My family, as well as the families of my close Keio University childhood friends, all have their favorite longstanding restaurants passed down from their grandparents. These classic restaurants are almost always the same, such as "Canti" or "Appia" for Italian, "Chugoku Hanten" or "Furika" for Chinese, "Ginza Tenichi" for tempura, and Roppongi "Serina" for shabu-shabu. Among these classic choices, the shabu-shabu genre stands out as having fewer options, with "Serina" being the clear favorite. The quality of the meat is important at shabu-shabu restaurants, but what really sets them apart is the sauce! And the sesame sauce at "Serina" is exceptional! It is a common consensus among my gourmet childhood friends that the sauce is the key factor. "Serina" has been a staple on our list of favorite restaurants for years, but ever since a gourmet friend's father recommended another long-standing restaurant (established in 1973) with meat quality comparable to "Serina" but at a 30% lower price, and equally delicious sesame and ponzu sauces, it quickly became a new favorite for shabu-shabu. This restaurant is "Shabugen" in Akasaka. This place has been used for business meetings and dates numerous times. The ponzu sauce here is unique and unmatched by any other restaurant. Additionally, the restaurant's design with a counter for each person creates a theatrical experience that is rarely seen elsewhere. The seating arrangement also allows for a closer distance between individuals, making it ideal for dates. The circular counter design is genius, allowing for a comfortable distance between diners. The owner must be a genius for designing such a unique layout. In conclusion, the top-notch ponzu sauce, the ability to create a close distance for dates or business meetings, and the brilliant design of the restaurant make "Shabugen" a must-visit spot.

I have been to Shabugen many times, but I was able to visit after a long time. Recently, I have been staying in Akasaka on weekends, so I couldn't eat here because the restaurant was closed. This was my first visit this year, probably about 10 months since my last visit. I usually mix things up, but since it had been a while, I went with the classic pork. I really love the special sauce here and pretty much only use that. I didn't buy any sauce today because I had something to do after lunch, but I used to buy the sauce to take home. Also, the rice here is not just plain white rice, which is great. In the lunch category, this is my favorite place in Tokyo, and I often bring friends, teach them, or introduce them to this place. (I'm from the countryside, so this place is definitely number one in the Tokyo lunch category).

I love Shabugen so much. My mother has been going there since it first opened, and we visited together after a long time. We were lucky to get seats at the counter just past noon, as it quickly filled up and the next group of office workers looked disappointed. The Wagyu rib roast with sesame sauce here is amazing. I couldn't resist getting seconds! The vegetables are also well-prepared, and the pickles are delicious. I want to bring my husband here, but unfortunately they are closed on Saturdays. I will make time during the week to visit again.

I relied on past memories and visited, but it seems like the staff is short-handed, creating a bit of a hectic atmosphere. The meat is delicious though! The shabu-shabu sauce is quite strong in flavor, making you thirsty, but it was hard to get water and the dishes were handled roughly. I had the impression that it was a high-end restaurant, so lunch seems like a good value, but I might avoid it for dinner if I want to prioritize the atmosphere.

This restaurant is said to be the originator of shabu-shabu for one person. The upscale interior makes you feel like you're in a high-class place, and we were seated at the far back. Customers kept coming in one after another. It seems to be quite popular for lunch meetings as well. I ordered the special pork lunch set. Although it's not a cheap lunch option, the atmosphere is calm and you can enjoy your meal at a relaxed pace. The meat seemed to be sliced after the order was placed. While waiting, we enjoyed some vegetables. The dipping sauces were sesame, ponzu, and garlic anchovy? This garlic anchovy sauce was amazing! It made the rice disappear in no time. The portion of meat was also generous! I will definitely be coming back to this place.

I visited a shabu-shabu specialty restaurant located on the 5th floor of a building facing a main street, just a 1-minute walk from Akasaka-Mitsuke Station. As soon as I got off the elevator, there was a curtain, and upon passing through it, there was a semi-circular counter seat. There are also private rooms available. It had a luxurious feel. There is a single-person pot on the counter where you can enjoy shabu-shabu alone, which is really great. What we had: - Shabu Gen lunch set - Special selected beef (marbled ribeye) - Satsuma black pork (rib) - Vegetables + mushrooms - Stir-fried burdock and konjac with spicy sauce - Mixed grain rice - 3 types of dipping sauces (grated soy sauce, sesame sauce, anchovy garlic) Each time we ordered, the meat was sliced for us at the slicer in front of the counter. First, the pork came out, and when we progressed, the beef came out. Both the pork and beef were tender and delicious. All three sauces were rich in flavor and delicious, but I especially liked the anchovy garlic sauce. The vegetables were plentiful and healthy, which was great. The stir-fried burdock and konjac with spicy sauce was also delicious with its sweet and savory flavor, and it went well with rice. The quality at this price point is really reasonable. I was a bit skeptical before going, but with the luxurious atmosphere and the option to choose from different meat grades starting at 1500 yen, I definitely want to go back. Thank you for the meal. Not a sponsored post.

Lunch course where you can choose between shabu-shabu and sukiyaki! It's a luxurious meal even for lunchtime. The staff shaves the meat right in front of you with a large machine. The anchovy in the sauce here was just so delicious! It was so good that it disappeared quickly because it went so well with everything. The sauce was on the rich side, so there wasn't much worry about it getting diluted with the broth. The cost performance was good and I was really satisfied with how delicious it was. I definitely want to come back next time to try the sukiyaki!

This is a long-established shabu-shabu restaurant in Akasaka. One of its unique features is that each person has their own pot for shabu-shabu. They offer three types of dipping sauces. Depending on how you choose your meat, you can enjoy the meal at a very reasonable price. The beef is delicious, but the pork is also very tasty. Lately, it's easier to distinguish the differences in taste, so shabu-shabu with pork might be preferred.

I had a special lunch with carefully selected marbled beef loin and lean beef loin for 2300 yen. It was my first time having shabu-shabu for lunch, but it was really good. The dipping sauces included ponzu, sesame, and anchovy garlic. The meat was sliced right in front of me at the counter. Next time, I'll try the pork.

I used a private room for a friend's birthday. The private room had sofas and cushions, which was very nice. The quantity and quality of the meat were satisfying. I want to try the counter seats next time to see the meat being sliced. The restaurant is spacious and comfortable.

Had lunch at Shabugen where you can enjoy shabu-shabu individually. The meat and vegetables were delicious and satisfying for the price. #Shabugen #shabushabu #shabushabu #porkdish #hotpotdish #hotpot #hotpot #akasaka #Akasaka #Akasakamitsuke #Akasakamitsuke lunch #Tokyo lunch #Tokyo gourmet #tokyogourmet #shabushabu lover #want to connect with people who love delicious food #want to connect with people who love lunch #want to connect with people who love meat #meat lover #meatstagram #meatstagram #followme #likeme #instafood #instagood

The taste, service, and response are always wonderful. During lunchtime, I asked for a dessert plate and the restaurant kindly added an extra dessert, which made the guest very happy and impressed. The three types of sauces were delicious, especially the anchovy sauce which I always buy to take home. As it's getting colder, I look forward to visiting again.

For Saturday lunch, Tenka Sushi in Akasaka Mitsuke is truly impressive. The restaurant is filled with stylishly dressed daughters and their mothers, and you might even spot some celebrities. The beef and pork belly were incredibly delicious. The generous portion of vegetables also left me satisfied.

A restaurant review: Aiming to be the Lunch King of Akasaka (Part 70) - A restaurant that symbolizes the Bubble era of Akasaka (established in 1973). Located right near Akasaka Mitsuke Station. Known for popularizing the "solo shabu-shabu" style. Lunch prices are relatively reasonable. After finishing work, I decided to indulge a bit with the "Special Selection Beef Lean Lunch (2000 yen)". For reference, the cheapest pork lunch is 1500 yen, and the highest quality Matsusaka Beef Rib Roast Lunch is 5000 yen. When you place your order, the staff inside the counter will light the pot for you. While waiting for it to boil, I enjoyed the appetizer of ganmo. First, I had the beef lean for shabu-shabu. There are three sauces: ponzu, sesame sauce, and a special "shabu-gen sauce". All of them have a strong flavor. It may go well with marbled meat, but I found it a bit strong for my taste. Next, the vegetables. There's quite a generous amount, so keep adding them in. As I repeated this process, I started feeling full. The only downside was the difficulty in adjusting the heat with the staff, causing the pot to boil over or the temperature to drop. As a shabu-shabu enthusiast, I like to pay attention to the finishing soup, but unfortunately, the broth didn't turn clear due to the impurities not being fully removed. Nonetheless, it was a luxurious lunchtime. It's rare to find a place where you can have shabu-shabu for lunch, so it's recommended for when you want to treat yourself to a slightly more extravagant meal during lunchtime.

I went to a small celebration and appreciation party with my former colleagues from work. The hot pot was divided into two sections so each person could enjoy their own shabu-shabu. The black pork course was delicious enough on its own. The staff were attentive and took detailed orders for various vegetables. The price was reasonable, and I would like to go again.

Shabu Gen has a slightly more traditional and elegant feel compared to Matsugoro. The interior of the restaurant feels well-maintained and clean, with a sense of history. The shabu shabu pot lids are shiny and overall the place gives off a good impression. The lunch set offers great value in terms of portion size and quality of meat. If you're looking for a good lunch spot in Akasaka, I highly recommend this restaurant.

Shabu shabu restaurant in Akasaka. It's actually closer to Minami-Aoyama than Akasaka. I made a same-day reservation on a weekday and visited. I sat at a round counter seat. I wanted to eat a lot, so I ordered the all-you-can-eat course with premium beef and brand pork. Cheers with a highball. The individual pot was great! It felt luxurious to have them slice the meat right in front of me. I had a lot of energy at first, but by the second plate, I was already slowing down. Can't beat the age where I can't handle marbled meat... The vegetables were delicious. The curry for the end was tasty. The matcha was also excellent.

Last night, I went to Shabugen near Akasaka-Mitsuke Station. This is a long-established shabu-shabu restaurant that has been in Akasaka for 50 years. It is known for its individual shabu-shabu and pork shabu-shabu, being the origin of the dish. The upscale interior has a circular counter seating surrounding the kitchen, with private rooms by the window. Sitting at the counter, you can see a huge slicer in the middle of the kitchen. This time, I opted for the all-you-can-eat course featuring carefully selected black wagyu (A4, A5), premium beef (domestic), TOKYOX, and Satsuma (Kagoshima) black pork, with all-you-can-drink included. We started with a toast with highball. The meal began with a assorted appetizers, tender meat sushi, and caviar-topped shrimp with taro. Then, the preparation for the main shabu-shabu dish continued. A platter of vegetables with plenty of grated radish and ponzu sauce was served. As I marveled at the transformation of a large piece of meat into beautifully sliced shabu-shabu meat, the first meat arrived. The selected black wagyu rib loin was a part with a nice marbling. It was undeniably delicious. It paired well with ponzu sauce and sesame sauce, but the recommended one was the leftmost one, Shabugen sauce. With anchovy and garlic flavors, it enhanced the taste of both the meat and the drinks. The selected black wagyu sirloin was also delicious with beautiful marbling. There were two rare parts of selected black wagyu today, Nakaniiku and Shikinbo, and I enjoyed both. The dry curry was my choice for the optional meal, and it was nicely spicy. For dessert, I had pistachio ice cream and matcha. I enjoyed a satisfying shabu-shabu meal.

I ordered a set of pork belly and black wagyu for lunch. First, three types of sauces, dried daikon radish, and rice were served. Then, cabbage, lettuce, macaroni, tofu, and mushrooms were brought to the table. I started with the pork belly. The moment I dipped it in the hot pot, the fat melted and it was delicious. The sauces were soy sauce with grated radish, sesame, and anchovy. The anchovy sauce was incredibly tasty. You can ask for refills of the sauces and rice! The black wagyu was served in three large pieces, and it was cut right at the table. It was tender and delicious!

Today I had only two meals! Hello, it's Okahiro. After a meeting in Akasaka, I found an interesting sign near the station with a well-photographed meat dish. Eye-catching food signs are essential for attracting customers. I couldn't help but stop and ended up having a shabu-shabu lunch. "Special Lunch ¥2,200" Each person has their own pot set up at the counter. It's rare to have shabu-shabu for one person. I enjoyed it with three types of dipping sauces. The amount of meat and vegetables was just right, and the ingredients were good and delicious. I was satisfied with the restaurant as expected. _________________ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Best value for money!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Good value for money for revisiting!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Decent value for money! ⭐️⭐️ Not bad for the price. ⭐️ I believe that the overall evaluation on Tabelog tends to become a relative evaluation that ignores the price, which I find unfair. It's natural for expensive restaurants to have relatively high ratings, but I think that restaurants with low prices and high satisfaction should be more appreciated. My evaluation is based on 'cost performance'! It's the satisfaction level in relation to the amount of money paid, and whether I would go back again. ===========

I visited around 13:30 on a weekday and it was not crowded. I had the Shabugen lunch (selected beef and Satsuma black pork) for 1900 yen (tax included) with three sauces: ponzu, secret Shabugen sauce, and special sesame sauce. I really liked the secret Shabugen sauce, it was delicious! The interior of the restaurant was calm and cozy, and it seemed like a place where you could relax and enjoy your meal. I wanted to buy the Shabugen sauce to take home, but it had a short expiration date, so I had to give up on it. They mentioned that it's okay to come back just to buy the sauce when needed, so I'll do that next time I have Shabu-Shabu.