Shabu-shabu, a traditional Japanese hotpot dish, is incredibly popular among foreign tourists.
The Shinjuku area has an especially large number of renowned restaurants offering delicious shabu-shabu, making it a must-visit spot during your trip.
In this article, we introduce five highly recommended shabu-shabu restaurants for foreign tourists visiting Shinjuku.
These places use high-quality ingredients, allowing you to enjoy a dining experience that is unique to Shinjuku.
About Shinjuku’s Shabu-Shabu Culture
Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s most vibrant areas, known not only for shopping and entertainment but also as a gourmet destination.
Shabu-shabu is a type of Japanese cuisine where thinly sliced meat and vegetables are quickly cooked in a hot broth and then eaten with dipping sauces.
Shinjuku’s shabu-shabu restaurants are known for using specially selected wagyu beef and fresh vegetables, with a variety of broths and sauces to choose from.
The charm of Shinjuku’s shabu-shabu scene lies in its diversity, with casual eateries to high-end establishments suitable for various occasions.
1. Shabu Jo
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"Shabu Jo" is a shabu-shabu specialty restaurant located in Kabukicho, Shinjuku.
This restaurant features shabu-shabu using A5-grade wagyu beef.
Their homemade spicy sesame sauce is especially popular.
The "Snow Set", which features beautifully marbled wagyu beef, and the "Iro Set", combining premium wagyu loin with snow crab, are popular menu items.
The restaurant has a number of private rooms, allowing you to enjoy your meal in a relaxed Japanese-style setting.
The interior is kept clean at all times and they follow strict hygiene guidelines.
Additionally, they offer takeout and delivery services, so you can enjoy high-quality shabu-shabu at home.
2. Okaka Shinjuku
(Source:https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13202561/dtlphotolst/?mode=owner&smp=2)
"Okaka Shinjuku" is a specialty restaurant located a 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, offering dashi shabu-shabu and obanzai (traditional Kyoto-style home cooking).
This restaurant is known for its dashi shabu-shabu made with freshly shaved bonito flakes to create a natural umami flavor without chemical seasonings.
They offer about 30 types of obanzai made with seasonal vegetables, with a focus on health-conscious dishes.
Private rooms are also available, making it suitable for business meetings and special occasions.
Seasonal menus, such as dashi shabu-shabu with organic lemon and wagyu beef, are also offered, providing new flavors to enjoy with each visit.
3. Tsukitei Shinjuku Main Store
(Source:https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13000126/dtlphotolst/?mode=owner&smp=2)
"Tsukitei Shinjuku Main Store" is a shabu-shabu and Kyoto kaiseki (traditional multi-course meal) specialty restaurant with a history of over 30 years and is located within walking distance from Shinjuku Station.
The serene sukiya-style interior features 16 private rooms of various sizes, allowing you to enjoy your meal in an intimate setting.
Their specialty is shabu-shabu made with Hida beef, enjoyed with a wasabi sauce that’s especially popular.
They also offer luxurious, seasonal kaiseki meals, featuring dishes such as thick-sliced fugu sashimi, sea urchin, and butter-grilled abalone.
It's an ideal place for banquets, business meetings, and family celebrations.
4. Shabu-Shabu Niimura Main Store
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"Shabu-Shabu Niimura Main Store" is a long-standing shabu-shabu specialty restaurant located within walking distance of Shinjuku Station.
This restaurant offers shabu-shabu, sukiyaki, and steak of carefully selected wagyu beef.
Their homemade sesame sauce and ponzu, meticulously prepared over six hours, are what they pride themselves on.
The modern and relaxed interior includes private rooms for up to 16 people, making it perfect for business meetings and banquets.
They also offer about 20 types of carefully selected sake, allowing you to enjoy perfect pairings with your meal.
Customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with special praise for the Kanto-style sukiyaki and filet steak.
5. Kishuya
(Source:https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13021657/dtlphotolst/?mode=owner&smp=2)
"Kishuya" is located just a 1-minute walk from Shinjuku Station and offers shabu-shabu and seafood dishes using ingredients from Wakayama and Mie prefectures.
The restaurant was established in 1975 and has a historical ambience complete with beams from old houses to create a relaxed atmosphere.
Recommended dishes are shabu-shabu of Kishu Wakabaki ribeye and Iwashimizu pork, and they pride themselves on serving fresh ingredients.
They have private rooms accommodating 6 to 45 people, making it perfect for banquets, business meetings, and family gatherings.
Local sake from the Kishu region and their seafood dishes are perfect pairs for their shabu-shabu.
Conclusion
The shabu-shabu restaurants introduced in this article each offer a unique Shinjuku dining experience with delicious cuisine.
You’ll be able to enjoy the distinct charm and high-quality dishes of each restaurant, making your time in Shinjuku truly special.
When you visit Shinjuku, be sure to indulge in fantastic dining experiences at these shabu-shabu spots.