Really enjoyed our experience at Tabu Shabu! The marinated meat is definitely a must for extra flavor, and they have a great variety of homemade sauces. The whole place has a fun, modern vibe while still keeping that traditional Japanese hot pot experience. Came hungry and left SO full and happy. Would definitely come back! read more

Writing this review mainly to address the fact that yes this location does indeed also offer a lunch special as well -- they just don't advertise it on their social media because it's not ordered often. I believe it's $16.00 for 3oz of protein (toro, brisket, or chicken???), and your own order of veggie plate, noodles, rice, and broth. It's up to you if you think the size is worth it for you to order the lunch special deal. I drink a lot of broth and am a very soup-driven diner, so I guess it's not a terrible deal, but I can see it being considered a small portion to those who eat more protein and carbs during their meals. At minimum, you can order more food if you're still hungry and the service is consistently friendly. Parking in this area can be stressful, but you'll figure it out if you're patient. read more

Tabu Shabu - Orange - Lunch special with brisket and toro - Hot Pot Near Me - Orange, California

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I am probably not the target audience for this place but when it comes to shabu joints I am as minimal as it gets so my review is from that lens. They offer traditional konbu and water broth which is a huge requirement for me. I have been to a shabu place where this wasnt an option. The ponzu and veggies were really good. The service was excellent. But what really made this place not hit so well was the meat tasted pretty flat and I didnt like their goma sauce at all. The goma sauce tasted like it had a sesame oil note to it. Maybe their flavored broths or their marinated meat option is what this place stand out but because I am not about that life I cant really comment on it. Since the price is on the higher end I cant really justify the cost from the minimal shabu style eaters point of view. If you are the more flavored broth style you might enjoy this place. read more

Tabu Shabu - Orange - Prime rib eye - Hot Pot Near Me - Orange, California

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Food is always amazing! We went for happy hour and it was nice but only one server and one helper so it took a while to get meat and check out! read more

Tabu Shabu - Orange - Angus meat and veggies - Hot Pot Near Me - Orange, California

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Signature Marinated Shabu Meat Tabu Shabu Signature Marinated Shabu Meats is a fan favorite and locals who work and live near old town orange absolutely LOVE Tabu ! Customer enjoy mixing their own broth and combinations are endless when picking between Konbu, Sukiyaki, Miso and Tonkotsu. On top of that their signature ponzu sauce is extra tangy and their GOMa mixes both sesame and peanuts to make an extra thicc dipping sauce. Their vegetables choices has a nice variety along with noodles choice of udon, ramen and even shirataki noodles is an option. Customer can also pick between white or brown rice with no additional charge. Something about their dumpling dipping sauce keeps me craving it more. What is also amazing is their weekday lunch special for only $16!!! Woah Wow! read more

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OMGAWDDDDD!!!! With all the rain and cold weather, ain't no better way to warm up your soul with some delicious Tabu Shabu. You can't help but to feel warm, and all fuzzy once you step inside, from the aroma hitting your senses, to hearing your favorite playlist in the background, and seeing how clean and cozy the layout of the restaurant is. Cici was very involved, and made sure we were good, from helping us pick our broths to funny life choices. You don't realize how much time flys when everyone is having fun, from the staff to the customers, all just vibing as one. Straight Up, Spicy Miso broth with the all the extras+Prime Beef Brisket was so filling and light at the same time. Add Saké for a memorable experience, and all in all you'll definitely be happy and full. 10/10 for a delicious, best bang for your buck, time of your life atmosphere.... read more

Tabu Shabu - Orange - Spicy Miso, Prime Beef Brisket, Big Bottle of Sake!!!! - Hot Pot Near Me - Orange, California

Visited: 11/25/25 Meal: 7/10 I went with a Tonkotsu Pork base (extra $3), white rice, shirataki noodles, and decided to include all the veggies available. For protein, I chose the beef toro belly (regular size). The waitress was fantastic as she was super friendly and helpful in guiding my choices! She asked what type of meat I preferred, and when I said I wanted something fatty, she recommended the toro belly. She checked in frequently, and the staff also offered options like marinating your meat or making the soup base spicier, which was a nice touch. As the night went on and the place got busier, service became less hands-on, but that's understandable given how packed it was. One thing I appreciate about shabu spots like this is how they handle overcooked food. If you've dumped all your ingredients into the bowl and some are overcooked, they offer to transfer everything into a separate bowl so you can eat it as if it were served freshly. The seating is around an oval-shaped center table, so if it's busy, you'll be next to strangers. The bathroom is in the back and very clean. The restaurant is clearly popular. I was seated right at opening, and within an hour, it was fully booked. Overall, the service was great, and the food was good. However, nothing in particular stood out flavor-wise, so I can't give it a full 5 stars. The broth and meat could've packed more flavor, but overall it was a solid meal, and I value the communal, social vibe that spots like this offer. Price Breakdown: BOWL #1 -Beef Toro Belly (Regular) = $20 -Tonkotsu = $3 -Discount = $4.60 BOWL #2 -Angus Ribeye (Regular) = $24 -Tonkotsu = $3 -Discount = $5.40 read more

Tabu Shabu - Orange - Meal - Hot Pot Near Me - Orange, California

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We brought friends who had never had shabu shabu before. Their preconceived notion was that it was just meat boiled in water! They were excitedly surprised to experience such flavors. Tabu Shabu was an eye opener for them. The protein selection was varied with multiple portion choices. The broths were also offered in several choices. After making the selections, it was up to us to cook it up to our liking. And we did just that. The ambiance The staff was hustling all evening. Our friends exclaimed that they'll be back! read more

Hot pot but make it premium. Tabu Shabu in Orange is flipping the script with rich tonkotsu broth, top-tier meats from Snake River Farms, and deals that actually hit--20% off happy hour, BOGO drinks on Tuesdays, and bottomless sake on the weekends. From fresh poke to buttery Wagyu, every bite feels elevated without losing that fun, cook-it-yourself experience. Definitely not your average hot pot spot. read more

Tabu Shabu - Orange - Hot Pot Near Me - Orange, California

The shabu was very clean, fresh, and super savory. The service was amazing, Thao served my family and I, that being their first time. She was very accommodating, attentive, she explained the foods and drink types to us as well. Everything was a great experience, will be back! read more

Tabu Shabu - Orange - Hot Pot Near Me - Orange, California

My friend and I brought my daughter here while visiting her on a Sunday. We arrived around 1 PM and it wasn't busy at all so we were seated right away by Ronnie who was the sweetest and most helpful in what we should order. The menu is very interesting and easy to follow. It was fun to make our own soup. Mine turned out a little bit more spicy than I was hoping for, but it was still tasty. Overall, it was a very lovely lunch! They had the best Lagaria Pinot Grigio I've ever had!! Couldn't believe it's on tap! read more

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Delicious go EVERYTIME we are in town Shiratake noodles, crunchy garlic... Grass fed beef Really healthy and amazing! read more

Came here for lunch. The place is cozy and clean. The staff is friendly and very helpful with answering questions. We ordered two sets with sukiyaki and spicy miso broth base and short rib and kurobota pork. It came with a side of vegetables, noodles, and rice. We also got a sake deal which was buy one, get one free. Broths- The sukiyaki base was sweet and flavorful and didn't need any enhancements. The spicy miso had the right amount of heat without being overpowering. They give an ample amount of vegetables with a good variety. Meats- Fresh and so tender they almost melt in the mouth! They give it a nice drizzle of seasoned oil and garlic as well. Sake- We opted to have it served warm. It was nice and smooth and complemented our meal perfectly. The second one for free was a lovely bonus! Great meal in this cold weather! Will definitely come back. read more

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My go to place for a yummy meal. This place is awesome! It's a really chill place in Orange that serves delicious food. Please go check it out! read more

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Best spot to get Shabu in the whole county. Quick and easy to find. Recommend you came after 6pm the plaza (circle) started charging for parking before 6pm. The selection of beef is plentiful and they have other options as well. Regular spot for me. read more

Came here first a last minute Valentines and it was a treat. Located in old town orange and right by center of the town. Great shabu shabu with the twist they marinate the meat in front of you. Also a ton of regulars which is always a good sign. For the budget conscious come early to score discount on beer and food. Staff was also helping guide the person next to me how to do the whole shabu shabu which is always good sign. If you want to see what the appeal of shabu shabu this place to try read more

Audrey and Cici are the best! We had so much fun with them Best sake brunch ever!!! read more

I love this place and I wish they give more meats! Great service, food and atmosphere! I will come back! Hopefully with more meats and more veggies. read more

Tabu Shabu - Orange - Delicious! - Hot Pot Near Me - Orange, California

As a soup lover and a kbbq regular, this was the perfect vibe for me. I loved the set-up and the atmosphere of this restaurant, and the hot soup still HIT even on a humid pre-summer day like today. Great soup bases, great condiments (that sesame sauce is fire), and I LOVED the chili oil that you could add to your sauces to make them spicy. I also appreciate that the menu has a nice variety without being overwhelming. The menu is the perfect size where you have lots of options for your mood, but it's easy to decide what you want to order with little more than a couple glances. I dined by myself right as they opened for lunch and had a great experience--my server was really sweet and attentive in explaining everything to me! The soup base wasn't too salty, even after boiling for some time before I added the noodles, and the meat was really high quality. And not bad for the price! I splurged for a large portion of the premium meat combo and everything included (rice, veggies, noodles) it was still under $50. Even just the little bowls of onion and garlic you get on the side were great, and honestly it shows to me that they have this format down to a science, because those are the perfect (and really the only) side dishes you need for a great dining experience. Can't wait to come back!! read more

After visiting the location in San Diego I had very high hopes! Food quality was still amazing to say the least. I got the tonkotsu broth which is just so rich and cozy and customized it with the different sauces and complimentary garlic and green onion. I did notice that at this location they have you share the complimentary toppings and sauces where in SD you get your own. I'm sure if you wanted your own or more, you could ask them. Prime rib is like butter and here they asked if you wanted it marinated! I also really appreciated when they asked if I wanted more broth, I didn't know it was complimentary. Staff here is very friendly, attentive, and efficient, definitely very pleasant. One thing I must say is that I was bummed they didn't have a cocktail menu like the other location. One of my favorite things is the amount of leftovers you have! It can get pretty busy around dinner time with a bit of a wait but nothing too loud where you can't enjoy a nice catch up. 10/10 I definitely recommend and love bringing my friends to try Tabu Shabu, it's easily become their new Shabu go to! read more

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Tabu Shabu is a great option for hot pot if you are in the downtown Orange area. I went with their 2 item XL combo with prime beef belly and wagyu short rib. I had sukiyaki broth, and I asked them to "marinate the meat" with their garlic, soy sauce, and chili oil. I made sure to pair my meal with a pint of draft beer and I took advantage of the complementary sake offer by checking in on yelp. This undoubtedly helped me enjoy the meal even more. You enjoy your meal with bar seating. Service was friendly and helpful. I enjoyed the quality of the meat. Veggies were not unlimited, so I feel that you should consider getting a larger portion if you are hungry. I did like that the servers transferred the broth and noodles to a large soup bowl after you are done with the meat so that you could finish your meal off with your broth and noodles! Overall, I really enjoyed this meal and I would recommend it. Quality was good and portion sizes are modest - I definitely had room to enjoy dessert and coffee at Urth Caffe afterward. read more

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From all the shabu places I've been to, this has to be the best bang-for-your-buck shabu restaurant. Portions are very generous so make sure to wear your stretchy pants! You'll also love how customizable the menu is. Highly recommend the spicy tonkotsu broth which packs the most flavor, and a few drops of the chili extract if you dare! The staff are very attentive and the vibes here are like listening to your favorite 90's throwback playlist. read more

I have been looking for a go to shabu place since moving to the OC and this may be it. I ordered the sukiyaki broth that was right amount of sweet and flavor. I really liked they offer a combo so i could try different meats. The only thing is I wish there was more meat. The service was nice and attentive. The ambiance was cozy. I do miss Joon Shabu in Glendale but this a good replacement for my shabu fix. read more

Tabu Shabu - Orange - Combo with Sukiyaki - Hot Pot Near Me - Orange, California

Didn't expect this place to be sooo good. We were desperate to eat something, anything and we came across this Shabu place. Upon entering this restaurant, the jams of the music caught our attention. We came at off hours so there weren't that many people initially but then people started coming. The food is definitely top notch. Great broth, meat, vegetables and presentation. Courtney our server was the sweetest and most attentive server. 5/5 read more

Tabu Shabu - Orange - Hot Pot Near Me - Orange, California

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The majority of my Tabu experiences have ten to go orders. I'm so glad they have it as a carry out option. The Tabu for 2 comes with 2 meats, 2 broths, veggies, noodles, rice, and potstickers. When I dined in, the server recommended a mix of 75% sukiyaki and 25% to katsu and that's been my go-to since. We have our own induction pot at home so shabu has been easy to take out. The meat quality is spectacular, the broths are yummy, and they give a lot of vegetables. Service is always great. read more

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Happy and surprised they have an asian restaurant here and its a hotpot place. Server "Tram" was very friendly and helpful. She would check and make sure I was doing ok from time to time. It is clean inside the restaurant and most importantly the restroom. Order a tonkotsu soup base angus ribeye hotpot. Meat was great and the tonkotsu soup was delicious! For parking nearby, weekdays are hard to find parking on the street or right outside but there public parking lot nearby where you can park. Highly recommended! read more

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Things I appreciated: - they will offer to pour your soup into a bowl when you're almost done so you can finish it off - they will offer to marinate your meat once it comes with a variety of sauces - the truffle edamame was surprisingly delicious since I'm not usually a fan of truffle - seating is in a u shape which is a pretty cool environment - the server will come around to help you switch your plate around for easier access Things to consider: - the stools are pretty low so if you're short, it may be a bit uncomfortable or hard to reach - the power knob is on the servers side so you will need to ask them to turn it up or down based on your preferences (I tend to burn myself pretty easily) - it can be challenging to get your servers attention because there's a lot going on in a small space - the meats and veggies may take a while to come over - the cabbage will come as a whole leaf and you'll need to break it up All in all, the food was solid and I always love hot pot. I enjoyed the sesame dipping sauce more than the ponzu. I would return - it's a convenient location and I love that it's in the orange square area. read more

SOOOOO GOOOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the food is absolutely insane and unlike other Shabu places they have a KIDS portion. i ( 10 year old child ) can't eat a full plate of shabu so its perfect. Neither can my brother. read more

Tabu Shabu - Orange - A picture of me. - Hot Pot Near Me - Orange, California

The best experience I've had at Tabu! I already know the Orange location was the best but Audrey and Cici set the bar high for any servers we get next. 10/10 service on already 10/10 food. Such a good time with them, would definitely recommend coming when they're here. read more

If looking for a combination between shabu-shabu and a ramen joint this is the place. Great service and tasty food.

I went here because it has great reviews on yelp, but I was unfortunately not impressed. To make it short, it's good, but not for the price. There is a place near my house that costs about the same but the food quality is a lot better. Also having to pay for extra sauce seems ridiculous to me. Service was not great, but not terrible. I was here with my two kids and I don't think they have experience with families, we had to ask them multiple times for extra utensils, bowls. The place was clean. read more

Overall a pretty great shabu experience! Very similar to Mokkoji. Choice of Soup, hot drops, goma/ponzu sauce, veggie spread, tofu, & noodles, clean meat choice. Veggies are non-refillable, but you can substitute/switch for the ones you want, which was great! Clean Bar Style, service was great, & liked that I was able to get my meal to go. Downtown Orange is always difficult to park in, but when you're here Tabu Shabu is a great place to drop by! read more

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We love Tabu! The service is always always always amazing. If you're craving shabu I would highly recommend this place. It'll hit the mark on your craving. It's your standard shabs place but the meat is fresh, the vegetables are crisp and customizable, and the broths are yum! They also have an option to turn your pot into porridge at the end of your meal and it's not only a steal, but soooo good! And great as leftovers to take home too. Definitely a cute little place if you're feeling like shabu while in the area. read more

Great shabu shabu place. Tabu is more an individual shabu pot style. This location has a bar seating style all around and the servers are in the middle serving you. Our server was knowledgeable about the allergen such as gluten and dairy, and he was pretty engaging as well. There was a big TV at the end for the sport lovers. They have traditional kombu and miso broth that are gluten free and I tried the miso. They also have gluten free sauce. The shabu comes with the mixed veggies and rice. The broth tastes so good at the end and you can ask them to pack it up to go. Definitely will go back especially on a rainy and chilly night. read more

Tabu Shabu - Orange - Shabu set - Hot Pot Near Me - Orange, California

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I love Tabu Shabu and I am glad that there is a location closer to home so that I don't have to drive all the way to the Costa Mesa location. I ordered the prime beef belly with kombu base, brown rice, and shirataki noodles. What make Tabu Shabu stand out from the other shabu restaurants are the quality of the ingredients and how the food is being presented. The kombu broth comes with kombu (kelp) and you can taste it. It doesn't taste like just water. There's a hint of kombu flavor in the broth. The meat comes with the option to have it "dressed" with green onions, garlic, and chili oil. The vegetable platter comes with a nice variety of vegetables. As for service, I never had a bad experience at any Tabu Shabu locations. The wait to be seated and for the food to arrive to you isn't long. The servers are very attentive and checking often to make sure water is refilled and how I am liking the food. As for the ambiance, it's very clean and modern. I like the art and sign on the walls. read more

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What a delight! My friend and I had never had shabu before, but we wanted to give it a go... and what a treat it was! I wish I could remember the name of the kind server who walked us through everything--honestly, every server was so friendly and kind! It's a smaller place, but the bar setting means everyone gets tended to very quickly, it's easy to get a server's attention or ask for help. Between my friend and I, we spent maybe $50 IN TOTAL. That's not bad at all!! For the quality of food we got? I'm overjoyed! Can't wait to come again! read more

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First visit here (with many more to come) after an incredible experience last night. Right off the bat, staff was very welcoming and quick to acknowledge and assist us as soon as we walked in the door. Restaurant has great energy - from the staff to the decor placement and music playing. I don't really know what I was having, but Tram, Mia, and a guy named Randy gave a bunch of recommendations. I ended up with Tonkotsu and an XL Wagyu meat while my friends tried the Spicy Miso with other ribeye cuts. The staff did some sort of marinade that I haven't seen at other Shabu places.. It was simply delicious - the garlic and onion were fresh, meat was so tender, the umami sensation out of this world. Fun doesn't begin to describe how our evening went.. A great balanced atmosphere that was also kid friendly (we had a 4 and 11 year old with us) We will probably be coming again tonight lol. read more

Tabu Shabu - Orange - Great sake selection - Hot Pot Near Me - Orange, California

The concept is nice and intriguing where the customers sit around a U shaped bar and enjoy their Shabu food. I got the Tonkotsu broth and it was delicious with full of flavor. My gf got the Spicy Miso and unfortunately it did not have a lot of flavor. It only had the spice and kick but n other flavor. The meat and presentation was nice and was given in orderly manner. We came in later at night and they ran out of the Ramen and the Carb Free noodle so go early if you can. Our waitress was nice. It was interesting to see her interacting with 2 customers only and drinking with them. It was funny and interesting to hear their conversation. The waitress was the loudest of all customers. Maybe she was the manager. Overall, get tonkotsu broth. It was delicious read more

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So the food here is great. My husband and I really enjoy coming here but we haven't come without our 8 month old son. Every time we get sat they always end up throwing another party RIGHT next to us when we've asked to sit in a corner so we have space for the stroller. There's open seating in other areas in the bar yet they always sit them right next to us. Super annoying. Also there's NO changing tables in the restroom for babies. Last time we came my son had a blow out and I had to change him mid air and got poop on my sweater. I think they could stand to be more accommodating to families with children. read more

Great general service. Fresh ingredients. Fun ambiance -- communal side-by-side seating around a large oval dining space. You're sitting with strangers. Interesting! Other highlights: - Parking is tough. There isn't a dedicated parking lot so plan accordingly. I had to walk about 10 minutes. - If you're a spice-aholic, be sure to say yes to the hot drop. 1 drop is plenty of fire and burn. So venture cautiously. - Say yes to marination of the protein. That means that they add sesame oil, garlic and scallions on the meat. Makes it more flavorful. My one constructive feedback is the flow of service. It looked like there were sufficient staff. However, my person was extremely busy while the others were sometimes milling around. It would be great if the team could be more collaborative and proactive to step in for their overloaded peer. My neighbor and I needed help. We kept looking up and wanted help but our wonderful server was so busy. No one else bothered to pick up the slack -- to make eye contact or to ask if we needed help. With this improvement, it would take this experience to the next level. 5 stars. read more

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