Stirring the pot with lunch-buffet special

Hot and Spicy and Hawaii Original Pot Broths surrounded by Pork Belly, Fishballs, Bok Choy, Shrimp Shumai, Premium Beef and Kabocha. BODIE COLLINS PHOTOS

For hot-pot fanatics looking to make the most of their meal, Hawaii Pot Shabu Shabu House’s lunch buffet provides the perfect solution. According to general manager Logan Iwatate, the lunch buffet is offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ($16.99 adults, $11.99 kids).

“For our lunch buffet, everything that comes out on the conveyor belt is free,” he explains. “For the meats, you get $2 off the small plates (4 ounces) and $5 off the larger size (12 ounces).”

Iwatate says the lunch buffet is immensely popular with customers. “It’s a cheaper deal and many customers don’t even get any meat — they just pay the $16.99 price and pick items off the conveyor belt,” he confirms.

Eight different broths are available at the eatery, and the most popular include Kimchee, Thai Tom Yum, Hawaii Original Pot and Seafood. All broths are available in the Individual Pot size ($4-$5) and the Together Pot size, which is a larger bowl ($8-$11). For customers who want the best of both worlds, though, a Two Choice Together Pot ($11) is the ideal choice.

“For the split-pot option, you can choose two different soups and it has a divider in the middle of the one pot,” Iwatate explains. “While most customers get the personal (pot) option, groups — parties of four or more — get the split pot because it’s easier to share the broths.

“For those unfamiliar with the hot-pot concept, vegetables and meats are added to the soup to enhance its flavor,” he adds. “The most popular sides include fish balls, quail eggs, bok choy, spinach, mushrooms and bean sprouts.”

Customers who have coupons for Hawaii Pot Shabu Shabu House readily can use them, but Iwatate kindly reminds customers of the limit: “It’s one coupon per visit and one coupon per person.,” he confirms.

Hawaii Pot Shabu Shabu House

808 Sheridan St., No. 101, Honolulu
589-1999
Daily, 11-2 a.m.