Shabu-zen

Good spot, lots of character, good but sort of funny service, and the hot pots are the big thing to try. We had a two broth split hot pot, vegetarian broth and chicken broth. Both were very good. We ordered the beef & chicken combo, the fish & seafood, and a vegetarian delight. All were good, but the vegetarian came with some root vegetables that really are not good unless you cook them for a while, which didn't work so well. We also had a few appetizers. The vegetable gyoza are very good, the edamame is good but was too salty, and I would not recommend the sashimi sampler. Both the tuna and salmon were bizarre colors and consistencies. The tuna was a strange magenta color, and the salmon had a slimy consistency and the fat areas were gray.

Shabu Zen: Quick and Tasty Hotpot Shabu Zen is my choice for a quick hotpot fix. The standout feature here is the fast service, which ensures you won't be waiting long for your bubbling pot of goodness. The menu offers a wide selection of meats, veggies, and other hotpot delights, providing a variety of choices to customize your meal. What sets Shabu Zen apart is the extensive range of broth options, allowing you to tailor your hotpot experience to your taste. However, as a self-proclaimed sauce enthusiast, I was slightly disappointed that they only offer one sauce. Hotpot, for me, is all about the dipping and experimenting with different flavors, so the limited sauce selection left me wanting more. While I do stop by Shabu Zen from time to time, there's still a special place in my heart for other hotpot spots in Chinatown. Despite the quick service and variety, the overall experience can sometimes feel a bit rushed. 🍲🥢🏮

Broth and food are extremely fresh and high quality! Kind and friendly staff. Can’t wait to come back! Only thing I’d say is I wish there was a sauce bar. You’re provided soy sauce with a side of garlic and scallions. It is a very good base but I like how other places let you customize your sauce. Thanks for the great food! Edit: I want to correct my mistake. I said that you aren’t able to customize your sauce. All I had to do was ask… duh! I asked for more garlic and cilantro and within 15 seconds I had it. What a great place!

Probably one of the best hotpot’s we have ever had in the U.S. All of the raw food was good quality and fresh. They had the surf and turf set that contained salmon, flounder, sliced beef, and a variety of vegetables. They have individual small pots and big group pots. The place was also very clean even though it was in Chinatown.

Shabu Zen IS THE place to go to in the city for hot pot. The quality is good and so are the flavors. Been going here for over 10 years. Picture is to capture the vibe. Will get more when I return. Be prepared, this is first come & first served. You won't be seated until your entire party has arrived. It doesn't appear to be wheelchair friendly. You need to go up stairs to get into the building, didn't see a ramp option. Salmon sashimi is really good quality!