Sukiyaki vs. Shabu-Shabu: Hot Pot in Japan

Are you familiar with Japan’s sukiyaki or shabu-shabu?

Even if you know little about Japanese hot pot cuisine, two names should be familiar already.

Both are tasty beef dishes that let you cook food right at your table, combining great ingredients, simplicity and a communal dining experience. But while they might look similar at a glance – thinly sliced beef, veggies, a hot pot of broth – the flavors, preparation and even the mood of the meals are in fact quite different. 

In this edition of the Japan Travel Pros blog, we’ll give you a rundown of sukiyaki versus shabu-shabu, comparing these two classics to help you decide which one you might like best (though trying both is definitely recommended!).

Sukiyaki: Sweet, Savory & Cozy

Sukiyaki is the Japanese hot pot dish that people typically think of as a winter favorite, thanks to its warming, comforting broth and sweet-savory flavor. 

Sukiyaki originated in Japan during the Meiji Era (late 19th century) as beef became more common in the Japanese diet. The dish became popular as a special meal shared among family and friends, cooked and eaten at the table together… a tradition that continues to this day.

Sukiyaki Ingredients and Cooking Style

The star of sukiyaki is thinly sliced beef, ideally Kobe or wagyu beef with good marbling for maximum tenderness and flavor. In addition to beef, sukiyaki includes a variety of fresh ingredients, such as:

• Negi (a Japanese type of green onion)

• Shiitake mushrooms

• Tofu (often grilled or seared)

• Shirataki noodles (made from konjac yam, adding a chewy texture)

• Chinese cabbage and other leafy greens

Sukiyaki’s ingredients are cooked in a sweet, savory broth made from soy sauce, mirin (a sweet rice wine), sugar & sake.

The cooking process varies a bit depending on the region. In Kanto (Tokyo & Eastern Japan), the broth is prepared first, and then ingredients are added and cooked together. In Kansai (Osaka & Western Japan), however, beef is cooked first, and then the broth is poured in afterward. The flavors of the Kansai-style sukiyaki are slightly more concentrated, thanks to this method.

The Unique Flavor of Sukiyaki

Sukiyaki is known for its distinct sweet-savory flavor, created by the combination of soy sauce and sugar. The depth of flavor is intensified by the beef juices, which blend into the broth as it simmers, giving you a delicious mix that coats the vegetables and tofu. 

A unique twist in sukiyaki is that, in many cases, each bite is dipped into raw beaten egg before eating. The egg adds a silky, umami flavor that tempers the sweetness and rounds out each bite.

Shabu-Shabu: Light, Fresh & Fun

Shabu-shabu offers a different take on the hot pot experience. 

Where sukiyaki is about rich, sweet flavors, shabu-shabu is all about simplicity and freshness, letting the quality of each ingredient stand out on its own.

Shabu-Shabu Ingredients and Cooking Style

In shabu-shabu, the beef is sliced just as thinly as it is in sukiyaki, but the cooking process is different. 

Shabu-shabu is more of a DIY experience; the ingredients arrive at your table raw, and you cook them yourself, piece by piece, in a pot of gently simmering kombu dashi broth (kombu is a type of kelp that gives the broth a subtle umami flavor).

Shabu-shabu ingredients aren’t dissimilar from those found in sukiyaki, and will typically include:

• Thinly sliced beef or pork (sometimes other proteins, too)

• Napa cabbage

• Carrots

• Mushrooms (often enoki or shiitake)

• Tofu

• Chrysanthemum leaves

• Udon noodles or rice

To cook the shabu-shabu stars, you simply take a piece of meat or vegetable and gently swirl it through the broth for a few seconds – just enough to cook it through without losing its natural flavor. 

This swirling motion is where the dish gets its name, as “shabu-shabu” mimics the sound of swishing in the pot (well, at least in Japanese it does).

Shabu-Shabu Flavor & Dipping Sauces

Unlike sukiyaki, the broth in shabu-shabu doesn’t take on a strong flavor. 

Instead, shabu-shabu comes with a set of dipping sauces that add flavor to each bite. The two most common sauces are ponzu, a citrusy soy-based sauce, and goma (sesame), a creamy, nutty sauce. Each bite can be dipped in either sauce, giving you a different flavor each time.

Because of the lighter broth and the focus on fresh ingredients, shabu-shabu feels less rich than sukiyaki, a bit fresher. It's the kind of meal where you can really appreciate the quality of the meat and vegetables.

The Differences in Dining Experience

While both sukiyaki and shabu-shabu are hot pot dishes, the dining experiences they create are distinct.

• Sukiyaki is often enjoyed as a winter comfort food, bringing a sense of warmth and familiarity. The sweet-savory flavors are almost cozy, and sukiyaki tends to be enjoyed at a slower pace, with everything cooking together in the pot. It’s the kind of dish you’d have on a cold night with family or friends.

• Shabu-Shabu, on the other hand, is lighter and fresher, making it a versatile choice year-round. Since it’s cooked piece-by-piece, there’s an interactive aspect that can make for a fun, engaging dining experience. Shabu-shabu’s focus on sauces and dipping makes it feel lighter and customizable with every bite.

Regional Varieties & Specialty Options

In Japan, regional variations add further depth to sukiyaki and shabu-shabu. 

Wagyu sukiyaki or shabu-shabu with premium Japanese beef (like Kobe or Matsusaka beef) is often offered, providing a melt-in-your-mouth experience thanks to the intense marbling of the meat. 

In some regions, you might also find seafood shabu-shabu, featuring fresh local catches like crab or fish.

Vegetarians and vegans can also find versions of shabu-shabu, with extra veggies, tofu, and sometimes a kombu-based broth for flavor.

So, Which One to Try? Both, Of Course!

Choosing between sukiyaki and shabu-shabu depends on your personal taste and the experience you’re after:

• Choose Sukiyaki if you love sweet-savory dishes and want something comforting and rich. It’s a fantastic choice when the weather is cold, and if you like the idea of dipping tender beef in egg, sukiyaki will be right up your alley.

• Go for Shabu-Shabu if you prefer lighter flavors or want a more interactive, hands-on meal. The dipping sauces let you change up the flavor of each bite, and shabu-shabu can be an excellent choice if you’re dining with a group and want to take a more casual approach to cooking and eating.

Can’t decide? We know how you feel. Why not try both sukiyaki and shabu-shabu while you’re in Japan?!!

Where to Try Sukiyaki & Shabu-Shabu in Japan

If you’re visiting Japan, you’ll find specialized sukiyaki and shabu-shabu restaurants throughout the country, from high-end establishments to casual places that offer all-you-can-eat options. 

Some restaurants even have both sukiyaki and shabu-shabu on the menu, so you can try both without committing to just one.

Tokyo Sukiyaki & Shabu-Shabu

Sukiyaki

1. Asakusa Imahan – Known for sukiyaki and shabu-shabu with premium wagyu beef, this long-standing Tokyo restaurant provides a traditional Japanese dining atmosphere in Asakusa​

2. Ningyocho Imahan – Located in Ningyocho, it’s famed for its carefully prepared sukiyaki with luxurious cuts of beef in a historic, comfortable environment.

3. Yoshizawa – This restaurant in Nihonbashi offers an upscale sukiyaki experience with top-quality wagyu in a refined, quiet setting.

Shabu-Shabu

1. Shabuzen – Shabuzen has multiple locations, including Roppongi and Shibuya, and offers an excellent range of meats, including wagyu, for shabu-shabu in a cozy, family-friendly setting.

2. Onyasai – A chain with branches throughout Tokyo, Onyasai is popular for reasonably priced shabu-shabu, where diners can enjoy a wide selection of broths and dipping sauces.

3. Shabusen (Ginza) – A long-time favorite in Ginza, Shabusen offers quality meats and a great selection of fresh vegetables. They offer both shabu-shabu and sukiyaki, so you can even try both.

4. Kisoji (Shibuya & elsewhere) – Known for its fine meats and traditional setting, Kisoji is a great place for a refined dining experience with excellent shabu-shabu in the heart of Tokyo.

Kyoto Sukiyaki & Shabu-Shabu

Sukiyaki

1. Mishima-tei – A well-known Kyoto institution, Mishima-tei serves exceptional sukiyaki in a traditional Japanese house setting, dating back over a century.

2. Shabuzen Kyoto (Gion) – A great place for both shabu-shabu and sukiyaki, Shabuzen uses premium beef and offers all-you-can-eat options. The atmosphere is casual but with Kyoto’s signature elegance.

Shabu-Shabu

1. Mumon – Located in the Gion district, Mumon offers shabu-shabu with high-quality Kyoto wagyu beef and fresh, seasonal vegetables.

2. Tajimaya – With multiple locations in Kyoto, Tajimaya offers shabu-shabu with wagyu beef in a traditional Japanese ambiance.

Osaka Sukiyaki & Shabu-Shabu

Sukiyaki

1. Kitamura – A historic restaurant specializing in sukiyaki, Kitamura has been serving Osaka’s meat lovers since the early 20th century with premium beef and traditional flavors.

2. Hariju – Located in Dotonbori, Hariju is a beloved destination for sukiyaki, featuring high-quality wagyu and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Shabu-Shabu

1. Shabutei – Shabutei is a popular, casual shabu-shabu spot that serves locally sourced ingredients in a modern, vibrant setting.

2. Kisoji – This upscale chain offers shabu-shabu with premium cuts and a selection of traditional Japanese side dishes, creating a complete dining experience.

These restaurants in major tourist centres offer distinctive experiences in each city, making them perfect for savoring authentic Japanese sukiyaki and shabu-shabu. For reservations and updated info, please check their official websites or recent reviews on dining platforms like Tabelog or Gurunavi.

The Sukiyaki & Shabu-Shabu Experience in Japan

Both sukiyaki and shabu-shabu offer fun and delicious ways to experience Japanese cuisine.

They’re great whether you’re looking for an ideal honeymoon meal in Japan, here on a family trip or traveling with friends or solo in Japan.

Each represents a different side of Japanese food culture: one is sweet and cozy, the other light and interactive. While sukiyaki feels like a dish that warms you from the inside, shabu-shabu is about savoring the freshness of each bite. 

Try both to experience Japan’s approach to balance and variety in food, and to share a memorable meal with family or friends.

Have you enjoyed shabu-shabu or sukiyaki before? Do you have a favorite? Let us know in the comments below!