Went here with a group of friends for dinner Saturday night (no wait walk-in) and it was top tier. We went with a Tom Yum / Spicy Tonkotsu mix on the broth and I would highly recommend the Tom Yum. The meats were high quality and it was just a great experience when paired with a few sake bombs. Complimentary ice cream at the end! read more

Shabu Time - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

Food was was really yummy Second time here. Great for family Good service Chill ambiance read more

Came here Thursday at around 6 pm and no wait. Most tables open! The servers seated us immediately and took our orders super quick! They also consistently checked in on our table. Restaurant has a small bathroom & not too many tables due to the small sizing in downtown sj so if you come during peak times be prepared to wait. For food, we enjoyed both the Toro Beef Belly & American Kobe Beef! Only downside was very small portions as we ordered the 6oz and it was very pricey. The Tom Yum soup base was my favorite as it was so flavorful and good! Would come back here again :) read more

Shabu Time - Toro Beef Belly & American Kobe Beef ~ Tom Yum Soup & Tonkotsu - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

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Shabu Time is one of my favorite shabu places! They have some of the best broths, my favorites are the miso and tom yum. The BBH broth is really good as well. They're also one of the only spots that actually gives you refills of the same broth. My favorite meats are the Kobe beef; and A5 wagyu if you want to splurge. I also like how you can order a large meat and share it with the table, very family style friendly. My favorite sauce here is the ponzu sauce. Service here is amazing too! read more

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It was my first time coming here. I ordered the American Kobe Beef (Large 10 oz) for $32 and added 10 quail eggs for $5. For the soup bases, I chose Spicy Sichuan and Spicy Miso because my husband and I really love spicy food. For the soup, I think it was just okay--not extremely delicious, but still good enough to enjoy. However, the meat was excellent. I really loved the quality of the beef. The dipping sauces were great too. They had a white sesame sauce (I'm not sure of the exact name) and ponzu. I mixed both sauces together to dip the beef, and it tasted really amazing. The restaurant itself is not very big, and it's not a buffet. You might need to wait in line a little bit, especially during busy times. The atmosphere is decorated in a Japanese style, and the restaurant doesn't smell too smoky because they have good ventilation. The staff were friendly and attentive. I will definitely come back again someday. read more

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Shabu Time is another good spot for Shabu! The food is always fresh, and they have a great selection of meats, veggies, and broths to choose from. Everything tastes amazing, and you can really customize your meal to make it exactly how you like it. The price is super reasonable for the quality and amount of food you get, which makes it an easy choice when I'm craving hot pot. It feels like a great value every time. What really makes Shabu Time stand out is the service. The staff is friendly, attentive, and quick to help with anything you need. They make the whole experience smooth and enjoyable. The restaurant itself is on the smaller time, so expect a small wait if you come on the weekends. If you're looking for a cozy spot with great food and even better service, Shabu Time is the place to go! read more

Sooo good! We got half spicy tonkatsu and half tom yum for the broth base with angus lean beef, rice, and noodles. The tom yum was delicious and had a good balance of acidity. The spicy tonkatsu was mild, but good as a basic savory base. I love the variety of veggies provided with each entree too. The dumplings were so addictive too. The establishment was clean, staff were very attentive, knowledgeable, kind, and helpful to first timers! I'll be back for more!! read more

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This small Japanese hot spot restaurant is located in downtown Japantown. Street parking so plan accordingly. On a Saturday, we arrived around 7pm and ended up waiting an hour for a table of 3 after a large party of about 12 was seated ahead of us. For such a small restaurant, that decision caused a very long wait for several other customers. That said, the staff was extremely kind and clearly doing their best to accommodate everyone. We shared the tonkatsu and miso broth. The tonkatsu was super rich and flavorful, while the miso broth was on the bland side so we really needed to spice it up on our own. The meat options overall were good and everything tasted very fresh. The side of vegetables is a good portion per person--which is nice since their sides are expensive. My husband paid $5 for a side of kimchi! Overall, good food and friendly service. I'd likely return, but definitely at a less busy time for a better experience. read more

Shabu Time - Small Angus Lean Beef - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

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This is the absolute best Shabu shabby restaurant in South Bay by far. Great service great selection of meats everything you could hope for from a great Shabushabu restaurant. The restaurant is owned by Vietnamese so they have some really interesting broths like bun Bo hue! Highly recommend read more

Shabu Time - Interior at 3:27 PM on a Saturday... usually very packed, but it's late. - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

This was my second time doing hot pot and my first time trying a Japanese-style hot pot, and honestly... this is the place that made it finally click for me. We ordered the beef toro belly and a seafood combo, which came with a really nice spread of vegetables. For the broths, we went with the yukisaki and spicy Sichuan, and both were so good in different ways. One was more clean and comforting, the other had a nice kick without being overpowering. We added vermicelli and udon noodles, and those ended up being one of my favorite parts once they soaked up all the flavor from the broth. What I really appreciated was how organized everything felt. It made the whole experience easy to enjoy instead of feeling like you're guessing your way through it. I've had hot pot before and didn't feel full or like I fully experienced it, but here I left completely satisfied. Also worth mentioning, they have a bunch of sauces and add-ons that actually taste good and elevate everything. Overall, I was super impressed. This is the kind of place that makes you want to come back again just to try different combinations. read more

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We love their tom yum broth and miso broth (for the kids). Service is fast and it's so tasty! This is starting to be one of the regular spots we have in our rotation. The broths are good. The proportions are good and the ponzu and sesame sauces are great! Tonight we ordered DoorDash pick up for a family meal of 4-5. I didn't even know you can do that for to go orders. You can also order their sauces to go and broths as well. We like eating there and the servers are really nice and accommodating to young kids. Bonus that they have 2 tvs on haha I like getting the large lamb and my husband likes the angus beef. No complaints! So happy this is part of Japantown. read more

Shabu Time - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

I haven't been here in so long and came here on Sunday for lunch with a friend :) Lots of street parking and we were seated quickly. We ordered the miso and tom yum soup with the quail eggs, udon noodles, white rice, toro beef belly, and the angus lean beef. Service here is fast and we got our food quickly. The broths were flavorful and yummy! I love the sauces here as well. I was surprised they had a matcha series :o Would definitely come back to try it next time along with the other broths! read more

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This place is one of my favorite hot pots. We ordered Broth: Sukiyaki, spicy tonkatsu broth and Meats: toro beef belly and kobe to share, and I would highly recommend this combo!! It comes with rice/vermicelli and a set of veggies. I still think about this meal so often... Our waiter was helpful in answering our questions, and shared that the kobe was the most popular meat choice. We did not have to wait on a Thursday night for 2! read more

Shabu Time - Broth: Sukiyaki (left), spicy tonkatsu (right) Meats: toro beef belly (top), and kobe (bottom) - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

Shabu Time is my favorite non-ayce hot pot place. The portion sizes are decent compared to other places. I enjoy the Kobe beef and the toro beef belly. We usually try to come before 6 pm to beat the dinner crowd. Street parking is usually easy to find. Service is efficient and friendly. I wish they would bring back the BBH (bun Bo hue) broth! It was super tasty! Note: they do have a drink happy hour that ends at 6pm ($2 off beer hot sake and cocktails). read more

Shabu Time - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

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Not my first time here and definitely not my last! Always a good go to for when you're in the mood for shabu/hotpot. Service was great and food was fantastic as always. We got the tom yum and miso broth and both were well seasoned and super flavorful! They have a great selection of quality cut meats as well as fresh veggies! My only complaint is that their rice is rather hard like undercooked and this isn't the first time it's been like this as well. If you're in the area definitely check them out! We never had issues with wait times but def check before :) read more

Shabu Time - Tom yum and miso broth with Kobe beef plate and A5 wagyu - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

We came here to celebrate our 10 year anniversary and left full and happy. We got to Japantown around 5:15 and were seated at Shabu Time by 5:20. We knew if we ate later we would have had more of a wait and this worked perfectly for us. Our family hadn't been out to hotpot ever, so we tried to pick something a little lowkey. This spot is relatively small, but doesn't feel too crowded. Staff were cordial, service was quick, prices weren't outrageous, and the food was great. When it comes to the food, I was surprised by what a large portion of beef is - seemed small. But, now I know for next time and can plan accordingly. The broth we got was miso and tonkatsu, next time we may need to leave the kid at home so we can be more adventurous with spice! read more

Shabu Time - Angus Lean Beef Vegetarian (1 Size) - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

Yummy!! I was really impressed with the tom yum broth here! Very flavorful and perfectly sour. I loooved how rich and tomato-like it tasted. I highly recommend! They give a wide variety of veggies, which is really appreciated. The waiters were super quick and attentive as well! Always refilled our broths and waters. Checked on our heat plate often too! For meats, I recommend the Toro Beef Belly and the Angus Lean Beef! Both were well marbled and thinly sliced. Perfect for shabu shabu. Portions were a little small, but decent enough for a weekday evening meal. I would love to come eat here again! read more

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Came here on a weekday and had to park a few blocks away- we were seated immediately upon arriving! I've been wanting to try this spot for a while. The sukiyaki broth here is really good and not too salty. I got the medium toro beef belly with udon noodles, and this was more than enough food for me (especially after factoring in the veggies)! The water had a bit of a chlorine taste to it, to be honest. I'm not sure if it is because of the metal cups or because of the tap water in DTSJ. This is great for anyone who wants a more cozy soupy meal as the weather gets colder. read more

Shabu Time - TORO BEEF BELLY - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

I've had a lot of tonkotsu broths before but this is RICH!!! This tops it all. My lunch partner couldn't stop talking about how tasty the broth was. Their dumplings is the right amount of sauce and filling proportions, it was so good and spicy that I choked from coughing for a good 3 mins. Service was fast and tables were clean. We will come back often. read more

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Food is sooo good!! I love the food here and the quality and freshness is unbeatable. We got the spicy sukiyaki and the miso (with spice powder on the side). We originally ordered the 10 oz angus lean beef to share but then quickly realized we definitely needed more meat so we added on 6 oz of a fattier beef. The lean beef was still really good compared to the fattier cut so I would definitely recommend it. Vegetable platter was very fresh and had good variety. The service here is also so good! They are so friendly and so attentive, they will make rounds and adjust the cooking level in case it looks like your pot is boiling too hard or what not. It feels super hands off aside from the actual cooking which I appreciate in a shabu experience! The store also has a good vibe. Its pretty spacious and very casual, I can definitely see it being a date spot or a casual meal with friends type of place! read more

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Not sure what happened but 2025 became the year we went to Shabu Time so often.... we became regulars. Which we're actually really happy about and kinda wish we had a stamp card or something for veggies. On weekends this place can get pretty busy but we've been fortunate that everytime we go it's right before the peak. On the off chances we do go during peak we put our name down and go talk a walk around Japantown. As for Shabu, we get the Sukiyaki and as of late, add Tonkotsu as well to switch between flavors. I've also found that I really enjoy the Squash and Carrots in the Sukiyaki broth while enjoying the green veggies in the Tonkotsu broth as it really soaks that creamy flavor. It would be really nice if they could offer the Japanese Wagyu as a side meal if you wanted to up the meat but unfortunately they do not, but grabbing the Flat Iron or even the Kobe are just as fine choices since the broth really makes the meal taste better. The service is really quick too, once you sit down and tell them what you want, it's there and in front of you in like 5 minutes. Also shoutout Eric for always knowing what we want too since we've become regulars LOL. read more

Shabu Time is such a hidden gem in Japantown. It's the best hot pot that is not ayce that i've ever had! This place is pretty small but usually on weekdays there's no wait. We get seated almost immediately and the food comes out just as quick. Everything is priced separately which is great because you can really choose what you want and everything is inexpensive. The best thing about it is they don't charge for the soup base and it is refillable. The tom yum broth is my absolute favorite. The only expensive part is the meat but the portions are big so one or two orders is perfect. I really enjoyed the wagyu and beef because of how thin and tasty they were. The dumpling with roe, quail eggs, and enoki mushrooms were a must add on for us. Last time, I tried the spicy edamame and mussels but I don't think I would order again. Our total was about $75 which is super affordable for the best tasting hot pot. The servers here are always super friendly and quick! Always prebussing and checking on us. We came in on Thursday at 8:00PM and the guy server made our experience so memorable. He made great recommendations and helped us out with the menu. 100% will be returning every week for this place. read more

Shabu Time - Beef toro (the best) - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

this place was really good! great service from waiter, eric & the tom yum broth was rly nice. the portions are a good size and the sauces on the side pair nicely with all the veggies and meat would highly recommend this place to others. i also like that this place is not too loud inside and easy to find parking nearby read more

Shabu Time is a fantastic spot. The place is very clean, and the meat is quality--you can really taste the difference. The service is even better than the food. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable about their cuts and gave us great recommendations throughout the meal. It's rare to find such a high level of expertise paired with a welcoming atmosphere. I am definitely coming back. read more

Ever since I tried Shabu Time, I literally crave it every week. After trying a majority of the meat, the American Kobe Beef has become my favorite along with the Sukiyaki. Pricing is so good for the quality they provide. Service is always super quick & they're pretty attentive. Parking: metered street parking but free after 6pm & free all day Sunday. Don't sleep on this spot! read more

Shabu Time - Sukiyaki (no-spicy) & ANGUS LEAN BEEF - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

The quality has gone down here since I last visited a few years ago. The broths were delicious and flavored the toppings well - we did medium spicy Szechuan and mild soy based sauce. However the included vegetables and default rice were old, a little spoiled, and dry af. The matcha tiramisu dessert was TERRIBLE - no flavor and half frozen and half melted? Really topping off the disappointment Logistics: - indoor seating only - limited street parking nearby - expect to wait during busy times read more

Super fast service and friendly servers.meat and veggies came out within 5 minutes of ordering.

This is a good standard shabu restaurant in Japantown that offers basic combos perfect for two people. Serving staff was kind and attentive to our table and it's a do-it-yourself shabu time. read more

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Yummy Shabu!!! Came here for Mother's Day and it was such a delicious time! The service was amazing and the vibe is fun. Glad to have found this cute spot. Definitely would be back! read more

Shabu Time - Kobe Beef (meat only) - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

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Finally was able to go since my friend has been raving about this place! I am so glad when I went the line was not long since most review say the wait time can be to an 1 and up. They have an in-personal Yelp waitlist which sucks especially since they are known to have long lines. The place is pretty small so they really only have 2 waitresses/ers around the restaurant. I will say though both times I have come, 1 out the 2 waitresses have been quite rude in terms of service given. They barely acknowledged us, didn't and at one point I saw one server was holding a whole of food and broth over the top of a baby's head. The food quality, in terms of meat, I would say is very good. They have a few options that I really liked including the toro beef belly and the wagyu beef. It sucks that they do charge additional for the extra sauces that they have. The broths are also very delicious and flavorful, perfect for cold weather. Another thing I thought was inconsistent was the first time I was here, I was able to split the four meats in 2 large orders. I requested the same thing the second time and one waitress gave me the confirmation that they were able to do that but then came back and said that they couldn't. That was a bit off putting considering the waitress in the back was giving attitude to us and decided not to accommodate. read more

We love shabu time! It's our go to for shabu and date nights. It's honestly the best shabu I've eaten in the area. The service is so good and they are always friendly. We've been coming here for years and will continue to! read more

Shabu Time is soo solid! Absolutely adored the spicy sukiyaki and the tom yum!! Our choice of protein was American Kobe Beef and New Zealand Lamb; our additional sides were the Fish Ball with Roe and Quail Eggs! Service was so fast and efficient with being sat, ordering, and the refills of our soups. There are no notes for this place, I personally think it's exceptional. I would definitely order everything again especially the Fish Balls with Roe, the texture and taste was everything. read more

Shabu Time - New Zealand Lamb & American Kobe Beef - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

My friend had suggested coming here for dinner and so I came to check the establishment out. Came on a Sunday evening and parking in Japan then isn't too bad. Upon entering, thr establishment was clean and very welcoming. The aromas from the tables broth smelled good. Menu was very straightforward and our waitress was very kind and patient to explain the portion sizes and options. We opted for a spicy tonkatsu and non spicy miso. Both broth were great! Would come back. read more

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I had been eyeing Shabu Time for a while now since I live walking distance, and finally got to try it! A cozy shabu shabu restaurant in japantown :) Our server was super nice and attentive and we got our food quickly. The tonkotsu broth was delicious, meat quality was good, and I love their shack sauce. It's unique and more exciting than standard goma sauce. Only minor complaint id how small the napa cabbage pieces are. It was hard to find them in the broth and I generally just prefer the bigger sized pieces. read more

Shabu Time - Tonkotsu broth, TORO BEEF BELLY, Shack sauce - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

This was my first time trying this hot pot place but definitely not my last. I wasn't sure how this place worked at first since only meats were listed on the menu. They let you order by the amount of each meat you want which I think is great. I also liked that everyone gets an individual bowl of vegetables and rice/vermicelli. They have some good soup base options. We tried some of the desserts as well. Both were good but wouldn't get it everytime. I thought that the matcha tiramisu wasn't worth the price. The flan was pretty good and it's cheap as well since it's one that comes out of the pudding cups. Everything tasted great though. The location is a pretty decent size. It's a nice place to catch up with friends. It wasn't busy on a weekday night but can't say for weekends. The staff were all friendly, attentive, and helpful. Would recommend! read more

Shabu Time - Spicy sichuan and Miso (no-spicy) soup, Veggie bowl, medium angus Kobe Beef (meat only) - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

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The food here is so good that I just want to come back all the time. Definitely my top1 shabu. I really like the dipping sauce and the food is so delicious. read more

Shabu Time - Japanese Near Me - San Jose, California

My new favorite shabu spot in SJ. We came in a Sunday evening and it was pretty easy to find street parking and we were seated as soon as we arrived. The restaurant is a bit on the smaller side so we were glad we didn't have to wait. We got the tom yum, spicy tonkatsu and two the the medium plates of lean angus beef and american kobe. The kobe was my favorite by far. Service was incredibly attentive, I would 100% come back! read more

Great food and service! Friendly staff! Very fast. Good vibes. Nice soup options. Meat is good.

It was good! Nothing spectacular but the prices were fair and meat quality was pretty decent. Service was friendly and sauces were pretty good as well. They kept the door open when I was there so it was a bit chilly inside though but aside from that all was great! read more

I didn't expect a hot pot restaurant to double as a plant shop, but that's exactly what makes this place so memorable. Right near the entrance, there's a charming little succulent stand that instantly softens the usual bustling, steamy atmosphere of a hot pot spot. It's such a thoughtful touch--before you even sit down to eat, you're greeted by rows of tiny, vibrant plants in all shapes and colors. read more