The Shabu-shabu way of dining

CEBU, Philippines - A Japanese variant of the hot pot cuisine, proprietor Anton Lee Roa‘s version of shabu-shabu dining at The Shabu Way involves thinly sliced meat combined with a lot of fun. You can choose your menu in platters or in single orders. I ordered dory fish, the Wagyu Platter and the Tonkatsu and the rest is history. Located outside the mall, this oriental flavored treat serves shabu-shabu lovers from 10am-10pm.

Shabu-shabu directly translates to swish-swish in Japanese which means swish your food around the hot pot until it gets cooked. But that is optional though. The best part comes after the food is cooked. You get to dip your meat into the sauce before eating it with rice.

The sauce is already provided on the table and so are the spices. Mix the spices into the sauce. Crack the egg open and pour the yolk. Should you desire egg whites in your soup, pour the rest of it on the steaming broth. Eggs are at P15 each and are free for those who order set meals.

The novelty of shabu shabu dining is that food is cooked right in front of you. Diners have their own hotpot with their own controls. They can even set the temperature themselves, turn it off if it’s cooked or turn it back on to warm their food. But of course, that is unless you know how. Add your meat once the soup starts to boil.

The Shabu Way also offers a Vegetable Platter, which you can order ala carte or enjoy with your set meals. “Our set meals are affordable,” Anton Roa said. ”We even came up with snack-sized meals if you want to try our rice bowls in small portions.”

With less oil, this is truly a healthy dining experience. You can also experiment with the taste!

Bill Murray asked, “What kind of restaurant makes you cook your own food?” in his movie, Lost in Translation. I say, “What kind of restaurant offers you a healthy dining experience but the Shabu Way?”

Quote me. Yes.

Shabu Way Restaurant is located at the Parkmall Bldg Reclamation Road, Mandaue and at Robinson’s Cybergate 2/F Fuente Osmeña. For reservations, call 505 2598 or 5055451. (THE FREEMAN)