Tasty! Our favorite Shabu by far. Attentive service, fresh food. Parking is easy and available. Love this place.

I came here on a Friday evening with my dad - we had to wait about 10-15 minutes, which wasn't too bad. The bar-like atmosphere was quite fun, and the workers were very hospitable. After ordering our food (we had to wait a while to order, which was a little bizarre) our items came out fairly quickly. The chili edamame was pretty delicious, so I would recommend that if you're looking for something to nibble on. For the shabu contents themselves. I wasn't a huge fan of the choice of spinach and carrots, mostly because I'm not a personal fan of carrots and because spinach is kind of hard to eat in a shabu setting (difficult to pick up a ton of leaves after blanching). I'm not sure if I could have substituted instead for more cabbage and pumpkin, but maybe next time I'll ask. I think next time I would also want to order a more flavorful broth, as I chose the unflavored kelp one without really thinking about. What is nice is at the end they'll cook your udon in the broth and serve it to you in a bowl (which is where the better broth would've been handy). Overall a nice place - fairly standard shabu in downtown Costa Mesa. read more

Tabu Shabu - Costa Mesa - 3 oz SIDE Colorado Lamb - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

We love this place. Often times there's a wait, but it's usually a quick turn around, since the food is ready pretty much as soon as you order it. read more

The meat was pretty good, I wish they marinated it like some other places though. I got the spicy miso broth and it wasn't that spicy but the miso flavor was still there! Only thing is the rice was really mushy :( Service was nice and explained the menu well since it was my first time. Overall it was a pretty chill place and we didn't have to wait on a saturday night, good place to chat with a friend or 2, prob not for large parties though. read more

Tabu Shabu - Costa Mesa - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Tabu Shabu in Costa Mesa has quickly become our haven for an elevated yet utterly comforting shabu-shabu outing. Kicking things off with the truffle-infused edamame is a stroke of genius--crisp, savory, and just the right prelude to the feast ahead. The spicy miso broth steals the spotlight, infusing every dip and swirl with a harmonious blend of heat and depth. In our first pot, the Wagyu short rib and ramen noodles mingled beautifully with prime ribeye, creating a symphony of tender, flavorful bites. Switching to the second pot with combo proteins like lamb shoulder and wild shrimp brought even more layers of richness and surprise. We wrapped up with the luscious mango mochi ice cream, a playful yet polished treat that lingers sweetly. Top-notch attentive service kept everything flowing effortlessly. We're hooked and counting down to our encore--5 stars for masterful comfort dining at its finest. read more

See all

best meal everrrrrrr!!! try everything on the menu! we come here every day basically:) LOVE YOU TABU CM!

Great service. Happy Hour 20% off. Great selection of veggies. Good beef and seafood selection. read more

Tabu Shabu - Costa Mesa - Miso broth, - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I went to Tabu Shabu for the power lunch special. The inside looks like most other shabu places, with a U-shaped layout of seats in the center. While the service was great and the broth was decent, I found the portion sizes to be way too small for the price. Additionally, the pots are positioned too far from the seat, making it somewhat inconvenient to cook and enjoy my meal comfortably as I found myself constantly reaching over. They offer the option to put everything into a bowl at the end, which helps mitigate the issue of the distant pot, but it isn't a perfect solution as thats when everything is finished being cooked. On a positive note, they do offer a nice array of condiments and toppings so that you can customize your shabu whatever way you want. Overall, it was an okay experience. read more

See all

This place is the best in the biz! Always such quick service (even if there's a small wait), the food is next level fresh, and they always have the best playlists bumpin' to keep the atmosphere and ambiance top notch! Tonight it was the CCR rock n' roll and the service from Santiago that made my night! You all rock. Thanks for the hard work and great service - it's what's kept me coming back for years. Run, don't walk to Tabu Shabu! read more

Tabu Shabu - Costa Mesa - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Great food, great hospitality. My gf and I went to the location in Orange, but nothing compares to the experience we had with Michelle at the CM location! Loved everything about the location read more

Dining here is always a delight! Whether you're flying solo or on a romantic rendezvous, this place is the perfect spot for a delicious meal. read more

Came here pretty late for dinner and got the combo meat platter with kurobuta pork and beef belly. Kurobuta Pork 3/5 - It was a little more chewier than I had liked and it was pretty average. Nothing wrong with it when dipped in the sauces which were really good Beef Belly 4/5 - It was also a little chewy but not as much as the pork. I liked the marbling on it though. Overall, I'm not sure if I would come back here again but I really do like the presentation of everything. The let you customize the given ponzu and sesame sauce with green onion, radish, and garlic which I really liked. Service was also very attentive and I enjoyed my time here. read more

Tabu Shabu - Costa Mesa - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

Tried out this place the other day and it was delicious!. The place itself is pretty cool with really dope art work and the place is clean and feels very welcoming. But the place is kinda small so coming here with a big group isn't ideal but then again I think they have outdoor seating . The service was really cool, they weren't busy when we went so the service was quick and simple, which made the experience worth wanting to come back. The food was really good and very fulfilling. It was yummy with every bite. Thank you for the yummy meal and great experience. I will be back for more read more

See all

Amazing food and ambience. Lovely Tuesday evening here at Tabu Shabu. Order the miso broth it's my favorite! read more

Tabu Shabu - Costa Mesa - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Love this place none of my favorite go-to Shabu Shabu spots. Great staff and great food.

The food was great and they have gluten free and vegan options so I was very happy. They also have all the standard Shabu options that looked top notch. Prices are typical and fair enough for the area. read more

Tabu Shabu - Costa Mesa - My new favorite Shabu Shabu place!! - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This is probably the best shabu in the Costa Mesa - Newport zone. You have to deal with 17th Street and the parking, but that is everywhere. Seems to be an easy walk-in early but the wait list does load up, hit the iPad at the door. Standard shabu offerings. I hit this often on my travels back to OC. read more

See all

Always a great meal, my kids love this place! They always ask to come here when it's their turn to pick dinner. Can't go wrong with the ribeye. :) read more

Tabu Shabu in Costa Mesa is the same company as the Tabu Shabu in Bressi Ranch (Carlsbad area) but the service and food were better at the other location in Carlsbad vs here in Costa Mesa. The Service was nice and friendly but not very attentive nor detail oriented. They forgot my drink, didn't bring enough chopsticks and we had to ask twice to get these items - not just one extra ask but two more times after we initially asked. The parking lot is under construction but there's still places. When you arrive you can check in on the Yelp app. Be prepared for a long wait during busy times! Why I also prefer the Bressi Ranch location is because they don't nickel and dime you there the way they do at this location. Here in Costa Mesa pretty much every menu item has an up charge. The noodles have an up charge, the broth has an up charge. Overall, all of the prices are higher here than at the Bressi Ranch location. Our favorite broths are Tonkotsu and Sukiyaki and we've learned after a few times here that the Reserve angus is just as good as the premium meat for less money. Pretty much all the noodles have an up charge (more nickel and diming) but if you don't want udon (free) their Shirataki noodles are also free and very tasty (similar to glass noodles) Overall we love the Bressi Ranch location but since we live in Orange County we come here because it is tasty - we are just prepared for an expensive meal with just ok service. read more

Tabu Shabu - Costa Mesa - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

Tasty meat, attentive service, and quick turnaround. This restaurant location is in a plaza so there's plenty of parking, you can put yourself on a waitlist in advance. We were seated pretty quickly for a group of 4 on a weekend lunch, but if you find yourself waiting.. there's coffee shops and donut shops nearby. The seating structure is like a circle so you're not really facing your friends, it's a typical shabu place where you sit next to each other. Tbh, probably not great for larger groups. You can choose your meat type & size, broth, and sides. I went with the leanest meat and asked for a large because I was trying to hit a protein goal. The meat quality was really good, tasty and tender. I got the classic broth cause I get more excited about the sauces. (You can curate your own sauces by adding sesame, garlic, spice, etc which I really like. ) Overall, really good meat and the rice was good -- the only thing I wished was if there was a larger meat option. I was surprised the large was around 6oz and I was still pretty hungry in the end. read more

First experience at Tabu Shabu for date night and WOW it was fantastic!!! This was my first time having a dinner experience like this and the staff was extremely helpful and friendly. The waiter ran through the entire menu with us top to bottom, making recommendations along the way. I had the miso base and angus wagyu as my meat--extremely delicious! We were pleasantly surprised to find out that we hit happy hour!! Will definitely be dining again read more

The brisket was fantastic and the sauces were amazing. Definitely would recommend. The hot drops are definitely a necessity as well. The waiters were also very nice and quick for service. read more

I'm a repeat customer. Friendly staff. It's always yummy and all too easy to leave with a full tummy.

solid shabu place! everything was fresh and delicious with great recommendations. very attentive, helpful and nice staff! loved the atmosphere and trendy aesthetic. not too quiet, but not too loud. we arrived before a little rush but love that they have a yelp waitlist. read more

See all

Love coming here for a healthy and fun meal! The make it yourself shabu shabu is entertaining and lots of options. read more

Tabu Shabu - Costa Mesa - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This was one of the best shabu spots I have ever had. The service was phenomenal and I will definitely be coming back here again real soon!!!!!!!! read more

Tabu Shabu - Costa Mesa - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Great food and service... a Costa Mesa must visit. Get the Ribeye and lamb... it is great protein source.

First time Shabu Shabu... now I'm ruined for regular meals. Came into Tabu Shabu as a total Shabu Shabu rookie and left wondering why no one introduced me to this sooner. This place is dangerous--in the best way. From the moment we sat down, Mustafa, Wells, and Michelle made sure we didn't look like confused cavemen staring at boiling broth. They were patient, fun, and genuinely excited to walk us through the experience. No food shame. No judgment. Just vibes and guidance. The food was insanely fresh, the broth was comforting on a spiritual level, and cooking your own meal somehow makes it taste 37% better. Science probably backs that up. Shoutout again to the staff--Mustafa with the calm confidence, Wells keeping things smooth, and Michelle making sure everything was on point. You can tell they actually care, and that makes the whole experience next-level. If you've never tried Shabu Shabu, start here. If you have tried it, you already know why this place deserves the hype. I'll definitely be back... probably sooner than my wallet would prefer. read more

Tabu Shabu - Costa Mesa - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Ambience was great for a quick solo lunch. High quality meat; helpful staff; delicious. Looking forward to coming back!

Food was delicious. I am a big fan of the sister restaurant Oak and Coal and this place did not disappoint. Also the service was great and they were very attentive. read more

Awesome experience at our local Tabu Shabu. Enjoyed a delicious dinner with awesome friends. The service was great as well and the background music is just at the right level. Thanks for everything! read more

Solid shabu spot -- the meats were high quality and like that they offer a grass-fed beef option! I went with the large size which is ~5.5 oz, and it was a good amount of food though I think I'd opt for double protein if I were to go when very hungry. The only thing that left me wanting were the sauces -- the goma and ponzu were both just okay so that was a bit of a bummer since the sauces are so key, but everything else was great. The wooden plates/bowls they use are also so cute and the servers were so friendly and sweet. They don't take reservations and there was a small wait but they were turning seats quite quickly and efficiently. read more

Tabu Shabu - Costa Mesa - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Amazing !! I very much enjoyed my food and staff was awesome! Will be returning thank you so much

The food was good and friendly staff. I just wished they would have fresh garlic instead of the jarlic as one of the condiments to put in your sauce/soup. read more

Beautiful staff with excellent customer service. Place is very clean and the atmosphere is phenomenal. I would definitely recommend and come back aswell. My first time trying and the experience was incredible. Thank you for the great experience here with staff and customers !! read more

See all

Stopped by with my friend and gf on a Sunday after Xmas shopping. The food was spot on and the ambiance is great. Coming back!

Love it here. The staff is great. Warm atmosphere. My favorite go to shabu. The food is always fresh and delicious. I love the veggies so I always get extra for $10 more. More broth is free tho. Also, it's the only shabu place I know of that has shirataki noodles (love a low calorie option). read more

Tabu Shabu - Costa Mesa - 3 oz SIDE Reserve Angus Ribeye extra plate of veggies - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

If you're a fan of Shabu or just curious to try the best, Tabu Shabu is the place to go! After sampling several spots, I can confidently say this is the ultimate Shabu experience. The food portions are spot on--filling but not overwhelming--and everything is incredibly fresh. The staff is beyond accommodating, always happy to bring extra sauce, utensils, or anything else you need. What really sets Tabu Shabu apart is the warm, welcoming atmosphere. The team genuinely feels like a family, and their positive energy is contagious. Everyone is always smiling, creating an environment that feels just as good as the food tastes. A special shoutout to Michelle (I believe she's the manager)--her bubbly personality and attentive service always make dining here a treat. I especially love sitting in her section because she makes the experience feel so personal and fun. Tabu Shabu is an easy 10/10. Whether you're a Shabu enthusiast or a first-timer, I highly recommend it! Bonus: the holiday decor is always another fun surprise! Halloween had some fun decor, but the Christmas is my favorite! read more

Tabu Shabu - Costa Mesa - Fresh ramen noodles, potstickers, White Peach Sake, 3 oz SIDE Wagyu Chuckeye Roll, and the worlds best sauce Extra 8 Oz GOMA Sesame Sauce - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

first timer here! Have to say, this was probably one of the best introductions to hot pot possible. Overly happy this wasn't all you can eat as I fear I would have been overwhelmed, a straight forward menu like theirs made it great & straight forward! The server also helped so much in explaining how everything worked/tasted and what was most popular. Would highly recommend for anyone looking to try hot pot for the first time, super great quality food and ambiance is unmatched! Only thing missing is a round the table hand off Karaoke in my opinion! Will definitely be returning. read more

Tabu Shabu - Costa Mesa - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

I love Tabu Shabu - Huntington Beach location so I assumed this would be the same thing. Unfortunately, it is not consistent and was disappointed. I ordered the Tonkatsu which is what I order at the other location and it does not taste the same. The broth tasted like it was watered down and it did not have any flavor. I had to add soy sauce to see if it could help out a bit. The meat and veggies were good though, that is why they are getting two stars. It was also clean. Customer service could be better. There is plenty of parking and it is open later than the other locations. Other locations close at 8 p.m. and this one closes at 11 p.m. read more

Tabu Shabu - Costa Mesa - Cute! I want this lol - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all