Shabu-Shabu Lunch and Japanese Traditional Sweets in Tokyo

/ Cafes, Food, Restaurants / By
Shabu-shabu-1

Last Updated on February 18, 2026

Lunch in Yurakucho

The other day, I enjoyed a Japanese shabu-shabu lunch in Yurakucho, Tokyo. In this article, I’ll share some of my favorite spots where visitors can easily enjoy authentic Japanese flavors. I’ve also included tips on how to eat shabu-shabu and how to avoid the crowds, so you can make the most of your visit.

I originally went there to pick up a ring I had ordered in my size, and I decided to have lunch while I was in the area. Yurakucho sits right next to Ginza, but nowadays many younger working professionals prefer to spend time here. Compared to places like Shibuya or Harajuku, the neighborhood offers a much calmer atmosphere. At the same time, the area is home to many old-fashioned bars, and plenty of people visit at night to enjoy that nostalgic atmosphere.

Ginza Shabutsu Marronnier Gate

Since it was a Saturday, I arrived at the restaurant, Shabutsu,  around 11:30 a.m.—a bit earlier than usual—to beat the crowds. When I arrived at the restaurant, the seats were already full and two groups were waiting ahead of me. Since I wasn’t in any particular rush, I decided to wait for my turn.

A table set for shabu-shabu with thinly sliced meat
Shabu-shabu lunch

How to Enjoy Shabu-Shabu

I was seated in about 20 to 30 minutes. Since you cook shabu-shabu at the table, the restaurant serves the dishes fairly quickly after you order. Shabu-shabu is a type of Japanese hot pot, but instead of simmering the meat, you briefly swish thin slices in hot water one bite at a time before eating.

Along with the vegetables, I was served rice, two kinds of meat, and two dipping sauces. One was a light soy-based sauce with a refreshing citrus taste (called ponzu), while the other was a rich sesame sauce. Ponzu is a standard sauce for hot pot and is hard to go without.

At this restaurant, the sesame sauce came with a small bowl of whole sesame seeds. I ground them myself and added them to the sauce, which felt healthy and made it especially flavorful. Having both the tangy soy-based sauce and the creamy sesame sauce allowed me to enjoy the meal to the very last bite without ever getting bored.

With a variety of vegetables included, it made for a well-balanced meal. At the end, a small cup containing salt and pepper was brought over. I poured some of the broth from the pot into the cup, turning it into a flavorful soup enriched with the juices from the vegetables and meat. In Japan, it’s common to enjoy the final soup, which is rich with the essence of all the ingredients. I felt my body warming up as the nutrients seemed to soak into every part of me.

Helpful Hints

    • Use dedicated tongs: To stay safe, always use the dedicated tongs (or specific chopsticks) provided for handling raw meat. Avoid using your own chopsticks to pick up the raw slices.

    • Add “hard” ingredients first: Start by putting in ingredients that take longer to cook, such as mushrooms, carrots, and other root vegetables. This ensures everything is perfectly cooked when you’re ready to eat.

Avoiding Crowds

Yurakucho gets extremely crowded on weekends. While the crowds don’t affect shopping too much, dining is a different story. You will find long lines at almost every restaurant and cafe. I highly recommend booking in advance or planning your meal outside of peak hours.

Although visiting Shabutsu without a reservation gives you access to more affordable course menus, the restaurant gets very crowded. I highly recommend making a reservation. It guarantees your seat and lets you enjoy a higher-grade cut of meat. Google Maps offers multiple booking options, but I recommend TableCheck because it’s easy and allows you to make a reservation in English.

The entrance of Okame, a traditional Japanese sweets shop in Yurakucho, TokyoOkame

On another day in Yurakucho, I went to enjoy some traditional anmitsu. Okame is a traditional Japanese sweets cafe.

The shop sits in the basement of a building, but inside, they display plenty of wood and traditional Japanese crafts. I enjoyed a relaxing moment here during my stroll through the city center.

Display of Okame, a traditional Japanese sweets shop

At Japanese sweets cafes like this, you can often find light meals in addition to the desserts. This shop also serves dishes like oden, which is flavored with a savory broth, and sometimes the aroma inside the store is quite appetizing.

I’d really love to try it, but if I order both on my own, I don’t think I could finish everything—so I always end up choosing anmitsu. I’d love to try a meal here next time.

Anmitsu, a traditional Japanese sweetsWhat is Anmitsu?

This dessert features a kanten jelly base, served with sweet red bean paste, fruit, and often a scoop of ice cream. Kanten is made from seaweed and is considered a healthy food. It’s also common to drizzle kuromitsu, a dark sugar syrup, over the top.

Now, here is the Cream Anmitsu I ordered. The combination of sweet red bean paste, ice cream, and springy kanten jelly may seem a bit unusual to Western palates, but it’s perfect when you want to enjoy a traditional Japanese dessert. Toppings can range from simple to more elaborate. If it’s your first time, I recommend choosing one with plenty of ingredients so you can enjoy a variety of flavors.

The combination of textures—chewy kanten jelly, creamy ice cream, and smooth, rich black syrup—was truly exceptional. With so many refreshing fruits inside, every spoonful brought me the joy of deciding which piece to savor next. It was a truly satisfying bowl, filled with sweetness and plenty of nutrients.

Avoiding Crowds

There’s another location in Yurakucho, but it’s newer and always has a long line. Although this restaurant is on the smaller side, I felt that the tables turn over quite quickly, so you might not have to wait as long as you’d expect. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to experience these flavors without spending too much time, I highly recommend this location.

Check out the related post about the ring below.

My Accessory styling: Simple Jewelry and Color Ideas for Daily Outfits

Information

Information, prices and exchange rates are current as of my visit but may change. Please check official sites.

Shabutsu Marronnier Gate

Lunch
– ¥1,200 (approx. $7.7 / €6.5)
Access
– About 850 ft (260 m) from Yurakucho Station

Okame Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan

Cream Anmitsu
– ¥980 (approx. $6.3 / €5.3)
– About 430 ft (130 m) from Yurakucho Station

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