Shabu-shabu is traditionally one of the most social of Japanese cuisines. Part of its attraction is the shared experience of keeping an eye on the simmering hotpot and bringing its paper-thin slices of meat to just the right level of tenderness. Yamawarau turns this model on its head completely. Having debuted here in Omotesando and now with branches in Ginza and Shibuya, the restaurant is tailored to make solo shabu-shabu a comfortable experience (groups are welcome too).
Yamawarau actually goes beyond mere comfort. A sleek interior design features muted tones inspired by mingei folk crafts, with seating around a spot-lit oval counter made from natural wood and featuring single-serving, artisan-crafted nabe pots. Equal care goes into the sourcing of meats and vegetables (the black sirloin is a highlight), with both lunch and dinner courses on offer (from ¥1,450 and ¥2,900 respectively), plus a la carte options in the evening.