Dining Out: Spring Shabu-Shabu

Every Thursday I have dinner with one of my best friends from college. We started this tradition when we graduated in 2006 and I look forward to our catch up night every single week. While we have about a dozen restaurants in our regular rotation, this year we've ventured out to several new places together. Last week we headed to Spring Shabu-Shabu, a hot pot restaurant on Western Ave. in Brighton. 

If you've never been to a hot pot place before, it's a very fun concept. You select a type of broth, which they bring right to your table. It cooks directly in front of you and you can send all kinds of things swimming in there - meat, seafood, veggies, noodles, dumplings and more. According to their website, "The term shabu-shabu is an onomatopoeia, which is derived from the 'swish-swish' sound made when the meat is quickly brushed back and forth through the broth to cook." I love that. 

We arrived at 7:15pm and before I even got out of the car I could see there was a line out the door. We put our names in and they gave us a buzzer. Thankfully we only had to wait 15 minutes. 

Spring Shabu Shabu

As we walked out of the lobby area and into the dining room I was blown away by how big the space is. There was steam billowing up from every table, making the room feel like a sauna. Due to all the moisture, the floor was crazy slippery! 

Spring Shabu Shabu

We were seated at a table meant for four, giving us ample room to pile plates and bowls high with goodies.

Spring Shabu Shabu

We opened the menus to check out all the broth and protein choices. 

Spring Shabu ShabuSpring Shabu Shabu

I went with the vegetarian broth and my dinner date selected the pork bone broth. She also put in a request for an order of non-fatty beef (yes, you can also choose fatty beef). 

With our broth orders in, we headed up to the buffet to pick out the things we'd cook. Nothing could prepare me for the multitude of choices! It reminded me of the first time I ever went to Fire + Ice in Harvard Square. The combination possibilities felt delightfully endless! 

Spring Shabu ShabuSpring Shabu Shabu

I was psyched when I got to the noodle section. There were so many options - all made fresh. 

Spring Shabu ShabuSpring Shabu Shabu

I wasn't able to take a photo of the sauce bar because my hands were so full I was worried I would drop something, but trust me, whatever your preference - soy sauce, peanut sauce, mustard - they have every persuasion. I would say there were easily 25 - 30 choices. 

We walked back to our table, delicately balancing the plates and bowls we had loaded up with stuff. Our broth had arrived and was already starting to bubble. My bestie's beef also magically appeared while we were at the buffet. 

Spring Shabu Shabu

She hand picked a mix of tofu, veggies, noodles and dumplings to plunge into the pork broth. I somehow missed the dumplings during my lap - a major oversight! 

Spring Shabu Shabu

I created a vegetarian delight - tofu, soba noodles, carrots, broccoli, snap peas, onions and green beans. 

Spring Shabu Shabu

As things started to cook, I fished them out and dunked them into soy sauce with scallions. The sauce was the best part of every bite. I wish I could have bottled it and taken it home. Unfortunately, the vegetarian broth really had no flavor at all, which was a bummer.

Spring Shabu Shabu

My dinner date said her pork broth was also pretty flavorless. She added, "I was worried to order the spicy broth, but next time I absolutely will." 

When I asked how she was enjoying her selections, she replied, "The beef is the best part. The meat is really high quality and tastes delicious. My noodles are a bit gummy, which is disappointing." I also found that my soba noodles were gummy, no matter how long (or how little) I cooked them. 

We sat for almost 90 minutes, talking as we swished our goodies around in our hot pots. It's easy to see why this type of dining experience is so popular. It really is fun to make your own creations. And the best part? The buffet is unlimited. You can go up as many times as you like. 

To my surprise, Spring Shabu-Shabu offers dessert. They have a soft serve machine with two flavors - green tea and vanilla. There is a mountain of cones next to the machine, so you can swirl yourself a frozen treat as high as you can handle.

Though we were intrigued by the green tea soft serve, the restaurant is directly across the parking lot from a McDonald's and we decided to walk over and end the evening with McFlurries. What can I say? The M&M McFlurry is my kryptonite. 

As we hugged goodbye and walked towards our cars, I noticed that my coat smelled rather strongly of hot pot. When I got home and changed into my pajamas, my sweater, skirt and leggings were also saturated with the hot pot smell. The next morning, when I left for work, I discovered my coat still clinging to the hot pot smell. Warning: whatever you wear to this restaurant will carry the scent for the next two or three days. 

To see even more photos of Spring Shabu-Shabu check out this great review from Tiffany of Boston Foodies.

Have you ever been to a hot pot restaurant? Are there others in Boston I should try? 

Comments

shahmeer khan's picture

What fun activity relating to female firefighters can I make my class do? landscaper pascagoula

shahmeer khan's picture

This is certainly a splendid post. Thanks a ton for taking the time to describe all of this out for us. It’s a great guide! conference room booking system free

shahmeer khan's picture

Great weblog right here! after reading, i decide to buy a sleeping bag ASAP Immobilienvermittlung Hamburg

shahmeer khan's picture

Have people been satisfied with the system's picks? You'll want to know how much money you can make on an average. fun88fun120

shahmeer khan's picture

I can see that you are an expert at your field! I am launching a website soon, and your information will be very useful for me.. Thanks for all your help and wishing you all the success in your business. ddos mitigation

shahmeer khan's picture

I want looking at and I conceive this website got some really useful stuff on it! . CHECK ME OUT BY CLICKING MY NAME!!! immobilienagentur frankfurt

shahmeer khan's picture

LeBron James looks like Will Smith. Wtf. Woah. Mind fuck now.|UghItsAndrew| Penrose showflat

Robin Jack's picture

The fact that you got a second date should make you feel more confident on your second night, or day, out. 香港單身交友

jack man10's picture

There are a handful of intriguing points with time here but I do not know if I see these people center to heart. There is certainly some validity but I’ll take hold opinion until I take a look at it further. Good post , thanks and we want a lot more! Added to FeedBurner also create meeting room in outlook

Muhammad Saeed's picture

Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting? I'm pleased I discovered it though, ill be checking back soon to find out what additional posts you include. Buy Percocet Online

jack man10's picture

I simply couldn’t go away your blog before suggesting we really enjoyed the standard information someone give your visitors? Shall be back often to evaluate high on new posts meeting room booking system tablet

Muhammad Saeed's picture

New web site is looking good. Thanks for the great effort. full spectrum cbd oil benefits

Muhammad Saeed's picture

New web site is looking good. Thanks for the great effort. budapest short term rentals

Muhammad Saeed's picture

Thanks for a very interesting blog. What else may I get that kind of info written in such a perfect approach? I’ve a undertaking that I am simply now operating on, and I have been at the look out for such info. cbd gummies

Muhammad Saeed's picture

This blog is so nice to me. I will keep on coming here again and again. Visit my link as well.. Oxygen Therapy in Chennai

Muhammad Saeed's picture

This article is an appealing wealth of informative data that is interesting and well-written. I commend your hard work on this and thank you for this information. You’ve got what it takes to get attention. click

Muhammad Saeed's picture

Thank you for sharing a bunch of this quality contents, I have bookmarked your blog. Please also explore advice from my site. I will be back for more quality contents. https://www.environmental-expert.com/articles/cpi-installs-rto-at-tire-manufacturer-732660

Muhammad Saeed's picture

Thank you so much for such a well-written article. It’s full of insightful information. Your point of view is the best among many without fail.For certain, It is one of the best blogs in my opinion. training room rental Singapore

smith seo's picture

Checking out the their site really does receptive the most up-to-date hold in Federal drug administration round the nutritional also with nutritious supplements. It is proper knowing the five most suitable usual supplements which can help appearing your presence. Health cmd368

Muhammad Saeed's picture

Your content is nothing short of bright in many forms. I think this is friendly and eye-opening material. I have gotten so many ideas from your blog. Thank you so much. training room rental Singapore

Muhammad Saeed's picture

Thanks for taking the time to discuss that, I feel strongly about this and so really like getting to know more on this kind of field. Do you mind updating your blog post with additional insight? It should be really useful for all of us. atchristianlouboutin.com

Muhammad Saeed's picture

I wish more authors of this type of content would take the time you did to research and write so well. I am very impressed with your vision and insight. bk8

Muhammad Saeed's picture

Thank you for very usefull information.. รีวิวเว็บแทงบอลUFA

Muhammad Saeed's picture

Unit mix ranges from 1-4 Bedrooms and 4-Bedroom Villa and has a total of 638 residential units. Branded top notch appliances and fittings such as, Ernesttomeda, VZUG, Liebherr, Antonio Lupi, Axor & Hansgrohe, are being thoughtfully selected to ensure Leedon Green's exclusivity and premium. leedon green condo

Muhammad Saeed's picture

I have a hard time describing my thoughts on content, but I really felt I should here. Your article is really great. I like the way you wrote this information. คาสิโนออนไลน์ ฟรี 100

Muhammad Saeed's picture

If more people that write articles really concerned themselves with writing great content like you, more readers would be interested in their writings. Thank you for caring about your content. บาคาร่า1688

Muhammad Saeed's picture

Thank you for some other informative blog. Where else could I get that type of information written in such an ideal means? I have a mission that I’m just now working on, and I have been at the look out for such information. สล็อตฟรีเครดิต 100

Muhammad Saeed's picture

I went over this website and I believe you have a lot of wonderful information, saved to my bookmarks บาคาร่าออนไลน์ เว็บไหนดี

Muhammad Saeed's picture

What a thrilling post, you have pointed out some excellent points, I as well believe this is a superb website. I have planned to visit it again and again. คาสิโนออนไลน์ได้เงินจริง มือถือ

Muhammad Saeed's picture

Awesome article! I want people to know just how good this information is in your article. It’s interesting, compelling content. Your views are much like my own concerning this subject. w88

Muhammad Saeed's picture

You have a real talent for writing unique content. I like how you think and the way you express your views in this article. I am impressed by your writing style a lot. Thanks for making my experience more beautiful. w88

Muhammad Saeed's picture

Wonderful article. Fascinating to read. I love to read such an excellent article. Thanks! It has made my task more and extra easy. Keep rocking. เว็บบาคาร่า

Muhammad Saeed's picture

Great post, you have pointed out some fantastic points , I likewise think this s a very wonderful website. social media reseller panel

Muhammad Saeed's picture

Thank you for such a well written article. It’s full of insightful information and entertaining descriptions. Your point of view is the best among many. 먹튀검증업체

Muhammad Saeed's picture

v

Muhammad Saeed's picture

You make so many great points here that I read your article a couple of times. Your views are in accordance with my own for the most part. This is great content for your readers. แทงบอลออนไลน์UFABET

Muhammad Saeed's picture

This is very interesting content! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your points and have come to the conclusion that you are right about many of them. You are great. แทงบอลบนมือถือ

Muhammad Saeed's picture

ดูหนังออนไลน์ 2021 ดูหนังฟรี ดูหนังใหม่ชนโรง พากย์ไทย เต็มเรื่อง ดูหนังฟรีออนไลน์ ภาพเสียงคมชัด HD-4K โหลดเร็ว ไม่กระตุก fwiptv.tv เว็บหนังออนไลน์ ที่ดีที่สุด เว็บหนังออนไลน์

Muhammad Saeed's picture

I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post. training room rental

Muhammad Saeed's picture

I think this is an informative post and it is very beneficial and knowledgeable. Therefore, I would like to thank you for the endeavors that you have made in writing this article. All the content is absolutely well-researched. Thanks... Hugo boss

Muhammad Saeed's picture

You have a real ability for writing unique content. I like how you think and the way you represent your views in this article. I agree with your way of thinking. Thank you for sharing. uwatchfree

Muhammad Saeed's picture

I'm glad to see the great detail here!. 威而鋼購買

Muhammad Saeed's picture

Hi, I find reading this article a joy. It is extremely helpful and interesting and very much looking forward to reading more of your work.. Bubba Kush Weed

Muhammad Saeed's picture

I found your this post while searching for some related information on blog search...Its a good post..keep posting and update the information. 먹튀검증업체

Muhammad Saeed's picture

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly that love and read more on this topic. If possible, such as gain knowledge, would you mind updating your blog with additional information? It is very useful for me. Purewhite

Muhammad Saeed's picture

This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next post. ufaslot

Muhammad Saeed's picture

รีวิวเกมสล็อต เว็บรีวิวเว็บเล่นเกมสล็อตออนไลน์ที่ดีที่สุดในปี 2021 Bigwinreview.com แหล่งรวบรวมเกมสล็อตออนไลน์ ติดตามตามได้ที่นี่เลย. https://bigwinreview.com/

Muhammad Saeed's picture

รีวิวเว็บแทงบอลออนไลน์ รีวิวเว็บไซต์พนันบอล เล่นบอลออนไลน์ เล่นบอลออนไลน์บนมือถือ เว็บพนันออนไลน์ UFABET ที่กำลังมาแรงปี 2020 สมัครเลย! https://sites.google.com/view/godbet/%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B2%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%81

Muhammad Saeed's picture

I'm glad to see the great detail here!. https://www.bloglovin.com/@theblackkid/8741641

Muhammad Saeed's picture

I really like your take on the issue. I now have a clear idea on what this matter is all about.. https://list.ly/list/5rEK-riiwiwewbphnan-nailn

 

Molly Galler

Welcome to Pop.Bop.Shop. My name is Molly. I’m a foodie, fashionista, pop culture addict and serious travel junkie. I’m a lifelong Bostonian obsessed with frozen confections, outdoor patios, Mindy Kaling, reality television, awards shows, tropical vacations, snail mail and my birthday.

More from Molly

Pop.Bop.Shop. In the News

Address:
Spring Shabu-Shabu
304 Western Avenue
02135 Brighton , MA
United States
Massachusetts US