MANILA, Philippines – On a rainy day (or even on a sunny one), nothing beats the warmth and comfort of a bubbling pot of shabu-shabu.
Japan’s famous hotpot chain Shaburi opened its third Philippine branch at Mitsukoshi Mall in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) on September 6, offering fresh ingredients, authentic broths, Japanese dishes, and an interactive dining experience.
The all-you-can-eat Japanese hotpot franchise offers unlimited premium meats and seafood, including wagyu beef and soup stocks like sukiyaki and soy milk miso.
The name “Shaburi” combines “Shabu Shabu” with the Japanese character 里 (“ri”), read as “Sato,” symbolizing a village or hometown, reflecting the comforting and communal nature of the cuisine.
“We carefully curate and choose the flavorful broth. That’s just the number one. We’re also very careful in the selection of the quality beef, meat, and the other ingredients like the seafood that we use for each buffet meal,” the director of Universal Alliance Dining Concepts Incorporated, Severino Sumulong, told Rappler.
Located on the second floor of the Japanese-inspired Mitsukoshi Mall in Taguig City, Shaburi offers the complete shabu-shabu dining experience, with long trails of tables of various shabu-shabu sides, vegetables, ingredients, dim sum, and appetizers.
The franchise first set foot in the country at the Japan Town area of Top of The Glo in Glorietta 2, Makati City in 2019. That branch blends two classic Japanese dining experiences — shabu-shabu (hotpot) and yakiniku (grill) — in a buffet format. Shortly after, Shaburi opened a second branch in Cebu City.
Dining Innovations Ltd., led by Tomoyoshi Nishiyama, partnered with the president of Mugen Group, Hubert Young, who has also brought in Japanese brands like UCC Coffee and Coco Ichibanya.
Shaburi also has locations across Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Hot pot happiness
Upon entering, the buffet bar is at the center, which everyone can easily access.
It offers a wide range of toppings to personalize your shabu, including kimchi, Chinese cabbage, Japanese leeks, bean sprouts, shimeji mushrooms, spinach, bok choy, corn on the cob, carrots, and more. You can also add extras, like fish balls, fish cakes, crab sticks, and half-boiled eggs.
If you want cooked food, the menu features simple sushi rolls, chicken karaage, honey butter chicken wings, gyudon, and other Japanese options.
The free-flowing drinks bar is also part of the unli-rate — with sodas, iced tea, hot tea, and coffee — as well as a dessert corner with an ice cream machine, small cakes, and assorted pastries.
The restaurant has an inviting, cozy interior that blends modern sophistication with Japanese rustic charm.
Other Filipino shabu-shabu spots serve up giant communal pots of broth that everyone shares. Shaburi offers a personal touch because each guest gets a pot of soup that can be customized. No more sharing soup or awkward double-dips!
Each guest gets 90 minutes of non-stop dining.
Start by choosing your 90-minute buffet course and preferred soup option; whether it’s a single pot or a twin pot with flavors like Original Konbu, Sukiyaki, Beef Pepper, Chicken Collagen Paitan, or Hot Miso.
Shaburi’s top-selling choice is the original Konbu broth. If you’re craving a healthy yet comforting broth with a rich, natural umami flavor, this is a good choice. It’s low in calories and packed with minerals.
Depending on the course you choose, the variety of meats available will differ.
For weekday lunch rates, the Regular Shabu offers ten items, including Tasty Beef and Pork Dumpling, priced at P799 for adults and P425 for children.
If you’re craving more variety, the Special Shabu, which is the best-selling course, includes 18 items like Iberico Pork Collar and Angus Beef, at P999 for adults and P425 for children.
For the ultimate indulgence, the Premium Shabu features 25 items, such as Special Wagyu Beef, salmon, and a Seafood Platter, priced at P2,199 for adults and P840 for children.
During weekends and holidays, prices are higher. The Regular Shabu is P899 for adults and P450 for kids, while the Special Shabu is P1,099 for adults and P450 for kids. The Premium Wagyu Shabu is P2,499 for adults and P865 for children.
If you want a speedy lunch, you can also opt for a 60-minute lunch buffet. Grab one plate with a single meat from the Regular Shabu menu for P449, or go for two plates with two meats for P599. Just keep in mind there’s a P200 fee per 100 grams for food wasstage, a P200 charge for each extra 30 minutes, and no takeaways are allowed.
All courses come with unlimited vegetables, dishes, and desserts. There is also a station where you can make your own dipping sauces.
Shaburi is open from 11 am to 10 pm on weekdays and from 10 am to 10 pm on weekends. Shaburi is set to open its fourth branch at Ayala Malls, Manila Bay soon. – Rappler.com
Zulaikha Palma is a Rappler intern studying AB Journalism at the University of Santo Tomas.
