Shabu Sai

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Item: Shabu Sai
Rating: 2
Author: RunningMan

8 Reviews

Taste

Decor

Service

Hygiene

Value

Orchard

$21 - $30

Japanese Buffet Sukiyaki/Shabu Shabu

RunningMan

Level4

325

Opened in December 2012 and operated by Creative Restaurants Holdings, which also manages several other Japanese restaurant brands across Singapore, Shabu Sai is their shabu-shabu and sukiyaki buffet hot pot concept. Designed to appeal to the masses, dining at Shabu Sai is passable, but nothing to shout about. There is good variety, but not as much as elsewhere, and even the general taste of food here is less tasty than elsewhere.Ambience at Shabu Sai is open, spacious, and brightly lit, with am

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Ambience at Shabu Sai is open, spacious, and brightly lit, with ample seating areas, and modern, functional furniture. Suitable even for large groups, the hot pot cooking smell does tend to stick to your clothing, even though the ventilation is adequate enough that it doesn't feel stuffy or uncomfortable. The place is also noisy and feels slightly messy, especially with the crowds during peak periods.

Service at Shabu Sai is passable. Staff engagement is minimal, beyond seating diners, you won't be interacting much with them. The entire buffet is self-service, although I note that staff regularly come around to clear away empty / dirty tables frequently, which is good. They're also prompt in serving meat orders to your table, and will quickly assist with changing gas canisters if needed. However, it's difficult to attract their attention.

Food at Shabu Sai is Japanese shabu-shabu or sukiyaki hot pot buffet style, where you choose 2 soup bases. Pick your vegetables and sides from a selection of around 30 items, then place your meat orders with staff. Everything is free-flow here. You can even change soup bases throughout your meal with some creativity! Prices are designed to attract the masses, budget about SGD $32 per person for a meal here. I find taste to be passable at best.

As a Japanese concept buffet dining, the soup bases naturally are Japanese inspired, with several other Southeast Asian flavours of soup bases as well. The variety of soup bases is the main highlight of dining here, as everything else is just passable. My personal favourites would be the Soup Base Sukiyaki and Soup Base Yuzu Collagen, in that order.