Shabu Shabu Gen

Best hotpot in the city. Their quality of ingredients is second to none and the food is delicious. If you've never tried hotpot before or are a huge fan I cannot recommend Shabu Shabu enough. The wait staff are very attentive / kind and make the experience even better. We had Alice as our server and she was fantastic, remembering us each time we visit. Can't wait to go back!

There are a handful of things west coast simply does better. Two things off the top of my head are pho and shabu. I'm not talking hotpot generally bc there are some good ass Chinese hotpot in the city. From sopping up the rich goma with your vegetables to balancing out the fatty meat with the tangy ponzu sauce, for me, shabushabu just hits different. I'm on a quest to find the best shabushabu in the city and unfortunately Gen is not that. Don't get me wrong, the meat here is great quality! However, you never want to leave a $310 ($259 + tip) meal feeling unsatisfied, or jipped. Which is kinda how we felt. Rarely do we get sticker shock but this spot takes the cake. If the meal was under $200, I'd bump this review up to 4 stars. Did Gen satisfy my shabu craving in 11 degree weather? Yes. Did Gen satisfy my stomach? No. Will we be back? No again. As many others have noted, the price is outrageous and not worth the food or the experience. We ordered 2 American Wagyu sets, extra order of American Wagyu, the salmon sushi special, and the American Wagyu sushi (x2). Again, the meat was great quality. You can tell they use good ingredients but again the price tag... but also there were moments where we thought something's not adding up. For example, one of the three appetizers was a raw scallop salad that was drenched in what tasted like Newman's Own Italian dressing. And lo and behold, there the bottle was, staring at me from the counter. Also, the amount of dipping sauce? Diabolical. You'd think we had a sauce shortage looking at the thinnest layer of sauce provided in the saucer. The included almond pudding? Not appetizing what so ever. It was some watery pudding with 7-11 diced fruit salad on top. You have the option to pay $5 to upgrade your dessert to a matcha affogato. Even with the added side of meat, the amount of meat couldn't have been more than like an 8oz steak. Service was fine and the interior is beautiful and matches the pricing but not the food. Also the guy slicing the beef was playing around his phone and I couldn't help but wonder (and hope) if he washed his hands every time he switched between meat and phone. TLDR; luxury prices for not such a luxury experience.Anywhoooo, unfortunately I can't recommend this place, especially when you can spend a little bit more for 10x the food at shabushabumayamon a neighborhood away. Now that place is worth the money and more! My search for the best SS in the city continues.

Came here for Saturday lunch with a friend and was surprised to see the entire place empty at 1pm. We decided not to order their wagyu set and order a la carte for sukiyaki instead. We ordered their American wagyu ($40), seafood set ($50), and their wagyu over rice with ikura and Uni ($30). Quality wise, the wagyu was ok, we didn't taste much of the fatty beefy flavor wagyu is known to have, their seafood platter was also just ok with pretty small portions and not worth the price point. The broth for the sukiyaki lacked flavor which could be because they started cooking it on high heat and once it boiled the staff added water into it. The Wagyu Uni ikura bowl was good and tasted fresh but again portion was quite small. Overall, a mediocre meal. When we received the check the pricing was completely different than what was on the menu and each item we ordered was $10 more than what was listed on the menus we had. While the service was good and the interior is beautiful, this is not a place I'd return to.

There's a new kid on the block! This spot in East Village is a must for any shabu shabu or sukiyaki lover. The courses come with 3 appetizers and your choice of shabu shabu or sukiyaki along with assorted vegetables, rice or udon, and dessert.+ Japanese wagyu course+ American wagyu course+ Pork course+ Wagyu sushi with caviar+ Wagyu sushi with uni+ Matcha affogato+ Almond pudding+ Sake, beer, and cocktailsLet me say the first thing I liked was that the assorted vegetables were legit. I'm a strong believer that you need a good mix for a nice broth. I also appreciated how they showed you the proper technique to cook the meat for shabu shabu. The Wagyu was buttery smooth and there's an assortment of sauces, the sesame being my favorite. Please get the matcha affogato! You can whisk your own matcha table side if you want a stronger matcha flavor.This is a great spot for date night or casual get together with family and friends. And it's a fun interactive meal that you can cook at your own pace too!Follow my Instagram and TikTok @thephotographerfoodie for more! :)

Enjoyed the shabu and sukiyaki. Service was welcoming. The appetizer dish was good. The matcha affogato was a good way to end the meal.

@foodie_starryThis is a feast for the senses! It not only charms with its aesthetic but also with its delectable offerings.Dive into a complete dining experience that starts with a trio of appetizers: salmon tartare, fried eggplant, and the exquisite beef Yukhoe. Every bite is a testament to the restaurant's commitment to quality and flavor. Don't miss their Wagyu sushi; the sea urchin and caviar options are simply out of this world! For the main course, I highly recommend the Sukiyaki with its sweet soy broth--absolutely divine with a selection of Japanese Wagyu, American Wagyu, Pork, or assorted seafood including king crab, prawn, and scallop. Elevate your hot pot experience by swishing your meat and veggies in the broth, then dipping them in raw beaten eggs for that extra lushness.Finish your meal with a comforting bowl of egg udon, and make sure to save room for dessert. The almond-flavored fruits pudding and the DIY ground matcha over ice cream are just sublime. Fresh ingredients, Michelin-star quality, and a minimalist yet cozy ambiance make ShabuShabu GEN a perfect spot for a date night or a lavish meal out. Plus, their sake selection includes the exquisite Born Gold Junmai Daiginjo's Fan! Definitely a must-visit!

My friends wanted Japanese hotpot so we headed to Shabu Shabu Gen. With 3 delicious options, we opted for the middle - American wagyu. Our waitress recommended choosing the sukiyaki for flavoring and I truly appreciated the lightly sweetened flavoring mixed with the meat and veggies. Though hotpot wasn't on my list of things to eat, the food at Shabu Shabu Gen was so good and made me reconsider have hotpot as one of my go to eats.

Such a nice Sukiyaki place. High quality egg and the beef. I ordered the American Wagyu but the quality is already wonderful. Thanks to Ivy and chef Belal. They are very polite and professional. Hope more people can check this place out.

Food quality is average but small portion- we ordered a set of pork for $50 and a set of American wagyu $70 for 2 people. There was about 8 slices of very thin meat in each order, one set of vegetables and two bowls of rice. I feel that the least that they can do is to have a set of vegetable for each person. I do not recommend this place. The service was good though.

I came here with my goddaughter after looking for a shabu shabu place around the area. When we first got in, we were so impressed by the ambiance. It is a small place but so cozy. The host/server was so friendly and sweet. She explained everything to us since this is our 1st time. The food is so fresh and tasty. The soups are delicious. I will definitely come back. Thank you for your delicious food, service and decoration. Keep it up!