I have been eating here since it first opened, and over the years, I've watched so many businesses move in and out of this plaza, including that club that used to be right next door. One thing that has never changed is that I'm never disappointed when I leave. I come here for the sauce, the meat, the good vibes, and the service. It's the whole experience that keeps bringing me back. I also want to say that I believe we still have a picture in there with my dad, who is no longer with us. It always makes me happy to see that picture whenever we come in, and it adds something special to a place that already means a lot to me. I'm pretty sure I've left reviews on almost every platform by now, but I only leave another review for each new visit because I genuinely feel like the experience is worth talking about every single time. Wayne, if you're still reading these reviews, I just want to say that your team absolutely killed it tonight! It was incredibly busy with the dinner rush, and you know how it is sometimes. People get comfortable, enjoy themselves, and end up lingering a little longer after their meals, lol. Even with all of that going on, your team was incredibly attentive to everyone and managed to keep people happy while getting tables ready for the next guests as quickly as possible. Seeing Sonny at the helm, greeting people, serving, seating guests, and cutting those delicious slices of meat brought back memories of when it seemed like it was just you two and maybe two others handling the dinner rush back to back. It's honestly amazing to see how much things have grown while that same level of service is still there. A few team members really stood out to me tonight because of how quick and attentive they were. Angie, Noel, and Jasmine were really moving so fast. I'm talking about the kind of service where they seemed to read my mind before I even had a chance to ask for anything, and they did the exact same for my wife. I swear, I never had an empty plate or bowl in front of me for more than a moment. As soon as I finished something, someone was ready to take it back to the kitchen, and as soon as I finished my sauce or drink, someone was already asking if I wanted more. That kind of attentiveness makes such a difference, especially when a restaurant is packed. I really hope you still read these reviews, Wayne, because you deserve to hear this. You're not just an awesome owner; the way your team carries themselves says a lot too. You can tell when people genuinely care about what they do, and tonight was a perfect example of that. Thank you to you and your entire team for another great experience. We'll definitely keep coming back! read more

If you're craving a cozy, delicious hot pot experience, Cal Shabu in Costa Mesa is definitely worth checking out! The fresh ingredients, flavorful broth, and variety of meats and veggies make it such a fun meal to enjoy with friends, family, or even for a date night. I loved being able to cook everything right at the table and customize each bite exactly how I wanted. The atmosphere is casual and inviting, and it's the perfect spot when you're looking for something warm, comforting, and satisfying. I come here so often that the employees know my order. read more

Cal Shabu - Choice Beef Rib Eye - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Another amazing experience at Cal Shabu! Sonny and crew are always super friendly and gracious. The Kobe beef today was absolute butter. Just melted in our mouths. The prime beef was also delicious but nothing compares to that Kobe. Got my spicy drops for the ponzu and had an Orion draft to accompany the meal. Great spot to eat and watch the World Cup. read more

See all

It was our first time here. The staff is very friendly and kind. Unfortunately, we did not care for the food. The broth was very salty and also had a lot of sugar. Some of the vegetables were rotten. I appreciate their kind staff, but we won't be back. read more

I love a shabu shabu spot that has actual fresh garlic, not the canned stuff and that's exactly what you find at Cal Shabu Shabu. That's just one minor positive among having super fresh ingredients and reasonable prices. The meats are always fresh and tender and the veggies are bright and crisp. I especially love their tangy ponzu sauce. read more

After 13 years of eating here my review still stands as a blazing 5 stars. Consistent QUALITY everywhere from service to the food. Cal Shabu is my favorite Shabu shabu this side of the Pacific. Only Shabusen in Ginza Tokyo ranks higher. Great atmosphere and the people running the place treat you like an old friend. No wonder so many locals and non-locals alike frequent this restaurant. read more

See all

Cal Shabu has some of the best service I've experienced. The waiters are incredibly attentive and genuinely mindful. Sonny, in particular, was so thoughtful . He brought me lemon tea and even asked if I wanted Raw honey after noticing I had a sore throat. The Kobe beef was AMAZING. Absolutely mouth-watering. I'm definitely coming back. Broth is light and flavorful not too overpowering, atmosphere is calm chill with loft style music. Perfect for lunch dates BTW. Thanks Jonny for packing my leftovers porridge! Great customer service! read more

See all

Business partner came in from the east coast. I wanted him to try something that he can't in his part of the country. I wanted him to have a life changing culinary experience. So we came here for a lunch. And let's just say that SUNNY IS MONEY. He made sure that my bro had an unforgetable time. The meat is sliced right in front of you! No MSG. SUNNY made two incredible sauces. And everything tasted like candy. I live for a vibe and this place has one! read more

Cal Shabu - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

My family and I have come to Cal Shabu twice, and both times the experience was amazing. The staff is always very friendly and helpful. They will show you how to cook the meat properly and will mix your sauces and broth for you. The first time we came the owner was there and he was super friendly as well! He was one of the main reasons we came back a second time. When you come, I highly recommend getting a broth to put in your hot pot. For an extra $3.50 you get what is essentially a second meal. Personally, I liked the tonkatsu broth but my sister liked the spicy miso better. I would also recommend the ribeye or the beef belly. The beef belly is delicious and a little cheaper, but the ribeye will melt in your mouth! It was my sister's birthday and they gave her an ice cream as a dessert. When we went, we spent about $40 a person, but I think that this is definitely on the higher side. We all left completely stuffed and with another entire meal for the next day. We averaged 11.5 oz of meat per person. To give you an idea A proper serving size would probably be around 8 ounces of meat (or less) and the veggie plate with broth. read more

Cal Shabu - Spicy miso broth with vegi plate - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

I've ordered take out here many times (Hence no photos) and they package it perfectly so you have all of your separate items when you get home. The protein, noodles, veggies, etc. are so carefully packed, that I appreciate the effort. Parking is rough, so I try to go during off hours. read more

Great customer service, every single staff member was friendly and knowledgeable. Everyone around us was happy and having a great time. People taking shots of tequila and even staff members were taking shots, everyone was having a fun night. We were having a hard time with the menu and ordering the right thing but our server was patient enough to walked us through every step of the way. They offered us drinks multiple times, we only had tea and water. We felt like we had our own personal cook, she did everything for us. Next time we will not need as much help . We liked that the whole place felt inclusive and welcoming. Everyone kept checking up on us. Be ready to be on the waitlist for a while, we waited for about an hour. Highly recommended restaurant. read more

See all

One of my favorite shabu chains in OC. I might slightly prefer the FV location but this one is also great. The meat is sliced well, not too thinly, and there's a good amount of meat and soup options here. And of course, the marinated soup bowl for your udon after is like a second meal! read more

Sooooo good! I had the sukiyaki broth with a regular size of beef belly. Staff was super kind and very attentive!

Update: the manager surprised me with some kabocha slices today after seeing my review I posted a while ago. I appreciate businesses that listen and pay attention to their customers. Now I know that I can request for these on future visits. I already gave them a 5-star review earlier. This review just further justifies why they deserve that rating. read more

See all

Beef is good quality, but I've had better. Decent udon and veggies. Quick service. Cool murals on the wall. The only major downside is they won't honor the lunch special even though it's on the website for both Costa Mesa and Fountain Valley locations. Supervisor guy merely said "we don't follow what they do at corporate." read more

I gotta start by saying that the customer service here is top notch. All the workers are very attentive and come over if you need help. This was my first time trying Shabu and I didn't know how it works but our server came over and explained everything and offered some recommendations. This great place and everyone knows each other and the quality of the food is 10/10 read more

Cal Shabu - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

This is our go to place when we want a nice cozy shabu dinner. Just went on a Friday night around 7 and there was no wait. Vibe is great. Workers are friendly. The sesame sauce is on point. They offer hot drops if you would like to add some heat to your sauce (warning: can get super hot). They also will give you a bowl at the end with soup base so you can make your own udon soup. Delicious!!! read more

We love California Shabu! We have been coming here since it's opening back in the day. Dinner time is always a lengthy wait. We usually go for dinner, but this time around, we decided to go for lunch. Lunch was quick and efficient. Sonny was there to help us and he is SO AWESOME! We ordered the large prime ribeye and the pork belly. The meat is sliced in front of you. We received our veggie noodle plate, our sauces and we ordered hot sake and Orion beer. I like my sauce spicy, so I requested for 3 hot drops in my ponzu. Restaurant is really cute. They have anime inspired murals all over and a cute little waiting area with a TV and a little arcade game. Very clean. Restrooms are clean too. Highly recommend. Get there early if you are planning on dinner. Lunch is usually no wait. Last seating for lunch is 1:30PM. read more

See all

The food and vibes were amazing, but what really made the experience was the service!!! Felt so at home here. All the workers are so kind and attentive, making you feel extra taken care of. Special thank you to Sunny for the hospitality! You can tell how much they really care about their business and the environment they create for their customers. 1000/10 recommend. The lychee and mango sorbet were to die for read more

See all

5 stars. No words. Amazing. We got the Sunny special, he made our sauces taste so flavorful and turned our shabu into an udon soup at the end. All the staff are so friendly and the yuzu sparkling sake was so yummy. Come here if you're looking for real shabu. read more

Cal Shabu - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Absolutely loved our experience here! The staff was so kind and welcoming, and they even let us stay and enjoy our food after closing without ever making us feel rushed. The environment was amazing, the food was delicious, and the customer service was truly exceptional. You can tell they genuinely care about their guests. We'll definitely be coming back! read more

IMO, all entrees at any of these shabu places are all the same. But the service here is excellent and the one thing they have here that none of the other shabu places has is the jelly fish appetizer, everyone should try it, it not as weird as it sounds, it's really good. read more

Cal Shabu - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Bomb as f**k. So yummy yummy delicious. My tummy feels like a warm hug. The peanut sauce is a must. I may actually burst before I get up outta dis chair. Thanks for the super soup. read more

Cal Shabu - Togo soup - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Cal Shabu, what a great restaurant. Went here the other week with two buddies to watch a game drink some beers and have some delicious food as always.(spicy miso) Staff always great but the last time I visited 20/10. They raised the bar. Will be back again soon great ambiance and everything was clean! read more

One of my favorite places!! Service and quality 10/10. They're extremely attentive and create such a fun experience especially if it's your first time ! read more

Cal Shabu - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

As a local girl who grew up in Costa Mesa (Pinecreek Village, baby!), it pains me to write this review. Like many have already noted, Cal Shabu is easily one of the best shabu places in Costa Mesa, if not most of Orange County. I was excited to dine out tonight--my first shabu of the New Year--but had a far less-than-stellar experience. While my partner and I arrived mid-dinner rush, we waited patiently only to be finally seated at the last two bar seats closest to the hallway leading to the kitchen and bathrooms. Perhaps my nose is a bit more sensitive, but the smell was somewhat overwhelming coming from the bathrooms. I asked if we could be seated at another bar seat (on the first "island" of seats), and was instead sat at a lower, "regular" seat at the second "island" of seats. I would have been happy to wait longer, but there was virtually no opportunity to alert a staff member to my preference or willingness to wait for a seat further away from the bathrooms/kitchen. However, my biggest issue with my experience tonight was our server seemingly gaslighting me when I asked her why my allegedly large combo plate seemed to have less meat on it than my partner's whose order was identical to mine (a large pork belly and beef belly combo). She said my plate was large and that the meat can simply look "deflated" after it's sliced. Eager to not be a bother or an annoying customer, I said "okay," and then proceeded to count the slices of beef belly on my plate, and then count the beef belly on my partner's plate. I had 5 slices of beef belly, whereas my partner had about 10. I was waiting to get the attention of one of the owner's but he seemed to be chatting up some regulars who ordered a massive bottle of sake (I understand wanting to give your high-spending regulars the attention they deserve, so it's all good), so, crestfallen, I finished my meal embarrassed and decided it was best to just call it, pay for a "large" portion I didn't receive, and then lick my proverbial wounds on the way home. It is always a balancing act figuring out how to stand up for yourself as a customer while acknowledging that running a restaurant in this economy is incredibly difficult; I don't wish ill will toward the owners, and I certainly would *never* want Cal Shabu to go out of business. I just hope the owners see my review and are willing to make some kind of good faith gesture for a long-time customer and local who loves Cal Shabu, Costa Mesa, and the resilience of all hard-working immigrants for whom these dining experiences are part of what makes life enjoyable and shareable with the people we dine with and love. I am attaching photos of our plates of food to hopefully get some clarification on the disparate portions (and, in case it needs to be stated, I tipped more than 20% tonight despite feeling somewhat bamboozled by the meat portions, because I don't believe servers should be punished vis-a-vis poor tipping). read more

Cal Shabu - My "large" portion of beef belly and pork belly... - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

See all

Amazing experience from food to service - a cannot miss meal! Owners/ crew/ staff and other guests - everyone special & mood upbeat. Great time guaranteed! read more

My top 2 favorite shabu in all of OC. The broth doesn't taste like water, but the actual Flavor that you order! As it should be. Wayyyy better than some chains we've all been to.... I got the spicy miso, and it was actually spicy in a great way! Lots of flavor to coat the udon/vermicelli/veggies that come with the entree orders. I got the shrimp, and it was great quality. The sauces are fresh and zingy. Garlic, green onion, vinegary ponzu, etc. very good. They also have the popular peanut sauce everyone enjoys with the meats. Mariah was a great server, and the entire staff was very awesome! I'll be back for the meats. Parking is alright if it's not busy. Family friendly restaurant. People also go here for birthdays, I guess. Average sized restaurant (not big not small) read more

See all

This place has the best quality meat when it comes to shabu and the best service possible. The prime beef is always marbled and super tender, everything here is always consistent from the sauce to the service. Love coming here with friends and family, especially because the staff makes such an effort for everyone to have a good time. The restaurant is also very clean and family friendly. They do a great job at teaching first timers and go above and beyond in everything they do! read more

Cal Shabu is easily one of my favorite shabu spots in Orange County I have been coming here for years and bring all my friends. Every time, people leave saying how good it was. I usually get the sukiyaki with the prime ribeye and the meat is always great. At other shabu spots the quality can be hit or miss, but here it is always fresh, tender, and consistent. The sukiyaki is sweet and savory, the rice is always warm, and everything just tastes the same high quality every time I come. The service is just as good as the food. The owner is so nice and Sunny always makes us feel welcome. You can tell they really care about their customers and want everyone to have a good experience. I first came here because so many of my friends recommended it and said it was their goto shabu spot and now it's also mine too. read more

Been going here for quite a while. I've always been very impressed with the quality of the food. The staff is friendly, professional, and make you feel very welcomed. The service has always been great and it's a great ambience. I've been to several other Shabu establishments, but this one by far in my opinion is the best. read more

Great place to eat some high quality food, the staff are fun and always friendly and the service is pretty great. I love the seating style and the environment is really cool. I highly recommend it read more

See all

Just went tonight---- was amazing!!! So flavorful. Sunny was fantastic and helped with our sauces and soup. And Angie was lovely. So sweet and very helpful. Highly recommend read more

The service is absolutely amazing. My husband and I have been coming here for over a decade. The staff has memorized our orders and know us by name. The food is delicious and the prices are good. read more

This review.. is for the vegetarians who've lost their heads and decides to come here for things that contain no meat or tears. There's not much I can say about the quality of the food but it looks and taste fresh, nothing looked old or reused. And the broth are standard flavors with unlimited refills. I got the sukiyaki broth and vegetarian special. Love all the produce sliced and arranged on the plate, nearly a quarter of the plate was all mushrooms and that is just fine by me. What's really worth revisiting for is the staff. They are beyond restaurant friendliness. When you're here, you're family. Family who don't spit in your drink or snack you upside the hump for standing in front of the refrigerator. The owner and employees not only have a very respectable repertoire but extremely attentive. Which is why this.. apprehension on writing what's here. There's tools ol' plenty and spices minced fresh around every station. The real hot hot sauce is guarded by the Buddha smile owner who you wish was your favorite uncle. It comes in a fiery droplet. No more than three drops unless you've brought extra snot for everybody. But the portions may look like it's not enough, trust me, it's enough. read more

See all

Came here during lunch and our server was so attentive and amazing! He took the time to tell us how to eat shabu and how to mix the sauces. The meats were really good. I got the miso broth and it was a bit bland to me. If it had more flavor, I would definitely give this 5 stars. read more

I'm sitting right here and it is sooo good that I couldn't wait to write a review--which is a first for me LOL. The service is TOP TOP NOTCH! And the flavors in this Shabu Shabu are just beyond delicious. This place is an experience!!!! Besides the service, their decor is pretty fun, with painted colorful mural! A friend recommended it and I will definitely be coming here very often! Now... I need to keep eating lol. read more

See all

We waited for around 45 minutes to be seated for a party of 3, they had, and I counted, 23 seats just empty. No leftover food or messes to clean up, we were simply made to wait. read more

Had a solo dinner here last night to wait out traffic. Came in a bit after 5p and the Place is very lively. The staff were prompt in seating me and getting all the fixings ready. I had a mix concoction of a half & half broth and a bit of tsukiyaki. All recommendations from the manager, Sunny. Ordered myself a glass of Austin Hope Cab with some Kobe Loin and Jumbo Shrimp - it was perfection, my dinner was so satisfying and delicious. Staff checked in on the heat level of the broth through out the meal (so it doesn't get too hot) and is super attentive and efficient. They were getting busier as the evening progressed but the staff was calm and friendly to all diners. One of the best Shabu spots I've had thus far! Highly recommend for folks that like to have solo dinners or is traveling for work and want Shabu. Come early to get a seat as there is a bit of a wait after a certain time. And the seating is all counter style. No tables or booths. read more

See all

One of the servers was handling the raw frozen meat without gloves and cross-contaminating everything he touched. He grabbed the meat out of the freezers, sliced them and put them onto the plate, put the meat back and was touching the handles, plates, utensils, etc without ever washing his hands. He even dropped a slab right on the dirty floor and picked it up and threw it back into the freezer. It doesn't matter if the meat was going to be cooked in boiling broth. It felt like a health violation right in front of our eyes. If they just handled the food safely it would be a decent place read more