California Shabu Shabu (Fountain Valley)

18908 Brookhurst Street
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
714.963.8844
www.californiashabushabu.com

I am no Shabu Shabu connoisseur. But my go to place when I crave reasonably priced shabu shabu is California Shabu Shabu. They recently opened up a new location in Costa Mesa and there is usually a wait for both locations.  In my opinion, though, the wait is worth it. Maybe sing a song or two at the karaoke studio next door or visit the Japanese market down the corridor.  Either way, this is a must go-to place for my favorite shabu shabu place in OC. There are no actual tables but everyone sits at a U-shaped bar with everyone facing the middle and watching the workers do their thing.

Here's the plate of fresh veggies.  We have here spinach, broccoli, napa cabbage, tofu, carrots, udon noodles, enoki mushrooms, seaweed, and green onions.

These savory dipping sauces make this meal magical. On the left is the sesame-based Goma sauce and to the right is the citrusy Ponzu sauce. Feel free to add your own mixture of scallions, daikon, radish and garlic to the sauces to your liking.  I usually dip my meat in the goma, while using the ponzu for the vegetables.  Actually, it's more like soaking the meat and vegetables in these sauces.

To add a little kick to it, ask for the hot drops.  Taking out the eye dropper, the server will ask how many drops.  If you are daring, try 2-3. I usually take one and that's enough to sting my tongue.  They said some kid who is a regular takes about 7 drops. Some people can even do the whole line -- what is this? Crack?

 

For the beef shabu shabu dinner, there are 3 choices: Beef Shabu Shabu $13.99 for Regular and $16.99 for large, Prime Beef Shabu Shabu $16.99 for regular and $21.99 for large or the Kobe Beef Rib Eye $35.99. We've never tried the kobe beef (double the price) but we're satisfied with the others.  Content with the regular Beef Shabu Shabu this is our go to selection. Pictured below is the beef shabu shabu. 

 

Shabu Shabu actually means swish-swish as in, move your meat around a few times and the cooking is done.

 

 

Towards the end of our meal, they will offer a bowl with their dashi so that you can add the broth that you have been cooking your veggies and meat in. The broth, combined with the dashi, transforms into your second course - some wonderful udon soup. Make sure to save a few slices of beef and noodles to eat with the soup.

 

Voila! Another entree added to our shabu shabu. This is as comforting as the best chicken noodle soup.

There aren't many choices for shabu shabu in Orange County although there have be a few new ones popping up within the past few years. California Shabu Shabu may not be the most traditional and authentic version of Shabu Shabu that you may find in Tokyo, but for a fun cook yourself and fairly healthy meal, this is still our go-to Shabu Shabu spot!

Shin-Sen-Gumi Robata Yakitori (Fountain Valley, CA)

18315 Brookhurst St., #1
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
714-962-8952
http://www.shinsengumiusa.com/

Shin Sen Gumi opens for its yakitori dinner at 6:00pm, but when we came at 5:45pm, we were #8 on the waiting list. This place is known for its skewers of meat and vegetables roasted over Kishu bincho-tan (Japanese White Charcoal Wood)

You won't find peace and quiet at this Japanese restaurant. Instead, you'll find a place filled with dynamic energy and constant, simultaneous belting of "Welcome!" or "Cheers!" or "Thank you!" Before the hostess leads a dinner party inside the restaurant, she pauses at the doorway and belts out in Japanese "Welcome!" and the rest of the waitstaff and cooks simultaneously yell out a welcoming greeting. When customers buy large pints of beer for the chefs, they again heartily shout "Cheers!!" and toast each other. When the guests leaves, they altogether say "Thank you!" and politely bow to the departing dinner party.

If you look to the bottom right corner of this picture, that's a huge pitcher of beer that the customers bought for the cooks to toast together. I was kind of glad that we got in when the restaurant opened because what if we come much later and they're already drunk?

Condiment Tray - The round container in the middle of the picture contains yuzu kosho, which is a spicy Japanese sauce made from green yuzu zest, mixed with salt and green chile peppers. Yuzu is a Chinese lemon, resembling a grapefruit and tastes like Mandarin oranges. It had a spicy, bitter taste at first, but then had a salty finish.

The faithful cook rotates the skewers to perfection. When he sprinkles on the seasoning, he does it in a way with his wrist that is artful and graceful. It was very interesting to watch.
On the left is Sasami Umejiso - Chicken breast with plum paste and shiso leaves (2.35). We thought this one was okay, not as tasty as the other skewers (probably because we enjoyed the fat from the pork belly)

On the right is the Shiso Maki - Shiso leaves wrapped in pork belly (2.50). Another tasty combination. The Shiso leaf adds a nice added flavor to the pork belly. Asupara Maki - Asparagus wrapped in pork belly (2.50). The asparagus and the pork belly was a great combination. The asparagus was perfectly cooked with the crisp pork belly, with a slight oozing of fat. Another favorite of the night.

To the right is the Uzura Be-kon - Quail egg wrapped in bacon (2.75). This was also delicious. What doesn't taste good wrapped with bacon? Steaks, hot dogs, and quail eggs is no exception. I actually enjoyed the bacon over pork belly.
Flap meat (2.35). I don't know what part of the cow is the "flap," but whatever it was it was good. Looking it up on the internet, I found out it that this cut of meat is the same one the use in fajitas.Grilled Rice Balls (2.00). The rice balls were grilled also over the binchotan. It had a crispness on the outside with the delicious grilled flavor. At Shin Sen Gumi they don't offer you any rice to eat with all of that meat you are eating. To satisfy our rice craving we ordered a rice ball.This is the Negima Tare - Chicken thigh with green onions and house sauce (1.95). A classic here and was very tasty. This was probably one of my favorites of the night. What's not to like about some chicken thigh, grilled onions, and some nice house sauce.
This is the Tsukune - Chicken meatball (2.00). This was also very flavorful and delicious. One of my other favorites of the night. Who knew meatballs would be so tasty? The meat itself is very juicy and moist. They lather on a sauce on top of the meatballs, making it extra flavorful.
Here is the Pork Belly (1.75). Fatty but melts in the mouth. The pork belly was simply seasoned with just salt and expertly grilled with a nice char on it. Good stuff!
We enjoyed pretty much every dish that we ordered and really liked the atmosphere and the vibe of the place. Very laid back Japanese atmosphere and attentive service. The bill at Shin Sen Gumi can add up quickly if you aren't watching what you are ordering. We will definitely be back.