Mo-Mo-Paradise Ikebukuro Sunshine 60th Street — Restaurant in Tokyo

BAD SERVICE! Is P1 really Kuroge Wagyu beef? This was a very unpleasant dining experience. At the end of our trip, the two of us, with high expectations for high-quality Wagyu beef, chose this 4.6-rated restaurant and directly ordered the top-tier Kuroge Wagyu buffet set (8,000 yen per person before tax). However, I did not expect such a difference in quality and freshness of the beef after the second order. The quality of the first three plates of beef ordered is shown in P3, with even texture and bright color. The quality of the second order of three plates of beef has significantly declined, with loose meat and dark color. I questioned the waiter, who told me that the three plates of beef newly ordered were the same as the previous one, and they were freshly cut and fresh. Although I don’t understand Wagyu beef, I understand cooking. The color and freshness of meat are closely related, and judging from the texture and fat of the meat, it does not meet the standard of Wagyu beef at all. If pointing to the obviously dark meat and saying it is the same as the bright meat next to it, and it is freshly cut, it is a lie. So I asked to replace the three plates of beef, and the waiter replaced the three plates for me (as shown in P1). The color of the top plate is relatively fresh, but the color and fat of the meat of the bottom two plates are still not ideal, and there is no difference from before the replacement. I once again asked to replace the bottom two plates of beef, and pointed to the beef in P3, emphasizing that it should be fresh beef. The waiter once again said: This is fresh beef, freshly cut. I can only ask: How about I go to watch your beef cutting process? I am very curious, the same kind of beef, just separated by such a short time, the color and texture of the meat can have such a big difference (the beef of the first order is still half a plate, and its color is still bright at this time). The waiter left for a while and came back to explain to me: The color of the beef will become dark after being cut out for a while. I understand this common sense, so I insist on replacing it with fresh Wagyu beef. So, after several communications, I finally got two plates of beef with acceptable freshness (as shown in P2). Because the buffet time limit is 100 minutes, I have started to get angry and lose my appetite in the process of several replacements. When checking out, I asked for a Chinese staff member to report these problems to him. I would like to express my gratitude to this Chinese waiter here, who proposed a solution for us: to replace our original Kuroge Wagyu set with the second-tier domestic beef set (5,000 yen per person before tax). We accepted this solution. However, we still need to reflect our dining experience truthfully on Google Maps: The attitude and etiquette of the Chinese waiter and the other two female waiters are very good, but the waiter who served us during the meal needs to be strengthened. He said nothing when serving the dishes, and he put the dishes down with a bang and left. Is this the appropriate service etiquette? (There may be language communication barriers, but it should be a universal etiquette to serve dishes lightly, right?) Or can I understand that he is expressing dissatisfaction to the guests? This is not only not up to the Japanese service standard, but also not up to the international service standard. Since it is a buffet, the quality of the meat ordered for the first time and the nth time should be the same, right? If the number of orders exceeds a few plates, the quality of the meat supplied is automatically reduced, which is a reduction in quality, right? Even if it is clearly stated that Kuroge Wagyu is limited, it is better than substituting the inferior for the superior. Maintaining honesty and sincerity is the way to operate for...

A few different issues. Very rude and arrogant host who discriminated against non-Japanese people. Uneasy atmosphere and a sense of being a burden to the staff. Bad quality and inconsistent meat.

We tried to book on the phone and the host, I believe his name was H.IKEDA, told us there was no more tables available. When we checked online we were able to book, so we phoned back to check and the booking worked. Our booking was 20:00, and I turned up at 20:00, waited a few minutes to be addressed but nobody approached me. At around 20:05 I went to speak to the host and told him I have a table booked for 20:00. With a smile on his face, he seemed happy to tell me that I turned up late and the table has been taken. I told him we’ve been here and it’s still only 5-10 minutes late, he just shrugged his shoulders and smirked, and said it’s too late. Didn’t even apologize. My Japanese is not perfect and my Japanese partner was round the corner, I asked her to come and when he spoke to her, straight away he told us that yes the table is available and he gave her menus for us to choose what to have while they prepare it. So he LIED about it being too late, he LIED about the table being taken, and he LIED to me that there was nothing he can do. As soon as my Japanese partner turns up he completely changes and acts nice and accommodating to her, even though I was very polite to him. I don’t want to say it’s because I’m a foreigner, but there was a definite change of attitude when he spoke to a Japanese person. When we sat down, the staff seemed to rush us into ordering, we hadn’t even taken off our coats and sat down and they were pestering us to choose what to have. The food was ok, but there was definitely a problem with the kalbi. Some of the kalbi plates didn’t look like kalbi, it wasn’t the right fat distribution and comparing side by side it was obvious they were different. Unfortunately i didn’t take a photo. We told the staff and the woman just looked at it for a second and said yes it’s kalbi, we asked if she’s sure because they’re different, and she just said yes they’re the same, we were ordering a lot of food as all-you-can-eat (we were a group) so we didn’t take it any further. As soon as the time period was up, two or three of the staff surrounded us and repeatedly prompted us to leave. I understand they need to clean up etc but the restaurant wasn’t fully booked and there were plenty of empty tables around us, so we were unsure why they were trying so hard to get us to leave. Overall, the meat was standard, price was ok. There weren’t many sides, just some standard vegetables and four ice cream flavors. But the ARROGANT, LYING, unwelcoming host Mr H. IKEDA, the unfriendly staff and the tense environment and the not great condition of the meat, made our experience very uncomfortable. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. I don’t think the Nabezo brand is at fault as we’ve had Nabezo before and it was ok. I think this branch in Ikebukuro, is a TOXIC place to eat. It seems the hosts bad attitude is passed onto his staff. Not a good experience at all.

I see from other bad reviews that I’m not the only person who has experienced this. So they don’t care or learn from their mistakes. Their replies to feedback are not...

We recently decided to indulge in shabu-shabu again and chose a Nabezo location conveniently close to our hotel. Having enjoyed an excellent experience at a different Nabezo last year, our expectations were high. Incredibly, they did not just meet those expectations—they completely surpassed them.

From the moment we stepped in, we were treated like royalty by a world-class waiter named Umi. Right away, he took the time to explain every detail of the dining process, ensuring we understood the options and could make the best choices for our tastes. His thoughtful guidance led us to the perfect selections, making the experience not just a meal, but a culinary journey.

Umi's attentiveness was extraordinary. He checked in regularly to ensure we had everything we needed, seamlessly balanced a personal connection with us, and managed to serve other guests around us with the same energy and dedication. What truly blew us away was his multilingual proficiency—effortlessly switching languages to cater to the diverse clientele around him.

While our interactions with the rest of the staff were limited, their efficiency was impossible to miss. Buffet items were constantly replenished, tables were cleared of finished plates with impeccable timing, and every corner of the restaurant radiated a sense of care and precision. It was evident that the entire team was committed to delivering an outstanding experience for every guest.

As for the food itself, it was a revelation. Nabezo offers several time-limited beef options at different price points, each paired with a variety of soup bases and sauces. I chose the Wagyu A5 option, and it was worth every yen—its velvety texture and sublime taste were nothing short of perfection. The other beef selections were also excellent, but the Wagyu truly stole the show. The open buffet was equally impressive, offering an extensive array of fresh ingredients, and Umi made sure I always had all the beef I desired.

The evening concluded on a wonderfully personal note. Umi escorted us outside and even took a playful photo with us, using the restaurant's charming shabu-shabu props. It was a delightful way to cap off a flawless night and a testament to how much care they put into creating a memorable experience for their guests.

If you're looking for a shabu-shabu experience that combines world-class service, exceptional food, and genuine hospitality, this Nabezo location is a must-visit. We left not just satisfied but...