oChef » Shabu Spot – San Diego » Shabu Spot – San Diego – Reviews
Shabu Spot - Reviews
7835 Highlands Village Pl D103, 92129 San Diego
All reviews at a glance
136
Reviews
80.9%
Satisfaction
16
negative
10
neutral
110
positive
What people say about Shabu Spot
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Service Intent
Group Type
Visit Type
Meal Type
Wait Time
Price per Person
Group Size
Noise Level
Price per Person
- 21 - 30 €
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
8
Clean Shabu with Fresh Ingredients
My experience at this small shabu spot was quite positive. The restaurant was very clean, and the ingredients were notably fresh. While the selection for cooked foods wasn't extensive, it was just enough.
I appreciated that they offered both ice cream and shaved ice, along with popping pearls and milk tea. The fruit was particularly super fresh and delicious.
- cleanliness9
- fresh ingredients10
- cooked foods selection6
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
10
Best Shabu Place with Fresh Ingredients!
My experience at this restaurant was exceptional. The place is incredibly clean, and the food is remarkably fresh. It's rare to find shabu restaurants with such fresh vegetables, but this establishment has it all, including fresh meat.
I consider it one of the best shabu places I've ever visited. The owner, a lady who I believe is the owner, was so nice and helpful. I totally recommend this place!
- cleanliness10
- food freshness10
- fresh vegetables10
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
New Shabu Spot - My Go-To!
This new Shabu spot has quickly become my go-to! I've visited multiple times, with and without kids, for both lunch and dinner, and every experience has been great. The food is excellent, the service is top-notch, and the atmosphere is enjoyable.
- food10
- service10
- atmosphere8
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Family
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
2
Malatang Experience Marred by Issues
We visited specifically for the malatang, not the AYCE option. A prominent sign advertised malatang at $11. 99 per pound, which seemed like a very reasonable price.
However, it appeared the restaurant primarily caters to AYCE customers, as tongs and bowls weren't readily available even 20 minutes after opening. One of the first items we saw was Chinese donuts, a favorite of my son. Unfortunately, upon closer inspection, I noticed a clear spot of mold on one of them.
The meat options for malatang were lamb and beef belly, neither of which were available upon our arrival. We had to ask staff to bring them out, and when they did, the meat was cut thickly, which was unusual compared to the thinly sliced meat for AYCE hotpot we observed. My wife and son chose the beef bone soup flavor.
We inquired about the drink and appetizer bar, which was an additional $2. 99. While the price was reasonable, we declined as the appetizer bar was also not yet stocked, despite it being 20 minutes past opening.
Later, we discovered a handwritten sign advertising a malatang lunch special for $13. 99/lb, which is $2 more per pound than the advertised window price. This discrepancy is concerning and needs clarification.
The food arrived quickly, but within five minutes, my son complained of an itchy throat. Due to his peanut allergy, we asked if the beef bone broth contained peanuts, and were told it did. This crucial information was not displayed on the soup base signage.
The ensuing conversation with the server became heated when he initially suggested we should have brought up allergies, despite the lack of a menu for malatang. He then mentioned his son's mild peanut allergy and lack of issues with the broth, which was an insensitive response given varying allergy sensitivities. This was one of the worst dining experiences I've had in a long time, and I will strongly advise others against visiting.
- malatang6
- mold1
- meat3
- beef bone soup flavor2
Price per Person
- 21 - 30 €
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
7
Confusing ordering, good food
My experience at this restaurant was a bit unusual. I have to say the way you order lunch is super confusing, but in the end, it all tasted good. It's not really clear what is or is not included, or even the cost, since it's priced by weight.
I'd probably come back, but it was just a very odd experience.
- food taste8
- pricing by weight5
- overall experience4
- ordering process3
- clarity of inclusions2
- cost clarity2
Price per Person
- 31 - 40 €
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
Decent Shabu Spot in the Neighborhood
My experience at this new 90-minute AYCA shabu place was quite positive. The restaurant is clean and airy, lacking the overwhelming soup smell found in other shabu establishments. The service was good, and the availability of vegetables, fish balls, and mushrooms was plentiful.
While the selection of seafood was good, not all items were fresh, with the shrimp being a bit disappointing. We were allowed to order a maximum of three types of meat at a time, and the meat was plentiful, perhaps even too much for two people. This abundance meant we couldn't sample a good variety of meats as we were quite stuffed after the first order.
Our favorites were the Beef Belly, Pork belly, and lamb. The soda and tea were all-you-can-drink, and there was even a shaved ice machine. The hot food was just okay.
After tip and tax, the cost was around $40 per person. While there might be better shabu places elsewhere, we were glad to have a decent option opened in our neighborhood.
- clean and airy8
- service7
- vegetables, fish balls and mushrooms8
- shrimp3
Price per Person
- 41 - 50 €
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
9
Fantastic Hot Pot Experience!
Finally, a hot pot place in the neighborhood! We had an amazing experience with super friendly service. The cube ambiance was great, and there was an amazing variety of foods to cook, including freshly sliced meats, seafood, noodles, and vegetables.
They also offered a hot food bar and many choices of desserts. The pricing is comparable to many other AYCE hot pot places.
- hot pot place9
- service10
- cube ambiance9
Price per Person
- 41 - 50 €
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Great Value AYCE Hotpot
My experience at this new restaurant was very positive. The parking was plentiful and the interior was super clean. The $36 AYCE hotpot offered a good deal with generous meat portions.
The bar was well-stocked with a wide variety of veggies, seafood, fried items, and more. A pleasant surprise was the dessert selection, which included sweet soup, snow ice, and boba. Overall, it was a great value and definitely worth a visit!
- parking9
- super clean inside10
- $36 AYCE hotpot9
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Excellent Thai Soup and Tender Meat
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The Thai soup base was very good, and the meat was incredibly tender and fresh. The service was both helpful and attentive.
I also appreciated that the place was clean and it was pretty quiet, making it easy to talk.
- Thai soup base9
- meat10
- service9
Price per Person
- 41 - 50 €
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
New AYCE Spot - Friendly Staff, Good Food
This place is very new, only having opened for about a month. We visited for lunch on a weekend and were surprised to be the only customers. Several groups briefly checked out the restaurant and then left, which was a bit puzzling.
Overall, the AYCE experience was okay. The staff were very friendly. We particularly enjoyed the shaved ice and the teriyaki beef from the self-serving station.
The food served in dishes looked very clean.
- staff9
- shaved ice8
- teriyaki beef8
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