I saw the good Yelp Reviews and the sign out front boasting "$5.99 Daily Specials! BOGO Sushi!" and thought it would be a fairly inexpensive stop for lunch. That was misleading!! I went in by myself through the finger-printed glass doors to a pretty fancy place. I was faced with a Hostess Station that was empty. Rather than standing there awkwardly I stepped around and saw a dining room on the left, and a more casual area on the right. I took a seat at the Sushi bar, still a little confused about the seating situation. I went back out to the Hostess Station and found a Waitress sprinting by to ask if I seat myself or wait to be seated. She looked concerned that I was a customer on the loose. I showed her that I wanted to sit at the Sushi Bar and she agreed I could sit there and gave me a menu. I sat for about 10 minutes before anyone came back, and it was her, still very rushed and apologetic for the wait, but with a glass of water. I'm sort of glad she waited so long though, because I had a really hard time with the menu. They have ONE Daily Special per day, and today's was Cashew Chicken. Ugh, I can make that at home, probably for less money. So I went back to the BOGO Sushi Menu, because I really didn't want to spend $20 for lunch. However, the BOGO Menu selection had just a few rolls at $6-something each, the rest were $10 - $14 each. I didn't want just a plain roll, I wanted to see what the Chefs could do here. However, one $10 roll was almost identical to the next $10 roll (i.e., one has shrimp, the other has crab). So you pretty much have to pay for the higher priced roll if you want a variety in your 2 sushi rolls. The Food... really good! The Sushi Chefs know what they are doing. The Service... slow and a bit frantic. It was painfully obvious that none of the servers, or even the chefs, were happy to be there. The Ambiance... a little cold. The Cleanliness... Not good. As for the cleanliness the condensation from the sushi bar display dripped down onto the bar, and the utensils have all seen better days. I walked to the restrooms only to step in some majorly sticky substance on the floor with my right shoe. My rubber soled sandal squeeked loudly the rest of the way to the Restrooms. Kindof embarrassing, and really annoying. On the way back the left sandal got it, so at least now I was walking with a loud squeek with BOTH steps. The sushi was really good, but the sushi filling of "tempura crumbs" was a common theme and is new to me. Maybe I'm just old fashioned. Yes it gives each sushi bite a good crunch, but to me is a cheap, fatty, filler. Give me fish, rice, veggies and avocado in my rolls please! It took forever to pay my bill, and the sushi chef kindly went to find my waitress for me so I could pay. Then when I gave her my credit card it felt like forever for her to come back. After standing at my chair signing off on my $15 lunch bill, I tried to take a step forward and realized both feet were glued to the floor. Funny. Fortunately I broke free, made it through the finger-printy glass doors, and onto the sidewalk where I gladly could wear the stickiness off my sandals. :-) read more

Sushi is pre cut and dry veggies are dry. I was too scared to eat the sushi so i had the cali roll Varity of rolls was not great either. Manager was great. If you are looking for authentic sushi and experience this is not it. You can't even order you sushi from the bar. A server had to take my order. Overall, I sat on the sushi side...I was the only one there and can't say anything good about food. Server disappeared so much that I thought I might be on candid camera or something. The only reason it got 1 star was the manager. He was very hospitable and had wonderful customer service. read more

I wish I had read Heather M.'s review before visiting tonight. A friend and I went here to try the shabu shabu (this restaurant's namesake). We walked in with low expectations, yet somehow left horribly disappointed. We tried the NY & seafood shabu shabu for 2 ($59). What came out was a single person-sized serving of mostly veggies (carrots, green beans, American cabbage, etc.). The seafood/meat offerings were 4 pieces of beef, a mussel, a quarter of a lobster tail, a shrimp per person. When I saw the small bowl of udon noodles that were supposed to be divided between two people, I thought it was a joke. But nope - for $30, you receive about the same amount of food as if you ordered a $14 udon at any other Japanese/Asian fusion restaurant. Hot pot/shabu shabu lovers - this isn't it. Do not commit crimes against your wallet like we did. Not only were the ingredients mostly those you would not find at an authentic place, but the design of the hotpot tables was extremely awkward. You were facing a half wall and the pots were positioned so far that you had to overextend your arms to ladle anything out. The service was nice, but the manager and server seemed confused by my comment that the price and portion sizes were disproportionate. This cannot be the first time a customer expressed their concerns about this item. I also cannot believe our server had the audacity to tell us that this was a lot of food. I'm sad that we were hustled tonight. Can't say I'd come back again. About me: I've had hotpot since I was a child and have frequented several locations in Boston, DC, and SF. Oh Raleigh Asian food, you disappoint yet again. read more

Still a one star review. I want to update this with some additional information. In my initial review, I had an issue with the way the sushi (BOGO) was billed. To quote my earlier review: "Came with a large party (10ish or so). Was told by the server that all the sushi would go on one tab but that they could easily split things up for us to pay individually. Ok. I order sushi as does one other person. The sushi is BYGO free. Standard. My rolls were 8.90 and 12.90. The other person's rolls were 6.90 each. Now, when I ordered I assumed I was paying for my 12.90 roll but my 8.90 was the free one. Nope. Not the case. They put all the sushi on one bill and then drop the cheapest. What this means is it's not about you and what you order but about how your group as a whole orders. I took the bill up front and asked to speak with a manager. I explained what our server told us. Manager basically says that the policy is the policy because it's the policy. And apparently justifies this by saying everyone else in town does it this way too." I recently went to a different sushi restaurant with a part of 12. They also had BOGO sushi. Remembering my experience here, I asked our server how the BOGO would be done. I tried to explain how it had been billed at Shaba Shabu, and asked if this was how they did it. He said no. He explained that the sushi I ordered would be on my bill and my bill alone. So, when I ordered two rolls (each was about 15.00). My second roll was free regardless of what others at the table ordered. So this statement from the Shaba Shabu manager that everyone in town bills the way they do - questionable at best. Maybe some other places do - but not everyone. read more

Third time visiting Shaba Shabu. Excellent sushi with a great BOGO deal. Their Wolfpack roll and Tsunami roll are my favorites. They have Thai and Japanese options as well. Pad Thai and Beef See Ew is good. I prefer them for their sushi but would recommend the others. Look out for their lunch specials! They also have a very nice and fancy atmosphere that is great for date night! read more

ShabaShabu - Beef See Ew! - Japanese Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

This was by far the worse experience I have ever had. Usually I love bragging about great experiences so this is a true let down. The server Nyhjah did not communicate well, the sushi was bland. I had the rainbow roll and spider roll. Suppose to be BOGO and they didn't take it off original receipt and the food took so long that I was dying to get out of there. Even the saki was warm not hot. The manager Peter was rude when I went back to get a receipt for the cash I paid and come to find out they were going to pocket the BOGO difference! Unsure if this is a mistake or a scam they run but over all nothing was good about this place!!! I don't how this place will stay open read more

YUMMY! Went on Sunday for lunch. My husband and son had the $5.99 Thai lunch special PAD SEE EEW BEEF which was delicious and WELL worth it. My daughter ordered the terriyaki chicken, rice and vegetables for $7.99. She also LOVED her food. I ate most of her veggies and they were perfectly cooked. I ordered the sushi special the Cyber Roll for $5.99, again WELL worth it. Presentation of all of our food was great! Looking forward to our next visit. Loved the decor too! read more

ShabaShabu - cyber roll - Japanese Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I have actually held back this report for well over a year, only because the first time I came to Shaba Shabu, I was with a very large group of friends for a special birthday party. Have you heard of "Naked Sushi?" Yeah, we reserved one of party rooms that accommodated about forty of us. So if you want to hold a special occasion party they have enough tables and chairs for it. I guarantee it. Earlier this evening, after a round or two of "Monkey Bizz-ness" and "Saucey Pants" at Big Boss, friends and I head over here and have dinner before heading home. As we stepped through the door, I happened to peek my head around the corner, just to see how many people in tonight; the host saw me and quickly shuffled over, overly apologetic, thinking we have been here for a while and starting to look for people. Of course we quickly got our seats. Looking at the menu, and you might get discouraged by the high prices, but I assure you, it's well worth it. Normally you would think ordering one miso soup should came in a small bowl, but not here; here you get your soup in a boat! Almost all the food we got tonight were in larger than expected portion. Pad See Eew came on a dish the size of the UFO saucer that blew up the White House in "Independence Day," and I ran out of rice long before I finish my SAMUI SEAFOOD (Shrimp, scallops, squid, New Zealand mussels, Tuna stir fried, with spicy Thai herbs) I am highly impressed by the services and accommodations and quality of the foods. (I might have to update the rating pending another visit for sushi-gorging) read more

Seriously delicious flavor! Mom and I had dinner here tonight for Triangle Restaurant Week. Thankfully, I was able to nab us a reservation just a few hours away from dinner at 6pm. Beautiful restaurant in a shopping center on Wake Forest Road. The place was very busy, but we had great service even though our server seemed to operate on two speeds: rushed or gliding. He never let our waters diminish and got my request for no green onion and bean sprouts in the pad thai just right. No complains on the quality or presentation of the food, at all. Like many Restaurant Weeks, our dinner was three courses. Mom had one of the soups, but my first course was the Ginger Dressing Salad...Crisp lettuce with tomato, cucumber, and topped with carrot and house made ginger dressing. The salad was very good, but I think there was a bit too much dressing. It was kind of soupy at the bottom. We each had the same second course, the Japanese Sampler Appetizer...Fried Gyoza (pork dumplings), Fried EbiShumai (shrimp dumplings), and Chicken Harumaki (fried). 2 pieces each. The chicken looked like a spring roll and tasted like it had some sort of cheese in it. The sample platter came with a platter on the side that had a few different kinds of sauces: a mustard, some sort of duck sauce, and then a thinner sauce that was similar to a soy glaze. We also each had the Pad Thai for our third course. I opted for the chicken while she chose the shrimp. Very flavorful with rice noodles, stir fried egg, and roasted peanuts. I'd heard good things about this location, but this was our first visit and we were very pleased. If it was a little more convenient to the areas of Raleigh I frequent, I might make myself a regular. read more

This review is mainly for the beef salad, since I am obsessed with it and it is the only thing I get when I go because I can't not order it. Best beef salad I have had at a Thai restaurant. The chile lime dressing is the main flavor punch, and it is so spicy it hurts, but that is why I love it. So fresh tasting, and the beef is always cooked to perfection. Great portion size too. I usually get a tuna roll and this and am always satisfied. read more

Went here for dinner and was super impressed. Went with the hopes that it was shabu shabu as I know it where you get to cook your own stuff however this was not like that. Duopoly there was a section where you could do this but I didn't see it and it was not available at the time. Anyways...they have a huge selection of food ranging from Thai, sushi and Chinese. Our group got some apps, most notable was the CHICKEN HARUMAKI which is basically cheese and chicken egg rolls. Pretty sure one of the best things I have ever had! We also ordered the Edamame and of course that is always good. For our main meal we got sushi and all of it was good. Not one roll was bad! It all tasted fresh and was really good! Plus there is a lot of options. Best part of the sushi is they have a Buy One Get One free situation going on. Read the rules as that may mess you up but so worth it. Staff was very friendly and on top of helping us anytime we needed anything. I would for sure return to this place. Enjoy! read more

They have everything here! They've got sushi, shabu shabu, and thai food! I had a friend who was driving through and was in desperate need of some kind of Asian - I suggested this place and a couple others and they were more than excited to try Shaba Shabu! We were all going to order shabu so we sat at the bar. The broth - it comes flavored already - it's not like the traditional Japanese shabu where you cook all your veggies and meats in water - which I didn't mind! You get a variety of vegetables but for $25 I would expect a little more vegetables to be completely honest. I know I shouldn't hold it to the standards of LA, but I could easily pay $16 and have received double the meat and twice the vegetables and you get a choice of broths and a sauce bar! But keeping in mind that it's Raleigh I would probably come back if I was craving Shabu Shabu and didn't feel like making it at home. If you like shabu then I would definitely go here for it - I thought the broth was tasty and the service was great - which is why I'm giving it 4 stars! I didn't get to try their sushi or thai food but I'll willing to go back and try! read more

I went here on a Friday night with some friends visiting from up North. The 4 of us had no problem getting a table at 8:30 with a 1 hour call ahead. The whole restaurant has a very hip feeling to it. When we arrived, it was not crowded at all, thus not so tightly packed like sushi restaurants in NYC. We decided to go with various different appetizers and dishes to share vs individual entrees. To start we got some Edamame, the Phat Roll, Shrimp Tempura, and TomYong Cocount Soup (which is awesome!) We figured order a little here, chow down, then order more later. This way, you don't get so full so fast. The ladies got some fancy fruity martinis, while the guys split some cold unfiltered sake. The night wouldn't have been half as good if we didn't have Nate as our server. Not only is he cool and fun, but he knows the menu inside out. We were looking for suggestions on what to order, and Nate had at least 3 ideas that would go well together each time. We felt so comfortable with his decisions, that when it came time for my next drink, i had no clue what to get - so he suggested that Matt the bartender just mix up something fun. Knowing what we were like as a table, he came back with this Sake-tini, which i never would have ordered on my own - but i was surprised to find it was actually pretty good. Nice work! Once we hit the 2nd course, we ordered some Beef Thai Basil, and a sushi combo plate with California rolls and a chefs selection of sushis. We ate about half of everything, and took the rest home for the night. All in all, we had a blast at ShabaShabu, and will definitely return again. A combination of excellent food, great service, fun atmosphere, and hip tunes - our bill for 4 people, with drinks came to about $120, which was well worth it. If you decide to dine here - make sure to get sat in Nate's section. read more

First off, I would like to note that the interior of this place is top notch. It's well laid out and I was greeted promptly at the door. Looking over the menu, one quickly realizes that this is not a TRUE sushi spot(which did not come as a surprise to me). Seems that in the Raleigh area and actually in other spots in the country; folks tend to add sushi to their standard regional fare; as sushi rolls are relatively easy to knock out. So you end up having Thai, Chinese and other spots add sushi options as well. The only issue is the quality is seldom on par with real sushi restaurants. Food: sushi is buffet type quality and presentation. Rice is cheap and not special sushi rice mix. Thom Ka soup was lukewarm, but was ok in terms of flavor. The two sushi rolls I ordered were at best average. Service: I had 3 different people takings orders, dropping off food, checking on me,etc. Normally this would be good, but it didn't add much value. So when I had an inch of beer left in the glass: 3 people asked if I wanted another. Took forever to get the soup and then sushi rolls came out quickly after that. Overall: If you want to try a variety of rolls on the cheap, give it a shot. I am not a fan of metal chopsticks; too heavy to use in lifting rolls. Personally I would rather pay full price to get the quality of a traditional sushi spot. Also, not excited about a 95.5 health food rating at a place that serves sushi. read more

It's a very rare opportunity to get to try Shabu-shabu in the United States. In Los Angeles I only knew of one restaurant there that served it, and unfortunately never got a chance to visit it. I was skeptical when I heard there was a restaurant called "Shabashabu" in Raleigh and Durham, especially when I heard they served sushi and Thai food. But after seeing other reviews that indicated they did in fact serve Shabu-shabu as well, we decided to give it a shot. We picked the Raleigh location solely on the fact that they are open on Sundays, and because a previous review I read did mention the Shabu-shabu. I'm still not entirely sure if the Durham location serves it or not. We arrived at the restaurant shortly before 5pm, so there were very few other people in the restaurant. The building is divided into several different sections, and because we requested Shabu-shabu we were seated at a bar-type section with a sushi bar across the room and cafeteria-like seating in the rest of the area. From the stories my husband had told me about Shabu-shabu, I was expecting a 4 to 6 person table with a large pot in the middle, but instead the bar was set up for individual pots for each person. The Shabu-shabu isn't on the online menu, but in the restaurant it's on the menu under the chef's specials. It can be ordered with seafood, steak, or seafood and steak. We both chose the steak option (NY Shabu) at $23.99 each. We also got an appetizer of chicken harumaki to share, and some green tea. First the waitress turned on the pot burners, and brought out two giant lidded pots of boiling broth. She brought out a plate of 3 sauces and explained that one was ponzu (citrus/soy), one was flavored like a Korean BBQ sauce, and one was a Thai peanut sauce. The Korean sauce was spicy, the Thai peanut sauce was not at all, but still tasted ok. Then she brought out our appetizers, the chicken harumaki. From the menu description (fried chicken and cheddar) it didn't sound like a real Japanese dish, but my husband assured me it's a real street food in Japan. He said it's not served quite the way they serve it in Japan though, instead of being rolled up in a spring roll wrapper, it's usually just deep fried in little breaded balls. I dipped the harumaki in the sweet and sour sauce provided and it was pretty good. I don't know if it was $5.49 good, but I like to be able to say I'll try anything once. The Shabu-shabu ingredients started coming out a little later. We each got served a huge plate of chopped carrots, mushrooms, pea pods and cabbage, with a smaller dish of udon and 2 chunks of tofu. We got tiny pots of covered steamed rice. Lastly we each got our big plate of thinly sliced steak, rolled up neatly. The waitress said she normally dumps all her veggies and noodles in the pot, waits until the pot boils again, then starts swishing the meat. I did as she instructed and dumped all my veggies and noodles in. It took a while for the pot to become boiling again, so I started munching on some of the veggies before they were fully cooked. The utensils we were given were a soup ladle, a slotted spoon, chopsticks and a fork. I'm not sure what the ladle was for because I wasn't given a bowl... maybe I should have used that dish that the noodles came in. I ended up eating most of my food off the small plate we used to eat the appetizers off of. Honestly I don't know if there's a way to do Shabu-shabu that doesn't come off as silly. I think I made a terrible mess dripping and splashing broth, but maybe that's part of the fun. When the broth finally came to a boil again, I started swishing my meat. I found the fork worked the best for me, since I was consistently losing it while using the chopsticks. I would lightly swish my meat until it just barely turned a lighter color, then dip it in the sauce and eat it. If you've ever complained that your rare/medium beef comes to your table too cool, you'll be impressed by this method of cooking it. The veggies turn out pretty good too, but by the end of the meal they tend to get a bit over-cooked. I'd say it took us about an hour to complete the meal, much longer than I normally take to eat. But it was a lot of fun! If you've ever wanted the experience of cooking your own food, while someone else has done all the preparation and will do all the cleaning up for you, this will be an enjoyable experience for you. The restaurant has modern decor that can come off as rather cold and impersonal. I suppose it depends upon where you sit, but the Shabu-shabu side seemed less inviting than some of the other areas of the restaurant. But still, they obviously spent a lot of time and money on the decor and it was nice to be able to look around while waiting for food. I wish I could comment on the Thai or sushi, but that will have to wait for another visit. I really did enjoy my Shabu-shabu experience though, and I think it's something everyone should try at least once. read more

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My hopes weren't too high, based on the desolate strip-mall exterior. It was late on a Tues. night though and I didn't exactly expect the joint to be jumping. The interior was surprisingly swanky, hip and HUGE! The place is split into areas including a lounge/bar, a sushi bar, a hotplate bar, a tatami room and 2 dining areas. Sheesh! We sat down and he ordered a Kirin and I got a Saketini which were brought promptly - and in cool glassware - by our sweet, attentive server. Lovers of both Thai and sushi, my boyfriend and I decided to stick to sushi for the night. We got 4 rolls: Spicy Tuna - I'm used to these being spiced with spicy mayo, not salsa. It grew on me, but I'm not sure I'd order it again. Geisha Roll - A tasty treat indeed, but the amount of cream cheese was a little overkill Hamachi Roll - Fresh and simple Fusion Roll - This sweet and crunchy fried veggie tempura roll was actually my favorite of the bunch All in all it was a really nice experience and I'd love to get a group together to party down in that tatami room! This place is going to get a lot of business once the Trader Joe's opens across the way. They better get ready! read more

I wandered in here on a random Monday looking for a bite to eat after running errands. I was delighted! Not only did I accidentally choose the best day of the week to go but the service and overall experience was top notch! I'm hesitant to share this secret but I can't contain myself and must share..Monday is $8.99 Red Curry and it is FAN-TASTIC! I plan on heading back for the $5.99 Pad Thai (also a Monday special)..these deals can't be beat :) The bartender was a good conversationalist and the curry was like a little palate party! Great ambiance for a date too! Hope you enjoy as much as I did. read more

ShabaShabu - Monday night the red curry is on special for only $8.99. Worth. Every. Penny. - Japanese Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Always my favorite! Why not do the bogo take out for sushi or their weekly dinner specials are really good! I love coming to this place. One of my old favorite thai/sushi places. Being a , it's always boring getting sushi from other places. I mean, how many times and I going to eat rice and avacdo? Shaba shabu has a small veggie sushi menu! They are all fun... spicy roll, sweet potato roll, cyber roll, kale roll and so on! To top it off, it's bogo! What a great deal! Thai --- basil fried rice and kee ma gao are all my favorite!!! read more

Service was mediocre. Food was disappointing. We would not return here. I ordered the "fresh summer roll," which was to be filled with lettuce, bean sprouts, basil, shrimp, and pork. I asked for the meat to be subbed with tofu - which didn't seem to be a problem, and what I received was a summer roll filled with nothing but rice noodles, a leaf of basil, and a sliver of tofu. No lettuce, no bean sprouts. What a joke. Who wants to eat a roll full of noodles? It was also served warm when it should have been cold. We came here on the recommendation that they had great vegetarian sushi. Our rolls were sub-par. If you're looking for great vegetarian sushi, and a better dining experience, go to Domo in Cary. Phenomenal food and excellent service. read more

My mouth waters when I think about their sushi! I had always skipped Shaba Shabu because they didn't do any kind of specials that would make sushi affordable for a college student (now recent graduate)... but now that they're doing BOGO, it's on. Last time I went I got the Hokkaido roll and the Geisha roll, and they were both amazinggg. I'm a sucker for a good tempura roll (the geisha), and this was easily the best tempura roll I've ever had because they only very lightly coat the sushi so you don't end up with a sushi donut like some other places around here. I can't wait to go back! It should be noted that you cannot split checks if you want to do BOGO, so my advice is to agree on the same price for the most expensive roll so that you can split the check evenly. For example: My friend wanted two rolls and I wanted two rolls, so we both said that the most expensive rolls we wanted were both 13.90 and then the price of the two cheaper rolls were irrelevent. In the end, we both just paid 13.90 plus tax and split the tip--perfect. read more

Had some decent sashimi and nigiri here, but the prices were a little high. The Thai iced tea is a really small portion. Service feels a little slow and the wait staff seemed confused about who had what table and which customer ordered what. However, the entree dishes win me over. The soft shell crab curry is delicious and my wife's pad see eew looked amazing. read more

ShabaShabu - Soft shell crab curry - Japanese Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Shaba Shabu used to be my go to when I had friends in from out of town. It was the perfect place for a variety tastes, so everyone was always happy. Through no fault of the restaurant, my eye began to wander to other restaurants, and it looked as if Shaba Shabu and I had parted ways. Well, I am happy to announce we are back together! After somehow coming across a list of their specials, I made my way back and they welcomed me with open arms (well, no hugs, but someone did open the door for me). What attracted me was they have a $5.99 lunch and a $8.99 dinner special. I had the red curry chicken last night and it was delish! I am a red curry lover, and most places in the area charge $13-$14 for this dish. Mind you, the $9 red curry does not come with a salad and they charge $1 for extra rice. But it was a large portion and I will certainly be back on Monday nights for it. Now that Shaba Shabu and I have reconnected, I can't wait to stop in and try their BOGO sushi as well :) read more

I don't understand all the good reviews. I stopped in here because I was so hungry i was feeling light-headed. You would think anything would taste good when you are that hungry. That was not the case with this place at all. First impressions walking in: Seating was confusing. I sort of stood around the front wondering if I was supposed to seat myself or wait to be seated. No one came so I reluctantly searched around for a table and sat down. Finally someone came out and asked if I was by myself. I said yes. Then they proceeded to tell me that people dining alone need to sit in the other section. So I went over there and waited some more. Most of the tables were open and there were dirty plates on almost all of them. Seemed kind of dirty in there. I chose the least dirty table. Probably wouldn't have stayed but I was so so hungry. Eventually a guy came out with a menu and said "sorry, didn't know you were here". Ordering: I asked the waitress if the lunch special was good or if she recommends the sushi. She said " we are known for our sushi so I would get that". This made me excited for sushi, so I ordered a couple rolls. I ordered a shrimp tempura roll and a spider roll. Pretty common rolls figured they were a safe bet. The order came out fairly quickly. The rolls weren't bad, I ate them because I was so hungry, but they were FAR from great. Would've rated this one star, but I tacked on an extra star, because at least they had BOGO sushi and the location being so close to Trader Joes is great! I would have been sorely disappointed had I had to pay full price. Since it was BOGO, I didn't mind as much, but I won't be back either. read more

Because it is practically a sin, I have never, ever thrown away any sushi...but that's exactly what happened last night when I ordered takeout from Shaba Shabu. (Side Note: online ordering does not currently work.) I was really excited to try this place, especially since they combine two of my favorite things, Thai food and sushi. I will say that the Thai food was somewhat redeeming, particularly the Pad Thai, which was the Sunday dinner special for $8.99. The Kee Mao Gai wasn't anything spectacular, and the veggies (green beans and peppers) were not fresh at all. Now, I did not splurge and get any of the specialty rolls (even though I know all the rolls are BOGO), which could be where I went wrong. I kept it simple with a Spicy Tuna and a California. But let me say that I could SMELL the quality of the fish (tuna) before I even took out the container from the bag. It was even worse when I opened the box at home. And it looked just as bad as it smelled (visualize wet cat food if you need to). I have NEVER seen such poor quality in sushi; I would have been better off buying a pre-made roll from the grocery store. I took one bite just to make sure I wasn't being deceived, and the rest of the roll promptly went into the garbage. I am sad I have to write this, because I had read about many other positive sushi experiences here. The two staff members I had the opportunity to interact with were also incredibly nice. I hope this place can improve upon the quality of the food they are serving, because I certainly do not see a return visit in my future. read more

I ordered bogo sushi for take out for lunch. The prices are good and the service was super friendly and fast. The sushi was very fresh, and unique. It's good and you can tell it's more than average. I enjoyed the spicy tuna and the Shrimp tempura roll. I would like to try some more options. read more

ShabaShabu - Japanese Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Pretty Average. Miso soup cold at lunch. Food is way to Americanized and lacked favor. Would not recommend.. read more

You can get sushi and thai food anywhere in Raleigh these days. but you cannot find a place with atmosphere like ShabaShabu. i go there for date, lunch with friends, baby shower, business meetings. any occasion is great at Shabashabu. Food is DELICIOUS. well presented. great portion. It's like you are dining in a FINE restaurant and paying the price you would pay anywhere else that is not as nice. HIGHLY recommend! read more

Had a nice dinner last night. Our server, Mandy, was fantastic. We had our 5 year old with us, and she worked with us to concoct something he would likely eat. She was also helpful with the menu, attentive, and generally a pleasure. This is the fifth time we've been to Shaba Shabu. The other times have just been two adults. Up until tonight, I would have given three stars. Unfortunately, two is all it gets, because of the way that they seem to (not) value their customers. We weren't going to go out for dinner this night, but were at Trader Joe's and saw the BOGO sign, and figured, "why not?" After reviewing the menu, our son got a shrimp fried rice that Mandy special ordered for us (nicely done!) and we decided, because of the BOGO, to order two items from the more expensive rolls, and two from the lesser. We also had seaweed salad, sake, beer, etc. We figured Buy one $13 dollar roll, get one free, buy one $7 roll, get one free. That's how BOGO works. Everywhere. (Restaurants, clothing stores, etc.) When the bill came, the two $7 rolls were the ones made free, while we paid for the $13 and $12 roll. Now, $5 on a $100+ bill is no big deal, but it wasn't what was expected. Our waitress was busy, so I walked up to the host stand (where it looked like I could pay) and mentioned that I didn't think the charges were correct. The manager's response was surprising. Paraphrasing, he notified me that a) this was policy, b) this was normal practice in the industry, and c) I was incorrect for even thinking otherwise. OK ... so, if I come in and order two $13 rolls. Then come back in and order two $7 rolls, I pay a total of $20. But if I order them together its $26? Also, if I had ordered four $13 rolls I pay the same as two $13 and two $7? Had I understood this, I would have tried two more of the fancier rolls! As someone who travels extensively, and fine-dines frequently, and more importantly has been in consumer-facing businesses most of my life, this strikes me as a "policy" aimed solely at fleecing the unsuspecting customer (me). Otherwise, it makes no practical sense. When raised as an issue, it should be handled summarily. (The customer is (almost) always right!) My repeat business should be more important than $6. Once properly informed, I would expect this odd practice, and order accordingly. As it is, it seemed more important to stick to "policy" than to keep my business. I paid the bill, and left a generous tip for Mandy, who bears no fault in this. But I won't be back. Sure, the better competitors don't have BOGO ... but that's not really the point. Best of luck. read more

Ate at bar. Good value. Good bartender - he makes anything you ask for and doesn't grumble about it. Rolls were decent. Seaweed salad was EXCELLENT. Miso soup was generous and excellent. I would probably return but would bring an extra layer to wear. Even though it was a perfect 70 degrees outside, they had the AC cranking so that it was about 60 degrees in that joint. WTF? Why do we need to keep restaurants so darn cold? What's the advantage? So your workers don't feel uncomfortable? What about your guests who are shivering and questioning whether to return? read more

If I ever mention sushi to my gf she will immediately follow with Shaba Shabu? We always come here for the BOGO Okinawa Rolls (that's four rolls of it) and we have loved it every time. read more

The sushi was ok, there service was nice, but they didn't give me any soy sauce in my to go bag :( read more

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I flew into Raleigh tonight and this restaurant was right across the street from my hotel. The cold weather and potential for ice had me leary of venturing too far away tonight, so I gave it a try. Since I was dining alone, and it was already getting pretty late, I just sat at the bar. The bartender was reasonably quick with service and it wasn't very busy in the restaurant. I tried 2 dishes, an appetizer of Tuna Tataki, and a Shrimp Pad Thai for my entree. First, I have to admit that one of the things that didn't work out very well was my own dang fault. The appetizer I ordered was fantastically light, and really, almost refreshing. The entree I ordered was very heavy in comparison. The appetizer was sushi grade tuna that was quickly seared and then sliced very thin and dressed with sesame seeds and a ponzu sauce. The tuna was awesome. Very light, very delicate. The tuna was so light tasting that the flavor of the sesame seeds really sang in harmony. Want to be "way too picky"? There was way too much ponzu sauce. There is no need to make the tuna swim in it. The Shrimp Pad Thai.... I have mixed emotions about this dish. First, way too much. I am sure a lot of people would complain if the portions were sensibly sized, but there is no need for anyone to eat a pound of noodles, especially when its swimming in sauce. Also, I thought the sauce was a bit flat in flavor. I get that not everyone is ready for super spicy thai food but chili pepper sauce is a pretty universal ingredient in Pad Thai traditionally. Also, the shrimp didn't taste nearly as clean and fresh as the tuna had tasted in my appetizer. Would I have noticed this if I hadn't had the tuna for an appetizer? Maybe, maybe not, but I did notice it none the less. All in all, I enjoyed my dinner, and I certainly wouldn't hesitate to return. Most likely I would stick to the Japanese side of the menu though. read more

The only thing saving this from a dreaded one star is that the atmosphere was pleasant. That said, I picked this restaurant because of the option of meat (for my husband, who won't eat fish), and sushi (which I adore). We opted for the Durham restaurant, closer to home. On first glance, there was a great deal of promise. Great seating options, the right level of music, not too hot, not too cold, and our server was friendly. The miso and satay appetizers were tasty (and fail-proof... there are only so many ways to make either), and the sake was good. Where it all went wrong was the main dish. My husband ordered steak teriaki, which was fairly good (3 stars for that), and offered a traditional Japanese way, or the more Americanized way. My husband stuck to what he knew. The steak was a fatty cut, but overall, good. I ordered a spider roll, wasabi roll, and "white tuna" sashimi. The spider roll tasted overly greasy, the tempura was soggy, and the seaweed wrapped around it tasted off. The wasabi roll lacked a serious kick the name promised, and was underwhelming. Both rolls lacked flavor, and had mushy rice. I was highly disappointed, especially because the variety and originality factor seemed to be there, and making a choice was difficult. The sashimi was slimy, watery, and didn't seem to be the freshest fish in the sea. Although the portions were generous, I didn't finish them, as they were terrible. We should have known when, at 7pm, there was not another customer in the place (nor would there be by time we left), that we should have walked away. If you are in it for the cooked food, this might be the place for you. However, if you are a fan of great sushi (such as one might find in Boston or NYC), spare your stomach the pain. This isn't what you want it to be. (Go to Oishii in Chapel Hill if you want something comparable to big city sushi. They still remain at the top of my list.) read more

Great sushi, ordered takeout and it was super quick, I went in under the weather and they went above and beyond to take care of me offering me a cough drop and bringing me hot water with lemon without requesting it just to try and make me feel better! SUPER IMPRESSED! Definitely will be back!!! read more

Shabashabu is a pretty high-concept ( for Raleigh) establishment with some interesting things on the menu. Still a little shaky on the rolls, but the fish has been very fresh on both occasions, so I can just stick with sashimi or nigiri and be perfectly happy. Bear in mind, I have unbearably lofty expectations in the roll department. They have solid bartending skills here and I highly recommend the bar for a fun start to the evening, even if you have other plans in mind for dinner. read more

I've been 'eyeing' this place for a long time as I see it every time I go to Trader Joes...which is a lot. I really wasn't expecting much and was dubious about the thai/sushi combination. I love both but questioned the ability of one place to do either well. While I cannot comment on the thai food, the menu looked amazing! We opted for the Japanese menu and ordered up some sushi. The nigiri was some of the best if not the best I've had in Raleigh. We tried the salmon, hamachi, scallop, tofu, and eel. All were excellent - the fish was like butter! I hate it when you can't take two bites of nigiri without it falling apart or worse if the fish is stringy and you can't bite through it....this did NOT happen with their fish. I was impressed. Their rolls are quite good as well - we only had a few, but they were really good. One roll had tempura 'crunchies' and while it was good, it was also really greasy, so I'd avoid the tempura options next time. All in all, not a bad find. Decor is cute and the bar looks awesome. Music sucked....it was a weird assortment of hairband groups, which doesn't match their modern/loungy decor. Stop on in, even if it's for a few bites and drinks... read more

ShabaShabu - Japanese Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I love Shaba Shabu - especially for carryout. They are the only place I've found in Raleigh that does BOGO sushi even if you are not dining in there. Reasonably priced, and a great place to go for not just sushi, but also other Thai and Asian food. For sushi, I would recommend the Geisha roll, Blue Devil roll, BK roll, New York roll, Tar Heel roll, and Hurricane roll. read more

I was in Raleigh for work and this place was right across the street from my hotel. I also saw from other trusty yelpers that they had BOGO sushi so knew I just had to try it out, however I was left very disappointed. I guess I probably should have expected mediocre sushi for a BOGO deal (and I had takeout), but the quality was even below that. I tried the Okinawa roll and Spicy Tuna roll. Both were wrapped very poorly and fell apart in my hands. All I could taste in the Spicy Tuna roll was the spicy sauce, no taste of tuna whatsoever. The Okinawa roll said it there was shrimp tempura inside, however mine was cold. It was so weird, I've never had cold shrimp tempura before and I don't think I ever want to again. The bartender was nice, however the couple next to me waited far too long for him to take their drink order. You could also hear him arguing with a server very loudly which was not pleasant to witness. All in all, Shaba Shabu leaves a whole lot to be desired. read more

I absolutely love to have sushi here! The ambiance is lovely and the staff is super friendly and attentive. The mixed drinks are always on point; the French Martini is divine. BOGO sushi is a concept I am loving in the Triangle. Their rolls are well crafted and delicious. As someone who loves details the metal chopsticks was a brilliant design choice. Great place for a date or to hang out with friends. read more

Always good throughout the years. The dude working there is real proper and well mannered.