Doesn't Recommend

heelyeah

Joined 8 years ago

Nothing to it. There is really no flavor to anything; boiling meat and vegetables in water just doesn't lend to flavor at all and actually withdraws flavor from them. $20 is a bit high as well for Choice Rib Eye and mushrooms, tofu and noodles. I did eat quite a bit, but the only reason for that was because we got the all you can drink as well and didn't want to drink on an empty stomach.

The service is also quite rude and the booths are uncomfortable. I can't remember an experience that I walked out of thinking I really justed wasted money more than this one. If you want to eat a lot of flavorless boiled food, go here otherwise save your money for something else. My first experience of shabu shabu will definitely be my last.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Veteran shabu-shabu restaurant serves up Japanese and American fare adjacent to Hotel Tomo.. It's all about shabu-shabu at this tacky-fun restaurant in the Hotel Tomo. Translucent orange lampshades illuminate a bright yellow anime-inspired mural and formica tables holding boisterous half-drunk groups of young patrons who come for the all-you-can-eat-and-drink deal. For $42 a piece, each person gets unlimited shabu-shabu--big plates of paper thin beef, veggies, noodles, and sauces, and tabletop hot pots to cook them--and as many Sapporos and karafes of sake as they can drain in two hours (a lot). No sooner is a plate finished, a karafe guzzled or a beer pounded than it is replaced, although some rowdy groups take no chances and order several rounds at a time. There are also some standard Japanse and American dishes (katsu, udon, cheeseburgers) but who knows why.

Recommends

writerevie

Joined 8 years ago

One of my favorite restaurants! Love it!. Beef here is above average, very tender. The ponzu sauce is balanced exactly right, for a tangy flavor that complements everything that you cook in the hot pot. The service is always friendly, although they get forgetful sometimes when it's really busy, but they try their best. The veggies are fresh. This is one of my favorite restaurants in the entire city, and everyone I've brought here loves the place. For $23 per person, it's not a bad deal at all, considering it's all-you-can-eat, including the best green tea ice cream for dessert.

Recommends

rivercrab

Joined 7 years ago

For your Shabu Shabu fix. Good (or any) Shabu Shabu restaurants are few and far between in Northern California; and fortunately, Cafe Mums is a quality offering that will certainly satisfy your craving for this all-you-can-eat treat.

The beef is above average, there's a large array of vegetables, noodles and the sauces are quite tasty. Even as the restaurant filled up, service remained consistent. Compared to other Shabu restaurants, the price at Mums is bit high ($20+ per person), but definitely not a bad deal.

Great for groups/parties, but be sure to call ahead for reservations.

Recommends

wrldtrvlr8374

Joined 8 years ago

Satisfies the craving.... Ate at Cafe Mums last night, my second time there (first time back in 2000 or 2001). It works great if you're in the mood for all-you-can-eat shabu shabu at $22.95/pp. You can also have all-you-can-drink added to that for $35/pp (includes sake, beer, soda). Items include napa cabbage, spinach, button mushrooms, shittake mushrooms, carrots, udon noodles, cellophane noodles, tofu, rice, beef, and ice cream at the end. We had reservations, which can be important as the place was piling in by 7 pm on a Wednesday night. They had all the food laid out for us already. (So we never saw the menu, which is important b/c service charge is already included on your bill!) Overall, fun experience for large groups and who doesn't like all-you-can-eat and/or all-you-can-drink places?

Recommends

rous2000

Joined 11 years ago

satisfies Shabu Shabu craving. This place certainly satisfies the craving if you love shabu shabu, given that choices are pretty limited in the Bay Area. This place combines value and quality when it comes to Japanese style all beef Shabu. The food is certainly not great compared to the offerings of other cities like LA & NY. The ponzu sauce is decent. The sesame sauce is only average(a little sweet for my taste). Beef varies from above average to really good. They only have button and shitake mushrooms (no enoki). That said, the people are nice, the food is fresh (you do cook it yourself), and overall its still a really good dining experience at a fair price.

For the experienced shabu eater, it satifies the craving. For the occasional eater, its really quite good. For the inexperienced, its pretty fun. For the hungry, its all you can eat.

Recommends

DJF

Joined 10 years ago

Outstanding Shabu Shabu. What a find. We had a craving for Shabu Shabu and did not know where to go in SF. Found this place on the internet where Shabu is all they do.

This place has ALL YOU CAN EAT for $20. Quality Ribeye and veggies. The service is great and extremely attentive.

Atmosphere is alright. It got pretty loud with a lot of party groups. I recommend reservations. This will definitely be a monthly stop for me.