The first time I had authentic Japanese Shabu Shabu, I was in love! After that, we were on this crazy quest to try every single restaurant we could drive to. Every restaurant had a different flair to it. From the assortment of veggies that was offered, to the different flavors in the sauce. We could not seem to get enough of it! What's best about it, is that its nutritious! You don't ever feel heavily guilty after eating it. I remember talking to one of the owners of a small shop once, and he told me that he was diabetic. He said that eating Shabu Shabu was how he was able to control his blood sugar level. I was amazed but not surprised! With all the veggies in the meal, many people can control diabetes, cholesterol, weight, ect... So after the many restaurants we have tried in a span of 3 months, we decided to make it at home. Pulling the best we saw at every restaurant, and attempting make what we believe is the Ultimate Shabu Shabu! Not only did we get every vegetable we ever wanted on one plate, we were able to eat as much as we want, while paying half of what we would pay at a restaurant. Ever since then, we've been making Shabu Shabu at home!
We had a gathering last night at my friend's house, and they all had requested Shabu Shabu for dinner. We brought all the supplies over and started to prep for this wonderful meal! 13 people - 7 guys, 6 girls. The total price of the meal came out to $7 per person!! Cheaper than going out, a more relaxed environment, and lets not forget that the kids can run around without us worrying about them! All that and we have a ton of leftovers for the next day!!
I am listing all the ingredients we normally include in our meal. I know some of the asian ingredients can be hard to find if you are not near an asian market. Just pick what you like or will be able to get!
Japanese Shabu Shabu -
sliced ribeye meat
shrimp (peeled and devained)
salmon
miso paste
nappa cabbage
spinach
watercress
garland chrysanthemum (also known in vietnamese as Tan-O)
broccoli
carrots
onions
white button mushrooms
enoki mushrooms
japanese pumpkin (also known as kabocha squash)
tofu
udon
ramen
cellophane noodles (also known as glass noodles)
Dipping sauces -
ponzu dipping sauce
goma (sesame) dipping sauce
green onions
crushed garlic
chili oil
chili pepper
hot drops (optional)
crushed roasted sesame seed (optional)
The dipping sauce we usually use is the Kikoman lime ponzu and Mizkan goma shabu sauce. We usually add crushed garlic, chili oil, chili pepper, and green onions. People with a more spicier palette can do 1 drop of the Pure Cap hot drops. It is super spicy so be careful when adding it. All ingredients put in the sauces are done to taste. Some restaurants also give you the option of adding radish, but we normally do without it.
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| You can use any type of ponzu sauce but this one is the one we normally like to use. There is also a ponzu sauce by Mizkan (same brand as goma sauce shown in the pic) that is good too. It's usually sold next to each other at the market, so you won't miss it! This brand is very popular and many people like it! |
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Pure Cap hot drops can be found at online stores. Shipping could get expensive, but it is worth it if you love the spice!! Chili pepper and chili oil just adds more spicy flavor to the sauce. All of these can be used in both ponzu or goma sauce!
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| Did I mention our love for green onions and garlic? No matter how much we make, people are always fighting over it! |
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| Our final sauces with all the goodies in it! Ready for dipping!! If you have time, crushing roasted sesame seed using a mini mortar & pestle adds incredible flavor to the goma (sesame) sauce!! |
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| The Broth At most shabu restaurants, the broth used is usually water that has been simmering with seaweed overnight to give the a very clean flavor to the food being cooked in it. But for us, we like alot of flavor! Very few restaurants offered the option of a flavored broth, but when they did, we have always loved the miso flavored broth!  There are many miso paste you can use to flavor the broth. We use this brand because most of the people in our group are sensitive to MSG. This brand offers a miso paste with no MSG! Just add to the water while it is boiling and you'll have yourself a wonderful shabu base flavor!  One of our yummy veggie platters!! 
Shrimp, peeled & devained, ready for cooking! We normally by a box of frozen shrimp, defrost them, and freeze them in batches. So that when we want to eat shabu again, they are ready to go!
 We usually buy meat that has been sliced already at the japanese markets when we are lazy to slice our own meat. Most of the time, especially with large parties, we buy a prime ribeye roast at Costco and slice it ourselves with our meat slicer! The meat at Costco is always super tasty!
Of course a meal would not be complete without a hot bowl of Panda Rice! The texture, the taste, the flavor of Panda Rice complements this meal wonderfully! Panda Rice can be found at most asian markets. If you need more information, you can always go to pandariceusa.com. They also sell 5 lbs bags on shoptheeast.com, if you don't have Panda Rice distribution in your area. They currently ship within the USA.
Our final set up before we start eating dinner!!
Grab what you want, swish it in the broth, dip into one of the sauces, and enjoy! We usually dip our veggies in the ponzu, which gives it a slight citrus vingarette seasoning to it. And we dip the meat in the goma, which gives it a creamy, rich flavor that is delicious and addicting! I personally, dip everything in the goma sauce!! I can never get enough! LOL!
I think everyone we have introduced Shabu Shabu to, loves it!
Great company & great food! What more can you ask for?!
oh... and don't forget the Sapporo! :)
ENJOY!! |
