Share:

If you have ever wondered about the difference between shabu-shabu and hot pot, you are hardly alone. Both dishes involve a type of thinly sliced meat prepared and cooked tableside in Japan. Thinly-sliced vegetables are also used, as well as dipping sauces. The meat can be either sirloin, chuck, or rib eye, and some restaurants also use strip loin or Kobe beef.

However, there are still distinct differences between the two. You can learn more about these differences from the talented staff at Nabeya Maido to enhance your knowledge of Japanese food styles. The Honolulu, HI-based Japanese restaurant serves the best hot pot on the island chain, and they’re here to compare hot pot with shabu-shabu to help you discover the delicious differences between the two meals.

Hot Pot

Hot pot, also known as sukiyaki, is prepared in Japanese hot pots — hence the name. This cooking style is also referred to as the “nabemono” style. Hot pot is cooked in shallow iron pots with sake, mirin, soy, and sugar. The one-dish meal frequently features ingredients dipped in beaten raw eggs prior to cooking. When the meat is served tableside, it keeps simmering as it’s served with vegetables and other foods like tofu and cellophane noodles. Hot pot is considered a winter dish in Japan, and it’s also very sweet in taste.

Shabu-Shabu

hot potShabu-shabu features a different cooking style, which is the main difference between the two cuisines. All thinly-sliced ingredients are swished around the pot — the phrase ”shabu-shabu” actually translates to “swish-swish.” Meat and veggies are cooked in kelp broth called kombu. The ingredients are swished in kombu over and over to create a savory, year-round dish served with sides like mochi, udon, or harusame noodles. Goma or sesame seed sauce is used for dipping.

You can treat yourself to the most tantalizing hot pot and shabu-shabu in Hawaii when you choose Nabeya Maido! The famed Honolulu restaurant features delicious shabu-shabu and hot pot options to delight your taste buds. Enjoy fast service at this family-friendly establishment that also offers an impressive drink menu featuring Japanese wines.

For more on hot pot dishes at Nabeya Maido, call (808) 739-7739 or visit their website. You can also like the restaurant on Facebook for more on hot pot cuisine and other delicious fare.

tracking