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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

CUISINES
Japanese, Asian
Meals
Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch
FEATURES
Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
Reviews (30)
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29 results
Traveller rating
24
5
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0
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Time of year
LanguageEnglish
Traveller rating
24
5
0
0
0
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Reviewed 15 May 2019

We used to live in Mission Viejo and found this place right after it opened years ago. Even though Hot Mama is no longer there, Pizza (not sure if that's how she spells her name) took over the business. The food is still great and...the service very friendly and efficient. We will Always visit this place when we're back in CA. :-)More

Date of visit: March 2019
Helpful?3  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 25 July 2018 via mobile

Wow, just wow. Do not let the store front fool you, this place is as good as any sushi place I have ever eaten. The chefs are artists! Excellent service and great food. One the good ones, eat here!

Date of visit: July 2018
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 26 March 2018

Don't judge a book by its cover. It might not look like a fancy place, but the experience is great. Preparing your own food over a bowl of hot water with friends or colleagues is great and the service and staff are top notch

Date of visit: March 2018
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 16 June 2017 via mobile

I have been coming to this place for years. It's teeny and the staff is personable and very attentive. If you do not know how to manage the Shabu Shabu, they will teach you and help you along. All sauces are home made and everything...is very fresh and healthy.More

Date of visit: June 2017
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 20 October 2016

That was the first time we ate Asian food this way. It was super exciting experience. Very nice and filling too. Exactly what we needed before the wedding reception we were going to.

Date of visit: September 2016
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 21 July 2016

You pick out everything you want them to boil. Very fresh good healthy food. We go there often, never dissapointed!

Date of visit: July 2016
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 25 May 2016

This place is tucked away in the corner but the front desk told me about it. I had the shrimp( double shrimp). Its more like an event than just a meal. The flavors of her home made sauces were out of this world. Not cheap...and worth every penny.More

Date of visit: May 2016
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 27 April 2016

It's hard to go wrong with Shabu. The meats and veggies are very fresh. The owner, or the waitress is happy to instruct you on how to prepare and eat Shabu. Speaking of the owner, she's about a cute as it gets and so friendly!...Really enjoy the whole experience.More

Date of visit: November 2015
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 25 April 2016

Shabu is fun! You cook your own thinly sliced meet by waving it around in boiling water. You are given a plate of veggies to eat with it also. It is a different experience. Price is medium. If you are a big eater, you may...not feel filled up though. Enjoyable expierence overall.More

Date of visit: October 2015
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 28 February 2016 via mobile

I have tried to call at this place before but they could not fit me in as I had not made a reservation. Now I know why the place is so popular. The food is delicious. I have never had Japanese hotpot before. Where you...cook the food in a pan before you. I had the white fish hotpot. And the machta green tea ice cream. Which I would heartily recommend.More

Date of visit: February 2016
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 31 January 2016

We found Shabu through a neighbor. As long as we have lived here, we didn't know they were here, much less so close to us. We arrived on a Saturday when they opened at 5pm. We were seated right away and asked if we'd been...here before. We've been to hot pots, but not here, so we were given Shabu (swish) school-101. Mama came in a few minutes later and not only greeted us, but thanked us and told us a few stories. The meat freshly sliced, and it was excellent. I had the 5oz beef, and my wife had the chicken/beef option. We started with the pickled cucumber salad ($2.50 I think). A small Sapporo light beer for her, and a large Asahi for me topped off the meal. When we left, the place was packed, and folks walking in were asked if they had reservations. I gathered that as the night got later, reservations were required to be seated. I think there are about 18-20 seats, with four of them towards the back closer to the kitchen. I think those four towards the back are coveted by regulars. The servers will tell you where to sit, and they fire up the heater under your hot pot as you come in. We will absolutely be back.More

Date of visit: January 2016
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 15 October 2015

What a find, traditional Japanese family restaurant. The wife serves and entertains the customers with humor, stories and great food. It has a very fun and active food feeling

Date of visit: March 2015
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 13 July 2015 via mobile

I love this place. Been to many Shabu restaurants and they do not even compare. Mama is one of the sweetest ladies I havr met so that only adds to the experience. I am from MN and I am here often for buskneess. I literally...plan my trip so I can hit this place a few times per week. DO NOT miss out on eating here!More

Date of visit: February 2015
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 8 January 2014 via mobile

I usually write these reviews 6 months after I visit but not this time. Looking for something sort of healthy I could walk to from my hotel and there I was. Never heard of Shabu Shabu before but hot mama and the gang explained everything....The sauces are from scratch and tasty with fresh veggies and seafood. You swish the food in water and dip in sauce.My favorite was the sauce for rice with Serrano peppers. Like nothing I had before because the soy absorbs the heat. Also had nigiri that was awesome. The locals dine here and were so happy to explain the concept and tell me what was best. What could have been a dismal night dining solo turned out to be so fun. It's a must.More

Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 29 December 2013

Make a reservation because the place always fills up. I wish I could keep this place a secret but that would not be fair to Hot Mama and her crew. They work very hard to make your experience the best. Shabu Shabu means swish swish...which is what you do with the beef and veggies she serves cooking them in a pot of hot boiling water. Mama's sauces for dipping are outstanding. I have eaten Shabu in other cities ...nothing as good as this one in my own town. Love it.More

Date of visit: December 2013
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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SHABU, Mission Viejo - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Shabu

Shabu is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 5
  • Service: 5
  • Value: 5
  • Atmosphere: 4.5