I've been a regular at this place since the BAR days. I recently reopened a new spot where you can enjoy shabu-shabu with Agu pork and went there with some friends to kick off a fresh start. The restaurant has only counter seating, but it's comfortable enough to relax and stay for a while. You can also see the kitchen from the counter, which adds to the open atmosphere. There’s a time when it transitions to BAR hours, so it's nice that you can come even when you’re full. They have a wide selection of drinks too, including Okinawan awamori since it’s run by Okinawan owners. It's a great place to spend special moments with loved ones, and they’re flexible with special requests like champagne for celebrations.

I ordered a shabu-shabu course. The Okinawan Agu pork loin and belly were tender and satisfying (the portions are huge!), and I was very pleased. I enjoyed everything, including the soba at the end, which was made with the shabu-shabu broth. The shabu-shabu and vegetables were seasoned with three types of salt (if I remember correctly, Okinawan salt, salt from the Dead Sea in Israel, and pink rock salt), making it a healthy option that felt guilt-free! The restaurant only has counter seating, so it's great for solo diners. I definitely want to treat myself and eat here again!

I visited "THE △IXVIII ~098~" located in Jiyugaoka 1-chome, Meguro Ward. It's a street-level store along Route 426 in Jiyugaoka 1-chome. Instead of the usual San Gen pork, they use Agu pork for their pineapple pork dish. The pork is served shabu-shabu style and eaten with salt. There are three types of salt to choose from: "Okinawa sea salt," "Pakistani rock salt," and "Israeli lake salt (from the Dead Sea)." It's not something you often see, but it's a carefully crafted shabu-shabu experience focused on salt. Depending on the course, I enjoyed the hamada (a type of fish) and another vegetable (which I can't remember the name of) as well. The Okinawa soba as a finishing dish was also excellent.

I visited "Shabu Shabu Bar THE △IX XVIII ~098~" located in Jiyugaoka, Meguro Ward. This is a sister establishment of the authentic hidden bar "Bar 098," which is nearby. I wasn't able to try the shabu-shabu this time, but I enjoyed the fantastic Miura beef I tasted. The selection of drinks was impressive as well.

You can enjoy Okinawa's Agu pork shabu-shabu in Jiyugaoka! Doesn’t eating it with three types of salt feel like a sophisticated experience? ^^ One of the highlights is having a chef who was born and raised in Okinawa. Course 0: ¥3900 per person - Perfect for those who just want to try Agu pork. Course 9: ¥7800 per person - Great for those who want to enjoy some drinks as well. Course ∞: ¥11600 for two people - Ideal for those who want to indulge in a hearty amount of meat!

It's getting colder, so I visited again. Following my last visit, I enjoyed the Agu pork shabu-shabu and ended with a fruit cocktail! Everything was of outstanding quality, and I was very satisfied!