7 Must-Visit Sukiyaki & Shabu-shabu Restaurants in Ginza

Experience Shabu-shabu & Sukiyaki in Ginza

Shabu-shabu and Sukiyaki: Traditional Japanese Hot Pot Dishes

Shabu-shabu and sukiyaki are traditional Japanese hot pot dishes, known for being among Japan's most iconic culinary experiences. Both are especially cherished for their emphasis on enjoying high-quality meat. While they share certain similarities, they differ significantly in their preparation, flavors, and dining styles.

What is Shabu-Shabu?

Shabu-shabu is a Japanese hot pot dish where thinly sliced meat and vegetables are quickly swished through a simple broth, usually made with kombu kelp, before being eaten. The name "shabu-shabu" mimics the sound of swishing the ingredients through the broth. The dish has a light, delicate flavor that lets the natural taste of the meat and vegetables shine. It’s typically enjoyed with dipping sauces, which vary between households and restaurants, offering a wide range of flavors and ways to enjoy this versatile dish.

What is Sukiyaki?

Sukiyaki is a Japanese hot pot dish celebrated for its rich, sweet, and savory flavors. It involves simmering meat and vegetables in a warishita sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. The dish typically uses thinly sliced beef, which is cut slightly thicker than in shabu-shabu, allowing the meat’s rich flavor to come through. A distinctive feature of sukiyaki is dipping the hot ingredients into a raw egg before eating, which adds a smooth texture and mellows the flavor, creating a more balanced taste.

The Differences in Cooking Styles Between Shabu-Shabu and Sukiyaki

The difference in cooking styles between shabu-shabu and sukiyaki is quite significant. Shabu-shabu is a self-service dish where diners dip their ingredients into a hot broth to cook them. It’s typically enjoyed around a table with family or friends, allowing everyone to eat at their own pace. The emphasis is on the freshness of the ingredients and the flavor of the broth, which is why some high-end restaurants offer specially crafted broths for shabu-shabu. In contrast, sukiyaki is usually prepared by the restaurant staff at the table, where the ingredients are simmered together before being served.

Enjoying Shabu-shabu and Sukiyaki Together

Across Japan, you’ll find many restaurants that offer both shabu-shabu and sukiyaki. The price range is quite diverse; at affordable chain restaurants, you can enjoy all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu for around 3,000 yen, while high-end establishments featuring carefully selected Wagyu beef may charge tens of thousands of yen for a single meal. In these upscale restaurants, great attention is paid to the quality of the meat, the broth, and the flavor of the dipping sauce, with careful consideration given to details such as the meat's origin and the way it's sliced.

In this way, shabu-shabu and sukiyaki each showcase their unique cooking techniques, seasonings, and eating styles, making them cherished hot pot dishes that embody Japanese culinary culture both at home and abroad.

Shabu-Shabu and Sukiyaki in Ginza

When you think of Tokyo, Ginza stands out as a vibrant and upscale district. The main street is lined with luxury brand stores and department stores from both Japan and abroad. The name "Ginza" itself carries significant prestige, drawing well-known brands to set up flagship and large-scale stores.

The area also features several tourist information centers, making it a welcoming destination for travelers. On holidays, designated times transform the main street into a pedestrian-only zone, allowing visitors to stroll leisurely, which adds to its charm.

In the back streets, Ginza is celebrated as one of Japan's premier gourmet districts, boasting numerous long-established and highly regarded restaurants. Many Michelin-starred establishments and popular dining spots can be found here, attracting food lovers from all over.

In this article, we’ll introduce some of the best shabu-shabu and sukiyaki restaurants in the Ginza area. We’ve curated a diverse selection of places, ranging from high-end dining to more affordable options, including all-you-can-eat establishments. We hope this guide helps you choose the perfect restaurant for your visit!

7 Must-Visit Sukiyaki & Shabu-shabu Restaurants in Ginza

1. Ningyocho Imahan Ginza (人形町今半 銀座店) / ShabuShabu & Sukiyaki

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2024)

Ranked among the Top 100 Restaurants on a popular Japanese gourmet review site in 2024, Ningyocho Imahan Ginza offers an exceptional experience with both sukiyaki and shabu-shabu. Founded in 1895, this long-established restaurant has earned a strong following among both locals and visitors. Its signature dish is the traditional sukiyaki, made using a time-honored recipe passed down since its opening. Guests can indulge in top-quality, marbled Kuroge Wagyu beef, expertly selected and paired with seasonal vegetables. Enjoy the rich, tender Wagyu beef in either sukiyaki or shabu-shabu. The restaurant provides English menus and has English-speaking staff for a welcoming experience.

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2. Zakuro Ginza (ざくろ 銀座店) / ShabuShabu & Sukiyaki

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2024)

Zakuro was the first restaurant to bring shabu-shabu to Tokyo. Established in 1955, it celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2024. It has also earned a spot among the Top 100 Restaurants on a popular Japanese gourmet review site. The restaurant features A5-grade Kuroge Wagyu beef, the highest quality available. Their signature sesame sauce for shabu-shabu is especially popular, offering a rich sesame flavor with a touch of chili heat. Guests can enjoy shabu-shabu, sukiyaki, and traditional Japanese dishes prepared with seasonal ingredients, all at relatively reasonable prices. The restaurant offers English menus and has English-speaking staff for a welcoming experience.

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3. Tokyo Niku Shabuya Subin (東京肉しゃぶ家 秀彬) / ShabuShabu & Sukiyaki

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2024)

Recognized as one of the Top 100 Restaurants on a popular Japanese gourmet review site, Tokyo Niku Shabuya Subin is a high-end dining destination specializing in meat kaiseki (traditional multi-course) cuisine, offering both shabu-shabu and sukiyaki. The restaurant serves Tajimaguro, a rare type of Kobe beef available at only 13 establishments in Japan. Tajimaguro is renowned for its superior lineage and ideal rearing conditions, resulting in a rich flavor and a low melting point. This gives the beef a uniquely melt-in-your-mouth texture. Guests are invited to savor this exceptionally high-quality beef. The restaurant also provides English menus.

4. Ginza Shabuki Ginza Honten(銀座しゃぶ輝 銀座本店) / ShabuShabu

Ginza Shabuki offers a unique opportunity to compare the flavors of Japan’s three most renowned Wagyu brands: Kobe beef, Matsusaka beef, and Omi beef. By purchasing whole Kobe and Matsusaka cattle, the restaurant allows guests to enjoy rare cuts at reasonable prices. Both shabu-shabu and sukiyaki are available as set menus or all-you-can-eat options. The shabu-shabu is especially popular, best enjoyed by dipping the meat into a rich broth made with carefully prepared bonito stock. The restaurant provides menus in English and Chinese and has English-speaking staff to assist guests.

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5. Ginza Shabu Tsu (銀座しゃぶ通) / All-you-can-eat ShabuShabu

Ginza Shabu Tsu is the original all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu restaurant. With 49 years of history, it has become a well-established and popular destination, renowned for its high quality at reasonable prices. Guests can enjoy a variety of shabu-shabu ingredients, including A5-grade Kuroge Wagyu beef, beef tongue, pork, duck, octopus, and more, featuring a total of 10 different options. It's highly recommended to try their "secret sesame sauce," a recipe that has remained unchanged since the restaurant's founding. This sauce is crafted from a blend of over 20 ingredients and is the most popular choice among diners. Additionally, a selection of other sauces is available, including flavored salts, sesame oil, and spicy sauces. Discovering a sauce that suits your taste adds to the enjoyment of the meal. The restaurant provides menus in both English and Chinese, and English-speaking staff are available to assist guests.

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6. Kakiyasu Ginza (柿安 銀座店) / ShabuShabu & Sukiyaki

With over 140 years of history, Kakiyasu is an upscale restaurant where you can indulge in the finest Matsusaka beef. Guests can savor this meticulously raised beef in dishes such as sukiyaki and shabu-shabu. The standout dish is sukiyaki, which showcases traditional flavors. The ingredients are simmered in a carefully crafted broth that has been passed down since the restaurant's founding. The staff prepares and serves the dishes right in front of you, adding a personal touch to your dining experience. It’s recommended to dip the first slice of meat in a raw egg, while the second slice is best enjoyed with grated daikon radish. Experience the expertise of Kakiyasu, where every aspect of beef—from raising to cooking—is mastered.

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7. Basai Ginza Honten (馬菜 銀座本店) / Horse Meat ShabuShabu & Sukiyaki

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2018, 19, 21, 23)

Basai is a specialty restaurant in Ginza that provides a unique opportunity to enjoy horse meat in hot pot dishes. They offer premium horse meat, sourced directly from partner farms in Kumamoto, all at reasonable prices. The horse meat served is safe and suitable for raw consumption. The hot pot featuring horse meat is called "Sakura Nabe," named for the meat's beautiful pink color. Guests can choose between shabu-shabu and sukiyaki for their Sakura Nabe. The restaurant has menus available in English, Chinese, and Korean, and the staff can communicate in English and Korean.

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