Shabu Shabu Kyoto — Restaurant in Bellevue

Grand opening initial thoughts - no promo/discounts [Rating would technically be a 3.5]

Space: Very clean and spacious. You can smell the new restaurant smell lol. The tables are mainly fit for 4-6 people, so if you're a 2 person, you'll be placed one of these tables.

Service: The waitress and staff are still in training and it's pretty obvious. Our waitress was pretty quiet so it was hard to hear her speak, but I think she was also a bit nervous too. They were pretty attentive to us and looked around the room for any "cues" or "signs of needs of service". Owner (i think) was very kind and informational, i asked him a bunch of questions in regards to the traditional japanese shabushabu. He answered all of the questions.

Food: Got the rib eye beef sukiyaki and the shabushabu. If you tend to like flavor integrated into your meat and veggies, i'd recommend getting the sukiyaki. If you don't mind cooking your items in water first and then dipping, then shabushabu is your thing (will be on the lighter side in taste - depending how you dip lol). Sukiyaki - technically you dip your items in raw egg, but i have a weak stomach so i threw it into the pot. It was a very sweet soy sauce taste - i recommend watching closely so you don't over cook your food items. Shabu shabu - cute, very traditional in the japanese way. It starts off with boiling water with a piece of kelp thrown inside. And then you throw your veggies and then you lightly cook your meat. When you're ready, you dip and eat.

Overall: Very clean and spacious, it looks like a fun place to meet up with friends and enjoy hotpot. Very expensive for the amount of food. I think you're there for the traditional experience. Other than that, i wasn't completely full when done. Could technically make this at home for cheaper. Like all things hot pot? Check it out, if you've never had japanese hot pot. Not a hard core hot pot fan? I don't think it's worth going out of your way to check this place out. It's more of a, if you're around the area, check it out if you want to. Good customer service and very responsive. They seem to listen to feedback...

We visited Shabu Shabu Kyoto last weekend after hearing great things from a few friends, and it completely lived up to the hype. From the moment we stepped inside, we were greeted with genuine smiles and a calm, inviting atmosphere. The interior feels elegant but still cozy — clean lines, warm lighting, and traditional touches that make you feel like you’re stepping into a small corner of Japan.

The staff were absolutely wonderful. They took the time to walk us through the menu since it was our first time trying authentic shabu shabu. Everything was explained clearly — from how to cook the meats to which sauces pair best with which ingredients — and they checked in regularly to make sure we had everything we needed without hovering too much.

We ordered the premium wagyu set, and wow — the quality of the meat was unreal. Each slice was beautifully marbled and literally melted in our mouths. The vegetables were fresh and crisp, and the broth had such a clean, delicate flavor that brought everything together perfectly. The dipping sauces were flavorful and balanced — especially the ponzu, which had just the right amount of citrusy tang.

What really stood out was how relaxing the whole experience was. Shabu shabu can take time, but it never felt slow or dragged out — it felt like a proper meal to enjoy at your own pace. The staff refilled the broth when needed, brought fresh napkins and drinks without being asked, and genuinely made us feel taken care of.

We ended the meal with their homemade matcha ice cream, which was creamy, earthy, and the perfect finish after such a rich and satisfying dinner.

Overall, Shabu Shabu Kyoto is one of those rare places where everything — food, service, atmosphere — comes together perfectly. You can tell there’s real pride in what they do. It’s not just about eating; it’s an experience.

I can’t recommend it highly enough, especially if you appreciate authentic Japanese cuisine and want something a little different from the usual sushi spots. We’ll definitely be back soon — next time with family so they can...

Highly recommended!! My wife and I first visited this place a couple of weeks ago and loved it so much we brought my mom here shortly after. Both times we received the same high quality dining experience of fresh ingredients, friendly and attentive service, and left both times with very full and happy bellies. Most importantly, my mom thought it was excellent.

We splurged and got her an order of the A5 Japanese Wagyu, knowing we’d be sneaking some off her plate. No regrets. It’s so tender it melts in your mouth. We also got the Australian Wagyu and it was amazing too, but there is a difference. The Japanese one is not something we can afford to order every time but was worth trying and plan to get it on special occasions. The house made ponzu and sesame sauces were also on point.

For broths, I got traditional dashi the first time, and spicy miso the second. They were different, but both were delicious. The flavor for each kept building and becoming more distinct as I added the veggies, mushrooms, tofu, and beef. (Tip: if you have any leftover broth take it home as it’s even tastier the next day. We added dumplings to ours and got a delicious second meal out of it 😉

As far as appetizers we’ve only had the spicy tuna appetizer and it hit both times. The warm and crispy rice mixes well with the flavor and creamy texture of the spicy tuna. I’ve been craving it non-stop.

Overall, we can tell a lot of thought went into this restaurant: from the freshness of the ingredients to the cleanliness of the inviting space including simple but appropriate decor, to the menu with a delicate wooden cover.

We got there as they opened at 5pm on a Wednesday and it quickly filled up. The atmosphere was lively with families of all ages and most seemed like regulars. We were impressed with how efficient the two servers were with most of the tables filled, which included a couple of big parties. We will be bringing friends and family here many times in the future and are looking forward to eventually trying the rest of their menu....