If you love to throw everything in a pot and enjoy a filling, low-fat meal, Nobu Shabu makes a nice option. Located in Ozono, a pet-friendly complex tucked at the back of Sukhumvit Soi 39, the shabu shabu shop is bright and clean with glass windows and unfussy, earth-toned décor. The round and U-shaped counters are equipped with individual pots, while families and friends can enjoy a DIY meal in a shared pot at the four-seat tables. As you would expect from any shabu place, the menu here is small and simple with lots of familiar items such as wontons and fish tofu. But Nobu Shabu stands out from the crowd with a variety of quality imported meat, from Australian rib eye to Japanese Kobe. Appropriate for one serving, sets come with a mountain of mixed veggies, tofu and noodles. Unfortunately, what seemed to be a bargain turned out to be a bit overpriced. The Australian Wagyu beef set, for example, may seem impressive with super-thin, oh-so tender, nicely marbled beef—but only four slices come in the set. The same goes for the seafood set, which offers only a few clams, shrimp and a couple slices of squid and fish. Ordering a set, you end up having to add more protein to your pot, so it might be better to go a la carte from the very beginning. Don’t miss Australian lamb and fresh shrimp balls. Another highlight of Nobu Shabu is its dipping sauce that is styled to suit the Thai palette. We followed the suggestions of the friendly staff, mixing a paste of dried fish and shrimp into a bowl of chopped garlic, chili and leek before adding two spoonfuls of Japanese shoyu and vinaigrette. Voila! A refreshingly spicy “Taiwanese-style” sauce. To wash down the meal, there is a small selection of smoothies and beer; for dessert, hot red beans. The ventilation system does a pretty good job of keeping the smell from sticking to your hair and clothes. All in all, despite the small servings and some overpriced items, Nobu Shabu provides a comfort meal good for dieters and those who want to be chef for a day.
