A Hearty Meal of Shabu Shabu

Shabu shabu is a warriors’ meal, dating back to its creation in the 13th century. Concocted by Mongolian emperor Genghis Khan, shabu shabu (as it is called today) was a quick, efficient and nutritious way to feed Khan’s army regime while in combat.

Now, thankfully, we may all enjoy a shabu shabu meal — without the pressures of an intruding army marching upon us — particularly at Hanaki in Manoa Marketplace. Hanaki offers a variety of broths from which your shabu shabu dish shall begin.

“We have mild soups like our kunbo, we also have our miso soup and our Hanaki soup, which is a clear base,” says Hanaki general manager Mark Mitsuyoshi. “The Hanaki base works great for seafood, but I like to cook pork loin and vegetables in it, and it comes out real good.”

Shabu shabu turns heartier as you delicately cook your own meats and seafood in your chosen broth. There are plenty of selections to choose from, including thinly sliced prime rib or pork loin, ground beef to be dipped, shrimp, sliced squid, baby octopus, clams, salmon and misoyaki teriyaki butterfish. For a vegetable accoutrement, Mitsuyoshi suggests the shiitake mushrooms or the steamed cabbage rolls.

You may also try one of Hankai’s flavorful dipping sauces after you have cooked your meats or vegetables in the seasoned broth.

“We have about a dozen different dipping sauces you can create. We also have a house sauce we made up. You can also create your own with our chili pepper, garlic or ginger flavors or just have plain shoyu,” Mitsuyoshi adds.

As an a la carte menu item the shabu shabu at Hanaki varies in price by the selections you choose, but most of the meats and seafoods cost between $4 and $5. Vegetables and noodles are priced between $2.50 and $3.

Hanaki Restaurant