This place was alright. SERVICE is terrible. We were the only ones there and when we arrived server was just sitting down on her phone. Servers don't smile and a second server came in her yoga leggings and food was just ok. Sukiyaki broth was on the better side along with the garlic soy edamame. Server came at the very end when it was clearly too late to make the porridge when we were just waiting for the bill at this point. Had to ask for dipping sauces, seasame sauce was very thick and peanut buttery, ponzu was good. Husband said inside was undercooked and chewy but leave it to preference. We love shabu and had high hopes for this one. Head over to Mikiya or one pot in the South Bay.
Carlos G.
Sukiyaki 5/5: great clear broth and the beef with their ponzu like sauce was some of the best Japanese hotpot I've had Shabu shabu 3/5: nothing special to be honest, miso was definitely lack luster compared Chicken karaage 4/5: really good karaage , exceeded my expectations definitely. Decent size shop with good ambiance on the inside but parking around the area is pretty difficult. The service was great, called an hour ahead and was able to get a reservation for 4 at 7:30pm
Keri H.
It's one of my favorite shabu restaurants in the city! Their sauce and the quality of their meat are both very good. I accidentally left my wallet there two weeks ago, but I needed to get it back to catch my flight. Katy was incredibly helpful and came in on her day off to return it to me. I really appreciate their honesty and going the extra mile to help!
Samantha C.
Seeing the reviews, I had some expectations going in but at the same time, I kept in mind that I am not someone that necessarily craves or seeks out hotpot. The place was empty when my boyfriend and I walked in during the weekend so we were seated immediately where they already have water and QR code menus waiting. Service is super fast once you order. What we got: karaage chicken (5/5) -- probably the best karaage chicken I have had and the best thing on their menu...super crispy coating with large, juicy pieces of meat alongside this creamy and acidic dip. I would have been happy if this was the entire meal served with some rice and eggs shabu shabu, spicy(2/5) -- not enough flavor from the broth alone although really salty and slightly spicy...tasted a lot better as it reduced sukiyaki (3/5) -- not enough flavor here either and definitely lacked salt, almost as if it were watered down...tasted a lot better as it reduced The only thing that saved each set was the dipping sauce that comes with it. If not for that, the entire meal would be bland...even their porridge was tasteless despite being very creamy. Also, not sure if the waitress purposely prepared my set to save table space, but I would have liked for the hot pot items to be served on the side like my boyfriend's was so I could control the cooking.
Cidney L.
It's alright. My friend and I came here for the first time and were excited to see what made Japanese hot pot different. We got 1 set to share cause there was only 1 burner in front of us. We didn't know they had split pots so we could've gotten 2! Went with the spicy miso broth and it tasted better at the end after most of the ingredients had been cooked in it. Would rather go to Szechuan hot pot places for more flavor and the diversity of sauces and ingredients.
Way T.
The best hot pot in the city! Wait staff was very virtuous and the ambiance is a vibe
Pear N.
The broth is flavorful in terms of Japanese style, but if you're looking for Chinese style, this might not be for you. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal, but I wish we had more meat with the meal, but that's alright. I got Shabu Shabu, and everything came on the sides, which is good, so nothing is overcooked. My partner got Sukiyaki, and the veggies came nicely already in the pot. We ordered some sausage for appetizers, and it tasted average if you ever had some from another Japanese restaurant. I recommend trying the restaurant out if you're looking for something not spicy and on the settled side. The portion is good for one to two people for one set also. The place was not busy when we went, and the service was ok. The place can get crowded, I would imagine, on the weekends, and little spaces between tables.
Misha T.
Japanese hot pot spot. I generally prefer Chinese hot pot and this is not exception, though I still enjoyed it. The presentation of having most of the fillings in the pot when it comes out is nice but most of the good is going to be overcooked by the time you eat it and what makes hot pot great generally is you can control the cooking time so that when you're eating it it's just-cooked.
Andrew Nguyen
We went here for our one year anniversary! We ordered the Shabu Shabu and the Sukiyaki, both of which we felt were great tasting and well portioned. We saved our egg and some of our included rice for the rice porridge at the end of the meal, only to find out that they include an egg and rice specifically for the porridge! Our server, Isaac, did an amazing job at crafting a delicious porridge right in front of us, using one of the soup bases to do so (I think he should get a raise!). Overall an amazing experience and we will be recommending to others and coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sukiyaki, Shabu Shabu
Cali L.
This review hurts because the last time I was here, it wasn't that bad? It's officially cold in SF so every shabu restaurant was booked and we really wanted shabu. I called Nabe on a whim and he said that they had availability for us. That was probably the first red flag. The moment we arrived, I knew it was going to be a disaster. The restaurant is a literal shoebox. I forgot how small it was but there is no space to walk, except for 2 narrow openings between the tables where you have to walk single file. I'm pretty sure they cannot accept anyone with a wheelchair or a stroller. Besides the lack of space, the worst part of the entire meal was after we ordered, they basically forgot about us. We ordered 2 shabu sets, appetizers, and a beer. They forgot to bring out our meat and gave us everything else one at a time, which means we ate 1 plate of vegetables first and waited a long time for our meat. We only got it when we asked about it. Then, the beer came, which is laughable. THEN, our last plate of vegetables came. The whole meal was a disaster as far as timing goes. I don't get Nabe. They're not cooking anything except the appetizers. It shouldn't take that long to bring ingredients to cook. To top it all off, they asked the table closest to the door if they could keep the door open because ventilation was so bad, the shoebox of a restaurant fogged up inside. So now it was drafty. Nabe could be a decent choice if you live close by, don't have kids, don't have anyone with disabilities in your group, or have a large group. Otherwise, highly recommend skipping Nabe altogether.
I’ve always loved Nabe’s food and I still think their seafood yosenabe is one of my favorite dishes in SF. I am however taken aback by their decision to a) not allow any tips other than 18,20,25 percent and b) base these tip amounts on the post tax amount. This is deceptive practice and leaves a bad taste in my mouth about the service here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Shabu Shabu
Cal HappyCamper
This review is for take out only.We ordered sukiyaki, added extra Kobe.Everything came cold and raw.We were unaware that this was a do it yourself meal.We fired up a pot and with hungry people.made sukiyaki.Ingredients, not quite traditional, and noodles enough for a small child, if you order without the supplement of beef, then it's good for 1 person.The egg is raw, so, look up how to stir that in for sukiyaki.So, accept this fact.Restaurant should make full disclosure.Ps. If you use Uber Eats, they might deliver down the street.Worth $50? Including tip, delivery, for 1 item. No.
Food: 4
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Sukiyaki
John F.
Was very good! Had a blast with family and friends. Get the Shabu Shabu Wagu Beef - was yummy. Great on a rainy night.
Tommy Sohn
They are forcing tip (no customize) starting from least 18%, does not make sense.
Bryan L.
Came here towards closing after the sunset night market and was lucky to get space for a group of 7. I've always seen this place cause of the condensation on the windows.The smell from the doorway was really good. Our table got an assortment of pots. Each pot is split in half and can fit two orders. I got the one with salmon and pork which is not as ig worthy butt has a lot of fatty flavors to it. Remember it is hot (i burned my tongue). The duck breast is really good too. The soy broth brings out that duck flavor and noodles.Service was really fast and helpful in accommodating such a large odd-numbered group towards closing. Bathroom placement is a little strange in my opinion and it's a sliding door; I saw too many people struggle with it. Overall I would recommend this place for late hot pot that is more curated than standard hot pot.
This place was alright. SERVICE is terrible. We were the only ones there and when we arrived server was just sitting down on her phone. Servers don't smile and a second server came in her yoga leggings and food was just ok. Sukiyaki broth was on the better side along with the garlic soy edamame. Server came at the very end when it was clearly too late to make the porridge when we were just waiting for the bill at this point. Had to ask for dipping sauces, seasame sauce was very thick and peanut buttery, ponzu was good. Husband said inside was undercooked and chewy but leave it to preference. We love shabu and had high hopes for this one. Head over to Mikiya or one pot in the South Bay.
Sukiyaki 5/5: great clear broth and the beef with their ponzu like sauce was some of the best Japanese hotpot I've had Shabu shabu 3/5: nothing special to be honest, miso was definitely lack luster compared Chicken karaage 4/5: really good karaage , exceeded my expectations definitely. Decent size shop with good ambiance on the inside but parking around the area is pretty difficult. The service was great, called an hour ahead and was able to get a reservation for 4 at 7:30pm
It's one of my favorite shabu restaurants in the city! Their sauce and the quality of their meat are both very good. I accidentally left my wallet there two weeks ago, but I needed to get it back to catch my flight. Katy was incredibly helpful and came in on her day off to return it to me. I really appreciate their honesty and going the extra mile to help!
Seeing the reviews, I had some expectations going in but at the same time, I kept in mind that I am not someone that necessarily craves or seeks out hotpot. The place was empty when my boyfriend and I walked in during the weekend so we were seated immediately where they already have water and QR code menus waiting. Service is super fast once you order. What we got: karaage chicken (5/5) -- probably the best karaage chicken I have had and the best thing on their menu...super crispy coating with large, juicy pieces of meat alongside this creamy and acidic dip. I would have been happy if this was the entire meal served with some rice and eggs shabu shabu, spicy(2/5) -- not enough flavor from the broth alone although really salty and slightly spicy...tasted a lot better as it reduced sukiyaki (3/5) -- not enough flavor here either and definitely lacked salt, almost as if it were watered down...tasted a lot better as it reduced The only thing that saved each set was the dipping sauce that comes with it. If not for that, the entire meal would be bland...even their porridge was tasteless despite being very creamy. Also, not sure if the waitress purposely prepared my set to save table space, but I would have liked for the hot pot items to be served on the side like my boyfriend's was so I could control the cooking.
It's alright. My friend and I came here for the first time and were excited to see what made Japanese hot pot different. We got 1 set to share cause there was only 1 burner in front of us. We didn't know they had split pots so we could've gotten 2! Went with the spicy miso broth and it tasted better at the end after most of the ingredients had been cooked in it. Would rather go to Szechuan hot pot places for more flavor and the diversity of sauces and ingredients.
The best hot pot in the city! Wait staff was very virtuous and the ambiance is a vibe
The broth is flavorful in terms of Japanese style, but if you're looking for Chinese style, this might not be for you. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal, but I wish we had more meat with the meal, but that's alright. I got Shabu Shabu, and everything came on the sides, which is good, so nothing is overcooked. My partner got Sukiyaki, and the veggies came nicely already in the pot. We ordered some sausage for appetizers, and it tasted average if you ever had some from another Japanese restaurant. I recommend trying the restaurant out if you're looking for something not spicy and on the settled side. The portion is good for one to two people for one set also. The place was not busy when we went, and the service was ok. The place can get crowded, I would imagine, on the weekends, and little spaces between tables.
Japanese hot pot spot. I generally prefer Chinese hot pot and this is not exception, though I still enjoyed it. The presentation of having most of the fillings in the pot when it comes out is nice but most of the good is going to be overcooked by the time you eat it and what makes hot pot great generally is you can control the cooking time so that when you're eating it it's just-cooked.
We went here for our one year anniversary! We ordered the Shabu Shabu and the Sukiyaki, both of which we felt were great tasting and well portioned. We saved our egg and some of our included rice for the rice porridge at the end of the meal, only to find out that they include an egg and rice specifically for the porridge! Our server, Isaac, did an amazing job at crafting a delicious porridge right in front of us, using one of the soup bases to do so (I think he should get a raise!). Overall an amazing experience and we will be recommending to others and coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sukiyaki, Shabu Shabu
This review hurts because the last time I was here, it wasn't that bad? It's officially cold in SF so every shabu restaurant was booked and we really wanted shabu. I called Nabe on a whim and he said that they had availability for us. That was probably the first red flag. The moment we arrived, I knew it was going to be a disaster. The restaurant is a literal shoebox. I forgot how small it was but there is no space to walk, except for 2 narrow openings between the tables where you have to walk single file. I'm pretty sure they cannot accept anyone with a wheelchair or a stroller. Besides the lack of space, the worst part of the entire meal was after we ordered, they basically forgot about us. We ordered 2 shabu sets, appetizers, and a beer. They forgot to bring out our meat and gave us everything else one at a time, which means we ate 1 plate of vegetables first and waited a long time for our meat. We only got it when we asked about it. Then, the beer came, which is laughable. THEN, our last plate of vegetables came. The whole meal was a disaster as far as timing goes. I don't get Nabe. They're not cooking anything except the appetizers. It shouldn't take that long to bring ingredients to cook. To top it all off, they asked the table closest to the door if they could keep the door open because ventilation was so bad, the shoebox of a restaurant fogged up inside. So now it was drafty. Nabe could be a decent choice if you live close by, don't have kids, don't have anyone with disabilities in your group, or have a large group. Otherwise, highly recommend skipping Nabe altogether.
Restaurantji Recommends
I’ve always loved Nabe’s food and I still think their seafood yosenabe is one of my favorite dishes in SF. I am however taken aback by their decision to a) not allow any tips other than 18,20,25 percent and b) base these tip amounts on the post tax amount. This is deceptive practice and leaves a bad taste in my mouth about the service here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Shabu Shabu
This review is for take out only.We ordered sukiyaki, added extra Kobe.Everything came cold and raw.We were unaware that this was a do it yourself meal.We fired up a pot and with hungry people.made sukiyaki.Ingredients, not quite traditional, and noodles enough for a small child, if you order without the supplement of beef, then it's good for 1 person.The egg is raw, so, look up how to stir that in for sukiyaki.So, accept this fact.Restaurant should make full disclosure.Ps. If you use Uber Eats, they might deliver down the street.Worth $50? Including tip, delivery, for 1 item. No.
Food: 4
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Sukiyaki
Was very good! Had a blast with family and friends. Get the Shabu Shabu Wagu Beef - was yummy. Great on a rainy night.
They are forcing tip (no customize) starting from least 18%, does not make sense.
Came here towards closing after the sunset night market and was lucky to get space for a group of 7. I've always seen this place cause of the condensation on the windows.The smell from the doorway was really good. Our table got an assortment of pots. Each pot is split in half and can fit two orders. I got the one with salmon and pork which is not as ig worthy butt has a lot of fatty flavors to it. Remember it is hot (i burned my tongue). The duck breast is really good too. The soy broth brings out that duck flavor and noodles.Service was really fast and helpful in accommodating such a large odd-numbered group towards closing. Bathroom placement is a little strange in my opinion and it's a sliding door; I saw too many people struggle with it. Overall I would recommend this place for late hot pot that is more curated than standard hot pot.