Went here for the first time on Saturday with my girlfriend. I love Shabu, and this place didn't disappoint! The server was really nice and offered alternatives when they didn't have something my gf wanted. I appreciated his service and hospitality. Seating was fast and food was great as well! Will be coming back. P.S the tofu appetizer is great too read more

Nabemono Shabu Shabu - Japanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

See all

I had a hard time choosing where to go for dinner with my family. I wanted shabu shabu, but I didn't want AYCE. Nabemono came up, and I ended up choosing it over others. I read reviews which expressed frustration over the service, and I felt like that helped manage my expectations. I know it's a very tough time for restaurants, and I hope they are able to smooth things over soon. We were greeted when entered and we waited a bit to get seated. We were seated at a very large table, which felt funny since it was just three of us. It took some time to get menus. I walked up to grab them, but staff said they would bring it over. Once we ordered, food was quick to come out. Refill requests initially were promptly responded to, but as the first round of customers ended their meals, the service was backed up. It took some time to get refills and the check. Luckily we weren't in a hurry. The menu isn't entirely clear, so we had a couple ordering hiccups. Generally, easy problems to resolve. My family and I enjoyed the food. The vegetables, meat, and sauces tasted good. I really liked their goma dare (sesame sauce), which is my favorite part of shabu shabu. The brown rice portion was substantial, but the rice was reheated and dry. The ramen portion, while tasty was small, like ~1/3 of the rice portion. I personally, like to eat the carb throughout the meal, which means ordering more. The space is large with a lot of hard surfaces. I wouldn't say it is a quiet space--it is good for groups. We also sat closer to the door, so my elder family members were a bit cold while we waited. However, once the burners were going, it didn't feel as cold. The three of us ate for ~90 without tip, which can make sense for folks who don't want to pay $55pp for AYCE dinner. However, I think AYCE lunches at other restaurants during the week are a better value and can have smoother service. Just like many things in this world, my experience isn't black and white. There were things I liked and things that could be improved. I think it's worth a shot for others to try, as long as they can be open minded about the experience and patient. read more

I have a new favorite hotpot place. Nabemono is a combination of great ingredients, helpful staff and cleanliness. They do not have a designated parking lot, but there is Alhambra parking structures and (if you are lucky) street parking. I've tried Nabemono a handful of times and I am pleased to know that the quality has remained the same as when I first tried it in 2019. The establishment is well lit and there was a fair amount of staff that checked parties on my last visit on a Saturday night. Quality of food was great and what blew my mind was that they offered free veggie and sauce refills! Price didn't seem to break the bank as well. One thing that I did noticed was that, when you asked for veggie refills, they bring in 2 serving batches instead of individually (so, if 4 people want more veggie, they get 2 big plates.) Not a big issue though. This place is a for sure try if you are craving for hotpot. read more

I love Nabemono! I came with a high recommendation from family members and wow, it did not disappoint. It's located on Main St and it's honestly a nice refresher from the other restaurant options down the street. I got the large beef chuck with glass noodles and miso soup base! The dipping sauce they give you is literally the perfect chef's kiss with the meat. It's an in-house made sesame sauce and I could literally drink a whole can of it by itself. The sesame sauce is very aromatic and adds a nice sweetness to the meat, noodles, and vegetables. The service was also an 11/10! Everytime we needed soup refill, vegetable refill, or water refills, our server would always be there! read more

Nabemono Shabu Shabu - Dinner - Japanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

This spot came highly recommended by a friend and it was my first shabu shabu experience. I can honestly say I'm not inclined to go anywhere else!!! It's not all you can eat meat which I think translates to better quality. We ordered half pound of ribeye and the shrimp. Settled on house broth and pork bone broth. The veggies which were so fresh and delicious I recommend doubling up on those right away. Ordered the udon noodles which were so fresh and delicious. They were out of chicken when we went I don't know if that's an operational error or if it's because the chicken is that good but would love to try for next time. Only downfall? Like everywhere, super pricey. We dropped a hundred dollar for 2 people. read more

See all

Nabemono Shabu Shabu in Alhambra is a solid spot if you're craving a quality shabu shabu experience in the SGV. We ordered the Angus beef chuck, short rib, and kurobuta pork, and all three were sliced nicely with great flavor once swished through the hot broth. The short rib had a really nice balance of tenderness and richness, while the kurobuta pork was especially juicy and flavorful. Another thing I appreciated was the all-you-can-eat vegetables. It's always nice being able to load up on fresh veggies to balance out all the meat. Just a heads up that tofu and mushrooms are extra charge, but everything else is unlimited, which makes it easy to customize your hot pot exactly how you like it. Service was friendly and attentive, and the restaurant was clean and comfortable throughout the meal. Overall, a great place for a satisfying shabu shabu dinner with good quality meats and plenty of fresh vegetables. Definitely a spot I'd come back to when the hot pot cravings!! read more

See all

I came here to try this place instead of doing all-you-can-eat shabu shabu. However, they do offer unlimited veggies with their shabu sets, which I thought was a nice compromise. I came with friends on a Saturday and was surprised it wasn't busy. We were seated right away. I ordered the regular beef belly shabu, which comes with 1/2 lb of meat. It turned out to be more than enough, and I even shared some with my friend. The food was decent, but the service was the issue. I wouldn't say they were understaffed -- it just felt like the staff weren't attentive. They stayed in the back and didn't check on customers. It was hard to get their attention for refills on veggies or broth. They pretty much stay at the back. It would help if they had call buttons at the tables. I'd come back if I'm in the area and not in the mood for AYCE shabu but don't expect very proactive services. read more

See all

Very typical set menu shabu place. You choose your broth, meat set, and vegetables/sauces are unlimited. Only vegetables that aren't unlimited are the mushrooms and tofu. Quality of the food is all around okay. We mainly got full off the vegetables. Would've given the place a 4 star but the service was not that great. Everything came out fast but after they have you set up, they kind of leave you on your own. We had to wait around 10 min before we could catch the attention of one of the waiters walking around. Decent shabu but definitely better options out there. read more

Nabemono Shabu Shabu - Japanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

In a world of All-You-Can-Eat (AYCE) Shabu Shabu, NabeMono is a refreshing alternative. If you find AYCE to be 'too much,' this is the perfect spot. The pricing is very fair, starting around $16 per person and you truly get what you pay for in terms of quality and quantity. I left feeling perfectly full without the overstuffed feeling of a buffet. The restaurant is clean with a beautiful minimalist style, and unlike many other Shabu spots, you don't leave smelling like broth! The staff is incredibly friendly and efficient. We ordered one Shabu set and a beef rice bowl, which was plenty for two people. Also, a quick FYI: vegetables are free refills, but keep in mind that mushrooms and tofu are not included in the refills. Definitely recommend! read more

See all

Nabemono Shabu Shabu is a spot I genuinely enjoy whenever I'm craving shabu shabu, and it's a place I've recommended to others as well. Parking is pretty convenient with street parking available, plus plenty of space in the movie theater structure right behind the restaurant. On my most recent visit, I tried the boneless short rib and really enjoyed it, though I think I'd stick with the Angus beef chuck next time since it's about $5 less and still very satisfying. My go to is always the fresh ramen noodles. They're perfect, especially with my favorite part of the meal, the unlimited veggies. I can never get enough of the pumpkin and carrots. For broth, I love the spicy tomato. It's packed with flavor and gets even better as it boils down, making it ideal for cooking the ramen noodles at the end. The staff is friendly as always, though during the dinner rush they were clearly very busy and a bit harder to flag down. That said, it's understandable given how popular the place gets. One thing I do want to mention is that I unfortunately saw a roach run past me on the way to the restroom. This really made me sad because I truly love this spot, and I hope they take the proper steps and measures to prevent this from happening in the future. Despite that, I'll still be coming back for the delicious food and hope to continue enjoying many more meals here. read more

See all

came here on Saturday around 8PM with a bunch of friends and the food was solid. However, there were little things that didn't make the experience great. While ordering the server wasn't attentive and got our meat order was incorrect and they were able to fix this. Afterwards, we asked to order some more rice and I was in shocked because they ran out for the night. Mind you they close at 10 PM and it was 8 PM. I'm shocked that white rice and brown rice was gone. Also another thing is that they do give unlimited vegetables but it is not for all of it. I believe the servers should've informed us about this in the beginning. Overall it was just little things adding up. The food is a solid. I'd come back but maybe earlier in the night than towards the end of night but it won't be my first choice to come here. read more

My go to spot for shabu! Here's why 1. Clean atmosphere 2. Variety of meats (beef chuck, beef belly, chicken, lamb, pork, seafood) 3. Unlimited (refillable yes!) veggies!! 4. House made sauces 5. Tofu bomb appetizer! Trust me! 6. Good broth variety (kombu, miso, Thai coconut curry, tomato) There can be a wait so get there early and you will be leaving so satisfied. read more

Shabu beef combo with veggies is really good. And you can ask for more greens/carrots but not doesn't include any tofu or mushroom. Pro tip. Good dining space but bathrooms could be better. Service was good and got packed pretty quickly. read more

Nabemono Shabu Shabu - Large Beef Chuck - Japanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

See all

Probably hands down my most favorite shabu place that's not AYCE. I love that it's cozy, clean, and everything is well kept. It feels very intimate and I love that! They also play fun music which I can appreciate. Service is top notch! I've never had an issue with any of the servers. They've all been extremely friendly when we come in, and super helpful when we ask for recommendations. They're also attentive, always checking up on us and asking if we need any more veggies or water. The place can technically have more seating, but I love that they planned this place with more space for walking and it just feels open. Now the food is really good, I love all the options for shabu. The soups are clean and flavorful, I normally get miso and I love it. I also love that the veggies are ayce (only the bok choy, pumpkin, broccoli, cabbage, and carrots). They give two different sauces Goma and Ponzu, I love both and you can actually purchase the bottles too. I also am a huge fan of their squid legs karaage, the yuzu sauce that comes with it pairs super well. 10/10! I highly recommend dropping by. read more

Nabemono Shabu Shabu - Menu - Japanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

been here 3 times already and it's now our go to shabu place. they offer unlimited veggies (excluding mushrooms) which is my fav part of this place ~Food~ i've tried a variety of broth and meat combinations and my favorite would be the spicy tomato broth with prime ribeye and udon noodles (they have handmade ramen noodles too which is also good). meat isn't the all time best quality but for the price is very solid i love how you can make any of the broth spicy and can also ask for it to be extra spicy with pepper drops. quality is all great and filling with all the veggies ~Service: friendly service. there was one incident where i asked for spicy tomato broth and was given spicy bone broth. then when i asked the server he said there's no way it was bone broth.. but when he went to go check it ended up being bone broth. not too big of an issue but it would've been for anyone with dietary restrictions ~Cost: $16+ for shabu meal ~Parking: large parking structure behind movie theater read more

Nabemono Shabu Shabu - Japanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

See all

This is one of my favorite hot pot places because: 1) It's one of the few places that is not ACYE and it is so reasonably priced! 2) fresh meat and AYCE veggies including fresh ramen noodles 3) variety of entrees if ppl are not into a hot pot dinner 4) staff is kind when not overwhelmed 5) clean and modern read more

Finally tried Nabemono for dinner yesterday with a gf. Walked in around 6pm and it was not busy, but it got busier as our dinner went on for a Monday night. Our server asked if we wanted paper menus or if we were good with scanning the QR code. We asked for paper menus and I will say that I think Yelp's Popular dishes are different from what's offered now as I didn't see a meal for 2? But maybe I missed it...Only saw a 2 item (2 types of meat) combo. The shabu sets they have are straightforward, you order your meat & size (small - 1/4 lb., regular - 1/2 lb., and large - 3/4 lb.), your broth (some cost extra), and a carb (rice, ramen, udon, glass noodle and shirataki noodles). I ordered the small prime beef belly (a fattier, thicker cut), with the pork bone broth (add $1.25) and Glass Noodles. I didn't like the broth flavor on its own, but after cooking my meat & veggies, it got better. I didn't get a picture of my beef belly (I forgot), but the small 1/4 lb. size only came with about 5-6 slices. My gf ordered the regular 1/2 lb. Angus Beef Chuck, this meat slice was thinner and I would probably order the regular next time for size. I was just happy that they do have unlimited veggies (except for tofu + mushroom), so I was able to get full off the extra we got. Also got the Sea Salt Edamame, which is standard but probably wouldn't order again. I liked their sauces (ponzo + sesame) and that they give you a side dish with minced garlic, minced radish and sliced green onion. Happy Hour is available weekdays Monday thru Friday 5-7pm. The price is reasonable all things considered for present times, but there are similar restaurants nearby too...so Nabemono may seem pricier if you're comparing to those. Parking is available either across the street or around the DT Alhambra lots, or for Edwards Renaissance. Restrooms were fairly clean. Restaurant space is bigger than I expected and quite open, but their tables are shaped a bit weird...but they make it work! Will be back when I'm in the mood for shabu. read more

See all

In the midst of a sea of AYCE and build your own malatang style hot pot restaurants in the SGV, Nabemono Shabu Shabu is a breath of fresh air. Here you can still enjoy a good quality shabu shabu with fresh vegetables and meats for just under $20. And did I mention they offer unlimited veggies??? The service was quick and friendly. If you don't want to wait, I suggest coming as soon as they open to be one of the first customers there. Also, I overheard that they take names down on the waitlist over the phone and will call you when your table is ready. Enjoy!!! read more

Nabemono Shabu Shabu - 1/4 lb prime beef belly with miso and pork bone broth - Japanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

Had shabu shabu with spare rib and ribeye. Tried the sukiyaki and standard broth, ramen and glass noodles. Veggies were a bit disappointing. Waiter was very helpful with recommendations. Well set up place with burners built into each table. Also shared a nice bottle of cold saki. Added the soy marinated eggs which were delicious. They do happy hour pricing on apps 4-7 nightly. Great experience. read more

Nabemono Shabu Shabu - Japanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

The food here is very delicious. It was nice that the vegetables were all you can eat except mushrooms and tofu. But that was fine. Our Server was very nice. He explained how things worked and was always there to get us anything that we needed. It was kind of cold inside, but I didn't mind. I had a sweater and it had been hot outside. There was also some good music playing and I loved the photo on the wall by the bathroom. One of my favorite Shabu Shabu places for sure!!! read more

Delicious shabu shabu with good selection of meats and broths. Comes with unlimited veggies (except shiitake mushrooms) and dipping sauces. The sesame sauce is yummy. The restaurant is dimly lit with a good amount of seating. There was a short wait to be seated, but once we were seated the service was okay. Seemed like there were two servers that night, so they were a little busy. The food was good, prices were reasonable and with unlimited veggies it's really filling. I would go back. read more

See all

Our first time and was happy with the service and quality of food. It was delicious broth and meat and seafood quality was great. The appetizers were happy hour prices and all 3 we chose were delicious . There was no wait . Restaurant was casual . read more

See all

Finally got to try this Shabu Shabu place located near the Renaissance on Main St. FYI, it's not AYCE. You choose your proteins then broth and any other extra ingredients or side dishes. We ordered the spicy pork broth, sukiyaki broth, and the tomato broth with boneless short ribs and Australian lamb shoulders. We also got assorted balls, udon, and rice. The broths were very flavorful and meats were very good. It was very filling even tho it wasn't AYCE. Quick and nice service. It's a kinda small place. Parking is available on the streets or at the back. read more

See all

There are tons of hot pot/shabu options in this area and I'm so glad I checked out nabemono. As a mostly vegetarian, sometimes it's hard to find flavorful broths but Nabemono was not lacking. After long deliberation, we finalized on the miso and the creamy veg and both were so good and robust. The vegetables that came with were also so fresh and abundant that we had leftovers to take home (no food waste here, folks). If you want an app, the spicy garlic edamame was great to start with with really tasty garlic flavor Attentive servers. The only hiccup was that the online ordering was a bit cumbersome to navigate at first but the team was helpful in figuring it out. Can't wait to come back. read more

Nabemono Shabu Shabu - Veggie Shabu Bowl. Creamy veg and miso broths. Spicy Garlic Edamame - Japanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

After trying a lot of shabu places in LA, thought I'd try somewhere local with my friends and found this place on yelp. The prices were reasonable, the veggies were unlimited and they had happy hour. I thought the broth was flavorless and the sukiyaki broth was something very similar to the one I have at home. There were maybe 3 other tables and the service was so slow, they forgot our drinks, order, and never offered to ask if we needed anything else. Giving it a 2 star since I thought the happy hour was a good option. For parking, there's ample parking in the parking structure next to the movie theater! read more

Nabemono Shabu Shabu - Japanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

The restaurant has a funny layout but I think that's part of its charm. The food is actually pretty good and the soup broths are flavorful. They are pretty attentive and the staff is welcoming. Parking I'm the back is easy. We'll worth it if you are around. read more

Nabemono offers a solid a la carte shabu shabu meal. I ordered the 1/2 lb of prime beef belly for $20.95 with the pork bone broth for $1.25, which comes with unlimited veggies except for the shiitake mushrooms. We also ordered an edamame appetizer during happy hour which was more than enough food! Service was quick and attentive. The restaurant itself was clean and had a moderate noise level. The parking situation was somewhat awkward, as there's no specific lot. You can find street parking or park in the movie theater structure nearby for free. read more

Great service by the wait staff and a good place for a hot pot. Was surprised by how delicious the fried tofu was and while the curry fries were delicious, they could use a bit more seasoning on the fries themselves. Definitely a place I'll be coming back too read more

See all

Thoroughly impressed by their broths! I got the spicy pork bone broth and the taste was CLEAN, if that makes sense! I don't normally like to drink the soup but I definitely did here. My partner got the sukiyaki and that was also well-flavored, not too sweet! Their goma...also on par and actually taste like sesame and not peanut. I just wish the meat was better ;( that part was meh not gonna lie...4.5 overall! read more

It is okay. It does not have a lot of spices or flavor. The vegetables are set. Maybe it is good to eat here on a rainy day. The service is okay too. The ambiance is ok. read more

Nabemono Shabu Shabu - Fresh ramen and vegetables. - Japanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

Finally got to try this spot, way bigger than expected inside. Its nice you can order through your phone or wave down the waiters. Its all you can eat veggies which is super nice. We got the pork broth and tomato broth, both real good without being overly salty. Meat quality was great not too fatty but still meaty enough, if that makes sense. Very very clean I really liked how the employees weren't hovering all over you but still being efficient. Will definitely come back and try another soup flavor read more

I have been driving past this shabu place for many years but never stopped. Well, it is a out time . First impression: The restaurant is very clean. And, it is one-person diner friendly, have counter seating so no need to take up an entire table. 1 Tomato soup base: It is very tomato-yi, clean taste and good to have it on its own afterwards. 2 Protein: Chicken, plenty and yummy 3 Veggie and sauces: These come with the combo, and all refillable 4 Appetizer: Spicy fried tofu. It is very good! I definitely enjoyed this restaurant, good food, good service and nice place. read more

See all

Really great sesame and ponzu sauces! I love the chicken, great quality and all the veges are nice and fresh. The veges are all you can eat so I usually get a bunch of broccoli. Pork bone broth (costs extra $1.25) is the way to go! read more

Nabemono Shabu Shabu - Chicken (regular size) - Japanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

And if I could give it 6 stars I would! We went here for a quick birthday dinner with 5 friends and everything was delicious. I was impressed by the meat quality, the broth and the sauces. I like how everything is customizable on the menu. You can order the meat by one fourth of a pound, half a pound or a pound. I think one forth of a pound of meat is enough for one. You can't go wrong with the angus beef chuck. And I can honestly say they have the best goma sauce I've ever had. It has a very rich and thick consistency. I'm sure I can just drink that sauce. Our server was very nice and brought us a lot of garlic, green onion and spices on the side so we could adjust the broth to our liking. Everything about this place was exceptional. Prices as well. Perhaps they can include more vegetables in the veggie bowl. read more

So glad I finally tried this place! The service was great and menu has a lot of options to choose from. I got the savory miso broth and the sliced chicken. The best part is the unlimited veggies for ones that feel like they never get enough. If you like your dipping sauces with a kick, they have drops to add to burn your butthole! The minus one star was because we missed the happy hour menu by 2 minutes and we couldn't take advantage of it. Come on people, two minutes?? :( read more

See all

A no-frills spot for solid shabu. It's not as crowded as it used to be, but expect a wait during peak dinner hours. The broth is flavorful, and the meat and veggie quality is decent. I'd skip the squid leg karaage; the sauce doesn't complement it well. read more

Nabemono Shabu Shabu - Japanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

See all

Food is great for the price. Service can be a hit and miss depending on who is working

Love this place. Unlimited vegetables refills happy hours snacks. Parking is convenient seating very comfortably. Service is good. Will be back. read more

This is a great hot pot place. Veggies are fresh and perfect. The various broths are flavorful and they have a great assortment of high quality meats. read more

(+) Angus Rib Chuck (+) Spicy tofu bites Nabemono Shabu Shabu is a Japanese hot pot restaurant that offers great extras and appetizers to go along with the star of the show, the hot pot. The menu is easy to understand and during happy hour, you will get a discount on some of their small bites. There is a parking structure for the complex that also accomodates the movie theater. Food: Since my party wanted to try the small bites, my wife and I shared the two-item combo hot pot. With the combo, you will receive two cuts of meat, unlimited veggies minus the tofu and mushroom, and your choice of broth and noodles or rice. The meat options for the two-item include beef belly, beef chuck, kurobuta pork, lamb shoulder, duck breast, and chicken breast. The cuts of meat are as expected and I enjoyed the sesame sauce and yuzu sauce also included. There is no peanut sauce available. We also enjoyed the curry fries and spicy tofu bites. The tofu bites reminded of takoyaki but with tofu instead of octopus. I loved the chili powder kick with the kewpie mayo. It was also so crunchy and crispy! Either way, I recommend sharing the hot pot so you an endulge in their small bites. Service/Ambiance: The restaurant is clean and well ventilated. We did not smell like food afterward. The service is satisfactory and the payment is completed on your phone. The servers will not bring you the check. Overall, I would recommend Nabemono. I will definitely be back. For the competitiveness in the area, it is one of my favorites. read more

See all