If You Don't Like Shabu-Shabu, Try Again
Sushi omakase is incredibly popular right now in New York City, but have you heard of shabu-shabu omakase? Located in the Lower East Side near Chinatown, Shabu Shabu Mayumon offers a unique dining experience centered around the traditional Japanese hot pot dish, shabu-shabu. This cozy, narrow restaurant seats around 8-10 people at the counter, where you’ll be served by a team of skilled Japanese chefs, who were all women (and they were incredibly STRONG, carrying the pots and dishes all at once). The course menu takes just under two hours to complete and includes three small dishes, 12 bites of meat (prepared with different sauces and accompaniments), a divine sweet potato rice, a comforting soba dish, and a dessert to finish.
I walked in with no expectations and left absolutely blown away. There’s a beauty in the art of cooking thinly sliced meats and fresh vegetables in a savory broth that I had never fully appreciated until now. The menu features high-quality ingredients, including A5 Miyazaki Wagyu from Japan and Washugyu, some of the finest U.S. Wagyu beef. The variety of ways these meats can be paired with different sauces and accompaniments is incredible. My favorite bites of the night were hard to pick, but the standouts were the first bite of A5 Wagyu dipped in soba dipping sauce (literally melted in my mouth), pork belly wrapped in lettuce (sounds odd, but it works!), Washugyu with blue cheese and fig sauce, and A5 Wagyu with uni. Even as I type this, it’s hard to believe that I had the opportunity to try all of this!
The appetizers were just as unique as they were tasty, like the homemade steamed tofu dish and mochi kinchaku. In these last few weeks of NYC’s horrible cold winter, these warming bites were the perfect way to prepare me for the meats to come. Unlike other wagyu experiences, I left feeling light and clean rather than overly full. The wagyu wasn’t greasy, and the meat had a satisfying chew that I really enjoyed. I even went home without feeling the food coma, despite being completely stuffed and satisfied. Watching the chefs cook everything right in front of you was mesmerizing. The fact that you get to enjoy every bite warm and fresh made the experience even more special. Plus, they make all their broths and soba noodles in-house!
To end the meal, they served a small scoop of strawberry ice cream that perfectly complemented the rich flavors of the meal. It was so refreshing and light, it took everything out of me to not ask for seconds. The strawberry ice cream took me back to the milkshakes my aunt used to make us on hot summer days back in Seattle when I was a kid, and I low-key felt a little emotional.
Even if you think you don’t like wagyu or shabu-shabu, I highly recommend trying Shabu Shabu Mayumon. I’m sure your mind will change right after your first bite of wagyu. This restaurant offers an unforgettable experience—one that feels comforting and homey, as if you ate a big, warm hug.