Tabu Shabu Costa Mesa

For those in California seeking a truly engaging and customizable dining experience rooted in Japanese culinary tradition, Tabu Shabu in Costa Mesa offers a modern take on the classic hot pot. This isn't just a meal; it's an interactive adventure where you get to be the chef at your table, cooking premium ingredients in a simmering broth. While the shabu shabu concept might be familiar to some, Tabu Shabu elevates it with a focus on high-quality ingredients and a vibrant atmosphere.

Tabu Shabu has garnered significant buzz among local diners, with many affirming that it's "worth the visit" and stands out for its "good quality and unique offerings." Patrons appreciate the hands-on nature of cooking thinly sliced meats like flavorful lamb and satisfying beef, along with an array of fresh vegetables, right at their personal hot pot. A particularly unique and highly praised feature is the option to transform the rich, leftover broth into a delicious and hearty porridge at the end of the meal, turning every last drop into a culinary delight. Despite potentially being "a bit on the higher side" in price without discounts, the overall quality and the sheer amount of food ensure that you "definitely get your fill," making Tabu Shabu a compelling choice for an immersive and satisfying Japanese hot pot experience in Costa Mesa.

Tabu Shabu Costa Mesa is conveniently located at 333 E 17th St #19, Costa Mesa, CA 92627, USA. This address places it squarely within the bustling East 17th Street corridor, a well-known hub for dining and shopping in Costa Mesa. Its central location makes it highly accessible for residents of Costa Mesa and surrounding Orange County communities.

The restaurant is situated within a commercial center, which typically offers ample parking for patrons. While specific parking details like dedicated lots or valet services aren't explicitly detailed in the provided reviews, the location within a retail complex often means convenient self-parking options are available nearby. As East 17th Street can be a busy area, it's always advisable to allow for a few extra minutes for parking during peak dining hours, though generally, it is not a significant concern.

Tabu Shabu Costa Mesa maintains extensive operating hours, catering to both lunch and dinner crowds throughout the week. On Monday through Friday, they are open for lunch from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, and for dinner from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM. On Saturdays and Sundays, they open slightly later for lunch, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, with dinner service also running from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM. This schedule provides ample opportunity for diners to enjoy their shabu shabu experience. Additionally, for convenience, Tabu Shabu offers online ordering for takeout meals, including "Home meal kits" with proteins, veggies, and sauces, allowing customers to enjoy the shabu shabu experience at home, though a burner would be needed. This combination of a central physical location, convenient parking, and flexible hours with online ordering options makes Tabu Shabu a highly accessible and versatile dining choice in Costa Mesa.

• Dine-In Shabu Shabu Experience: Tabu Shabu offers an immersive and interactive hot pot dining experience where each diner cooks their own thinly sliced meats and fresh vegetables in a simmering broth at their table. This allows for a highly customizable meal.

• Premium Proteins: The menu features a selection of high-quality proteins, including USDA Prime Ribeye, Wagyu Kobe Short Rib and Chuck Roll, Natural Pork, Colorado Lamb Shoulder (praised for being "flavorful"), Sashimi Grade Salmon, Wild Scallops, and more.

• Variety of Broths: Diners can choose from a range of flavorful broths, such as Tonkotsu (creamy ramen pork bone broth), Spicy Miso, and a simple Kombu dashi broth, allowing for diverse flavor profiles.

• Fresh Vegetables & Noodles: Each hot pot meal comes with an assortment of fresh vegetables like shitake mushrooms, baby bok choy, and napa cabbage. Noodle options include Udon, Fresh Ramen Noodle, Kale Fresh Ramen Noodle, and Shirataki (gluten & carb free).

• Homemade Sauces & Condiments: Tabu Shabu provides a variety of homemade dipping sauces and side condiments (e.g., Goma Sesame Sauce, Ponzu Soy Sauce, Ginger Garlic Sauce, Crunchy Garlic Sauce) to enhance the flavors of the cooked ingredients.

• Porridge Service: A unique and highly praised service where the restaurant transforms your leftover hot pot broth into a delicious and hearty rice porridge at the end of the meal, cooked with your remaining broth and an egg. This ensures no flavor goes to waste.

• Takeout Home Meal Kits: For those who prefer to cook at home, Tabu Shabu offers "Tabu for Two" and "Tabu Family Pack" home meal kits, which include proteins, veggies, dumplings, sauces, and side condiments. Note: a burner is needed for home cooking.

• Beer, Wine, and Sake Menu: The restaurant offers a selection of alcoholic beverages, including various sakes, wines (e.g., Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet), and beers (e.g., SkyDuster Lager, Coronado Weekend Vibes IPA).

• Appetizers & Desserts: Beyond the main shabu shabu, the menu includes starters like Truffle & Sea Salt Edamame, Cucumber Salad, Chicken Veggie Dumplings, and desserts such as Mochi and Black Sesame Ice Cream.

• Online Ordering: Convenient online ordering is available through their website (via ChowNow) for pickup of their home meal kits and other menu items.

• High-Quality Meats & Fresh Ingredients: A consistent highlight is the "good quality" of the meats, including flavorful lamb and satisfying beef, as well as premium cuts like USDA Prime Ribeye and Wagyu. This commitment to fresh, top-tier ingredients is crucial for an exceptional shabu shabu experience.

• Unique Porridge Service: This distinctive offering transforms the rich, flavorful leftover hot pot broth into a delicious, hearty rice porridge, seasoned with an egg. It's often cited as a "highlight" and a "delicious and hearty late-night meal," ensuring a satisfying end to the dining experience.

• Interactive & Customizable Dining: The shabu shabu format allows diners to cook their own food at the table, choosing their broths, proteins, vegetables, and sauces. This interactive element makes the meal fun and allows for complete customization to individual tastes.

• "Worth the Visit," Especially with Happy Hour: Many customers find the experience to be well worth it, particularly when taking advantage of their happy hour discounts. This indicates that while prices might be higher at regular hours, the quality justifies the cost.

• Great Service: Despite one review noting an issue, positive reviews highlight "great service," with staff being "kind enough to still honor" happy hour even when a customer arrived just before it ended. This demonstrates attentive and customer-focused service.

• Clean & Presentable Atmosphere: The restaurant's environment is described as "clean, presentable, and not crowded at all" during certain times, contributing to a comfortable and pleasant dining experience.

• Generous Portions: Patrons often note that it's "a lot of food," assuring that you "definitely get your fill," providing excellent value in terms of quantity.

• Comprehensive Takeout Options: The availability of "Home meal kits" for takeout, including proteins, veggies, and sauces, allows customers to recreate the shabu shabu experience at home, catering to different dining preferences.

• Variety of Broths and Dipping Sauces: The choice of broths (e.g., Spicy Miso, Tonkotsu) and a range of homemade dipping sauces allows for endless flavor combinations, enhancing the interactive nature of the meal.

Tabu Shabu Costa Mesa is well-known for its compelling Happy Hour, which significantly enhances its value proposition, especially for locals.

• Happy Hour: This is the most frequently mentioned and highly recommended special. While specific details like exact percentage discounts or menu items might vary, customers explicitly state that catching "happy hour discount" makes the visit "worth the visit." It's a key period when the "prices are a bit on the higher side" are offset, allowing diners to enjoy the high-quality food at a more accessible price point. The restaurant has even been praised for being "kind enough to still honor it" even if a customer arrives just before it ends, indicating a customer-friendly approach to their specials.

While explicit details on the current Happy Hour menu (e.g., specific discounted items, exact times, or different offers for food vs. drinks) are not provided in the customer reviews, it is a consistent draw for patrons seeking value. Restaurants often update their happy hour offerings, so for the most accurate and up-to-date information, including times and specific discounts on items like proteins, drinks, or appetizers, it is always recommended to:

• Call Tabu Shabu Costa Mesa directly: Their phone number is (949) 642-2660.

• Check their official website or social media: Restaurants frequently post their current specials and happy hour details online.

The emphasis on a strong happy hour makes Tabu Shabu a particularly attractive option for locals looking to enjoy a premium shabu shabu experience at a more favorable price, making it a highly recommended time to visit.

To plan your interactive shabu shabu experience at Tabu Shabu Costa Mesa, here is their contact information:

• Address: 333 E 17th St #19, Costa Mesa, CA 92627, USA

• Phone: (949) 642-2660

For the most current information on hours, reservations (if applicable), or details about their happy hour and menu specials, it is always best to call the restaurant directly. Online ordering for home meal kits is also available through their website or platforms like ChowNow.

For residents of Costa Mesa and the broader California region, Tabu Shabu offers an exceptionally suitable and highly engaging dining experience. Californians appreciate fresh ingredients, customizable meals, and unique culinary adventures, and Tabu Shabu delivers on all fronts with its interactive shabu shabu concept. The ability to cook your own high-quality meats, select your preferred broth and fresh vegetables, and customize your sauces caters perfectly to a local populace that values personalized and healthy dining options.

The consistent praise for "good quality" food, including flavorful lamb and beef, ensures that locals seeking premium ingredients will find their expectations met. The unique "porridge service," transforming the leftover broth into a delicious and hearty end to the meal, showcases an innovative approach to maximizing flavor and value, a detail that truly sets it apart. Furthermore, the availability of a compelling happy hour makes this otherwise slightly higher-priced experience more accessible, encouraging repeat visits and making it an attractive option for both special occasions and casual weeknight dinners. The overall positive feedback regarding "great service" and a "clean, presentable, and not crowded" atmosphere ensures a comfortable and enjoyable outing. For a truly unique, interactive, and high-quality Asian dining experience in Costa Mesa, Tabu Shabu is undoubtedly a top recommendation for locals to explore and enjoy.

Tabu Shabu Costa Mesa

333 E 17th St #19, Costa Mesa, CA 92627, USA