Kushi Shabu Restaurant

Delicious! Loved the piano lounge atmosphere. With the help of the friendly staff, we were able to figure out how to make our Shabu. I highly recommend the fried skewers - light and delicious!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Lin was very sweet and super friendly, great atmosphere and people.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Very good place, me and my friend went and the shabu shabu was outstanding. Lin was very helpful

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

While I really wanted to enjoy my experience here because it's run by the cutest old Japanese couple and seems to be full of history for them the food is just incredibly mediocre.

I get Shabu Shabu is the more bland Japanese hot Pot (I much prefer Sukiyaki) but even the portions and sauces are far from the best here.

What's worse is I tried the kushi set as well (skewers) hoping it would redeem things but it tasted even less remarkable.

For the price it really just wasn't a satisfying meal.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 5

Mad respect for this place. Food was super good and all you can eat.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

5/5 meat quality awesome, enthusiastic hostess and owners. Would come again!

On the 3rd floor above Kinokuniya in Little Tokyo. This cozy restaurant serves shabu shabu and kushiyaki with options of beef, chicken, pork, and seafood. Different dipping sauce for each type of food and served with miso soup and rice. You have the option of ordering half size, full size, or all you can eat.

One of the best Shabu Shabu in LT, the meats are great and with great peanut sauce, their ayce is best for the price. The service was great and they also offer Japanese skewers, which is another great choice on the side! Parking is validated on the bottom!

The food is really good! The atmosphere is great for a family or group of friends to enjoy! The boss here is really warm and friendly, I strongly recommend here for a chill shabushabu place in little Tokyo!

Kushi Shabu is an outstanding dining experience that seamlessly blends tradition and innovation. The moment you step inside, you're greeted by a warm, inviting atmosphere that sets the stage for a memorable meal. The highlight is undoubtedly the shabu-shabu, where you can choose from a variety of high-quality meats and fresh vegetables, all beautifully presented.

The broth options are diverse and flavorful, allowing for a customizable experience that caters to every palate. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable, always ready to offer recommendations and ensure your meal is perfect.

For dessert, the matcha ice cream is a must-try—it's the perfect ending to a fantastic meal. Overall, Kushi Shabu is a culinary gem that delivers on both flavor and experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking to indulge in delicious Japanese cuisine!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place is a hidden gem. They are an authentic and traditional shabu shabu spot, not one of those commercialized and overhyped restaurants. With it being an all you can eat spot with such high quality ingredients, the price is such a steal! Most all you can eat place cheep out on the quality of ingredients, but not here. Every plate meat that comes up is fresh and nicely cut, nothing looking like those frozen meat. All the sauce are hand made too, especially the sesame sauce, it smells amazing! The people working in the restaurant make sure we are taken care of, and constantly checking up on us to make sure we always have new plates of meat coming in.
I highly recommended anyone who wants a nice shabu shabu meal to try it out!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I first discovered this place about eight years ago, and I’ve been coming back ever since. Every time I visit, I go for the all-you-can-eat option, which I think is the real star here. It’s not just about the quantity—it’s about the quality you get with it. They also have an awesome selection of alcohol, and the staff is always warm, polite, and consistent in their service.

What keeps me coming back, though, is the authenticity. This isn’t one of those overhyped, heavily advertised restaurants where everything feels commercial. They don’t need any of that. Their reputation is built purely on word of mouth and people like me who just keep coming back. There’s something really special about a place that doesn’t try to push itself in your face, yet still manages to have a loyal following.

One thing that really stood out to me is their dedication to quality. For example, they make their sesame sauce by hand—literally grinding the sesame seeds themselves. I know this because I’ve been coming here so often that they remember me, and I had a chance to interview them about what makes this place tick. It’s that kind of attention to detail and personal connection that makes it feel less like just a restaurant and more like a place where you’re always welcome.

The price is honestly pretty reasonable too, considering the times. After the all-you-can-eat and a few drinks, my bill usually runs around $60-70. And for 2024, that feels like a steal, especially for the quality of food and drinks you’re getting. Speaking of drinks, if you’re a fan of alcohol, they have a fantastic selection. You’re not just getting the standard stuff—they’ve got some really high-end choices, and it’s clear they care about what they serve.

Beyond the food and drinks, the atmosphere is another thing I love. It’s so laid-back and calming. You can come here to enjoy good food and drinks without feeling rushed or pressured. There’s a sense of comfort, almost like the restaurant itself has a personality—unpretentious and focused on making people feel at home.

Honestly, every time I leave, I feel like I’ve had more than just a meal. The service, food, and atmosphere all come together in such a genuine way that it feels like a more special place to come to, and that’s rare, and it’s what keeps me coming back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Karaage, Rice & Miso Soup Set, Beef Shabu Shabu, Pork Shabu Shabu, Sesame Sauce, Hot Pot

One of the best Shabu Shabu restaurants I have ever been to. The atmosphere inside is Japanese like; peaceful and Woody. The all you can eat meal plan has amazing quality of pork and beef. Sauces are hand made which is what wins me over. If you like all you can eat and you like hotpot style of food. This place is one of the best in LA for sure. Go check it out.

RED FLAG/ SERVICE:
Please be aware, this place is such a SCAM. We arrived around 6 PM, and it was completely empty—probably for good reason. Only one guy, the server with glasses, was working. He seated us but didn’t bring any water or plates, even after we placed our order and the food was already on the table.

Our whole party just sat there, staring at each other, wondering if we were supposed to eat with our hands. When I finally asked him to bring plates and water, he only brought one glass of water—for me—while the other six people in my party got nothing.

To top it all off, when we got the bill, they added a 20% gratuity, but instead of it showing up on the system, it was hand-written onto the receipt. This felt shady and left us questioning whether it was legit.

FOOD:
The quality of the meat was terrible—thin slices that looked and tasted like they came from the lowest grade possible.

You will be dipping slices of meat in BOIL BLAND WATER and just eat it like that. They will give you sesame sauce to dip with, but you can taste a STRONG smell MSG or chicken powder HOW FUNNY.

WELL, if you read all the way here and still decide to come in, please do. Waste your time and money, and you will remember this place for the rest of the trip.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

PLEASE DON’T.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1