Houston • Japanese hot pot
Shabu En Houston Review: AYCE Hot Pot Lunch & Shaved Ice
I tried Shabu En for an all-you-can-eat lunch after a viewer recommended it. The interior was really nice for a hot-pot restaurant, and I liked seeing shaved ice as a dessert option. I left full, although next time I’d choose a different broth.
My quick take
I left full and thought lunch was decent value at the price I paid. I’d go back for the thin-sliced meat and shaved ice, but next time I’d try tonkotsu broth. The tom yum broth and imitation-crab claw weren’t my favorites.
Based on my August 2024 video. The $21.99 lunch price below is historical; confirm today’s menu and price before visiting.
What I ordered at Shabu En
Tom yum broth
I chose tom yum, but on its own it was just okay for me. It had sourness, but it didn’t quite have the tom yum flavor I wanted. I added sauces and seasonings from the sauce bar, including garlic, soy sauce, fish sauce, chili oil, a little ponzu, sesame oil and green onions.
That let me adjust the pot to my taste. Next time, though, I’d start with my usual tonkotsu broth instead.
Meat, vegetables and noodles
I ordered four trays of meat from the lunch selection and added vegetables and mushrooms to the pot. I liked how thinly some of the meat was sliced—it cooked quickly. I also had udon noodles and dipped them briefly so they wouldn’t get overcooked.
The meat cuts were difficult for me to tell apart once cooked, so I wouldn’t pretend I could identify every one. The lamb had that recognizable lamb flavor.
Seafood
I picked some seafood from the buffet, including large shrimp. The imitation-crab claw had a powdery texture and wasn’t a favorite. For another round, I’d focus more on the sliced meat.
Shaved ice
I finished with shaved ice and condensed milk. That was a fun option to see at a buffet, and one of the things that stood out about this visit.
Shabu En lunch price and what was included
- AYCE lunch: $21.99 per person in my August 2024 video
The restaurant also had a lobster tank, but lobster was a separate à-la-carte add-on, not part of my lunch. Check current pricing and what is included before going.
What would I order again?
I’d return to the thin-sliced meat and try the tonkotsu broth next time. For the lunch price, I thought the meal was decent value, and I definitely ate plenty. The tom yum and imitation-crab claw wouldn’t be my first picks again.
Shabu En Houston location
Restaurant: Shabu En
Area: Houston / Bellaire Boulevard
Address: 9110 Bellaire Blvd, Ste B, Houston, TX 77036
Cuisine: Japanese shabu-shabu / hot pot
Best for: An AYCE lunch with your own broth and dipping sauces
Use the map to plan your visit and confirm its hours.
Watch my Shabu En hot pot visit
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