Tabu Shabu Costa Mesa

Stopped by last night & had a great experience. Michelle was amazing as she guided us through dinner. Her recommendations were spot on & we were impressed with the quality of the meat. Is it prime? Outstanding food & service, would highly recommend.

LIKE NO OTHER: It's a shabu like no other. Michelle greated us immediately and sat us at the bar. Daniel told us what to order, how to eat and the best part was he told us what he likes. The total experience was awesome. We ended the dinner with sesame seed ice cream. It was was very unique and loved the crunch. Very clean restaurant. Friendly staff and lots of parking. Open late. Enjoy 🥂

Update 2024: the chairs are better! Food and service still wonderful. Original review: Very tasty shabu shabu, with a good variety of broths, meats, and vegetables. I really appreciate how easy it is to customize the vegetable platter. The service was friendly and prompt, though there was a short wait for seats. The only thing I don't like about this place is the seats themselves, which I find very uncomfortable. Worth enduring for the delicious food, though.

I love Tabu!! The food is always amazing Michelle is seriously the best she is so sweet and always has the best energy and is one of my favorite reasons of coming to Tabu on Wine Wednesdays!

This place was quite delicious! I would definitely go back, just because of the menu options and friendly customer service. I will say if you're used to traditional "all you can eat" shabu shabu where you can just order a bunch of random things continuously to put in your broth, this place isn't like that. It's sort of a "fixed menu" in that you choose your broth, then your grain, then your veggies, then your protein. The portions are quite generous, though, and the variety of sauces and seasonings they have is wonderful. Next time I visit Costa Mesa/Newport Beach, I'll be back! :)

This is a really awesome shabu shabu restaurant! They have the most friendly and attentive staff and the vibe inside is relaxed and modern. It’s a little pricey but the meat is very high quality. The ribeye and chicken are my favorite. I love that they give you a ton of veggies and you can customize more or less of whatever veggies you want. They also include noodles which I haven’t seen offered at other shabu shabu restaurants. The tonkatsu broth is very flavorful and so are the dipping sauces. I’m so glad to work so close by to this spot!

Excellent meat and good selection. The menu is small with just the main meat options but what appetizers and sides they do have are excellent. 4 kinds of broth and different meat selections including fish. Attentive service and good price. Main dining happens in the center rounded table. No real private table option.

Stopped in for a late lunch on a Sunday afternoon, there was no waiting and you can dine inside or out. The service is absolutely fantastic, the staff are very friendly and accommodating. The food was plentiful and delicious, everything was so fresh and flavorful. Loved this place! I came back here on a Tuesday night, sat inside at the bar, super fun atmosphere, food is great, staff are even better 👍👍💯

Food great. Service excellent. Get the one cut up from the bottom, the bottom kind of fatty. I was warned but didnt pay attention. Had the spicy miso base, great and just a touch of spice, nice. Comes with a great full plate of vegetables and mushrooms, you will not leave hungry. I worried that it be salty but it was absolutely not.

This place has the best flavors of broth. I am so full after every time we go but I love how the place is set up in a huge communal bar seating. Amazing for a great conversation and delicious meal with super fresh meats with tons of veggies (my favorite) the staff never fails to make you feel like you are a regular (annother favorite) and the drinks are great to pair. The peach sake is a sweet suprize I didn't realize I would enjoy so much (Mark didn't love it so much) but paired with a meal of sukiyaki with grass-fed rib eye and veggies finished by mochi... The perfect date night. 👌

This is a fun place for dinner. The line to get in can be long, but they have a waiting list on the wall using an iPad, you enter your phone number and name and it text you automatically when they’re ready for you. They have a good variety of meats and vegetables, as well as rice and broth bases. I think it’s just a fun atmosphere to cook your own food, and perfect for getting together with a friend in downtown Costa Mesa.

The best Shabu in town. This spot has a neighborhood gem vibe. Super friendly staff, and the best Shabu around. Doesn't take reservations, so be prepared to wait 10-20 min during peak dinner times. Absolutely worth it. Pro tip: When you're finished eating, do your tomorrow self a favor and ask for the porridge. They will take your left over broth, add rice and make an amazing porridge that will create 2-3 meals for the following day. Also, get some hot chilli drops (2-3) in your broth as you eat if you like a little extra spice.

Service we received from Wells was awesome! So professional and accommodating! I will try and eat here every week and bring friends!

Absolutely love coming to Tabu Shabu—especially when it’s later at night for an evening meal! Whenever I’m in the area I have to stop by. The spicy garlic edamame is a nice appetizer. I usually do the choice rib eye and no mushrooms in my vegetables with some sake. Very attentive on making sure I have sauces and rice. The vibe is great and the staff is extremely friendly and is always happy to have conversations with us and see how we’re doing.

I had a wonderful experience at this establishment. The wait time for one person was minimal, so no complaints there, but be cognizant of the fact that a larger group may have to wait a bit as the place is bustling. There is a wide array of menu options in regard to broth, beef selection, and other options some may be receptive to in trying out. The service and staff were extraordinary and made me feel truly welcome and were dutiful in the way they attended to their costumers. I am highly suggesting this place to try out the food and to have a great place to hang out with friends and family. Will be coming back again.

First time there with the family and loved it! Very healthy, great service from the pit bosses behind the counter. The restaurant fills up fast so get there early for a spot. The place runs like a well oiled machine….in a good way! We will be going back.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Costa Mesa. If you have not been here yet you need to go immediately. My favorite is the spicy miso broth with chicken & all the veggies. If you like spicy make sure to ask the waitress for the spicy drops (beware they are spicy.) This restaurant is a great date spot.

You get your own hot stove and ingredient selection I love this place. Staff were polite and helpful, make sure to pick large portion meats if you are hungry. You prepare your own food here but they provide the raw ingredients and give you instruction. Lots of fun with friends and family.

First time here and i do t know why. We enjoyed the service very much. The food was so good, i probably overate. 100% recommend this place. I also recommend the capsaicin drops in the sauce. Harley and Daniel were super helpful.

Had lunch for the first time at Tabu a few days ago and it was awesome. A friend suggested that I try it and I had no idea what to expect. It was great, unique experience and the food was delicious! Will definitely visit again.

Hot pot for a cold day is the best comfort feeling. High quality meat options and veggies with your choice of carbs, including white rice, brown rice, noodles, vermicelli, etc. I like the seating hot pot bar, makes the store cozier.

Tabu Shabu in Costa Mesa stands out as our preferred destination for an authentic and comforting shabu-shabu experience. The truffle-infused edamame serves as an exceptional starter, establishing a refined and inviting tone from the outset. The spicy miso broth elevates each sip into a moment of subtle elegance. We enjoyed Wagyu short rib and ramen noodles paired with prime ribeye in the first pot, followed by a second featuring combo proteins such as lamb shoulder and wild shrimp for added depth and variety. The velvety mango mochi ice cream provided a delightful conclusion. The attentive service ensured a seamless dining experience throughout. We eagerly anticipate our next visit—highly recommended, with 5 stars for elevated comfort cuisine.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I had the best experience at Tabu Shabu! I sat out on the patio with my dog and it was absolutely perfect—comfortable, welcoming, and such a great vibe. I ordered a glass of wine and started with the cucumber appetizer and edamame, both super fresh and full of flavor. The highlight was the salmon bowl with rice…so delicious, perfectly cooked, and so satisfying. The service was friendly, the food came out quickly, and they made me (and my pup!) feel totally at home. I think everyone came out at some point to visit with me and my pup. Highly recommend if you’re looking for great food, a relaxing atmosphere, and a dog-friendly spot for a drink and apps (cant do hotpot outside, but still worth it).

Donald C.

Tabu Shabu in Costa Mesa stands out as our preferred destination for an authentic and comforting shabu-shabu experience. The truffle-infused edamame serves as an exceptional starter, establishing a refined and inviting tone from the outset. The spicy miso broth elevates each sip into a moment of subtle elegance. We enjoyed Wagyu short rib and ramen noodles paired with prime ribeye in the first pot, followed by a second featuring combo proteins such as lamb shoulder and wild shrimp for added depth and variety. The velvety mango mochi ice cream provided a delightful conclusion. The attentive service ensured a seamless dining experience throughout. We eagerly anticipate our next visit—highly recommended, with 5 stars for elevated comfort cuisine.

alix gast

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I had the best experience at Tabu Shabu! I sat out on the patio with my dog and it was absolutely perfect—comfortable, welcoming, and such a great vibe. I ordered a glass of wine and started with the cucumber appetizer and edamame, both super fresh and full of flavor. The highlight was the salmon bowl with rice…so delicious, perfectly cooked, and so satisfying. The service was friendly, the food came out quickly, and they made me (and my pup!) feel totally at home. I think everyone came out at some point to visit with me and my pup. Highly recommend if you’re looking for great food, a relaxing atmosphere, and a dog-friendly spot for a drink and apps (cant do hotpot outside, but still worth it).

Cristian

I had a wonderful experience at this establishment. The wait time for one person was minimal, so no complaints there, but be cognizant of the fact that a larger group may have to wait a bit as the place is bustling. There is a wide array of menu options in regard to broth, beef selection, and other options some may be receptive to in trying out. The service and staff were extraordinary and made me feel truly welcome and were dutiful in the way they attended to their costumers. I am highly suggesting this place to try out the food and to have a great place to hang out with friends and family. Will be coming back again.

Phil Guertin

First time there with the family and loved it! Very healthy, great service from the pit bosses behind the counter. The restaurant fills up fast so get there early for a spot. The place runs like a well oiled machine….in a good way! We will be going back.

Pearl Snead

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Costa Mesa. If you have not been here yet you need to go immediately. My favorite is the spicy miso broth with chicken & all the veggies. If you like spicy make sure to ask the waitress for the spicy drops (beware they are spicy.) This restaurant is a great date spot.

Michael Nazarinia

You get your own hot stove and ingredient selection I love this place. Staff were polite and helpful, make sure to pick large portion meats if you are hungry. You prepare your own food here but they provide the raw ingredients and give you instruction. Lots of fun with friends and family.

Albert Baloiu

First time here and i do t know why. We enjoyed the service very much. The food was so good, i probably overate. 100% recommend this place. I also recommend the capsaicin drops in the sauce. Harley and Daniel were super helpful.

Alex & Erika on YouTube

Had lunch for the first time at Tabu a few days ago and it was awesome. A friend suggested that I try it and I had no idea what to expect. It was great, unique experience and the food was delicious! Will definitely visit again.

Anytime I fly back to Orange County from Tennessee, I HAVE to go Tabu Shabu. As usual, it was fabulous!! Ursula was so sweet and attentive, which made our visit all the more enjoyable. Hope to go a few more times before I leave!! Bonus: bottomless sake on Sundays!!!

Had an amazing dinner this evening, and Ursula is a gem of a human! Thank you for the amazing service and care you provided, we had an incredible time. Thank you!

Service is always on point. They have the best service out of any restaurant in Orange County hands down. Pro tip ask for Michelle her warm smile and friendly attitude will make you feel like your dining at home. Limited seating so bake sure to write your name down on the iPad to the right when you walk in. Wait times are fast they have a good turn over. Great place to take a date. The food quality is a step above other Shabu places I’ve eaten. The meat quality is amazing. So much flavor from just the meat it’s insane. They also have delicious sashimi grade salmon that’s very fresh. The quality of the food speaks for itself.

The food was amazing but the customer service (especially Cruz) was even better. Definitely coming back!

Britany Callahan

Had an amazing dinner this evening, and Ursula is a gem of a human! Thank you for the amazing service and care you provided, we had an incredible time. Thank you!

Leena Shirgaokar

Anytime I fly back to Orange County from Tennessee, I HAVE to go Tabu Shabu. As usual, it was fabulous!! Ursula was so sweet and attentive, which made our visit all the more enjoyable. Hope to go a few more times before I leave!! Bonus: bottomless sake on Sundays!!!

maria hernandez

The food was amazing but the customer service (especially Cruz) was even better. Definitely coming back!

John Carlos Centeno

Stopped by last night & had a great experience. Michelle was amazing as she guided us through dinner. Her recommendations were spot on & we were impressed with the quality of the meat. Is it prime? Outstanding food & service, would highly recommend.

Jessie Lacasse

Service is always on point. They have the best service out of any restaurant in Orange County hands down. Pro tip ask for Michelle her warm smile and friendly attitude will make you feel like your dining at home. Limited seating so bake sure to write your name down on the iPad to the right when you walk in. Wait times are fast they have a good turn over. Great place to take a date. The food quality is a step above other Shabu places I’ve eaten. The meat quality is amazing. So much flavor from just the meat it’s insane. They also have delicious sashimi grade salmon that’s very fresh. The quality of the food speaks for itself.

Food was delicious. Menu was different from other Shabu Shabu restaurants I have frequented. Here you are given choices for type of broth, rice, vegetables, and protein. A new and delightful shabu shabu experience for me. Service was good. Atmosphere was chill.

Great little place if you want to eat pretty healthy. Good service, nice huge plate of fresh veggies and really lean, grass-fed beef among a bunch of other protein choices. They spice up a choice of 3 different types of broth and it's so yummy!!

Food was good. We drove from Tustin and waited over a hour for a place to sit on a Thursday evening. If we had known about this before hand, we would have gone elsewhere. They will not take reservations (big mistake) but you can put your name in the Yelp seating queue (only works if you are close. Not Tustin). They have the a/c set to max cold so you will eat fast and leave. The woman next to us who's a regular ate with her winter coat on and a scarf. You cook yourself, so it's your own fault if it's not cooked correctly. Ingredients are of good quality.

It was New Year's eve and my wife and I were hungry for shabu, since it was just the 2 of us we wanted to venture over to our normal shabu place but as luck would have it, it was closed. So we consulted Yelp! And found Tabu Shabu and I'm glad we did go here. The place is quaint and intimate. Typical U shaped counter top where staff would be in the pit working and taking your orders. Protein selection was normal shabu shabu and prices were completely in line with what I would expect from this type of establishment. I ordered the large Angus with spicy miso and wife got the small with yakuniku broth. Didn't have to wait long as the food service was quick. I will say that the sesame seed sauce is REALLY good here. The ponzu isn't too bad, but that's just a matter of personal taste and preference. Definitely will add this place to our list of favorite shabu shabu place. What I would like: If there were one less stove top we felt that it would give you just that little extra elbow room. We found it a little cramped as the veggie/protein/sauce/rice bowls were being delivered it go cramped quick. Veggies is all preference but I do like to have a lot of veggies with my meal, could use a little extra. Other than that, we had a great time and left satisfied. Staff was super friendly and the place had a good vibe.

No surprise, regular shabu. Our friends found a piece of nail from her soup, they reduce only $8 bucks out of $170 for food quality... Just average...

Came here for a company lunch. It was overall a pretty good shabu place. The meat quality here is pretty good and they give you a decent plate of veggies to go with your meal. The service was ok, I can tell they were short staffed when I visited. However all the staffs are very friendly. Would recommend.

I came to Tabu Shabu on a Friday right before happy hour ended, and they were kind enough to still honor it—great service! This spot has been hyped a lot, and I’d say it’s worth the visit, especially with the happy hour discount. Without it, the prices are a bit on the higher side, but the quality makes up for it. I ordered the lamb and beef, both of which were flavorful and satisfying. The highlight was definitely the service of turning my leftover hot pot into porridge—it made for a delicious and hearty late-night meal. It’s a lot of food, so you definitely get your fill. Overall, a solid spot for hot pot if you’re looking for good quality and unique offerings. Definitely recommend catching happy hour if you can!

Van N

I came to Tabu Shabu on a Friday right before happy hour ended, and they were kind enough to still honor it—great service! This spot has been hyped a lot, and I’d say it’s worth the visit, especially with the happy hour discount. Without it, the prices are a bit on the higher side, but the quality makes up for it. I ordered the lamb and beef, both of which were flavorful and satisfying. The highlight was definitely the service of turning my leftover hot pot into porridge—it made for a delicious and hearty late-night meal. It’s a lot of food, so you definitely get your fill. Overall, a solid spot for hot pot if you’re looking for good quality and unique offerings. Definitely recommend catching happy hour if you can!

Tim Run

No surprise, regular shabu. Our friends found a piece of nail from her soup, they reduce only $8 bucks out of $170 for food quality... Just average...

Qiwei Fu

Came here for a company lunch. It was overall a pretty good shabu place. The meat quality here is pretty good and they give you a decent plate of veggies to go with your meal. The service was ok, I can tell they were short staffed when I visited. However all the staffs are very friendly. Would recommend.

The food was really good, tons of vegan/vegetarian options! The service was quick and super friendly. This was a great spot!

Vanesa Salinas Comuzzi

The food was really good, tons of vegan/vegetarian options! The service was quick and super friendly. This was a great spot!

Tabu Shabu offers quality meat and fresh vegetables. The sukiyaki broth was too salty for my taste, but the dipping sauces were flavorful and enjoyable. Service was friendly and attentive. Overall a decent shabu spot with room for improvement.

NiCHA KONALO

Tabu Shabu offers quality meat and fresh vegetables. The sukiyaki broth was too salty for my taste, but the dipping sauces were flavorful and enjoyable. Service was friendly and attentive. Overall a decent shabu spot with room for improvement.

I love the HB tabu and I was craving but for lunch was closed so I decided to hit up Costa Mesa. The locations do not taste the same. The meat, the presentation... I was disappointed and will never go here when I have other options. This falls into the basic shabu restaurants now. I mean the options were the same for the most part and sauces it just didn't taste the same.

I'm not going to mention the plethora of Chinese decor in a Japanese restaurant, or the servers who do their job well. My gripe is with the food itself. There's nothing on the table (at least that I was offered) that could satisfy the missing salt flavor from my bowl. Sauces, oils, seasonings - all couldn't do the job of just some table salt. Maybe that's how it's supposed to be, so I don't know, if that's your thing, enjoy.

I frequent this restaurant often - probably almost once a week. My dog is a registered ESA. I was experiencing extreme anxiety today and decided to bring him with me. He’s a teacup Pomeranian and all of 5 lbs. Someone sitting next to us made a loud noise that scared him so he barked and they asked me to leave. It’s beyond disappointing that a restaurant that I’ve spent a lot of money at as well as brought lots of business to would treat me like this. I’m not sure how often I’ll be coming back after this. The staff have always been so nice and today it’s like I was a stranger to them on a day I was feeling very overwhelmed already and simply wanted some comfort food and my emotional support animal with me. Way to show patron loyalty. Not a single person in the house was complaining about his presence. They walked by and insisted he remain under my chair and refused to let him sit in my lap. Had he been sitting in my lap - he likely would have never even barked. Dog lovers beware - they’re not dog friendly and will turn on you. Extremely disappointing.

Victoria Rose

I frequent this restaurant often - probably almost once a week. My dog is a registered ESA. I was experiencing extreme anxiety today and decided to bring him with me. He’s a teacup Pomeranian and all of 5 lbs. Someone sitting next to us made a loud noise that scared him so he barked and they asked me to leave. It’s beyond disappointing that a restaurant that I’ve spent a lot of money at as well as brought lots of business to would treat me like this. I’m not sure how often I’ll be coming back after this. The staff have always been so nice and today it’s like I was a stranger to them on a day I was feeling very overwhelmed already and simply wanted some comfort food and my emotional support animal with me. Way to show patron loyalty. Not a single person in the house was complaining about his presence. They walked by and insisted he remain under my chair and refused to let him sit in my lap. Had he been sitting in my lap - he likely would have never even barked. Dog lovers beware - they’re not dog friendly and will turn on you. Extremely disappointing.

PJ Lakatos

I'm not going to mention the plethora of Chinese decor in a Japanese restaurant, or the servers who do their job well. My gripe is with the food itself. There's nothing on the table (at least that I was offered) that could satisfy the missing salt flavor from my bowl. Sauces, oils, seasonings - all couldn't do the job of just some table salt. Maybe that's how it's supposed to be, so I don't know, if that's your thing, enjoy.

I visited this place a month ago. Food was not bad. Service was rude though. Don't clink your beer glasses in front of the female staff cause she talks about it when she clearly knows that customers could hear her loud and clear. It's just clinking beer glasses, what's there to say 'Omg, they just clinked their beer'?? Don't talk about customers when they are in your restaurant. It's rude. The other female and a male staffs were great though.