Shabu Shabu Spot
Located in Glendale, Joon Shabu Shabu is the perfect place to enjoy warm Japanese-style shabu shabu on chilly, windy days like these. You can savor the fun of lightly cooking fresh ingredients in a rich broth, while also enjoying a hearty meal that fills you up.
Joon Shabu Shabu operates in a bar and table format, and interestingly, the interior of the restaurant is designed as one large rectangular table. This means that instead of sitting across from your companions, you have to sit side by side. If you have several people in your party, it might be a bit uncomfortable for conversation, so keep that in mind. We ordered the Angus Beef Large and Joon Beef “IPPAI.” When ordering, you can choose either ramen or udon noodles, and you can also select from two types of sauces. First-time visitors can taste each sauce as a sampler before making a choice, so just ask the staff.
After placing our order, they first brought us the sauces, rice, and vegetables, and then lit the stove for the pot. We chose Goma and Ninniku sauces; Goma had a rich sesame flavor that paired well with the meat, while Ninniku, being garlic-based, had a pronounced umami taste that was satisfying. Additionally, the table was equipped with broth sauce, garlic, and green onions, allowing us to adjust the broth to our liking. As shown in the photos, we added the vegetables first and let them boil before they brought out the meat. The broth started off clean and light, but as the vegetables and meat cooked, it developed a deeper umami flavor. Both the Angus Beef and Prime Chuck Roll were delicious, but personally, I found the Angus Beef to be more tender and juicy, which was very satisfying. Dipping the cooked meat in the sauce created a delightful harmony of savory flavors that kept me wanting more with each bite.
I used to love this place so much that I visited often, and after tasting it again after a long time, I couldn’t help but think, ‘How could I have forgotten this flavor?’ It was still excellent. After finishing the meat, I added the udon noodles, and the deep flavor of the broth soaked into the noodles, making for an even richer and more satisfying finish. I felt like I could burst, but I couldn’t resist that last bite.
Joon Shabu Shabu
When the chilly weather makes you crave warm broth and tender meat, Joon Shabu Shabu is a place you can always trust to visit. Enjoy a hearty and warm meal with deep-flavored broth and fresh ingredients.
