The Place Been a feature of VivoCity’s level 1 restaurant since, Shabuya by CreativEateries together with its other neighbouring outlet, Tajimaya, focuses on Japanese’s shabu shabu and yakiniku respectively. The decor takes on a more subtle Japanese wooden tones, fitted with warm dark lights, giving the ambience vibes. At the front of the restaurant, a new sushi bar focusing on Omakase meals has recently been launched. Diners at Shabuya can now enjoy both shabu shabu and sushi options.

The Food At Shabuya, we get to choose from either of the 3 sets to start the meal, Shabuya Combination Set (S$58.80 for 2 pax, S$108.80 for 4 pax), Premium Beef Set (S$88.80 for 2, S$168.80 for 4) and the Japanese Miyazaki Beef Set (S$128.80 for 2, S$248.80 for 4). Each of the set gives you a selection of meats (beef, pork and chicken), seafood, some greens and staple (garlic rice, udon and ramen), of course, with more premium qualities for the higher priced sets.

For most, like us, the premium beef set will most likely be the obvious choice – with both US Angus Short Ribs and the Wagyu Short Plate being the 2 highlights. The other key items includes Kurobuta Pork Belly and the seafood selections, Live Clams and the Sliced Snapper. If you are looking to add more ingredients, you can choose from their ala carte menu – although we got to warn you that the sets are more than enough to feed you very well.

The set does come with an assorted odens, including seafood balls and cheese tofu.

For the soup base, you have a selection which include Tonkatsu, Shoyu, Dashi and Chilli. If you have read enough of our rants till now, you might have guessed our selections correctly – Tonkatsu and Shoyu! Everyone has their own individual pot here, you don’t have to worry about double dipping. An ideal spot for a hotpot meal with colleagues! You get both the Sesame Sauce and Soy Sauce as dips too.

To go with your hotpot, you can get your sushi and sashimi cravings satisfied at Shabuya too. This include the Nigiri Sushi selections which we enjoyed – Aburi Wagyu Beef (S$12.80), Aburi Salmon Belly (S$3.80) and Tuna Tataki (S$4.80), and our favourite Fried Tempura Maki (S$12.80). While we found the sushi here satisfying, we found it lacking in terms of overall quality.

Rants Shabuya’s concept excites the hotpot-fanatic in me, although we felt that they could do away with many of the frozen odens and replace these with fresh fish paste – a staple in many other hotpot restaurants in the city.

Will I Return Again? Hot competition amongst the hotpot restaurants in the past years, with major Chinese brand HaiDiLao and local favourites Beauty in The Pot drawing huge crowd back to steamboat. For the value for money and comfortable dining experience, Shabuya ranks well.

This was an invited tasting, though all opinions expressed are our own.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 3/5
Hole in the pocket: 3.5/5
Ambience: 3/5
Overall Experience: 3/5

Shabuya
1 Harbourfront Walk
Vivocity, #01-102/103
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 6377 0070

Opening Hours
Daily Lunch 12pm to 3pm (Mon to Fri), 1130am to 4pm (Sat, Sun and PH)
Daily Dinner 6pm to 10pm

Ranted by the Rantee