a sense of humor or can't live in the moment because it is a rather messy meal. One thing to note is that the waitress wasn't particularly helpful as she didn't suggest different broth flavors we could try or recommend other things to try. Their sushi is to die for however and a must try, extremely cheap and inexpensive.
(4)Evan J.
It's quite fun cooking your own food in the pot! The Thai Tom Yum broth is spicy and delicious. They gave a pretty wide array of vegetables and tofu samples to be cooked in the pot - I recommend specifying which kinds you want, as I didn't eat half of what they gave me. Also, the tomatoes didn't look particularly fresh. Good for a little adventure, though I've heard their Allston location is better.
(3)Omi H.
I LOVE Shabu Zen! Definitely the best hot pot around! The location in Allston is just as good and larger. The dipping soy sauce is the best part of the meal, sooo good, I'm still trying to figure out what exactly is in it. If you like watermelon, you HAVE to try the watermelon shake, I order it every single time. I've also gone there and ordered the watermelon shake to go as well. This is probably my favorite restaurant in all of Boston; I could eat here every night. I have definitely eaten here 3 times within a week before, and loved each time. I didn't really like it when they took the corn off the regular veggie dishes and you had to order it as a side. Also, I always use a ton of hot peppers in my dipping sauce, and one time I was there with a group of people and and when I asked for extra, the waitress said that her manager doesn't like them giving out more than what they originally serve. But she eventually gave me more. I actually don't like their new meatballs either, there's some other type of meat or something inside them. But now I just order the mushroom balls instead. But even with these changes, I still love the place! mmmm, now I want to go!
(5)Jessica D.
Shabu Zen is great if you want to try something different. It's a fun and interactive meal. If you've ever been to The Melting Pot, and think that you have had hot pot... I hate to break it to you, but you have not. This place is reasonably priced and delicious. This food makes you feel good. You will be lighter on your feet after this meal. I love this place in the winter. I've tried the kimchi, spicy Chinese, plain, and the Thai Tom Yum broths and have never been disappointed. If you want to go the seafood route, its always fresh so no need to worry. I usually get the chicken and beef combo and I have never felt the need to upgrade my meat (no pun intended). It's a little difficult to figure out how to eat here on your first visit. But don't worry, there are no rules. In fact, slurping is not only accepted, but encouraged.
(4)Christian P.
I'm truly shocked that I enjoy a restaurant so much that essentially asks you to pay good American money to make your own soup, but I do. First of all, I don't intend to scour the city for gourmet mushrooms and obscure Asian vegetables. I'm very, very lazy. Nor do I have the skill or patience to slice fresh meats paper thin or create my own complex broths. These tasks are best left to professional meat-slicers and broth-makers such as you will find here. For the first-timer to shabu-shabu, it may seem like a violent train wreck trying to feed yourself, but once you get the hang of things, it's incredible. The trick is figuring out how long each ingredient takes to cook in the boiling broth. Once you do, you're golden, Ponyboy. I've tried the beef, chicken and seafood combos and enjoy them all. Side note: I'd punch my mother in the gut for one of their watermelon smoothies. It can get crowded early and Chinatown generally smells like mystery farts- but other than that, I have nothing but good things to say about this place.
(4)Jimmy L.
My family and I had a good time eating here. The waitress was attentive, friendly and helpful. The food and concept was really simple and delicious. Although they don't have more choices of sauces, it's good enough. We had the Chinese Herbal and Thai Tom Yum broths. Both excellent. Beef Short Ribs and different variations of fishballs and Of course veggies. all good. I am not a fan of the hostesses working there, we waited a long time when there were plenty of open tables available (not bar seats). Her reasoning was because they seated a larger party meanwhile we only had 5 people. My personal tip for her is that if you have no rsvps, no one else waiting and it's getting close to closing time, then maybe you should just seat the party that's been waiting for 40 minutes especially when you told them its only a 15 minute wait. Nevertheless, I'm giving 5 stars because I'm thinking that the long wait was an anomaly.
(5)Andrew S.
Shabu Zen is always a treat. Parking can be difficult, but there is a parking lot across street if needed. I like the standard broth, but kimchee broth and spicy Chinese broth are available for a small up charge. The "vegetarian" is delicious with a tonnage of vegetables. The seafood, seafood deluxe, steak, pork, lamb and various combinations are all good. When I am super hungry I order the seafood deluxe. We always ask for the sesame paste which adds to the flavor, this is mixed with the Chinese barbecue sauce, garlic, hot peppers, soy and scallions. The sesame sauce is mandatory. It is bit of work cooking your own veggies and food, but this is a lot of fun too. The service is usually very efficient and pleasant. The main seating at the semi-circle is preferred. We order the Odon noodles with the soups.
(5)Jenn S.
First time eating hot pot and it was so fantastic. I almost feel bad for any other hot pot venues I visit in the future because this set a high bar. The waiter was nice and explained how it "works" and the entire menu to us, which was very helpful. There was a vegetarian delight option and also many customizable vegetarian options, which is rare to find in Chinatowns. When the food was delivered we thought we weren't going to be able to finish it, but it was the perfect serving size - we both left very contently full. Cheap, delicious, and good service - I couldn't ask for anything better.
(5)Kris B.
Inexpensive quality hotpot with delicious spicy beef broth. Go for the lamb, seafood, and tongue if you feel adventurous.
(4)Daniel G.
Good food and friendly service, probably be coming back when I visit Boston. Nice place where you cook a soup at your table and add ones choice of veggies and meat.
(4)Niki M.
My first time here and my first hot pot experience! They were super helpful and patient with me, taking the time to explain the process and the menu options. The food was fantastic!! I highly recommend this place for the yummy food and wonderful, kind, knowledgable and friendly staff!!
(5)Vy V.
What can I say about Shabu-Zen except the fact that I love you. I facking love you! Shabu is my go to spot. I could eat it all day, everyday if possible! I've actually gone twice in a day before. Anywho! I've come here since they opened in 2002 or whenever it was and I keep on coming back. Before the Allston location opened the lines were ridiculous but nothing would stop me from waiting and getting my Shabu fix. Everyone would wait and it was always worth it. I don't even need to read the menus anymore when I go, it's ingrained in my brain. Their meats, seafood and veggies are fresh. Their broths are extremely flavorful - my favorites are the kim chi and tum yum. I'm a big condiments girl so whenever I'm at Shabu I have to have my soy sauce with lots and lots of sate barbecue sauce, peppers and cilantro, my sesame sauce and my sukiyaki sauce. Try the fish paste, sauteed beef tongue and tuna carpaccio. You won't be disappointed. Order anything actually. You'll love it all. Guaranteed! Best shabu shabu in all the land and I've tried a lot. I take all my friends here when they come to visit and they fall in love. I think everything is laced with crack. That must be it. Don't forget the red bean soup at the end! It's definitely the cherry on top of the delicious shabu cake.
(5)Catherine S.
So I had enjoyed this place before, but after a gross experience this weekend, I had to post a public service review: I found in my meal, NOT ONE, BUT TWO BUGS. They were not small either (see photos). After discovering BUG #1, I flagged my waiter and he took it to his supervisor. She came over and apologized and offered to bring me a new plate - but I was already mostly done with my meal, so I told her it was ok, and then she offered to comp me for dessert which I wasn't interested in (mostly because I was getting full). After listening to her apologies, I was ok with continuing my meal - until I came across BUG #2! This was enough to kill my appetite and flag the supervisor. She again offered to comp me dessert - to which I responded she should comp my entrée. She explained to me since I found the bugs in my veggie platter (which always comes with any meat order) that she could not comp my entrée. I then icily said I would like my bill and would like to leave. She then spoke to her manager, who agreed to comp my entrée - leaving me paying $5 for an appetizer. When I gave her a $10 bill, she asked me if I wanted change - implying that I should leave a 100% tip for a meal with two bugs in it! To which I could only respond "yes" out loud, while in my head, the response went something more like this: "*&^^%#&!?????" Basically, if you are craving Shabu - go to the Brighton location (bigger portions anyways and much more competent service).
(1)Le N.
I love me some shabu - especially in the winter when it's cold, snowy or rainy. I love the broth - kimchee or tomyum. The meat are cut perfectly. The veggies they provider me is more than enough. The sauce is addictive. The list goes on. Come hungry, leave happy! p.s. they usually give you some red bean pudding/dessert at the end and that's also very good!
(4)Mike J.
This was a go to spot when I lived in Boston and miss it a lot! Highly recommend! :)
(5)Izzy W.
Oftentimes I feel sorry for Bostonians cos almost each time I went to an Asian restaurant that received rave reviews on Yelp it usually turned out to be pretty disappointing. Like this one. The service was pretty good - one star for that. But I came here for food. It just isn't THAT good. I had the Szechuan style broth, it tasted like a mixture of multiple spices, only failed to resemble the greatness of mala. The sauce was a big fail, they don't have their "special" sauce , it is just the shacha sauce you can get in any Asian supermarket, lame. The smoothies were tasty though, really fresh. It cost me 31 dollars (pretip). I could have had better Asian food in New York/California for maybe half or 2/3 of the price. But I guess I should stop ranting because there were a lot of people waiting for tables and they seemed really loving this place. Would I come back? Maybe, because this just might be the best of a bunch of mediocre Asian restaurants in Boston. Alas.
(3)Noni W.
Best hot pot place I've been so far. The sauce they serve with the meat is really flavorful and makes a huge difference.
(5)A L.
Definitely a fun alternative to a boring night out to eat! The place is busy, and on a Friday night there was a short wait, but well worth it. I don't have a lot of experience with Asian style hot pot, but if the crowds are any indicator, this place has got it figured out. I had the Kim Chee flavored broth and my boyfriend tried the Mongolian spicy broth. We had an assortment of meat and seafood. Portions are generous, the waitress we had was extremely pleasant and informative. I only wish I lived closer so I could visit more frequently!
(5)Remie M.
my first meal in MA!!! so my Boston decided he wanted 2 take me 2 one of his fave places 4 lunch. . . We parked in the back, we walked in they were barely opening. It was my 2nd day in the east coast so I was still adjusting to the east coast time, i was 2 tired to think hahaha so he helped me on what 2 order. . . he ordered the meat combo plate, beef tounge and fish paste in a kimichi broth. . . i ordered the meat and chicken combo, i wanted it in the miso broth but they had ran out so i did the traditional boring chicken broth. The food came out in a fast and orderly manner It was with udon noodles and veggies on a seperate plate. Its fun cooking food!!! The staff was friendly and responsive. My water glass was never empty!
(5)Jerry L.
Princess recommended that we eat here, and very glad that we did. The orders: The Jerry: Prime rib eye - slices of beautifully marbled rib eye steak Princess: Seafood - shrimp, clams, mussels, squid, fish Each of the orders also comes with greens, tofu, mushrooms, and other goodies. Take your ingredients and dump it in your individual boiling pot of broth. Being a bit of a neat freak and a little bit of a germaphobe, I really liked this setup. No sharing of chopsticks, etc. Shabu-Zen is labeled as Japanese, but many of the ingredients, workers, and patrons are mostly Chinese. Bill is reasonable - about $25 per person with tax and tip included. Princess loves this place.
(4)Tori U.
Only Negatives: long lines at night and not feeling completely full afterwards. Soooo this place is really popular and crazy busy at nights. I mean, your bad side might just come out trying to establish your territory as late comers try and creep past you. Resist elbowing them in the gut. And although I wouldn't recommend it for anyone with a migraine or in a rush, everyone else SHOULD TRY IT. And I am a pretty tough reviewer! Ok, so this is cook-it-yourself hotpot kind of deal, so I don't know how great it is for younger children. That being said, I had it when I was 11 and loved it. Get ready to get friendly with your neighbour as this place fills up. Also, it's LOUD. My mother was a hard sell for the idea of paying to cook your own food and her only complaint was the plain-jane broth. We might just have to kick up the flavor level next time! Completely interactive and with lots of variety (tofu, beef, pork, lamb strips). You get a choice of vermicelli or flat noodles with your meal as well as a plate of vegetables. And you get to mix your own sauce out of a variety of condiments. Boom. It's just great. *Don't* come here for the mediocre sushi or the same-old, same-old appetizers. They are just not worth it. This place is on the pricier side but it's Boston, so all is forgiven. Spend the cash on the Shabu. Double broth it and get a variety meat platter. Sort out how long each item needs to cook for. Eat to your heart's content, friend while looking at the hot waitresses. Also, my friends say the Sake Bombs change people's lives. But I am not one to just take someone's word on it...oh well, gonna have to go back!
(4)Tina W.
NIce service and good food. love it!
(4)Julie D.
The surf and turf combo(seafood and choice of meat) is awesome! I always have a great and fun experience here, love the tom yum broth, sauteed baby clams and the beef slices are cut thinly. Shabu Zen is also inexpensive compared to Q in chinatown and other hot pot places. My waitress Peggy was also very nice and attentive.
(4)Olga Q.
Be prepared for a long wait (unless you get there early) and leaving with odd smelling hair. Other hot pot places in the Boston area have been HUGELY disappointing with high prices, button mushrooms, and blah broth. The prices here are reasonable for the area and the veggie options are great (love the taro, tofu skins, and mushroom balls). The broth add-ins are good for those that want a little kick. Been here many times and always end up leaving very full.
(4)Pete J.
Great interactive Shabu restaurant that I took my team to, for an out-of-work, inexpensive, fun evening. We started with some sushi and dumplings for appetizers, which were ok. But you don't come here for just-ok sushi, you come here for the Shabu, so get a selection of broths, from the basic chicken, to the spicy and delicious kimchee. Everyone orders their own protein and veg and let the dipping, cooking, fun-times begin.
(4)Alexander N.
First time in Boston, came all the way from Cali. Pretty good hot pot with good quality meat. Met a girl named Jenny, forgot to give her my number and left with out saying goodbye. She was beautiful.
(4)Chris C.
Shabu Zen is one of my favorite places to eat in Boston. Not only to they offer quality ingredients for Shabu Shabu, they also have a great broth and big project tv's if you're hoping to catch the game. I was there this past winter for the NFC, AFC Championship game and our group of 5 was situated right in front of the 80 inch projector screen. Talk about having a front row seat. Now being a restaurant, I was wondering how I was going to possibly watch 2 games (4.5 hrs minimum) at a restaurant. Despite being busy, the restaurant was very accomadating and we ordered food, and continued to add on meat or veggies for 4 hours. There was no pressure by asking us if we were done or sending out the bill. No joke, we were there for 4 hours relaxing and enjoy our hot pot. They even add more broth for us when it gets low and the service is great. You can ask for more dipping sauces and that asian bbq sauce. For Boston prices, it's actually reasonable and not too expensive. Obviously if you order the best meat and seafood, it will always be price. I think our meals were about $25 per person (including tip) and I left super full. I would probably only eat Shabu Shabu during the Winter time, but this is definitely my GO-TO spot for this in Boston! -- Check out my other reviews at nextstopdc.blogspot.com
(4)Cassy H.
You go to shabu shabu for the experience more than the food. It's like playing house.. like I'm the housewife cooking in my kitchen. Oh yes, most definitely. :) I've been here twice and sat at the bar both times. Apparently, in order to sit in a booth, you need to have a party of 3 or spend at least $65. Not sure if I'm a fan of that rule. Anyway, bar sitting was fine with me, because I got my individual hot pot right in front and cook my food as I wish. I've ordered the house special pork broth and Korean kimchi broth (mild, can't handle super spicy). And, I enjoyed both. Definitely go with the house special pork for your first time; a good way to break into this hot pot cooking type of dining experience. As for those of you that enjoy some spice and heat in your food, I definitely recommend the kimchi broth. It'll definitely clear up your sinuses. As for the protein of choice, I went with beef both times.. can't go wrong with Prime USDA beef. Overall, a good amount of food for a great price and fun, interactive dining experience. :)
(4)Angela N.
My first hot pot experience and I loved it! They were very friendly and helpful when choosing what to order and how to cook and eat the dish. We tried the miso and the Mongolian soups, with beef and also the surf and turf combo with lamb. The meats were tender and delicious and the veggies were fresh and colorful.
(5)Arthur M.
First time at a hot-pot restaurant, and it was a fantastic introduction. We got there right before the dinner rush (7:30 on a Friday) and were seated within 10 minutes. Our waitress, Peggy, was extremely helpful as we explored the menu, and the food was fantastic. The casual atmosphere is great, and while there are booths, we really enjoyed the counter seating...very conducive to striking up conversations with fellow diners. Definitely added to the experience...
(5)Jon A.
This meal was a lot of fun and a great time! The food is a reasonable deal and very good for larger parties. I would recommend getting miso over chicken broth though, the flavor is just not there in the chicken.
(4)Maggie N.
I'm not a hot pot expert, but I've always been happy with my experience at Shabu Zen. Shabu Zen is a lovely place to visit, especially during those wet, rainy, snowy, cold nights in Boston. The drill is simple: you choose the broth, then choose the protein/ veggie that you like to dip in that delicious, mouth-watering pot of broth. I usually order the Mongolian broth. For the courses: I've tried most and liked most, so my best advice for you is... well, pick what you think you'd like, the menu is pretty self-explanatory. If you have the bills to splurge, try their wagyu beef special - it's the one that should only be dipped in the hot broth for 5 seconds. The meat just melted in my mouth while sending me to heaven... They have an okay selection of sake, I like the unfiltered Momowaka sake. When you're done, the waiter/ waitress will bring out a cup of red bean dessert, which I think is pretty cool and totally delicious if you still have any room for it. Ambiance: It's pretty loud, and you WILL smell like hot pot (hey, what else do you expect??) So if you're trying to impress someone on a first date by donning your nicest suit/ lacy dress and Louboutin shoes, this might not be the place. It's a cool place to chill with friends and/or family. One thing: it'd be much better if you come before the peak time. One time I came with two friends around 8pm and had to wait for almost an hour and a half. If you only have 1-2 people, usually sitting at the "bar" is available as an option. Pricing: For two people, I believe we spent a little under $100 including tip. That included 2 appetizers, 1 seafood supreme plate and another main plate, 1-2 extra a la carte dishes, one small bottle of sake. We left the place thinking we could die from being too full, so even though the price is a bit high, it was a lot of food. Will definitely be back whenever I visit Beantown.
(5)Y L.
Rude hostess. We have a party of 5. They had a 6 seat table available and with no reservation. But, they are trying to push us to sit on the bar seats (we have young kids making this impractical) and simply refuse to give us the table with 6 seats, even after we asked nicely. They were also amazingly stuck up about it as well. There were nobody else waiting on a relatively slow Sunday, and I am just shock they are willing to let a table be empty, just to have 6 people versus 5, and to have us leave than just have a tiny bit of service and business mindset! They clearly are not owners, as an owner would know the importance of customer service. There are 4 other shabu places in walking distance in Chinatown and just as good. So don't bother with this one. They've grown to be too full of themselves to care anymore.
(1)Clara L.
I won't say I was overly impressed with my experience at Shabu-Zen. Don't get me wrong, hot pot is always delicious. The prices are not expensive, which is a plus, but it is not as great of an experience as other places in the city I've been to before. The service can be a little slow, and the tables were a little messy when I was dining there. They do serve your hot pot in separate pots, so if different people want different broths, it is easy to do. A good place to go if you want something cheap and delicious.
(3)J L.
It was just an average tuesday night at 7:30 and the place was pretty packed so you know its gotta be good! We ordered a surf and turf(great value! basically a regular order of beef and a plate of salmon, cod fish, squid, and scallops for $5 more) and a regular order of beef. Everything was great, and pretty inexpensive compared to the shabu shabu restaurants in San Francisco. The only complaint I have is that they don't have that delicious peanut-y dipping sauce they you can find in other shabu places. Our waitress was nice and attentive, I will definitely go back if I am ever in town.
(4)Sylvia C.
My mom is a vegetarian and she always gives thumbs up to Shabu-Zen for their vegetarian platter (decent variety mix) that keeps her going back.
(4)Sun K.
Living in Los Angeles, near all the Asian restaurants...I have tasted so much better. We get tasty soup with huge amounts of vegetables. Also dipping sauce selections are amazing in Rowland Heights, CA. Here, you get soy sauce?! I asked for ponzu & the yellow peanut sauce. I think the owner needs to come out to California and learn. Their soup base was so watery and flavored by salt. The meat was fatty and white. Its good enough for Boston...but since I know better, I think once was enough. I was craving for some warm soup on a cold day and it was good enough.
(2)Paul D.
Hot pots are great. Super selection of different broths as well as meats and veggies to go with it. You can order separate veggies as well and sampled for first time the gyozzas today - very nice. Service is very attentive and fast. Prices reasonable so all in great value.
(4)Jonathon C.
If there were (6) stars is probably give them that! This place was so fun!! It's like melting pot for Chinese food. They bring u a boiling pot filled with wonderful seasonings that u pick, we went with spicy Mediterranean. You get a plate of veggies/tofu and u can pick seafood/chicken/beef and then rice or noodles. The staff was very helpful in "how to shabu-zen". They actually cooked our food for a minute or two. We had a great guy sit next to us at the bar and buy us Drinks which made it an even better night . Place was clean and very busy but we didn't have to wait too long. Highly highly recommend this true treasure to Boston.
(5)John D.
First off let me say they have a very kind wait staff, very upbeat with alot of smiling and pleasurable to speak with. If you are a newbie to hotpot I recommend this place as there staff will walk you through it. Broth is not as tasty as other establishments I have been too. In Brooklyn I get portions twice as big for 2 3rds of the price.
(3)Katie P.
My boyfriend and I just made our second trip here and once again loved it! I have to write a nice review of course! The waitstaff is wonderful; everyone was helpful and friendly. The food is just awesome! We got the USDA beef, the seafood supreme, and a side of pork dumplings. Everything is so fresh and it's surprisingly fun to cook your own dinner in the little pot of delicious broth! I also got the kiwi smoothie with pearls (boba) which was delicious! It tasted like a fresh kiwi, perfect! We will definitely be returning, hopefully very soon!
(5)Vivi L.
I love this place. I've come here many times and this place never disappoints. The broth has great flavor and I always get the Prime Rib Beef which you can never go wrong. We usually also get the sautéed beef tongue for appetizer and it is delicious. The fish paste is also good. The place is always packed so they don't take reservation so if you're planning to come on weekend night, come early or you'll be waiting for 1 hours. Although, you can call ahead to put your name down but they won't hold your table if you don't show up on time.
(5)Laura M.
Great meal and price. We got a ton of food with the 2 meat selections that includes the veggies and rice. Two adults and one toddler ate on about $35. Will be back for sure!
(5)Gracie G.
This place is amazing! The decor is simple, but the tables and hot pots are great. They have a huge bar to serve you and plenty of family sized tables. The menu was relatively extensive. Our waiter was so nice and helpful. Really took his time when explaining the 'hot pot' dining experience. Love it!
(5)Matthew C.
The wait at Q was horrendous. I wasn't too keen on spending a lot of money for dinner anyways, so I pulled up Yelp and found Shabu Zen. Best. Coincidence. Ever. Shabu Zen is exactly what it appears to be--if not a little better. The broths were all excellent (we ordered chicken, spicy Chinese, and spicy Kim-chi). The meats and veggies were all good quality and fresh. Service was prompt, un-intrusive, and and friendly. I left full and super happy. I would go again. Heck, I would have gone again the next night if I hadn't caught a bus to NYC.
(5)Amy Y.
Clean and bright environment gave it a plus. I went on the day of super bowl. So all the flat screen TVs all over the restuarant was awesome. I sat in front of the bar right in front of the TV while boiling my beef. Quality of overall decent. Not bad at all. But its not a wow. I got the beef set. Portions can be slightly bigger with the price. More veggies would be nice. But it is clean. Thats what I look for in a shabu shabu place. The waiters were really friendly. Keep asking if I need anymore things or if everything was ok. And when his shift was over, he told me to speak to the other waiter if I need anything and apologized his shift was over. So overall service and environment gave it an extra star. :)
(4)Jialu T.
Nice hot pot. I really like drinking Japanese beer there. Coconut sorbet is the best choice for dessert!
(4)Alena K.
I discovered shabu zen about a month ago and ever since I have not been able to go more than 3 days without it, I am literally addicted and have lost interest in all other food, no joke. I get the schezuan chinese broth with the seafood and lamb platter, it is soo so amazingly good. I also really enjoy the veggie delight when I want to switch it up.
(5)Wesley C.
The beef is really good.
(4)Rick M.
Atmosphere: This is a fun place. You can either sit at a table of your own or up at the bar. Food: I don't want to repeat what others have said on here. You cook your own food, choosing your broth, meats, noodles and veggies. It does taste good, but I come here for the experience not because it is so delicious. Although other reviewers seem to think the prices could be cheaper, I thought they were reasonable. You won't walk away hungry. Get a bottle of hot sake to go with your meal. Overall: This is a good place to take a date. For someone who has never been to a place like this, it's a unique and enjoyable experience.
(4)Rose E.
Our first experience with hot pot, and it was wonderful. Service here is fantastic and the food is very good and fresh. The seafood supreme platter had great variety. My daughter loves octopus, so she was especially thrilled with the baby octopus appetizer in sesame oil and the fresh calamari for the hot pot. The clams were wonderful, and all of the fish tasted very fresh. I enjoyed the spice and full flavor of the mandarin broth, but the chicken broth was also excellent. We finished off with the mandarin sorbet for fun and enjoyed it thoroughly.
(5)alysia f.
I can't begin to explain how much I enjoyed my first experience, but that is most likely due to the fact that I am currently in a food coma from all the food I devoured. My waitress Wendy was very helpful, explained to me all the dishes, making recommendations, and giving me tips on the various methods to dip food in the hot pot. It was great and I spent part of my time here taking pictures and recommending to friends. I will definitely be back! Now I just need to slowly ease my belly out the door.
(5)Sarah J.
I got the USDA prime beef hot pot with udon noodles and the house pork broth- $12. This was my first experience with a hot pot. My strategy was to throw in the veggies first, then throw in the beef piece by piece so not to leave it in that long, then throw in the noodles at the end since if they cook for too long they get soggy. I recommend putting the garlic on the bottom of one of the small bowls and keeping it there, pouring broth over it and then drinking it down. It was delicious--great place to go on a winter day. The broth they gave was a little flavorless--I suspect to encourage people to add in the flavorings for an additional $3. They have some good bar selections too. Hot pots aren't really my thing, but I would go back to share the experience with someone else.
(4)M.E. F.
I haven't been to any other Shabu restaurants, so I can't really compare (hence 4 stars), but just in terms of restaurants, I love this place! Such a good spot for coming on cold Boston evenings. A great date spot too, I've only been here on dates and it's a lot of fun. I think the activity in the middle of the room might turn some higher-class diners off, but if you don't mind workers filling dishes with garlic in front of you, it's no bother. I recommend the Mongolian broth.
(4)victoria c.
Ok, it's date night. First thing we do is order a whole bottle of umeshu to share. That way I know he'll be drunk off his ass, and I'll be pleasantly buzzed. Then, I undergo the internal dilemma that I always face when I come here. I want to order the seafood plate. I love seafood. Dammit, I want seafood. BUT THE VEGGIE PLATTER IS SO GOOD! (For healthy people! No meat! No meat!) Damn, I want those yam cakes and taro slices so badly. What do I do... ughhnn. Oh, right. Order a la carte. Thus ensuring that I will have way too much food in front of me, will not be able to finish my meal, and will leave here so full I can hardly waddle back to my apartment. YEAH. So the food comes, and clearly I am so engrossed in perfectly cooking each and every morsel that I forget to drink my umeshu. Quick! Down three glasses in a row! The place is packed and they want out seats, rush rush rush!! Stomachache.
(5)Hieu P.
Amazing place... not a traditional shabu shabu broth... really tasty. I will definitely come back here when I'm in boston again.
(5)Corona W.
I am totally obsessed with Shabuzen. Ever since I started working in downtown, I have been visiting the restaurant, at least twice a month. I foresee that the number of trips are going to increase as the weather gets colder. I always get the Mongolian soup base for my pot. It has just a little bit of spiciness to it and it is so good. Portions are also great - for example, the meat combo comes with vegetables and two choices of meat. I always get the lamb and beef but I think you can also get pork or chicken. (I think it's only $12 for all that food! Whoah!) The service here is also way better than the majority of other Chinese restaurants in Chinatown.
(4)MisoSoup O.
High end/quality of vegetables and clean well organized place. This is the first restaurant I will return to the coming weeks. 2 Vegans and one child ordered 2 main dishes (Vegetables Kimchee mushromm balls with Vegetarian Broth and noddles) and 2 appetizers and left happy! (the quantity not only the quality was generous)!. Yummy. (just try to avoid the shrimp paste...)
(4)Sharon D.
Unique and fun in Chinatown! It's a little overwhelming until you realize it's just veggies, meat, broth and sauces. Pick what you like, throw it in the boiling broth, fish it out, sauce to taste, eat. I loved the kimchi flavored broth. For added fun, I highly recommend bringing your engineering/technical/ocd friends and watch them try to work out a system for keeping the food organized and cooking times aligned. Nothing like a bunch of geeks finding a use for their iPhone and Android device timers.
(4)jim h.
This was my first hot pot experience and I loved it! Told the waiter, Michael, I was a rookie and he guided me through the whole thing. Great service and great food!
(5)Liz G.
It's been a while since I've had hot pot--I'm far from an expert as I've only had it once before--and a recent trip to Shabu-Zen did not disappoint. If you're looking for something different and just want to take time to sit back and enjoy your meal, this experience is for you. If you're reading this review, you may already know what hot pot is about; you get a plate of meat and veggies and cook them yourself in a pot of broth that sits on your table top. Be aware that if you're a vegetarian, you don't want to use the same broth as a meat eater--obviously. There are no individual broth bowls, although you can split the hot pot down the middle into two different sections. Overall the meal was really good, but the dessert, a red bean soup, left much to be desired. Should I complain about that though? Probably not. The meal was reasonably priced ($11) and the dessert was included, so really, nothing was lost.
(5)Levian L.
Average good hot pot. Me and my boyfriend and two other friends came here for dinner. We were all very excited. The service was good, food was fresh and tasted fine. We ordered the pork broth and the Mongolian broth, and some sides and three combos. This was our first time came here for hot pot, we were all a little disappointed as everything came in very small portion. We were going to try the dumplings and so we ordered one as a side, but only to find that four tiny dumplings were served in one side, so we had to ordered a lot more enough for four people. It would make it less complicated if they raise the price and increase the portion so then we can order a decent sized side dish instead of ordering at least six sides of dumplings. Other than the food portion, the place was overall good. Just no sure if I would come back though.
(3)Nate Y.
This is a fun way to have dinner with a group. You have food flying everywhere, constantly being thrown in and taken out of the hot broth. It's probably the most active way of having food that doesn't involve a sport or sex. It was a pain in the ass to have to wait to be seated for a party of six when at least five of us were already there. Read further details on Roni's and Kenny's review. P.S. Apparently the labeling on the restrooms are meaningless since a female kitchen employee came out of the "men's" room.
(4)Lauren B.
My first Shabu Shabu experience! I went on the recommendations of others and did the spicy Kim Chee broth and seafood sampler, while the hubby had the sirloin. We both loved our entrees, everything was extremely fresh and tender once cooked. I cannot say enough good things about this place, the waitresses were very friendly and explained the proper way to cook everything. After a few drinks, white tuna sashimi app and two entrees, we left incredibly satisfied, but also looking forward to our next visit!
(5)Sean B.
Super quick. Tasty. Easy. Fun. The restaurant is nicely kept, and the wait staff asks you for your order almost right away. And since you're the chef here... the raw food comes right out! Bonus Tip - 2 orders are usually good for 3 people, so don't worry about ordering an extra plate... and if you do, the price is very affordable. 3 of us totaled a tab of $36 for Surf and Turf and Meat Combo plates, including side vegetables and a red bean soup. Thumbs up!
(4)Jenny S.
Pretty good hot-pot. Clean-cut and individual pot. Nice sauces as compliment. ok service.
(4)Anthony N.
Best shabu in Boston. My wife has dragged me to this place multiple times and it's finally starting to make sense to me. 1. Order your meats (veggies cone with) 2. Choose a broth (I love the spicy Tom Yum) 3. Let your broth boil 4. Drop in your meats and veggies 5. Enjoy! Apparently you're not supposed to consume the broth but idgaf. That Tom Yum is yum and I nom nom and you should too.
(5)Linda L.
This place was pretty full on a Sunday night. The hostess took a bit to get to asking us how many were in our group. The restaurant itself was clean and very big. There's a center individual hot pot bar seat area and then tables with joint hot pots around the perimeter. We chose to sit at a table and share one pot. The server didn't come by our table till 15 mins after we sat down. Then after we ordered food and drinks, the food came before our drinks did...and only after we asked for them. We chose the Japanese miso and Mongolian broths and had a split pot. The miso broth was mild and good if you like the flavor to be more in the sauce not the broth. The Mongolian broth was not super spicy but still flavorful. We got the meat combo plate and a seafood platter. The meat was pretty fresh, though not a big portion. The prices are a big on the high end. The plates come with vegetables and your choice of udon, vermicelli or rice. The vegetables plate includes corn, enoki and shiitake mushrooms, Bok choy, Napa and some other greens. Overall decent place but not very attentive service.
(3)Kaylee L.
My friend and I were there for a dinner. I ordered chicken broth and my friend got vegetable TomYum broth. We were very excited as it was one of our favorite place to eat. As our order arrived, we started eating. We were having good time until my friend noticed something with black color on her broth. She took it out on soup spoon. After looking clearly at the "weird thing" on the spoon, we realized it was an INSECT. It was unbelievable. My friend stopped eating right away. We called a Waiter and told him we found an INSECT on the broth. He took it without saying anything. After 5 min, a waitress came and asked "Do you want to change the order or cancel it?" without even saying Sorry to us. That was the worst experience we had. It's not that we were dying to hear sorry from them, but they didn't have any customer service skill at all. They took the incident as nothing happened. Firstly, my friend was a VEGETARIAN, and secondly it was an INSECT. No one came and apologized to us (seemed like they didn't even have a manager). At the end, even though they did not charge $13 for Vegetable Delight for the order of my friend, they still charged $4 for the TomYum broth which contained the INSECT on it. WE ARE NEVER GOING BACK TO THIS PLACE AGAIN.
(1)Emily L.
You have to come here for their lunch specials! Come right at 12 though cause it gets packed real fast after that. Their lunches start at $7.50, prime beef, veggie plate, and noodles. How do you beat that?? I however do not recommend coming here for dinner. They do not allow reservations. A friend tried calling in and they said they would put his name down but when we got there they said they dont take reservations. They said what they meant was it mentally prepares them for how many people would come through the door. What kind of answer is that??? With that said would only come here for lunch due to their lunch special.
(4)Debbie B.
Dinner for 3 We took our newly turned 21 daughter as she just arrived from out of state and wanted Chinese food. I do NOT like Chinese food but it was all about her. We had never been to a Chinese hot pot and should have watched YouTube videos or made our own as we had a hilarious experience. We selected pork base with Chinese herbal they brought out a pot split in two with each broth on one side. The veggies arrived and what an elegant presentation! Our sake arrived almost overflowing (truly that was the best part!). The meat arrived shaved in thin slices and seafood was cut in uniform pieces. Unfamiliar with this style of cooking (similar but not quite Melting Pot) we asked our server for guidance. He opened a package of chopsticks, placed the meat in the boiling broth and scooped it out. We were in awe. We could do this! We asked if we had to cook the udon noodles and told yes. Maybe the waiter was messing with us or maybe it was the sake because this was the funniest thing to cook noodles and try to scoop out of the boiling broth via chopsticks or the slotted, wire spoon. We think half the noodles are still in the broth. One think to note, we had small bowls of scallions, garlic, chili paste, barbecue paste and soy sauce to mix our own special creative sauce. The barbecue one was to die for good! Now, I mentioned I do not like Chinese food. I LOVED this Chinese food. So yummy, so fun, and such a wonderful experience.
(4)Lillian C.
This is a solid Chinese owned shabu place. The ingredients are always fresh and of better quality than the AYCE places. They have plenty of bar seating as well as tables. I like the personalized pots better than the big pots tho. I had the surf and turf here and it was A LOT OF food!!! I really liked the fish filet - not sure which type of fish it was. There was a good variety of items in the seafood portion too. The meat was also pretty normal. I really like that they give you garlic and chilis right off the bat! I always put those in my sauce! The broth is light and becomes super flavorful at the end of the meal. I always like to cook some noodles and eat that with the broth, with some satay sauce, to end my meal. They also have the Zipang sparking sake that I really like! It comes in a small bottle and tastes delicious!
(3)Vivian D.
Amazing hotpot place! I've been going here for years- no where else I've been to can top this hotpot spot. Everything is FRESH. We usually get the Surf & Turf combo with beef, alongside with some appetizers like salty beef tongue and salty baby clams. That's the way to go. Their mango smoothie is delicious! I wish they kept their peach smoothie though. I used to get that before mango- but mango is still refreshing and yummy!! Everyone is really nice. Never have I ever had a bad experience with Shabu-Zen. 5 stars all the way.
(5)Thu V.
I like this hot pot place for several reasons: The meat quality is top notch! Vegetables are fresh. The Tom Yum broth has the perfect balance of spice and flavor. The Herb broth is simple, yet flavorful The raw squid is delicious! They have delicious fruity drinks that compliments your meal. I had a few friends come to San Diego last month and I took them to some of our famous hot pot places and they kept raving about how hot pots in Boston are so much better. So of course, I made it my mission to try hot pot while in Boston and they did not lie and Shabu-Zen did not disappoint. All hail to Shabu-Zen!
(5)Ying X.
This is my go-to location for when I want shabu-shabu style hot pot in Boston. The appeal of an individual pot is that you are 100% in control of what's going on with your food, so you know exactly when you put each item in (and when they're ready). I'd definitely recommend just ordering a main course option. For the price you pay, you also get quite a bit of meat/seafood and veggies, and it even comes with your choice of rice or noodle (most other places, you have to order this separately). I like to go for the lamb and beef combo, mostly because those are my two favorite hot pot meats, with Chinese Herbal broth. You can also split a few a la carte side orders with other people in your party, but don't order too many - the main course is already pretty big. Everything is very fresh and service pretty fast. Downside is that you'll have to wait for quite a while when it gets busy (which is pretty often), but I think that's sign of a good restaurant. I've also never had to order anything extra because what they provide in one course is way more than enough to fill you up.
(4)Santita N.
Great location, easy seating, good choices in meats and vegetables, and straightforward ordering sequence. We invited a few of our friends who had never experienced hot pots before, so we want to make sure their first experience is a good one. Took some getting used to with the menu, but we finally figured out the amount to order, and the types of meat to order. The meats were cut well and they are fresh. We got the most economical option, and it was still delicious! The vegetables are also fresh - good variety between mushrooms and your basic hot pot stock veggies. The herbal broth was okay, not sure if I really tasted the "herbs" in the herbal pouch. We also had the regular pork broth and the spicy broth. Both were delicious! I do wish there's more appetizer options. But hey, this is a hot pot restaurant, can't ask for too much. Also, I wish the premium beef were priced a bit lower - they were extravagantly expensive.
(5)Irene C.
I remember while I first visited Boston in 2008, we couldn't get in Shabu Zen because of we were large group and the wait was over 1 hour. After 6 years, I visited Boston again with hubby and I decided to give it another shot and see if we could get in, and ....YES!!!! Finally!!!! They told us we have to wait for 30 minutes but it ended up we only waited for 10 minutes. We ordered Prime Rib Eye of Beef and Seafood Supreme, the portion is Ok for a girl but probably won't be enough for a guy. The meat, however, is really fresh, I would recommend you not to order the regular beef plate but to upgrade it to Prime Rib Eye or other better beef options cause you get what you are paying for. One more thing, the correct way to eat Shabu Shabu is using the chopsticks to pick the one sliced beef and then dip the meat into the hot broth and quickly cook it. Cook the sliced meat for about 15 secs -20 secs ( or while color turned) and then they are ready to be eaten. I saw some people put all meats into the pot at once and keep cooking them, the meats probably will not taste good in that way cause if you overcook the meat, it will just become dry and tasteless. The waiters are very nice and they speak really fluent English, if you are not sure where / how to start, they will be more than happy to give you some advices.
(4)Ashley C.
This was my first time at a shabu-shabu place. Food: I ordered the sirloin beef with miso soup broth. The miso was just the right amount of salty. I felt like they could've given more meat, especially considering that the slices served were pretty thin. They served a variety of fresh veggies -- the small mushrooms being my favorite! You just dip your food into the broth for a couple of seconds (meat takes about 15-20 secs) and then WA - LAAAA !! Your food is done .... soooo fasssttt! Service: They seat you down and you cook your own food. Not much customer-server relations here. I would like to try a shabu shabu place again, but don't think I'd come back here. The food wasn't amazing, but it wasn't bad either. The serving size did not fill me up at all and it cost about $20 (that's kinda pricy to me). But definitely a good place to eat for the cold winter we've been having in Boston!
(3)Lawrence H.
One of the best shabu shabu places on the East Coast, Shabu-Zen serves amazingly fresh and marbled meat for reasonable prices. I came the other night and ordered the seafood supreme as well as the two meat combo (lamb and beef). The meat's marbling was rich, weaving together fat and lean to create a sumptuous texture and flavor. Seafood was reasonably fresh (some of the items were still frozen, like the clams) and there was a good variety: squid, scallops, salmon, cod, clams, fish cake, and peeled prawns. Each entree comes with a vegetable plate containing shiitake mushrooms, napa cabbage, enoki mushroom, baby bok choy, carrot, corn, tomato, watercress, broccoli, and tofu. You also get a choice of noodle or rice (udon, vermicelli, or steamed jasmine rice). You can always order extras a la carte, and these can range from standard fare that comes with your entree to more interesting and adventurous additions. For instance, I regretably added beef brisket ($4) which was chewy and tough. An addition of sea bass ($10) was surprising when it came to the table, as it was Chilean seabass, not regular sea bass. It was still tender though, a Pyrrhic victory at the dining room table. Still, you cannot debate the freshness and perfection of the meats: sliced perfectly (neither too thin nor thick), marbled nicely, and served at the right temperature (too warm and they would collapse from curls into a mush on the platter, too cold and they're frozen). For shabu shabu, Shabu-Zen is my go to place.
(4)Joyce L.
Not to sound like a complete foodie or anything, but I was SO happy during my entire meal here. I usually don't really enjoy hotpot.. mostly because I am incredibly impatient and can't wait for the broth to boil and for the meat to cook (ridiculous, I know...) but this place made me a HOTPOT LOVER! Service: fine, no complaints Serving size: great Price: pretty affordable ($15-20 each) Broth: SPOT ON (if any complaints, wish the spicy broth was spicier. I'm sure if I asked for them to make it a bit spicier next time, they would) Shabu-zen has shown me that good things come to those who wait... 5 minutes for their broth to come to a boil :)
(5)Daniel H.
A spin off of the traditional Chinese hot pot where instead of a group of people sharing one large pot, individuals get their own small pot. The food are ordered via different types of combinations (lamb, beef, pork etc.). If that's not enough for you, additional food can be ordered in smaller sizes. What's nice about this place is the variety of broth that can be selected from tomato broth to Szechuan spicy broth to Korean Kimchi. However the sauce that accompanies the hot pot are a little bit lacking. You get four pre-made sauce plus a plate of soy sauce that undermines the creativity of what you can do with the food, since the whole point of hot pot is DIY which it involves. I wish there was a sauce station where customers could pick and choose what to add to their food. The meat portions seemed reasonable for $15-20 that you paid for and the vegetables appeared to be fresh. The tomato broth that I ordered was flavorful. The service was not worth mentioning, since you are doing the cooking. However they did mistook my order and brought beef instead of the pork and lamb that I ordered. Overall, a affordable and enjoyable place for anyone who wishes to try Shabu/hot pot for the first time.
(4)Al R.
We did not really know what to expect when going there. It's mostly a "hot pot" restaurant. Pick appetizers if you want, then select a broth, pick add-on flavorings (note:not needed!), pick main proteins...and then let the feast begin. The vegetables and meats were fresh and excellent quality. Delicious and fun!!!! We'll be back.
(5)Kimberly T.
When I first came here, I hated this place. I'm a regular at Hot Pot Buffet and coming here and looking at the portions, they're super small. But after giving it another try, I think I'm going to come here more often. My friend and I had the surf and turf combo with beef and we ordered another plate of beef, and that filled us up. The waiters/waitresses were super friendly but the hostess seemed a bit rude. Other than that, I would come here to avoid overeating as one would at Hot Pot Buffet. You can get a full meal here for a cheaper price than you would at Hot Pot Buffet if you order carefully.
(4)Dianne N.
It's alright. The broth was tasty. The meat, seafood and vegetables are pretty fresh but it's not super awesome. I love the individual hotpot though. More hygienic and manageable.
(3)Theodore T.
I like this restaurant for the atmosphere and the fresh meat and vegetables. Better types of broth can be found at other hot pot places, but Shabu Zen is definitely reliable and doesn't disappointment. I usually get two beef and a seafood plus udon, rice, and kimchi broth. I like sitting at the bar like setting, though if you're looking for a booth you need to have at least a couple people with you. Their vegetarian platter option is the best out of all the local hot pot places I've tried.
(4)Ben L.
Meh.... Nothing quite special here to me. Food: I had the Mongolian broth and it clearly said it was going to be spicy. As soon as I got it, I took a little sip and asked myself, is this a freaken joke? there red pepper flakes everywhere in this soup and it doesnt taste spicy at all and I have a sensitive tongue. No, it's not like it taste bad, but i expected something to really give it a kick but not even. just flavorful broth thats not really worth $5 to me at all. I prefer to skip over that and get the herbal. Probably most fresh thing i ever seen is the meats. I had the chicken, beef, and beef bonless ribs. Veggies look decent as well. Cant complain really much on it, tastes just fine and how it should be. Service: Quite good, I had a gentleman who was dealing with a bunch of girls I was with who couldnt decide what they want as if they want to jump off a cliff or not. Very smiley cheerful guy I had who served us everything we need. Bathroom: For chinatown, it's not bad, enough said who really looks into the bathroom anyways? Price: Not really worth it to me at all. I came with 4 other people, we dont eat that much and we only ordered 2 meals and very few a la carte. I swear, only ordering that, the bill should of been only around $40 dollars for the simple things we gotten. Nope, it turned out to be about $85, and the real damage was from their Mongolian "spicy" broth. 2 different hot pots, divided in half, $5 each = $20. Are you insane shabuzen? Im all set with this place. No I dont hate it, but I cannot come back if Im going to pay double of what I expected. I can really see most yelpers wont agree with me, but I've had hot pot my whole life and going to buffet places really give me a better satisfaction than a place like shabuzen. TASTE wise. If you have some money you're willing to spend and all, feel free to come here, but i prefer hot pot buffet if you're at entry level or in fact, all kinds. It just makes people damn happy.
(3)Christopher W.
Fast, simple , and accurate review for people who don't want to read a novel finding out if a place is good. Ordered: ( 2/3 stars) The lunch special from 11am-3pm is the best value! I ordered the A5 beef, which is the regular beef slices. for $7.50 you get a good sized plate of assorted veggies, and a good portion of beef. Will make you full. Excellent sauce combinations. I'm a regular. For the price, there is no other hot pot place in Boston that can beat this place. Service: (1/1 star) Good service. Cleanliness and parking (1/1 star) Big parking lot in front of the restaurant (must pay) or street parking availble I'm a regular here.
(4)Uge C.
If have been here twice, the first one was my first time ever having hot pot, and was an awesome experience. I should have tried it before, I thought while I was eating this super tasty food. We spent in the restaurant around 2 hours, you need time to cook the ingredients byyourself and to finish all the broth, so no rush and enjoy the meal!!! I loved the kimchi broth with lamb combination, the waiter was very helpful.
(5)Bill C.
Wow - my wife and I tried this place based on the reviews here on Yelp and some other sites and were very impressed. It's not fancy, but the atmosphere is clean and nice. The individual hot pots are a great idea because each person can customize the broth to their liking. So, my wife got something to compliment her seafood platter (a huge array of salmon, flounder, octopus, clams, shrimp and such) while I got a really good Szechuan broth for my beef platter. The only drawback was that my wife ordered a sashimi appetizer before the hot pot and will skip that next time. She said it was kind of fishy and wasn't the best quality of yellowfin. However, the cooked seafood made up for it. We'll be back.
(4)Julia K.
Hands down the most affordable and high quality hot pot restaurant in Chinatown. You really can't beat 1 meat, variety of veggies, noodle, & cold red bean dessert soup for $12-$15 based on type of protein selected. Also the service is very good; all of the servers are attentive and bring out requested items very quickly. The smoothies/slushies are also very good. This was my go to for a fresh watermelon smoothie with no added sugar until Tea Do came around just a couple of shops down from this restaurant.
(5)Dedania M.
Compared to my last review, the service was a bit better. The place wasn't packed so we were quickly seated and greeted by a cute waitress then followed by a male afterwards. We ordered oysters, lamb combo, chicken combo, and takoyaki. Hands down, the lamb was so yummy. The chicken was a bit drying but you can't expect much out of chicken and how long you put it in the pot. The takoyaki was so delicious and I honestly wanted to order more but I'll be an irresponsible spender for my love for takoyaki. Friend thought the oysters were too pricey and weren't as fresh as he wanted; lame. This isn't my favorite place to hot pot but it's a convenient location.
(3)Thuy T.
Who wants bug soup?! I found 3 of them in my pot. They took $5 off the bill. I asked for another discount and they gave me another 10%off. The service was quite disappointing
(1)Angelica O.
The staff are wonderful, Jenny an adorable server there is amazing! She is very attentive and always makes sure I'm taken care of! The hostess there Cindy is also awesome she always helps out the guests and explains the menu items!! Not to mention the prices are great! The food is pretty darn delicious! Only critic is the cleanliness of the the bathroom which is like any other place in china town lol! Overall great steal if you happen to be in town :)
(5)Xia L.
I love going to Shabu Zen! This place is definitely better than going to that dirty hot pot buffet place. I rather pay more than to have worms in my food! Plus this restaurant is decorated beautifully. You get cozy seats. You can't beat it. My friend and I came around 6pmish for dinner time. We ordered half miso soup and half maylasian spice (my throat was burning). We also got the usual-beef,lamb, and of course you cannot forget the seafood! Everything comes with a platter of veggies and your choice of noodles. Our waitress was extremely friendly. She refilled our tea/water serveral times throughout our meal. I believe their customer service has turned up a notch! I will be back here for sure! Oh i forgot we also ordered fried oysters for appetizers! These were delicious.
(4)Isabella C.
I came here on a Saturday night and they were a bit crowded. We'd called in the afternoon trying to reserve, but they told us that they didn't take reservations. (They did, however, put our names down on their waiting list... This was ridiculously vague as we weren't sure whether it meant we were essentially waiting for a table before getting there. Turns out that it meant nothing as we still had a 30 minute wait once we got there and put ourselves down on the list again.) Other than the long wait and the confusing reservation process, I thought the restaurant was not bad. The seating was decently comfortable though our table for seven was spread across two tables for four and the two tables were not properly aligned with one another. I was expecting the place to have one hotpot stove for each person but it turned out to be one per table for four. This meant a bit of compromising and work on our part to make sure the soup base choices worked out. Each hot pot dish included vegetables and tofu or meat, depending on what each person ordered. I thought that the vegetables offerings were quite fresh and varied, with baby bok choy and cabbage, amongst others. I was disappointed that there was no egg, but everything else seemed sufficient. Some members of my party found the meat to be lacking in quantity while others seemed satisfied. I would say that overall the pricing felt a bit high but it was still a fun hot pot experience.
(3)Katie K.
Top quality meat. Great selection of veggies. The broth was insanely delicious by the end of it all! Good service too. We really enjoyed this place.
(5)Marissa A.
Great place for hot pot. They won't seat you until your full party has arrived. Our server was attentive and helped us with our choices. We were a party of three and we ordered the surf and turf (surf is comprised of calamari, salmon, fish cake, white fish, scallops, maybe something else I'm missing and the turf is either lamb, chicken or pork - we chose lamb). Because we were all hungry, we ordered the meat platter as well, chicken and pork. For broths we chose vegetarian (free) and szechuan ($3). If it's a cold day and you're feeling down in the dumps about winter, this is the best cure. The final result is a delicious soup with a wide array of choices. Each bowl you scoop is a new surprise. Sure you'll leave smelling like hot pot, but your full belly keep you happy.
(4)Minnie M.
I love this place so very much, for 8 years I've gone every time I'm in Boston. For $16, you can get your choice of broth ($3 extra if you get the sichuan broth which is worth it), veggies, a meat platter of both chicken and beef (or any other combo of meat/veggie/seafoood, your choice of noodles or rice, and satay sauce and soy sauce. I'm obsessed with tofu, so I get the assorted tofu for $4 extra. If you want dessert, get the coconut sorbet afterwards! It's easy getting a spot if you're a solo diner or you go at 6, but if you have a large party you may have to wait. I prefer the individual hot pots at the bar.
(4)Leah H.
It's been ages since we had Shabu Shabu so we thought we'd give Shabu-Zen a try. We arrived around 8pm on a Saturday and could see quite a few people waiting in the lobby and on the steps up to the restaurant. We hit a local bar and went back around 9:30pm and only had to wait 5-10 minutes. We sat at the counter/bar. I love that you get your own little hot pot so you can season it accordingly. We got the top beef option (I got regular - husband got jumbo) and I added the assorted mushrooms. Our waiter (super friendly and helpful - Hui) recommended the Vegetable broth. You can make it spicy for a few dollars more but why bother when you get a great little chili sauce brought to you - spice to taste! Beef was delicious, assorted mushrooms were a great add (if you're a mushroom fan), really excellent dinner. Highly recommend if you're looking for a great night out.
(5)Janet H.
Pretty solid shabu shabu. There are so many options here but I recommend the tom yum soup and the szechuan soup. Be careful, they can both be pretty spicy! The broth is pretty flavorful on its own. I kept forgetting to dip my veggies and meat in the sauces. Among the four of us, we ordered 2 entrees (seafood platter and beef) and 1 side (takoyaki). Portions were pretty small... so we all went down the street to eat some buns to fill ourselves up. Haha. Total cost was ~$15/person. Not too bad. I'd give this place a 3.5... food wasn't memorable. But wasn't bad either...
(4)Ashley N.
I haven't tried other hot pot places in Boston, and probably will not because I do like this place! The prices are reasonable and the food is fantastic. They seated a group of 7 and we ordered lots of meats/seafood/vegetables. The broth was amazing. I like how they gave us choices of which broths we could choose from. There were plenty of food options for everyone and we all left with happy tummies. We went for a friend's birthday and yay! they let us bring outside dessert in! They even let us refrigerate the cake. They brought out the cake and allowed us to use their plates/spoons. I take note of this, because other American places wanted to charge us. So yay super plus! Service was also great and overall enjoyed the food.
(5)Chase S.
Hot pot with affordable prices, plenty of variety, and good ventilation -- BINGO! This is a delightful place with late hours that I frequent heavily. The portions for price are great -- surf and turf could easily feed two people (or one large. Ahem). The additional "add-ons" for between 2-3 dollars are worth it. I recommend the tofu skin and tripe. It works great for groups as you can order a couple of things for the table. If you do bring a group, make sure it's before the 7pm rush on the weekend as you'll find yourself waiting a while. The Saki list is decent and the juices with pulp or pearls added are fun. The servers can get a little busy but flagging anyone down is the norm and easily garners attention -- often the waiters will get/do what you need even if it's not your waiter which is nice (i.e. turn up/down heat of the hot pots, refill drinks, order more, etc). Next level rec: trial some different broths! As I mentioned at the top, you don't come out reeking of hot pot. Hot pot lovers know what I'm talking about--the ventilation is very good here. Mind you, I did not say you will not smell of hot pot, but it won't be cause for immediate shower upon returning home.
(5)Michael B.
Best hot pot. Friendly staff. Great food. Came here for a day trip. Planned on going to Windsor dim sum. Two doors down. Saw the hot pot sign and changed my mind right there. Good thing I made that choice.
(5)Ching S.
I love this place! It is my Hot Pot to go place while in Boston. The beef and vegetables are always fresh. The broths are delicious as well. I've only tried the Kimchi (my fav) and the Chinese Spicy (Szechuan style). The portions are just perfect. The place always satisfies my cravings and I always leaving feeling very satisfied.
(5)Katalyst S.
This was a nice surprise. The waiter was very helpful and we ordered A LOT of food. Somehow it was so good that I think I could've kept eating. We got seated right away and I liked that the restaurant was raised above street level. This was just a good way to start the afternoon. I'll definitely be coming back!
(5)XB S.
Great place! Service was awesome, staff were friendly. Food was good!!! This will be my to go place whenever I'm in Boston!
(4)Naomi C.
I've been craving for a really traditional, classic, Taiwanese shabu shabu for so long. This one is really awesome that the flavor so close to Taiwan and solve my home sick. Even I live in LA for one year I've never tried that good shabu shabu as this place. The vegetable plate is not as big as those in Taiwan and there is not of fish cake. But the soup flavor and the smell you walk in is really similar with 錢都 (Taiwanese definitely know what I'm talking about.) Anyway, it totally can be a reason I come to Boston again. Taiwanese people come and give it a try!!!
(5)Mike P.
Absolutely amazing food and service!! I had the Mongolian spicy broth with chicken and beef. Others in my party had the miso broth and a tomato broth. All were excellent. Come hungry!!
(5)Nanci C.
The customer service here is just terrible. I guess that's just the way it is in many Asian businesses. Very rude and the portions are small. You wouldn't be full when you spent $90+ on your table. The soup is watered down and it's not the soup they will boil for hours to bring out the flavors. They're like any other Shabu restaurants out there that uses paste to make their soup. If you order seafood, they will just spray some water on it to make the appearance look fresh. They do it in all these Shabu restaurant. Once I've found a pubic hair on our plate. It was disgusting and we brought it back to them. All they did was rinsed the plate with seafood and the waitress brought it back with lots of water on the plate. I guess the man in the kitchen didn't clean his hands after he used the restroom. If you want legit hot pot experience, you should try it whenever you get a chance to visit China. Many Japanese took a lot of Chinese culture and food and name it their own. But at least make it better instead of worse. Thank you for such terrible customer service experience. I will never go back to this place and wouldn't recommend. Too bad there wasn't Yelp when I first went to this place.
(1)Diane M.
There were plenty of tables open yet it still took a while for them to seat us.. we had the regular miso and tom yum soup base, it was decent. Not really a big fan of the dipping sauce, but overall experience was okay
(3)Kacee E.
Yay! Gluten-free soy sauce and rice vermicelli! Also all delicious seafood options if you're a veggie conscious person. Love love love
(5)Shaye R.
This is my favorite hot pot place in Boston. I have come here many times and introduced many people to it and it has always been a hit! It's wonderful at the end of a cold winter day and between the meat, the GIANT plate of veggies and the bowl of rice or noodles, I always leave full and warm. They have a really diverse menu, with several different meats and little side dishes (meat balls, wontons, dumplings) to add into the broth. I do think the broths are what makes this place. The standard pork broth is fine, but I find the spicy broths really add a lot to the meal. My favorite is the Mongolian. I usually have to ask the servers to make it spicier to suit my taste, but they are always really nice about it. As far as the service goes, they tend to leave you alone for the most part, something I actually prefer. The whole essence of hot pot is do-it-yourself, so I don't mind a server setting me up, silently adjusting the heat of my hot plate if it gets too high or too low, and otherwise leaving me be unless I flag them down. One thing I will note is that I find the cheapest cuts of meat work best with this kind of meal. I once "splurged" for the USDA Choice Rib Eye Beef over the standard $14 plate of beef, and I didn't find it as tasty.
(4)David N.
After having many meals of american seafood, my gf was ready for some Asian food. With the cold weather of Boston, hot pot sounded like a great idea! We have hot pot in Houston, but it's just not the same when it's 90 degrees outside eating hot pot and 30 outside and warming up to hot pot. This place has both group table hot pots and individualized hot pots. There was only 1 place in Houston that has the individual pots so we opted for that route. I actually like this method better, because you get your OWN pot. Yes, it's great to share, but sometimes you cook a certain item and it ends up missing because your friend ate it. The only person you can blame is yourself. I had the Thai style broth, which was just OK, but my gf had the Korean Kim Chi styled soup broth and that thing was delicious. In this case I cooked everything in my pot but I stole her broth to sip on.
(4)Teresa C.
First time here and tried the Mongolian broth. Tasty even after the water refills. It's not spicy and is salty in a good way. I chose the udon and was happy with it for it was super good with the broth. I had the surf and turf with lamb (didn't taste too gamey). My bf had the herbal Chinese broth with the deluxe meat combo which he thoroughly enjoyed. We ordered meatball samplers o the side. I liked the pink and beef balls as they were super tasty and was different because of the meat inside. I would recommend this to anyone looking for shabu shabu for the first time or comfort :D.
(5)Manisha M.
My favorite shabu place! I have been coming here for years and I have never had a bad service and the food is always great! If you like spicy broth, I would highly recommend the "Chinese schezuan". It's a little oily as it is but you can ask for less oil. If you are a hookah fab, the hit or miss Nile lounge is next door!
(5)Kalypso C.
Great hot pots. Takoyaki was ok but everything else was fantastic. Great atmosphere and nice servers!
(5)Matin P.
My first time trying a Japanese restaurant where you cook it yourself and I must say I'm impressed, the food was very delicious, had the prime short ribs with the Mongolian broth and egg noodles! Loved the combination and the waiter was kind enough to explain exactly how to mix everything and how to cook it to get the best flavor and experience! Also had the mochi ice cream they had, I only recommend the mango and the strawberry! Definitely go here if you're looking for a different type of restaurant experience ! Def 5 star!
(5)Greg S.
My general rule of thumb for Chinatown is 'don't eat anywhere a friend does not recommend'. So Naturally this was a place I was taken to... It is by far the best hotpot experience I have had to date. They are fast and don't skimp on the veggies, and the staff will help you figure things out if you need it (from ordering to how to cook your veggies). I say sit at the counter so you can get your own broth, which is something I don't see in a lot of places. So consider this a recommendation from a friend.
(4)Denise M.
Updating my review after visiting 3 times in the month of December. I describe this place as an eating experience, not just a delivery service. It's one of my favorite place to go out to eat. Fresh vegetables and meat selections. I'm pretty much addicted to the Mongolian broth. I didn't realize the base; chicken, pork or vegetarian is the beginning. I had a group event here an mike the amazing man explaining in detail the entire menu, the process and cook times. It's not everyone's Japanese cup of tea but it turns my cup round multiple times. It's simple but a nice cooking experience. Fun and healthy!!!
(5)Justin B.
The owner has become cheap, they no longer serve fresh chili peppers, but hot chili oil. At least offer it on the menu. (I don't mind paying for it even though it used to be free).
(1)Helen L.
We stumbled into this place with no idea how to eat it. They were very nice and tried to be helpful in answering our bumpkin questions. We're still not sure if we did it right, thoughts. We know the end result was a delicious, fun meal that I'd love to try again after I YouTube what's really supposed to happen! The kimchi broth was amazing and the gyoza was the best I've ever had.
(4)Shirley Y.
This used to be my go to shabu restaurant in chinatown. The service is good, the kimchi broth is delicious and the veggies are always fresh. However, their meat cuts quality have seriously gone down. I always order boneless short rib and couldnt believe when the order came out. It was thin slivers of meat on the plate, less than half of my friend's beef order and nothing like the short rib I usually get. My waitress offered to send it back but then came back with the same plate because the kitchen refused to open a new package of meat. She explained that it depends which part of meat they cut from. I dont get why it was the same price, if the pieces will be small, add more or change the price to compensate. It will be a long while before I will come back here.
(2)G U.
Ate the vegetarian and chicken hot pot. Food was alright. We would say this is not the best shabu shabu in town. But its nice that you can get individual pots if you're sitting at the bar.
(2)Addie M.
I adore this place. There are a few hot pot joints I've tried out- but this specific location in China town, is a must must must! The first time I ever popped in was 2010- it's been a favorite gem ever sense. The woman at the front desk used to always greet us with a hug when we came in. It's a great socializing place- and a good place for a first date ;) The one in brighton comes close- but the tyler street location will always be the best! The service is always spot on,the food is fresh and scrumptious and the price, in my opinion is perfect. Please open one in the Chelmsford/Billerica area!
(5)Carmen K.
This was our first time and we truly enjoyed it. The meal was so fresh. My husband and I enjoyed it. We are from PA but the next time we come to Boston we will be back to Shaba Zen.
(5)Mindy M.
I've been here twice now and will always come back when in Boston. I'm still perfecting the art of eating this meal without making a mess of the placemat. Can't wait to practice again soon.
(4)Robert Y.
3.5 chinese run japanese restaurant in Boston Chinatown. I 've had better hot pot in bay area but for boston not bad. The meat quality was surprisingly average with fresh veggies and decent variety of broth. The prices for a la carte are fair. Overall I wasn't disappointed since I had low expectations to begin with. A decent option in Boston Chinatown.
(4)Lotus R.
Good value for lunch.clean place with good service. The base of hot pot soup was pretty good. Will probably go there again if in the area again. The size was perfect for us.
(3)Victoria H.
I went to this place with some of my friends last summer. The place was a decent size. Nothing too big or too small, it was just righr.the service was nice, but they were very quick to deliver our Meats and vegetables for our broth. Which was very good. Their meats and seafood, had a very fresh taste to it. their meat was nice and it melted I'm my mouth. But the real star of the meal, was non other than the terrific broth. I had a minso broth to cook my meat and seafood. They were amazing. However, I'm not a big fan of the desserts. By the time me and my friends were done eating, we were full and pleases. I would definitely come back for their food, but not so much for their dessert.
(4)Diana W.
Delicious shabu! I ordered the lamb and tomyum soup, which was good. Standard soup base is actually nothing, so make sure to add extra money flavoring to your soup! Comes with free dessert too !!! One of my friends left early and the people let us have her dessert. I would say that is great service!
(5)Buddy T.
Best Shabu place ever. If you have to choose with other shabu place, come to this restaurant. It is very nice and the food is great.
(5)Tin P.
Ok... Shabu-Zen... Ok... Can you stop? Urghhh.... So good! Stop! Yes, it is what it feels like at this place. Food-orgasm. So delectable, so delicious. I actually rated Shabu-Zen a 4.5 stars cause of the long-wait and the little pricey. But let forget about all those pain, shall we move to the good stuffs? We came in as a group of 4. It was snowing hard in Boston so it is definitely a great idea to eat Hot Pot. We ordered: The Seafood Combo, Jumbo Beef (4 times), and the Deluxe Beef Combo (1 times). Shabu Grading Rubric: Dipping Sauce: Like they called it: Zen-dipping sauce. Just simple Amazing, it is a mix of ponzu sauce with secret paste, mince garlic, and scallion. So so good, it is good just eating itself. The Broth: 2 kinds of basic sauce: pork and vegetable broth. Then you can added the flavor you like. We had: Korean Kimchi, Chinese Herbal, and Mongolian, medium Spicy. The broth came out quick and did i mention that you can have 3 choices of broths? Even better!! The sauce is simply delectable. Vegetable: As Fresh as you can get for the vegetable. It has all the components of the vegetable required for the wonderful Shabu Experience. Well the udon is not really good but who care about Udon. i can care much much less about Udon. Fresh and variety of vegetable. Excelente! Now The Meat: Oh My God! So high quality, so so good. Best beef you can get on earth. Now that I am talking about normal Jumbo Beef. You know what a Deluxe Beef Combo (Short rib and Rib Eye) taste like? Heaven on earth. Dip in for 20 sec, and the piece just exploded in my mouth. So Delicious. Oh man! I never have this wonderful Shabu experience. I definitely went to many good Shabu but not a Zen leveled like Shabu-Zen. You guys did a wonderful job. I can all care less about long wait, pricey tag, and skinny udon. 5 STARS!
(5)Arthur C.
I love how cheap the sides are here! Shabu-zen is well priced and a great fun place to dine! Great service, great atmosphere, and above all, great food! I ordered a main (Pork with house pork soup) which already comes with your choice of noodles and a plate of veges and tofu, and then split a few extra mains with a friend: I'm a big fan of taro, enoki mushroom and tempura tofu. We paid around $20 each including tip which I thought was a pretty good deal! Don't be afraid to ask if you want the heat on your hotpot turned up or down to cook/eat/boil slower or faster!
(4)Be E.
Shabu-Zen is definitely my favorite hot pot place in Boston. When you are doing hot pot, you are looking for the experience as well as the food. It's a great hangout place. There is a lot of seating, but the place fills up quickly, so get there early, especially if you're in a large group. Service is friendly, not overly friendly, but fine. They are there to simply bring drinks, turn on your pots, and bring the food. They do, however, go the extra step of asking if you've done hot pot before (something not done at other hot pot restaurants I've been to). I always come in a large group and order plates of seafood, veggie, and meats. All food is very fresh and tasty. For the vegetarians, or veggie lovers - vegetable plates are large and have a ton of variety which is great!
(5)Eduardo N.
Actual food was so-so, not great, not terrible. Just interestingly presented and endlessly self-customizable on the spot. All about the visuals really, and getting REALLY REALLY involved in your meal's preparation. The other reviews have already detailed the how part of it, so I'll just supply my opinion of the "what." This was a nice visit, service was ok, people watching was good, the place is interesting and lively. But for the money you pay and the food you actually put in your belly? Meh. More gimmicky than anything, in my estimation. It's not crazy expensive by any means, but in Chinatown you can get a lot more food for the same money and not have to lift a finger to prepare any of it in any way! So, cheap slackers like me, are better off going elsewhere nearby, methinks.
(3)Manuel V.
Came here because of the Yelp reviews. Never been to a Shabu-shabu place before, great first time experience, our waitress was more than happy to explain and demonstrate how to Shabu works, great service and delicious food. Started with the assorted carpaccio and had the surf and turf with the szechuan broth. The seafood carpaccio was incredible and the szechuan broth was perfect, really liked the place, the food and the service, definetly will be back when I visit Boston.
(5)Peter A.
I've always been a fan of hot pot. My first Japanese hot pot experience was here at Shabu Zen actually. This place is always busy, so expect to wait 10-15 minutes when you step foot inside the door. The prices are very affordable for hotpot, and you can always split it up with your friends, so it's not too costly. I always get the beef broth, and veggie delight, and the vegetables are always fresh. Definitely give place a try when you come to Chinatown in Boston!
(4)Anum I.
We ordered supreme seafood as we have kosher like dietary requirements.. It was alright. The vegetables didn't have as much variety (tomato, a few sprouts, lettuce, one carrot slice, one mushroom.. Etc).. But the sauces were really tasty! We he ordered kimchee and spicy Chinese broths.. Both were nice. The spicy Chinese broth had the right amount of zen peppers which tasted good.
(3)颖瑶
Food is good, which I prefer the seafood combo. My favorite is the dessert part- green tea ice cream. Then that's it!
(4)Andrew H.
Great little find. Individualized spots at the bar make it an awesome stop for lunch. The Mongolian broth was very flavorful, the meat was delicious and the service prompt and polite.
(4)Victoria W.
Loved this place until tonight. Poorly managed and rude staff. Arrogant waiter was goofing around, eating on the job,and while joking with coworkers started laughing and spit out food in front of us and on our food. Appalling. When asked to be more professional, he replied that I should "calm the f*** down." I complained immediately to the young girls at the desk, but they were essentially powerless and lost, explaining that "he had a temper." Just appalling. Go elsewhere. Zero stars.
(1)Kimberly Y.
Hubby and I came here late on a weeknight. Itwas packed and there was a line. Luckily they had 2 place settings left in the wrap around bar so we were seated right away. Service was OK. We had several waiters come help/serve us and about half way through our meal it seemed that our main server left and another took her place. No one told us of the change and I found this confusing on who we should wave down when we needed anything. Anyway, onto what's important; the food! The broths were good. I got kimchee and hubby got the plain. We ordered beef and pork and got a ton of veggies. Even though everything was fresh and tasted good, I still prefer Kaze a little further down the street for the ambience and service.
(3)Amber X.
I ordered Vegetable delight combo, it is a large portion. The place is very clean, and the friendly staff too. Good for people in group or solo. Appetizers are fair.
(4)Jonathan H.
This place knows how to do hot pot well! We got the jumbo prime grade beef combo ($18) along with 5-6 a la carte dishes (~$3-4 each). The beef beautifully marbled, and the jumbo size was almost too much for the two of us. Great meat, yummy sauce, good spicy broth... my stomach feels all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it :) The service here is great as well. One of the servers goes above and beyond by doing small things like rotating our meat plate when we had eaten all the pieces of meat closest to us. Everyone we interacted with was polite and responded quickly to our requests for more water, broth, etc. Also, the watermelon smoothie ($4) we got was delicious! My only complaint is that the udon noodles weren't really udon. They were a softer, flat noodle that didn't hold up well to cooking in the broth. I would have preferred they didn't advertise it as udon on the menu, because had I known it wasn't, I would have gotten vermicelli instead. Overall, though, this was a minor blip in an otherwise fantastic and delicious experience. I highly recommend Shabu-Zen, and look forward to going back myself!
(5)Paul Y.
The wait was so long- oh my god four times I almost abandoned hope. I could have completed a degree from Harvard in the time before I was seated. However, that was really not a knock against these guys; they are popular because they are a quality restaurant. However, all in all, this is a solid, if uninspiring hot pot spot. Maybe its because I have to compare against family gatherings, but there was nothing remarkable about Shabu-Zen. The meat was decently priced (obviously more than if you just bought some at the supermarket) and the broth was unfortunately, insufficiently spicy (rectified with ample hot sauce). I do recommend the vermicelli as well as the lamb though. However, I think hot pot just makes for happy meals and happy people, and I think it is definitely worth a visit. It is not gastronomic nirvana, but it is a solid place to have a social and interactive meal
(4)Dandan Z.
I liked it because I basically like all the hot pot if not too bad. I ordered kimchi pot and I think it was delicious. Definitely will go again even tho it's little pricy.
(4)DDD D.
Discovered this place with my daughter a few years ago, yikes 11 years ago, she was 14. I go there at least 3 times a month. I bring friends, family, and they all love the entire experience. The food is very fresh, the broths are all delicious, and the beer is cold, the sake hot. Once in a while the service gets bad when the staff is having employee meal and they forget about you. Otherwise the food is 5 star.
(4)Kriti J.
This is my favorite shabu of all time. I've been to other shabu places but this is my number one on the list.
(5)Hang P.
I was craving hotpot so badly, I came to Shabu Zen, and was definitely satisfied. My friend and I came around 8pm, and it was decently packed on a Wednesday night. We were immediately greeted/seated by the hostess, and sat in the middle of the restaurant with the individual pots. I never had my own pot before, so I thought this was pretty cool to experience. We had a male waiter, he was very nice and quite accommodating (refilling water, asking how we are doing, etc). For chinatown, that's quite amazing! My friend and I both ordered the beef combo, comes with assortment of veggies & side of your choice, I chose udon. I LOVE thin udon, and this place had it! Already hooked. I got the Tom Yum broth, and it was the BEST Tom Yum broth I've ever had at hotpot! Tangy and spicy, WOO! The beef was also bomb. In all, the service and food was awesome. I see myself coming back often for some bomb diggity hotpot.
(5)Yoki L.
Best Shabu!!! Seafood is good. However I won't have chicken next time. Warm and nice service. Compared to some other restaurants in Chinatown. This one is much more clean.
(5)Ariel Z.
Love love love! It's hard to find a decent place for hot pot, and even though this is Japanese style, it is the best I've found in the area. Savvy hot pot goers already know the drill: choose one or two different broths (my fave: spicy), meats, veggies, etc. The rest is pretty straight forward...like placing all the "tough" items, such as radish, lotus root, carrots, etc. first into the broth. Towards the end of the meal, these will be soft and ready to eat. The thinly-cut meat and veggies tend to cook quicker, so those can be pretty much gobbled up right away. Once each item is cooked all the way, you can dip these into a bowl of sauce that they provide for each person. I like to add vinegar and red chili to mine. Just be careful not to burn your tongue, since the mushrooms and bokchoy in particular take the form of searing lava if you're not paying attention. The reason why I like the hot pot here so much is because the broth is actually flavorful, unlike Hot Pot Buffet. You also aren't charged extra for not finishing your items or going over your "time limit" (again, unlike Hot Pot Buffet). Highly recommended for those long, cold winter months. You know I will be there...in fact, I am already here ;p
(4)Ben S.
Of the hot pot restaurants in Boston, there really isn't a more surefire crowd pleaser. The broths are all great (I usually go for the kimchi) and the combo plates are just the right amount of food for just the right price. I'd consider Shabu-Zen to be hot pot "easy mode," as it's much less confusing to any newcomer than the more a la carte hot pot restaurants in chinatown. If you're new to the game, you couldn't possibly find a better starting point.
(5)Elleen P.
I came here on a cold early afternoon with two of my friends for some nice warm hot pot for lunch, and I must say that this place fulfilled our expectations. Although it wasn't anything amazing, it sure felt good in below freezing weather. I got the short rib, my friend got the thin beef one (can't remember the exact name), and my other friend got the surf & turf. We also shared two soup bases -- one mongolian and one pork. The pork base tasted a little bland, but the mongolian one was pretty good. Just enough spice for a little kick, but not too unbearably spicy. In my opinion, the surf & turf is a really good deal -- for $17, you get the same portion of thin beef plus a good amount of seafood. Our server was pretty nice as well -- since it was our first time here, he explained what people normally ordered and gave us recommendations without trying to make us pay more for different add-ons. Overall, I'd say I had a pretty good experience here. The only thing was that it was a little pricey compared to other places in Chinatown, but I think the food quality was pretty good so it was worth it. :)
(4)Samrat P.
Good fresh and fast shabu place. Heavily recommended. Big drink selection as well as meat and broth selection. All meals come with great side sauces and fresh crunchy veggies.
(4)Lihua R.
Great food!
(5)Jenny S.
more like CHINESE HOT POT even though they advertise "Japanese shabu" NOTE: you can split the hot pot 3 ways & if you want to try 3 diff soups or levels of spicy! ---tom yum hot pot mild spicy ---tom yum hot pot medium spicy: perhaps my favorite!! ---kimchi hot pot: tasted more like miso than kimchi ---rib eye: liked the thinness & quality of the beef!! ---short rib: also enjoyed the fattier taste of this beef! ---complimentary kimchi for the table ---free red bean soup dessert: tasted too much like barley ---each order comes w/ lots of veggies & either rice/udon/vermicelli noodles! mix your own sauces w/ the ingredients provided at the table to ADD more flavor after cooking!! the restaurant gets CROWDED so come early or put your name down & come back (we missed our name being called but they still seated us next when we returned)
(4)Clint S.
Its been about 4 years since I came here and nothing has changed, this is still one of the best hot pot restaurants I've been to. Broth is flavorful, meat is good, smoothies will never be forgotten, and prices are affordable. Almost everything you want in a hot pot restaurant worth traveling for.
(5)Delvin S.
This shabu lacks of costumer service and the food is not bad but it's not the best compared to the other location in Allston. I would of prefer my server to actually asked me if I needed anything between my meal but I guess they prefer to talk to each other and take their time. I'm not gonna lie, 25 dollars for 2 people is the ideal price for meal if you get there before 3 oclock. Over all the food gets a 7/10 and the service gets a 4/10.
(2)Michelle Y.
I don't get the hype of this place. 2.5 stars at most. I've had waaaaay better Shabu in California at various places and also in Hawaii. I could eat shabu 2-3 times a week if I didn't travel so much. This is the only shabu place I have ever been to that serves such small portions of their "fresh veggie plate". I got 4 small Bok Choy, maybe 5 slices of Napa cabbage, 2 small pieces of tofu, a small slice of tomato, a 2.5 inch piece of corn on the cob, and some enoki mushrooms. Every shabu restaurant I've been to provides at least 2-4 times of this with plenty of Napa cabbage and spinach. Shabu Zen gives you soy sauce as sauce and little tiny plates to mix your own sauce. A poor selection of green onions, garlic, red peppers, and Chinese bbq sauce. Traditional shabu places give you 2 sauces: sesame sauce (for meat) and ponzu sauce (for vegetables). And usually provide an unlimited use of green onions, daikon, and garlic to mix into your sauce. The meat I ordered was the priciest on the menu. USDA prime rib of beef or whatever. $20 for 10-12 slices. Beef slices were sliced nicely thin and good sized. However, it was dry and gross. Maybe the chef just kept slicing and gave me something else (choice beef) but it was not the quality of meat that I would ever eat again! Rice was dry! I got the bottom of the pot. I had a few bites of crusty, hard rice. Gross. I really wanted to like this place because I loooooveeee eating shabu and I was excited about all the reviews. But this place had bad quality meat, poor veggie plate, and bad sauce. 2 stars for food 3.5 stars for service - my server nice and it wasn't busy. I would never eat here again because of the meat and the sauce. Thumbs down on shabu for Boston. :(
(2)Justin B.
My first experience with Hot Pot. It was refreshing. I try to stay away from chain restaurants and Americanized versions of ethnic foods so this was not one of those. The food was awesome. Location is convenient and not to far from the orange line. Service was great. I will be there this weekend with friends whom I have been bragging to about this place. Cant wait!
(5)Kahlia A.
This place is awesome! I love the sechuan broth with USDA prime beef! Really recommended in cold weather!
(5)Meghan F.
Loved this place! Staff was friendly and attentive. We had the hot pot with miso broth and Mongolian broth. chicken, pork, and the best....Japanese Kobe! It was authentic and delicious! Very flavorful and fresh! Our kids can't wait to go back!
(4)Kim W.
what an enjoyable experience. The pork was awesome! The vegetables fresh and the atmosphere incredible. We decided to each do our own hot pot and liked being able to share and cook to our liking. Will go back. My daughter and I ordered the surf and turf. We both love it!
(4)Danisha J.
My first time here. We ordered the beef and spicy Mongolian broth. Wow! De-lic-ious!!! My six year old (her broth was not spicy) says she wants to eat here everyday! What a wonderful experience.
(5)Minju K.
I would definitely recommend this place for hot soup and fresh veggies & meat. I love eating asian hot pot when it's cold out. Great food for affordable cost!
(5)Claude F.
BEST HOT POT IN BOSTON!!!! Here is why: Number 1: The price. Lets face it folks! With Rents skyrocketing in the Boston area due to the corrupt relationship between City Hall and the real-estate people (The Realtors agree to pay the ridiculous property taxes and in exchange the City looks the other way to predatory behaviors of landlords towards tenants) we can all use a break. And Shabu-Zen delivers that break in a BIG way!!! Finest USDA Prime Rib Eye of Beef - $19, Top Grade Black Angus - USDA Choice Rib Eye Beef - $17, Boneless Short Rib Beef - $17, Selected Sirloin Beef - $15, Pork - $11, Chicken - $11, Lamb $12!!! And even better: SEAFOOD PLATE: Scallops, prawn, salmon, cod, squid, clam, and fish cake - $17!!!! ALL AT REALLY GENEROUS PORTIONS!!!!! And most of the Broths for the hot pot are complementary!!! (that means Free to those of you who went to a Southern university) And for Dessert: Mochi Ice Cream for $2.50!!!! When was the last time you got a great dessert at a nice restaurant for under 3 dollars?...yeah...I did not think so. Number 2: Quality of the food. 5 STARS ALL AROUND!!! Totally agree with my fellow Elite Yelpers Clara L and Jason J who wrote that the food is entirely "Delicious!" (Note: I think they are secretly dating by the way. Notice they always review the same restaurants at the same times....hmmmmm) The Quality and freshness of the food here is OUTSTANDING!!!! Normally in Boston "You get what you pay for!" Here you get much much more! Its really the same hot pot quality as Little Q but at bigger portions and half the price. EVERYTHING we ordered was DELECTABLE!!!! Number 3: The Service. They were just so friendly and nice. I came here with a party of 8 (even though I only had reservations for 5...since my friend Tong joined us with her drinking buddies at the last minute) and they totally were able to accommodate us no problem. I thought they were VERY fast, quick to bring us new waters, quick to answer questions and just overall: a 5 star wait staff....unlike the arrogant pricks at little Q (Slasher review to follow). However...1 star off of a well deserved 5 stars for an incident that happened there. One of my party of 8 was my good friend Tong. Tong, like most international students at BC, has a serious drinking problem. As we are walking in I notice Tong is trying to sneak in a Bottle of JÄGERMEISTER (as she has attempted so many times at so many places in the past). I think to my self: "Okay, No Problem. They will just take it away from her like the wait staff at every other restaurant I have taken her to has done. But Nooooo...they did not! (I think they were just too nice) So as we ate the delicious Hot Pot, Tong Drank half the bottle of JÄGERMEISTER...Then the other Half...Then got really drunk...Then the wait staff very politely asked to leave...Then Tong started flashing people on the whole Green line ride back to Brighton (to the utter delight of the men on the train who cheered so loud, as they were taking pictures and making videos, that it hurt my hearing) Ugh!!! But other then that unfortunate occurrence...I highly recommend Shabu-Zen!!! I would just say to the wait staff: Frisk any BC students coming in from now on. Tips on coming here: A. If you have never had Hot Pot before and think General Chao's chicken is authentic East Asian cuisine like a very white friend I brought (see photo) You may find some of the stuff on the seafood platter to be a bit odd. So Stick with the beef to play it safe. B. Take the MBTA (just not with a drunk girl) Finding parking in this part of chinatown is like being attacked by a great white shark and big foot on the same day. Its just not going to happen. (Note: I stole that last joke from here...www.myfoxboston.com/story/22295972/2013/05/Â20/hiring-a-family-affair-in-mass-government C. Bring Cash to pay and you MAY get a big discount! D. JÄGERMEISTER is meant to be drunken in small portions. By the Glass, NOT the bottle...and not if you weigh 98 pounds and think a bra is just a weird american custom. E. Come early or make CORRECT reservations. This place fills up fast! But Do come often. This place is just THAT good! Ps. Props to my Fellow Yelpers (and good friends) Jason J and Clara L for writing the reviews that brought me and my group here. Pss. Email me if you want to see the pics of the greenline trip home. (WARNING!!! Not suitable for younger viewers!!!)
(4)Liz R.
Shabu Zen ruined me for future hot pots... and I didn't even know it at the time. What an experience! We went on a weekday evening, late-ish (well after 9pm), and the place was packed to the hilt. Packed the two hours we were there. (I seriously wondered if anyone worked in Boston if they're out shabu-ing it up til 11pm on a school night - ha). We told them it was our first time, and they patiently explained the whole thing. Lots to explain. Lots of choices. I went with the short rib dinner with noodles, spicy Szechuan style broth, plus a side of shrimp. Ken chose the Surf and Turf dinner with rice, spicy Mongolian style broth. I normally wouldn't go short ribs, but I was intrigued by the gorgeous curls of raw meat that went by, inquired, and thought 'I gotta have it'. Glad I did, because that meat was so tender. Sure, it should be, only being waved around in the hot broth for a couple seconds before dipping in sauce and shoving in mouth... but it was. Yeahh me. Ken's steak was good also (he preferred it actually), but most of his surf was just OK to me (once again, he really enjoyed it... so to each their own). I loved the veggies in the hot pot, mixed with noodles and slurped out of my dipping sauce bowl. Loved everything about this place - casual, laid back, eat at your own pace we'll add more broth if you run low. My kind of dinner. When we got home, we searched for Shabu Shabu immediately...found one... but just not the same. No dipping sauce. No noodles. No flavorings to the broth. So, if my first addictive taste of Shabu Shabu is wrong...well... I wish they had a wrong place here in the D!
(5)Erik H.
This place was outstanding. Different, laid back, cool, just overall awesome. Located in the heart of Chinatown boston it was perfect for a birthday date. I opted for the chicken and lamb in a sauzuan sauce. It was super tasty. The veggies, sauces. , service were all top notch. Very casual atomeshere which is nice because you are cooking your own food. I would gladly take the hour trip here again. Only next time is shojo for lunch across the street followed up with dinner here.
(4)Eri E.
I've been here twice in two weeks! This place was rec'ed to me by a few local friends. I haven't had decent Shabu Shabu since I lived in San Francisco. Shabu Zen is a nice hole in the wall in the depths of Chinatown. It is a bit of a walk from either South Station or Boylston, but well worth it. It's a really fun dinning experience with friends or family. I prefer the spicy house broth. You get a nice serving of vegetables. Expect $15-ish for a meal. You definitely get your money's worth here. It's very hearty especially if you have some dietary restrictions. I tried the vermicelli and it was all right. I prefer the udon noddles - they're a thinner udon, not the thicker udon I'm used to, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Just be ready, the broth splashes everywhere! But that's part of the fun! Great place for groups of people and there is parking across the street. Only issue was that our waiter (on both occasions) didn't stop by to pour water as often as other restaurants do.
(4)Michelle T.
SO GOOD! Fresh veggies, meats, seafood. The assorted carpaccio was amazing. So were the beef tongue. We tried the Tom Yum, Miso, and the standard broths. They were all excellent. I loved the puffy tofu (not that they were special here, but they are perfect for shabu!).
(5)John D.
A Saturday night at 8pm, oh boy it was a full house and it took me 1/2 an hour to find parking. Even for a table of 2 it was a pretty decent wait. The hostesses took my name down and apparently there were 2 Johns with another party of 2 so there was a little confusion when our names were called. No problem, my friend and I let them go first. Eventually we were seated with some free drinks on the house, We were sat at a bar I guess you could say, off towards the left side of the restaurant where you get a little hot pot for yourself. That was pretty interesting because I'm always used to the large hot pots made for groups. Very nice. For soup bases there are 3 levels of spice; mild, spicy, and something... I ordered mild Kim chi, which isn't spicy at all! It's flavorful like Kim chi but I wish I ordered a spicier version. My friend ordered a spicy Szechuan and that was yummy too! A popping $3 per broth flavor however. We ordered something like angus beef combo and surf and turf with more beef! Wonderful. It comes with a side of typical veggies like boy choy, mushrooms, corn, tofu, and cabbage. Also comes with and udon, rice, or vermicelli. On top of that I ordered a side of tofu, fish balls, pork dumplings! All of the beef was very yummy, these are always my favorite cuts of meat with short ribs and some other things LOL. Veggies were typical veggies, nothing out of the ordinary! Udon was really yummy, they were thinner than I was used, to but it was still great. Tofu and fish balls were also simple and pretty basic, nothing special. But the pork dumplings I didn't really like. Maybe I overcooked? Perhaps. Service was pretty chill. They knew when we were ready to order and the food came out shortly, it didn't feel that long of a wait for our food. Our waters doe came a little before our food. Very thirsty during our meal LOL.
(4)Jane C.
Service: Great! Made the poor guy run around a lot for more food, more condiments, more sauce, more water. My server also rotated the plates for you, a small but nice gesture. Portions: On the small side, -1 star. Price: Affordable at ~$17 per, but buffet is definitely a better deal. Broth: Got the Szechuan medium spicy, and it was NOT AUTHENTIC TASTING. Doesn't mean that it wasn't good - just not authentic. Also, achoy is my absolute favorite hotpot vegetable and I ordered many, many plates of this here. Would come again in a heartbeat.
(4)Wayne T.
Typical hot pot, lunch is a good value, unfortunately, no msg free option, decor inside nice, can get crowded, good with bunch of friends
(4)K. Brooke Z.
The szechuan broth is delicious! Great with veggies. We've tried many of the broths. The plain-ish ones leave lots to be desired. Try the Thai Tom Yum instead! The veggie delight platter is enough veggies for two, or to fill you up beyond belief. Ask the servers about the house Sake warm, it was tasty and well received by our table. This meal takes a long time to eat, but its worth it for the experience. One of my favorite places to dine with friends and catch up for an hour or two.
(5)Joseph B.
On top of being a pretty good deal, this place has really got some good shabu shabu! Everyone gets their own personal shabu pot which means everyone can order and have what they want. Friendly staff. Lot of different meat types (including Wagyu from Japan, Australia etc.) mean that you will not have to settle. The shabu broth types are range from traditional to Mongolian and the tea is free. Without drinks I has a really nice meal here for $17! One minor criticism.. seating is Japanese Kaiten Sushi counter style so its not great for conversations.. but OK if you want to sit next to your date. =)
(4)Karen C.
Price is decent. The place is clean and the portions are decent but the service is very slow. It takes forever for the waiters to come to serve each order. Normally I would hope that they walk around to see if anyone is missing water or needs to pay. But none the less it's a good place to come with friends.
(3)Terry H.
been here many times since my undergrad years, the food and the quality has been consistent for the past 12 years. never disappoint. Shabu shabu can't get anymore authentic than this, comparable to the shabu shabu serve in Taiwan. I only wish that they can blast the AC more when the restaurant is pack with people eating shabu shabu.
(4)Mike T.
Best tasting Hotpot in Boston. I always come here for the Tom yum soup base and the beef selections. I love their house special peanut sauce as well. Place is a bit expensive though I would suggest going here for lunch. Prices are half the cost and you the same amount of food basically minus some veggies.
(5)Sam L.
Hot pot is standard, service wasn't that great though. Didn't fill up our water even once and waitress gave the annoyed look when asking for more sauce.
(3)Steve W.
The hot pot is such a fun way to eat. I got the meat combo, and chose pork and chicken as my two items. Both were very good. I originally ordered the broth Szechwan style, but it was way too spicy (and I normally like hot foods), but the staff was great and traded it out for a different option. The staff was willing to assist a shabu newbie and answer questions as well. Overall a very good meal!
(4)Adrienne R.
Um, holy crap. I remember why this is my favorite shabu place in Chinatown! We went on a Saturday for a late lunch during some crappy, snowy weather (surprise) so it wasn't super busy. I ordered the lamb with pork broth and rice. The rice was so sticky! And the lamb wasn't so thin-cut that it fell apart on the plate as it thawed. Chopped garlic, green onions, and the smoky bbq paste came on the side so I added those to both my sauce and broth. My roommate got the veggie plate and it was freaking loaded with veggies, mushrooms, and tofu. I went home extremely satisfied! The wait can get pretty long on the weekend for dinner, so keep this in mind!
(5)Meg C.
Hands down all time favorite place to eat hotpot. Their food is always so fresh and you definitely get what you pay for. They never skimp and it's absolutely delicious. So worth the price. I love their watermelon smoothies, it tastes like I'm sticking a straw into a watermelon. So fresh!
(5)Olivia W.
I love going to this place ... I like the idea of having personal hotpot. My favorite meet is the beef which is most expensive on the menu( I forgot the name...) . Definitely worth the money. The A5 combination is also very popular. The beef in this conbination is also very good( much cheaper). Water melon smoothie is a awesome drink to go with the hotpot, if you are not a beer person.
(4)Josephine L.
Much better than other shabu I've had in Boston but still miles away from what I can get back home. This place would honestly be 3 stars, but I can't fault an establishment for not being as good as places in Asian-dominated cities and it really wasn't that bad overall, plus the service was good, so heck, let's make it 4 stars. It's not cheap but it's not expensive. For $15 (everything included) you can get a full shabu meal sans seafood (that'll cost another $5 or so). All the ingredients are nicely cut/sliced, clearly fresh and beautifully arranged. They give more sauce ingredients than at other shabu places which is nice, but the portions aren't as big so you end up having to ask for seconds (which is okay, as they gladly give them). (Sauce tip: I like to mix my satay sauce with the soy, add some garlic and a tiny bit of scallions. Ask for seconds of satay, as you'll want a pretty even ratio of soy : satay. Prepare to dazzle your taste buds.) I'm used to bigger personal pots so couldn't dump as much in as I would have liked, and I'm also used to being able to control the temperature at all times (can you tell I've been spoiled by my hometown?), but the servers kept the heat on at good increments so I was able to cook everything in a timely manner. They also offered plenty of re-fills of the delicious broth, so no complaints overall. (Cooking tip: Cook your noodles (esp vermicelli) at the end, since they absorb liquid. This way, they also soak up the flavors of all the food you've been cooking and believe me, it tastes incredible. Sprinkle some of the soy-satay sauce over the noodles, mix, and you will be wolfing this down.) If you have a friend who's never had shabu before, this is a good place to take him or her. That was my case and my friend raved about how delicious and healthy the meal was. The only thing that wasn't so impressive was the dessert of chilled red bean soup (she didn't like it and I prefer it hot, plus SZ's tasted really made-from-powder-ish) but other than that, it was a fun night.
(4)Danny K.
Very delicious. Fairly healthy. Kinda expensive.
(5)Lorrie M.
I had an extremely enjoyable lunch experience here at Shabu-Zen and I again wish that shabu places in the bay area were more like this. It was pretty cheap and the broth they offer, the lunch specials, the sides and the meat was all in abundance. The service was prompt, clean, and very friendly. We were immediately seated and offered a variety of options. The waitress even convinced us to get fish cake but she claimed it was tofu fish cake, haha ... Overall it was a hearty, filling and warm meal. Perfect for an overcast / rainy day in Boston. There are so many bakeries and other eateries in this area (Chinatown) that you really just can't go wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed it so it's a great place for lunch!
(4)john e.
I hope they keep this place as it is and the prices at good value. I have been going here for years, with friends, "other", or solo. All modes are very well accomodated. You have a choice of broth or all vegetable broth. They have sushi grade seafood, which is my choice and optional green tea. The staff are excellent. The bean desert is wierd, but it's healthy all the same.
(5)JoBeth U.
I could eat this food for every meal for the rest of my life!
(5)Sheila G.
My daughter treated me to my first authentic "hot pot" dining experience here on Saturday night after and we were seated in less than 10 minutes. I was told the smoothies were very good so I resisted the temptation to order my usual Diet Coke and ordered a strawberry smoothie. I was glad I did, it was the best I've ever had in any restaurant. It was thick, cold and sweet, yum! Since this was my first time the waitress explained the "hot pot" concept and I ordered the "Meat Combo" of beef and chicken with chicken broth and white rice. As I waited for my order I opened my chopsticks and proceeded to test using them. (It was not a pretty site). The waitress witnessed my pitiful attempts and without saying a word laid a fork at my place setting. My order came with a heaping plate of fresh vegetables (Bok Choy, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, tomato, and tofu) and I proceeded to "cook" the meat, and vegetables in the broth. The place setting consisted of several small containers of Chinese barbecue sauce, soy sauce, green onions, garlic and peppers for mixing according to your taste. (I skipped the peppers) I dipped the meat and vegetable in the mixture of soy sauce, barbecue sauce, scallions and garlic,. and enjoyed every bite. I even tried several more times to use the chopsticks, succeeding only occasionally. (I brought my chopsticks home and promise to practice). My daughter warned me that the dessert was different and she predicted I would not like it. She was very right. To me it was not good at all. It was a grainy liquid with beans and mushy white ingredient I can't even describe. Overall, it was a fun, reasonably priced, different experience. This isn't the type of place I would visit on a regular basis but on occasion and it's a great place to bring someone who appreciates trying new things.
(4)E H.
A great experience! And fun too! My first time at a hot pot restaurant, not my hubby's though and he loved it too!! I got prime beef in Mongolian broth and he had the short rib in Kim Chee-delicious! Also the honeydew smoothie was so good (not too too sweet)-I ordered two and its so worth it. Staff was very friendly! The place was insanely packed and we got there at 6:30 right before the mega rush :) so go earlier or later and enjoy!!
(4)Matty B.
I absolutely love Shabu-Zen! Honestly, the food is incredible, fresh, clean, and if prepared (by you....) correctly it's positively delicious. One of the main reasons why I go is because the food is so amazingly fresh. I highly recommend the supreme seafood platter with the assorted mushrooms on the side. It's always a feast and the price is so inexpensive that it will blow your mind. If your visiting Chinatown for the first time and you've never had hot pot before Shabu-Zen is a mandatory stop. It's also a great location because of the interaction with the food and with a touch of sake makes for a really fun night with friends. The server to guest ratio is always very high, so food comes out quickly and feel free to order small initially because you can order ala carte and a large order can be overwhelming.
(5)LadyS M.
Had brunch with my daughter today and it was really good ! Lunch is very cheap there compare to Kaze/Tokyo. I haven't gone to Shabu-zen for years until today and I think I will be coming here often again
(5)Hans H.
Came here because of the great reviews. TBH I wasn't particularly wowed. The portions were decently sized, service was fine, but nothing too incredible. Overall: a decent place for shabu, but not that memorable.
(3)Snuffles B.
Disclaimer: I do not like Shabu Shabu/Hot pot in general - I think there is just something plain wrong about straight up boiling meat and flavoring everything with the same sauces. I ended up here on the choice of a friend, and for novelty. The place is large, clean, has decent service. Most importantly, food is very fresh - we were debating if the fish could be eaten raw, but decided best not to find out. We had the Surf and Turf w/ beef and ordered more beef. The meat is perfectly sliced, the tofu flavorful, fishcake tasty and a good veggie and seafood variety. The broth is quite mediocre but better at the end when the food essences (and fat) have infused. The key item is that their sauce is quite tasty, which is basically what all your food ends up tasting like - I'm not sure, but it seemed lik some kind of fermented bean. $15/person - while pricey for C-town, will barely get you a drink a few blocks away. While the food is really only about a 3-3.5, as much as I ever think I'll enjoy boiled meat.
(3)Alison M.
This place was so fun. The fiance and I had never eaten hot pot before so it was a exciting new experience. Not only that, but it was so delicious. Seriously yum! We told the waitress we were newbies when we sat down and she was happy to explain everything and teach us how to cook all the ingredients and how to mix the dipping sauce. Right off I ordered the beef and a Mongolian spicy broth. I do not recommend doing that. There were so many red cut up chillies in there and it was burning my lips before they even started heating it up! I told the waitress and she wisked it away returning with a delicious pot of Mongolian with much, much less chillies. It was a good choice. I also got rice which I think was a great idea, because this isn't really soup. It's like cooking your own meat and veggies and then you eat it in another bowl so just mix it with the rice. The fiance ordered the seafood and beef combo and you get twice as much food, but I wasn't really a fan of the seafood. It was really fishy and I never know how long to cook anything. The beef was really good though and sliced super thin. It looks like a ton of food when they set it down, but somehow I was able to finish and probably could have put away more seeing how yummy it all was. Hot pot is a lot of work and it's a messy business, but it's also a ton of fun and really good. I would definitely return and recommend anyone who hasn't tried it to do so.
(5)Jennifer K.
Kimchee was delicious. First time ever at a hot pot resturant. Great experience wod try again for sure. Vegetables were very fresh and fish tasted fresh as well. Definitely not a first date kinda place. Can get messy
(4)Austin S.
Thought it was overhyped. Food? Good. Service? Good. Decore? Gross. Honestly the food is very good but spending $40 for a plate, veggies, beer, and rice I'm just not that into.
(4)Lynn C.
Sometimes finding the meat that you had put in the hot pot a minute ago is actually on someone's plate can make you a little jittery, which is not good when you are sitting next a giant pot of hot broth. Shabu-Zen eliminates this problem by providing you with individual pots, but then also makes you pay for it, as each one of you has to pay for the soup base; whereas if you were fighting each other for the food in the pot, at the very least you get to split the $3 soup base among each other. Otherwise, shabu-zen is really a very mediocre hot pot place. Their kimchee broth was alright, and their prices are about $20/person. The line, definitely not worth it. I'd rather go to Kaze down the street for their awesome soup bases---unless, of course, I am not in the fighting mood.
(3)Suzy H.
Good food and awesome price! (just standard beef for 12 bucks...for dinner!) Had great portions and the servers were nice. It sucks that they don't have bigger tables. Our party had 8 people and we had to wait quite a bit...Not completely their fault though. There were two tables who just wouldn't leave for an hour after they finished their meals. They just SAT THERE AND TALKED...ON A FREAKIN FRIDAY NIGHT. It'd be good if customers were a bit more conscious but whatever. Other than really thick-faced Asians (who just sit there and talk and talk and talk), this place is a good place to go.
(5)Micky L.
Last weekend was my first time there. There was a long line on Saturday night. My friends and I ordered meat combos, some seafood and watermelon slush. I would strongly recommend the watermelon slush!!!good for hot pot!! And the free red bean soup dessert is also tasty!
(4)Denis L.
Meh. I'm not new to shabu so perhaps my expectations are higher than those of people who find this to be a novelty. Pros: Meat selection and quality are pretty good. Cons: Overpriced for the overall experience, broth, portion size, distinctive odor of this place in particular (not kidding, maybe it was just the one time I was here but it was pretty funky)
(2)Nina N.
I've been here twice. The first time was during the Lunar New Year, I believe. It was busy and it was my first time. I had no idea what to do, where to put the food, what utensil to use, what sauce to use, what goes in the pot and what should be used as a dipping sauce. It was hectic but fun. The drinks were ok. I had pina coloda. I've had better. If you're traveling in two and would like to try the place out, I reccommend sharing two different dish rather than ordering two of the same dish. I had the seafood hotpot while my bf had the beef hotpot. We had different hotpot flavors too. Appetizer wise, there is this baby clam dish that is good. If you're used to getting a lot out of your dollar, this might not be worth the money to you since the portion is very small and the taste is not going to blow you away. It is just something different to try. Overall, expensive and good. I'll have to write more when I eat there again as I have forgotten a lot of the dishes names.
(4)Lydia H.
All I can say is... YES!!! I have been on the lookout for an authentic hot pot restaurant in Boston since I studied abroad in China and fell in love with this particular Asian cuisine style in 2007. Yes, it's taken me five years. Shabu-Zen is it. Completely true to what I used to eat in Shanghai. We ordered the house special pork broth and vegetarian just to try, since at the tables you can have two broths in one big pot. We got the sirloin (waiter was very helpful and explained this was the least fatty beef) and the vegetarian option, and I was so happy-- they had practically all of my favorite veggies and so many forms of bean curd, it really felt like I was back in Shanghai. The beef was tasty, too. Make sure you mix up all the sauce ingredients, as others said, and it will be delicious, once you get the hang of it (mix sauce here, pour some for dipping there, use one plate for cooling your food right after you take it out of the broth, etc).
(5)Zhibo P.
It's a good place for just 1 person to have hot pot.
(4)Shaina P.
Wow. I did not realize how social eating shabu really was until last night's shabu-zen experience. And I don't mean social amongst the people your with, but at Shabu-zen, everyone is a friend. In the heart of bustling Chinatown (Tyler Street), Shabu-Zen is quite the hot spot. For a table for four, we waited a half hour and enjoyed a drink up the street until receiving a friendly call from the staff to notify us that our table was ready. The dining space is fairly large with a huge center console surrounded by individual bar seats (actually I have no idea what goes on in the middle), not overly crowded, and slightly old-looking on the inside with an institutional edge. Apparently Shabu-zen is both kid- and sake bomb-friendly ($13 for bombs for 4 ---how many times can one say four in a sentence??). The cutest little boy celebrated his big brothers birthday by sticking his face in a fat slice of cake on one side of the restaurant while a group of 4 girls slammed their fists on a table once every 5 minutes for approximately 30 minutes on the other side. My group of four proceeded to make a sticky mess all over the table and over every accoutrement that covered all inches of our shabu table in between. Wild, I tell ya. Sharing a couple meat entrees and ordering a ton of side extras was definitely the way to go. I have no idea what we were eating half the time but I was quite buzzed after a half day spent sipping at Wine Riot and my meal was delicious just the same. So, the food isn't too shabby (broth increasingly flavored by a myriad of meats and seafood and vegetables), but this restaurant shines in the experience and price.
(5)Alan M.
I love this restaurant, the concept is excellent, and the food is always fresh. They have a good variety of broth you can choose from and I always get the Vegetable platter, with a bunch of ala carte in items, some of my favorite includes their tofu plate with several kinds of tofu's, the mushroom plate that contains a wide range of mushrooms, and fish paste, this has to be one of the best things on the menu. The fresh fruit smoothies here are also wonderful, full of fresh fruit and flavor... watermelon and honeydew melon are my favorite. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone that has never tried Shabu Shabu before as it is a wonderful experience.
(5)Jennifer S.
How to eat shabu shabu hot pot Pick your broth: Regular (pork) Vegetarian (seaweed-don't be scrrrd its good and doesn't make you want to run for the bathroom in 20) Pick your meat: Beef, chicken ( just don't -it's white meat and gets really tough), pork, lamb, seafood, or tofu Pick your carb: Udon noodles, white rice or rice vermicelli noodles. Automatically comes with an assorted veggie plate that includes napa cabbage, watercress, tofu skin, tofu, corn, and an obscure piece of carrot and tomato (for flavoring broth??) Order extra veggies if you want- I suggest the baby bok choy and mushrooms but do what you like. TIP: you can actually customize the veggie plate. I like to dispense with the obscurities and just get a plate of napa and baby bok. only problem is if you do that you miss out on the watercress so it's a problem. While you wait you make your little dipping sauce with the bits in front of you. Add all the bits (bbq sauce, chili peppers, garlic & scallion) to the soy sauce. Mix w/ chop sticks. Order extra of the things you like. I like more garlic and bbq. Some people ask for extras like chili sauce, vinegar, sesame sauce -stuff like that. When your veggie plate comes put all the stuff that takes a long time to cook in now -things like cabbage, corn, carrot, mushrooms and tofu skin take a while & then few things that don't take long so you have something to eat NOW. Figure out how raw/cooked you like your vegetables. Noodles have already been cooked so they just need about 1 minute or less to heat up. use little strainer they give to scoop them up. For the meat just dip it in and swirl until it's not raw otherwise it gets over cooked. Put noodles back in bowl quickly-don't let waitress take your little bowl away!!! Boys: Try not to be a creeper and overtly flirt with the very sweet, lovely and accommodating waitresses. Some people like to just dip each piece of cooked whatever in dipping sauce and eat. I like to make a mini bowl of soup with the broth, a piece of meat, some strands of noodles, a soft and luscious piece of very well cooked cabbage and a ladle of the dippy sauce. Slurp it up with the help of chop sticks in one hand and ladle in the other. REPEAT. Tip your waitress
(5)T T.
Shabu-Zen is perfect for cold winter nights in Boston; what better way is there to deal with the cold than a satisfying bowl of hot noodle soup with delicious beef! The shabu-shabu comes with a hearty portion of ingredients (enoki mushrooms, cabbage, corn) and thinly sliced meats that you cook in the broth. I had the regular pork broth but would love to come back and try some of the spicy options. The only disappointing part of the meal was the udon noodles, which were not really udon noodles and were more like a stir-fry noodle.
(4)Melissa P.
It was my second shabu shabu experience. I was disappointed the first time I had it, which was in JAPAN! Although fun to cook the items in the boiling broth were bland. My second experience was at Shabu-Zen and it was wonderful. I ate, sipped, slurped up all of the contents in my bowl. I dipped my delicious enoki mushrooms and salmon in the tangy chili, smokey, dipping sauce that I blended together with the ingredients provided. When all the floating pieces of food in my pot were gone, I poured the broth over udon noodles and happily ate that too. What caught my eye about Shabu-Zen is not just the fresh fun food, but how open and cheerful the waitresses were to teach their guest how to eat shabu shabu properly. Why miss the fun?
(5)Wolfe S.
Great hotpot choices with veggie options and several complimentary spices.
(5)Marlana Y.
...-_-... I went here recently with2 friends after the lunch rush was over, so it wasn't busy or overcrowded. I don't know what happened, the portions are very small compared to what I remembered when they were first opened, but the prices are still the same. So after I finished eating, I was still hungry. The service was very slow. The waitress forgot to order our appetizer and we ordered Tea ( which included free refills) but the waitress never refilled it unless I tried to get her. I had to ask for a refill 3 times. I like it when waitresses don't hassle you or rush you but she never came to our table to check up, at all. I think its nice to go to a hot pot place at least once to experience it, but I will most likely not return to this location.
(2)Wendy L.
This location TRUMPS the Allston Shabu-Zen. Bigger portions, more variety of vegetables and fresher ingredients. This is probably the only thing that I love but is still fairly healthy. Since I reviewed the Allston location first and gave my opinion on the food I am going to focus on the differences between these two locations. This location gives you more stuff in general even the meat. The soup and soy sauce mixture are both more consistent here. The only downside to this location is parking...there is a lot outside the restaurant but it's pretty expensive and street parking is a nightmare in Chinatown. My favorite is still A3 - Short Ribs with Udon noodles and a side of Fish Paste. I know Fish Paste sounds weird but it's delicious. Spicy Kimchi is the best broth with the most flavor. This restaurant does stink up your clothes though so you may not want to put on your best. I would not recommend this for a first date especially if you plan on adding garlic in your soy sauce mix and ordering kimchi broth. Just saying!
(4)Kenneth F.
Tasty. Fresh. Healthy. 1 order of beef + 1 order of seafood + 1 kimchi flavored broth + 1 chinese herbal broth + side of tofu! = ~$40 I always love places where you cook your own food. Really, you can only argue about the freshness of the ingredients because if you say the meat or vegetables were over/undercooked...well guess who's fault that was smartie! The ingredients were definitely fresh here though - and I like the fact that they give you so much variety with your vegetables. I hate going to shabu shabu or hot pot where you have to order every individual vegetable separately, and if you're going with just one other person, you end up with no variety. I can't comment on the normal broth - but both of the different flavored ones were great in their own way. And the contrast between the two just made it that much better. I would stick away from the Chinese herbal if you are not accustomed to that taste though. Looking forward to more meals here :)
(4)Richard A.
I love Hot Pot. I love Shabu-Zen. The restaurant is small but very cozy and I find it much more comfortable than their other location. The staff is great and is more than willing to help out customers that are new to the Hot Pot experience. The broth and Hot Pot ingredients are great, as is everything else on the menu. I try to make it a point to eat here every time I am in Boston.
(5)Lynn L.
I love the noodle(versilla something) in the spicy Szechuan broth! Really tasty! Service is good too!
(4)Connie S.
As far as hot pot goes, this is shabu-shabu on the more upscale end (they arrange the meats so beautifully!) without being unreasonably priced. The spicy broth is where it's at. It's got a whole pepper or two floating around in there, but it's not so spicy that you can't drink the broth by itself... which we did until the last drop. You can't go wrong with any meat dish here (I have a personal preference for lamb and pork), which all come with a bowl of noodles and a heaping plate of veggies. We shared 4 meat dishes amongst 6 people and several sides (fish balls, mushroom assortment, tofu and the fish paste-- all of which were good) and we were pretty full from that. It gets pretty busy on the weekends and they don't take reservations-- expect to wait 30-45min for a table of four or larger. But the service was good: super friendly hostess and helpful, attentive waiter. My only admonition: be prepared to have your hair and clothes smell strongly of hot pot when you leave.
(4)Anita L.
Perfect place to go when it is cold n freezing outside. I ordered their surf n turf for $16.95. Good amount of food for the price (but if you are a guy, you probably need to order extra food). Beef and seafood were both okay. I debated for a while if I just want the regular shabu or pay an additional $3 for the Chinese Spicy Soup Base. Having good spicy food always put a smile on my face, but the Chinese Spicy Soup Base didn't do it for me. It wasn't spicy at all.
(3)Scott B.
When it comes to Shabu, there's something inherently creative within something so blatantly simple. Meat, vegetables, boiling broth.... GO! Shabu-Zen provided another button-popping shabu shabu experience. Hearty portions, delicious broth, and plentiful veggies all contributed to the most delicious of Japanese soups ever consumed. The atmosphere was nice, the beer and sake selections were good, and of course... the game was on. My only complaints are that our server wasn't very friendly; clearly in a terrible mood, and someone came and refilled my broth when I got near the end. The concentrated broth at the end of my meal is one of my favorite parts of the shabu shabu experience... so he basically diluted my hopes and dreams. And ruined Christmas. Overall, the experience was fantastic, and I will certainly return!
(4)Amelia D.
This place is so delicious. I've been multiple times and I am in love. The prices are very reasonable. I can't remember if they change if you go for lunch vs. dinner, but we went for lunch today and it was only $12 for the meat combo (I always get beef and lamb). So fresh, so delicious. Please don't ever change Shabu Zen! You are perfect as is! The mongolian broth is my favorite. I've also had shabu at Q Restaurant nearby, which was also very good, but I still think Shabu Zen's is the best! So many spices floating in that brothy pot. Deilcious, delicious, delicious! Only thing that could possibly make it better is if this place had dim sum as well. I will be back...a million times. :-)
(5)Harri S.
Chinese, spicy, EXTREME!!!!! That's the way to go. This can be extremely fun if you have a Canadian friend on hand. Grab a couple of beers and some good friends to get in on a communal hot pot and shabu your brains out. It's tons of fun. Also, their homemade mochi hits the spot.
(4)Joanna H.
Expensive for Chinatown but cheap because it's hot pot. Spur-of-the-moment lunch visit today with my coworker. It was perfect for the more than chilly Autumn weather. Servers are friendly and efficient. I got the $12 Beef. Nothing exceptional, not fatty at all, but at least it made the soup tastier. Loved all the veggies and the side of assorted tofu we ordered. I la la loveee hot pot and my favorite part of it is at the end when you pour the meat-infused soup into your rice and eat it like porridge. I highly recommend it. $15 hot pot for lunch. Don't think it gets cheaper than that in Boston! (If it does, please let me know :)
(4)Wei L.
Usually Hot pot Buffet is my go-to place for hot pot. we got 15% off coupon, so decided to check this place out. Definitely pricey than the other place, just arrange the meat and fishes in a nicer way. quality wise is about the same. I like how they provide different dipping sauces. When we went, there was a birthday party, so extremely loud. But in general, it is okay..not super impressed.
(3)Chris S.
Pretty standard Shabu place - my main gripe is the pricing, because Shabu places in Boston are almost always priced 5x more than what the raw materials actually cost, so it hurts me a little bit on the inside to pay so much when it's equally viable to just go to the Asian supermarket a street away and buy the ingredients and cook it yourself at home, haha -____- Though, it's nice to come there when you've got a cold. For groups larger than 2, I suggest just going to the hot pot buffet next to the Chinatown arch. You can eat a lot more for your money and it's easier to get seated. Their portions are not very big, so I suggest supplementing the free rice/udon they give you with an additional order if you're especially hungry. Be wary of ordering the a la carte hot pot fixings, because you will end up paying $4 for something like 6 fish balls, which for the same value you can get a box and a half of at the Chinese supermarket -____-
(3)Jenelle J.
Hidden gem of Chinatown! Fresh shabu-shabu with lots of fun vegetables to cook in the broth, extremely efficient wait-staff who attend to your every need before you even think of it, and a nice relaxed eat-at-the-bar kind of atmosphere. And not too pricey to boot. Great way to warm up on a cold Boston winter night!
(4)I Y.
I'm a huge fan of hot pot and whenever my friends and I are in Chinatown and in the mood for some shabu, we always come here. The place is clean, staff's always friendly and the food is just good. I always leave here satisfied :)
(4)Jess W.
I've only been to this Shabu Zen a handful of time compared to the one in Allston but it's just as good, if not identical in service and food. This Shabu Zen is definitely smaller in space and almost always requires a wait for dinner. I hardly stray from my favorites which are either the meat combo with beef and lamb or the surf and turf combo if you want a little seafood. The base broth is plenty flavorful so I've never ordered the other soup options. Best of all, they give you the chilled red bean soup when you're done which is always a welcomed and refreshing end to the meal.
(4)TophBeiFon G.
You should know that I LOVE HOT POT!!! I will never EVER get sick of it......EVER. Hot pot is the perfect communal meal on any day of the year but especially much more beneficial and satisfying during the cold months. Warm your belly up with hot pot, it'll thank you for it later. Plus, it's the kind of meal that can get straight up gluttonous but have no fear. With the abundance of fresh veggies, you won't even feel guilty about it. Well, that's just me. I'm very big on broth and ALL the broths at Shabu Zen are wonderfully flavorful. The veggies are always fresh and the meats are thinly sliced to perfection. The main courses on the menu are served with a choice of noodles or rice. It's been vermicelli or Udon for me every single time. I've tried most everything on the menu. And besides the surf and turf combo, here are my two absolute must haves with each meal: 1. Sauteed baby clams -- It's very addicting. Slightly peppery. I can't figure out the ingredients yet but just you wait.....someday. 2. Surf Clams -- w/soy sauce and wasabi. Don't even bother cooking those suckers. They shrivel up and become rubbery. I consume sashimi style along with scallops and salmon off my surf plate. I'd say Shabu Zen is pricey but you get what you pay for. Most weekend nights Shabu Zen usually starts packing up around 6pm. But that's not going to deter any one. I've been to the Allston and Chinatown location. Personally, I prefer Chinatown because it's quaint and cozy. The waitstaff are seasoned and so very efficient. There's a no fuss no rush atmosphere about this place. It's what hot pot meals are meant to feel like. You're in and out, full and satisfied. That's all folks.
(5)Cynthia D.
It was my first time in Boston, and what is it I look for? SHABU SHABU!! I've been feeding for it since my time in Chicago at Joy yee's noodle house. I came here with my significant other...more like dragged him here actually lol, and we ordered the Surf and Turf to share (about $19) and the octopus balls ($6?). They gave us separate broth pots (bonus points!) So we got to try 2 different types of seasonings bubby did. I like trying things in it's original state before messing around with it, any who, he had the Mongolian seasoning in his which was an additional $3. VERY SPICY if you leave in the peppers for a while, still good though. The vegetable variety and amout was kind of lacking to what im used to getting like , but I guess if you want more you gotta pay extra.
(4)Alexandra D.
My first hot pot experience, I was not disappointed! I've been wanting to try hot pot for a long time and just never got around to it. I had beef and pork and it was delicious! It's pretty fun if you've never tried it, I loved mixing all the different things together and finding out what works best with all the flavors. I'd love to go back and try all the different broths. Great overall experience, although as I saw some one else wrote, there is a funky smell going on in there that I noticed the moment I walked in...almost like b.o. But I'd definitely go back anyway!
(5)NN R.
Best salmon sashimi in Boston... believe it or not. Probably because it's an authentic Japanese restaurant. Food is fresh and great selection. I love the Berkshire sausages. However, I will go just for the salmon sashimi, it is THAT good.
(5)Zig W.
#NAME?
(4)Michael L.
Old women go hard here. I came here with a couple friends on a random weekend and there was this family doing sake bombs... but the only thing was that they didnt really know how to do it right. It started with them hitting the table to knock the sake shot off the chopsticks but they obviously didnt know what would happen because after it made a splash the woman almost jumped out of her seat in surprise and laughed hysterically. Then she proceeded to drink the sake bomb but instead of chugging it she was sipping on it until the waitress said she was supposed to chug it. She then started to chug the drink and in an effort to get every last drop, she tilted the glass high over her mouth. The only thing was that she didnt think about the shotglass that was still in the cup and it fell with a thud on her mouth and nose. Like I said. hardcore Man. what a site to see. I must have been creeping pretty hard to even remember all those details. I got the Prime Rib Eye of Beef which was pretty good but I was sad to see that there was not a meat combo for the top tier meats. There was only a meat combo for the regular meats. The serving size was just about right but I could have definitely eaten more. At least I did not leave the place hungry. The worst thing you can do is pay for a expensive meal and then go to a fast food restaurant after to fill yourself up. lame The chicken broth was free. Nothing special. The Kimchi broth wasnt too bad... pretty much on par with the other kimchi broths ive had in china town. My friend left his # on a receipt for the waitress but she never called back. LOL. Were going to have jokes for days now.
(4)EricaLynn J.
And you thought you couldn't cook anything well! Shabu-Zen brings joy to the normally boring "oh, just do it yourself." You're in charge. Pick what you want and start cooking it on your table. Sure, it looks a little strange to the newcomer, but any newbie can just look around the place for the satisfied grins on the veterans. That should calm your nerves! That said, the service doesn't always bring the same warmth. I suppose that when the whole point of your restaurant is to let the customers do most of the work, people might not think that the customers need or want their attention so much. Not the case. It's always good to be checked on. Overall, Shabu-Zen is a great place to go when you are looking for a unique experience and have great food dressed up how you want it on the fly. Great for groups, and just as great for a date or just you.
(4)Kelly L.
This is one of my favorite restaurants ever. When I used to live in Boston, I would come here for my birthday every year and of course during non-birthday occasions as well. I love the portions, the selection, quality of food, sauces, drinks - basically everything about it. You can't go wrong with anything you order!! No other hot pot place compares and I've been to hot pot places in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and NY. I never get sick of it but for some reason, after every time I come here, I need to make a visit to the bathroom when I get home....
(5)Vivian L.
Unique place for shabu. Clean and tasteful. Love their sauce. always a long wait at night. If you want quality shabu, go there for sure.
(4)Caralyn C.
This was my first "hot pot" experience. I was a fan! Several of my friends have raved about this place, so today I decided to check it out as I was in the city taking photos of the New Year celebration. While my friends and I were waiting to be seated, the "lion" came in and paraded around the restaurant in celebration of the new year. It was a special treat to see. We also spoke with the manager who was very nice and explained the meaning behind the traditions. We went for the chicken and beef with udon. Since this was my first hot pot experience, I didn't quite know what to do with all of the dishes and fixings that were brought over. Do I pour the sauce into the broth? Do I dump the garlic in too? What is that squishy brown thing on the vegetable plate? Oh, a mushroom? Gross. Won't be adding that. Hmm, will all of these vegetables fit in the pot at once? How long do I cook the chicken for? Clearly a rookie, so I asked our waitress a few questions about the proper way to prepare the pot. I know they were busy as it was the new year, but I thought she could have been a smidge more helpful. She didn't really go above & beyond to explain. Regardless, she was still pleasant and offered us dessert at the end of the meal. We tried the sweet red bean soup. So interesting! I thought it was going to to be warm and was surprised when I discovered it was served chilled. Although this isn't what I view as a "dessert," the Japanese do, so of course I was going to try it. Pretty yummy! All in all this was a great first experience at a hot pot restaurant. I hope to someday return = )
(4)Art J.
Awesome place. Great bang for your buck. A lot of food, very laid back and nice people working here. A must try.
(4)Sidi L.
combos are so good and cheap. it suits one person and a group of people. they have free red bean soup，and it's sooooooo goooooodï¼ï¼ï¼I would definately come againï¼
(5)Cyn C.
If I have a craving for hot pot, but I don't have time to drive down to Quincy, I will hit up one of the Shabu Zen's. I actually prefer the one in Allston/Brighton, as it is roomier, with less wait time. I wish they didn't charge extra for special broths, b/c that seems wrong. I love the plate of veggies (oh yum!) but I wish there were more veggies. And more noodles. And... well. If you're hard up for hot pot, Shabu Zen will hit the spot. If you REALLY want it all, you gotta go to Quincy. This location loses a star for the long long wait times. This restaurant will tell you 20-30, but be prepared for that to turn into an hour.
(3)Vicky c.
I've"ve been a die-hard fan since the beginning. It IS my favorite restaurant in Boston. My husband and I had our second date here and he loved it too. I always joke about it that if he didn't like it, I'd have to choose Shabu Zen over him. The food is fresh and the broth is so delicious. I love adding fresh fish paste to my choice. The hostesses are always friendly and nice. The servers are mostly efficient except when they get too busy. I've introduced this spot to many friends who have never tried it - they all love it after the experience.
(5)Catarina C.
One of the best restaurants in Boston! Also, one of the cleanest (looking, and i hope im not wrong) restaurants in Chinatown!!! In the concept of hot pot, service isn't the most important. I'm too busy counting the seconds it takes for my beef slices to cook in boiling broth. Everytime I go it is late night because...well I work. So every experience is marked by the staff eating at the "bar", with one or two coming over every so often to refill my broth..which isn't a problem for me because, again, I'm watching my food cook hellllooooooo. I always get the surf and turf, with a choice of beef, lamb or pork (beef it is!), and an assortment of seafood. Yum!! I also get free vegetables AND a side of noodles or rice. Note, wear elastic waistbanded pants because buttons will become difficult after this meal. The red bean soup that comes as dessert is the perfect finish. Plus, try a smoothie if you're into that....they make them tall and ice cold. So good! Let's say you do as I did one night and skip over to the other hot pot restaurant in Chinatown that's open late because ShabuZen closed before you got there. Don't do it! The quality of food is not the same, prices are higher and the restaurant's pink halogen lighting just reminds me of a whorehouse. Go home, heat up some leftovers and come back to Shabuzen earlier next time, duh.
(5)Marie C.
I love this place...delicious, inexpensive, and a great place for a family dinner, a date, or an after work dinner.. I've been in Japan where the Shabu Shabu is pretty similar to Shabu Zen: fresh ingredients that you cook up yourself in a hot pot, and flavor with a sauce that you season to your taste. I suggest drinking the leftover broth as a flavorful soup, and highly recommend the watermelon (non alcoholic) drink for any kid - big or small.. The bean dessert (not a misprint :) is good too! Great for a before theatre/concert dinner, or basically as a stand alone night out (though they're so quick here, you will be in and out in about an hour)..check this place out!
(4)Payal P.
first hot pot experience! amazing! were able to walk in around 8 on a sun night with no wait (for two), groups were waiting. the service wasn't so great but the waiter did help us order and told us what to do...offerred to come back when we got our food to show us what to do but never did till we asked someone. the food as fresh and delicious, price was decent to me and we loved it! got the split pot with kimchi broth and tom yum broth and for the food we got the surf and turf (lamb, the option lots around us were going with) we also added on shrimp, tofu and extra veggies. didn't realize till we were too full that you can make your self a little soup with the broth. no hot pot on philly but i can;t wait till the next time i go to a hot pot place as it is my new favorite-would-be-obsession if it was anywhere near me!
(5)Wenqing L.
I think it's owner is Japanese... Some of my friends thought the hotpot there is realy yummy, but I like Q restaurants much more. I oredered chicken as my main dish, it tastes just so so...The free tea is good, though.
(2)Tony Z.
Dear Shabu Zen, Just because I come with a party of 7, and just because you're automatically getting 18% off my table, does not mean YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH NOT PROVIDING SERVICE! Our party was literally ignored the entire time we were there. We had to flag someone down to order, and once they brought our drinks we never saw them again. Yes, we did eventually get our food but no, we didn't get any checkups, water refills, etc. And also we had to flag someone down to ask for the check. So a warning to fellow yelpers, if you're going with more than 6 people, be very very careful as they will be providing very minimal service, especially if it's busy. We tried looking for a manager but after 10 minutes just gave up. Shame on you shabu zen. The reason why restaurants do the 18% is to protect servers since a 6+ person table would be a big portion of their covers. It's NOT so that you guys can slack off and still collect a tip.
(1)Teresa T.
Even in 100+ degree weather my grandpa wants to come to Shabu-Zen. He loves their mango smoothies, and I love their lychee smoothies. Shabu Zen has become a staple place for my family to eat at - you can cook and season your own food just how you want it. The fact that there is this component makes it a neat experience. Each meal has more than enough food and the atmosphere is very laid-back. I am a huge fan though the only thing about Shabu Zen is that you leave the way that your food smelled.
(5)Lanhy N.
I love Shabu Zen! The location in Allston offers better service and less wait time! Their Kimchi broth is AMAZING! It is spicy and full of deliciousness. Of all the shabu places I've been- shabu has the best broth. ( For me, shabu is all about the flavor in the broth) Their smoothies are delicious as well- they taste just like the fruit itself. Lychee, watermelon, lemon, mango ALL great choices. Their greentea shake is wonderful as well- but you can definitely tell it is very caloric and rich. They give a free redbean dessert at the end of the meal- YUM Their portions have gotten smaller through the years but I am a loyal customer and will stick with what I know will satisfy!
(5)Manfred S.
Have been here many times and always liked it. Consistently great quality, nice service. Always a consistent 4 to 5 stars. Why 5 now? My sister was in town and had to fly out early in the afternoon. Problem - she is a part-time vegetarian. Hence, I never know what to expect from her. She craved udon. I craved meet. Winner. When she ordered a veggie plate, the waitress immediately verified that my sister is a vegetarian - and on this day my sister was vegetarian. So they switched the broth on the spot. Just a nice attentive gesture - not standard in Boston. Everything else was done well too - hence Woohoo ...
(5)Sal W.
Very not bad. Had the tom-yum and szechuan broths with beef and seafood platter. Both were good but the szechuan broth had a fantastic flavor. The meal came with a dessert of red-bean soup, but honestly I felt like it should have come with a side of chips given that it tasted more like a bean dip. This place was pretty busy. Service was sub-par. Food Quality/Taste = 4 Stars Portion Size Given Price = 2 Stars Price = 3 Stars Service = 1 Experience with Staff = 3 Stars Decor = 3 Stars
(3)Summer L.
Loved the environment, very clean and welcoming! I had the chicken and seafood and it tasted very fresh. The service was great. Overall great experience.
(5)Tammy L.
To this day, I still have no idea why people rave about this place. I will admit that this place is good for a dinner with friends...if you're not thinking about the prices on the menu. Or the portions, for that matter. Perhaps part of the reason why I'm so skeptical about this place is because hot pot aka da been lo is part of my Chinese upbringing. We throw in tons of food into the pot and chat while the food boils. But at Shabu-Zen, I feel that the portions are too small. Assorted meatballs...I think we were given 6-7 for $4.00. I kept thinking, "Are you serious? I could run over to C-Market and a pack of these beef meatballs for $4.00." Of course we could have ordered more, but come on, give me $4 and I could get 12 beef balls. Needless to say, I was still very hungry after I left the place. Even though I stuffed my face with a bowl of udon, meat, and enoki mushrooms. And seafood. The service, however, was pretty good. Well, at the beginning, I was thinking, "You're kidding me, right? You guys open up in Chinatown and you don't speak a word of Chinese?". Well, I thought this because my dad was talking to the waitresses up front in Chinese, and they all did was stare at him like he hadn't said anything. Is "table for four" so hard to understand? But then again, I assume that not all of the staff there speak Chinese. It just makes me wonder, though. Who exactly are they targeting as customers? I don't know. I'm still skeptical of this place. I'm hoping to visit it once again...and maybe change my rating. Haha, hate me all you want. =D
(3)K S.
ahhhh Shabu, how I absolutely LOVEEEEE you, not the morning after though. Best Shabu in the area. Watermelon smoothie is a must. Also beef bones which arent on menu, is really goooood :) The new martinis and cocktails arent that great. Actually theyre gross. Stick with the sake or even the sparkling sake they offer (forget the name) I will soon be Duchess.
(5)Timothy H.
Both locations are really spectacular. But there is something "character-building" about trudging through sketchy chinatown at night to this hidden gem. Order the Watermelon Bubble tea.
(5)Kitty C.
Although I do love the food here the service isn't that great. The host insisted that if we wanted a table it would be a 75$ minimum. This is her greedy Chinese way of doing business because it wasn't busy at all but she wanted to save the tables for parties of 4 or more. I still love their food except the sautéed clams seem to have dropped in quality. (And we ended up paying 87$ for two at a table).
(3)Peter W.
I like shabu-Zen hot pot i use to go there once a week in cool weather,,, I special like the Mongolia soup, its a little bit spicy which is very tasteful,,, as well as its comes with all kinds of vegetable, also there have good green tea serve too,,
(5)Ngan T.
My all-time favorite hot pot restaurant, hands-down. Never had a bad experience from here, ever. And there were weeks, months that I ate here 3-4 times a week. Maybe it's just me, been going to the Chinatown location for 6 years now. Almost always get the same thing. I'm more of a plain jane type of hot pot person so I always get the plain broth which is my favorite - don't really care much for the other flavored broths. Love the waiters/waitresses there once you get to know them and once they get to know you. I've also had Kaze a few times, as well as numerous other hot pot restaurants around the country where it was available (including NYC, LA, SF, Little Sheep in Vancouver - which I wasn't impresed with) but I always come back to Shabu Zen in Boston as my favorite. I love the personal pot aspect, yes it is a little pricey but the broth, the bbq sauce, the fish paste and just how it's fresh, can make up for it. Oh and the watermelon smoothie!! Other hot pot places may have more variety of food that you can cook up compared to Shabu, but I have been really happy with the selection that they have here as limited as it seems.
(5)Lydo r.
The thought of going to a restaurant to prepare my own food made me pass on the shabu experience many times before I was pretty much obligated to go since an ex-boss decided to take me here for a meeting. This might have been my ex-boss' best business decision ever! Shabu-Zen has stood out from the many other surrounding hot pot places in Chinatown from day 1 and although i have tried venturing for hot pot in the vicinity, i always end up eating my hot-pot meal at Shabu-Zen. (they do have the better value hot-pot in Chinatown) I've never received less than stellar quality food and that is a the way it should be at a place that serves their foods raw. The colorful display of meats and veggies at the beginning of the meal is absolutely inviting and just whats coming is just so much fun. What a concept!! Think about owning/working at a restaurant where you'll never have to hear people complain about the done-ness of their meat/fish (everyone is an expert). Think about taking your date here and even if you are just finding out he/she is a vegetarian, you'll both be able to stay and enjoy your dinner. Think about taking your kids out to dinner and never have to worry about them getting bored and annoying because they have to keep busy making their food. GENIUS! I usually go for the surf and turf, and my turf of choice is lamb- delish!!! Be prepared to smell like food for a while after leaving the restaurant (maybe this a turn on for your date and will work to your advantage). Tables are for groups of 4 or more and the big table for small parties(1-3 ppl) does get a little crowded with the many plates that take part of the shabu experience. (not bothersome enough to keep me away from this place)
(4)Michael C.
I've been here multiple times and am usually satisfied. I would give this place 4 stars but the simple fact that 3 shrimp balls cost 2 dollars brings down the rating.
(3)Aris L.
according to me the shabu2 was average, because i try the shabu2 in Los Angeles area and they are better there..the meat was good, but the peanut sauce was average..i try the veggie soup (seaweed only) CONCLUSION = RECOMMENDED!!!
(3)Derek W.
I have no reason to give this place anything but 5 stars. I had never been here before and used the nearby app on my phone for yelp and discovered this place. We had a waiter and I simply told him we are newbies help us out. We ended up ordering the seafood supreme and the Prime A1 Beef on the menu. My eating partner and I mixed and matched the foods, however we didn't reach into each others pots. (hey now) Our waiters name was Hugh and he was more than helpful with recommendations and exactly how to cook and prepare your food. The vegetables were very fresh and there was a huge variety of them. To end the meal I busted out my yelp app again to see if anyone could recommend desert(s). I saw a couple people mention the Mochi, which is basically an ice cream surrounded by some pastry type shell. Not the fried ice cream crap you get in chinese restaurants, this was fresh and delicious. We also got watermelon smoothies with bubbles ? Bubbles ? Yeah I had no freaking clue what that meant, but it comes with some whacky stuff at the bottom that my eating partner could not get enough of. Oh yeah tapioca, not my thing but I get it. I mean the straw is fat and wide, it would bring new meaning to a brain freeze if you got after it. Oh yeah the warm Sake' was delicious as well. So keep in mind this is Chinatown, parking is a bitch but there is a lot across the street and the attendant was super friendly. Clearly a big baseball fan, because he commented on my Red Sox plate. I will definitely go there again.
(5)Kelly M.
Shabu Zen has a number of delicious options for both carnivorous and vegetarian hot pots. I'm not sure of the final bill, but it was all very reasonably-priced and the atmosphere is warm and friendly. Most importantly, they have posters on the wall to alert you that you can, and should, order sake bombs here.
(4)Michelle J.
Probably my favorite place on the planet. Enough said.
(5)Adam P.
A little expensive, but not ridiculous. Even though the portions aren't huge, you'll be surprised how quickly you get full anyway. Definitely go with a special broth (I'm a kimchi fan myself) and try a sampler if you've never been there before. It's a pretty fun date night and definitely one of the cleaner options in Chinatown...
(4)Nicole V.
Shabu Zen has become my go-to place to take visitors. It's about $20 a head for a tremendous amount of good food. At this point I think I have tried just about everything on the menu. I really enjoyed the clams as an appetizer and thought the goyza were mediocre, but you honestly don't need an appetizer. My favorite is the veggie platter. You get a HUGE plate of freshly cut veggies to throw in some boiling broth and cook up. There's some weird stuff on there (they give you some type of mushroom ball that can look like an eyeball) but that's half the fun! It's definitely worth it to upgrade your broth. The kim-chee is our favorite. My advice would be to start out on the lowest level and ask them to add more if you're not huge into spice. As others have said, it really is more about the experience. It gives all of our visitors something to talk about and anyone who has visited twice has requested to go back! Next mission: get some sake bombs.
(4)Michael L.
Part of what I liked about this so much is that I didn't have to pay for it. That said, my parents asked me to recommend something after we'd spent the afternoon at the Aquarium. I have wanted to try Shabu for quite a while, but I wasn't sure they would go for it. In the end they agreed to try it out, and even though we had a half-hour wait, our 7 person party was seated together at two adjoining tables. In ordering, one chooses a broth (Chinese Spicy, Medium Spicy) Meats or Veggies (Beef and Pork) and Carb (Udon). Make sure you don't take it too far with the spiciness unless you are very serious about spicy food. The Medium Spicy was really spicy, and I think the hottest would have been inedible to me, even though I eat spicy food most every day. The main thing about the experience was just how fun it was. We all had a blast just trying out different combinations of goodness, often accompanied by "do you know what this is?" queries to each other. Often the answer was "delicious." I can't say the meats were the high point because everything was so tasTAY, but they were absolutely incredible. Positively bursting with flavor. We also got a couple of appetizers (seafood dumplings were especially good) and a bottle of sake, bringing the price of the meal to around $170. 18% gratuity was included. I'm not sure it'd be so fun to go to alone, but it would be a great date meal and very enjoyable with friends!
(5)Anne W.
We were on the prowl looking fot hot pot in Chinatown and were only able to find this place. We were worried about it turning out to be more Japanese than Chinese.. but no worries.. it's very Chinese. They give you soy sauce and Chinese bbq sauce.. and a raw egg if you request it. The food is okay.. it's not a lot really so if you're really hungry, you must order more. The 2 meat combo: 6 slices of pork, 4 slices of lamb, some starch, and small veggie plate. The beer is cheap though! Another dislike.. there is no way to control your heat. And most of the seating is bar style. P.S. You'll probably smell like Chinese food the entire rest of the day. Ahhhh.. you smelll delicious.
(2)Kate L.
I have been here several times. The cook your own dumplings are the best dumplings I have ever tasted. You should order everything raw and cook it in the broth if you go here. But the server recommended the fish paste that you cook and it tasted like fishy glue. DO not get this! Everything else was great! Don't forget to eat the broth as soup w the veggies and sauce mixed in!
(4)use your t.
Our 1st time here. My wife used to live in Japan many years ago and used to enjoy Shabu Shabu there sometimes, but she may never have had it back here in US in many, many years. We both thoroughly enjoyed everything: food. way room looks, service, price very reasonable. She had various fish with Mongolian flavoring added. -- very tasty, spicy but different. Wished I chose Mongolian flavoring in mine as it was unusual As a vegetarian, I had VEGGIE PLATTER with Sichuan flavoring added. Nothing wrong with Sichuan flavoring, spicy like it should have been. Mongolian just different type of hot spicy. But I still THOROUGHLY enjoyed mine. Many interesting, tasty vegetables. She enjoyed her seafood. Fun boiling food ourselves. We sat at the tables in the center, not a booth. Only minor downfall was the Udon noodles were not authentic in terms of feel, taste or size (were not thick), but this is a quibble.
(5)Katie W.
Love this place! It's interactive eating at its best. The meat combo is the way to go, if your with a friend you can order all four meats and share (chicken, lamb, beef, veal)! LOVE LOVE LOVE the Chinese spicy broth--an incredibly flavorful beef broth with spicy chilies and the Korean kimchi is great too. Everyone starts with kimchi cabbage starter which is flavorful. I love that you can make your own adjustments to your sauces as well since they give you the Asian BBQ sauce, garlic, soy, scallions separately to mix together on your own. Plus they give you a red bean dessert with is a sweet treat! I like sitting at the bar the best, but tables are great too. I would keep this place to a girls night out, My boyfriend and I came here one night and he left still hungry.....
(4)Hieu T.
Dear Shabu Zen - Food: I love your hot pot! Your meat (prime rib) are juicy and tasty. The variety of veggies were awesome. I absolutely love the fish balls. I love how we can have two separate broths at one table. My favorite broth would be kim chi. The spice for that broth is always "just right". I tried the "berry, berry martini" tonight and it was delicious. I love that it has gummi bears in it. And the $5 dollars special for this martini wasn't too bad. Service: This is the reason why you guys are getting a "one star". You told us that the wait for 4 people was 30 minutes. We say okay. We saw an empty table for 4 and no one was sitting there. We asked you if we can sit there. You say that it is waiting on a party. But I know that Shabu Zen DOES NOT take reservations from anyone. So I thought it was a bit strange. That table was empty for the next 25 minutes. The table next to that empty table of 4 left. But you didn't sit us, however, you push the two tables together and sat a larger party of white customers, which just arrived after us. On top of it, you took one of the chairs that we, the waiting customers, were sitting on for that party. This is unacceptable and discriminatory. First, you do not sit another party down when that party arrived later then the other two parties sit there.. You could have sit us first at the empty table, and by the time the table next to it is done, you could rotate another small group in. And that large party will just have to wait for another 30 minutes for a large table to be empty. And second, do not put empty chairs out for your customers to sit while they wait for the table and then take it away because one of your tables need it. What happen if the waiting customer say no. The hostess actually took the chair without asking if anyone was sitting there, so I told her ...that is very poor customer service. And she explain to me that she didn't see anyone sitting there and i told her that you saw us. You know that we were sitting there. On top of it, she gave us and attitude after she sit us down. This is not the first time that I experience discriminatory service at an Asian restaurant. Non-asian customers tend to be treat better than Asians. However, Shabu Zen is not a cheap, hole-in-the wall restaurant. You could have treat us a bit better with the price that you charge. Very disappointed.
(1)An L.
Fresh vegetables, except watercress wasn't super fresh. Good food. Not a stand-out, but very clean. Unable to control the heat of hot pot, makes it cumbersome. Angus was very good. Nice cold bean dessert at the end, complimentary. Nice touch.
(3)Jeff M.
This place is good fun. Depending on how good of a cook you are the food can be delicious too. I'll definitely come back here; its just hard to rate a restaurant where you are the chef.
(3)Thy L.
Shabu Zen used to be all the rave. I feel slightly disappointed as I see how it's changed over the years. The proportions have gotten so much smaller! I know we're in a recession and you have to cut costs, but so do I! The prices haven't changed but the amount of food is probably 20-25% less than what it was before. The quality of the food is still good but I'm only giving it 3 stars because 1) smaller portions (they didn't even give me corn the last time I went) 2) limited soup choices compared to Shabu Restaurant in Quincy or even Kaze a couple blocks away 3) the skinny udon they have. Udon is suppose to be fat. I do recommend getting their fish paste, their sauteed beef tongue and sauteed baby clams. It's the best around.
(3)Megan S.
Hotpot??! Overpriced. 'nuff said.
(2)Don W.
I finally had a chance to try Shabu-Zen. A few months ago I had asked the Yelp community whether I should go to Shabu-Zen or Kaze, and when the votes were counted, Kaze won by a small margin. We went, we had a good time, and since then I've wondered about Shabu-Zen. Now I know. Shabu-Zen was really good. The beef, seafood, and vegetables were all fresh. We got the standard broth and it was really nice. There's no point in elaborating because there are already 200 reviews for this restaurant, so I'll stick to the basics. We walked into Shabu-Zen at maybe 7:30 on a Sunday night with no reservations and they had no trouble seating us. For three dinners, a bottle of wine, and a bottle of sparkling water, it was $80 including the tip. That's a good deal. I think Kaze was a little better, but the difference is slight. Either one will fill you up inexpensively.
(4)Mikki N.
Just had the best lunch ever!!! You can never go wrong with shabu. Since it's Friday and it's during Lent season, we ordered the veggie delight and seafood combo! Ive always think that beef works well in shabu so seafood wasn't that great. The veggie delight was very standard but boy did they fill us up! I'm in love with Shabu!! Y'all need to try this place!
(4)Sunjung H.
So obsessed with this place! I love shabu shabu and this place has a great little atmosphere. The waiters aren't always that friendly and you sometimes have to wait awhile just to ask them for water but the food is still worth the trip!!
(5)Lingy Q.
This place is pretty good for hot pot, and they have some good smoothies too. My one problem with it though, is that like all good restaurants that suffer from a big bang of success and slyly slips into disappointment, this one does not disappoint. For the last consecutive three times I ate here, the vegetable sides were less that fresh, and twice they even forgot some plates we'd ordered, but charged for them anyway. It also doesn't help that there's a minimum amount of money associated with eating at a table, and a minimum of three people I think. In my opinion, it's much better to just head over to Kaze, where the food is fresher, they offer bigger portions, more options, and no extra requirements for seating.
(3)Anne C.
I love shabu shabu, so when this place open I was really excited. There is ALWAYS a long line for this place during dinner time up till close to midnight, so I would advise go during lunch instead. And during lunch, for about $13, you get about the same amount of food that will definitely fill you up. This is especially great for a cold winter day (as you see the windows all fogged up from the outside). There's a great variety of options, and something for everyone - a set meal (i.e., surf and turf) or a la carte. I brought my two former work colleagues recently who have never tried this before, and they were hooked. Remember that you're there for the food and fun, as the service is lacking and just mediocre (take your order, bring food out and take dishes away). One thing I do not like is that after you leave the place, you (and your clothes) smell like Shabu Shabu.
(4)Mary M.
Everything that has been said has been said already...so all I can say is YUMMY~!! I ate here 2 nights in a row while on vacation. I love how it is shabu shabu, but has a lot of different variety of items you can order (normally for Chinese hotpot). The prices are great too. Oh and the smoothies are really good too. I love this place!
(5)Matthew M.
Checked out this place for lunch on Sunday with my girlfriend. I really enjoyed it. The service was very friendly and helpful. I got a meat combo (Pork and Chicken) and my girlfriend had the seafood platter which also came with beef. Both were excellent. We also got some dumplings for an appetizer that were great. It came to about $40 which was a little bit much for lunch, but we ate a ton. Both dishes came with Udon noodles which are my favorite. I would definitely recommend this place and will return again.
(4)Alex C.
Shabu Zen! I would say this is the best shabu place I have been to in Boston! Like the previous reviewer, Kim N., I used to complain a lot about Aisan food being sub-par in Boston. But Shabu Zen changed it all. It is hard to find such great Shabu place in Boston. If you just moved to Boston and want some awesoem shabu.... here is the place for you!
(4)Donna Y.
Great place for hot pot, particularly when you're in Boston, and it's cold, and you want to warm up. Service is really attentive and great. Prices are on the more expensive side, but it's a great meal and has all the classic hot pot food it should have.
(4)Kree K.
my favorite shabu shabu in the US :)
(5)aaron t.
Healthy, yummy, tasty, hot pot. Busy, fast paced environment. Nothing fancy, just fast service, good food, and lots of asians. I crave to eat here when I want HOT tasty food. Good place for a few people. Mainly a stream of pots on a bar like table. They have probably a dozen or so tables for larger groups!
(4)Nik M.
Hmm had great expectations from this place, took my mom and dad (both primarily vegetarians) for their first Shabu shabu. Food was OK but service was poor. We ordered two dishes to share among the three of us. They charged me $5 for using another pot, which was OK, but they brought one of our main dishes later on and did not explain what was what. We were eating the two side veggies plates thinking it was our veggie delight. Okay maybe I should have known but they could tell us. So mom and Dad had an OK time and with all the mix up I did not feel like being generous with the tip, astoshingly the waitrees followed us to the door and asked me to tip more, is this common? I spent most of my time in California and have never come across such behavior. Anyways this incident prompted me to yelp(I use it very often), I would like to hear if following a customer and asking them to tip extra is common? Not sure if I will ever go back there again
(3)Victoria B.
This place is great to go to with friends. You get a lot of food and you get to cook your things however you want. It's fun to mix up the broths. The lunch menu is really good and has good prices. I don't find it out of this worl but it's a fun experience.
(3)Pete P.
so fun! love going to this place. we go at least a few times a winter. its fun with a group of 4 or 6 as you can all sit at one table and live it up. it is a very social way to eat and lots of fun too. the wait can be long... an hour is usual. the food is healthy and damn good. i recommend this place for sure. definately take you time to look up what kind of food it is. if you are the type of person that doesnt like their food touching or other people getting close to their mean this place is not for you! all of the food get cooked in the same bubbling both.
(4)Angie T.
So I heard about this hot pot sensation from my parent and they tell me they feel healthier just eating there. SO i checked the place out with my boyfriend and the food is great, but the prices were a bit high for my taste. You are basically getting $1for one piece of beef and if you want kim chee it's about $4(?). The service was OK when we went there during a Super bowl and the waiter who served us was glued to the television. So I had to ask for another waiter and from then on everything was just OK. As much as I ate to feel fulfilled, to my surprise the check was over $70. The service sucks ass, but good food.
(3)Huan z.
One of the best hot pot place around, Japanese Style. The owner is Chinese but lived in Japan for many years to learn to make these hot pot. You have your own pot and adjust your own temperature. Meat are well picked and nice sliced. A bit pricey but worth the money.
(4)Kelly L.
Excellent food! Was a little pricy for my tastes, considering the portions were pretty small, but it was still pretty decent. You can't really mess up on hotpot, and if you're ever really craving it, this is a really good place to go.
(4)Tim N.
This restaurant is exactly what Boston needs - diversity. The food is not only very good but the entire Shabu (hot pot) experience is just plain different and fun. The staff is very friendly and eager to offer advice on how to gain the best results. I went to a similar Shabu style restaurant in Hong Kong several years ago and was extremely pleased to find that I can get a similar communal dining experience in my own back yard. Prices are very reasonable and they have a bar area with a giant flat screen TV that always has the Red Sox game on but remember to get there early on the weekend as lines begin to form as early as 7:00PM.
(5)Tiffany A.
I stopped in here after a shopping excursion. I didn't know what to expect, as I was pretty much unfamiliar with the concept of shabu-shabu (teppanyaki is another story!), so I wasn't prepared to boil my lunch. This didn't sound really appealing to me, so I was slightly less enthusiastic about our lunch prospect than my dining companion, who urged me to open my mind and give it a go. So I ordered the chicken and watched my little pot simmer. They presented me with a little plate of veggie options, which would satisfy me if the meat part of the meal turned out to be a disappointment. Man, this was a great experience! The chicken was great (even if it was boiled), and the veggies were delicious! I had a nice glass of wine to accompany my meal and some green tea. It was an incredibly healthy meal (wine habit aside) and it didn't leave that heavy (though strangely empty) feeling that so many asian food experiences leave you with. There's a spot in Allston that's closer to me, as I don't often find myself in Chinatown, so I'll probably stop in that restaurant later on. Hopefully the experience will be the same.
(4)Alex F.
I've been to this restaurant before and had a fine experience, but last night I found a small beetle in the Vegetarian Delight dish. We showed our server and her supervisor came out to offer us free dessert, but we didn't want any and they eventually took one of our beers off the bill. I thought they should have taken the vegetable dish off the bill.
(2)So S.
Japanese Hot Pot!! UNIQUE!! Only one I know in Boston. If you don't know the concept then you must go! It is similar to Fondue but better and much more fun. It is a great date place 'cause there is an activity involved. Basically cook your own food and vegetables in a broth. The food is great and if you have any questions on what you should do, then write me!! Your date will be impressed w/ your cultured tastes. shabuzen.com
(5)Mabel C.
This place has nice atmosphere and good food, but I feel like I was paying too much money for the small amount of food that I got. Maybe it is because I grew up eating hot pot both at home and in cheaper restaurants, so I can't help thinking that I can get all the ingredients myself and cook at home.
(3)Brendan M.
I've definitely had better shabu than this, but I believe it's the only option in Boston if you have the craving. The best approach is to go with a large group - you probably don't need to get a plate of meat for everyone as the helpings are quite large. Expect to spend about $20 I've never had shabu shabu in Japan, so I'm not quite sure what's "authentic" but this definitely seemed rather Americanised. My understanding of real shabu is that it's strictly beef only, but these guys also have lamb, pork, chicken and seafood shabus.
(3)drew d.
YO! We brought our own Ponzu sauce! There were ten of us. Everyone was Japanese except for me, of course. Really. There was a couple of them who just got off the plane from Tokyo! So you know i was with good company on what this shit was supposed to really be like! But i've had ths Shabs before here and in Japan, and all i could say that this was alright to say the most! So i kinda figured out from the get go that this joint wasn't Japanese run. i think the staff was Taiwanese or from Hong Kong. But they wasn't foolin' me. Ah yes. The fact that my homeboy from Osaka was sneaking in the ponzu was a super dead give away! but it was actually kinda funny that we would have to make our dining experience a little more suited to the Japanese's discerning taste. Everyone agreed that the food was good. we all shared each others beef, lamb, tofu, veggies, mushrooms, konyaku, noodles, etc. The meat they served was not of the Kobe Beef variety but the a la Freeze Dried rolled up kind you see at your cheaper local mongolian and shabu shabu joints. Well boo to that! But for 20-30 dollars a person i guess you couldn't expect them to butcher a lamb or cow in the back alley, The only thing authentic that night were my friends doing karate chops and communicating with me in broken English and the Asahi beer that flowed. And that shit was probably brewed in Canada!
(3)Aubrey G.
I was here for the first time on Monday for a free lunch (put your business card in the fishbowl!). It was absolutely delicious. I went with a veteran, but it is easy enough to figure out on your own. I also recommend the fruit smoothies. I had watermelon and when I was done I longed for another! The place is clean, friendly and fun! Check it out, great for lunch!
(4)Ryan C.
This is Japanese hot pot style dining where you cook your own food at your table as you dine. The food is good (but not exceptional) and the price is reasonable. The portions appear to be rather small (the meats are so thin, for example) but then I realized that I did leave feeling satisfied. I've been here only twice and I'm still not used to it, but both times I was with hot pot veterans who had their own systems and walked me through the process. I like the food and it's a unique dining experience but I don't think I will become a regular here or at any other hot pot style place. I prefer that the restaurant do 100% of the meal preparation for me and all I have to worry about is enjoying my meal. Oh yes, and I will echo "lovely little panda" that the watermelon smoothie was very refreshing.
(3)Sandra N.
This is the shabutopia of Boston. It's a salvation from the ruthless Boston winter. It's the answer to soupie cravings. They've got everything covered, from an extensive choice of shakes to a plethora of side dishes. Most importantly though, their hot pots are delicious cauldrons of heaven. The meats are always fresh, and they don't skimp on the vegetables when you order the combo. Remember to get the sauteed clammies, and watermelon shake. The staff is very attentive and kind. They make sure your hot pot is filled with soupie at all times, and adjust the temp accordingly.
(5)Susan C.
I look forward to doing this every winter, we go at least once a year. There is nothing better on a cold day, especially after a brisk walk from the T, than a steaming pot of shabu. I have always gone with a group of 4 or 5 on a Saturday night, which is unfortunate, because we always end up sitting at the bar rather than at a table, since the wait can be over 30 minutes. The bar is definitely more difficult to socialize with your party, and when it's busy in there, it can get loud. I order up a pot of veggie broth (I guess the standard broth is not vegetarian, so make sure to specify) and the veggie/tofu plate. There's tarrow, tofu and tofu skin, and few other things that I can't readily identify, but are delicious. You also get a plate of veggies that is a bit more robust than what people who order the meat/seafood platters get. Then, you cook away in your steamy pot of goodness. I'm sure it's a lot more fun and social if you can get a table, but it's still tasty even when you're at the bar. The bonus of sitting there is if you seem to be struggling, the staff will offer tips to help set your shabu experience. Yum!
(4)D M.
I went here on New Years Eve during the day with two friends, and a 13 year old boy. All were happy to partake in the hot pot cooking, and it was lots of fun. I was glad that the youngin' got into the hot pot cooking and ate pretty much everything on his plate, except for the weird little mushrooms. They offer a variety of different interesting items to cook yourself in the broth (we ordered the spicy kim chi broth, which was yummy) and good veggies items for non-meat eaters. It was roughly about $10 a person, more if you got the bigger platters of meats or seafoods.
(5)Jennifer D.
First time visit and it won't be the last. I'm home now, but already craving the spicy broth. Should have ordered the kobe beef, but chose chicken, which was tasty, but not as good as the one slice of beef my daughter begrudgingly chop-sticked over. Rookie mistake I won't repeat. Loved all the veggies to add to the broth and perfect slices. Ordered mildly spiced broth and it was just the right amount of heat. The portions are just right, even if it is a little pricey-- worth every penny! Can't wait to take friends here and share this excellent place in the heart of Chinatown.
(5)Mina I.
I love Hot-Pot! I recommend the beef w extra watercress & vermicelli noodles.. I would have given it 3 but - the last two times I have gone I have been treated poorly by the people working there. It is a good location and a fun place for small groups.
(2)Laura B.
Great shabu-shabu, but sometimes you have to wait a while to get a table.
(5)Laureen B.
Shabu zen is one of the best Japanese restaurants I have been to ever. It was very clean, the wait staff was super accomidating and the food was awesome. I dont even eat meat and I found there to be really good. Try the beer, its awesome...I also went on a Saturday at 6:30-7 and there wasn't a line at all. So..the wait shouldnt be too bad! Oh and dont worry about looking dumb and making a mess, most people do and no one cares :)
(5)Jill D.
This place is awesome! It is entertaining cooking your own food in the company of friends with fresh ingredients that are chopped for you. I have done hot pot many times at home with friends and it takes a couple of hours to chop all of the ingredients for a big party. I love having them do it instead. Very delicious!
(5)Catie R.
One of our favorite restaurants! Some months we go here once a week. Love the seaweed salad & warm saki to start. Got the beef/seafood combo once and it was just overwhelming and way too much food, so always stick to straight beef now. Sometimes wish it hadn't gotten so popular, because we can't get a seat! Chinatown location is smaller, but I think better customer service & friendlier staff. Allston's staff is getting much better though and we go to that location more often now that they've improved. Yum yum.
(5)Kristin G.
Decent broth, good, quick service. I wasn't knocked out, though. If there was a 3.5 star option, I'd go for that.
(3)Merri L.
Last night, a bunch of us went to Shabu-Zen in Chinatown in Boston for Shabu Shabu. Shabu Shabu is Japanese fondue. You choose your meat/fish (or they have tofu too), and choose a broth, then you also get a plate of veggies and either steamed rice or a choice of different noodles. Then you cook the meat and veggies in the broth yourself at the table. The traditional broth is fish broth, but this restaurant didn't have it. Although it is usually Japanese, they used things from all different countries. I had the ostrich (which is not Japanese at all). I had tried ostrich years ago at an Australian restaurant in Pasadena CA, where you cook the meat at the table on a hot rock. Ostrich, for those who haven't tried it, tastes similar to steak, but is healthier. I chose the curry broth, which was very good. I also tried the Chinese spicy broth, which was bland and very spicy at the same time (I can't explain why). I found the best way to cook the ostrich is using your chopsticks. If you use the metal instrument they give you, it boils too quickly and falls into the broth. You don't get much meat with the ostrich choice, but it was very good. The veggies were also yummy, we had two types of greens, some cabbage, a piece of corn on the cob (yum!), a mushroom, bamboo, water chestnut, and what was the other one, root from a waterlilly or something like that. I didn't like the cabbage but the rest was so good, especially after cooked in the curry broth and dipped in the sauce. Even the rice was really yummy, nice and sticky. If you like fish, you might want to get the surf and turf. That was the most enormous plate there, three times the meat as I got. You get one choice of meat meat (lamb, beef or pork) and then clams, squid, shrimp, and more. I tried the lamb and it was delicious. If you don't like fish, but want variety, they also have a meat plate, where you can choose two types of meat (lamb, beef, pork or chicken, I think). That gets you a little bit more than the ostrich, but still only half of the surf and turf. The mango smoothies are just like you could make at home, just like purreed mango. The special flavored sodas still taste like soda (not cola), but the kind you could get from the store, maybe Polar brand. They do have sakes and plum wine and more flavors of smoothies too. You get the meat, veggies and side dish all for $12-16, and the broth is about $3 extra (even though you have to have broth to cook it). It's a very good value and a fun thing to do.
(4)Kayle S.
Excellent Japanese hot pot. There are several other Shabu Shabu places around, but I think this one is the best. Everyone else seems to think so too, so be careful when you go or you'll have to wait quite a long time. I like the seafood platter and the vegetable platter (great mushrooms and roots!). The vegetarian broth is also good.
(5)Mike D.
this place is awesome. went here before a Jim Jefferies show at the Wilbur Theater in September. cooking stuff in broth is great, right? just a fun dining experience where you can have some control over the flavors that your food takes on. it's just different. i would come into the city just to go to this place. glad we found it.
(4)Geoff T.
Love this place! A japanese hot pot place (this means you are seated in front of a boiling pot of broth-- with the spices of your choice added-- and actually cook your own meat and veggies in the broth). The seaweed salad is the best I've ever had. This is also a great place for a first date-- it's a learning experience the first time you go in, figuring out what to do with everything they bring you, how long to cook different things, etc.-- so if the conversation is stalling, at least you both have something to do together. Also, it's just plain fun to be playing with your food. Highly reccomended.
(5)Jim K.
My wife and I loooove Shabu! We get it in New York often, usually at this one in Queens called Little Lam but Shabu Zen is probably one of the nicest Shabu Shabu places I been to when it comes to environment. It's nicely designed, allows people to easily sit by at the bar and enjoy the sports game or at a table with a group of friends. The food is excellent, but the only reason I give it 3 stars is because their service isn't great, but I am not expecting much because I know it's busy and the staff all look like they're in high school or college, and the portions are small. Having spent about $40 for two and still hungry is not a good feeling to have and I didn't feel like spending more for a double portion because for $80 for 2 people at Shabu Shabu is a bit too much.
(3)Sue D.
We headed to Chinatown on Christmas night since everything else was closed. Simply awesome. Neither of us had tried hotpot before - except a *bad* hotpot experience at a Sichuan place last summer. Anyway, this place was great. The broth is pork based but you can buy additional flavorings to customize it. Also you can buy a package of ingredients or just purchase them a la carte. The service was very nice and helpful for novices. It was a lot of fun too.
(5)sunny n.
Great Boston first Japanese Hot Pot Restnt...usually crowded..and seating is tight and be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes..especially on weekends and nights! You will get to enjoy "Shabu"...your meal in a choice of open counter seating, Bar-w/ plasma, or booth n tables. The food is excellent with plenty of choices for the health conscious. If it is your first time and you need help trying to figure out how to eat, ask the waitresses who are really courtious and sweet in the midst of all the hustle n bustle of this warm aroma filled loud establishment. BANZAI all the way...finally now in Boston!!
(5)Sharon C.
Click on the Shabu Zen link and get a sample of their menu. What is really good about this place is that besides the main courses, their appetizers like the sauteed baby clams, their sashimi like the white tuna, and their drinks like the mango smoothie are all excellent. Even their side choice of vermicelli is quality. Yes, it is authentic Japanese hot pot, but it is almost identical with a hot pot cuisine in Taiwan. Ask for their free sesame sauce!
(5)Angie C.
I'm so suprised to hear some of the challenges. I've never had a bad experience. The host staff had always been nice even when there would be a long wait. The waitstaff has always asked if we had been there or if we had any questions and has even provided suggested sauce combinations or insider hints *SMILE/WINK*. They don't give us weird looks when answering our silly questions that they must get from the 10 guests before us ulike some other ethnic/cultural restaurants. I don't care for the cold soup dessert but it is an honor to consistently be offered the cultural dish at the end of each visit. I don't know about challenges with groups larger than 6 because that happened to be my largest party. The only thing that I do find to be an inconvenience is that if they are busy, and there are only 2 of you, they will almost never seat you at a 4-spot table. You will be referred to the counter bar. I mean, it really is a courteous way to save space for, and seat larger groups quickly, but honestly I'm selfish sometimes and prefer the tables. I guess I do appreciate the effort more on the nights when there are at least 4 of us. Lychee smoothies for all... LAUGH!
(5)D W.
This is a Japanese version of fondue, where you cook your own food a few bites at a time by dunking it in hot broth at the table. For the moderate-price, it's a great date place, no doubt about it. Call ahead to get your name on the list, or you'll end up somewhere else.
(5)J D.
an insanely popular place i've seen people waiting here for over an hour for dinner. they don't take reservations, you just add your name to the longest list ever and be prepared to wait. however, i adore this place and every time i visit my parents, we come here for dinner! The service is incredible, the waiters are always very attentive and my water glass was never empty. If you order well, it can be a very affordable way to have dinner! For the four of us, we usually only order 2 complete sets (meat with the side of veggies plus rice, udon, or vermicelli) then order ala carte extras (you get a significantly larger portion of meat this way) and by the end, you have to roll us out of the door. definitely try the different broth flavors, I think they add a lot to the meal versus the standard broth (my pick: thai tom yum). be adventurous, mix EVERYTHING into your soy sauce dish, even the dark paste, you can't really go wrong. as far as ordering...the boneless beef short ribs (so tender), the lamb, and pork all hold up really well to the fast (less than 30 secs!) broth cooking. the seafood is alright, however, I think a lot of the sweetness of shrimp/fish is masked by the salt in the broth. The assorted mushrooms are delicious and get the pork dumplings (raw!) for a super yummy soup treat. my parents swear by the fish paste/meatballs but the jury's still out on that one....drink the soup, who cares if you're not really supposed too :)
(4)Julie E.
Having never had Shabu before, I decided to check it out after friends suggested it. It was pretty good. The prices were great: the seafood combo with beef for $12.50. In addition to multiple pieces of seafood (2 scallops, cod cakes, salmon sashimi, squid, octopus, and some others) and probably 8-10 rolled beef pieces, it also included a plate of veggies and tea. We couldn't finish. Staff was nice and consistently refilled water glasses. I'll be back.
(4)Anabelle L.
Best Shabu Shabu ever. I've had Shabu in two different restaurants in LA and both were horrible. No flavor. Shabu-Zen is the opposite of no flavor and it's so much fun. Fresh garlic in soup is the best. I always stuff myself because it tastes so good. I thank my good friends for bringing me here every time I visit! Love it.
(5)Mihir P.
This restaurant was built around Shabu-Shabu. Each seat has a burner for the broth to rest on. For those who don't know, shabu-shabu is Japanese "fondue" But instead of oil, cheese or chocolate, a boiling zippy broth is used to cook your meat, seafood, poultry or vegetables. This is a fun restaurant as you cook your food in the broth and then get to mix garlic, scallion, chillies and Japanese BBQ sauce according to your taste. Service is polite and quick and the prices are surprisingly low. Sashimi and appetizers are also available for those who don't want to get "Shabu-ed". Get there early and take the T.
(4)josh k.
This was my first excursion into Chinatown, and after a little bit of being lost coming up from the T (par for the course for me) I was able to meet up with some folks and have the exhilarating experience of paying to cook my own dang food! Well when you put it that way... no, it's actually pretty good. Definitely had one of those "this is where local eat" kinda moments, cause the family at the next table had shabu skills that put us to absolute shame. It was crowded, but not horribly so, I'd recommend reservations. While the dining experience was new, and the activity helped inspire engaging conversation, I was really glad we had someone in the group who had been there before to help my sorry butt. The price was really nice, even with edimame and a glass of plum wine. I'd go back, but check it out see for yourself, make it a date, like another lonely outing to Panera is what you really want, Sheesh.
(4)Amy B.
Love this place! It's great to go with a group of people or on a double date. My first experience was with someone who has done hot pot before, and I recommend going with someone who is experienced if you have never gone. My second visit was with my Mom and her co-workers, many of whom are Asian. It was even more fun with that group and I learned a lot about the food: how and what to order, and some hot pot traditions/customs. All the food is so ridiculously fresh and it is really fun to cook it yourself and experiment with the different seasonings and sauces provided. The staff is very friendly and helpful, however there is generally a decent wait for a table on most week nights and on the weekend.
(4)Liz M.
This place was awesome! Five of us went on a Saturday afternoon, ordered 5 main dishes (sirloin, lamb, pork, beef, seafood), and got a bunch of extras. We all ate until we were stuffed and it was only about $20 each. I think that's pretty good for as filling of a meal as it was. If you went to the Melting Pot and ate the same amount of food, it would be at least twice as much per person. Plus, you can eat the broth with the noodles as soup at the end. Five stars all the way! I do suggest going as an early dinner if you want to get a table rather than sit at the bar.
(5)Steve M.
Shabu Zen was my first Shabu-Shabu experience. It's a nice, clean, well-decorated and laid back place. The wait staff is incredibly fast. I had a chicken plate and my friend had the vegetables, and between the two dishes we sampled, I say go vegetarian! Not that the chicken was bad, but all those extra mushrooms and tofu look really good! Nice Tako-Yaki (octopus balls) too.
(4)Clint L.
My favorite hot pot restaurant in Boston with super fresh food, almost always. The staff is pretty friendly there. I eat like a pig every time I go. The place is pretty comfortable, other than summer time. The A/C is not strong enough busy. It is pretty busy most of the time(especially dinner and weekends). Hot pot gives me a good appetite(not much fat), since you could boil everything.
(4)Vern B.
shabu shabu resturants are amazing. first of you get to order what kind of meat you want. They have kobe beef... DROOL then they give you a big bowl of water and you throw all the fixins you want in then you throw your meat int. or veggies if you swing that way. and you cook it yourself. they also have a decent sake selection. this is one of my favorite resturants in boston DEF TRY IT OUT
(5)T L.
For all you asians and asian wannabes out there, there is a gem hidden in the heart of Boston's own chinatown. shabuzen.com This is a hotpot concept, where raw food is brought to the table. A bowl/bowls of broth to your liking is placed in the middle of the table where the stove resides. Once boiling, you can place whatever meat or vegetables you would like into the bowl. It may seem strange to go to a restaurant and pay to cook for yourself, but you also have to try it for yourself. The menu selection is simply organized yet contains a large variety of meats, vegetables, and seafood. I suggest going with the individual items on the back part of the menu where you get more food then the combo dish. Beef and pork are the choice meats to go. also had the seafood combo, which looks so eat, i ate some of the salmon raw, holla at the upscale beef as well kobe and sirloin; I also tried the beef tripe and clams. if you dont know what you want, take a look around, its basically open so poke your head over. Plates of cabbage, mushrooms, corn, watercress, vermicelli, and tomato are brought to you as well. For the broth, you can season with scallions, garlic, hot peppers, and some other mystery sauce. I give this restaurant two thumbs up, the service was good, waiting time for the food quick (I mean they don't have to cook anything), and the prices very affordable. The only drawback was the half an hour wait. Even at 8 on a sunday night. Therefore I suggest early or late dinner to avoid the huge rush. they have these smoothies made of pure fruit, the mango one is out of this world 9 out of 10
(5)Melissa L.
I absolutely love this place. The food is fresh and the atmosphere is fun. It's a refreshing break from a normal sit down dinner.
(4)Jeffrey R.
If you know anything about me you know that for better or worse I find myself downtown an ungodly amount of time each and every week. I'm a glass is half full kind of guy and I try to make the most of it, which downtown Boston does not make easy,. Christ, what is this place, Phoenix? Well, anyway, such was the case, again, this Saturday. With a group we were looking for a central location and happened upon Shabu Zen. The place already stands out as a Japanese spot in Chinatown and that there's more attention to aesthetics than the typical family run restaurants of the neighborhood. Shab Zen is a hot pot restaurant, which already gives it an element of fun. I like that when its all said and done there's about 4 tables worth of "stuff" on our single table (condiments for soy sauce, beer, tea, vegetables, dumplings, random dishes, etc.). Its cool, because the communal nature of hot pot has every hand of every jerk at the table reaching for everything and its a great scene among friends. Our server was incredibly nice, helping guide our idiocy on what kind of broth we wanted and other Japanese cuisine dilemmas. The price was all too fair considering the food was good and plentiful and really you're also paying for a fun time. Recommendations include cook meat quickly and corn should be dropped immediately and pulled out of broth just before you get the check. Shabs Z, we'll be seeing each other soon.
(4)Ashley M.
I didn't know you could get Shabu in Boton. So the service here is bad. I asked for water twice and never got it, they were too busy to pay any attention to us, etc. However, the food makes up for it... fresh sashimi and seaweed salad, hot pot, and mango drinks... I left happy.
(4)Michael T.
One of my most frequented restaurants. I'm not a shabu-shabu aficionado, but this place makes vegetables fun for me. The service is off and on, most of the time its great but every so often I feel like they are trying to rush me out to make room for the next guest.
(4)Georgia Y.
I've never had shabu before this, so I can't judge whether it's "THE BEST OMGZ!" but I can tell you that it was a fun new way to try Japanese food. If you're vegetarian, make sure to ask for vegetarian broth, otherwise you'll get the default animal-based broth. Just buy a bunch of different things, drop 'em in your pot, and slurp away after a few minutes. Also, the bubble tea is delicious, the decor is nothing special, and the waitstaff were generally friendly and helpful.
(4)Andres M.
Delicious and addictive food. Does it have MSG? I often crave this place. The price and the flavor can't be better. The smoothies are also very good.
(5)Joe R.
The Shabu Lunch Zen that I received from this place was enough to prompt a 4-star review: pretty good for a cheap-eats spot in Chinatown. There is a lot of fun to be had in cooking your own food in a big community pot of spicy Chinese broth, not to mention if you're there with colleagues and can secretly steal the mushroom they've been meticulously preparing for the duration of the meal. Did I mention cheap (for what you get)?
(4)Yau S.
As a former loyal customer of Shabu Zen, I recently went to their New Shabu Zen from the Allston location and was very disappointed with our meals. Our party has 3 people and the overall experience was highly disappointing. The 3 of us order 3 Main courses. We finished with all 3 of our vegetables before we had any meat on the tables. Finally, when the server came and asked how things were, I bluntly told him that we need our meats with our meal. He went in the kitchen for another 10 minutes and brought out 2 meat plates that comes with our main course. We never saw the 3 meat dish that we order. We also ordered some sashimi appetizer. The server brought out the appetizer after we were half way through with Shabu Shabu. To make things worst, he never brought us any soysauce or small dishes for our sashimi. We ended up throwing all the sashimi in the broth to cook because we didn't know how to eat them with no sauce. And we paid $10 for the sashimi. Because I am a die-hard Shabu Shabu fan. I also recently tried the new Toki from across the street. I have to say Shabu Zen's meat quality was no where near as good as Toki. I found Shabu Toki not only has better food quality, but also their decor is much nicer. The staffs seem to be much more alert and attentive to customers' need. I also learned that their Head Chef is Japanese that does all their broths all from scratch and no MSG in any of their cooking. I was not dying of thirst after my meal over at Toki as I would have felt after dinning at Shabu Zen. Shabu Zen definitely has a big competitor just across the street in Allston. If you love Shabu Shabu I think you should also try Toki which is only one block away.
(1)Lillian P.
I went there on a Saturday for the first time. Food was very good. The soy, scallion, BBQ, garlic & pepper sauce was delicious on everything. It took a bit to figure the cooking out but we managed. Our table however was completely cramped. I think it was meant for like a 2 person setup and our group had 5. The place was packed and smaller than I expected. Even though I had reservations, it was almost an hour wait to be seated. It was loud (thanks to the drunken bridal party next to our table) and way too hot. I don't think I'll go back there on a weekend. Ever.
(3)Kim W.
This is probably my favorite restaurant, and considering that evaluation is coming from a vegetarian who has to see sliced raw meat every time she goes there, that means a lot! It can take awhile to get seated during peak times, but it's worth the wait. I just wish the waitstaff would be around a little more often so I can ask for some icewater -- after awhile of eating hot food and having steam in your face, it's a necessity (and the smoothies are too damn tasty to last very long).
(4)Laura L.
Have only been there once but dying to get back! I love the set up which is super fun with a little bar like thing around with personal soup bowls. The fresh veggies added to the broth were delicious! I forgot which meat I picked for my meal but all I can say is it was delicious. It's also fun putting together your own soups. The service was pretty good and kept on things.
(5)Jen and Tim S.
I ate here with a bunch of people from work when some one won one of those free meals through AmEx Advisors. It's definitely a fun and tasty meal spot - just watch out -- our intern didn't realize what the deal was and ate some of the meat raw (he was totally fine).
(4)Turelie L.
I found this little gem when a friend and I took a day trip to Chinatown when I was still living in MA. Looking for a dim sum restaurant or a noodle bar, we stumbled upon Shabu Zen. Japanese Hotpot??? SOLD! We were hooked the minute we walked in. We were seated at the counter where we each had our own little hotpot set into the table with which to cook our food. We ordered smoothies...all of which are made from the real fruit, not some concentrate. Try the Green Tea Latte! The prices are amazing for the amount of food you get....a huge plate of veggies with cabbage, carrot, mushrooms, watercress, bean threads, tofu and beancurd. We always get the Meat Combo (a couple bucks more than getting one meat and you can choose from chicken, beef, pork and lamb!), tho once or twice I've had the Surf and Turf which adds scallops, fish cake, squid, salmon and whitefish to a meat of your choice. Dinner comes with your choice of udon noodle, white rice or vermicelli. The al la carte gets expensive, but you can add a dish or two from it and share with plenty to go around. I never could finish the entire plate of Taro Root on my own. Also, their Gyoza is to DIE for! For desert, the sweet bean soup is a surprisingly refreshing treat, tho apparently an acquired taste if my friends are any indication. ^_^ My preference is the green tea mochi....an absolute must before leaving. After that first trip to Shabu Zen, I've brought every single friend I know in New England, a friend who visited from Seattle (vegan), my family from NJ, my aunt from Colorado and my fiance to that place and EVERY SINGLE ONE of them LOVES it. The last time I went I was traveling 6 hours up to MA to pick up the last of my things when I moved and my sister and I made an hour detour just to go to Shabu Zen. Every time is wonderful. The food is always outstanding and the wait staff always fast and efficient. Worth the trip every single time. If you can't navigate chopsticks, ask for a fork...they have em! Vegetarian/Vegan? They have the broth and veggie platter for you! Spice lover? They have a spicy broth too! Prices range from $9.99 to $18 or so for the main courses (al la carte is varied). For dinner plan on $25-$30 per person including gyoza ($4), a smoothie ($3.50) and desert ($2.50 or so). Hot green tea is always included with dinner. Count on an hour and a half for an unhurried dinner....cooking your own food with friends takes some time. ^_^ Get there early and take the T, parking across the street is $22. Call ahead after 6:30 pm on weekends because the place fills up fast and you can have a wait up to 2 hours for a table (for groups of 3 or more...less than 3 people and they slap you with a $75 charge) after 8 pm. We always ask for a table when we have 3 or more...it's worth the wait. For two people, the counter is excellent.
(5)sam c.
shabu zen.. what can u say.. one of the original shabu places.. i started goin the shabu zen about 4 years ago when i first moved to boston and loved it.. the food is good and the atmosphere is awesome.. the price could be alil lower but other wise.. yummy :)
(3)Brenden L.
I didn't know of any Japenese hot pot style restaurants in the city until I found this gem. The food ranges from simple chicken, pork, veal, and beef at around $10 for a plate of meat and another of vegetables to about $35 for Kobe beef and vegetables. You get to cook your own food in the hot pot and get brought a bean and barley sweet soup as dessert. Green tea also comes with the meal and is delicious.
(5)Ryan L.
um this place is crazy overpriced and I've had much better shabu in California (the Little Lamb chain) and in my own home. overrated.
(3)ecdat p.
my favorite restaurant in Boston...healthy food... quick service...I always left there full and happy...
(5)Rico B.
This is a great place to beat the cold. I love the seating, because you can have your own hot pot. No need to worry about mixing stuff up with other people's food. Servers are nice and tentative. Prices are not outrages also. (Unless you order the Kobe beef or lobster) The price includes the soup base, vegetables and tofu, choice of rice or noodles, hot tea, and red bean dessert.
(5)Andrea P.
What an amazing experience!!! To be perfectly honest I haven't really heard of this style of cuisine before so I was very intrigued when I first found out. Upon walking in I didn't really know what to expect, especially considering they don't take reservations and it was packed! With a party of 5 we waited about 45 minutes on a Friday night around 8:30, however it was well worth the wait! The concept is fabulous, we ordered two different broths and then most people ordered their platters which simplify the process, my friend ordered al carte for the two of us. Although the platters make things easy I highly recommend the al carte option because you get to try so many different things, all for a very low price. We tried everything from beef to salmon to scallops to an assorted mushroom plate. Everything was fantastic, the sauces you can combine to really add flavor gave it some personal touches to your dish. The service was definitely below average, we essentially had to flag someone down every time we needed something, which would have been frustrating if we weren't so busy enjoying ourselves. I think shabu zen and this cuisine in general is a great experience, you really get to enjoy the food and company because you don't just get one big plate of food to scarf down, you get to enjoy the entire process! Highly recommend, and will definitely be back!
(4)Vezna S.
Atmosphere: This place was awesome. Modern looking and bright lights. service here was pleasurable. The whole restaurant felt very open and friendly... it's also huge. The server staff was super friendly and helpful. Food: Delicious and addictive food. They had a 4 grades of beef to choose from including prime. You can choose many different kinds of broth including, regular original, Chinese herbal, chinese spicy, Thai tom yum, and Korean kim chee. Extremely large variety of things to choose from to put in your broth. Even vegetarians will find enough to choose from. The green tea they serve in the beginning is really relaxing to drink. Their smoothies are delicious as well. They taste just like the fruit itself. Lychee, watermelon, lemon, mango ALL great choices. Their green tea shake is wonderful as well, but you can definitely tell it is very caloric and rich. Service: Service here has always been friendly although it can be a bit slow when they are packed. Wednesday and Thursday nights around 6-6.30pm are usually good times to go, especially if you need to park your car. Friday nights can be nuts and parking spots in the small lot fill up quickly.
(5)Nashrah R.
Shabu Zen is my favorite hotpot place in the Boston area because: 1) They serve a generous portion of veggies and tofu with the meat entree selections 2) Fun drinks like the gummy bear martini, which is one of my favorite drinks 3) A refreshing red bean dessert that is served at the end of the meal In terms of improvement, Shabu Zen should work on their broths, which are good but could be better. Other tips: 1) Ask for the veggie dipping sauce instead of the regular one, especially if the regular one tastes a little too fishy for you 2) Be wary that apart from their specified veggie broth, the others use a pork base so be sure to tell them about any dietary restrictions you may have and they will give you a chicken based one instead. Compared to the nearby Q Restaurant, I would say come to Shabu Zen if you want better sides (as opposed to broths), fun drinks and a welcoming atmosphere.
(4)Josh K.
Probably my favorite restaurant in Chinatown. You got a whole lot of high-quality hot-pot food for $10-15, pretty good service, and rarely much of a wait.
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