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    Hotaru Shabu & Grill

    4.7 (29 reviews)
    Closed • 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Business Info

    HOTARU SHABU & GRILL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Wagyu!
    Jocelyn J.

    Had shabu and grill here and it was really good! You can choose either shabu or grill as your base, and there's also an upgraded option to enjoy both at the same time. The meats were all great quality, and having both options in one meal makes it a lot more fun. Just keep in mind that everyone in your party has to choose the same option, especially if people in your group want different things. They're also offering a grand opening discount right now, so it's the perfect time to try the upgraded option. We did both grill n shabu! Cubed steak and pork jowls were soooooo good! Oh also they use charcoal on the grill it seems! The meat grills so good on it. Veggie and sauce station could be organized a little better, but they have everything you need and you can still find everything pretty easily. There was a good variety of vegetables, sauces, and other items to choose from, so it was easy to customize the meal to your liking. The place is still pretty new, and it doesn't seem like they have a big brand name driving the marketing yet, especially compared with places like Haidilao or wagyu Factory. It wasn't too busy when we went, but you can tell it's good people running a good business. Hopefully they can build some good word of mouth, because the food and overall experience are definitely worth talking about. Really hoping more people discover this place and business picks up because I'd love to see them stay and grow. Definitely worth checking it out!

    Hot pot
    Anna J.

    Found this little hole-in-the-wall shabu and BBQ spot close to home, and what a great surprise! We stopped by for a random Monday dinner out of curiosity and were genuinely impressed by the quality of the meat for both the grill and shabu. We got the AYCE option for both shabu and grill and tried four different broths. All of them were delicious, and the dipping sauce combinations they suggested were excellent. The grill is KBBQ-style, and the quality of the wagyu especially blew us away. Service was also very friendly and pleasant throughout the meal. We really loved this place and hope they get lots of business because we definitely want to keep coming back!

    Helpful hints on making sauces
    Monalisa T.

    This place is super brand new. My cousin found it on Yelp and wanted to try it. Service - excellent but because this place had just opened it was not busy at all and besides us there was only one other table. Meats - the meat quality is very good especially the Australian Wagyu. Keep in mind it is limited to one per person. Shabu - it's a split pot so you get two broths and it is individual pots. My sister recommends mixing the tonkotsu with the Mala. Hot Foods - their chicken is very crispy. I recommend the Honey Sriracha wings! Dessert- they have taro balls and sesame balls and both were very good. Usually they are soggy at other AYCE places so I was pleasantly surprised. They also have ice cream that you can order from the tablet so that's a win. Not sure if the flavors change but they had pistachio, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry cheesecake. Drinks - self-serve unlimited soda cans are offered and kept in a fridge The menu was a bit confusing to read. They might want to update their menus or add this info somewhere to avoid questions. --It says they have lunch and dinner prices but it doesn't tell you what the lunch hours are. --If you want to do both the shabu and the grill then it's $49.99 but no where on the menu does it say that. Overall, it was pretty good and we might go back to try the grill menu. Right now they have a promotion going on: 20% off the while bill until end of September!

    Australian wagyu
    Hien N.

    Highly recommend! We were impressed by the quality of every protein we tried--especially, the meat and snakehead fish were fresh and high quality. The limited Australian beef options are definitely one of the best meats we have tried. One feature we really loved is that everyone has their own personal pot and can choose two different broth options, making the experience more personalized and enjoyable. The restaurant is clean and organized. Pricing is reasonable for the quality. We also appreciated that everything else, from the vegetables to the carbs, was fresh and thoughtfully selected. The service was also very attentive. Everyone was friendly and worked hard to bring out food as quickly as possible while promptly clearing used plates. Our family had a really great experience at this new shabu spot in Tustin and were genuinely impressed, especially for a newly opened restaurant. Overall, this is honestly one of the best--if not the best--shabu experiences we have had in the area. Definitely worth trying, and we will absolutely be back!

    We were excited to try Hotaru Shabu and Grill, especially because it's one of the few places in the Irvine-Tustin area offering both shabu-shabu and Korean BBQ! The meat was fresh, tender, and very good quality, with a wonderful variety to choose from. We also loved the unlimited drinks. Everything we tried was delicious, and everyone working there was friendly and welcoming. The only small downside was that it could have been a little cooler inside, but to be fair, we're in the middle of a heat wave--and having hot pots and grills going definitely adds to the warmth! We also received 20% off for their grand opening, which was a great bonus. Overall, we were very happy with our experience and will definitely be coming back!

    Nick P.

    The meats are super tender for grilling, the split broths are loaded with flavor, and all the fresh veggies, noodles, and side dishes tie everything together perfectly. On top of the great food, the vibe is lively and the service is exceptionally fast and attentive, with the staff constantly refilling broths and clearing plates before you even need to ask. Love this new place in the area!

    Julie T.

    Excellent place to eat out. Great service, the foods were good and very clean. I love this place cause they have both what I want a shabu and BBQ. Dynamite combo. Will definitely coming back and bring more friends

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    26 days ago

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    8 days ago

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    6 days ago

    Food was good, service was ok and the Ambiance was nice! It was a god atmosphere and the flow was good.

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    6 days ago

    Highly recommended!Food is great and fresh, the service is great, restaurant is clean and organized

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    1 month ago

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    28 days ago

    We came with a group of friends today. Food was excellent, great service and nice and clean. We will be back

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    12 days ago

    The food here is amazing. Had about 15 pounds of beef and 2 pounds of ice creams. Highly recommend!!

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    1 month ago

    Staffs are so kind and friendly, food is so good and fresh and the place is so clean! Definitely come back again.

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    Ask the Community - Hotaru Shabu & Grill

    Review Highlights - Hotaru Shabu & Grill

    “Found this little hole-in-the-wall shabu and BBQ spot close to home, and what a great surprise!”

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Burning X Korean BBQ - Ribeye

    Burning X Korean BBQ

    4.2(2.7k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    •$$$

    The service was on top of it tonight when I went. The grill would be changed before we even had to…read moreask for it, the water was refilled when one of the men saw we were finished drinking it, and even when my friend dropped his chopstick he noticed and brought us a new one right away! The ac was broken but honestly i didn't really notice the heat in an uncomfortable way! The marinated meats are some of the best I've ever had! I also like that there are some sides we can get on our own like pickled cucumbers (really good), pickled radish, salad, and other meats!

    We were looking for an alternative Korean barbecue place to celebrate a birthday. We have our few…read moreusual spots that we go to in the Irvine area, but we wanted to venture out and try something different. Tustin is right next-door and so we took a chance. We came on a weeknight evening and we were the last to be seated for that shift. I think that's where it started off on the wrong foot. When we arrived, there were about three other parties there still eating and drinking. We were seated at a booth. The cushion was uncomfortable, and the tables felt sticky. And it was extremely hot inside. There was a large fan propped up on a counter or table against the wall. There was also another fan in the opposite direction on the floor. It did not feel like there was sufficient air-conditioning. We opted for the basic dinner menu. We ordered chicken Karaage for an appetizer. It was cold and hard and inedible. Seemed like it had been sitting out for the last hour. We got various marinated meats from the self-serve section. The disadvantage with that results in the grill burning easily and it wasn't easy to get a replacement. The one thing that we did like were the cucumbers side dish. Good thing we were able to refill the cucumbers on our own. I think the staff were just done and did not want to be bothered by us. I will say that that one gentleman was helpful for the most part and gentle. However, there was another lady who was ready to clock out I think. The meats were just alright. I don't recall it being that fantastic. Overall, the environment felt off. It was all dark inside, and there was no charm or decor that enhanced the dining experience. Yes, I understand this is Korean barbecue but it just didn't feel inviting. We left disappointed to say the least.

    Photos
    Burning X Korean BBQ - Zoom Photos to see names of the Meats. Other meats like Steak , Seafood , Short ribs that u ask the server to get in the kitchen

    Zoom Photos to see names of the Meats. Other meats like Steak , Seafood , Short ribs that u ask the server to get in the kitchen

    Burning X Korean BBQ - Premium Wagyu like beef belly

    Premium Wagyu like beef belly

    Burning X Korean BBQ - Marinated short ribs

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    Marinated short ribs

    Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que - What is this..? Not chicken

    Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que

    3.4(2.1k reviews)
    2.3 mi
    •$$

    We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch on 9/13/26. We've been here…read morea few times before and though not great, it has always helped to scratch the bbq itch. But this time, we all agreed there was some vast improvements, enough to prompt a good review. There were three of us so we started with a "Build YOUR Own BBQ COMBO" with two meats. We chose the St. Louis ribs and the jalapeño cheese sausage. The way to go with this is to order it dry rub. That way you control what kind of sauce (they have three to choose from on the table) and how much of it you want. It was pretty lean, so was a little dry but very flavorful. It had a nice smoky flavor with the spices nicely permeating each bite. The jalapeño sausage went spicy at all but was good. I'm not really a sausage person so I can't really judge it as they are usually all rated "meh" in my book. It comes with one side so we chose the garlic mashed potatoes. That was pretty tasty too--good balance of salt and creamy enough without feeling like it was too heavy or rich. We also shared the "Pick 2 COMBO" but added a third meat (for an additional charge). It really was two meats, as we doubled the order for baby back ribs (everybody at the table wanted that!) and the Texas style brisket (also for a slight up charge). The ribs were worth doubling. We ordered that dry rubbed too and it was delicious. Thick and juicy, the smoky meat just fell off the bone and melted in your mouth. If you have to choose between St Louis or baby back...well, you can guess who wins. The brisket was ok but surprisingly bland. Weird. It came with two sides, so we chose the Mac and cheese and the seasonal roasted vegetables (our attempt to be healthy...lol). The veggies were slightly overcooked, but nice again, well balanced with the salt and seasonings. The winner was definitely the Mac and cheese. It was creamy and cheesy, though the pasta was just slightly overcooked, but my preference is al dente. It's also worth noting that they bring freshly baked biscuits (sometimes even warm) & apple butter to the table. Not only is it complimentary but they will bring you more if you want them. And they aren't dry hockey pucks either. They actually taste good! Imagine that! Our server Brandon was friendly and attentive. He came by a few times to check on us, so that's always appreciated. We suspect they either had new cooks or tweaked some of the recipes. Whatever they did, hope they keep up the good work!

    If I could put a negative score I would. Absolutely a horrifying experience with beef ribs at…read morecooked rock hard at least 2 days cooked refrigerated then reheated. The veggies were all carrots. Another 2 days of stomach problems for my family puts this place right next to garbage. Must leave the plaza and area permanently. Will be making a complaint to the county and state

    Photos
    Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que - Bar area

    Bar area

    Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que - The new Texas cheesesteak

    The new Texas cheesesteak

    Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que - Drunken Bun

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    Drunken Bun

    SeoulSpot Eatery - Entrance next to the AMC ticket booth

    SeoulSpot Eatery

    4.2(69 reviews)
    2.4 mi

    This was a nice surprise and what a good meal I had here. I happen to be attending the Lunar New…read moreYear event at shopping center and in the middle of it all, I of course became hungry. I took a little browse around and found SeoulSpot, and you know what...It definitely hit the spot. I ordered their Bulgogi Rice Bowl, which came with a delicious Bulgogi Beef, Picked Ginger, Edamame, Kale, Corn, and topped with green onions. With rice. Comes with a side of creamy sauce. It was a delicious meal. Only thing I wish though, was more sauce. I would've been okay if they pre-dressed the meal with the sauce also. Or, give us two sauces instead. Staff is friendly here. I only interacted with the lady at the counter. When my order wasn't up after awhile, I did ask her if there was an update with my order. She kindly just apologized for the delay and made my order. Customer service exists here, which is really awesome. I would definitely come back next time!

    Food: 5/5 service: 5/5…read moreWait time: 5/5 Accommodations: 5/5 Decor: 5/5 The food was really good! The worker allowed us to substitute spicy pork for the bulgogi for the fries! I was very appreciative of that. The food came out incredibly quickly and was very affordable! They provided us with 2 really tasty side of the sauce. I accidentally dropped on, but they were very nice about cleaning it up and telling me not to worry about it. They were very nice and funny. It made it feel like a fun place and very welcoming to come back. The place has very simple decorations. This would be a great place to get a bite with friends as there were a lot of seats and tables!

    Photos
    SeoulSpot Eatery - Inside

    Inside

    SeoulSpot Eatery - Menu

    Menu

    SeoulSpot Eatery - The meats

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    The meats

    The SmoKING Ribs - Ribs and sausage link

    The SmoKING Ribs

    4.3(2.3k reviews)
    6.6 mi
    •$$

    Haven't been here in a while and it still hits…read more I got here late (7pm they close 8pm) and they were sold out of most things but I got brisket and short rib with that colossal bone. After trying the neighboring new bbq spot I won't name.. this places brisket is so much better. I love it here, juicy and great flavor. Some fatty bits but that's where the flavor comes from. and this short rib was bomb! The edges were a bit dry but I'm coming at closing time so I get it. FYI short rib is by weight $40/lb so it was about $50 for it. The sides I got were their macaroni and cheese 10/10 tastes home made! Onion rings were ok. Coleslaw is alright. Good for fiber! lol. I do like their beans and the blueberry bread. I love their nachos but they ran out of nacho cheese. Sad! I gota come back!

    Sometimes when I order the Pulled Pork sandwich it's on a brioche bun, sometimes it's on sliced…read moresandwich bread. This kind of sums up the level of excitement you get when you come here. This time they were out of beef and spare ribs, but they still had baby back. (We got the last full rack) Sides are $7. Mac n cheese, blueberry cornbread muffins and onion rings are some of our favorites. You get 2 sides with the full rack, no sides with sandwiches. Today they were also out of nacho cheese but I'm not sure what that goes on? There's a dry erase board when you come in that tells you what's sold out. It's fun to chat with the other guests about what they came for and what they settled for. We always get it To Go now although they do have tables available.

    Photos
    The SmoKING Ribs
    The SmoKING Ribs - Brisket

    Brisket

    The SmoKING Ribs - Beef brisket and Mac n Cheese

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    Beef brisket and Mac n Cheese

    Hotaru Shabu & Grill - hotpot - Updated September 2026

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