DIPPING my mozzarella stuffed fish ball in a perfectly made sate sauce, I was instantly hooked. The enjoyment of munching on a tasty seafood ball oozing with cheese is quite a catch. Gone are the days of mozzarella sticks. Now, everyone can enjoy good food without the guilt.
On my recent trip to Davao City, I chanced upon a newly opened restaurant. Located in Damosa Gateway, Mr. Shabu Shabu seems to have won the hearts of many DavaoeƱos. I luckily found a spot despite it having a full house.
A popular Japanese cuisine, Shabu Shabu is a hotpot dish served with a variety of vegetables, meat and seafood all depending on one's taste.
I started off with a delectable sate soup. Then a platter of vegetables, thinly sliced beef and my favorite mushroom balls arrived. I dipped it in the hotpot while playing with the flavors adding a bit of chili and a handful of garlic.
It was love at first bite, the soup was amazingly seasoned. Not too salty nor too strong, it was spicy and hearty just like how it should be.
A hot bowl of soup may be readily available in the different nooks of the city but once you have experienced the unique combination of flavor brought by the broth and their house sauce, you might just think twice about taking the short route to instant soups.
Wanting to try more, I added cheese fish buns, Ngo Hiong, Seafood Buns, Dragon fish balls and lobster rolls and feasted on it like I never did before. Each had its own unique taste that will make you crave for another plate.
Dip the balls in a special sate sauce and the combination of peanuts, chili, garlic and sate with such bouncy delights will bring out the foodie in you.
I explored a little more and tried the prawn roll, Gindara Tofu, black mushrooms and dried scallops in a clear soup. All new to my taste, I immersed myself in a weirdly appetizing cuisine. I went out of my comfort zone and realized good food can be found even in the most unexpected way.
Unlike the other shabu shabu restaurants, Mr. Shabu Shabu has its own twists packed with unique explosion of flavors. Their hearty hotpot truly warms the belly and satiates one's soul. At a price of fifty pesos, everyone can enjoy unlimited refill of soup and sauces.
If you are craving for a healthy and authentic hotpot experience, Mr. Shabu Shabu delivers the best.