SHABUZEN Shibuya shop

AYCE shabu in Tokyo! This place was featured in Lost in Translation too!
The restaurant is pretty spacious with plenty of tables for large groups. You all have to order AYCE (since you’re all sharing one huge pot). We got an order of the pork and the beef which comes with rice, noodles, and plenty of vegetables. The presentation was really nice with plenty of sauces and accompaniments to add. I was a fan of their yuzu, green onions, and chili oil.
Please come hungry here because there is so much food! Seriously, the meat keeps coming and coming here. Out of the pork and beef though — we were all a huge fan of the beef. The meat quality here was pretty good too (for an AYCE place). The pork wasn’t super fatty and the beef came out a beautiful and bright red color.
This is a fun and interactive dining experience!

This place is a very old school shabu shabu place frequented by Japanese businessmen and also by families.
Straight off, please note that they allow smoking inside so you may wish to try and request a private room if you want to avoid this. When we were there no one was smoking near us so we weren’t bothered by this.
All the lady servers are in kimono or its equivalent so this was pretty cool. They are all super polite as is the custom in Japan and even let us take photos with them!
We went for the kobe wagyu beef buffet with added Hokkaido crab legs. This isn’t on the English menu so do tell them you want crab legs. You will get 3 per person and they are not buffet. Together with your buffet you will get a meal set, vegetable platter (which I believe is included in the buffet), cooked crab claw, dessert.
There is an even more expensive wagyu beef option but I think we undiscerning patrons would not be able to tell much of a difference taste wise but the price difference is eye watering. Either way the kobe beef just melts in your mouth.
The experience is pricey, about £150 for two, but oh so worth it.

This is our family’s go to farewell dinner in Tokyo. It’s in the basement of The Creston Hotel (enter from the side stairwell).
There is every price range and choice of quality meats. So, good, don’t think there is a bad choice.
I love the private seating areas with tall ceiling. It’s so 70’s in fact you might have smoking, drinking «salary men» by you… so could be a turn off? But we like it so much we tolerate it. It’s out of the hustle and bustle of main Shibuya. It’s a relaxing atmosphere and surely a good time always!
The tradition is noodles after your Shabu Shabu-​so save room, or wave them off. I can never eat the noodles after this meal, it’s already so satisfying.