News & Reviews

Shabu-Shabu, Swish Swish

Article by Mark Anderson

Sacramento Business Journal
December 11, 2009

In the Chinese culture, cooking with hot broth at the table is called hot pot. In French and Swiss cooking, it is called fondue. In Japanese, it's shabu-shabu.

The first dedicated shabu-shabu restaurant in Sacramento is having its grand opening today.

Shabu Japanese Fondue at 1730 16th St. started quietly serving dinner two weeks ago. It launched lunch today.

Shabu-shabu is Japanese for the "swish swish" sound of thinly cut pieces of meat passing through boiling-hot broth.

The Sacramento restaurant will feature beef, vegetarian, lamb and chicken options, owner John Voong said.

Because the restaurant is surrounded by offices, it also will feature faster lunches, including udon or ramen noodle soups, Japanese salads and sushi rolls. Shabu is licensed to sell beer, wine and sake.