What is Shabu-shabu?
Shabu-shabu is a Japanese dish that involves cooking thin slices of meat and vegetables in a pot of boiling broth at the table. The name “shabu-shabu” comes from the sound that is made when the ingredients are swirled in the broth to cook them. The dish is often served in a communal setting, with diners cooking their own food in the pot and sharing the broth and ingredients with others.
Traditionally, shabu-shabu is made with thinly sliced beef, but it can also be made with other types of meat or seafood. Vegetables such as Napa cabbage, enoki mushrooms, and bamboo shoots are also commonly used in the dish. The cooked meat and vegetables are usually eaten with a dipping sauce made of soy sauce and other seasonings. Shabu-shabu is a popular and social way to enjoy a meal in Japan and is often served at special occasions and celebrations. So, shabu-shabu is a hot pot dish that allows diners to cook their own food in a pot of boiling broth at the table. Here’s an easy recipe to try yourself:
How to make Shabu-shabu
Ingredients
- 1 pound thinly sliced beef (such as sirloin or ribeye)
- 1 pound thinly sliced pork (optional)
- 8 ounces of firm tofu, cut into small cubes
- 8 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stems removed
- 1 bunch of enokitake mushrooms, ends trimmed
- 1 bunch of scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1/2 head Napa cabbage, thinly sliced
- 8 ounces of udon noodles
- 1/4 cup sake (Japanese rice wine)
- 4 cups dashi or chicken broth
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons grated ginger
- Sesame oil, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare all of the ingredients listed above.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat.
- Place the thinly sliced beef and pork (if using) in a bowl. Add the sake, soy sauce, sugar, salt, garlic, and ginger. Mix well to combine.
- When the water is boiling, add the udon noodles and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until tender. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, bring the dashi or chicken broth to a boil over high heat.
- Place all of the prepared ingredients in separate bowls on the table.
- To eat, use cooking chopsticks or tongs to place a small amount of the beef, pork, tofu, mushrooms, scallions, cabbage, and noodles into the pot with the boiling broth. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the beef is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
- Remove the cooked ingredients from the pot and place them in a bowl. Repeat until all of the ingredients are cooked.
- Serve the Shabu Shabu hot, with sesame oil on the side for dipping. Enjoy!
A Fun Meal With Friends
I recently had the chance to make Shabu Shabu at home, and it was a fun and enjoyable experience. I gathered all the ingredients I needed, including thinly sliced beef, vegetables, and dashi broth, and set everything out on the table.
As I started cooking the ingredients in the pot of boiling broth, I couldn’t help but be impressed by how quickly everything came together. The thinly sliced beef cooked in just a matter of seconds, and the vegetables added a fresh and crunchy texture to the dish.
I loved the fact that Shabu Shabu is a meal that everyone can participate in. My friends and I all took turns cooking the ingredients and choosing what we wanted to eat, and it was a wonderful way to spend an evening together. The final result was a warm and hearty meal that we all enjoyed. I highly recommend giving Shabu Shabu a try at home it’s a fun and delicious way to enjoy a meal with friends or family.
