Kaze

Housed in the dubiously purple painted two story building at the northeast corner of Chinatown, this is a must-try, especially during the cold winter months. Shabu shabu is the Japanese version of fondue; instead of cheese or chocolate, a meat broth (or a variety of other soup bases for an extra $3) is heated to boiling on the electric burner set in the middle of the table. You can order your choice of thinly sliced meats, seafood, and fish cakes, all of which comes with vegetables and your choice of noodles (I’d recommend the udon or bean thread vermicelli). Condiments include “sa cha” (or Chinese bbq sauce), light soy sauce, hot peppers, chopped scallions, and chopped garlic. I’d recommend the pork and fish cakes plus an egg and extra sa cha (but then, that’s because I’m used to the Taiwanese version of shabu shabu, or hot pot).

One tip: try to go with an equal number in your party or else someone will get stuck sitting by themselves with their own pot (each pot is divided in half) or worse, having to share a half with someone else.