Awesome! My favorite place to eat out. The food is always delicious. I love cooking my own food. It's always just right. The soup is always the best ending to a great meal. read more

I hadn't been to Shabu Shabu Bar in a long time, so coming back felt pretty nostalgic. This was actually the first place where I was introduced to shabu shabu, and it's what started my love for this type of food. I remember it being really affordable back then, but of course prices have gone up over the years. These days, the cheapest small size is around $22-$24, which isn't shocking with inflation and higher wages. One thing that hasn't changed, though, is the tiny cup of ice cream they give you at the end of the meal, which is a nice little touch. The seating is all bar-style, which can feel a bit overwhelming if you're an introvert like me and prefer having your own space. That said, it's not uncomfortable. People mostly keep to themselves, and the servers don't bother you much either. They'll check in once in a while to see if you need anything, but they're not constantly hovering. What really stands out to me about this place is the goma sauce. When it's done right, it's seriously good--rich, nutty, and super flavorful. Honestly, it's one of the best goma sauces I've had, and it makes the whole meal that much better. Even after all this time, that sauce alone reminds me why this place left such a strong impression on me in the first place. read more

The quality of the food has declined Shrimp and Salmon was tasteless , old Beef was ok . Limited to one bowl of veggies read more

Love, love, love this spot! The experience here stands out from other hot pot places and I absolutely love it. The meat is always high-quality and consistent, but my favorite part is what they do once you're done with the meat...they make your leftovers into a flavorful ramen bowl! Nothing goes to waste and it's such a fun, satisfying way to end the meal. Plus, they top it all off with a little ice cream at the end! Every visit has been nothing short of wonderful. Highly recommend! read more

Shabu Shabu Bar - Ribeye - Japanese Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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This was one of the first Shabu restaurants I've ever been to like 13 or 14 years ago - and I haven't been back in a long while. Bf and I decided to give it a try last weekend, and we were pleasantly surprised at the quality and service at the restaurant. Staff was very friendly and quick to answer any questions we had. The quality of the meats were very good - we both got the chuck roll. Your order comes with your choice of white or brown rice at no additional cost. And if you're interested, you can save some pieces of meats to cook at the end where they will add and make a soup base broth for you. Everything was delicious! My only 2 complaints were that they didn't have sesame oil - and if you want more veggies, they came at an additional cost. Shabu Shabu Bar is close to home (walking distance!), and I can't wait to come back for more! read more

We stopped in for dinner this evening, we met Sandy the owner, she was so charming and made our experience wonderful, food, service and atmosphere was exceptional! Meet Karina, the newest member! read more

Shabu Shabu Bar - Karina at Shabu Shabu Bar - Japanese Near Me - Santa Ana, California

My group of 6 waited about 50 minutes but they kept on sitting people by two. We were given appetizers and drinks which was nice. I think the wait time can be improved. The waiter was nice. read more

Shabu Shabu Bar - Appetizers and drinks - Japanese Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Jeff was amazing! We came in as a last-minute party of 16 and he seriously busted his booty to take care of us. He served with a genuine smile the entire time, even while we were asking for what felt like 100 different things. The food was delicious, the service was a 10+++ and Jeff made sure everything was perfect. Thank you!! read more

I want to give a shout out to Cynthia who was our server here at Shabu Shabu Bar. She was so patient and pleasant with us and all the other guest. I noticed that she really listened to people and gave time to a small girl who had a book with her. Cynthia is truly special and defiantly made me and my husband want to return soon. - food was really good. (Even for non-spicy lovers. - drinks were smooth. The peach sake was a good choice. - Well priced for a nice experience. Thank you, to the staff. Thank you, Cynthia. read more

Shabu Shabu Bar - Japanese Near Me - Santa Ana, California

I love shabu shabu food and this is one of my favorite places, the employees are very friendly and the atmosphere is family-friendly. read more

Shabu Shabu Bar - Japanese Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Been here any times. Eaten here for so long. I've always brought friends here to try the place. The meat was fresh and good. But in my recent last visit the meat has changed. The quality is poor. The meat felt like it tasted old and stales the deli cut didn't look right. I felt like the color of the meat was off. The meat had silver skinned. Meat tasted like rubber and off. read more

There's honestly not enough good I can say about this place. The food is consistently great, the service is even better, and the atmosphere just makes you want to come back. We used to be lucky enough to have Vet as my server before he moved on to other opportunities--he really set the bar high. We didn't think we'd get that same level of service again, but we were wrong. Emily stepped in and absolutely blew us away. She's kind, attentive, and genuinely cares about your experience. If you're lucky enough to have her as your server, you're in good hands. And I can't forget Sandy, the owner--she's created something really special here. This has been our Monday go-to spot for a while now, and we are looking forward to many more visits. read more

This is the OG spot for shabu shabu in OC for me. Whenever I think of shabu, this spot is my go-to. Despite the popularity of AYCE shabus like House of Shabu on Walnut (no longer open), or higher end ones like Mokkoji on Jeffrey, or Haidilao on Jamboree, Shabu Shabu Bar has served me well since my poor, broke college student days to now. For dinner service, you do need to get there a bit earlier than 5:30pm or else you might wait a bit longer for seats. When I was younger, I ordered their traditional broth or spicy miso broth and added spicy drops. Now that my stomach is older, I prefer the original miso without spice and it's still delicious. I have tried a majority of their protein platters except for the Atlantic salmon. The quality and portions are just right for me. I always order the veggie platter as well because I don't eat rice and really enjoy the type of udon they use. It's quick to cook and very chewy! The pricing is affordable if you stick to the small portion platters or go for the combination option that gives you two protein choices. I often dine with my hungry husband so we order and share the extra large/yoko platter. If you share a platter, you incur a $10 split charge. Service is always top notch and on point. Before you start your meal, you get a bowl of roasted sesame seeds to mash and add to the goma dipping sauce. Their restrooms are clean and organized. I've never had to bring a jacket because the overhead vents work perfectly and they don't overblast the AC. I've celebrated many birthdays here, met up with lots of friends and family here and am so glad they are still thriving after all these years. If you want a casual, affordable, and filling experience, look no further than Shabu Shabu Bar! read more

This place is amazing, we love the food, service and ambiance. The owner remembered me and it's been a few months since we have been here and I never leave hungry! The soup after the hot pot is incredible! read more

Shabu Shabu Bar - Japanese Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Service was great even though they were short handed. Food was good portions and delicious. The bar setting was fun and cheerful. My kids demanded I give this place a 5 star review. So good for kids, too! read more

Shabu Shabu Bar - Child holding a small cup of raspberry sherbet at a restaurant. - Japanese Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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LOVE THIS SPOT! Perfect place to grab lunch or dinner, I usually come to treat my self. Staff is always friendly and explains everything, also very attentive even when it gets super busy. The vibe is always spectacular, food is amazing, I have not had a bad experience the many times I've been here! read more

Great experience. Very friendly and fast service. We went in the late lunch time thinking it would be slow. But not the case. Very busy. Everything tasted great. Our server , Heather was the perfect person who walked us through the whole meal and how to taste everything. Now we're stuffed. All good. We will be back. read more

This place slaps. Absolutely great for a weekly girl chat and super yummy. Love introducing this place to people that have never been. read more

Shabu Shabu Bar - Japanese Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Today's experience so far is disappointing. We got our yoko and still no drink and still no rice. I'll be asking a 3rd time. Cindy you need to come back. read more

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Always great here the staff are all very friendly. Definitely recommend this place Saturday night live Karaoke give it a try !!!! you won't be disappointed. read more

Absolutely amazing experience!! Kimberly and Sandy are absolutely awesome!! Such great service. Our food came out very quickly and they were very attentive and so so so sweet. They have great hospitality and an amazing personality. We absolutely loved our experience here and would definitely recommend coming!! 10/10 experience & more!! Loved that they talked to us and created such an amazing experience. I got a medium choice ribeye and it was more than enough. So delicious!! Thank you both and Shabu Shabu for everything!! We will DEFINITELY be back read more

Shabu Shabu Bar - Medium Choice Ribeye & Veggies - Japanese Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Second time here, owner's first day back after maternity leave. The experience was even better than the first time! Food was super fresh and delicious! The beer is cold! The "soup" at the end is worth the visit in itself. Highly recommend! If this doesn't convince you, there is also Free ice cream! read more

Shabu Shabu Bar - Japanese Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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We loved it! Thank you Shabu Shabu :) our first time there and everything was delicious so we will definitely be back!

Came here for dinner and there was a bit of a wait. it went by rather quickly so not bad at all. now my three stars has nothing to do with the service and everything to do with the quality of meat. i'll explain. the service - EXCELLENT. our waitress was attentive and explained things well. she also was great at explaining out many questions. we had a very pleasant experience with the staff. the broth - super standard spicy tonkatsu broth, i think it's cool that they make the mixture in front of you and it was a delicious broth. you're able to make modifications with what they provide in small dishes and other sauces. i really enjoyed the broth but i think it would have been creamier if made with real bone. the meat (ribeye) - you can see in my picture it is not very marbled and the meat was rough to the touch to the tongue. i believe part of the issue is also how it's not as thinly sliced as it should, maybe? but it's rather thick feeling against the tongue. almost chewy. i think next time i'll come and order the next meat up. read more

Shabu Shabu Bar - spicy tonkatsu broth - Japanese Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Really good awesome food great service. Sandy was very attentive with what we needed. Really recommend this place. The ambience is very casual. read more

Shabu Shabu Bar - Rib eye large so amazing - Japanese Near Me - Santa Ana, California

My favorite hot pot place! I love that there are gluten free options. I crave it all the time. I can't wait until I go again! And the staff is always really fun and friendly. It's nice that it feels like a nice place to eat out but can also be casual. So fun :) read more

Love coming here! The food is consistently good but we come for the vibes always a good experience read more

Shabu Shabu Bar - Japanese Near Me - Santa Ana, California

This place is a joke. Its regular Shabu shabu broth is literally water......when I questioned this, the waiter said I can add the condiments (daikon, garlic, scallions) into the "broth" to customize it on my own. My jaw dropped. I explained that regular shabu shabu broth should be dashi + konbu based. She took out a sad old jar of dried konbu bits and added 2pcs to each "broth". Then asked me "what is dashi?". Enough said. If you want a real shabu shabu experience, this ain't it. Go boil some hot water at home and save yourself the drive and money. read more

Shabu Shabu Bar - Hot water - Japanese Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Food: Excellent Service: Five stars Ambiance: Great. I took my mother here who cannot have gluten and the owner went above and beyond with explaining the menu and process. We both had a delicious meal and would definitely recommend this to anyone. I don't normally write reviews but felt compelled to write one here. read more

SO MUCH FUN!! went here with my family on a random day, looking for some yummy food. i am so glad we stopped at this spot and i wanna go back so bad!! service is nice, they're always working hard. the atmosphere is top notch, sooo cool and relaxing!! food is incredible, except i'm not a fan of the tofu but besides that everything's amazing. thank you!! read more

Flavor is Good but potions are tiny. Ordered the Choice beef (medium). Beef plate was good, vegetables and noodles were few and small portions. Considering the price is still expensive, portions could have been better. Service was good. read more

Shabu Shabu Bar - Choice beef Shabu shabu - Japanese Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Excellent experience. Food and service was awesome. Took a client and she loved it. Also, dont forget to check in because you get free three glasses of sake. And such a cherry on top when they give you complimentary ice cream. Ambiance is a bit on the louder side but most shabu shabu places are like that. Will come here again when I work in Santa Ana. read more

Shabu Shabu Bar - Japanese Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Look - Shabu Shabu is cool to have, ONCE in a BIG while. This place was cool - but overpriced - but nonetheless, we felt good eating here because it felt very personalized. Very "homey" feeling. So if you like Shabu Shabu hot pot, then I would suggest coming here. The price point is probably an area that needs improvement to attract more clientele, because you can easily go to hacienda heights or Westminster to find delicious hot pot restaurants for half the price. read more

Shabu Shabu Bar - Veggies, black sesame sauce, SSB original soup base with 2x drops of spicy (not hot, perfect amount) - Japanese Near Me - Santa Ana, California

3 FREE shots of sake when you check-in on Yelp! So glad we randomly came across this shabu bar on Yelp! The restaurant is a bit small with only bar seating so there's a bit of a wait. Our servers were so kind and patient especially since it was our first time. You can choose the size of the set you want. I ordered a small which was the perfect portion. The ribeye was delicious and came out of this beautiful plating. It also came with a side of white or brown rice. Best part is that the meal came with ice cream! Would def come here again. read more

Shabu Shabu Bar - Sake shots! - Japanese Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Went there for the first time, didn't know what we were doing. I thought they would explain things to us but that was not the case. I tried to cook my food but it was a bit bland. The waiter ignored us the entire time. We could've left without paying several times because everyone was in the back. Definitely wasn't the experience that I was expecting. Won't be back. read more

Over 12 years coming here and nothing has changed. Still the best Shabu I've ever had. I've tried every new shabu spot that opens up but they never compare to this place. I love that it's just plain water and I get to choose what to put in my broth. Although they have different options now. Love it. read more

My friend and I came here for dinner and each ordered a size small shabu combo, which came with broth, a veggie platter (tofu, cabbage, bok choy, carrots, udon, rice noodles, mushroom, broccoli, and corn), a bowl of rice, meat, and two sauces (ponzu and goma). Overall, the meal was good but the portions were a little smaller than what I'm used to. Usually, a size small is enough to fill me up, but my friend and I both felt hungry afterwards, so we ordered extra meat. We were originally going to order sides of meat or get another combo, but our waiter was kind enough to stand there and think out a less expensive option for us, saying we should do size upgrades and then one side order of meat. Very thoughtful of him to take the time to do that! After the meal is done, the waiters offer you ice cream on the house. This restaurant is laid out in two U-shaped counters that people dine at, so it's much better for small parties. read more

Shabu Shabu Bar - Kurobuta pork, size small | IG: @bobabitchess - Japanese Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Portions to price do not equate to value. The raw meat could be seen sitting on the slicer through the kitchen veil. The broth was just water. Waiter didn't correctly take my order as I got the 3 item combo, but only received a 2 item. Placed an order for spicy edamame and never received it. The goma sauce was very coagulated but room temperature. It appears to be store bought. Do not recommend nor will I be returning. read more

Food - good quality meats. Service - decent but servers could have been more attentive. Hot Pot - I thought it was kinda weird they only gave you plain water and it cost you extra for flavors soup base (need to change that option for soup base or there's other Shabu places to try). read more

Good food!!! Nice broth. Thin cuts of beef which were very tasty. Ambiance is ok. Can't place my finger in it but it just lacked charm.