Highlights
- Great beer selection
oChef » Tabu Shabu – San Diego
Tabu Shabu - San Diego
Photo from Tabu Shabu
Tabu Shabu at a glance
San Diego North Park
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 68 of the guests
#194 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#34 Restaurant out of 87 in San Diego
Good
8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
520
Reviews
78.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Food quality
- Great service
Frequently criticized
- High price
- Bar seating
The restaurant Tabu Shabu in San Diego’s vibrant North Park neighborhood offers a unique dining experience. You’ll discover a fantastic spot for shabu-shabu, known for its great beer selection.
Whether you’re looking for healthy options, vegetarian choices, or a trendy yet casual atmosphere, Tabu Shabu North Park provides a welcoming setting for lunch or dinner. You can enjoy table service, or opt for convenient takeout and delivery.
Overview: Introducting Tabu Shabu
Tabu Shabu offers a distinctive hot pot experience where the quality of the food and the attentiveness of the staff truly shine. Guests frequently commend the flavorful broths and high-quality ingredients, making for a satisfying meal.
The service consistently goes above and beyond, with many highlighting the knowledgeable and friendly team. While the overall dining is highly regarded, some find the price point to be on the higher side, reflecting the quality and experience.
The seating arrangement, often described as bar-style, also receives mixed feedback, with some finding it a bit crowded or less ideal for group conversations.
Good
8
out of 10
520
Reviews
78.5%
Satisfaction
80
negative
32
neutral
408
positive
Tabu Shabu earns a solid 8 for its overall performance, with customer satisfaction sitting at a good 78.5%. This positive sentiment is built on a substantial 520 customer remarks, with 408 positive observations outweighing 80 negative ones.
The restaurant truly excels in its Food (8.2) and Service (8.2), which are consistently praised for their quality and attentiveness, respectively. The Ambience (7.5) also contributes positively, often described as clean and inviting, though some find the seating arrangements less ideal.
However, the Value (5.5) topic presents a more mixed picture. While many feel the experience justifies the cost, a notable portion of feedback suggests it can be quite pricey, especially for the portions received.
What people like
- Excellent Food Quality
- Attentive, Knowledgeable Service
- Inviting, Clean Atmosphere
What people don't like
- Pricey Dining Experience
- Crowded Bar Seating
- Inconsistent Initial Service
If you’re seeking a high-quality hot pot experience with exceptional ingredients and attentive service, Tabu Shabu is certainly worth considering. It’s a place where the culinary journey and the helpful staff create a memorable outing, particularly for those who appreciate a well-executed meal.
With a strong recommendation score of 8.3, Tabu Shabu generally delivers. Just be prepared for a potentially higher bill and a bar-style seating arrangement that might not suit all preferences.
It’s a solid choice for a focused dining experience rather than a casual, budget-friendly meal.
Similar Restaurants in San Diego
- Restaurant
9.4
out of 10
out of 10
160
97.5%
- $$
- Torrey Hills
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Restaurant
9.3
out of 10
out of 10
123
95.9%
- $$
- Miramar
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Restaurant
9.1
out of 10
out of 10
157
96.2%
- $$
- East Village
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Restaurant
9.1
out of 10
out of 10
462
96.5%
- $$
- Civita
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Restaurant
9.1
out of 10
out of 10
750
95.7%
- €€
- Mid-City
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Restaurant
9
out of 10
out of 10
437
92.4%
- $$
- Linda Vista
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Tabu Shabu
Food (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 92% of the guests
Diving into the food scene here, it's clear this spot is doing something right! With a strong 8.2 score and 83.1% customer satisfaction, the feedback is overwhelmingly positive. Out of 260 comments, 216 rave about the great food, fresh ingredients, quality, and variety of choices, especially for hot pot lovers.
However, not every bite is perfect. While the positives shine, 29 comments point to areas for improvement. Some found the broth to be tasteless or lacking flavor, and a few felt the portion size for vegetables could be more generous, suggesting a need for more robust seasoning in some areas.
Food
260
Reviews
83%
Satisfaction
29
negative
15
neutral
216
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh ingredients
- High quality meat
- Variety of choices
What people don't like
- Tasteless broth
- Lacking flavor
- Small veggie portions
Often praised
- foodI recommend the Sukiyaki broth, and leaving any leftovers to do the add on porridge. Excellent vibes, excellent food and above and beyond service. I have to give a special shout out to Megan - she was an exceptional host to our entire meal and extremely knowledgeable about the menu, as well as providing on point recommendations.
- brothmaking my own broth to cook in was a different experience
- hot potMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed a delicious hot pot that was definitely worth checking out. The service was also excellent, with our server Luke making the experience even better.
- meatI personally opted for the tonkatsu ramen with the ribeye and beef short rib combo. The broth was flavourful, and the meat was tender and delicious. I would have posted pictures, but the food was so good I forgot to take any!
- veggiesveggies than I normally would because they tasted so good
- brothsThis is the way. 😉 The broths are amazing, flavorful, and very different between each other. We had the pork tonkotsu & sukiyaki broths.
- flavorsThe flavors here are simple. Each veg or protein has a distinctive flavor and texture that are clean, bright and are standouts by themselves.
- ingredientsthe ingredients here are of higher quality
- porkThe Wagyu was delicious as well but just didn't match the Prime Ribeye. The pork was phenomenal as well. The staff is very appreciative of their customers.
- portionsThey provide a big enough portions of vegetables, rice, and noodles
Frequently criticized
- brothHowever, the flavor of the broth was mid. It's a good spot to start at and get the hang of how to swish swish, but I do wish the broth was more flavorful, which would have made the experience a lot more delightful.
- meatThe meat is cut so thin
- spicy miso brothI had the spicy miso broth and it didn't do it for me.
- amount of foodamount of food you get for the price not really worth it
- bloatedfelt uncomfortably bloated at the end
- drinknot to sell us a drink while we waited
- flavorHowever, the flavor was mid.
- foodridiculous amount for the food you get
- hot potLiterally a HOT POT. Definitely for people who like extremely hot soup.
- noodles and vegetablesThe noodles and vegetables ended up overcooking in the boiling soup.
If you're seeking a high-quality hot pot experience with fresh ingredients and plenty of options, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some broths might need a little extra seasoning to hit that umami sweet spot, and consider asking about portion sizes.
Service (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 83% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot really shines, boasting a strong score of 8.2 and a customer satisfaction rate of nearly 79.9%. Guests frequently rave about the friendly staff, their attentiveness, and the knowledgeable recommendations provided. With 131 positive remarks, its clear that the teams hospitality and excellent customer service create a memorable dining experience.
However, not every interaction is perfect, with 26 negative comments pointing to some areas for improvement. A few patrons experienced longer waiting times and issues with the upfront service or greeting process. There were also mentions of a rigid way of handling things and occasional horrible service, suggesting that consistency in customer service could be better.
Service
164
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
26
negative
7
neutral
131
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Knowledgeable recommendations
- Exceptional customer service
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Inconsistent upfront service
- Rigid greeting process
Often praised
- serviceI recommend the Sukiyaki broth, and leaving any leftovers to do the add on porridge. Excellent vibes, excellent food and above and beyond service. I have to give a special shout out to Megan - she was an exceptional host to our entire meal and extremely knowledgeable about the menu, as well as providing on point recommendations.
- staffI got a large order of rib eye, which came with a healthy portion of vegetables and ramen noodles, the Tonkotsu broth, some garlic edamame and left feeling more than satisfied. The staff also helps you pack up your leftover broths and food, which makes for a great meal the next day. Overall, if I'm in the neighborhood again, I wouldn't mind swinging by Tabu Shabu - North!
- customer serviceThe food was amazing, and the overall experience was a fun time. A major highlight was the manager, Luke, who was incredibly knowledgeable and possessed the best personality and customer service. He truly made my evening.
- serverAlso, save some of your broth because for an extra $5, they will create a risotto for you to go, which is a great meal the day after! Angela was our server and she was fantastic. She explained everything and did a great job.
- serversservers were very informative and made sure you knew
- LukeOur server, Steven, was amazing throughout the entire meal, providing top-notch service and going above and beyond. I also want to give major props to Luke; when I inquired about merchandise, he went the extra mile, literally running to grab the shirt I wanted from backup storage. This was next-level customer service!
- TaylorTaylor as your server, who from start to finish, was a phenomenal
- great serviceThe food was personalized, and it was also a great place to be super social with your group. Thanks to Luke & team for the great service and atmosphere!
- hospitalityAaron was incredible with his hospitality
- managerThe food was absolutely delicious, and it was evident that everything was fresh, with high quality and massive portions. The manager on duty was super friendly and offered great tips for a special experience. Thanks, we'll be back!
Frequently criticized
- customer serviceIt's called customer service. That's still a thing right?
- serviceThe service was a little awkward
- waiting timeweren't able to eat us for near a half hour later
- businessThe staff saw that we arrived before two other couples, yet they refused to sell us a drink while we waited because we weren't on their 'precious little list. ' This is plain bad business, especially in today's climate where businesses should appreciate their patrons as the industry gets back on track. We were so hopeful and excited to eat here, but it was too bad.
- estimatesor give better estimates
- explanation of optionsThe explanation of options available upon seating needed the most improvement.
- greeting processYou need to rethink your greeting process.
- horrible serviceHorrible service from the female yelling from across the place
- initial seating situationHowever, the man with the hipster moustache was okay; he was very informative once we sat down. If you can get your act together with the initial seating situation, then maybe I'll think about changing my status with you.
- instructionsneeds to post instructions when signing in
Overall, the service here is a major plus, with many guests enjoying top-notch hospitality and attentive staff. While there are occasional hiccups with wait times or initial greetings, the overwhelmingly positive experiences suggest it's definitely worth a visit for a great dining experience.
Ambience (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 46% of the guests
Alright, lets talk about the vibe! This place generally hits the mark, scoring a solid 7.5 for ambience, with a good 70.4% customer satisfaction. Many guests rave about the "clean" and "modern" "atmosphere, " praising the "vibe" and "experience" as "great" and "fun.
" With 50 positive sentiments out of 71 total, it seems most folks really enjoy the overall feel and setup. However, not everyone is completely sold. There are 13 negative comments, mainly concerning the "seating" arrangements.
Some found the "bar style seating" to be a "splash zone" and "messy, " leading to "awkward spacing" that made it hard to enjoy company. It seems the unique setup isnt for everyone.
Ambience
71
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
13
negative
8
neutral
50
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean, modern vibe
- Fun, interactive experience
- Kid-friendly atmosphere
What people don't like
- Splash zone seating
- Crowded bar seating
- Awkward social spacing
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere, the food and the service were amazing.
- experienceI had never tried hot pot before, and Aaron provided incredible service, recommendations, and hospitality. I cannot express how much we enjoyed this experience and the food immensely! I cannot wait until our next trip to SD in a few months, and we'll be back to eat here again!
- placethe place itself was very clean
- environmentSuch a friendly environment
- parkingEasy to find parking if you don’t live in the area.
- seatingI love the seating too, all around the bar
- setupgreat set up, so friendly and intuitive
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- awesome lookThe outside of the place gives way to the awesome look of the inside. The staff were knowledgeable and kind enough to explain the entire shabu process to beginners.
- cleanVery clean
Frequently criticized
- seatingIt's a little pricey, but you're paying for the experience. The seating is a bit crowded as it's bar-style. Other than that, we would definitely come back.
- setupdidn't like the setup with everybody sitting at the counter
- awkward spacingbecause of the awkward spacing between seats
- bar style seatingthe entire restaurant is a bar style
- companyno way to really enjoy the company of the people you went out with
- counter seatingdon't like the counter seating
- kid-friendlyAlso not kid-friendly
- messyit's a little messy
- seating arrangementDidn't like how the seating was.
- small tablesWhat's the point of having the small tables on the right?
If youre looking for a clean, modern spot with a fun, interactive dining experience and dont mind a unique seating arrangement, this place is definitely worth a try. However, if you prefer traditional table seating or a more intimate, less splashy environment, you might find the setup a bit challenging.
Value (5.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 21% of the guests
When it comes to value, many guests found that the experience was well worth the cost, even if it felt a bit pricey initially. With 11 positive remarks, people appreciated that you often pay for the overall experience, and some even snagged a discount or enjoyed a BOGO beer deal. Others noted that certain options were among the cheapest, or that the pricing was quite reasonable for what they received, sometimes even allowing them to stretch a meal into two.
However, the value proposition isnt universally praised, with 12 negative comments highlighting concerns. Many felt it was pricey for the amount of food received, and some found it to be quite expensive or even overly priced, especially for a non-all-you-can-eat spot. The takeout option, in particular, was often described as overly priced, leaving customers feeling they were doing the restaurants work.
Overall, the value here is a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.5 (average) and customer satisfaction sitting at 44% (mixed).
Value
25
Reviews
44%
Satisfaction
12
negative
2
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Worth the experience
- Deals improve value
- Reasonable for quality
What people don't like
- Can be pricey
- Portions feel small
- Takeout is expensive
Often praised
- priceA bit pricey but trust me it was well worth it
- price per personExpect to leave paying around $50/person and happier than when you came
- BOGO beerMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I loved the great decor and the BOGO beer deal. The tomkatsu pork broth with the rib eye was absolutely delicious.
- cheapest optionsone of the cheapest options
- discountgot a discount for wearing our Padres gear
- experienceyou pay for the experience
- mealWe were told he makes the best porridge, and while I have nothing to compare it to because this is our first time at a restaurant like this, it is amazing porridge. With the porridge, we were even able to stretch the meal into 2, helping us stretch out money. Give this place a shot, you'll love it.
- pricingPricing was not bad at all
- reasonably pricedreasonably priced for what we got.
Frequently criticized
- priceDon't expect to get out of here for less than $50/person. Think more like $50-70 per person.
- priceyBit pricey for a non-AYCE shabu place
- amountkind of pricey for the amount that you get.
- expensivefound it to be quite expensive
- overly pricedMy experience was that the takeout option was overly priced. I felt like I was doing the work at home that should have been done by the restaurant.
- pricesThe prices are a bit high
- valueoverpriced and overrated by far
If youre looking for a memorable experience and are prepared to pay a bit more, especially if you can snag a deal, youll likely find the value here acceptable. However, if you're on a tight budget or primarily looking for generous portions, you might find it a bit steep, particularly for takeout.
How are the prices at Tabu Shabu?
You’re looking at roughly 42 per person – reported by 68 diners. That puts it in the $41–$50 category. For a Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While most guests spend between 21 – 50 $, there’s also a good mix of diners enjoying more premium options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 68 reviews.
Comparing value for money: how this restaurant stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Considering it’s a Restaurant, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good balance for those looking for a quality meal without going overboard, while also allowing for a more premium experience if desired.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Tabu Shabu
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
10
Perfect First Hot Pot Experience!
This was my first ever hot pot experience, and every choice I made was just perfect! It was such a fun experience, and I didn’t want to stop eating even though I was very full. I really appreciated the variety of vegetables offered to add to my soup.
I used absolutely everything and couldn’t recommend more highly.
- variety of vegetables10
Price per Person
- $100+
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
9
Fun, Social, and Great Service!
My experience at the restaurant was a 10/10 fun eating experience. The food was personalized, and it was also a great place to be super social with your group. Thanks to Luke & team for the great service and atmosphere!
- eating experience10
- personalized food10
- social with group10
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Excellent Hot Pot Experience
My experience at the restaurant featured an individual pot style hot pot at the bar counter. The service and good quality were excellent. I found the sweet broth to be one of the best I’ve ever had.
They provide big enough portions of vegetables, rice, and noodles, which were more than sufficient to fill me up. The meat quality was great, and the sauces were well prepared for dipping.
- service10
- good quality10
- sweet broth10
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Excellent Broth and Attentive Service
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The broths were excellent, as was the food and service. The staff provided just enough attention throughout the meal, being respectful and charismatic while ensuring I had everything I needed without being intrusive.
The best part is that you get to take your broth home!
- broths10
- food10
- service10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Gem with Amazing Vegetarian Options!
This restaurant is a real gem. We went here because of the great vegetarian options. Usually at other restaurants, I have to pay full price although I'm vegetarian.
They are very kid friendly too, providing crayons and a coloring sheet. I also liked that they immediately asked about allergies and took care of it very well. Another great thing is that you will be seated at one big round table.
Most important thing though is that the food was amazing (although I can't say anything about the meat). Loved the service, loved the atmosphere, loved the food, loved everything!
- vegetarian options10
- kid friendly9
- allergies10
What Tabu Shabu offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Healthy options
- Wine
- Beer
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Free street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What service options are available at Tabu Shabu North Park?
Tabu Shabu North Park offers flexible service options. You can enjoy a dine-in experience with table service, or choose from no-contact delivery, standard delivery, and takeout. Reservations are also accepted, making it easy to plan your visit.
What atmosphere and offerings can you expect at Tabu Shabu North Park?
You’ll find a casual and trendy atmosphere at Tabu Shabu North Park. They offer a great beer selection, wine, and other alcohol, alongside healthy and vegetarian options. It’s also good for kids, with high chairs available, and features a convenient bar onsite.
How does Tabu Shabu rate overall?
Tabu Shabu holds a good overall Restaurant Score of **8**, with customer satisfaction at **78.5%**. It particularly shines in **Food** (8.2) and **Service** (8.2), while **Ambience** (7.5) is also well-regarded. **Value** (5.5) is seen as more average.
Is Tabu Shabu good value for money?
Opinions on value are mixed. While some customers find the experience “well worth it” and “reasonably priced,” others describe it as “pricey” or “expensive,” especially for the portions received. Expect to pay for the quality and experience.
What is the dining atmosphere like at Tabu Shabu?
The atmosphere is generally described as clean, friendly, and inviting, with an “awesome look” inside. However, the seating is predominantly bar-style, which some find “crowded” or less conducive for group conversations.