Sakura Shabu-Shabu

Nice to see a shabu place open up in downtown Fullerton. Love how it’s so open with the glass walls, I think that’s the coolest part. Food was pretty good, but that blew me away.

In December 2015, Sakura Shabu opened up their location off Wilshire and Harbor Boulevard in downtown Fullerton in the same location that was formerly a shabu shabu restaurant. Sakura has multiple locations: Huntington Beach, Lake Forest, and soon to open in Anaheim.
I was excited to try this new place, hoping that this would be up to par with the more popular Shabu places found in Rowland Heights, saving me that ½ hour drive.
At first glacé, the prices didn’t look bad, until I realized that a small portion is just a mere 6 slices, and a large is twice that at 12 slices. There’s nothing in between, and the price jump was substantial as well. The staff justified that if you can’t finish 12 pieces, you can cook it, and then take it home in a container. Uhh, no, I don’t want to take home a few slices of meat.
There’s only 4 broth to choose from: Miso/​Spicy Miso, Sukiyaki, Kim Chi, with the latter 2 broths costing extra. They also up-​charge you if you want brown rice.
We chose the regular Angus beef plate (6 pieces) and added one order of the regular sized premium Angus beef plate to share… giving each of us 9 slices of meat.
While beautifully presented, I was really disappointed in the size of the regular Angus beef. Now I can see why it can be possible for someone to consume 12 slices. Those slices were small, and no way would 6 pieces be sufficient, even for a child.
The slices for the premium Angus beef, however, was substantially larger, and I can see someone ordering a small plate and feeling that it was cost effective. However the fat was on one side, and not enough marble.
Portion sizes for the vegetables were a bit underwhelming, and I wish they could have added just a bit more.
Overall the food was not bad. I would have preferred more marble in my meat, rather than have the fat on one side like bacon. For the cost of our meal, I get a lot more for the same at the places in Rowland Heights. $ 50 with tip, and no drink. Ouch. Overall grade: C+

We decided to give this place another shot because they are under new ownership. Finally a good Shabu joint in Fullerton! The sauces are delicious with a pretty decent mix of appetizers. The staff is friendly and the overall experience was enjoyable.

This is a new shabu shabu place in Fullerton. I was excited to try this new restaurant in town. But things didn’t turn out as well as I was hoping.
We arrived at the restaurant & signed in. It was similar to other sign in sheets, like name & type of table (in this case high or low seats) & number of people. We put any type of seats. It was like a blink of an eye that we got seated. We sat down at the high seats section & were excited to look over the menu. THEN Not even a minute later we were asked to switch seats. Just because this 6 people party in front of us, on the sign in sheet, changed their minds that they want to sit at the high seats; which they originally requested low seats. What? But we were like «okay it’s fine.» The waiter moved us to the low seats section. We sat down and I COULDN’T EVEN BELIEVE that the MANAGER asked us to move back to the high seat section! WHAT? Are you freaking kidding me? We’re here to eat and NOT playing musical chairs! Okay, I told him we got moved twice already so he decided to let us sit there in peace. But this killed my appetites. Even though they tried to serve us with nice attitude but keep it professional! This is just my experience at the restaurant & I just want to share it with you guys. Hopefully this is a heads up for your future trip to this restaurant or maybe you have experienced the same thing.
This is why you got 1 star Sakura Shabu-​Shabu!

The most fun experience in Downtown Fullerton to get your appetite for meat and veggies cured! Remember to ask for Spicey garlic edamane… The sauce is so good I had to have some for the main course to dip the 1855 black Angus Ribeye into!

This new shabu place opened up to replace the only shabu shabu in the area. Though I found it to be pretty good since this is the case, it was rather expensive, with the Downtown Fullerton tax. Typically lunch specials are $ 10USD/​pot, but this one landed us $ 16+ per pot, for just 5 pieces of meat in some cases. Pricey~
I would say the spicy miso broth most reminded me of Paper Pot Shabu in Diamond Bar, but definitely much more expensive. I enjoyed the intimate setting and bar seating throughout the restaurant, so someone can always be there to help you with your induction heat or give you more to drink. It was a trendy place to be, even for lunch, but definitely not worth the hefty price tag.
I think this place will survive if they lower their prices. I know this won’t be able to happen long term since they are in a high-​rent area, but I would suggest maybe a «happy hour» or something like that. Week day lunch specials, even. Just something to bring down the price so other people with lower budgets can enjoy it. It’s definitely not bad in terms of the food that you’re getting here.
Parking is as horrendous as can be in downtown Fullerton. We always look for the back streets. If you’re really craving shabu shabu in this area and you don’t want to drive very far, it’s a safe bet, but if definitely going to be dropping a few shiny pennies no matter what time you go.

A hip new shabu place in Downtown Fullerton.
There were not too many parties before us, but the wait was LONG. We waited and waited and waited and finally got seated after I was so hAngry.
Wagyu toro ($ 16.98 for large): it was very fatty. The taste was pretty good and the portion was generous though. I got wakame as my broth (as usual) and the shabu was served with typical ponzu and goma sauce.
Ok.actually not typical because the goma sauce was DELICIOUS!
Weak ponzu and excellent goma. It is one of the best goma sauces I’ve ever had and I’ve had my share of shabu.
The shabu came with veggie, tofu, udon and rice. You have the option of either white or brown rice. The napa cabbage was too big. I wish it was sliced smaller, like normal shabu places.
We also got the gyoza and it was kinda good. It was the first time I had gyoza at the shabu place. Gyoza is usually served at ramen joints. The gyoza was kinda good though. The tender filing was tasty and the sauce on top was kinda good.
The manager and waiters were nice, but service was slow and non attentive. I am used to fast service at shabu restaurants.
We had to ask for pretty much everything and we had to ask several times.
3.5 stars! Pretty good shabu for the price, if you ask me. Not sure if I want to go back there again because of the super slow service. Not going back here when I am hungry for sure.
Sakura Shabu Shabu is kinda yummylicious!

New Shabu Shabu spot in DTLA
This location was formerly Mitsu-​E and was the first place I ever had Shabu Shabu. It re-​opened as Sakura and I gotta say~ It’s pretty great! Went there twice in one week.
Their prices are a little high compared to other shabu spots in Cerritos, but They have a wide selection of meats. I got the Prime Black Angus Ribeye while the boyfriend got the more expensive 1855 Black Angus Prime Ribeye. I got to say — Honestly can’t tell the difference.
They have Wakame (water ish) base, miso/​spicy miso. and my favorite– Sukiyaki!
It would be 5 stars~ but I personally think the vegetables are inconsistent.
Other than that, very tasty and delicious!

Waited for 40 minutes. Manager was nice enough too let us know they’re behind and need to get caught up serving customers. At least there was a long waiting bench to sit on and music to listen too. Food was pretty good along with the diping sauces. Service was slow, very slow. It almost seemed like they were all new. Other places were fast and on top of everything but this place we had to keep asking for water refills to drink and for the sauces, extra bowls, etc. If service is going to be like this all the time then I don’t think I’ll be back and won’t recommend this place to anyone. Just because of the slow service.

I’ve passed by Sakura dozens of times, but was always hesitant to give them a try because of their trendy yet slightly unwelcoming appearance. I’d have to say I’m not a fan of their fluorescent/​neon (?) lit floors (sorry not a lightbulb expert), and the fact that the walls are all glass, so it basically looks like the customers are in a brightly lit display case. Not exactly the ambience you would want when eating shabu shabu, definitely more of a bar/​ish vibe. But once we got our food, all of that didn’t matter anymore.
We were told to order individually, so We ordered 2 combos, beef/​salmon, beef/​lamb. I believe it was slightly under $ 25 per combo, and it was more than enough food. I got spicy miso, the broth was really good. The fiancé added 3 spicy drops. I wouldn’t add more than 2, it’s a creeps up on you kind of spicy. Overall, the meats and veggies were great quality, fresh, and delicious. The price is reasonable compared to the average shabu place, and our server was friendly and attentive.
I will definitely be back!

My friend and I tried it here for the first time and we loved it! Portions are good too. Left this place feeling satisfied and full :)
Also, our server was really nice and great!

We drove by this place and saw the striking blue light with black/​white background. After we «ooo’d» we said «shabu? We like shabu». The next time we were in the neighborhood we decided to try it out. Great decision. Good food, friendly service and we know we were spoiled because as soon as more people find out about this place it will be packed. Definitely will come back.

I had been to this restaurant location before when it was a different shabu shabu place. Looks like they flipped it over to a new owner. What’s different? Well, from what I can tell, they added some cool lighting accents that make it look good from the street. I also think that someone broke the door, creating a constant breeze that draws in cold air from outside. Not ideal. I am usually pretty warm and even I was kind of cold.
Anyway, the food here was good. The meat was high quality and everything tasted as I’d expect it. The price was a probably little on the high side but nothing that I’d complain about.
My complaints are really about the amount of time it took for me and my family to get our food. I’ve been to a few shabu shabu places and I am always confused when it takes a while for me to get my food. It’s not cooked. Unless there was some poor planning on the prep side, or if I’m showing up right before the kitchen is about to close, I expect that my food should come out very quickly.
This was not the case here. I think it took about 30 minutes from the time I was seated until the time I got my meat. That’s crazy to me. I don’t think it should take more than 10 minutes. A few people apologized to us for the delays but I can’t eat an apology (I’ve tried), so it didn’t really make things much better.
Again, the food here is good but the long waits and cold breeze make it a better place to just observe from the street as you drive down Harbor. Or the other road that I don’t know the name of off the top of my head.

Looking for a great spot for drunken munchies? Then this might be the slot for you! The location is right near the edge of all the clubs and bars and perfect distance for walking. The food is pretty great and was just right for the winter weather. Like the name suggests, they serve shabu style hot pot, which is a mixture of both soupy broth and a collection of different vegetables and meats. I chose the kurobuta pork, which is one of the cheaper of the meats in the menu. The broth selection was what you’ll expect from any shabu place. Highly recommend for anyone with the craving for hot soups or just want some great food.

Came in an hour and a half before close, very excited to try their hand at shabu!
Some highlights of my trip,
the steam that rose from my first bowl of noodles, is something nostalgic that I can always keep with me.
I enjoy the way the seasoning breaks down over time, and the way that the meat dances with the broth, in bringing out its own flavor, made for a very tasty experience.
I didn’t even make it to my side of rice. and that will definitely be a J to bring me back, I even had some Togo to take home. !
If you are looking for a fun family restaurant that is accommodating to toddlers, this might be the night on the town occasion for you guys. !!
I would say don’t bring your date here, unless the two of you TRULY enjoy shabu. It could get fun, but messy!
Top notch servers, diana, and (i talked a little with jesse), they are both attentive, and fun!
I think I made my servers uncomfortable as I drank the rest of the ponzu sauce, I ain’t got no shame, with my shabu shabu.

Beautiful remodel, service was great. Manager was very friendly and attentive.
Tai was my server and is adorable. First time having Shabu… think Japanese fondue with amazing flavors.

After a long commute home in the frigid California winter, nothing seemed more perfect than a nice, hot, soupy meal at shabu-​shabu. I was absolutely delighted when my mom suggested this place for dinner and couldn’t wait for a nice quick meal to fill my belly and warm me up. We arrived just as a large crowd of people left and were seated immediately. The rich aroma of boiled meats and vegetables made us want to order quickly and eat as soon as possible. Our server was very polite and courteous as he helped us navigate the menu and informed us about the subtle difference between the assortment of meats and selection of broths. With his help, we made our orders hastily and began to wait patiently.
As we waited, I began to scan the room, analyzing the trendy bar-​like décor that was lit with bright backlit panels. I could have easily mistaken this place for a trendy DTF bar/​club had it not been for the boiling pots of soup and the condensation all over the storefront. The swiveling bar chairs made it especially easy to look around, until… BAM! For some reason, the bar is so short that any reasonably sized person will hit their knees on the counter at least several times through the course of their meal. But that’s not all. To complete the club vibe, the music was also hand-​picked from a fresh selection of uncensored club favorites. I don’t know who was on the playlist that night, but I would not bring your children in here without prescreening their playlist first. Lucky for you, you’ll have plenty of time to do so while you wait for a table or your food.
Unless there is some ancient Japanese secret to preparing a plate of raw meat and raw vegetables, I do not understand how I had the time to fully appreciate the atmosphere while struggling to have a conversation with my girlfriend over the loud music. While waiting for my food, I actually witnessed a family of four entering a restaurant and staring at four clean seats for about ten minutes before being seated. My god the food here better have been orgasmic to be worth the wait. Sadly, it was not. When it finally came out, the food was pretty average for a shabu-​shabu place. There was nothing particularly great or terrible about the meat, veggies, or sauce.
This would have been a decent place to eat at had the service been a bit faster and the music selected more wisely. They were clearly understaffed, but the staff that they did have was very nice and friendly and I would definitely recommend hiring some more of them. I would have considered this place an easy three stars had it not been for this next offense. Just as we were about to leave I noticed a nice splotch of lipstick on my girlfriend’s water glass. I thought to myself, I don’t remember her wearing any lipstick. She wasn’t. Gross. Luckily for her, she doesn’t didn’t drink any of it before I noticed.
To prepare for this experience, I would definitely recommend some knee pads, a bottle of purell, and maybe even a small sandwich.

Sakura Shabu Shabu is a blessing in Fullerton. I have scoured for a Shabu Shabu place that offers Spicy Miso Base or any other flavor based options, other than starting from scratch with water, like the majority of Shabu Shabu places in the Orange County. We would often go to Jazzcat Shabu in City of Industry or Ichi Ichi for some fusion shabu. I am glad there is an alternative here.
*Chicken Karage — I love Chicken Karage (karaage) in Japanese places like Mitsuwa and most of the ones i get are from drum or thigh, which are dark meat. This one was white meat and not my favorite side. haha i’m a Sith. That would have made it tons better. If you like white meat chicken nuggets, you wouldn’t mind this appetizer. This also comes with a nice mayo aioli. That helped. Worth a try, but wouldn’t get again.
**Spicy Miso with Premium Beef — This is the standard. This is what I’ve been wanting in this Orange County area for a long time. This broth is lighter than most spicy miso broths that I have tried but it is still flavorful. The standard amenities come with the shabu like tofu, vegetables and udon. You can also add hot drops to make it much spicier. This almost made my cough my lung out for the spice. I suggest two drops. It also comes with side dish sauces to dip your meat.
Great place to go, I plan to go here multiple times because of its location. It still doesn’t fare the same as my favorite place Jazzcat. They have the wings that I like and the T-​Rex option to get more meat. If you are familiar with Shabu, thin slices of meat can only go so far without wanting more. You want to get full through the soup. I want my meat, and this place gives a standard size. The prices are typical and good enough for a night. I thank you for my meal.

Love Shabu Shabu. New owners have bought my old spot and it’s great! Service much improved with more waiters. Décor is very modern and atmosphere is fun.
Tons of choices for broth and protein choices. Shabu Shabu is fun, light but filling.

You can’t miss this place! It lights up deep into the streets! Great location to be at. The service here is amazing. The food is incredible. It’s a win win for downtown Fullerton. I got the Wagyu Toro sukiyaki. The broth lightly sweet. Goes amazing with the yuzu ponzu. The portions are big so I was sooo full afterwards. The staff made sure to constantly check up on us. I recommend this place for anyone craving a unique experience.
Recommendation: Wagyu Toro sukiyaki