In the 20th century, a new dish was introduced to Japan. The shabu shabu hot pot dish made its appearance and has been enjoyed in Asian countries ever since. Like another Japanese dish called Sukiyaki, shabu shabu is becoming increasingly popular in the Western world. Cities that have a large Asian population or authentic Korean and Japanese restaurants in town will have this delicious and healthy dish on the menu. He gained even more popularity in the movie Lost in Translation, which starred Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray while dining at a shabu shabu restaurant.

Shabu shabu is a traditional beef dish served with vegetables and sometimes ponzu sauce (citrus sauce) or raw egg. The dish is made by taking a fondue like pot filled with boiling water, then taking thinly sliced ​​pieces of beef and moving the meat back and forth in the pot until browned. How brown depends on the eater. The word “shabu” means snapping, so the name refers to the sound of water made when meat is stroked back and forth.

There are a few different ways to prepare the dish. Some people like to add seaweed, kelp, or moo to add flavor to the water. While this dish began as a beef dish, recipes have used pork, lobster, duck, crab, or chicken. To enhance the flavor, some recipes may call for wagy, a Japanese beef. The vegetables served are up to the cook, but may include bok choy, nori, mushrooms, carrots, and chrysanthemum leaves and watercress. Various types of noodles can also be served with the dish. It is not uncommon for rice to be served as well, because many use the broth as a soup after eating the meat and vegetables.

Shabu Shabu is a wonderful social meal. Like a fondue, diners will prepare each individual piece before eating it. The fact that this meal is so simple to prepare, yet so full of flavor, makes it a hit all over the world. Online you can find several recipes with different ingredients for meat, broth, dipping sauces, and vegetables. Ingredients shouldn’t be too hard to find, as many towns and cities have at least one small Asian district where one can get supplies. Even the major grocery stores will have some Asian products.

Anyone looking to bring a quick and delicious Japanese meal home to share with friends and loved ones should definitely give shabu shabu a try.