My friend was visiting and wanted some shabu like we used to have back home so I just yelped and found this place. We didn't make reservations and got here around 8:30 on a Sat night. We didn't really have to wait since this place has two floors and plenty of tables. We sat down and was helped quickly. We ordered surf and turf #1, a side order of lamb, king oyster mushrooms, tofu, with one traditional soup base and one Japanese soy sauce with seaweed. The food came and I quickly realized we ordered wayyyy too much food. The side order of lamb meat was huge... It felt like it was as much as a regular order. The surf and turf was great and there were a lot of good seafood in it. You can tell they use quality ingredients. I also ordered a lychee martini and that was delicious. My friend ordered a smoothie and it was rich and milky. The only downsides I would say are 1) they ran out of peanut sauce... how does that happen for a shabu place? 2) we ordered mochi ice cream for dessert and it was hard... clearly something wrong with the container or freezer. They took it back and gave us just ice cream. My friend said the red bean ice cream was weird... I got green tea ice cream and thought it was ok. 3) I felt like it was a little pricey... or maybe I'm just used to LA quantity, quality, and price...
(3)
Leah G.
We love this place! There are so many broth flavors to choose from. The meat and veggies are always fresh and portions are very generous. The spicy broths are extremely spicy, so beware! My favorite is the Tonkatsu broth with boneless short ribs. I do find that the "generic" beef isn't as good, so I upgrade The kimchi broth is also great and very flavorful, but very spicy. The tomato and beef broth is another good non-spicy broth choice. The food comes out quickly, so there's barely any waiting involved. There is a lot of seating, though most times they seat you upstairs. There are quite a few stairs and they're very steep, so be careful!! For drinks, their house scorpion-bowl-like drink is so yummy (can't remember the exact drink name)!! The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The prices for hot pot are generally pretty high, and this place is up there. On two hot pot meals alone, expect to spend at least $50, but it's worth it. One of the best hot pot places I've been to in the area. Would definitely recommend!!
(5)
Becca P.
I always go to Shabu Zen but my friend suggested that we go to this place so I figured WHY NOT? I wish I didn't but now I know. The SERVICE was okay. I had to flag down the waiter and other waiters a few times since my waiter didn't check on us after he served us. For food, we got the angus rib eye and short rib combos to split. I got the assorted veggies as is and my friend removed the cabbage and added more spinach for her plate. I don't understand why the waiter made the substitutions such a fuss. "Let me ask my manager." But they sub'd it out anyways. The assorted veggies comprised of watercress, spinach, napa cabbage, one black mushroom, corn and a tomato. It was underwhelming. I tried Spinach noodles for the first time. Not a fan. Just go with the Udon. The first angus rib eye was good. The short rib was cut really thin and just didn't satisfy. We were still hungry so we ordered another angus rib eye. The second plate was more fresh because the cut looked better and tasted much better. Our broth was the house broth and the cilantro and duck egg. House broth was quite bland as well as the cilantro one but I still enjoyed the duck eggs. Altogether, thumbs down. I would not come back. They are WAY OVERPRICED for what they offer. I'll go to Shabu Zen or the Shabu in Quincy.
(2)
Bradley B.
Really great selection and food, came for a birthday party and will definitely be back. There are so many combinations to try: although the prime rib was so good I don't think I can order anything else.
(4)
Thanh H.
Great place, but only if you're not in a hurry. For those new to the concept of hotpot, it was really designed for eating with a group of people. You put the food in, let it cook as you chat with you friends. I was never a fan growing up since I didn't really eat out much, let alone eating out with a group. After I met my wife and her group of friends, I started liking hotpot a lot. Not just because of the food, but that fact that we're all together enjoying each other's company. Of course, having great foods around doesn't hurt. I really like the Chicken Wings and the Spicy Tentacles here. The Chicken Wings are juicy and flavorful, and the sauce that comes with it only sweetens the deal. The Spicy Tentacles had a slight hint of spice so even if you don't really eat spicy foods, you might find this to be in your comfort zone. There is a large selection of broths to choose from. Most places will offer maybe four or five types of broth, Kaze offers about a dozen. Their broth range from tamed Japanese Miso to aromatic Chinese Herbal to face-burning Malaysian. Each has their own unique taste so it's not uncommon for a group of friends to order several broths (each pot can hold two broths) and share. I, personally, like the Malaysian and the Szechuan. I like my foods with a kick. For the main course, a tip given to me by a friend of mine, Paul Le, who goes here at LEAST 4 days out of the week, is to order from the "Sides" section of the menu. That way you get exactly what you want. Rib eye, shortrib, chicken, beef balls, water cress, and udon noodles. If this is what I want, there's no reason to order meat combo and assorted vegetables. The food here is of better quality than that is at Hot Pot Buffet, but the quantity is not even close. So I guess you might say you come here to dine and hang out, and you go to the buffet down the street if you're just planning on stuffing yourself. The service is great here. Never had a problem and was always attended to. I've been here more than I can count in one hand...so probably around 7 or 8 times. Most of the time, the waiter has been Ross. He is fantastic. The moment water in in my glass is half way, BAM! There he was, filling it. When Coke (soda) is low, BAM! He's there asking if you need another one. The establishment is always clean and properly lit. Tables are cleaned promptly have customers get up to ensure the next customers are seated quickly. They also offer alcohol and desserts. What's dinner with friends without some adult beverages? Well, unless you're underage. They offer beer and wines to hard liquor such as Jack Daniels and Hennessy. For those feeling a might be adventurous they offer giant scorpion bowls for your party. I'm disappointed to say, I've never actually tried the desserts here so I can't really comment on that. Perhaps an update in the future is in order.
(5)
David S.
This place was probably one of the best surprises I came across in Boston. Having explored the North end and survived a near death experience with tainted fish, soup was something I was looking forward to. We came in on a Sunday night around 7 PM and were seated almost immediately. The first thing that caught my eye was the huge selection of soups and meats. No one at our table had a good idea of what portions were like or what would work. The server was extremely helpful in explaining all of the options and giving us a general idea of what is common. Between the 4 of us, we were able to order 3 different dishes and walk out very full. It is also not nearly as expensive as other places in Boston. The meat was great, the soup was well prepared and all of the suggestions from the server turned out great. I think I will visit this place many more times before I move away!
(4)
Sally B.
I recently took a group here for a bachelorette party. It was fun, delicious, and inexpensive. What it wasn't was on time. Basically, the idea of taking reservations is more or less a lie. We got there 10 minutes before ours and had to wait until 45 minutes after it was due to start before we got to sit down. They had sat someone at "our" table and they just weren't leaving. I get that there's not a ton you can do at that point, but if they knew we were coming, why didn't they just tell the people that they would have to leave at a certain point? I've had that done to me a dozen times - it's a trade off for getting to sit immediately, that you have a bit of a time limit on your experience. Given that this was the sole reason I chose this place, I was pissed that they didn't care about keeping our reservation on time. That being said, the food was delicious - it was great to have a variety of broth. We had a few people in our party with seafood allergies and they felt very safe with the knowledge that their food wouldn't be contaminated and it all worked out fine. The prime rib was pretty much the best thing I've ever eaten, and the tofu variety was interesting, if not all equally delicious (skip the iced tofu). We all ate until we were completely stuffed and still paid only $20 each. Delicious food, just don't come in a rush... or with a group, even if you think you have a reservation.
(4)
Leanne C.
Want to look cultured, clever and fun on a date? Go. to. this. place. With a downtown dining price of only $15-$25/person, I can't think of a better place to bring your dinner chatter, open-minded munchitude and appetite. They give you a variety of sauces, rather hefty proportions and a wide variety of foods to hot pot it up. Being the veg I am, I got the Vegetarian Delight (typical Asian fare name for "vegetables... with or without sauce!") and this was the first time I was delighted. My date copied suit and we ordered the curry base with rice noodles on the side. So many veggies: a few types of tofu, some cabbage, mushrooms, taro, daikon, spinach, watercrest and a couple others. I barely made it halfway into my portions when I tapped out from being too full. I'm in love with this place. The staff were completely understanding of my date's lack of timing (and almost burning) of some of the foodstuffs too. Solid place and I can't wait to come back.
(5)
Katie B.
Swish Shabu by Fenway is my favorite place to get hot pot. However, if you're in Chinatown (especially if you're a college student) Kaze is a good choice. It's a spacious restaurant with pretty good service. And the best part is, in the collegiate coupon book you can get a Buy-1-Get-1-Free deal for lunch combos!! Saves a lot of money. The quality of the meats, vegetables and soup are all solid. If you're in the area, check it out. And bring your coupon book!!!
(4)
Idy T.
Can't stand the long wait at Q Restaurant? No worries! Just walk down the street and Kaze will be there to rescue! I love shabu shabu, especially during the cold Boston weather. Kaze offers a wide selection of meats for shabu. They have prime rib eye, boneless short ribs, black angus beef, lamb, chicken, shrimp, salmon. You name it, they will probably have it here! They have pretty good soup bases too. I like the Japanese miso. It is super flavorful and goes well with the meat and veggies. The Chinese herb is good too but for those who cannot stand the herbal flavor, this is not recommended. However, I am disappointed at the spicy mala soup base at kaze! It has big kick to it, almost impossible for me to eat it. When the soup boils it makes you cough and sneeze like crazy! It gets even worst after it has been boiling for awhile, when the flavors are even more concentrated. I am the type of person that can eat really spicy food and I would have to say this one is a killer. The portion is really big. Each order comes with a plate of meat, a plate of veggies, a choice of broth, and rice or noodles. The service is pretty good a little better than Q. They are really quick with your orders though so you can start shabu-ing away as soon as possible!
(4)
Holly H.
First hot pot experience ever and I loved it. Sat at the bar, drinks were never empty. Food came out quick (not much preparation) and was delicious. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Mary T.
Prepare to have garlic breath, if you eat here!! I had dinner here. This is similar to a lot of the other shabu restaurants nearby. I came here on a Sunday night and it wasn't really busy. We were seated upstairs. My friend and I got the lamb and beef combo. I usually get the mala soup base, but I was warned by my sister that it is super spicy, I mean there is 3 chili signs next to it, so it must be spicy. I asked the server to make it with half the spice. I also got basic broth. The broth is not that flavorful and it was bland. They give you a lot of veggies, I wish they had tofu. It was a little weird that they had tomatoes. They have several dipping sauces for the meat--sriracha, satay, and soy sauce. You can add garlic, and scallions to your soy sauce. I was pretty full from the lamb combo I got. The server was quick to serve the food, but when we ask for more sauces, they never got it for us. The prices here are fair and it is a good place to go to if Q is pack.
(3)
Chris C.
Our dinner group went here on a January Friday night. RATINGS: Food: 4 Service: 4 Decor: 3 Overall: 4 SUMMARY: First Friday attendees found the food to be " fresh and plentiful," and that the "Thai Tomyum and Japanese Miso broths I had were a good compliment to one another." However, one attendee found the lamb to be "fattier than I remember." Service ranged from "fine" to "good," with one review stating he wished "there was more explanation from the waitstaff." Reviewers also found Shabu Shabu to be "a lot nicer than most shabu places." Multiple respondents said they would return for "a relaxed and casual dinner" or that they would return with "people from out of town." INDIVIDUAL DINER COMMENTS: Nice atmosphere, reasonable food. No really big surprises, good or bad. I'd come back again and since it's different, it's a nice activity to do with people visiting from out of town, etc. -- I've been to Shabu Shabu many times and was excited to return. Though I definitely had to work for my dinner (finally got into the rhythm by the end of the meal), the ingredients were fresh and plentiful and the Thai Tomyum broth has become a new favorite. Service was fine. The lamb was fattier than I remembered from previous visits but the beef was excellent so I'd stick with that. Overall, I would definitely return for a relaxed and casual dinner. Mmmmm I'm hungry just thinking about it.... -- The Thai Tomyum and Japanese Miso broths I had were a good compliment to one another, offering a spicy and tasty way to eat my meal. I found the meat just a little too fatty, had to leave a few pieces floating in the broth, doomed to shabu hell. It took me a little bit to get in the flow of cooking and conversing, but it did not detract from the experience in anyway. I enjoyed Shabu Shabu's aesthetic, service, and overall experience to Shabu Zen, a most welcomed change to the evening. -- Tthis was a fun first friday. The food was fresh, plentiful and affordable, and the service was good, and helpful, and the interior was spacious and a lot nicer than many shabu places, i thoroughly enjoyed it!! -- Definitely an enjoyable change of pace from the normal restaurant experience, Shabu Shabu was a pleasant surprise. I found the food delicious and filling without being overwrought. They DIY-nature of the meal was quite fun. A little more explanation from the waitstaff about what different items were would have been helpful, but I also could have asked.
(4)
Kestrel S.
Delicious! Fresh, good meat and produce. Nice miso broth. The Kaze Special Bowl is a fun drink--like alcoholic candy. Udon noodles and jumbo shrimp are great.
(4)
Mike F.
Stumbled into this restaurant unknowing of what I was getting myself into. Little did I know my world and taste buds were about to be rocked into space. The food was quality and the dipping soup broths are extremely tasty. Once you're out of food you will be left dipping anything you can find in the broth to soak up the goodness. i recommend a classic face first slurp approach.
(4)
Carolyn L.
I'd probably rate this place closer to 2.5 stars. It's just missing the wow factor. They really shouldn't advertise themselves as being a Japanese restaurant when it has a heavier Chinese influence. Their shabu uses Chinese sauces and they even serve Chinese rice. My Japanese friend was incredibly disappointed. I guess that's what you'd expect for Chinatown though? However, I will say I really liked the option of ordering different soup bases and enjoyed the tonkatsu broth. But other than that, prices are decent and the portions are average. I'll probably check out all the other shabu places before coming back.
(3)
Jerry L.
Really like this place especially as a single traveler. One can eat here alone without feeling weird. Does that make sense? Plus the food is excellent. I really enjoy their Satay broth.....why can't I find this broth in Los Angeles?? $4 PBRs and a beef/seafood shabu with Satay broth pls. I stayed 3 days in Boston and ate here twice......it's worth a visit.
(5)
Jessica B.
Good lord I love this place. This is my favorite restaurant in the Boston area. Full disclosure, I don't know anything about Shabu Shabu, what it's supposed to be like, what's authentic and what's not, etc. What I love about Kaze is that it's simply delicious. I usually get the vegetarian combo, which says a lot for me because I love meat [insert tasteless joke here]. My significant other always gets one of the lamb/beef combos and he loves it. You get a ridiculous portion of food, choice of two broths, and a starch (I still haven't found the rice/noodles I like, but it's so secondary to the main show that who cares). Then you get to play with your food and cook it, poke it with a little fork pokey thing, scoop it out with a personal little basket, and then dip it in your very own blend of soy sauce, garlic, hot sauce and scallions. Then you put it in your mouth and die of happiness. Seriously I have no substantive complaints about this place - the staff is friendly and attentive, prices are pretty affordable considering the amount of food you get, and because you're cooking everything in broth and not oil, it's relatively healthy. The two things I'd change if I could are 1) everything you're wearing will smell like Shabu Shabu until you wash it next, and 2) you can't take any leftovers home. Go here. As an aside it would be a great first date place because each random item you get with your meal could be its own conversation piece. A delicious, brothy conversation piece.
(5)
Von T.
I should have walked out as soon as we'd stepped in. We walked in to three hostesses, none of whom greeted us. I had to say hi and request a table for two upstairs. They told me upstairs was full. That's fine. Then the hostess grabbed two menus, threw them on a table and walked away without so much as a bye. The waiter more than made up for the hostesses' lack of welcome. He was great, friendly, prompt. He was alarmed when he asked us what we'd like to drink and I told him we weren't given a drink menu. Going in, we knew it'd be pricey. The food was good, but the portions were a bit small. I'll be returning to Shabu-Zen two streets over from now on.
(2)
Wilma O.
First, I would say my rating would be more on the side of 3.5 stars, and this is a solid, fun restaurant with friends. But, that being said, Boston these days is overrun with a ton of "shabu-shabu" places like this (Shabu-zen, Q, some rando place in Quincy I once went to, etc) and they don't deviate much from each other. While shabu-shabu is indeed a Japanese dish, these places all have a distinctive Chinese flavor and I would never classify them as Japanese food. (The broths in Japanese shabu-shabu are stronger with saltier flavors, and the meats are cut thinner and don't taste like they're out of the freezer, a different assortment of stuff is put in, and 4-6 people will share one pot). Kaze is decent - its meat is fresh enough, it has good atmosphere, and the food is very filling. I really enjoy kicking back here with my girl friends, and it's great having an interactive yet hearty meal. However, their broths are not incredibly strong (ex: I'm very sensitive to spice but the two-pepper kimchi broth was nothing), their vegetables that come with the meat are lacking compared to other places I've been (with more quantity, more varieties of mushrooms, fried tofu, eggs, etc). I'd say, overall, if you've never had Asian-style hot-pot, this is a fun and "safe" place to try.
(3)
Tuyet V.
My favorite hot pot place, even when you're being stingy and cutting back on the meat, its all good though. I'll never leave you! Favorite broth is the beef and tomato. Where have you been all my life?
(5)
Abby R.
Great hot pot, exceptionally friendly service. A bit empty when I went on a Monday night, but it wasn't really an issue for me. Our waiter joked around with us and made suggestions, and was happy to help us whenever we needed it. I got the spiciest broth, which was decently spicy, but not scorching, and very flavorful. It also looked like the lava level in the old Super Mario, which I count as a plus. The chicken and beef both seemed to be of nice quality and they tasted great with the flavor of the broth. The vegetables were so-so in selection and freshness, and some of them weren't cut small enough to be placed in the broth, necessitating ripping it up with my fingers, wondering if that's an ok thing to do. Hot sake was great too, and the prices were right for everything. Would hot pot here again.
(4)
Days G.
Absolutely love this place. Price is good and shabu is the best ive had so far. my kids love the chicken wings with j sauce!
(5)
Ken Y.
Love going to places like these when it's cold out. Had the seafood/beef combo and the ribeye/lamb combo. The amount per plate is a bit less than Little Q, but it's also less expensive. One thing I didn't like about the seafood plate was the clam is frozen, so it's effectively dead; the waiter said they used to have fresh clams but they had a lot of sand and customers didn't like that. The Sichuan broth is *spicy*...probably at least twice as spicy as Little Q's spicy (not their ultra spicy one). It's a good spicy though :-)
(4)
Alex A.
This place is great, but a little odd. In fact, even though it is ultimately designed with large groups in mind (hot pots are intended to be shared, after all), the best experiences I've had here were with small groups. Best place to come to Kaze is really around the 11 PM - midnight mark. There's a couple of reasons for that: first, the lot behind the restaurant usually tends to be unattended after 11, and second, even if it is, street parking becomes much more freely available. Also, as the place generally tends to be pretty slammed during on-hours, coming later will nearly always guarantee you an immediate seating arrangement. The place offers a number of excellent options for appetizers and main courses, as well as plenty of diverse and delicious broths and meat and vegetarian options for the shabu. They also have a fully stocked bar with wine, beer, and liquor options. Fair warning to people just getting into Japanese food: this is definitely expert-mode shit. Granted, the waiters are almost always kind enough to explain to newbies how shabu works, but you will definitely get the feeling that maybe you should've known this stuff before coming there. So, if you're new to Japanese cuisine, you may be a bit overwhelmed on your first time. After that, it'll be easy-peasy.
(4)
Wayne T.
Service was good, no msg free option, prices reasonable, been several times, service friendly, overall good
(4)
Mike T.
If shabuzen is busy this is my second go to shabu place. It's cheaper but I feel like the meat is not the greatest quality. Their vegetarian special is really good though and better than shabuzens. Their broth can be pretty spicy so be careful. You can pass on the apps.
(4)
Kimberly Y.
Met up with friends for a late dinner. The wait was about 10 minutes. The service was good and quick. The soup bases tasted good and the veggies and meats all fresh. Of all the hot pot places around Chinatown, I think this one offered the freshest veggies and meats. Couple that with the attentive service we had a great dining experience and highly recommend!
The best shabu in Massachusetts together with van shabu bar in Dorchester. I always get the Malaysian satay broth and ask for extra satay sauce. The vegetables, meat and fish are very fresh.and if you are thirsty, try one of these amazing watermelon shakes.
(5)
Meg C.
This place is actually pretty good. I usually go to Shabu Zen for my hotpot but I wanted to try a different place out. The food is very good and plentiful. Definitely worth what you pay for. Best part about this place is how late it is open! On some nights they're open until 1:30am!
(4)
Ken G.
Unique experience, our party of four really enjoyed the experience and the meal. You cook your meal at your table. You pick a broth, such as Tomyum, Miso, etc. , then you pick an entree such as vegetarian, seafood, surf and turf, etc. With the entree there is a choice of noodles as well. They bring the soup base in a split bowl that handles two bases and bring it to a boil at your table. You put the veggies and the meat and the seafood in the boiling broth, wait 10 or 15 minutes and it's done. It was great.
(4)
Jotham O.
A friend and I went to this establishment. I liked the atmosphere, it has a very nice atmosphere. It's more pricey than the shabu shabu I often frequent. They offered more meat as part of the shabu, and I was very satisfied. I would come here again!
(4)
Bryan R.
Went for the first time last week. Came again a few days later. Will probably make the long long trek over from the SCLA again sometime soon. I like Shabu Zen as well but the booths at Kaze are much better for small parties and the quality is better. Only thing I'd like to see is 1/2 bottles of sparkling sake like Zipang. For now, keep the scallions coming. Yes, we will actually eat as many bowls as you put on the table.
(4)
Meagan F.
I love this place. Especially on a cold wintery day, or even simply when you just have a cold. Kaze Shabu Shabu offers a wide variety of sauces, entree selections, and noodles, that everyone will be able to find something they like. We decided to go a little bit daring this time, and since each pot can fit two different sauces, we ordered the Japanese Miso and Szechuan Spicy. Man was this one of the spiciest things I have ever eaten. Huge chilis, large kernels of black pepper, and tons of chili oil make up this fire-breathing goodness. The Miso helped cool our mouths down in addition to their amazingly fruity (albeit cheesy) cocktails. Mine tasted like honeydew melon. My fiance and I split the Surf and Turf with Prime Rib, some Udon, and the fried Oysters, all quite delicious and enough for two of us. The restaurant is funky, a little too bright to be romantic, according to my fiance, but offers just the perfect type of comfort food. To note: the service can be a little slow, especially when waiting for things from the bar, but the staff is patient enough to explain things and will (eventually) bring you what you ask for. Still worth it in my book.
(4)
Simon T.
Better than I had in Tokyo.
(4)
Lindsay D.
Absolutely delicious meal! My one wish is that my friend and I had shared a dish as the servings are sooo big!!!
(4)
Erica l.
This place is actually better than I expected, everything was very modern and welcoming. After having dinner here with my friends i would agree that this is much better than shabu-zen. When I first walked in I was greeted by friendly and welcoming staff. The appetizers are a must have especially the Japanese hot dogs. Really liked the wide variety of the soup bases. The beef lover is also a must! The food was very fresh and it was definitely not freezer food like other restaurants. A great place for any occasion
(5)
Doris K.
I used to really enjoy Kaze but I don't think I will ever go here again. 1. I think that someone accidentally dumped sugar into the BBQ sauce because it was SOOOO sweet. It has never been this way before so maybe it's a fluke but I'm not waiting around to find out. 2. I found a BIG bug in my watercress after I had boiled it and almost having eaten it I was thoroughly grossed out. Instead of offering to comp my meal, the waitress simply brought me a new pot of broth and a new veggie plate with some tofu that I had had boiling in my pot. I appreciate the fact that she decided to bring me an entirely new plate but I was also so disgusted that I couldn't eat anymore.
(2)
Jason C.
A dining experience indeed! Kaze Shabu Shabu offers a variety meats, seafood, and veggies that is cooked in a boiling hot pot filled with your choice of soup base/broth. The restaurant is able to divide the hot pot in two to accomodate two soup bases so be sure to try two different ones. My recommendations for the soup base are the Japanese Curry and the Malaysian satay. The meats, seafood, and veggies are all very fresh. Since the meats are thinly sliced, they cook very quickly. The staff is extremely friendly and attentive. For first-timers, they walk you through the process of shabu shabu and they certainly make sure that you have the full dining experience. Prices are moderate; about $30 bucks a person (including tip, but not including alcohol). My eyes are always bigger than my stomach, but the portions are large enough to satiate a big appetite like mine. The Meat Combo 1 and veggies that accompany are just the right amount of food for me. My friend and I constantly crave shabu shabu and we always come back to Kaze. The earlier in the evening you go, the more seating there is. It gets pretty packed at around 8 pm on the weekends. ...it's a great date place too! ;-)
(5)
Ali E.
I love hot pot. The seafood is so fresh you want to slap it and send it to it's room. This was confirmed to an almost disturbing degree when I ate at Kaze. I ordered the seafood platter, as I do in Shabu Shabu circumstances. I, however, am not a big clam fan, so I left mine untouched as I dunked my salmon and scallops and shrimp (oh my). Until it started crawling across the platter. I will repeat. The clam was still alive, and was sticking it's foot out of it's shell, and moving, presumably to avoid a certain death. THAT, my friend, is fresh seafood. Said clam spent the rest of the meal under a cup, behind a leaf of lettuce, on the other side of the table, however.
(4)
Jimmy H.
What this shabu shabu joint stands out of other shabu shabu joints is that they have wider variety on choice of soup base. They have a few choices of each Asian country- Thai, Korean, Chinese and Japanese. My favorite is Tonkotsu soup base that is pork soup base. This soup base is very popular for ramen noodle in Japan. And I thought it was quite interesting to use it in shabu shabu. I was skeptical at first but it tasted great and now I am addicted to it. Only complaint I have is that meat slice is a little too thin. I think Shabuzen 's is a little thicker than Kaze's. But Shabuzen doesn't have as much soup base choice as Kaze.
(4)
Chelsie H.
It's Friday in Boston town. A leisurely stroll brings you to Kaze, right on the edge of Chinatown, by the RMV. You think, 'I'm starving, this place looks good. I'll check it out.' So you enter. There's a redhead sitting alone at the shabu bar, transfixed by a John Grisham novel and sipping a watermelon smoothie It's me. My Friday lunch break ritual is nearly always the same. I take myself out for a date (I'm kind of a sure thing, but I pick up the bill anyways, just to be sure,) and my favorite place to go is Kaze. When it's cold out, it's wonderfully warming food in a cozy atmosphere, and when it's warm out, the icy watermelon smoothie promise is too much to resist. First impressions: the restaurant itself is lovely and modern, immaculately clean, and the staff friendly and smiling. I have tried all of the different shabu platters, but my favorite is still the boneless short rib. Each platter comes with a plate of vegetables as well, all super fresh and delicious. I get the basic soup base, with rice, and on occasion a Sapporo. The quality of the food is really the star here, and I dare you to try to find a shabu place with fresher ingredients. They have a full bar, and an array of delicious smoothies, the watermelon one being the best in my opinion. If you can imagine drinking a watermelon, that is what this smoothie is like. So effing delicious. I think the only negative comment I could make about this place is that the waitstaff is not super attentive once you've been served your food. I don't like waiters that check in every 32 seconds, but once or twice through the course of a meal would be reasonable. I've waited upwards of 10-15 minutes to get my drink refilled, and even then I had to finally flag them down to ask for it. But that aside, this place is wonderful, SUPER cheap prices for a huge amount of food, delicious, healthy, and fresh. Definitely give this place a try, but if you see me at the bar demolishing beef and watercress while pouring over my John Grisham, don't bother me. I'm in another world and probably won't even hear you.
(4)
Stephanie W.
I know this is going to make me sound stupid, but I didn't know this was a hot pot place. I had only tried hot pot once and didn't really enjoy it. But I stayed anyway and gave it a try here...and I'm glad I did. It was great. I was slow to warm up to it, but when it was all said and done and I was happy and full from lots of fresh veg and oh-so-tasty broth, I was won over. And the prices? YES- such a great value. If you've never tried hot pot before, or if you have somewhere else and didn't really like it, give this place a chance. The waiters are very patient, kind and understanding with newcomers and will show you what to do.
(4)
Allison R.
i know very little about shabu. but i knew nothing one evening last march, when i resolved to have a fun dinner in chinatown and ended up at kaze. kaze was pretty empty around 8 on a friday night, so we were seated quickly. kirins and dumplings were ordered as we perused the menu and deliberated on broth and meat selections. i appreciated that it's possible to get a split pot of broth, so you can try two for (almost) the price of one). turns out, cooking thin strips of meat, veggies, tofu, and seafood in a pot of hot soup kind of rocks!
(4)
Nikki B.
I went here for lunch with a coworker and it was even better than I expected it to be. Once you come in and are seated, a waitress arrives to take your drink order. Even though I just stuck with green tea, they have alcoholic beverages available as well, including a pretty good selection of Sake. After that, you select your meat (or vegetarian fare, they have vegetarian delight option featuring a bunch of tofu and veggies) . From there you pick your soup base that you'll cook your meal in, and a starch. I chose to get the combo of prime rib eye and lamb and the Thai tomyum soup base. For my starch, I got rice. The waitress will bring out the bowl with your broth, your meats (or veggie delight) and a selection of veggies to put into the broth for extra flavoring. On each table are a few sauces (chili paste, garlic, soy) for you to mix on your own. Once the broth is boiling, it's time to get started! Skewer your veggies and meat and boil in the pot until cooked, then eat how you like it with cooked veggies, rice (or noodles) and your custom sauces. My rib eye and lamb were delicious and the tomyum broth was just spicy enough and absolutely delicious, perfect to mix in with some rice when I was done with all of my meat. Service wise, this place was awesome. Our server was back every few minutes to make sure our drinks were full and even offered us some cooking tips (especially my friend who struggled a bit with his noodles) and help. Just one last word of advice- if you're not good with chopsticks, definitely smuggle in a fork! The meat and veggies can be a little hard to maneuver unless you're relatively accomplished with chopsticks!
(5)
Shaina P.
Kaze does a great job at accommodating large groups of people. I tested this out on my birthday. 14 of us spread out on the second floor of the restaurant. I apologize for our behavior to the other patrons trying to just have a nice dinner out... Only thing is, not all of the tables have burners at them. In which case you're probably just supposed to share... but if you're a friend of mine, you insist on getting an extra burner at all cost! Despite the issues with the burners, it was a very entertaining night watching my friends who had never even heard of shabu try to figure it out with broth down their shirts and noodles all over their faces.
(5)
Christine L.
This is my absolute favorite place for hot pot! Prices are what you expect for hot pot, which is to say not cheap, but it's so gosh darn addictive that I'm willing to sign a pact with the devil for that pink frosted donut! In my opinion, most bang for your buck is to get the short rib combo, one additional side (I get daikon) and one of those BIG sapporo's. This will probably run $30 after tip and tax. I would give this place four stars because the service, as with all asian restaurants can be spotty. What earns them that extra star is because of the following anecdote: One evening after filling up on prescribed meal above, my co-workers and I began discussing what a sake bomb is. We, at the time, had no intention of consuming said drink... that is until our waiter popped his head from around the booth and proclaims, "Saaaake booomb?", So began our descent into debauchery and it has continued in tradition weeks subsequent to this.
(5)
John L.
Until the night of the Yelp prom, I had never done Shabu Shabu before. Kudos to Roni for putting up the event, because I would have never come here otherwise. So, the basics of shabu shabu (at least what I think they are) are that you order broths, a meat, and a noodle-related thing, and you dip the latter two (as well as some veggies) into said broth. Now, based on what broth you get, you get different tastes, as the broths are infused into the foodstuffs. It's quite good, actually. It's particularly good for a group setting (in this case, myself, Roni, Becki W. , Ben L., John R., and later on Heather H. and Joey M.) It was a little slow, particularly in getting seated, but overall a good experience.
(4)
S L.
Chinease version of Shabu Shabu?! Fun to try two differenct stocks with great portions!
(4)
Yvonne W.
The server we had was unprofessional and annoying -- she was friendly and attentive, maybe too attentive, but she just acted too immature. They need some older (or at least more mature) servers here. Also, she kept pushing us to order things that we didn't want -- uhh, NO. That's probably my only complaint about this place because we liked everything else -- the soup base selection is great (we had the Sichuan spicy and tonkotsu broths, which were both really good), as is the noodle selection; i really liked the potato noodles and the spinach noodles that we got. We got a seafood combination plate, the lamb/beef slice plate, and I had the plum martini (can't remember the name), and my lovely had the rose by the glass. Their vegetable platter that comes with each entree is pretty good - loved the taro pieces in them. The sa cha sauce is SO good with the meats. I had to get more of it! The drinks we got were really good, too, and not overly sweet. The seafood and meats were well prepared and fresh. Words of advice, though: don't get the free soup base -- I had that the first time I came here about two years ago, and it's such a disappointment (it's free, so I guess we can't expect much). The decor here is also very modern and trendy, but not in a snooty way. I'll definitely be back here for more hot pot since it's getting colder now.
(3)
Elena B.
Hands down the BEST hot pot restaurant around the Boston area. The lunch prices can't be beat. The restaurant is big and I've never had to wait. I've never had a problem with the food, it is always fresh and always prepared correctly. The service is pretty good, can get slow when it is busy but hey, they are only human. Only complaint, parking is difficult but I guess that's the case for anything in Boston.
(5)
Kelly C.
Loved this shabu place. It's very spacious, so there was no wait, even on a Saturday night. Pretty big portions for decent prices - Prime rib shabu, dumplings and shrimp tempura for about $20 each. The pot is split in two so you can choose different broths - the kimchi one was delicious and spicy. The service could have been much more attentive though. Overall, a great spot for some hotpot.
(4)
Tracy C.
This is our go to place for hot pot. Immaculately clean, contemporary and spacious. Great selections of delicious meats and food. They have all sorts of broth from herbal to pho to tom yum.
(5)
Thy L.
I was so happy when Kaze opened a couple years back. I really hated the fact that Shabu Zen was my only option for hot pot. I prefer Kaze for sure! Here's why: 1) More space means less wait. Kaze has two floors to serve both you and me! 2) The udon here is nice and fat, just the way I like it. The udon at Shabu Zen look like they have anorexia. 3) Prime Rib Combo as a Meat Combo option. I don't need to settle for crappy quality beef to get variety. I can get my prime rib and lamb! 4) Extended choices for soup bases. Shabu Zen only has plain pork broth and a few spicy soup bases. Kaze has the spicy varieties along with other notable ones like Japanese Curry, Malaysian Satay, Japanese Tonkotsu, Miso and more! One thing I think Kaze could improve on though is their waitstaff. They need friendlier and happier people. Although the girl I got at lunch today was pretty awesome, generally their servers leave a lot to be desired.
(4)
Michael C.
Great place for a leisurely dinner or lunch! Dinner here is a wonderful experience. The food is fresh, displayed in a manner that really makes you want to dig in. The staff is great about showing how get started (it can be a bit confusing the first time). Once served the staff tends to disappear. They need to work at paying more attention to the dinners. This is definitely a place to come if you want to take your time eating.
(4)
Jess W.
I'm not a hater but that pink neon lighting inside the restaurant has got to go. Nothing says tacky more so than neon lights. Other than that, I love everything about Kaze! It's not as centrally located as say Shabu Zen or the Hot Pot Buffet but it's still very close and easy to find. There is also a parking lot right next to Kaze which charges $5/ half hour. Not a bad deal considering how difficult it is to park in Chinatown and that paying $10-15 is a lot less painful than having to pay a ticket. They give more veggies and vermicelli than Shabu Zen. Almost too much vermicelli because I never finish it.
(4)
D M.
Alright, so this has become the hot spot for me and Dorian anytime we want Shabu. Shabu Zen pales in comparison in my opinion, and the service is lovely. We always end up getting waited on by Rachel, who must know of brunching habits by now. The true science of really enjoying shabu is ordering more of what you want. Dorian goes for a boat load of mushrooms, and gives me all of her greens, and you should always go for extra noodles if you feel like one bowl isn't enough. The veggie platter is awesome, and I often go for that happily, but when I am feeling carnivorous, I go for the regular beef. The rib eye honestly doesn't taste as awesome to me. My preferred broth are any of them that are spicy and lighter, like the tom yum, which is spicy and vinegary, with a lovely ginger flavor. If you haven't done shabu before, do yourself a favor and go here. It's really the best you can find.
(5)
Erick H.
Thanks to a troublesome MSG allergy, I rarely eat any Asian-style food out of both an abundance of caution and complete unfamiliarity. In light of this, I cannot speak highly enough about the staff at Kaze. I dined here recently with three other people, one of whom is also allergic to MSG, and the consideration exhibited by the waitstaff was impressive. As we reviewed the menu, our waitress stood by, ready to caution us against any item that could contain MSG while also offering suitable alternatives. Even after we'd ordered, the frequent-yet-unobtrusive attention from the waitstaff continued throughout the two hours we spent at Kaze. As for the food itself, I greatly enjoyed and was quite impressed with my first shabu experience. I ordered the prime rib paired the with the meat bouillon soup and was presented with a plate of beautifully-marbled, thinly-sliced beef and a generous side of vegetables including spinach, cabbage, watercress, and taro. Kaze's entrees also include a choice of either noodles (Udon or vermicelli) or rice that round out a very filling meal. The contrasting flavors, augmented by the various sauces shared around the table, provided for a diverse and ever-changing flavor experience that will undoubtedly have me returning in the future. The shabu process itself also heightened the dining experience by engaging everyone in the meal's preparation; there is something to be said for doing more than simply ordering and consuming the food one chooses.
(4)
Derek S.
I'd never tried shabu before and this was a great experience. Great, healthy food, and they were willing to deal with beginners.
(4)
Kevin W.
Love this place! As an Asian food snob, this really does bring me back to Taiwan and Hong Kong hot pot styles! The staff are friendly and remember customers! Managers also remember faces and are very nice! They even allow me to use the bathroom in dire times when I am walking around Chinatown!
(5)
Eric F.
Would've given Kaze 4 stars as the meat quality is a notch higher than Shabu-Zen and their soup base selection is more extensive, but the service is def on the shoddier side as some other Yelpers have noted. It took almost 15 min to get a refill on my tea and it was difficult enough to flag a waiter over in the first place. A solid spot as a healthier dinner option in Chinatown, but I'd personally go with Shabu-Zen for their better service & interior, and slightly lower prices.
(3)
Karina M.
I have been cursed with picky roommates. Finding a place where everyone could getsomething they enjoyed would have been difficult. But shabu shabu saved the day! I've always eyed this place during my trips to Chinatown, so I decided to go there for my birthday. Let me tell you, best decision of my life! Everyone basically makes their own food and picks out what they do or do not like. And it's fun. Good for cold weather and sooo delicious. Definitely going back for more!
(5)
I-Chun C.
I went to Kaze last night to meet up with a couple of friends. We were planning on going to Shabu Zen at first, but there was a 40 minute wait. I suggested Kaze since I had walked past it and it looked a lot less busy. We were seated in about five minutes, so that was good. The food is really delicious. We got one side plain broth, and one side Malaysian Satay. The Malaysian Satay was really tasty, and just a little bit spicy (I put a LOT of chili in my dipping sauce). We got three different meat entrees and a few extra veggie side orders (hot pot is not complete for me without enoki!). Nearing the end of the meal, my friend and I couldn't stop scooping up more broth even though we were really full -- the broths just absorb all the flavors and it's irresistible!!! The only reason I'm giving 4 stars is that the service left a lot to be desired. The waitstaff looked somewhat confused, and some looked downright pissy the entire time. The only person who smiled at us was one man who cleared our dishes. Good thing we were too busy stuffing our faces to worry about it. For two hungry girls and one guy, the total was $60, which is definitely reasonable for the amount of food we got. Definitely want to go back!
(4)
Don W.
Okay, this was amazing. Four of us went to Kaze because Yelpers said it was the place to go, and they were right. I don't know if it's better than Shabu-Zen but it's so good that I'll probably never find out. We all had some kind of combo plate, we all went with the standard broth, we split a bottle of wine and then finished with some tea. The bill came to $100 plus a $20 tip. We were all happy and full after a great meal on a Saturday night in Boston and we did it for $30 each. They also have wagyu beef for more money, but when it's sliced this thin and cooked in broth, the beef doesn't have to be the expensive stuff. Service was very good. The server was always there to see if we needed anything and the manager dropped by as well. The only thing that would have made us happier would be a surf & turf combo that had a higher ratio of meat to fish, but that's not a complaint because it was amazing just the way it was. So thanks to Yelp for helping me find this amazing restaurant. I'll definitely be back for more.
(5)
Alyssa H.
I never had hot pot before so I was quite lost when I sat down. The waitress was very helpful and was very helpful giving recommendations and explained what to cook first, etc. Great portion for the price and loved the variety of broths. Went with my boo, but it'd be more fun to go in a larger group. If you've never tried it, don't be intimidated. Go! :)
(3)
nguyet l.
I like this place a lot because it is great for hot pot. the seats allow for intimate conversations and allows you to control the tempt of pot. It also allows you to share the hot pot as hotpot was meant to be. the sake is a bit over priced, but they had a nice selection. meat quality is ok, its not the best that i had. but the customer service was wonderful so 4 stars ^^
(4)
Lisa S.
LOVE THIS PLACE. Easy to find (by driving or taking the T). Validated parking around the corner for $6 (Beach St. Garage) and another lot right next to the restaurant (don't know if that one is validated?). Their prices are very affordable. I'm sure it's easy to spend a pretty penny in here if you like seafood or the more expensive cuts of beef but i just stick to the Pick 2 meats combo and get chicken and beef. Each entree comes with a plate of very thinly sliced raw meat (or seafood or tofu if you're vegetarian). You also each get an entire plate of raw greens and veggies. And lastly you get to pick from a few different types of noodles or white rice. Ok now, I could probably write an epic review but I'm going to cut to the chase. Picking a soup base you like is KEY to enjoying your meal. I've tried a few different kinds and the only one i really enjoy (and by really, i mean REALLY) is the Japanese Curry. Normally that wouldn't appeal to me as I'm a wimp when it comes to spicy foods but this is definitely on the milder side. However, it is super flavorful and comes with a bunch of chopped veggies(carrots, onions...maybe something else?) and the other soup bases i've tried don't seem to come with the extra vegetables. I am probably unhealthily obsessed with their dipping sauce, a korean BBQ sauce i believe? Nothing like the american BBQ sauce we know. Mix in some freshly chopped garlic and scallions and I've died and gone to heaven. I think I gross out my dinner companions out when I end of eating the sauce straight on some rice. Yeah, it's a problem :-\ Anywho. Kaze is open really late. Great on a cold night when you can warm up with a belly full of warm goodness. Doesn't hurt the wallet and the staff are very friendly.
(5)
Amit A.
This was our first hot pot experience and I must say I wouldnt mind doing this again. It was definitely a great experience. You do need to be a chopstick expert, if you arent you or the person with you will be wearing the broth. We ordered the Japanese curry and kimchi curry base, with a vegetable plate and a lamb/chicken plate.
(4)
Jennifer R.
Holy Moly! If you like shabu shabu try this place out! It offers various options in meats, soup bases, seafood, veggies. On weekends it does get packed in the evening so be sure to make a reservation. Everything is flavorful and the service varies from night to night. But, I've never had a horrific experience and vow to never come back. It's the food that lures me in. I usually get the 3 meat combo with Tonkatsu or Miso soup base. The prices are reasonable, after all it is in Chinatown. They have 2 floors to accommodate the masses of hungry patrons wanting their shabu. I have been to Shabu Zen which is another shabu restaurant in Chinatown, but it didn't leave a lasting impression on me. It's a lot smaller than Kaze but it gets crowded there as well. Kaze is another MUST VISIT on my list whenever I'm back in town :)
(4)
Simone C.
We LOVE this place. Delicious, relatively inexpensive, fast, healthy food served by kind people. What more could you want? Easy to be veg or gluten free.
(5)
George L.
Not a bad place. I think it would be closer to a 3.5 but you know i'm feeling generous =p. So i havent been to Boston in 8 years and I was excited to try the types of food they had in boston. A little bird told me that Kaze had amazing Shabu Shabu. I'm a big fan of shabu shabu so I had to see what the big deal was. It was 1:30 on a friday afternoon and the place was empty except for like 4 other people. THe service was quick and the atmosphere was pleasant. I ordered the lamb and beef combo. It was great! What I loved most was the amount of food and broth they gave you. I feel like I giped in some places in manhattan (looking at you k-town!). I also got it with the tonkatsu broth. It was amazing. They had a ton a choices with broth. At most shabu shabu places you get a nice assortment of meat but it's usually one type of soup so this was amazing. The food was great and especially the lamb (i never saw lamb offered at a shabu shabu place before) it was GLORIOUS!!! I love lamb and I just discovered a new way to eat it!!! So to say the least i was pleased. Stay away from the watermelon slushy or whatever that was. That was just bad... But overall the place is good at providing amazing shabu shabu at a great price.
(4)
Derek T.
15 degree weather....where else to eat but at Kaze!! Kaze and I have a lot of history. Again, I've never been a fan of shabu shabu, and being from California you think I eat this stuff all the time, but it was at Kaze that I had my first shabu shabu experience three years ago and where I reunited with one of my best friend I had a falling out with so this place has a special place in my heart. Til today my east coast trip is not complete unless I get to dine here. This past weekend, I got the chance to eat at Kaze with some of my closest college friends. Freezing cold weather (literally), great friends, and delicious food....you can't beat eating at Kaze. The waitress who undoubtedly has a crush on my bff gave us superb service and free ice cream. For three people, the meal cost around $120. We ordered every single meat on the menu including the kobe beef. Kobe was good but for a few slices totally not worth the price. I rather order more prime rib eye.
(4)
Sara S.
In comparison to Shabu Zen, Kaze is the winner. Kaze's service is great, atmosphere is fun, place is larger, not as crowded, and seems to have a wider variety of choices. At least 8 different types of broth and six different kinds of noodles. The quality of vegetables and meat was outstanding, and the selection of broth was awesome. I was appreciate that the waitress was able to articulately tell me which broths were the best for me based on my dietary needs (vegetarian-ish) and spice. My vegetarian selection came with SO may different vegetables: corn, taro, spinach, three different kinds of greens, mushrooms, tomatoes, at least three different kinds of tofu, and even vegetable dumplings! The only thing "wrong" thing with the meal is the $3 extra charge if you don't go with the standard broth. I wouldn't go back to Shabu Zen, but I'll be back here. At Kaze, I'm OK with paying for food I need to cook myself!
(4)
Nick M.
This review is for first time Japanese hot pot readers. It is not a comparison of Shabu Zen. We went during off-peak hours on Saturday. Almost nobody in the place which means we had the entire upstairs to ourselves. We ordered up the creamed corn croquettes and shrimp tempura for appetizers and both were yummy. Boy, were the apps cheap too! Onto the broth: I did a rather traditional Japanese Tonkotsu soup base, while the girlfriend did a spicy Thai tomyum broth. I found hers a bit too spicy for Japanese cuisine, while mine wasn't too bland after I started cooking down a few ingredients. The broth wasn't out of this world good, it tasted canned but was certainly good in itself. For the platters, I ended up with a Surf and Turf No.1 Shrimp, Scallop, Salmon, White Fish, Squid, Clam, Fried Fish Cake & Prime Rib Eye. Also included was the vegetables. My girlfriend did the Meat combo which was steak and chicken. I found my seafood to be very fresh and complimented the soup broth very well. The steak was very good as well, sliced razor thin and beautifully marbled. There wasn't anything I didn't enjoy. My favorite probably was the fish cake. Next time I'll order the Oden assorted fish cake platter, as this is what Shabu Shabu is all about. I ordered the potato noodles while she ordered the thicker udon noodles. We put our noodles into a separate soup bowl and poured hot broth onto them to soften them up a bit. At the table was minced garlic, satay sauce, scallion and chili sauce. I'd say these ingredients were the weakest of everything. The garlic was from a jar, the satay sauce was OK, the scallions could have been fresher and the "fresh chilis" were substituted with a mild sriracha-like sauce. Didn't end up doing dessert and didn't need to. We were so full from everything else! One platter and two apps would easily leave us two people full. The highlight of the style of Shabu Shabu is that your meal is truly unique each and every time. You chose your combinations of food, how to season your broth, your own melody of vegetables and meats. If you're looking to get in and out in 30min, grab a burger. Kaze took us a few hours to enjoy our meal and we savored every bite. Next time I go back I'll get the Oden Fish cakes and won't ask them to top off the broth. It dilutes the flavors too much!
(4)
Thanh L.
This is my second time going to this location. The hot pot was not bad for the price. The cost was reasonable for the portion that we received. The service was bad due to the language barrier. we didn't receive everything we ordered, but we also didn't get charged for it too. The bill was about $240 for 8 people
(3)
Jane S.
After visiting both Kaze Shabu and Shabu Zen I had to write a review. Kaze Shabu is by far the better bet for your money, for the food and for the experience. We walked into Kaze Shabu and were seated right away. Our waiter was very helpful and explained all of the choices to us. The surf and turf came with tons of food and it was all fresh and delicious. The broth options were all really interesting and tasty too. It was a great dinner start to finish and we'll definitely be coming back. The biggest different between Kaze and Shabu Zen has got to be the atmosphere. In Kaze you get a table (even for just 2 people) and lots of room to breathe. At Shabu Zen you'll be cramped at a bar in a humid steamy room (and the food isn't any better there). Just be warned that when they say spicy.... they mean SPICY! Still delicious though!
(5)
Jo-Anna L.
I just went to Kaze Shabu Shabu and was impressed. Just got the basic $12.00 Beef with bouillon broth and was satisfied. Next time, though I think I'll splurge on their $3.00 flavored broths, as the bouillon was a bit bland... which is to be expected. Our first waiter was very attentive and helpful, but he must have gone on break because a new waitress came on and kept walking by as if she were ready to clear the table while we were still eating! Then she cleared away our sauces when we had just ordered some extra spicy sauce. It was like she was rushing us out the door even though there were only 4 or 5 groups in the restaurant. I hope my tip went to our first waiter. Anyway, good food, but splurge and get the good broth as you might be disappointed with the free bouillon.
(4)
Wei W.
Kaze is an alternative to Shabu Zen on busy nights, since they have a much bigger space to work with. It's great for groups and the servings are pretty good. The pricing is reasonable as well, although I think Shabu Zen is slightly cheaper than Kaze. They have an assortment of broths to choose from, from Chinese herbal to Japanese tonkatsu (more spicy). They also offer ostrich (something that Shabu Zen doesn't offer, I believe), which is a pretty interesting choice of meat. I enjoy their smoothies as well, and they make it to order (if you want pearls in it, they'll add them for you). Overall, it's a good place to go on a Saturday night with a group of friends, with moderate prices and great food.
(4)
Erica D.
Yum Yum Yum, I love this place. Food is great, service is good. Just keep in mind that chilled sake (which apparently is better quality than hot sake) is much more expensive. I accidentally ordered a $17 bottle of chilled sake -- still good.
(4)
Erin C.
A great shabu experience, but Shabu Zen still holds first place in my book. Pros: -Great prices -A decent looking drink menu -Huge place so little to no wait time even when it was busy Cons: -Its missing those fun mushroom balls that Shabu Zen has -The Thai TomYum broth wasn't nearly as spicy as it was other places -Service was a bit slow Overall, a great dinner. I would go back, but only if Shabu Zen was too crowded.
(3)
Helen L.
I came here for Chinese New Year with a group of friends and it worked out really well. There were 6 of us, and we got there at 6pm and was seated right away because we had reservations. So first of all, it was great they took reservations! Like any hot pot place, you order what meat/veggie/combo you want, and they bring it to you raw and you cook it in the boiling pot of broth in front of you. In terms of distinguishing one hot pot place from another, well, food wise, it's pretty much the same exact thing. The nice thing about Kaze is that they don't charge you for the "regular" broth. Some places make you pick a broth but charge you $3 no matter what kind. This place has a zero charge broth and other options. Atmosphere was good and service was average. The price was about $13-20 for anything you order, meat or combo wise. I got the surf and turf combo (seafood and meat) and that was a LOT of food, so your money is well spent if you got this combo. I feel like if you just got a meat, it might not be quite enough. All around good time!
(4)
Jenny N.
For the uninitiated, shabu shabu may seem like a whole lot of work for dining out. I mean, you are basically paying for raw ingredients and a soup base, so you can cook your own food in the middle of the table, right? But if you give it a chance, you might just fall in love with the whole idea. Kind of like a strange cross between dipping fondue and Mongolian grill, shabu shabu allows you to build your own meal from a whole mess of fresh vegetables, thinly sliced meats, seafood and your choice of rice or noodles. All the raw ingredients get thrown into the pot of broth and you fish them out with your personal ladle and chopsticks. Trust me, it's pretty fun! I love that Kaze gives you the options of many types of broth, and you can "split the pot" by getting two different broths for variety. This is such a great, healthy dining option as there is no oil added (other than whatever is in the soup broth). My friends and I had a blast, and it was so cheap too! Between the 3 of us, we had the beef and chicken entrees with udon and vermicelli for about $10 each. How can you beat that? We left completely full but not in the gross and bloated way. Upon recommendation by the waiter, we chose the tomato beef broth as well as the miso. The sides of veggies were plentiful and a great accompaniment to the meat. I was totally impressed by the presentation too. One other side note-- I really had trouble keeping my dining area clean...You gotta be careful not to splash the hot soup everywhere while getting food to bowl. It's tricky! Prior to dining at Kaze, I had only experienced homemade Chinese hotpot (it's quite similar). I had always loved the experience of cooking your own food at the table, but the soups I'd had were never that impressive. Kaze definitely takes it to another level and I'm so glad there is finally good shabu shabu in Boston!
(5)
Will N.
This is a very good hot pot place; the best one I've been to though there are some caveats. You're guaranteed a ton of great food and it won't even break the bank. The Surf and Turf No. 2 is an excellent option as well as the Kimchi soup base but you really can't go wrong anywhere here. The food is undoubtedly top notch. The only gripe here is the service; it's definitely not perfect. We waited about 20 minutes once for a water refill (much needed with spicy food!) and had to signal the waitress several times. However I wouldn't say the service is bad, it's just not completely solid at all times. Another time our waiter was nothing short of perfect and I guess it all depends on who you get. If you can handle a little spotty service and want great food, Kaze Shabu Shabu is a great place to go.
(4)
Lisa W.
It was convenient to my work, so I decided to give it a shot. A friend and I shared the beef lover's meal with an extra order of rice, which was more than enough. We got the Meat Bouillon and the Malaysian Satay broth. The meat bouillon was plain, but what do you expect for free? The malaysian satay was excellent, though. The service was prompt and our cups were never empty, but our waiter took so long to pick up our check that we just brought it to the register. Overall, it was a pleasant experience.
(4)
Norina N.
My dad usually makes this meal at home for my family to enjoy whenever I ask him to. My favorite soup base from him is hot and sour in his own ways, it was excellent that I thought none of the hot pot place could beat it. So when reading good reviews from here, i decided to give it a try. I went last weekend with my bf, we ordered Miso and tomyum soup base, seafood deluxe, and a few side orders, caro, watercress, oyster, baby clams and mandarin tea with honey. I wasn't surprised with whatever they brough out, 'cause i had it many times before at home. The miso soup base was ok, tomyum soup was good (but my dad' version is still the best). Baby clams were so fresh and sweet, therefore I had 2 orders of it. The decoration was very nice & modern. One thing that I wasnt happy on that day was we waited for 15 minutes before the waitress came and get our orders, she appologized that we sat in the corner, that's why she didnt see us. ummm didnt they get inform by the hostess beforehand? So during the waiting time for service to come by, I was upset, so i got my phone out and told my bf that i would for 5 more minutes, if they still wouldnt come, we'd leave....I was counting on the minute, and there she came 3 minutes after. After the meal that I totally forgot that I was mad earlier, 'cause I'm satisfied with their food.
(4)
Purvi R.
"Mmmmmm. MMMMM!!! Ohmygaw. SoGood." That's most of what you would have heard if you were sitting anywhere near me during my first in-restaurant Shabu Shabu experience (I had had it once before at a friend's place). I have had this on my list of things to try for a while, and when my Friday night date turned into a dinner-movie thing, I thought we'd give it a shot since it's right near the Tremont St. AMC. Walked in to see the bf already seated at the bar, where we ended up staying the entire time as they had little personal-pan sized hot plates. I was already impressed with the place - at 6pm there was already a sizable crowd, and a lovely smell wafted throughout. We both knew the drill, and the waitress explained a bit about the different dishes so we knew what was in them etc. I was just geeked that we'd have separate pots since I'm a veggie and the bf most definitely was not planning on going veggie. :) I'm glad I read the yelp reviews and knew to order one of the broths you pay $3 extra for - it was well worth it! We both got the kimchee broth; I got the veggie/tofu plate and the bf got beef and pork (I think?). I got udon noodles which I highly highly recommend - so delish! After we got our pots and plates, it was Shabutime. We had so much fun just popping in whatever we pleased and throwing a bunch of sauces on after the food was cooked. The kimchee combined with all the chilis I put in my soy sauce ended up being quite a bit of heat, so my sinuses were going a bit wild! But soooo good. The waitress kept checking up on us throughout, making sure we had drinks, that we knew what we were doing, and that our broth was at the right temperature and filled. She was great and aside from one lost-in-translation moment the service was fantastic and prompt. The bill with a beer apiece ended up in the $50 range incl tip, which I thought was well worth it and pretty reasonable at that. The bf noted it was probably a bit pricey for the area, but given that this place was very clean, decor was nice, and the shadiness factor was at a minimum, he agreed that it probably made sense that it cost a bit more.
(5)
Nicole R.
I have been here with my boyfriend 3 times so far, it has become our Boston day-trip staple! We love the uniqueness of this restaurant. I love cook-for-yourself restaurants and this lets you choose your own broth, meat, and pasta to cook on your table. Not only is everything extremely fresh, lightweight and healthy, but it fills you up (and it takes longer to prepare and eat so you don't over stuff yourself!) Very clean and helpful staff who aren't too overbearing.
(5)
Stephanie L.
A very solid four stars. The food was delicious; the portions are generous and the food tasted fresh and super-yummy. I was happy to see the appetizer special was on when we were there (Saturday for lunch), so we ordered two appetizers for half-price. Neither disappointed us: we got edamame (a very generous portion) and seaweed salad (standard, and a fair portion). As a fair warning, I made the mistake of ordering Szechuan Spicy broth. Let me tell you - I'm the girl who practically eats Sriracha sauce from the bottle (not really, but you get my point. I can handle spicy). This is the second dish I've had in my entire life that I really couldn't handle - it's that spicy! Luckily with Shabu Shabu you don't have to drink the broth, and I ended up trying to "rinse" my cooked items in borrowed broth from my boyfriend's side. It loses one star for two reasons: 1) the $3 broth charge. Maybe this is some way to price discriminate, but honestly, extra broth shouldn't be that much more expensive. 2) The atmosphere. It wasn't awful, but the peeling Lucky Star Bus poster on the window didn't allow the place to be very conducive to feeling ... restaurant-y. I'll be back when I can, though! The food was delicious!
(4)
Aretha B.
My friend and I came in here after having passed by it countless times en route to chau chow city. I didn't know what to expect, but soon learned that this was no typical asian eatery. What they do is hand you a menu and basically you choose a broth, you choose a meat platter... and then they put down condiments in front of you. A platter of raw veggies comes your way, and then they lay the fresh raw slices of meat down. There is a heating element in the middle of the table and they put a bowl down that was bisected so two separate broths cooked at once. I got the japanese curry broth and he got the kimchee. BOTH WERE FANTASTIC. What you do is you dip the meat into the broth and cook it to your preference... we both ordered udon noodles and you ladle broth over the noodles, and then eat the meat and vegetables along with it, making several batches and trying out both broths. IT WAS SO DELICIOUS, flavorful, clean, healthy, and filling. Definitely a new chinatown favorite!!!! And if you bring someone there for their first time you'll look like a PIMP because it's so cool. Nice ambiance, great service, DELICIOUS FOOD.
(5)
sylvia k.
I love the shabu here! Meats, seafood and veggies are very fresh. Portions are larger than shabu zen's. scorpion bowls are a must try! Great, fast service.
(5)
Colleen B.
The food is still great and amazingly fresh. I swear the seafood portions double every time I come in! I did some homework about the soup bases prior to my visit and HIGHLY recommend the tonkotsu which roughly translates "pork bone". This broth has a smooth pork flavor. This time I had a lot more trouble communicating with the servers. Service overall was inconsistent They almost seemed new or in training, hence the drop in star. I did try the steamed shumai and it was succulent and shrimpy. My dining guest also swore by the creamed corn croquettes.
(4)
Cassie B.
(Technical 4.49, I'm a pessimist, i round down) Creamcorn Croquette App= Fabu. Schezuan, and Soy & spinach broth=both delightful! Had a meat combo of beef and lamb, very tasty. And a seafood combo, which some things were tasty, others not so much. Chicken and woodear dumplings=super yum in BOTH broths Array of condiments? AWE-wait for it-SOME Scorpion bowl, kinda weak, but apparently the smoothies are where its at...damn Service was quick, he didn't really do too much. Very clean and spacious spot. Overall, fun experience, looking forward to some more shabu shabu in my future!
(4)
Julie T.
My favorite place in Boston to eat Hot Pot ! Unlike it's competition a few blocks down (Shabu-Zen), Kaze has fried tentacles! Doesn't sound as tasty as it actually is, but don't knock it before you try it! I love the atmosphere and it's a great place to eat with your friends and have a lovely chat. The service is alright, I've had some not so friendly waitresses before but the food makes up for it. Huzzah for Kaze!
(4)
Jackie C.
If you want shabu shabu and you're in Chinatown, skip Shabu-Zen and head over here instead! The place is roomier with a more welcoming atmosphere and the menu selection also has a bigger variety you can choose from- my favorite being the oden set (japanese fish cakes are awesome). The sets come in pretty decent sizes since they also include a carb (noodles or rice) and veggies. (I've come to realize that not all shabu places actually include veggies in their price... weird, i know) This is one of the go-to places my friend and I tend to go to whenever we meet up in chinatown for a bite to eat. The service is pretty good and its great to be able to take your time to eat and talk. Since its a larger establishment with two floors, its also a great place to have a birthday dinner or whatever special occasion. Parking is a bit of a hassle, but when is parking in chinatown not a hassle.
(4)
Kadin L.
i just love everything about this place, from their watermelon smoothie to the prime ribeye beef. oh my gawd, i love the prime ribeye soooooo omuch! Every time i go there, i get Miso and Kimchi for my soup base and an order of Fried Spicy Jumbo Tentacles, seaweed salad, watermelon smoothie, prime-ribeye(x2 if there's alot of ppl), surf and turf with prime ribeye, and tofu skins. I love it here, but there appetizers are kind of overpriced, i mean 6 dollars for some seaweed salad? but they have special hours for half-priced appetizers. Totally recommend KAZE!
(4)
Andrea M.
Not too impressed with my first visit, but I'd try it again, since it was edible. Based on the high-star reviews, I felt comfortable inviting a friend to Kaze for her first shabu experience despite the fact that I hadn't been there before. But, I was disappointed with my visit. - Bitter herbal broth, too many herbs at too high a heat. And, they waited until the broth was almost burning the bottom of the pot to refill us, despite the small lunch crowd. - As another reviewer said, it's true: watercress watercress watercress watercress. With some spinach, cabbage, and a side of watercress, all with wilty wet spots. I felt loved that they added a little piece of corn cob, taro, and radish. - Scallops and clams in my surf & turf harbored bits of sand. - Beef was a little on the fatty side for my taste. - Tea refill came after we got our check. On the up side, if you're new to shabu, they offer a little primer on the first few pages of the menu, complete with average cooking times for most shabu plate items. I was impressed that a standard surf & turf plate included clams. So yeah, 2 stars because genuinely, meh, I've had better, but it wasn't a disaster for the first timer. I will give it one more go, try the house broth, and hope for fresher veggies.
(2)
Chase S.
Went last night, and we were seated at a 2 seater table. The problem was that we were sandwiched by two other tables close enough to be considered inside my personal space. I am ALL about making new friends, but if I'm paying $40 a meal I'm going to reserve the right to my own unshared airspace. On top of that, one of the seats at my table was a bench which was shared with our neighbors. Anytime any one of the three got up, the entire bench cushion would earthquake. The veggies were the same quality compared to other places, but they do have vegetarian dumplings and a huge mushroom that other places do not offer. Their beef slices were a larger portion, thicker cut and higher quality than other places. So the food was good, but the atmosphere wasn't as relaxed as other places.
(3)
Vanessa F.
They have $1 PBRs after 9pm. Does the food really matter at that point? The fact that it's good is just icing on the cake. I think everyone's covered the food already. Service is attentive and friendly.
(5)
Tammie P.
My family comes here almost every week, and it's great for accommodating large groups and kids. The food is consistently good, and the service can be a hit or miss. The manager is super nice and usually comps wine or dessert for us. I like Kaze's soup base and veggie selection more than Shabu Zen's, and the portions are better, too.
(4)
Ha T.
Darn Kaze for being so delicious and all kinda yummies! The flavors at Kaze cannot be replicated at its counterpart literally down the street-- Shabu-Zen. We use to come here at least once, if not twice, a week when we lived in the city. So it's hot pot--choose your flavor broth (Kim Chee) and sea meats or land meats (Seafood delight or Vegetarian delight) and you get staple veggies. Tidbits: don't eat here before clubbing and tie back long hair or else it's gonna smell like chicken fish broth. Lunch specials are same meats, only a little smaller portions (but still lots of food).
(5)
Kris M.
My first real shabu experience! For my farewell dinner, my boss took me and the rest of our group to Kaze Shabu Shabu. The place is clean, well-lit, and well decorated. I assume the set-up is fairly standard - an induction-plate in the center to keep broth warm, various side dishes and vegetables to go along with your main meat plate and noodles/rice. They do have a pretty good selection of broths, and a reasonably good selection of meat dishes that aren't too expensive. Most of the table, being mainland Chinese, ordered the Szechuan-style broth, the "hottest" one on the menu with three peppers next to the name. Not to be outdone, I ordered the same. When the broth arrived, we noticed mine was lighter in color than the others; we asked the waitress and she went, "Oh, we made it not so spicy for you, because you're American." .... *sigh* Whatever, the meal was good, and trying the "real" stuff, well, it wasn't that hot anyway. Definitely a place to go to for special occasions if you're in the mood for shabu. There's even a nice parking lot right next door, if you get fed up trying to find street parking.
(4)
Roni E.
I've been back several times and the food is consistently good. It's definitely my go to spot if I'm in Chinatown or within the Boston area, since it's such a hike for me and parking is an everlasting battle. But if there's ever an event and want to grab a bite to eat, to Kaze we go. The veggies have changed a lil bit, but who doesn't like a lil change up, right? It's not the same as it used to be, but the size hasn't gotten any smaller like the Zen has. The portions are still very good as are their prices and taste. The service once again is still good despite a one time incident where they were rude to Becki. I had actually considered lowering their stars, but that is in the past. It was a one time thing. Maybe the host was having a bad day that day. While I still favor Shabu Restaurant over Kaze, they both are 5 stars in my eyes. They're like your children, you just gotta love 'em both unconditionally and can't really favor one over the other, esp. since they're both about the same distance for me. Although, it IS easier to park in Quincy. P.S. Be sure to get their Scorpion Bowls!
(5)
Diane H.
No lines on Saturday at 6! Yummy hot pot! I will come back, staff is pleasant and checked on us many times. Beef soo good!! LLove the soup too. Very nice atmosphere!
(4)
Jennifer D.
I have eaten here *so* many times.. why? It's open late, the food's great, the ambiance rocks, and the prices aren't half bad either. Just make sure you come hungry!
(5)
M Z.
taste is so so, very bad service. My friend and I went to Kaze in the Winter. We went to upstair. Waitress gave two menu to us. Suddenly, one fat female(she is one of managers), wore glasses took my menu go away and gave it to behind table (all american). I asked her what are you doing? She told me she will give me another one in shortly. I think it's weird and rude. took my menu give other customers. Remember that and be smart!! Asian people love hot pot than American people do. I and my friends won't go Kaze Shabu again. Bad service and attitude .....
(1)
Joyce K.
Torn between here and Shabu-Zen but ultimately, it's difficult to compare the two because they seem to strive for two completely different scenes. Shabu-Zen reminds of me of a hectic Chinatown eatery...very clean and local, filled with young people and grounded in delivering simple, delicious, and filling meals. Kaze has the same great shabu shabu spread but being owned by the same people who are behind Fugakyu, it also delivers an added bonus of a calming ambience. The doors are beautiful, the menus are daintily pretty, and everything in the restrooms are automated. They offer the same things as Shabu-Zen for the same prices but also offer ostrich. They don't offer two levels of the seafood platter like Shabu-Zen so I ordered it with the prawns and clams, etc. for $17. What's useful is the shabu shabu guide at the front of the menu because it was then that I realized that I had been undercooking my mushrooms and corn which I deeply regret because it tasted to much better after learning how to cook it properly. We opted for the kimchee flavored broth ($3) and it was AWESOME! Kaze also offers more noodle options so we tried the mungbean noodles (clear, chewy, flat ribbons of noodles) and Japanese potato starch noodles (thicker vermicelli). I liked that the cooking pot was above the horizon of the table because at Shabu-Zen with the pot built in the table, I kept losing things and dipping my hair in all the food as I bent over trying to cook. Also the pot is split in two so that you and your dining partner can share one pot making it more fun as you can dip between two different soup bases. My seafood platter was way too big. I finished it but man, was I terribly full...that's a serious bargain considering the amount of fresh seafood you get. The clams opened easily and I didn't like eating the fish raw because the platter was prepared prior to ordering and chilled. The fish was definitely better off cooked whereas at Shabu-Zen, the fish didn't taste very good cooked...I liked it better raw. The staff was unbelievably helpful and attentive. The service was flawless. One of the managers stuck around the table being terribly apologetic that the satellites were blocked so they couldn't get NESN - The Red Sox on their flat screens and even shared the scores with my friend. Another bonus is that they offer taro and daikon as part of the veggie platter that comes with the entree. Instead, there's no tofu or tofu skin which I don't particularly care for since I LOVE taro. The complimentary red bean dessert at the end of the meal was very thick and gooey which is how it's supposed to be. At Shabu-zen, it was pretty watery but still refreshing and delicious. I feel like Shabu-Zen is a great place if I'm in the mood for seafood since I really like that they offer a smaller platter for $12 and the seafood is fresh enough (according to my taste buds) to eat raw (yeah, I could die). For red meat and poultry and dinner, I would recommend Kaze. It's like stepping out of Chinatown into a serene dining atmosphere for the same low prices that Shabu-Zen offers.
(5)
William T.
Been here many times and last nights experience was the same as all the others. The foods always fresh, the broths arent greasy and the service is attentative and pleasant. Always fun to cook your own food and a great way to keep a child occupied through a whole meal.
(4)
Jane B.
So many options here. And it's all good. From the food to the service, they are great! For two to groups, every time I've come the nail it. Plus, unlike some other Shabu places in Chinatown, they allow you to split your pot, so you can try different broths. Definitely give it a try.
(5)
Nikol K.
I go here about once a week. Here's why it's so good: 1. My kids love the udon noodles (they are 2 and 4 years old), Japanese fish cake, edamame, and Strawberry smoothie. 2. My husband and I always get the Prime Rib combo - it's only $19 and it comes with all the sides. The beef is really flavorful and tender. The dipping sauce is just right. The hot pot soup (we get the Kim Chi flavor) is spicy but not overwhelming. 3. It's clean. 4. Service is good. 5. There's hardly ever a wait (we've been to Shabu Zen a few times and there's much more of a wait there) How Kaze compares to Shabu Zen: food is pretty equal in terms of taste portions are bigger at Kaze much more space at Kaze (there are 2 floors) and you don't need to worry about elbowing a fellow diner.
(4)
Victoria L.
I should start off by saying that I have a very unhealthy obsession with hot pot, and I come to Kaze so frequently that I owe them a review. I've been to a good variety of places for hot pot, but I always come back to Kaze. They have a great variety of broths, veggies, and noodles, but the tonkotsu broth and the mung bean noodles are the things that keep me coming back. On top of that, they make delicious drinks!!
(5)
Jen H.
I am a fan... big one. After my first shabu experience at Shabu Restaurant in Quincy, I was excited to try Kaze after the Yelp PBR cruise event. We came here late night, and were basically the only patrons in the place at such a late hour... sweet... it was like our own personal dining experience! I opted for the Spicy Szechwan since when I had it in Quincy we got the plain broth which needed more spice, and the SS in Quincy it wasn't overly spicy... but it was here! Too spicy for my taste, but I'm a wimp. I ended up using my neighbor's broth the whole time... I think it was Thai Tomyum, and it was good. I always end up getting something on me when I shabu, so obviously I haven't gotten the technique down... so I will have to frequent Kaze more and practice.
(4)
Lydia C.
mMmMmMm!!!! only reason i dont give 5 stars is cause im not liberal with them! (but its like a solid 4 1/2) Kaze is amazing, the decor is trendy clean but not too uppidy. The food has always been fresh the times i have been there (good date place! esp. if she's never been to hot pot! ;) All the times i have been there i used to free broth and never changed it cause has always been good. Big fan of all the meats esp. the lamb!! One of the things i love to do is mix all the sides together (garlic, pepper, scallions, and bean sauce) into one big sauce and dip the meats into it. My next time back i will most definitely try the other broths!! The green tea smoothie is also mmmmmaaazing. There IS one pretty rude waitress there which i ran into twice. However, all my experiences with the other waiters and waitresses have been quite pleasant.
(4)
Melissa A.
I only went here once. The veggies and what not were tasty, but THEY HAVE NO VEGGIE BROTH. Be forewarned, fellow vegetarians, that their only veggie broth option is a pot of boiling water... I had to get extra garlic, scallions, etc to add to my broth (I mean water) to make it somewhat flavorful. Even with that, it just didn't compare to other places that actually offer a veggie option. Alas, I will not be returning.
(2)
Brady B.
Tonight I had my first Shabu experience with two friends on the fly (don't hate me Roni!) and I must say, new drug. Our waitress was the cutest thing ever and the food....oh the food. Plentiful for starters. We each ordered meat combo #1 which was amazing and two different broths, one being a Japanese curry broth and the other a nice, spicy brown broth that I can't recall the name of. Honestly folks, I don't think I could have had a better Shabu deflowering than this. Everything in my opinion was perfect. Delicious meat, delicious veggies and delicious broth. I was so full when I left, but not the weighed down full....the "God I ate so much healthy food" full. And yes, you will need need a change of under garment in your bag for Kaze. You're welcome.
(5)
Carl P.
My favorite place for a wintry day! Definitely get the short rib dinner and add the chinese traditional broth. Awesome Spicyness!!! Also good for an after-bar place!
(5)
Jen L.
I love eating shabu shabu. It is one of my favorite types of food to have. Kaze is quickly becoming a favorite for several reasons: 1. good variety of broths (YAY Chinese spicy and Malaysian satay) 2. Generous meat portions 3. GOOD seafood options (faves are the whitefish, prawn, and salmon) 4. Lots of fresh veggies This place edges out Shabu Zen by a little for the better variety and slighty spicier (mmmm...burnination)Chinese spicy broth. The service has always been good and attentive and one time the manager, who always comes by to our table to see how everything is, gave me a coupon for a free appetizer. Parking is interesting, but there are several lots around chinatown that one can park in if you do not feel like being aggressive about driving around and trying to find a spot.
(4)
Shannon R.
This is my favorite resturant in Boston. It is open late, the servers are all very nice and remember my face, the food comes out VERY fast, and it is delicious. The Black Angus is delicious, as well as the salmon, and I am obsessed with the oyster mushrooms and dikon radish. They have some good little apitizers, but I say skip them and order some more side items for your shabu shabu bowl- My favorite soup base is the Japanese miso and I also like the Japanese soy sauce and seaweed- but I have tried almost every base now and I like them all. For a special treat, order one of their fun mixed drinks (I like godzilla) and get the Moochi for dessert if you have room! It's a delicious ice cream treat!
(5)
ash l.
I think I'm going to like Shabu shabu. I love the fact that you have multiple soups you can choose from with which to cook your meats, veggies, and noodles. They also have a great selection of ice smoothies, and I went with the watermelon and strawberry flavors to cool off the hot soup burning up my tummy.... (really didn't want to sweat into my own soup). I went with the prime rib slices and udon noodles, over a split soup combo of curry and miso. The miso was a nice neutral flavor, which let me use the soy sauce concoction I made with their ingredients (lots of raw chopped garlic, onion, and some other black mush stuff). The curry, at first, was a bit bland, in my opinion, but about 15 minutes into cooking all the meats and vegetables in it, I noted that the soup, like a fine wine, tasted better with time. The more stuff I added in to cook it, the better it got, until all I wanted was my curry soup. I'll definately come again!
(4)
Jamie S.
Apparently this is supposed to be one of the nicer places to Shabu Shabu. Given this was my first experience, I don't have a hot pot to compare it to. Shabu Shabu is very interactive and makes for a great date activity. I'll spare my readership the details of what Shabu Shabu is, because other reviews cover this in good detail. Kaze is special in part because they provide split bowls, so you and your dining companion can huddle over a shared pot-- fluids of your choice heating up and percolating. The thing I learned about Shabu Shabu, is that the more you add, the better it tastes. Throw in the watercress, the other veggies, dashes of special seasonings... but keep an eye on anything soft because it could quickly become part of the soupy ether. Overall it was fun and tasted great. When I dine out I typically subscribe to the "You should not have to pay to cook for yourself" camp. But because this is something I wouldn't make at home, I fully support and approve of this dining experience.
(3)
Beth G.
I work nearby and have enjoyed the meals I have had here. I am always pleased w/the freshness of the seafood and the method to my seasoning changes everytime, so I get a whole new experience at each visit. It's usually the most fun with a group. I do really like Kaze, but I am giving it 3 stars for the following reasons: 1. The service is... well, iffy at best. During one of my (brief) visits the waiter tried pouring me soy sauce after 3 times saying that I didn't want it. I had to put my hand up to stop him. Then he walked away and didn't come back for some time. A couple was seated next to me and he took their orders first. I got up and left. 2. On another visit where I sat at the bar downstairs, there was a cockroach crawling by. I know the location is in an area heavily populated w/restaurants, but that's not acceptable. 3. It's not explained until you get your bill that if you choose any broth other than the regular broth, you will be charged for each refill. So while the soup really hits the spot on cold days, just know what you are getting into.
(3)
Emily S.
This is my new favorite lunch spot. The great: The food is tasty and fun to cook. The dipping sauce must have some narcotic in it - I'm addicted! The staff are friendly and helpful The place is spotless! I mean seriously, it's always a good sign when you're in a restaurant, and you look up to see an air vent that is not only clean, but has clearly been polished to a shine. The bad: Sometimes the waitstaff forgets to come and turn down the heat at the table, nearly causing a boilover - no biggie, just a minor annoyance. Lunchtime prices are cheap, dinner, not so much. Overall: YUMMY!
(5)
Anne D.
This place is wonderful! Its super clean, the waitstaff is friendly and knowledgeable and the food is amazing. I've brought my 70-year old parents and my 7-year old cousins and they all love it. Its a great place for a groups and is really easy to get to. The meats and tofus are always fresh and delicious and the vegetables are always clean and nicely prepared. The staff is awesome about explaining things, brining substitutions and keeping your broth bowls hot. I think its the best shabu shabu in town - try it!
(5)
J F.
Went here for lunch on a Saturday. I really enjoyed this place for the food and service. The staff is great, they are always smiling and they are very helpful... we went around 2pm so it was not crowded at all.. There were half price appetizers on Saturday which was a plus so we got a few. The spicy chicken nuggets were basically that. They were ok. The dumplings were ok as well -- nothing special. However, the reason we came was for the shabu shabu and they did not disappoint. We got the meat lovers combo which had a large portion of beef, the szechuan broth and the udon noodles. Our waitress warned us that even she couldn't handle the spicy szechuan broth.. she wasn't kidding it was really spicy but thats how i like it.. overall the food from the kobe beef to the plate of veggies were all fresh and delicious.. a great satisfying meal.. the appetizers aren't very good, but they are extremlely cheap on saturdays.. oh and they have $1 pabsts.. if you want a fresh healthy casual meal with incredible service, definitely come here.. parking is a b**ch but there is a parking lot next door for $15 flat rate all day price.. so if you are lazy like me and don't want to look for a parking spot there's that option.
(4)
Luke A.
I went to Kaze with no expectations, because to have any is unfair and already limits your experience to those standards you hold against them. The interior is nice, the waitstaff was all dressed up in some funny costumes, and the ambiance gave the impression of a very fancy place (sorta). When I went it with my girlfriend, we came at a time when it wasn't busy at all, and we were seated upstairs next to a window seat. The waitress was a very friendly, older woman, who graciously took her time to explain some things on the menu and what came with what. I ordered the spicy fried octopus tentacles appetizer and OH MY GOD, I would solely come back just to order 5 more of those. . .they were soooooo gooooooddd, crunchy, spicy, it was perfect. The broth's weren't so tasty however, we got Curry and Tom Yum. I was disappointed, and the Curry broth made my girlfriend sick. I ordered the Surf and turf with prime meat. . .and boy did i feel like i got ripped off. I hardly got any seafood, i got like 4 pieces of meat that were thinner than paper, and the vegetables barely covered the plate itself. My girlfriend got the Tofu platter, and as much as i like tofu, i can't see how they can charge more than 10 bucks for a platter of bean curd (it had like 10-14 pieces). Also got beef tripe, which was fine, considering its tripe and the soup is what gives it flavor. . .but again, i must have gotten the wrong soups, since they weren't the most pleasing. For what i got and for what it cost (two people, 70 bucks?!, not including tip!) and the fact that i went to McDonald's around the corner after, because i was still hungry, prevents this from being any higher than 3 stars. It was a subpar experience and i would only go again if someone else was treating me. . .or if i really get a craving for those friend tentacles. . .
(3)
David D.
I'll admit it...I started going to Kaze solely because it was such a PITA to get a seat at Shabu-Zen, which is where I first got my shabu-shabu on. Funny thing happened though - Kaze soon became the number one choice for us when we went out. I've been going there for a couple of years now, and I've honestly never really been disappointed. I will say this though - level of service is definitely dictated by how much you order. Nevertheless, service is never _bad_ and it's always a solid good meal. What you get depends on your appetite and the appetite of your date/guests. I've gone on dates where we've literally split just one plate of seafood. Been out on other dates where we feasted until I felt like a stuffed tofu pouch. Generally, a plate (i.e., seafood plate, chicken/beef plate) per person tends to get the job done. Keep in mind that you'll also be served a tractor full of vegetation on the side. Don't let that stop you from getting a side of taro, though. Never had dessert here...usually because I'm so full after the main meal. Not a bad place to take a date; the concept of shabu-shabu is definitely an interesting topic for conversation. Bit on the louder side, and you won't have any mood lighting. (Apparently, they use the same lighting company that Fenway Park uses.) Still highly recommended for dates or for taking family or friends out.
(4)
Jillian Y.
Okay, so at first I was like...waaiiiit a minute here, I have to cook my own food? At these prices? But then I ordered the surf and turf (not bad, $15 or so) and was in HEAVEN when it arrived all huge - thinly sliced beef, salmon, clams, calamari, and so much more...all raw, just waiting to be tossed into the boiling broth in front of me. Plus, they give you an enormous plate of veggies to go with. I don't think it gets much better than this. And my nickname at work? Shabu.
(5)
Christian R.
I've been frequenting Kaze since summer, 2006, have brought dozens of friends along for the experience, and have always gotten really positive feedback from them. I became good friends with one of the managers and she would often give me and my friends free appetizers to try or a free round of drinks. 6 months ago she left for another endeavor and the staff hasn't quite been the same. Even still, for its price (esp at lunch) Kaze is a great deal for quality shabu shabu. The watermelon smoothies (and other flavors, I've heard, although I only get the watermelon) are fire (read awesome) and the cream-corn croquettes so delicious my mom ended up getting 3 orders worth for herself when I brought her by. Dessert's a little overpriced for what it is, but it's good nonetheless. And as for the food - there's an extremely wide variety of high quality food. I've never been disappointed and neither have my guests. Definitely one of the restaurants worth checking out in Boston, especially if you've never done shabu shabu before. Kaze will bring you back time and time again.
(5)
Andrew B.
This is a great place to go with a small group. I went with my girlfriend and another couple and we had a great time. Its extremely easy to get to, has good drinks, and give you a ton of food for an extremely good price considering you're in Boston. The wait staff was a little slow, but we were catching dinner on a friday night at 10pm. They were very pleasant and helpful, as it was our first time dining at a "hot pot" restaurant. If you haven't tried it yet, you have to. Its a lot of fun and its a sort of interactive dinner. I actually found out about this place on yelp, and decided to give it a try since there are no Hibachi places in Boston. Anyways, its a great time, and especially attractive if you're on a budget.
(4)
Jaime K.
I wanted to do something fun and different with a few friends for my birthday. This was the perfect choice. And it was my first time ever doing hot pot. It was a Wednesday night so it wasn't too crowded and we got seated in the corner area all to ourselves (which was really nice. Of course started of with the HUGE scorpion bowls which were pretty good. Then decided to go with a seafood platter, beef platter and a side or own individual side or two. (I like some of the crazy stuff they had on the menu as I will try anything and everything) And also, we got a huge crab which was yummy and a lot of fun. We had two pots split down the middle with the miso (mild) and then a spicier soup. The food can seem to be a little bland with the miso soup but the spicier soups did have a great little kick!! It ended up taking us 2 1/2 hours to eat everything and our tummys were very satisfied. Overall, it was such a fun experience and I definitely recommend it if you're looking for something to do with a group!
(4)
Ryan V.
I would love to give this place 5 stars but somehow it loses a star due to reservation complications. I called 3 days in advance since I was expecting to have a party of 6 during peak dinner time. When I arrived and told them I had made reservation for this particular day and time, they could not find my name. I was very upset because I wanted to avoid the long wait and wanted to be seated immediately. Luckly, they decided to honor my reservation even though they could not find my reservation. I only had to wait 10 minutes for them to set my table while I wait for my party. NOTE: You should not call 3 days in advance. Try calling 12 hours in advance so that they won't lose your reservation. Everything on the menus is a bit pricey since you are eating in the city. There was a variety of broths, a la carte items, fresh seafood and combo platters. We order the miso broth and the spicy szechuan broth and was not disappointed. The broth was hot and hearty. The shrimp and lobster was fresh. Vegetables seemed a bit aged but still nice and crisp. Even though this place is located in Chinatown and has a Japanese name, don't assume the employees are Japanese. I tried to speak to them in Japanese but got a weird look as if I had 3 heads. In the end, I was still left unfulfilled. The meat, veggies, and all the a la carte items may look good doesn't mean it will leave you full. The portion size were relatively small. You may need to order two of everything if you have a party of 6 or more. Prepare yourself by bringing a little snack as you will still be hungry!! I definately come back but with a bigger wallet and my stomach half full.
(4)
Jasmine C.
Good place to hang out with a few friends for a casual dinner. The food is good, but really, its Nabe (hot pot) and you do your own cooking, so what else can go wrong right? Price is a little on the high side and I would say more expensive compared to Shabu Zen (also in Chinatown). I usually come here instead of Shabu Zen as there is a shorter wait and bigger and roomier tables, which is great if you want to eat slow and just enjoy chatting and eating over dinner. Overally it has always been a pleasant experience, service is good and fairly clean, which is pretty important.
(4)
Lys W.
Legions of Vegans! I have been hearing all kinds of wonderful things about Kaze Shabu Shabu. The we had a vegetarian/vegan night here, and quite a few people showed up. I have never tried hot pot before, and I found it similar to the fondue that I remember from home. A nice soup base (Miso, in my case) and the vegetarian platter hit the spot. I shared a pot with Tyler, and we kept getting our noodles and tofu mixed up, but it was all good! I think the tofu and the greens were my favourite. Make sure you ask them what is veg, because a lot of their bases are not. Another note, the waiter we had was super nice and super knowledgeable. If I could remember his name, I would recommend him!
(4)
Trish F.
My favorite shabu-shabu place in Boston (out of the 3 that I've tried). Lucky for me I came here with several Yelpers for Kenny's "See ya later" dinner. I really like the set up of the tables. For our large group (10-12), they put us in a semi-private table that was separated by half walls. Great for Yelpers because our conversations can go from zero to dirty in negative five seconds flat. I think that you get the most bang for your buck here. It seems like for the same dishes at each place, Kaze gives you more veggies. Hoorah! The service was great and I didn't hear our server say anything under his breath when I complained that my pot wasn't boiling as fast as the other pots. Allix commented on something about how the watched pot never gets hot or something.. so I distracted myself with the always lively Yelper convo. Another note on the service.. Kenny, Allix and I showed up before everyone else and they sat us without giving us ish. We actually didn't order until 30+ minutes after our reservation. That's not usually how I roll, but I really appreciate them accommodating us like that. Can't tell ya about the bathroom, but I hear the water is cold... sayeth many lady Yelpers. And I didn't get a chance to try out their smoothies (if they had any), but as of now, Shabu Zen in Allston has a one up on Kaze because of their lychee smoothies. But no worries, I'll be back on the regular so I can try everything on the menu. YUM!
(5)
Ann C.
IT'S AWESOME. Especially if you like dining to be an "event". Great service, inviting atmosphere (love the 80s nightclub ceiling on the first floor!) amazing selection to suit all tastes! Even if you don't feel hungry or ambitious enough for hot pot, you can just snag a delicious appetizer or two, which are equally as well prepared. The soup broth selection runs all over the map of East Asia - so if your not actually in the mood for the Japanese ones, you can get Malaysian Satay, Thai Tom Yum, etc. The veggies and meat are ALWAYS at their freshest. And the complimenting beverages don't disappoint.........they have green tea smoothies and pina coladas here!! :D
(5)
Tom E.
Modern and warm, with a fantastic selection of different meats and appetizers and far less crowed than nearby Shabu Zen, Kaze is definitely the number one Shabu Shabu spot in Boston. It's Japanese / Chinese run with excellent waitstaff, so why not make a dick of yourself and have a go at some of the few words you learnt from TV? "Ichiban, qing!" :s I came here with a big group on a cold cold night at the beginning of December and we experimented our little hearts off and came up with this guide for you.... TWO PEOPLE: Meat: * One seafood special * One prime rib and lamb Soups: * Korean (best dipping flavor, not so spicy but then none are) * Chinese Herbal (good contrast, makes best soup at the end) Deserts: * One kiwi smoothie (to share - it's very filling) My only problem with this place was the szechuan spicy soup which really wasn't very spicy at all. Ive had true szechuan hot pot and was close to calling a paramedic. I was hoping for that experience here again, or at least something that tingled my tongue. Alas, not to be - but the other soups were at least very flavourful.
(5)
Kenny L.
For my Boston send-off back to California, my fellow Yelpers and I gathered here to complete my Shabu Trifecta, especially since my very first Yelp night was at Shabu Zen followed by Lanes and Games! This was definitely the best shabu shabu out of the three. I can tell you all about Kaze Shabu that others have already talked about. But what don't the others have in the Trifecta that Kaze does? Shabu Zen - Reservation is well recommended as it can be very busy with limited available seating. Everyone in the party must arrive in order to be seated. Shabu Shabu Toki - medium size seating area compared to Kaze and comparable to Shabu Zen. Side vegetable with your choice of meat is around $4 extra, bring the cost of your entree to a total of a least around $20 each person. No choice of noodles. No plates or bowls for serve oneself when we were there; I was reusing the bowl that came with the udon noodles. And the tea was barely hot (an Asian sin)! Kaze Shabu - Easiest reservations. Me: Can I have reservation for 8 on Saturday? Receptionist: Sure! Called back the next day Me: Can I add two more to the party for a total of 10 tomorrow Receptionist: Sure! Ample space for groups in two stories of space! The choices were plentiful and the prices were reasonable. My only two gripes about Kaze is that it is not a true authentic Japanese shabu shabu (expect no Japanese chefs or servers here). Menu also have only Chinese as the alternative language. Sorry Spanish speakers. And the beef bouillon booth was a bit light and could have had more flavor. I noticed that Allix's vegie miso broth uses the same soup base! Yikes! Oh, and if you're dining with her, make sure to watch out for scalding hot broth coming your way; duck unless you want to get burned! Kidding :) You should definitely read Allix's review (and the idea is from her) as well, but here's my tribute to my fellow Yelp friends that night: S, is for the Saturday night we gathered here for my send-off from Boston. H, is for the happy memories we can reminisce on in the future. A, is for the ample food you will consume at reasonable prices. B, is for the boiling hot broths that you can cook and warm yourself up in a cold winter night. U, is for the uber awesome Yelp friends I have in Boston :)
(4)
Ellen C.
Me and eighteen of my closest friends descended upon Kaze Shabu Shabu for my birthday this past weekend, and we had an excellent time. I had made a reservation, and when we arrived there was a large table set up with plenty of elbow room for everyone. An army of waitstaff was ready to take care of us, and they did a stellar job -- no problems whatsoever with incorrect orders, and everything was *fast*. The prices here are very reasonable -- the total came out to $19 each for the food, and we got lots and lots of food. There's a good selection of alcohol (sake, beer, wine, cocktails), and food options for vegans/vegetarians, pescatarians, and those who love plates full of red meat. The shabu pots are split into two sections, so you can have two different kinds of broth -- great for sharing. The location is accessible, right off the Chinatown stop, and right next to 93. Conclusion: Kaze Shabu Shabu = love.
(5)
Mina K.
In the crazy weather of today (lower 50's with wind and rain), omg... This stuff definitely hit the spot. =) It was amazing... and i always forget how much i can actually eat until I come here. YUM! It's only a bit expensive for my taste... however, it was worth every single penny, especially on a day like today.
(4)
Amanda L.
Best part of the dinner? (Besides the fact that we were celebrating the lovlie Chere's bday, and the fact there was CAKE). Ligaya teaching me how to make a chopsticks holder out of my chopsticks wrapper. Anyway, I'm going to be a tad honest here. I'd like to say that I was tremendously excited to finally partake in some Shabu. It's seriously like a demi-god in the world of Yelp, so I was expecting some like of divine revelation or something. ...::insert sad face:: Maybe I picked the wrong broth, or I left it in too long, or didn't leave it in long enough, but most of it was flavorless. The only redeaming factor was the paste and soy sauce that I soaked my food in. I'll admit, I only got the miso base and the regular base....but I was not excited (Especially since it's $3.00 for each base!) I'm also glad me and my BF shared the Surf and Turf, because if we had gotten our own meal, it would have been a hellova lot of money!! For $17.00 I expected a lot more meat/fish. Instead, there were three of everything. I don't know, but that doesn't equal $17.00 in my book. I also expected more veggies. Some of the other reviewers mentioned they give the most veggies here....but I didn't see it. There wasn't enough room either. Maybe it was because there were so many of us, but there was NO room left, at all. I really hate to be the Debbie Downer, so I'll try to end with some positive things. I like the whole interactive dining experience, because it just makes it more fun. My strawberry smoothie was delicious. The service was better than I expected given there were so many of us. The place is REALLY pretty, down to the place mats and the menu. I don't want to say I wouldn't come back here, but I'm not in a hurry to go back either. 3.5 stars. I'm bumping it up to 4 ONLY because I was surrounded by the best Yelpers EVER!
(4)
Nathen S.
Great food and helpful servers. First time at hot pot restaurant and it was a great time.
(4)
Debbie N.
Despite the profusion of shabu restaurants in the Boston area in the past couple of years, Kaze remains my choice shabu place. The tom yum soup base is deliciously spicy, the food is fresh, and the smoothies are yummy. The fast, attentive service here beats its competitors out of the water (ahem, nearby shabu-zen and quincy's shabu). Also, the restaurant has a lot of space (2 floors), and so there is rarely a wait for a table.
(5)
Annie P.
I ain;t going to lie.. MAD clean restaurant for Chinatown. WICKED, HELLA.. whatever coast slang you want. No fish smell! Huge deal for all of us sensitive yet accurate hunting dog nose people. Eric should be my best friend. He was the nicest somewhat innocent waiter that a group of confused Shabu Shabu beginners of the United Colors of NYC/Boston Benetton taste buds (one halfJapanesehalfWhite, one halfVietnamesehalfWhite, one Thai and two Koreans) could ask for. I've done the whole individual shabu pot thing but never the sharing with groups thing. It's an indeed fun, bonding and double dipping so trust your seating arrangement neighbor chomping experience. There were so many parties of 6-20 just enjoying themselves that it made me go into rage mode to think they were actually able to gather that many "friends" to go eat there all at the same time same night! Amazing. This place has two sections per pot so strict lined diet humans can come too. Nothing too complicated in the whole process... don't worry your pink brain to pieces... it's more like common sense cooking skills that will get you far in this place. If you;re lacking that... I don;t know what to tell you.. order more sake or beer.. just kidding.. just know these two things: ** Make your sauce ** This means in slow language: You see the minced garlic and chopped scallions with side sauces they laid out infront of you? Now what can that possibly be? Why??? Get your chopsticks or that stabby metal stick you've been dying to use and put a little bit of whatever you want in the already poured brown sauce in small dish they put to the right of you. Voila... dipping sauce. ** Cook according to texture and rawness ** For example... put the longer to cook in complimentary vegetables like radish and corn on cobb first to boil in the soup. This goes for the Udons (fish cakes) too. Meats only take 10 seconds like you do in Pho! Now you are an expert. Play and eat well. Life is pimp in Shabu(I love saying that word)Shabu land.
(4)
Rudy W.
food is freshly cut from frozen meat selection. a bit on the pricey side for the amount of the food you are getting. its a good place to get to know shabu2, but an expensive way of learning the food. there is one interesting soup. malaysian satay soup base. I haven't had that for a while and surprisingly enough, in boston there are many of the restaurant using the name malaysian satay.
(3)
Ami R.
This was our first hot pot experience in Boston. After reading the reviews from Yelp, I was excited. The reviews were spot on this time. We were seated upstairs on a Sunday afternoon. The place was pretty much empty. We ordered the Japanese curry and kimchi curry base, with a vegetable plate and a lamb/chicken plate. Overall, a great place to check out on a cold winter day for some flavorful soup. Prices were decent and the concept of creating your own soup was fun!!
(3)
Alex L.
First time at a shabu shabu place and loved it! Great, friendly staff, and really good food. A few notes: I normally love spicy food, but the schezuan was a bit too intense even for me. My wife's japanese soy bouillon was really salty - I think my plan next time is to get as mild a base as possible and concentrate on the dipping sauces / condiments. Will return soon!
(4)
Katie D.
SO FUN! My coworkers and I would come eat here every other Friday or so because it's just a great experience and the food (which you cook yourself) is delicious! Relatively cheap and they've got some great drinks, too.. definitely one of our favorite spots we know we can come to!
(5)
Ligaya T.
Yay for renovation - dirty karaoke bar, begone! Now the place is a huge shabu shabu (Japanese hot pot) place. The upstairs has pastel colored, spacious booths great for groups of six or less and two electric tops. I'm used to the counter style service, but this is a good alternative when you've got a bigger group and want to relax. We ordered the tomyum and regular soup base with a seafood combo and chicken, and the prime rib. The slices seemed a bit thicker than those at Shabu Zen and tasted great. The tomyum broth was spicy goodness! The veggie selection included watercress, taro, corn and turnip which aren't so common at other spots, so I was pleased. They even had ice tofu, which is layered and more spongey than other types. My companion spoke Cantonese, so the server was nice, not friendly, but helpful. She brightened up when I ordered a bottle of sake. Which upon drinking, made the panning for noodles and stray bits at the bottom of the pot loads more fun. They give all the right tools, pokey thing for raw meat, scooper wire net, chopsticks, and wide spoons too.
(4)
Alyssa N.
I don't mind cooking my own food when the price is reasonable. Shabu shabu was lots of fun here, if a bit confusing at first. Once we got the hang of it, dinner went smoothly. A word of advice - skip the vermicelli noodles. They proved hard to wrangle into the scoop to dip into the pot of broth. On a totally random note - the ladies room has a very cool sink. More arty than you'd expect to find downstairs at a restaurant in Chinatown. Was also relatively clean.
(4)
Jonathan L.
I was pleasantly surprised during and after trying Shabu Shabu. I'm not sure why I doubted it in the first place, but it may have been because it was my first time at a place of this sort. I will be returning and am almost motivated to go to B-town just for it. Service is great, atmosphere is fantastic, and the cooking sauces are extremely tasty. A top-notice place all around.
(4)
jenilee p.
It's Chinatown Shabu^2 face off time: Zen vs. Kaze. Today, after much debate and deliberation among fellow hot pot enthusiasts, I do believe that the win goes to Kaze by a slim margin. When faced with an unshakable need to soak raw beef in hot broth, either one will fulfill your needs. But in the case of Kaze, the standalone building offers a slightly more formal, pleasant atmosphere compared to the rowdy lunchroom dinner setting of Shabuzen. The other big plus? At lunch time, there is a choice of broth ranging from classic beef bullion to tomato to spicy szechuan to a pork-based tonkatsu offering. Just another dimension of flavor to enjoy as your meat and vegetable dipping session runs its course. For those unfamiliar with this interactive meal, I'd try the place during lunch. It makes for a pretty good business lunch joint, as it's nicely decorated, fairly quiet, and the price point is right. I recommend ordering the meat combo #1 (beef, with choice of lamb/chicken/pork). A plate of vegetables including corn on the cob, some sort of watercress, spinach, cabbage, shiitake mushroom, a daikon slice, and a piece of white sweet potato will also arrive at your table to join your meat selection. You must also choose a broth, as I've noted above. I recommend going with the beef bullion (for a first timer), the miso is apparently very good, and if you like a little kick, I also thought the kimchi was delectable. When your meat arrives, use your chopsticks, and give it about three to four two-second swishes through the broth, until the thin slices are cooked through. Dip into your sauce and enjoy. With regard to the vegetables, the corn takes the longest to cook, so I usually dump that in first. The cabbage also takes a bit of time, and picks up nice flavor from the liquid. Use your own judgment, there's no wrong way to do this, just add veggies, meat, dip, eat. I always leave udon noodles for the end, dragging them out after a light cooking, and adding bits of the various condiments to the top to enjoy and drag the lunch out just long enough to muster enough courage to return to the office. And of course, don't forget to savor that delicious broth that you worked so hard on. I'm very glad I took part in the Shabu Shabu Summit. I hope our results encourage you to give Kaze Shabu Shabu a try.
(4)
Renee G.
It was midnight on a cold and rainy Saturday night. I was starved and drunk - alas, not drunk enough to forget that I was starved, or that it was cold and rainy. As my friend and I stumbled into Chinatown, Kaze Shabu Shabu beckoned us, all warm-looking and well lit. We were sold. Cheap and quick had initially been the name of the game, but not-so-cheap, not-so-quick, and there turned out to be good enough. I got my stiletto-clad foot stuck between the door and the top step on the way in, which I should have perhaps taken as an omen of pain to come. "Pain?" you ask. The math: (inebriation + extreme hunger) - (patience + common sense) * a plate of assorted foodstuffs to be dipped in a pot of boiling-hot broth = OUCH. I seared both the tongue and the roof of my mouth with my first bite and liberally splattered my decolletage with scalding liquid. It was not. Enjoyable. However, I remain confident that it would have been delicious had I retained the presence of mind to eat like a normal human being and not someone raised by wolves, and would love to go back. Sober.
(3)
Orly M.
So, I have now completed the Shabu trifecta, much like Kenny, who I already miss and needs to get his butt back here for more shabu. Now, shabu is the food of my dreams. I am obsessed with three things: 1)Soup; 2)Condiments; and, 3)Making food needlessly complicated and time consuming to eat. So, shabu is clearly the food for me, with the many utensils and ingredients and sauces and all of that broth. This place was so cute, down to the cute little logo on their chopsticks. We were seated in a big, comfy table in our own little section, which was nice -- we had plenty of space and could concentrate on the conversation and the task at hand. I was sick and it was making me stoooopid so I made a major mess. At least I entertained my fellow yelpers, I guess. Now the bathroom was kind of terrible -- fine, make it a unisex bathroom, but does it need a urinal? I know aiming can be hard when you're covered in soup, but I think guys can handle peeing in the toilet. And heat would be a good idea. And hot water. Having a shabu filled warm tummy and then going to a bathroom like the tundra sucks. Oh yeah, so I bet you wanna know about the food. It ROCKS! Seriously. I got the chicken and beef combo plate. The veggie plate that came with it was by far the most generous and best of all of the shabu places. The tom yum broth and szechuan spicy were both amazing. Nice and spicy!! I may be a white girl, but I like my food spicy, and this place delivered. Lastly, I got the spinach noodles. Yum!!! I could go for some right now.
(5)
Lauren B.
Oh Shabu Shabu. I am a vegetarian who eats fish but has no interest in meat which makes sharing food with meat eating people not that fun. BUT at Shabu, Shabu everybody gets what they want because you make it yourself! Be sure to follow their suggested cooking times, eat up all your vegetables and not go too crazy with the sauces. Oh, and be prepared to take what you can't eat home (and there will be plenty). This is a great place to come with friends because the whole process of deciding on what you want, being brought your ingredients and cooking it at the table can take awhile. I would imagine this would be the worst possible place for a first date or, worse, to be with people with whom you frequently share uncomfortable silences. And don't forget to order a scorpion bowl for one, even if you are eating with enough people to get a regular size. It will ruin the experience.
(4)
Kevin W.
Devon, I was reading your post about your Kaze and it said that you and your bf do this for NYE and its a tradition, its funny that you should say that because my and the gf do that as well. For the past few years we always have done Shabu-Zen in C-Town not the one in brighton, but this year we did Kaze and thought it was serviceable. Between Kaze and Shabu-Zen I like Zen, but I feel like who ever lowers their price by a few bucks will win the battle and see more revenue. If youre craving Shabu t his place is great! Check it out.
(4)
Alan Y.
I had a good experience at Kaze Shabu Shabu after coming here for the first time with 3 other friends. We ordered four different types of broth (I ordered the Malaysian satay) as well as two orders of mixed lamb, pork, chicken, and beef. The meat was thinly sliced and contained very little fat and my broth was pretty spicy. The entrees also came with some vegetables and a bowl of udon sauce. It was all pretty tasty, but I wasn't exactly satiated since we had basically ordered one plate for two people. I also wish the serving sizes were bigger. However, I will definitely come here again.
(4)
Shaula C.
Have to agree with MzLizz M. here: This is a great crucible for a first date. Very little about the shabu experience can be described as graceful -- you find yourself slopping broth everywhere, fumbling with mollusks in those little dipping baskets and fiddling with the temperature control dials. But the food is tasty and conveniently modular (sharing is good fun!), and there's a nice collaborative aspect to the whole thing. Plus, you've got plenty of built-in talking points if you're stuck for conversation. And if your date can't handle that ... well, it probably wasn't going to work out anyway. Protip: The Vegetarian Delight paired with either the Thai tom yum or the Malaysian satay broth is heavenly (especially on a bone-chilling winter night).
(4)
Ezra A.
Lots of fun cooking your own food. They do a good job of teaching the uninitiated in proper swishing techniques. Beef tongue was surprisingly good. Of course the Ribeye was my favorite.
(4)
Alex T.
Kaze used to be my favorite place to go to for shabu in all of Boston. The portions are bigger here than Shabu-Zen, the service is friendly and efficient, and the soups were top notch ( love the herbal). If I wrote this review even a couple months ago, I would have given this place a solid 3 stars. Unfortunately, most of their cooks have since left and a visit here this past weekend showed a huge drop in food quality and portions. I'm sorry, but I can't excuse a piece of salmon sliced paper thin. The beef is also sliced super thin and the color led me to question the freshness. Service has stayed pretty consistent but the food has really gone downhill. I understand prices of food has gone up but the difference is just night and day. I'd rather they raise their prices or something else rather than kill the quality and quantity. Unfortunately, with all the choices in and around Boston for shabu, I don't think I will be frequenting this location much anymore.
(2)
Yui K.
Perfect spot for our Asian Night get together because..... can it get any more asian? Waiter tried to trick us saying one order feeds one person. We had three orders for five. Coupled with some sake and sapporos made for good conversations and good times. Forget the free soup base, get the kimchi. Zest and flavor infused in every thin piece of prime rib, scallop, and turnip. Tofu purse from the oden plate was a big hit too. How To ShabuShabu guide in the menu gives precise seconds to minutes time to dunk said food. Manager showed us newbs how to mixmake the sauce.
(4)
Jared S.
Went here with my gf after she flew in from San Francisco. Was a perfect meal. We had the Surf & Turf #1 (with Prime rib). Used the Thai Tomyum and Japanese Miso broths. Was a perfect amount of food for 2. Also had a seaweed salad appetizer and shared the Mango Mouse dessert. Great dinner. Will definitely go back.
(5)
Anna F.
Don't go looking for a cheap lunch here. Expect to pay $20-25 a piece for lunch and drink and a shared appetizer. That said the food is really good. The presentation and service are stellar as well. I have been there three times, introducing a friend to hot pot each time. It's an adventure each time as I try new foods like ostrich and strange fish cakes. The soup bases are really the highlight- but beware- they can be very spicy! At lunch time they play soap operas on the TV's. Just FYI.
(4)
Laura L.
I LOVE HOT POT! Shabu Shabu most of the time has a line but it goes by pretty quickly. The service is quick, nice and straight forward. I always get the short rib with tons of veggies put in the kimchee spicy broth. DELICIOUS! The wait staff is very friendly and helpful always ready to pour you more broth and fill your water. Jut remember to not wear white!
(4)
Janie W.
I love Kaza Shabu. Boston does a fantastic shabu, and I haven't been able to find anything quite like it in other cities. I usually get the short-rib combo with vermicelli, plus one or two sides of veggies. The soup is delicious and I love the mix it yourslef sauce. The price is very affordable, especially the lunch deals.
(5)
Lina G.
I love Japanese cuisine, therefore, I was bound to like shabu shabu. This is a great place....very accessible by the T and right in the center of Chinatown. Went there with my hubby, I was a little nervous at first because the thought of him cooking his own food (with boiling water) kinda scared me. Well we ordered the seaweed salad appetizer which was great. I was so tasty and dressed perfectly. We got the surf and turf with chicken. I'm not a fan of chicken at all so I got a side of tofu. It was yum yum!!! They give you a bit of garlic, scallions, hot sauce to mix in the soy sauce you use for dipping and man, I can drink that shizz. Overall it was fabulous, the service was good (had to remind the waitress about the sauces) and the food yumm-o. The only con is the price, just a bit steep but isn't everything lately?
(4)
Lucy B.
I can't tell you how much I love this place. It's relatively inexpensive - like 12 bucks a person - the wait staff is really nice and attentive. The food is fresh and lovely. The broths are always so good, I haven't figured out which one is best, but I can tell you the Szechuan broth is SPICY. They give you so much food too! The veggie platter comes packed with cabbage, a delicious mushroom, watercress, spinach, turnip, radish, tomato, and more. The meat is cut frozen and rolled for a nice presentation. Great date place, or awesome place to bring a group of people. Love love love this place, I've been craving it constantly.
(5)
Teresa T.
My family's go to place for hot pot in Chinatown is Shabu Shabu so was looking forward to mixing things up by going to Kaze Shabu Shabu. Kaze Shabu Shabu is on the edge of Chinatown and is in a distinct purple cube. A friend had gotten reservations for five of us on a weeknight though upon entering it didn't seem like they were needed. We sat at a booth which were comfortable though the backs of the chairs were thin (kids were sitting right in back of us and kept kicking the seats). The service was friendly though sometimes a little slow however the menu is quite extensive. I am use to just choosing from two or three broths but they had probably about three to four times that. Also they had a lot more beer and drinks to choose from but no smoothies. I settled on the tom yum broth ($3), seafood deluxe with udon ($18) and a hot tea. The tom yum was delicious but spicy and the seafood deluxe had a nice assortment from clams and squid to salmon and fish balls though I kept wondering if these were fresh (there was still some ice on the seafood). I was stuffed by the end and felt that the experience and price were reasonable so I think I would come back here again.
(4)
Susan D.
Coming to Chinatown since the 80's, I am glad to see that they made better use of this building. Although from the pink flourescent lights outside, you can gather what it was before it became a fine restaurant. This was my first shabu-shabu experience outside my mother's doors. Boy, it was perfect. I chose the tomyum soup base (spicy, yet complex with slightly sweet and tamarind flavors). At our booth, they divided our pot with a metal divider. So, we essentially shared the whole meal in the same pot: half tomyum and half basic broth. We ordered the seafood array, the red meats with lamb, and a huge vegetable platter. Dumping your food in the boiling broth along with chopped garlic and bbq paste (you got to!) and coming up with delicious tidbits was more exciting than I thought it would be. My favorite part was the watercrest and baby corns absorbing all that delicious tomyum broth. Then, I ladled soup onto my udon noodles and I have myself THE perfect soup. Being Vietnamese, I know my soups. If your company isn't all that interesting, go ahead and play with your food. Use that spider web and search/sieve for straggling goodies on the bottom. Then, slurp up the delicious broth you made. *side note: private & very clean women's room (don't know about the men's) very good green tea ice cream I like this establishment better than Shabu zen
(5)
Christopher D.
Food was awesome. I had the Black Angus rib eye and it was delicious. I also had the boneless short rib which was very, very good. My gf had the seafood platter; parts of it were better than others. The service was outstanding. Our waitress helped us with our food and broth selection, and was very attentive throughout. The ambiance isn't exactly romantic, but it's fun and casual. I will definitely be returning.
(4)
Kenneth C.
This place is outstanding. My partner and I routinely drive the hour and a half to Boston just to have diner here. The food is amazing, the price is great and the service couldn't be better. I recommend this place to everyone I know that is going near china town.
(5)
Sarah S.
I have been here a few times now, all with Yelping Goddess Aretha... it's every bit as wonderful as she says it is. It takes a little getting used to in terms of cooking times and especially getting those noodles out of the pot!!, but it's filling and delicious. My tip: if you can't eat it all, cook all your veggies and what have you in the pot and ask for a to-go container. Don't waste it; it's great for leftovers too!
(5)
Mia D.
YUM YUM YUM! I took a coworker here last week and had a fabulous time! One tip though, if you are foodies, sit at the bar and you can each get your own bowl of 2 soup bases! If we sat at a table, we would have had to share the soups, but our waitress suggested we sit at the bar and we could each get our own 2 soups! Way to go for sure!!! The reason for the 4 bars is really based on price, I thought for the price, it was a little steep for what you got. I mean, come on, no tofu with the veggie plate? And I got ONE mushroom, seriously!!! Of course got plenty of cabbage and spinach (read, cheap!) and how are you supposed to eat corn after its been in a hot broth? Also didn't like that they charged you extra for rice ($1.75) for a bowl of white steamed rice? Come on, that's expensive!!! Okay, but the meal itself was divine! I had the miso base and the kimchi base, I definitely preferred the kimchi base. I got the surf and turf combo 1 which I believe had the better beef option (but still felt it wasn't the BEST grade of beef possible). Loved all the dipping sauces, the noodles, etc... We also had the red bean ice cream of dessert...unbelievably good!!! All in all a very pleasant dining experience! Would definitely go back and take my husband!
(4)
Sara S.
I have been here probably five or six times. I seem to always forget that this place exists and end up going to Shabu Zen, but that's a shame. I'm not exactly sure, but as far as I can tell the prices are fairly similar. They give you larger portions here, wider variety of broths (omg curry!?!? It's amazing, go try it!), but the restaurant itself is much nicer, the food feels fresher and the waiters are more attentive. I wish the location weren't so random, but other than that I love it!
(5)
Anna A.
If you have never been to a "hot pot" restaurant before, Kaze Shabu Shabu is a great introduction. A big pot of hot broth is set in the middle of the table on a induction cooking surface (you can control the temperature with the dials on the side of the table); each person picks a combination plate (either sea-food, meat, or vegetarian, though any plate comes with a good amounts of vegetables) and then proceeds to cook the items in the simmering broth, periodically poking around and fishing out a thing or two. Ultimately, the experience largely depends not on the food you pick from the menu (as it is uniformly fresh, varied and filling), but rather on how well you like your dining companions, since the meal will take you a good while.
(5)
Hughes N.
I went to Kaze coz I'm tired of the scene at Shabu-zen: the long wait, the same old self-centered customers. Kaze has 3 times the choice of soup base compares to Shabu-zen and all the ingredients are as fresh. I ordered the Oden, it was surprisingly good, it made me feel nostalgic eventhough I'm not Japanese, LOL. The Malaysian satay soup was really delicious whlie my friend's choice of Chinese herbal was rather weak compare to Shabu-zen. And beware of the cocktails here, they're really strong! It's a nice touch though if u want to get ur female friends drunk,lol. I like the interior here despite it's not good enough for people watching and the waitress here aren't as cute as in Shabu-zen (I don't really care about that, but I throw it out for ppl who think that matter). Finally, the rice and udon here aren't as good as Shabu-zen (for ppl who can tell the diferrent). To sum it up: go to Shabu-Zen if you want to people watching, hit on cute waitstaff. And go to Kaze if you want to have some conversation with your date/friends.
(3)
Kit Y.
By far, my favorite restaurant in Chinatown. I eaten here at least 40 times by now. The service is excellent, the atmosphere us hip and trendy, and I love hot pot! For vegans, this place is WAY superior to Shabu Zen. The vegetarian platter is loaded with watercress, dumplings, taro, daikon, lotus root, napa cabbage, enoki mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, rice noodles, and two kinds of tofu. (All from memory, please clap now). I usually get miso or veg broth, but I decided to try the sezchuan broth loaded with chillies and peppercorns and boy was it hot! I also love that you get to choose from six types of noodles or rice. Mmmmmmmmmm...... I am so full by the end of it that I can't move and it's healthy and fresh and tasty. The price is also reasonable and it's open oh so late. I have come here at least four times when they also have given out samples of their new products to my table. Unfortunately they were always meat, but I was always with some meat consumers anyway which was nice for them. This place is great when you want to eat with others because it really caters to many veggies and omnis and is a great place to eat communally. I once ate with a party of over 15 and it was great because half of us were vegetarian/vegan and we all ate well and got to hang out as a group.
(5)
Ameer N.
i live in sf, where asian food can be found on any and every corner. i used to live with two chinese girls who regularly threw hot pot aka shabu shabu parties. there, i've validated my shabu shabu credentials for all to see! i really like the array of broths this place has: tonkatsu, kimchi, schezuan, tomato beef, etc etc. the seafood platter was $17, the seafood quality was good. my brother got the beef/lamb combo which was mighty tasty. i'd definitely go back to this place on a cold boston day when i have a big appetite and a lot of friends.
(4)
Nam T.
Kaze continues to be the goto spot for my friends, family, and myself. There are several shabu shabu places in boston, but in my opinion this is the best. It's hard to go wrong with shabu shabu but kaze always seems to have the best variety of vegetables and meats available. They're soup bases are also nice and tasty. If you are looking to take a date out for something different, I would think about this place. It offers a great meat and plenty to talk about.
(4)
Alicia N.
First of all let me take a moment to establish the fact of how much of a staple this place is in my eating cycle. If someone comes into town you know there is always that one restaurant that you HAVE to bring them to. Shabu Shabu is by far that place. Also I am a complete creep when it comes to what I will eat. I can't just stroll by some burger joint and roll in diving into the first item on the menu. This place has something that will arouse even the pickiest or obscure palette. I myself don't dig dairy much or eat meat outside of the swimming family which usually induces the response "so what do you eat? Lettuce"...yea obviously. Anyway, so this place combines unique with old school fondue style which is not only fun it's great if you end up on an awkward date and want to entertain yourself, or with a group of people who want an "outside the box experience". Essentially you end up elbow deep in a pot of boiling soup bases, and your choice of meat (veggie option), and noodle/rice, surrounded by an array of bizarre utensils that add to the experience. They have all the traditional Japanese style apps, but often with a twist. I had never ordered their Tempura until my last visit expecting the usual fried veggies compiled into a tee pee, instead we received some alien life form shriveled on the plate...which was good but not great. Other than that everything was amazing as usual. The bill is usually pretty steep (around $50+ a person if you consider a meal, app, and drinks), so my friend and I decided to share one fondue "setup" and a few apps. We got the seafood tray which I absolutely adore because it is a little bit of everything (I am a huge fan of variety), with two soup bases, and three apps (we're piglets whatev). The other two apps aside from the tempura were great. The seaweed salad wasn't too skimpy, and the corn croquettes weren't bland and didn't have a gross texture. *Let me take a moment to emphasize how much I hate when restaurants disfavor sharing meals, Shabu Shabu was totally positive about it. * The main course was awesome and the waitresses explain everything to you if you say you've never been. Each entree comes with a unique array of dipping sauces/toppings. Again, being a fan of variety I almost dropped trow at the amount of different choices when I first went there. The variety of soup bases are also great for variety...anyway did I mention I dig variety? The fish was practically right out of the boat, and 20 seconds later in my mouth. Instant gratification, who doesn't love it? Most importantly their drinks are out of this world! I have had any and every drink from this place and again they are not weak, not too strong, and unique without peacing out on Japanese style all together. Needless to say half the time I leave I am full but not wanting to vomit, and glassy eyed. LOVE IT!
(5)
Michele G.
Delicious! Spicy food, mildly priced. Super clean and cute bathroom, important to sticklers like myself. This was my first hot pot experience and my god, messy, but so delish! That's the first time I've ever used that word, ever. Get the watermelon smoothie (it's real watermelon!!) and the thai broth--mouth-watering.. I have to bring more people here. Everyone is really nice, too, and wait--I almost forgot the mango mousse cake. It's killer. I need to have their key lime pie cake whenever it comes back on the menu. Killer. Go eat there now.
(5)
Erica T.
This place is clean! That is a good start for a restaurant in Chinatown. I had the Prime Rib Eye and my friend had the Veggie Delight. We had the "regular broth" and the kimchee broth. I was scared the kimchee broth was going to be too spicy so that is why we got the regular broth. Compared to the kimchee broth, the regular broth had no flavor. However, it was ok. You get a plate of meat and a separate plate of mixed veggies. Nicely arranged and sliced up. The veggie delight came with some of the same vegetable on my plate but with added of tofu and dried tofu. Service was good. They were polite and attentive. The green tea shake was SO good! It's in a tall slim glass, so I think there is less than it really looks. But it was very delicious so I won't complain. I would come here again!
(4)
stacey n.
Plenty of choices for broth. Portions are fairly reasonable. Space is nice comparing to other restaturants.
(4)
Linh V.
shabu zen is better. just saying. our pot was broken so out two broths, kim chee and herbal, just ended up mixing into eachother and the server never once asked us if we wanted to switch it out. but besides that the broths weren't even tasty to begin with! BUT the spicy tentacles are extremely tasty and i sometimes comtemplate going here just to have them.
(3)
Kabir H.
Kaze really shines for large groups or intimate dates, as it's just a lot of fun. You start by picking out a broth, which your server pours into a steel bowl and places on a burner on your table. A tray of vegetables and your choice of meats is brought out. As for choice of meats, they've got a lot of variety here, from standard chicken and beef, to ostrich and live shrimp. You slowly throw everything you want into the pot and let it cook, and the end result is a fresh, delicious meal that you've just made yourself. I really can't think of a better spot to visit on those cold winter nights, as the broth really warms you up and it's awfully hearty. Service is near impeccable: quick, courteous and great at helping you navigate the menu if you're a first timer. If you don't mind working for you food, you'll find the experience memorable and the rewards plentiful.
(5)
Jenna C.
My boyfriend took me here on our first date. I was reluctant at first, because I had never heard of the place but after we arrived I was really happy with the choice he had made. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and the waitstaff are helpful and friendly. This was the first shabu shabu restaurant I'd ever been to, and I thought the idea of cooking the food at the table was a great one for a first date. We ordered miso broth, which was very tasty, and the combination meat dishes. The waiters bring out a large amount of vegetables, mostly cabbages and greens, and then the meat, rolled up in little rounds. The entire act of cooking your own meal, tasting some of the mystery vegetables they give you, and seasoning your own soy sauce makes this restaurant really fun and entertaining. I highly recommend it and would take anywhere there who hasn't experienced shabu shabu.
(5)
Suzanne M.
I came here because of the great Yelp reviews and close proximity to the Opera House where I was going after dinner. Thank you yelpers, this place was a great choice! It was a cool, clean, modern looking place. The seats were comfortable and the general ambiance was contemporary and inviting. I am a novice cook-it-yourselfer, and I have to admit I was a little nervous looking at the array of utensils and trays of spices in front of me. However, there is a great little "cooking tips" guide in the front of the menu that tells you how long to cook and what to do with the spices & soy sauce. That was very helpful, and I kept the menu with me throughout dinner just in case I forgot how long to cook some things. The food was very good. We tried the tom yum and the Japanese miso broth. Though the tom yum was given a 1 out of 3 spice rating, and that met my expectation, as it wasn't that hot but had more kick than the not-spicy miso. I was afraid to get the rated-3 szechuan broth but will definitely give it a go next time. We shared chicken and pork, which ended up being a ton of food. For noodles, I we had the udon and the vermicelli. Our waitress told us to put them into the pot for 5 minutes, which we did, and then struggled to get them out. Especially the udon noodles - they kept slipping back in! I definitely splashed myself a few times. I will follow the other yelps on here and just spoon broth into the noodle bowl next time! We tried the Romance Sake per the recommendation of our waitress. It was smooth. We started with an appetizer of edamame, which was unnecessary, since the food comes out very quickly. We got the broth and vegetables before the edamame! I thought Kaze was reasonably priced. Each entree was $11, the broths were $3 each, and the sake was $20. Thanks Joyce - I did not know that Kaze was owned by the Fugakyu owners.
(4)
Shang S.
I've had Chinese hot pot since I was a little kid at home, so my standards for hot pot, no matter how simple, are pretty high. Despite its Japanese sounding name, all the ingredients are pretty standard Chinese, and most of the wait staff (and the owner, I believe) are Cantonese, but that's not really a big deal here. Price and Location: We paid a total of $44 (before tip) for 2 sets and an appetizer (steamed gyoza, thumbs up). For the price you pay and its convenient location, I was very satisfied with Kaze Shabu Shabu. For two people, we decided to order one set each (basically, you specify the soup base, the meat, and then they give you veggies and a choice of bowl of noodles or rice). Service: The food arrived promptly, it was nicely sliced and clean. Service was courteous and friendly. Since I tend to eat a little slower than usual, I turned down the heat so that the pot wouldn't overcook the things I had in there, but the waiters sometimes come by and check on you and adjust temperature accordingly. Middle through the meal they will also add soup base for free as the rest has boiled away. Taste: I had the malaysian satay base while my friend had the Japanese miso base. If you like strong tastes, I definitely recommend the satay base, it's not too spicy at all. If you get a bowl of noodles, it's really fun to put the noodles into the soup base too. You also get small dishes of soy sauce, satay sauce, garlic, green onion, and red pepper which you can mix together in your own bowl to make your own tasty dipping sauce. This is perfect comfort food for a cold winter night. Klutzes beware! It can get a little messy at times. I've found that the bok choy pieces especially were too large and had to break them into smaller bits before placing it inside the soup. Overall, I'm definitely coming back here again! But first... gotta febreeze the soup smell out of my jacket...
(5)
Alison E.
I loooooooooove Kaze. :) To be fair, I've only ever been to one other shabu-shabu place (Shabuzen), but I prefer this one. They give you giant plates of stuff to put in, and the broth is really awesome. For vegetarians (like me) there's miso, kimchee, or herbal broth. If you're looking for an authentic Japanese experience, though, my Japanese friend was startled and amused to find that when he thought he was ordering miso as a starter it turned out to be his broth. ;) They're good with groups--I had my birthday and my graduation parties here!
(5)
alison j.
Shabu is super duper fun. I went here for a friend's birthday on a Saturday night. I made a reservation and had to move it back an hour about a half hour before we were supposed to be there, but the staff was very accomodating. We ordered the chicken, short ribs and lamb. I wasn't a huge fan of the lamb (I think I don't like lamb in general though), the chicken was good and the short ribs were amazing! The service was excellent and the waitress took a little time out with us to explain the different broths, cooking times, how much food we should order to share, etc. My scorpion bowl was a little weak, but overall it was a really fun and delicious experience. I would definitely come back.
(4)
Jessica M.
My friend and I came here at about 8PM on a Saturday night with a reservation and were seated almost immediately. The waiter was really nice, but didn't come back to check up on us and refill our water. Had to ask for napkins. Food was great, service was otherwise fast, and a great experience I'd recommend.
(4)
Michael L.
I only wish there were a place like this closer to where I lived. The food was good, and the prices reasonable. This is also one of the cleanest hotpot restaurants I've been to before. While the lunch special wasn't enough to fill me up on its own, you can add sides of meat for only $4 more. On a cold Boston day, this place totally hit the spot.
(5)
aaron t.
I came here by accident but plesantly surprised at the quality and variety of options. Usually I tend to go to Shabu Zen nearby, but Kaze has a much large menu, more options, and is just as delicious, if not less crowded. The price is awesome, and it'll fill you up. If your not familiar with shabu style, it's cook your on food in a big shared brothe with your friends at your table. This is what separates shabu zen and kaze. Shabu zen has mostly individual bowls which is great if you are picky about eating out of your own cooker, but sharing is what makes the experience great.. You choose the soup base, the meats, and you get lots of little extra vegetables to eat up. It's a great ritualistic experiene to have a good time with friends. Come here with a small or large group. I think they have an upstairs which i have not been to. Near a T station and walking distance to various entertainment venues.
(4)
Lachinita X.
I LOVE this place!!! I'm leaving Boston soon, and I'll come back to visit Boston - just to eat here. Kaze is one of the best shabu places I've been to outside of Asia. and it's actually clean and a nice place to eat and bring friends and family who are from out of town. I think it's a little expensive for shabu for dinner, so I come here for the lunch special. I usually get the Malaysian Satay broth, but it's sometimes inconsistent. Sometimes, the flavor is just right, other times, it's not that flavorful. To be safe, I get both the Malaysian Satay and the Tom Yum, which tastes absolutely delicious with beef or lamb. Other broths I highly recommend are the Japanese Soy Sauce with Seaweed, Japanese Curry (so good with udon noodles!), and Szechwan Spicy if you genuinely can handle really spicy foods. I know the portion size for the vegetarian dish is very generous, and if I'm not up for meat, I would order it and still leave very satisfied. I've never really had anything else besides shabu-shabu. Kaze has half-price appetizers though, and once in a while, I'll splurge for the Japanese fried oysters. Yum! Also, if I have room, I will always get the trilogy mousse cake. It may not be very Asian, but it's awesome.
(5)
ChianWen T.
It's been years since I had shabu shabu. The last time was about 6 year ago at Miki in Ann Arbor with.....oh you know. From time to time, I seriously believe I either have mad cow disease or Alzheimer's, but moments like these make me believe otherwise. Kaze is surprising good considering how inexpensive it is. For about $20 each, we ate until we had to roll our tummies out the door. Good food + inexpensive + cleanliness = CW, a fan
(4)
Sean C.
Great place to have Shabu-Shabu in Boston area. I have been enjoy the meal there for couple times and every time I change a type of soup in Shabu-Shabu. Every soup type has its own taste and very good quality. Service is good and the price is quite affordable. *Pork bone soup is my favorite.
(5)
Steven P.
Although I prefer Shabu Zen, my brother is an avid fan of Kaze, so we went there along with my sisters for dinner. We ordered lots and lots of dishes, like the surf and turf, tripe, salmon, watercress, and watercress, and a helluva lot more watercress. We chose two different broths, which was decent in flavor. My main gripe was the udon noodles which was always brought out cold. So you'd have to either dump the noodles into the broth to steam them, or to try and pour the broth into your bowl and hopefully having the noodles nice and just the way they should be. Overall, the meal was nice and filling. Though, if I had to, I'd chose Zen or Kaze. But, if Zen which usually is always packed, is full, Kaze would be next on the list.
(3)
Kristin M.
Love this place, and am loyal to Kaze over Shabu Zen ever since they opened. I mean, for one, it used to be the hot lesbian spot on Saturday nights. Now it's Japanese shabu shabu- how appropriate. Good memories here: the owner knows us and is very friendly. The food is great- I usually order the Surf and Turf. Some of the platters are large enough to share, or if you order separatetly there will be leftovers (yes we are so asian that we take our soup to-go- they will do it for you, just ask). Lots of soup base and noodle options- I especially like the cilantro and egg one. The last time we went though, we noticed they had changed the veggie platter from yummy things like diakon and taro to carrots and broccoli. :( EDIT: last time, the diakon and taro were back!
(5)
Antony S.
The good: Everything. Pictures of what you can order on the menu, friendly staff, T.V.'s all around yet still a great ambiance, fancy bathrooms, cool lighting...and DELICIOUS FOOD The bad: Nothing. Nothing at all! Joyce K, an nba groupie, sums it all up perfectly . This is my easiest rating yet: 5 stars and I'd give them more if I could.
(5)
Chin C.
I like the variety of broth they offer. And by far the one I like most is Japanese Tonkotsu. For app I love Fired Spicy Jumbo Tentacles, it was so tasty, crispy and as the name stated, spicy. The entree we have prime rib, short rib, lamb and seafood. The prime rib and lamp were fine, the short rib was great. The prawns were big and fresh you have to try it. If you want to put some twist in it, try Thai sukiyaki sauce, it's spicy so be careful. The place is not that big but plenty of room, but no long line. The services were quite good too.
(4)
Kristin G.
The Japanese Curry broth is to DIE for. I've been here a few times- just went back last week for a friend's birthday and was not disappointed. The food was fresh, the broth was delicious and the staff were totally friendly.
(4)
Sean M.
Legit high-end Chinese/Pan Asian style hot pot with decent sushi. Really nice bar and decor. Staff is attentive, knowledgeable and patient. Very good appetizers but don't fill up, cause the platters are generously portioned. We always like to get two or three broths going and share, so a group of 4-6 is optimum. But you have a nice meal for two here as well. Tip on the spicy broth: Don't leave the szechuan peppers in the boiling broth for more than a minute or two.
(4)
Jimmy B.
I'm having a heart-break on having to give this place a 4. I've adored this place since I was a child - as a huge fan of hot pot (or honestly, more for the dipping sauce... mmmm chinese BBQ sauce, I'd inhale you over oxygen any day), this place is on the top of my list. Back in the day, the meat was sososooooo fresh with heaps of sliced meat (I think I remembered counting 14+), a good assortment of veggies, flavorful soup bases and an awesome selection of noodles. Oh hey, and did I forget to mention you could order OSTRICH meat? Talk about something you'd hesitate to order, yet wouldn't be able to resist trying at least once. Fast forward 100+ meals of dining here (seriously.. I probably have the record for eating here, or at least I'd like to believe so) and after all the ups and downs, I'm settling on a four. Why? Didn't I say this was my top place for hot pot? Why yes sir I did, and I still hold to it. However, as with most restaurants, small things start to change, and typically not for the better. I've noticed that the meat quality has started to go down in quality (really sad - I'm sad to say that some of their competitors have better meat) as well as reduced quantity (10 slices for lunch, 12 or so for dinner). It's quite sad, especially after the slight increase in prices. (those $8 lunches were the BEST). Luckily, their soup bases still rock (Kimchi all the way!) and their noodles are also still amazing. Unlike some places, Shabu Kaze actually serves what I consider UDON noodles, not the tiny ass noodles some others places serve as udon. Although both are chewy, the size definitely changes the texture and taste - give me the big, chewy udon any day! Also, consider trying their other noodles like the japanese potato! That's my second favorite whenever I strangely am not craving udon. In summary, some slight declines to what used to make this place a shining 5. If they could focus a bit more on their meat, you'd get this missing star back Kaze. Until then, continue to give me all that extra BBQ sauce, and you'll have my patronage any day of the week.
(4)
issy d.
I love you kaze I try to go to you once a week! I'll go to you today. Squid tentacles, watermelon shake, fried oysters, scorpion bowl and tonkatsu broth :) because I'm a frequent flyer I do return because I like my squid and I like my watermelon shake. If for some reason it comes out not as crispy or Broth is bland or my shake is melted.... They always fix it and I always stay happy. I loveeeee you kaze. I miss Ross doe
(5)
Ivy F.
Kaze has been my favorite for years. All the soup bases are good but my favorite is the Japanese Curry. Their watermelon shake, fried oysters and octopus tentacles are amazing too!
(5)
Christina H.
Kaze Shabu Shabu has been around for as long as I could remember. I would walk by it all the time when I take the T to Chinatown. I actually ate Hot Pot Buffet (aka the Fat Cow), Q Restaurant and Shabu-Zen before ever stepping foot into Kaze. My friend brought me here one time for late-night hot pot and it forever changed my life. The portions are reasonable for the price and quality. The meat and veggies were all fresh. Friendly service. I recommend the Beef Lover or the Surf & Turf # 1. And hey, you have to get a drink today or a Kaze Special Bowl to share. Their cocktails are perfectly crafted. They are flavorful enough for you to enjoy and not overly sweet; their also nice and strong, so you know you are getting your money's worth. My friend at the end of the table gave the same drink critique (great minds think alike!)
(5)
Eunice E.
It took me a while to warm up (ha, ha) to this shabu place, but now that I have, I often try to find excuses to come here and have a nice hot pot of kimchi broth and beef. MmmmMmmmm. And that is my first recommendation -- if you like spicy (and especially if you like kimchi), opt for the kimchi broth. The original is OK (and we used to do half and half -- that is, half kimchi, half regular), but I love the tangy kick that can come only from this flavor. Word to the wise, though: even if you order ALL kimchi broth, they'll charge you for two soups, since, uh, well, they didn't have a very good explanation of why, besides there's a divider in the bowl that separates the bowl into "two." OK, that load of BS aside, the rest of your meal is sure to please. I like to add my hard-to-cook veggies first (the taro, the napa cabbage, etc) and the others as I go, since they cook fairly quickly, and then, just dunk and cook the meat as necessary. When the pot is hot enough, the meat will cook fast, so you can scoop it (and the veggies and the broth) into a separate little bowl and just ENJOY at your own pace. I like to save (and savor) my udon noodles for the very end, so I can end on a high (carb) note, but to each his own. Add your noodles (or eat with rice) however and whenever you want. It all tastes great. I'll admit that I was anti-Kaze for a while because I kept remembering my phenomenal, can't-touch-this experiences with "real" shabu shabu in Japan... but this has become a good Boston experience. I usually come post-movie screening down at the AMC Loews near the Common, so I now associate Kaze with seeing a good flick and talking about how to write my reviews over broth. But whatever the occasion may be for you, I think this is a great place to go to warm up and fill your belly with good soup, veggies, and meat. ("Fancier" upstairs than the more casual downstairs, but I believe only the downstairs is open past a certain hour during the week. Either way, you'll get yummy food.)
(4)
Roger S.
This is the best hot pot I've ever done! Prime Rib in Tom Yom broth was absolutely amazing. I dream of returning here, and can't recommend it to enough people.
(5)
Michael S.
I am so glad that I tried hot pot so many years ago. It is one of my favorite meals. Kaze does it very well. The atmosphere is suitable and the booths are comfortable. The drinks are great. I have gotten everything from scallops to veal tongue and everything has been fresh and tasted excellent. Not to mention, they are open until 1am on weekdays and 3 on weekends. My buddies and I ate here after my bachelor party! It gets one less star because the location is somewhat sketchy at night and parking is almost impossible (welcome to boston)
(4)
Sir william W.
This place is so hit or miss. They're even spectacularly or downright awful and I mean this in ever respect. You'll come in one night and get amazing service and impeccable food or terrible service and a meal that you worry might give you food poisoning. So i really make this review rating their performance relative to their nearby competitor Q that really has their shit down in the hot pot department. Kaze used to be my go to hot pot joint, now its definitely Q.
(2)
Barry R.
Great find! Yummy!
(5)
Thuy L.
Oh my god. I was never a BIG fan of hot pot and I would rather have it occasionally but, I would actually come here once a week for their hotpot! So my husband and I came here on a rainy Tuesday night around 1030ish craving for hotpot. We were so glad that this place opens late , rather than closing at 11pm like shabu zen or little Q. It was dead of course, because who would come out at 1030 on a Tuesday night just to have hotpot? *raised hands* . Anyways. We started off with the beef tongue and the baby clams. My husband loved the tongue; it was chewy, didn't have a smell to it, and flavorful. The baby clams were not great because we thought it was in a blackbean sauce but instead , it was in a tangyish like sauce which wasn't what I expected. Our waiter was super friendly, I wanted something SIMPLE, not boring, but has some flavoring (not miso soup either) and he suggested the Japanese (something) seaweed soup. Man , I really wish I can remember the exact name for it! But I know it's the only broth with Japanese and seaweed together haha. I was kinda skeptical about it when he first suggested it, but I was like, "freak it! I'll try it". I was afraid that it might have a pungent "sea" taste/smell. When he brought out the half tom yum and the Japanese seaweed broth, I looked at it and i said to my husband "omg, why is it so.. Black?!" *shrug.* I waited for the soup to come to a boiled and I tasted it. Let me tell you, it was the BEST broth I've ever had! Throughout our meal, I could not stop complimenting on the broth. My husband tried it and he loved it as well! It reminded us of the "Chinese herbal blacken chicken" (if you guys ever had it) but it's slightly different. I don't think shabu zen or little Q can top this broth. I liked how there were plenty of wakame seaweed that was cooked in there as well! As for the meats, we ordered Prime Rib, rib eye and beef combo. Both the prime rib and rib eye was big! I would say the palm of my hands . It was slice to perfection; not too thin, not thick either. The combos came with veggies of course and we also ordered extra corns, enoki mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms. Asked for extra BBQ sauce as well. As for drinks, I ordered the honey chrysanthemum tea (stated in the menu), it came out in a bottle (the waiter also asked if I mind it from a bottle) and he brought out a cup of ice and poured the tea for me. When I took a sip of it, it didn't taste like what I expected! Why?! Because it was Honey chrysanthemum WITH Ginseng! The ginseng was TOO overpowering for my taste and I couldn't taste the tea at all :(. I wish they would've stated that in the menu . My husband got a orange soda and they also have a small selections of smoothie as well. But over all, everything costed under $100! Veryyy veryyyy filling! Everything tasted delicious! It beats shabu zen and other hotpot places in my book! Great service as well!
(4)
Jay S.
What an experience! I have been here a few times all for special occasions and had a great time. I had the surf and turf with extra spicy broth. We had a bunch of scorpion bowls with extra long colorful straws. Our waitress was great. She was down to earth and her service was above expectation. The part that makes this place special is that you can cook and share a meal with friends and family.
(4)
Jonah K.
Never had this stuff before, but my buddy is a regular, so I got the rundown. The restaurant was extremely cold due to it being freakishly cold that day and they seemed to be running the AC. The service was generally good with a decent number of goof ups. The food was great, got the steak and chicken combo with a bunch of veggies.
(3)
John D.
Went here last night during the wonderful winds and rain of Massachusetts. Perfect weather of hot pot with a group of friends? Of course! Overall a lot better experience here than I had 2 weeks ago. Meat tasted swell, veggies were fresh, the table was roomy, and service was good! Tom yum broth isn't spicy enough for me and they forgot my fish balls ): + Seated upstairs in a booth, not secluded in a corner. + Although 1/2 of us were waiting for the rest of us to show up, service was really patient and wasn't giving us dirty looks as if we just wanted to sit there. - I had no clue the appetizers were so pricey because my friend ordered them. Not worth. Ordered chicken nuggets, shrimp tempura, and oysters. Nuggets were good. Tempura nothing special. Oysters were alright. - Ordered tom yum broth and bouillon. Still not spicy enough. Spicier than kim chi doe. + Orders a bunch of meat, received a bunch of meat. + Kobe beef still very good quality. Practically melts in your mouth. Pretty pricey doe. - Ordered fish balls, never got fish balls ): You don't understand. The fish balls with filling are amazing... Even though you only get 4 they are so worth. - Fish paste was alright. Really bland, not much flavor. + Veggies were fresh vegetables. + Sauce was good as well! Mixed in a bunch more ginger and the smelly stuff! + Service was fantastic! Came to check up on us quite a few times and were really friendly.
(4)
Dessa R.
There are two kinds of people in this world: those who wear white with complete confidence, and then there's the rest of us, who have to make an ACTIVE effort not to look like a an 7 year-old spattered with random shmutz by the end of the day. I, being a member of the latter team (read: clumsy), did not do well here. In my defense, it was my first time. A little background first. Personal shortcoming- I suck at chopsticks. I can play piano, paint fine detail, french braid hair, write in fancy scripts, yet somehow I haven't mastered the ability to grasp rice with two sticks. Eating here at Kaze was like every embarrassing chopstick failure I've ever had, but amped up to the Nth degree. Basically, I found myself trying to skewer what appeared to me to be raw cold cuts, cooking it in boiling broth, losing the coldcut in the broth 3 or 4 times, overcooking it while frantically trying to fish it out, and quickly shoving it into my mouth, with broth gracefully running down my ladylike chin. Awesome. The payoff, in terms of tastiness, was not comparable to the effort it required, IMHO. My dining companion, who was attempting to explain protocol, was appalled. He had to remind me several times not to use the same utensil that I originally picked the raw cold cut up with. Okay, so I suck. I suck at chopsticks, I suck at Shabu Shabu, and I suck at life. Truth be told, I just wasn't into it. I don't see myself trying this again. *If you like this style though, I am told that this is one of the best Shabu spots in all of Boston!
(2)
Sharon Z.
I'm kaze-ddicted. I've been coming here way, way, way too much. That being said, every experience is extremely positive. The consistency in the great quality of their ingredients is amazing and their appetizers (fried calamari is so good) and other cooked dishes are also exemplary. They definitely deserve this 5 star.
(5)
Karen H.
Been here several times since it's so conveniently located next to/in Chinatown. Multiple times I tried to go to Q but the wait is always 30 + min so I give up and come here. :) There's nothing amazing to me about this place but they have relatively fresh food -- small portions and not the cheapest. Service is just OK and the waiters/waitresses aren't super friendly but aren't mean either. I guess this place is really just a "meh" place to me with nothing bad but nothing outstanding -- thus the 3 stars. I prefer the all-you-can eat Shabu place in Chinatown next to the main gate but that's 30$ and only worth it if you can eat a good amount. Anyways when I do decide to come here, I like to get the szechaun spicy malayasian broth but most my friends (who can't do spicy) like the house broth. The fatty beef is most tender and most delicious so I always ask for that and then their seafood platter is pretty good too. Only come here if you're really craving shabu, happen to be in Chinatown, and don't want to spend a fortune.
(3)
Xiao Z.
I've only had their half-off appetizers after 10pm, and haven't tried their shabu. I think the appetizers are certainly a steal at half-off, but they feel generic and without pizzaz. Also, the services has always been lacking everytime I've visited here; it may be secondary to the late night shift and a wide variety of characters visiting this place, but it still doesn't excuse the lackluster service. Food: 2 stars Price: 4 stars Service: 2 stars
(2)
Tamarleigh G.
"Adventures in Food with the Vegaquarian and the Meat-Eater" began at Kaze. This is the place where the Meat-Eater took me for our first date. He was trying to find somewhere to bring a non-meat-eater. This was a GREAT choice! It has ample options for vegetarians, vegaquarians, and meat-eaters. This place is GREAT for a first date! It is really clever and creative and gives you something to talk about on the date, even if you can't think of anything else to say to one another. In our case, we ended up having so much to say to one another that on the way to Cambridge - where we went to get drinks after Kaze - we missed our train connections not one, not two, but THREE separate times...and are still together (oh, the cuteness...). It would probably also be good for any lunch or dinner meeting with a stranger - for the same reason (gives you something to talk about) - but the hot pots in the middle of the table would mean it couldn't be the sort of meeting in which you are showing one another laptops or papers and using the table partly as a desk. I don't remember any issues with the service at all. We've been back nearly every year on the anniversary of that first date, and we always have a good time. Of course, perhaps we are just so dazzled with one another's company that we wouldn't even notice poor service... oh, wait, I shouldn't try to say such a thing, because if you've read any of my other reviews, you'll already know that I definitely DO notice poor service. :-D The service at Kaze is fine. Highly recommended!
(5)
Ryuu L.
It's terrible that I have to write such a poor review, since I used to love coming here with family, friends and the boyfriend regularly. However the service has gone downhill so quickly that it's hardly worth making the trip into Boston. This used to be my favorite restaurant. Two visits ago, we had ordered our meals and had received what we asked for. However that's all we got. We were never checked in on for more sodas, soy sauce or napkins. It wasn't a busy night, so I'm not sure why our server left our plates and never came back. Finally we flagged down another server to get us the check. I had decided that I wanted to try their mango ice cream before getting the check. Big mistake. They went to get the ice cream but didn't return for almost 20 minutes (for just a few small scoops of icrcream!). When the ice cream finally arrived, it was green tea and not mango! We sent it back and they came back quickly with mango and the check. My last visit there though, was absolutely pitiful. We ordered the gyoza as an appetizer with our meals. Our beef platters and veggies came out, but no appetizer. We figured the gyoza was just taking a little longer to pan fry. So we waited and ate our beef instead. I accidentally spilt over my entire dish of soy sauce and desperately needed napkins, but no servers in sight. I grabbed napkins from nearby tables but it wasn't enough. My boyfriend went to find a server to ask for some basic attention, but found that the entire staff was just sitting at the bar, talking. He complained about not having the appetizer, soy sauce and napkins and he was snubbed. Finally our server arrives. He drops the plate on the table . We say thank you and he says nothing in response. Very uncomfortable, also did not return with soy sauce or napkins for our visibly still wet/sticky table. To add insult to injury, the gyoza was cold. Obviously left sitting out instead of coming to our table. It's very clear that the staff does not care about the customer and sees us only as an inconvenience to their social life downstairs at the bar. I wish I could continue to love the food here, but the service has been so horrendous that I will not be returning. It's time for me to find a new hot pot place to enjoy.
(2)
Maddie C.
This place was fantastic. Highly recommend. They have a great deal of meat and broth selections. The combo we tried was Korean Kim Chi and Chinese Herbal. All the flavors were fantastic and the portions were generous. I got pork, with vermicelli as my side and an extra side of napa, which almost proved to be too much. Definitely going back to this place.
(5)
Chong C.
Definitely satisfied with their Shabu! Bit more pricy cuz they literally charge for everything. Like broth (only basic is free, others 3.50~4.00), rice&noodles (2.50~3.50), and all. Since most other Shabu places have at least 3 selections for broth and charge an extra buck for special broth, and they have rice or noodles included in a meal, you'll end up paying like 5~6 dollars more here. Taste is absolutely great. Serving size is good, meat and veggie are fresh as they are, and broth has deep, delicious flavor to it. We had Chinese Herb and Malaysian something and both were pretty good. Little something extra, their Organic Sake (warm) is really good. I'm not a big fan of sake since most of sake I've had suck, but they had the best sake I've had thus far!
(4)
Ambrose C.
It is a dismal 4 degrees Celsius outside, maybe even significantly lower, and you want something really warm to eat as a light dinner. Where should you go? This place should have your answer. I have been here several times, and after my most recent visit, it was significantly better than before. My previous visits were really mediocre, and most of the time, I usually make hot pot dinner at home or with some people that I know for Chinese New Year. Here's what happened that made my experience better: I ordered just the ordinary broth, with udon noodles and as for the meat, I ordered the prime rib beef with lamb. I also mixed some scallions with garlic into a small cup filled with soy sauce. I learned this method from my sister. After doing this, I quickly cooked the meat in the broth, then after that, I dipped the beef and lamb in the sauce. Adding the watercress and spinach into the broth also made it a really good meal. I really enjoyed the rich flavor of the meats, especially when it was mixed with the broth, the noodles, and the sauce my sister and I created. I also cooked the taro in the broth for a while, possibly for a few minutes. After that, I mashed the taro a few times with my chopsticks, mixed it a little with the udon noodles and the beef, and I also enjoyed my light dinner even more. I did not detect any monosodium glutamate in the broth, so that should be a good thing. The service was somewhat decent, not really stellar. Prices are a little high, expect to have up to $25 in cash ready. Overall, this is not a bad choice to get some hot pot for a light dinner, and I think it has a lot of potential to get better. My most recent visit at this place was significantly better than my previous visits, so this is why I am giving this place a much higher mark.
(4)
Shirley Y.
Been here twice before. First time with a fly in the soup base...decided to give it another shot yesterday and the waitress gave me the wrong bill. Staff aren't very friendly either :/
(1)
Colby B.
This place is great. Its huge, you don't have to sit at a weird bar if there are only two of you, and the broths are great. I have had the spicy Chinese (Szechuan? I don't remember) broth as well as the miso and kimchi, and the miso is by far my favorite. It sounds a little boring - miso at a shabu shabu place when there are so many more exciting flavors - which is why it took me a few visits to order it...I wish I had been ordering it the whole time. It was really good! As was the kimchi, but...miso wins. Other than that, the service is really good and its a great power lunch. Next time I am in town I will probably get here as soon as possible!
(5)
Edgar L.
Food was good/standard but service was incredibly slow. Took over an hour for the raw, uncooked food to come out. Someone at our table ordered a beer that came out very late. The uncooked noodles we ordered came out another 10+ minutes later. Perhaps for a smaller group (we had over ten people) it might have come out quicker but I can't vouch for that right now.
(2)
Cammy C.
I came here for lunch with my bf a couple weeks ago, I let him pick the place and I told him to "surprise me." And boy, was I surprised! The place doesn't look like much from the outside, but once you get inside it's actually quite clean and spacious. They sat us upstairs at a nice big booth. This was my first time trying Japanese Shabu Shabu so I had a lot of questions. Our server was helpful in helping me decide which kind of broth and noodles I wanted. The service was fast and friendly (my favorite combo!) We went with the meat bouillon (free) and the kimchi broth (an extra $3), which had just the right amount of flavor and spiciness! I loved all the different kinds of tofu and fishcakes they gave us, sometimes I didn't know what I was eating but everything was delicious! We were afraid there wasn't going to be enough food when we ordered, but it was actually plenty, all the extra veggies and noodles were more filling than I'd thought. When we got our check we were blown away by how inexpensive everything was, I think it was about $20 total! My bf made sure to tell me, "You better give this place 5 stars!" I came in on a particularly rainy day, and my socks and shoes were soggy, my hair was dripping and I couldn't feel my finger tips! But Kaze's Shabu Shabu completely hit the spot and turned my day around!
(5)
Nick N.
Food: 5/5 Service: 4/5 Cleanliness: 4/5 Decor & Style: 4/5 I haven't been to many shabu restaurants, but the meat and sauce here is the best i've ever had! MUST TRY NOW. Pretty cool Decor. The pink neon lights are weird.
(5)
Kai L.
I was here with my friends for lunch. I ordered Meat Combo #2 which came with four slices of short rib and four slices of rib eye. Both types of meat was cooked very quickly. A veggie platter is included with each lunch set. Overall, not bad. My friends and I literally sat there for close to 2.5 hours. We were not rushed, but at the end of the lunch rush, it was difficult to get the waiter's attention for the check. Good if you are taking your time with friends. Bathroom is clean and well lit.
(3)
CK K.
This is my favorite restaurant in Boston. Great soup, meat, and good price. Stop by here for lunch on saturdays.
(5)
Lynn S.
I would give 0 star if there's a way to do so. Worst waitress I've ever got! Hot-pot tastes very much the same at different restaurants.
(1)
Eric C.
Great place to go if you're with a party of people. Prices were not bad for the quality and quantity of the food. Fun atmosphere and my waitress was great at explaining how everything works. I would recommend this to anyone. You won't regret it. It's pretty yummy and no matter how much you eat, you don't leave feeling disgusting! all of the ingredients are fresh and tasty. you cook it right at the table so it's an activity as well as a meal and you can be a control freak about your ingredients! staff are great about ensuring you don't hurt yourself on the table burners.
(4)
herp d.
I've been here twice, once for a bachelorette party, and once just for drinks/snacks. As far as dinner hot-pot goes, this place is great. There was five of us, and I believe we got miso, herbal, Szechuan pepper, and tom yum broth. The herbal was hands-down the best, but the Szechuan was also good (Though I wound up being the only person eating it, since it was too spicy for everyone else, suckers!). The amount of food was just about perfect, and everything was very tasty. What a bill though, oof. If you're going just for drinks and snacks though...The experience is a little different. The same group of friends and I wanted to go back and get their Godzilla drink, which was just too good. Turns out they don't have it on the menu anymore, and nobody seemed to remember it either. Oh well. We were seated at a hot-pot table, and had to awkwardly mention that we just wanted drinks and maybe appetizers (We'd just eaten and didn't know if we wanted munchies or not). After a few minutes they booted us down to the bar, which was fine initially, but it's a little hard for five people to converse at a bar. So, I went and asked if we could move to an empty non-hot-pot table, mentioning that we'd be ordering some food as well (I only asked because the place was nearly empty). I felt so bad for the girl I asked; I clearly put her in an uncomfortable position of having to ask her manager, but she was very nice about the whole thing. The manager was clearly pissed at us, and scowled at us at every opportunity. He was generally pretty rude, even though we kept quiet, ordered food, and weren't even taking up precious space that other customers would need. He was obviously happy to see us go, and his attitude and service left a bad taste in my mouth. Also, their downstairs bathroom is disgusting.
(3)
Ben L.
cant really say this place is bad, but as a really big eater, i am not satisfied of the portions, but it's not towards for the efforts of the restaurant workers. this is actually my first time eating hot pot that's not a buffet because i was forced here. everything was fresh and I actually really liked the flavor of the broth so perhaps this place wins so far on the quantity over quality. They also gave you good assortment of vegetables which is really good to give a try to everything and I loved it. I would of gave this 5 stars if prices were a little lower... but thats every hot pot place in general to me if it's not all you can eat because well, i personally think you're better off going to all you can eat places. I paid about $15 dollars for a meat combo with veggies and it doesnt hit the spot for my appetite. at hot pot buffet you probably pay around $18 for testing yourself on your appetite. i still dont mind this place, they provided good service and everything and me and my group of friends stayed for nearly 4 hours just talking and they didnt seem to scuff or anything. id come back only on lunch time though, i looked at the prices which are pretty good
(4)
Woonwoon W.
I would call this place pan-Asian hotpot. It offers a lot more options than Japanese shabu such as kimchi, satay, and Szechuan soup base, beef ball, fish ball and Chinese noodles. Service is super friendly I am used to Cafe Mum in San Francisco where you get excellent all you can eat shabu for under $30, so this place is a little expensive. But I am thousands of miles away from home so I am totally satisfied with this place.
(4)
Mike C.
It was my first time driving to Boston from NYC with my girlfriend and my friend suggested this hot pot place for meet up. On a cold winter night, this was the place to go as it warmed us up. Initially we waited approximately half an hour for seating for the three of us. The wait wasn't bad as I went back out to move my car. Be warned with parking in Chinatown... read the signs. Once we were seated, we were given menus to look view. The waitress did not pressure us to order food which was good since it was my first visit. For the soup base, we ordered the Tomato and Beef and Japanese Curry. As for the combo, we ordered a beef combo, a prime rib/chicken combo, and seafood deluxe. Overall, the quality of the food was superb. The cut of the beef was great, not very fatty. I would come to this place again on my next visit to Boston.
(4)
Anita S.
I love, love, love shabu shabu and it is a must have whenever I visit Boston. Initially I was a devoted Shabu Zen fan, but one night, faced with a long wait, I tried Kaze and was pleasantly surprised by how fresh the meat tasted. Be warned, the tom yum broth packs a serious punch.
(5)
Steve S.
What could be better on a 90 degree day than boiling hot soup? I really liked Shabu Shabu....Its two floors in Chinatown. Shabu(as I now will refer to it) is about soup. You have a choice of soup stock, vegetable, condiments, sauces and meats. Think of it as a salad bar, but only soup Then you cook it on a high speed burner at the table...Its pretty fantastic as the flavor improves with each morsel added. Its different, its social, its delicious Probably even better in the winter
(4)
Tiffany J.
I really enjoyed the food at Kaze. The portions were large (I ordered the vegetarian entree) and had good variety (my plate included 3 different cruciferous greens, tofu, mung bean noodles, 3 vegetarian dumplings, and more... very impressive for vegetarian shabu). I was, however, a little bothered by two aspects of my experience at Kaze. First of all, the bathroom is in the basement next to the kitchen, and it was kind of cramped and dirty. To make matters worse, I saw an employee leave a bathroom stall, rinse her hands without soap, and then proceed to the kitchen next door, which also didn't look terribly clean. Ugh. I tried to put this out of my mind, but it definitely prevented me from enjoying my meal to the fullest possible extent. Secondly, their standard broth contains meat, and there is no free vegetarian alternative. You need to pay a few extra bucks to switch to the kimchi or miso broths, which, on top of the already pricey $13 you're paying for the vegetarian entree, feels like a lot... All in all: Good food that's pricey, and Kaze can really improve in its hygiene..
(3)
Lan Z.
The waitresses were dare to tell me how much tips I should give and later I refused to give tips because of her rudeness she said " okay, no coming back then" what kind of waitress she is! It is horrible
(1)
Ave H.
I LOVE Kaze! This is the go to place for me and a few of my girlfriends, and it's always a blast. They have multiple floors so seating is ample, however there is still often a wait. They do not have private parking but there are a few lots nearby that cost between $10-15. Beware - they do not take reservations for small groups (we were told once the minimum as 7 and another time 5) and they have virtually no waiting area (2 chairs uncomfortably crammed in front of the stairs). So if you have a party of 3 or 4 it can get kinda uncomfortable. So we usually wait outside, weather permitting. I always get the same thing - kimchi base, udon noodles, and beef. Yuuuuum! Shabu veggies are always delicious and look fresh. Service has been hit or miss for us. They are always prompt with taking our order and delivering our food and first round of drinks. However, we often are forgotten after this and go until the end of the meal without the ability to get drink refills. Despite the few flaws, we keep coming back for more. It is just so darn delicious that I can't say no.
(4)
Cassy H.
How to shabu shabu: 1) Gather your group of friends; I think it's fun with more people.. especially with people who haven't done shabu shabu before. It's an interactive dining experience, so prepare to do some cooking! 2) Select your protein (ie., chicken, pork, beef, lamb, seafood, or a combination of the above). Whatever you select, it will come with a tray of veggies, so don't you worry. They got your fiber covered. 3) Select your soup base. As a tip, I think steps 2 and 3 are interchangeable.. as in, depending of what type of protein you get, you should think about what soup base will taste good with that protein. Or if you care more about your soup base, select soup base first and then decide on protein. My combination? Usually, pork plus tonkotsu soup base. Anyway, I am definitely a fan of this shabu shabu place! Compared to Shabu Zen, this place offers more soup base options and better quality meat. However, I think it's slightly more expensive, but I guess you get what you pay for.
(4)
Savannah B.
When my friend and I decided to go out for dinner, he said "I know a place..." It's his favorite. I have only been to one other hotpot restaurant, and as a vegetarian, take my herbivore opinion for what it's worth. I went there for the second time today...and I think I could go for a third...fourth...fifth... The food is scrumptious. The vegetarian platter looks nearly identical to the other well-known hotpot place around the corner, but my friend's enthusiasm for this place over the other helped win me over. I agree that the staff is friendlier. Also, the other place never seemed to have miso broth, which I'd always wanted to try. The decor is nice. The staff is tremendously warm and helpful. If you are not sure of what you're doing, the staff will give you tips. If you really want, ask them to leave a menu, which features instructions on how long to cook what. I left my camera at the restaurant the first time... I did not realize I had done so until two days later. I had to remember what the last photo I'd taken was...my dinner plate at Kaze Shabu Shabu. I called, and once I had confirmed the description, they told me I could come pick it up. I just switched them from 4 to 5 stars because of that. There are good honest people out there - and they include the Kaze Shabu Shabu staff.
(5)
Sakura V.
Before all the other hot pot places around Boston and Metro-Boston emerged, the original Shabu places were Kaze and Shabu Zen. Before I used to go to Shabu Zen religiously because that was the go to spot all my friends and family liked. Gradually I started to go to Kaze more because of their happy hour special (half off appetizers after 9 Mon-Thur) After going to Kaze so often, the few times I went back to Shabu Zen I started to realize it didn't hit the spot anymore. I realized Shabu Zen's taste was now lacking compared to Kaze. Also, although a little more pricier, Kaze definitely gives your moneys worth with bigger portions. Pros: Comfortable booths Good Portions Dessert appetizers Cons Some seating are too close together Have to ask for crushed chili peppers My Typical Hot Pot Meal for two: Beef short Rib meal with rice Side order of Pork Two smoothies ***Jumbo Spicy Tentacles (ordered extra spicy, but not really spicier, just tastier)
(4)
Sonja F.
What an experience. We sat upstairs on a Friday night at 7 pm, only had to wait 5 minutes for a nice booth. Service was fast for the amount of people in the place. Edamame was perfect, and WOW the short rib was out of this world. Had the kim chi broth, which was a perfect spiciness. Went all out with a nice bottle of saki and we were one happy couple. The meat lovers plate was twice as expensive as the others, and wasn't noted on the menu, but I didn't mind because it was that good. Going back ASAP!
(5)
Jackel J.
Today my girlfriend bring me here for the first time. it was look great designed all around upstairs and the pink lights look so good for relax with our hotpot .The food just great and fresh. Also the staff did a good job as well. cheers
(5)
Alyssa W.
I havent gone out for hot pot in a really long time. so it was so good to come to a place that was decent! came with 8 people and we pigged out. Love that you can pick two kinds of soup so that you dont get bored. so we got tom yum and regular beef broth. so glad we got a non spicy soup to neutralize the tom yum. it was a good spicy, but my mouth was on fire. the portions of meat, seafood and vegetables are abundant, I didn't feel like I was getting ripped off at all. Service was good. only complaint, fix the booth chairs so that people who sit behind you, who decide to bounce off the chair..dont make me smash my face into my hot food...it got old quick. I think I would return to this place for hot pot. it was clean and an enjoyable environment and the food was great!
(4)
Callan C.
Great spot on a cold or rainy day! Wonderful multi-level hot pot place with plenty of space to accommodate larger groups. Here's how it works: 1. Pick a soup base (I recommend one of the upgraded ones - they are much tastier!) 2. Select meat - I've had lamb and chicken and thought the lamb was much more flavorful 3. Select noodles - only tried Spinach but thought they went great with my lamb 4. Throw all your selections + veggies in boiling hot pot for a few minutes 5. Enjoy your masterpiece! I'm normally not a fan of food you have to work really hard for (fondue, shell-on lobster, etc) but this was really easy and fun. You'll drop between $15-$20 on the meal. The service is slow but they generally get the job done.
(4)
Jen P.
Randomly went here a few nights ago with friends and not only was the food amazing, but the whole experience of eating was so great. Our fantastic waitress Grace explained to us how everything worked and answered all of our admittedly basic questions (first hot pot experience!) and everything we got was delicious. We all ordered something different and shared, and the whole experience was very interactive, which we loved. Culinary highlights were the rib eye and the pork, and the spicy base we got was both flavorful and a great kick to our sinuses on a sleepy Sunday evening. Grab a group of friends and make the trip from wherever you are--totally worth the visit!!!!
(5)
Olivia C.
So, we missed our bus at south station and set out into the snow to find a place to chill. It's super bowl Sunday and despite their normal business hours the two sportsbars we think to go to are conspicuously closed. We must head to Chinatown where some unofficial national holiday would never supercede making money!! We don't get far before coming across Kaze where the glow of the television invites us in. Turns out this place is a Chinese run shabu shabu joint. According to wiki, shabu shabu is a Japanese onamonapia for the boiling sound the food makes when you cook it in the boiling broth. Dang, it was goodddd. I've been on a red meat bender and this dose of thinly sliced prime rib just kicked my iron and protein high right back up. The salmon and white fish were also incredible. I'd dip it just to get it cooled on the outside and leave it raw inside. Perfect place to pass the time, warm up from the snow, and watch the commercials, I mean Ravens.
(5)
Michelle P.
The food was delicious, but there were constant communication problems with the waitress. Also she disappeared for quite some time and never checked up on us. It took a solid 30 minutes just to get the check which was basically thrown at us by a clearly disgruntled employee. Had they actually checked up on us I would've shown then the coupon I had earlier, of course it took another 30 minutes to get the check again after that. We finished eating at 1:15 and it was after 2 by the time we got our check and I ended up having to find one of the employees to hand the check to and she rolled her eyes and sighed. Overall, I wouldn't go back there. The service was ridiculous. I suggest going to Shabu Zen or any other hot pot place. Also she was cleaning the take next to us (even though there were further tables away from the rest of us that needed cleaning) and it got into my friend's eyes.
(1)
Nho H.
Best hot pot in Boston. The reason why this place does not get a 5 star from me is because they cheap out a little on the veggies and no tofu! But then again, I am always full after I eat my portion......Whatever, I'm just greedy when it comes to my hotpot. I want it ALLLLLLL. The regular broth is superb but I always get the Szechuan broth. It's so spicy that my stomach hates me for 2 days after but its so good that its worth it!!! GO HERE. Great lunch price :)
(4)
Ryan L.
I've been coming to this place with my friends since I started college in the Boston area, and it's become one of my favorites ever since. I've been to a lot of hot pot places in Boston, New York, and San Francisco, and honestly, Kaze is better than all of them. Some people prefer the nearby Hot Pot Buffet since it's cheaper and it's all you can eat, but I think the quality of food you get at Kaze makes the price worth it. The Prime Ribeye here is some of the best hot pot meat I've ever had, and even the regular beef here tastes better than the "prime ribeye" you get at Hot Pot Buffet. But what really distinguishes Kaze from the other hot pot places are the broths. The Tonkotsu (pork broth) soup base is amazing, and if you can stand the spicy, the Szechuan Spicy broth is also great. The house sauce that they give you is also great to dip your meat and veggies in. I think it's made of soy sauce and some sugar. Overall, this place is a bit more pricy than the other hot pot options around, but the difference in quality is definitely noticeable and well worth it.
(5)
Adela N.
I've been here a lot of times. And, a lot of the workers that wear red clothing actually gossip about you. Theyre outside at the bar and stare and give you dirty looks while you eat. They even talked about my dad when they didnt know him that well. The hostesses dont even smile, and my family just walk ourselves in. The waiters, though, are excellent. My mom got expired food and they apologized so many times. They make great convos and are awesome. I just dont like the hostesses and kitchen ppl. Food: 7/10 Service: 9.5/10 Also, I went to have a "end of year" club dinner. After all 11 or 12 of us ate, the bill came, and we all paid our meal. BUT the tips were already put on the bill, and we had to pay 16% in tips more--which means we paid TWICE as much as tips. The waitress who gave it to us didnt even say anything. The club members and I were TRICKED by her.
(1)
Jim D.
We were very pleased with the quality of food & service. The split service pot allowed us to have 2 very different meals at the same table - a spicy Tom Yum and a mild Miso stock. They had an adequate selection of sakes, generous tea service and we left thoroughly satisfied. We will definitely return.
(4)
Le N.
My fiance and I often alternates between here and shabu. They both have good food and service isn't terrible. I alternate between the kimchee broth and the tomyum broth - both flavorful. I usually get the beef or the lamb, occasionally the pork. The fiance gets seafood. They provide the veggies and noodles (udon or japanese potato). I always leave full without breaking the bank. =)
(4)
Jackies B.
This restaurant is great. I always come here when I wanna eat somethings feel hot. The price is good. I recommend japanese soy sauce with seaweed soup and kimji soup. When the weather is cold,think about Kaze
(5)
Andrew H.
When I go to these communal pot/grill establishments I usually hope for an all-you-can eat option to prevent the ensuing guilt that usually follows devouring more than your share of the noodles or meat that goes into the pot. Kaze Shabu Shabu eradicated this problem by physically splitting the hot pot in two with a barrier straight down the middle of the pot and having a boiling station for every two people! I unfortunately did not reap the benefits of this system as we had a party of nine for an eight person table and was shocked to find thy charged $3 for each soup base and charged you for each side of the pot so choosing a spicy soup base for the entire pot would set you back six dollars. When the pot starts running low on fluid, they simply add more water, not flavored base. Each meat platter is relatively expensive at about $14a plate for maybe twelve rolls of thin meat. However, each comes with your choice of thin or udon noodles and a vegetable medley. Overall I did not find this place a good value but I do recognize the novelty value will likely make it a hit for first-time hot-potters. Come for birthdays but I would recommend poor people like me to shy away and save our money for a good Korean BBQ joint.
(3)
Ravisara L.
I've been here a few times over the years and it consistently stayed at 3-3.5 stars for me. However, the past few visit leave me quite disappointed. Service: Horrible service. The staff wasn't attentive at all, we had to call her over to ask for more broth and water/tea. Also, they double charge my card but said that they cant cancel the transaction and my friend will have to give me cash. Food: The broth was tasteless.
(1)
Catie C.
I declare this as my top choice for shabu. Kaze has an extensive list for a good varietal. Most importantly, they use live seafood so this place is as close as it gets comparing to Asia. We ordered a lobster. My mom dumped the head into the broth and I can see it twitching. Is that inhumane? The service is pretty good, but could be more attentive. We had to ask for refills of condiments and broth, but at least they don't turn off the cooker before we were even done (something shabu zen is known for). They actually don't adjust the heat at all which I don't mind since I like to do it myself. The veggies are fresh and good selection in the combo meal. Daikon, Taro, Spinach, Watercrest, Napa, Tomato, Mushroom, Corn.
(5)
ANGELA O.
Absolutely delicious. If it weren't for the rude waiter it would've probably gotten 5 stars, and the stairs are not people friendly, ridiculous, in this day in age all restaurants should be wheel chair friendly. The hot pot choices you can't go wrong! They would definately be awesome if they added sushi to their menu, after all it is a Japanese restaurant!
(4)
Jeremy K.
I've had the pleasure of eating Shabu all over the place. Quincy, Cambridge, Brookline and now Boston. Hell, I've even had Shabu years ago during a short stint in Tokyo, long before the fad reached the United States and took it by storm. But I had never been to Kaze and after much discussion about possibly going there with Tony T., we proceeded to make it happen, and were joined by Nate Y. and Erick H. The place two floors and the staff is pretty friendly. After greeting us politely, we were escorted to a table upstairs; the very first one you see from the top of the stairs. Although not the best table, it happens to be the one closest to the kitchen. Two members of our group have terrible MSG allergies and the staff was very compliant, and was even telling them what to avoid ordering and offered alternatives that were MSG free. That in itself was pretty damn awesome - I had never seen that before at a Shabu place. After a brief glance at the menu, I decided to order what Tony T. told me to order since he had been here so many times. I went with the prime rib eye, which was beautifully marbled and sliced well, against the grain, as it should always be. Each slice had a fair amount of fat on it, and since Tony and I had ordered the same broth, the Malaysia Satay one, we decided to get our pot split so we could use one half to cook our meat, the other for the rest; that decision was made so that all of the fat from the meat would stay on one side. It was a good call because by the time we cooked our two plates-worth of the stuff, that side of the bowl looked like a heart-attack in a broth. On the other side, we cooked all kinds of vegetables: taro, corn, cabbage, shiitake mushrooms and enokitake mushroom, and I decided to pick some udon noodles over the vermicelli. The broth was light and tasted awesome although it was marked as a bit spicy and I felt no heat whatsoever. The service was great and the prices were good as well. This has to be the best Shabu spot in and around Boston I'd think.
(4)
Steve K.
Stopped in after an early show at the Wilber Theater. This was my wife's first dhabi dhabi experience so we got the basic beef broth with prime rib and pork. It was very good and very quick.
(4)
Sarah G.
The pink mood lighting is kinda funny here, but their menu is big enough to distract you from that. I wish our server told us that we really didn't need an appetizer when we asked her because a) those steamed gyoza were kind of flavorless and b) those fried oysters were just so so too. It was actually the appetizers that brought your rating down, because like many others have written your shabu shabu was actually pretty good! They bring you a ton of stuff, so if you ask them if one of their shabu shabu meals is enough for two people it probably is! It did make me sad that it was $3 extra to get a different type of broth--I think that is a little steep. But their combos come with both meat and seafood if you order right which I like a lot. I mean who doesn't like surf and turf? And it all is pretty fresh too. The service was good and got us out on time for the show we were making that night, I just really wish I hadn't gotten those appetizers!
(3)
Shayna C.
I came here with a friend earlier this year, because Q Restaurant was booked and we would have waited around an hour for a table. This was just a short walk away, so we figured "why not?". We had a short wait, and were seated upstairs in a corner table. The waitress was very friendly and answered some menu questions for us before we placed our order. The food came out quickly as well after we ordered it. I will give them some stars because it was presented well, and the appetizer we ordered was delicious. The meat was of good quality, but I was a bit disappointed in the veggie selection they had. I forget the name of it, but we got some sort of assortment platter; it ended up coming with a variety of tofu and veggies that I wasn't ready to call home over. Maybe I'm spoiled from Q Restaurant, but I wish that the volume of a-la-carte items you can find there could be found here. The drink I got there was strong as well, and the waitress was attentive to our table. All and all, the food was okay, the service was really great, and I'd be willing to give it another shot if I was in the area again.
(3)
David W.
I came here to celebrate a birthday, and I had a blast! It's so much fun if you have a large group of people. The place is really clean and you can be loud and rowdy, and just party it up! This is so perfect for the cold winters, and I love their assortments of broths and food.
(4)
Sharon D.
I LOVE this place! I have been going for years and they never disappoint! I usually get the seafood and beef combination that comes with a vast amount of delicious vegetables and I am stuffed for days! Here is how it works...you pick your type of meat, your starch (rice or noodles) and the broth in which you ail cook your own food at your table in your own hot pot. There is something for everyone on the menu. Tomyun, miso and kimchi are all my favorites. The best part is that you decide how to cook your food since you do it yourself. During your first time, you'll do some experimenting but they have a suggested cooking time guide. The staff is amazing, friendly and very helpful. I highly recommend for a healthy and satisfying dining experience!
(5)
Katie-Rose N.
I want to give this one four stars for the food (I ordered the vegetarian entree with a kimchi soup base), but I'm knocking one off because the service was lacking. It was extremely hard to flag down our waiter after our orders came out (although our food arrived quickly), and we were basically ignored until we finished our meal. However, the portions were large enough for two people, the food was yummy, and it was fairly cheap!
(3)
Mikayla F.
Went here for my first time this week and ended up coming back two days later again since it was so good! This was my first hot pot experience so I can't compare it to others, but its definitely a unique dining experience!! The appetizer selection wasn't anything too special but the hot pot is enough to keep me coming back for more.
(4)
Michelle K.
I went here recently for lunch. Amazing steak, amazing broth, amazing vegetables. The ambiance leaves something to be desired, but I would definitely go here again, especially for lunch where the prices are more reasonable.
(4)
Mike Z.
This has been my go-to place for hotpot in Boston for several reasons: 1) they make the best scorpion bowls and their other drinks are generally good 2) they make the best frozen watermelon shake 3) their meats and veggies are always fresh I've tried several other shabu joints and there really isn't much differentiating between the types of food that is offered, so as long as the standard fare is offered and fresh and reasonably priced, it's good. Don't get me wrong, shabu is expensive, so you're going to spend at least $25 per person! Another nice thing about Kaze is that they offer 50% off appetizers during weekdays after 10pm if I can remember correctly. I'm a fan of their chicken wings and fried octopus tentacles, so it'd be nice to take advantage of this offer sometime. The service is very efficient, but can be spotty at times when it gets busy. It's in Chinatown, afterall. The restaurant is cleaner and tidier than most other restaurants in Chinatown, so that's always a plus. Ambiance is very important for hotpot restaurants. Parking can be difficult, though.
(4)
Jenn H.
4.5 stars. Kaze is my go-to hot pot place in Boston. Whenever my bf used to visit me in winter months (when I was still in school in Boston), we'd always come here--it's a tad pricey, but really good food. Anyways, the best parts about Kaze: great assortment of meats, veggies, oden, mushrooms, noodles (I love the potato noodles!). It's clean, spacious, and the service has always been great. what is there not to love? oh, right. the price per portion. I don't know if my bf and I are monsters, or if it's normal to eat 4 portions, but we always end up spending more money than we probably should. Who can resist those chewy little oden though?! I hear there's a new hot pot buffet place nearby--I haven't tried it, so I can't compare. I can say, however, that i'd take Kaze over Shabuzen any day--prices are about the same, and i like Kaze's atmosphere better--cleaner, less cramped, and a lot less noisy. Also, their veggies were much fresher than the ones I got from Shabu Zen. Anyways, if it's cold out, and you're willing to spend a few bucks, go forth and fill your tummy with some delicious hot pot ^^
(4)
Lynn C.
It's been a while since I've last had hot pot. I've been craving the malaysian satay soup base and we had just the right number of people to share one big pot (unlike shabu-zen down the street, the hot pot here is not individual sized). The big pot generally comes with two types of soup, and each type of soup base is $3. Unfortunately, when we got there, the server who did not speak a lot of english, took a long time to explain to us that they were out of malaysian satay soup base for the day. We ended up trying his recommendations, which were tom yum and miso, both of which were awesome as well. The tom yum was surprisingly spicy considering it was only one star. It's definitely not as amazing as the satay, but it is definitely worthy of a 5 star rating regardless. I also loved the miso, even though it's not spicy and i like spicy. Four of us each got an entree, which comes with a dish of various vegetables, a combo of really fresh and good quality meat, and a starch of your choice. The price came out to be $20 each person after tax and tip. I ate a lot more than I really can handle. I love this place. But again, the best part is their soup base. I have yet to try one that's not good. next time I'm gonna try the kimchee and the curry. Can't wait!!
(4)
Michael L.
this place is good. just come here The meat selection and combos are better than that of shabu zen's. you CANT go wrong with the Beef lover entree but I am a personal fan of the No.2 Black Angus Rib Eye & Boneless Short Rib combo. -The tomato with beef broth is tasty and kinda of sweet -the japanese miso soup is good -the szechuan spicy has these huge unground pepper balls in it. I found that very annoying. order this at your own risk
(5)
Caitlin B.
Great, friendly service. Fresh vegetables (and meat). Awesome broths. Basically, as wonderful as hot pot can get!
(5)
Guillermo M.
I really like the variety of food that this place has. You can have so many different types of hot pots with seafood, beef, vegetables and choose from several base soups. The smoothies are amazing, made from fresh fruit. Also their mochi for dessert was really good. Prices are decent based on what you get.
(4)
Yisel F.
Saporo beer, musk broth, veggies, salmon, white rice, and noodles. Drove out to this place and was worth it. Very authentic tasting and good quality.
(5)
Dan G.
I'm not always a fan of asian food but I think I would totally come here again. We didn't actually get to enjoy the hot pot because we were a little too drunk to understand but we did order some appetizers which were really good. Also, can I just say that it smelled so good inside too. Anyways, I thought we would be spending a hefty amount as many restaurants charge a lot for apps, but a bowl of edamame, a plate of chicken nuggets (SO GOOD), Shrimp tempura and spring rolls came to $10. I really wan to come back for the full experience because it looked and smelled so wonderful. Everyone was friendly and I felt really bad that we spent only $10, so next time lets multiply that by 10.
(4)
Fan L.
In terms of portions, this restaurant is consistent about theirs and you can get a lot, especially their Oden special!!! (traditional Japanese fish cakes, tofu, and other delicious goodies) you get to choose rice or noodles, and I recommend getting the spinach noodles, or the udon (thick Japanese wheat white noodles). Also they have nice soup bases Though, for the absolute best soup bases, try the LIttle Q restaurant. They're a bit overpriced and their service sucks when they're flooded. Oh, and for those of you ppl scared of spicy food, please don't don't shy away from Kaze's Mala soup base, it's more savory than spicy
(4)
S. O.
I had never been to a shabu shabu restaurant before and I had so much fun here. Service was fast, food was great. It was loud at 8pm on Saturday, but I think that might come with the territory. We ordered an edamame appetizer, miso soup and Szechuan broth (deliciously spicy!!), with raw seafood, beef, and vegetables, for three people. With some sodas and one sake, the bill was $65. awesome!!!
(4)
Judy L.
It was a lot better than I expected! We had a group of about 12, and we shared 5 pots between us. With each pot, you get to pick 2 different broths. They have a surprisingly large array of choices! From kimchi to malaysian satay, from curry to tonkasu. For my pot, we picked 1/2 satay and 1/2 tonkatsu, which was a good contrast. We expected the satay to be hotter though, but it was still delicious nontheless. Other people recommended the curry broth as well. Between two of us sharing the one pot, we ordered the pork dinner combo, which comes with a plate of pork and a plate of vegetables, with a choice of udon, rice, or vermicelli. It wasn't enough for the two of us. . . .so we ordered another order of pork and an order of assorted tofu. The tofu was very tasty! They gave us 3 different kinds of tofu, though only 1 of each. . . . . I wish they could have given us more. Oo and the sauces! Yum. Each pot gets 4 different ingredients for you to mix your own sauce, including taiwanese satay, garlic, onion, and this soy sauce (tasted like ponsu sauce). Delicious! :) I want to go back already!!!!!
(4)
Kat T.
I love this place. When mom came to visit from California (home of great Asian food, may I add) I took her here and SHE loved it as well. I've tried most of the soup bases and have to say that Tom Yum is the one for me. Between coughing from the spice of the Tom Yum seeped in my vegetables, dipping my meat in the delicious satay (or Chinese/Korean BBQ sauce as they call it in Amurica) sauce con garlic and scallions, and eating my soupy Tom Yum udon noodles I could not be any happier. Compared to Shabu Zen, I much prefer this family style pot over individual ones. Otherwise there's not much of a difference.
(5)
J L.
Came here with some friends and the food was excellent. Portions are a good size so come hungry. Definitely would come back.
(4)
Sze Yin Benjamin W.
Kaze Shabu Shabu is in a rather obscure location compared with other hotpot places in Chinatown. But it is by far the best in my opinion. I really enjoy the great selections of broth they provide. I highly recommend the curry and kimchi broth, they are just delicious! The quality and freshness of the ingredients are excellent, especially the meat. Make sure you order the fish paste in addition to your regular combo. You will not regret it. The portion is reasonable where you will feel satisfied and not suffer from eating too much as I almost guarantee I will over eat if it is a buffet. I do think the price is a little bit expensive, but the quality of the food is worth every single dime. Give it a try if you are getting sick of the mainstream hotpot buffet restaurants in Chinatown.
(4)
David M.
I've been here a couple of times over the year: A bit touristy, yet slightly off the path. The food isn't super adventerous, but when was the last time your dinner came with instructions? Fun, unique, and a great place to bring people from out of town, or just to meet up with a big group of people. It can even be a great quirky date.
(4)
Phillip Y.
Absolutely positively yummy and fun with making your own food. I had a wonderful lunch with udno noodles and soup. Here are some selections which are very good. Also, order green tea and some appetizers while you wait). APPETIZER SPECIAL 50% OFF- All day Sunday as well selected times during the week and Saturday. Lunch Menu * Deluxe Seafood (scallops, clams, salmon, fish ball, shrimp) * Surf and Turf with Sirloin Beef (same with some beef) Note that all of these meals comes with a tray of vegetables to add flavor to your soup. * Tomato Slices (two) * Chinese mushroom (really big and flavorful) * Taro root (like a potato but breaks apart in hot water) * Napa cabbage (good leafy veggie) * Spinach (good for your muscles like Popeye) * Small corn on cob (something to nibble on) * Snowpea stalks (very tender) Appetizers * Jumbo fried shrimp (really long and meaty too) * Jumbo fried tenticles (really chunky with suction cups)
(5)
Camille R.
This is the first time since I was 8 or 9 years old that I've done shabu shabu and I'm always down for an interactive meal with good people. The service was whack and there is no good set up for large groups. Kaze offers many meat options and one seafood and one vegetarian/vegan option. I ordered the seafood, while a friend ordered the vegetarian. The vegetables were fresh/crisp, the broth flavorful, and you can concoct just about any wonderful flavor with the few spices/sauces they offer. We made reservations for somewhere betwene 8-10 people and when we got there our table hadn't been set up yet. Fortunately that on a Friday night, they weren't very busy. I had a real problem with the fact that between each table for two with two hotpots there is a table for two without a hotpot, so that means that because each of us wanted to shabu shabu we had to sit in every other seat. We asked if there was anything they could do - like do they have a portable hotpot thing or something, they said 'yes' and after waiting forever and asking again, they finally said they could do nothing. So, we made the best of it and anytime we wanted to talk to someone across the table there was an open seat next to them. I wonder why the setup is such because it can make for a really awkward time. Overall, I had a pleasant experience and I know for next time not to go large group.
(4)
Jenn V.
Kaze shabu was my first east coast shabu experience. It's definitely different from west coast shabu but good none the less. I liked that they had a variety of broth for you to choose from and the seafood was really fresh. Service was really good. My real reason for wanting to review this place though, is to let everyone know that the fried oysters here are fantastic! It comes in an order of 4 and they are crunchy and light, not greasy at all, and then they melt in your mouth like butter. Man I miss these.
(4)
Travis D.
This was my first hot pot experience, and I'm not sure why that sounds so dirty. Our waiter was very helpful with explaining everything. The food was delicious and the big Sapporos were a nice compliment. We arrived at 5:45 and were done by 6:45, which was just enough time to make it to a 7pm theater start. I would plan for more time on the weekends. The only reason that it didn't get 5 stars is for value. I thought it was just a little overpriced, but I would definitely go to Kaze Shabu Shabu again.
(4)
Jeff J.
The ribeye was good and marbled, but the portion was a bit small for $15.50. I had to order 2 plates to feel satiated. Pleasant overall experience, though the sauce could have been a bit better considering that's the sole reason why I'd pay top dollar to go back to Shabu Shabu House in LA.
(3)
Alicia J.
In short: - Too expensive. - Very good meats and vegetables. - Clean and nice atmosphere. Later on, I looked up what the difference between all the Japanese hot pots are. According to Wikipedia, Shabu Shabu is a variant of the Chinese shuan yang rou (which is a little curious because Shabu Shabu does not necessarily have any lamb meat in them), and it is more savory than sukiyaki with a ponzu (lemon sauce) or sesame dip. Curiously enough none of these are present here, and the broths are also not made with dashi. In most other aspects, Kaze Shabu Shabu also feels like a Chinese restaurant. The majority of the patrons are Chinese, the decor is of a somewhat Chinese esthetic and there are Chinese names for the dishes on the menu. That said, this a surprisingly nice, spacious restaurant with two floors where you can sit comfortably in large booths unless you come in a huge group. The waiting time was therefore also very short even though we had no reservation. We got the rib eye meat combo and the seafood deluxe platter, with the standard meat broth and the spicy Szechuan broth. With all the vegetables and noodles they served, this was luckily enough for three. My favorite were the nicely marbled rib eyes, thinly sliced and very flavorful. The vegetables were of good quality, and the udon were very thick and good. The meats went perfectly with the Szechuan broth, which was way too hot for the vegetables. Unlike what most reviews, I thought the service was good. Our waiter was constantly running and seemed very busy on that Saturday evening, but he did well. Finally, Kaze Shabu Shabu made me crave hot pots again. It reminded me of how much I used to love them as a small child, and I want to go back already!
(4)
CJ N.
Such a great date place! Especially if you're going to see a movie at the AMC in Copley close to Chinatown. Shabu style is cooking your own meats/veg in a hotpot at your table. I recommend the tom-yum broth for cooking. The plates come out fresh and are served extremely fast. This is a fun and delicious dining place. Enjoy!
(5)
William G.
Great place for a nice casual shabu dinner. Not too loud, easy access, and the food is amazing! Friendly staff, and management. The prices are also not bad for this area of town. Tip: we ordered the curry stock shabu and it was so good!
(4)
charley w.
it's actually 1 Harrison street. Anyway went on this place on biz trip because it was damn cold in Boston this time of year. Kaze is wonderful place with nice decore and hot pot is awesome. Try the sezchuan soup base it's the best! I was very surprised to find such good hot pot place in Boston.
(4)
K J.
Konichiwa. I love Japan, from the martial arts to their cars. And this includes the food as well. Sushi and Shabu have become my perennial favorites. Shabu, for those who landed here from Google, is Japanese style cooking where you can order the ingredients and a soup. The soup is delivered in a bowl that is shared by two people and compartmentalized. So people sharing the bowl can have different soups. The bowl is placed on a stove on the table and while the soup is boiling you can add the ingredients and let them cook for sometime and use the assortment of straining spoons to transfer to your plate and enjoy :) Truthfully when I went there for the first time I hated it and vowed never to come back again. And like politicians changing stands I changed mine too. What caused me to change it? I don't know. I went there probably to give it a second try, probably because my body was craving hot fluids from a terrible cold. But I loved it the second time, and the third time, and the fourth..... The food is pretty pricey considering all they do is provide you the ingredients and you are left to do the "cooking".My favorite is the spicy Tom Yum soup with the veggie plater. The veggie platter came with an assortment of thinly sliced and diced vegetables, and included cubes of tofu, some kind of veggie balls, a small corn cob... I even once ordered an Oden platter (not to be confused with Greg Oden from the Portland Jailblazers) which considered a variety of fish, but I feel that the shabu tastes better with the veggies more than anything. So this review may not be much about the place, but more about the food in general. But even with the restaurant, I was sometimes left to fidget with the stove controls myself since the soup boiling too much, and at that rate I would be left with veggie curry in no time. And with the spicy soup, I would like my water filled when it is empty. But little things like these is not going to stop me, and you, from going here once again. Sayonara.
(4)
Mindy G.
This place is the BEST shabushabu place ever. Japanese owned, Chinese waiters/waitresses, classical jazzy music, steamy soup base that you can choose from (Kimchi, original, ...), and fantastic meat and reasonable price. Especially on a cloudy/rainy/cold days, there is nothing that soothes better than Kaze. Lunch goes till 3pm everyday, even on weekends -- much better deal compared to dinner portion. Even tho they say dinner portion is "larger" than lunch, proportionally (amt of meat/ price), lunch is much better. Also, check out the bathroom too - the faucet is amazing! I want one of those in my personal bathroom later.
(5)
R.G. W.
I like Kaze Shabu for its calming & intimate atmosphere (high backed booths for parties of 3 or more), sheer selection of meats and side dishes (try the ostrich and home made fish paste noodle), and assorted broths. In general, it's more expensive than the other shabu places, particularly at dinner time. I wish they offered tofu skin, standard, but most American people don't like this, so I suppose it's okay. I've considered bringing my own to drop in, but I wonder what they'd say?
(4)
David X.
I really like Kaze a lot. I won't bore you with a typical review since there are so many here. I'll just list some things that I particularly like and things I don't. 1.) It is around the corner from the Boston Common Movie Theater, so it is a perfect date - movie and meal. 2.) I like the decor. Tons of booths - most with window views. Two floors. And the place has never been crowded any time I have been there. On a cold winter's day, the windows fog up and there's nothing more relaxing than eating soup while watching the snow fall. 3.) They give you a wide variety of vegetables. If you get the Veggie plate, they include 3 types of mushrooms, dumplings, 2 types of tofu, extra noodles (on top of the ones that automatically come with the dinner). I just like the amount and the variety. Now I do have a few gripes. 1.) One time, we had ordered our meal and the waitress asked if we'd like today's special side dish. Most of those on the menu cost about $5. The side dish was giant clam. So foolishly, my partner said "sure", expecting a typical small side dish. Sure enough, they brought out a HUGE service dish with enough clam to feed an army, and when we got the bill, they had charged $35 for it. So... NEVER order anything there without knowing the price first. 2.) One time, the watercress was so fresh that there was a snail crawling in it. 3A.) I'm sure this is typical with all shabu restaurants. The big joy I get out of shabu is being able to slowly make my own broth so that by the end of the meal after it's been simmering for an hour, the broth is amazing. My gripe is that they come around and add more of the free regular broth if your broth is getting low - negating all your hard work. Having learned this, I now wave them off if I see the waiter approaching. But as part of this, if you order a special broth for $3, it is often pointless since they usually come around very quickly to add more broth to your pot and the broth they add is always the regular broth. I think if you pay for special broth, then the extra broth they add should be the same kind at least. b.) Since I love to make my own broth, the place is perfect when there are two of us since each of us get half a pot. But on the times there have been THREE of us, three people have to share a pot with a divider that divides it in half. So no one gets to make their own broth. Couldn't they get larger pots that divide into 3 parts for people who come with an odd number? Anyway, so far Kaze is my favorite Shabu place in boston. I've only been to four though. Still haven't gone to the original (shabu zen?) so that's next on the list.
(5)
M. Deloris D.
I thought I knew shabu-shabu, then I met Kaze. Large portions fresh meats, fresh vegetables delicious broth, healing for the cold and flu ridden of you. SMOOTHIES. YUMS, in the plural. Spicy crispy tentacles were never so tantalizing as at Kaze. The meat orders come with generous servings of vegetables so, if you're not averse to meat broth but don't want to eat meat, you can split with a carnivorous pal and come out of here having spent less than $15 each. You can order affordable ($3 and up) 'sides' of meats and vegetables to augment your dining scene and everyone can leave with a full belly. Some call that shabu-shabu. I call it sensible.
(5)
Linda T.
I signed up for yelp just to write this review because I felt like I had to get the word out there. First of all, my bf and I USED to eat at Kaze twice a week because we loved it that much. The food was delicious and the waitors were awesome! We'd go during lunch time, dinner time, and even late late at night. Then recently they started this $1 beer thing after 9pm. We noticed that they don't check IDs. We noticed the customers were all underage! They don't look a day over 18. Not only do we not condone underage drinking, we were just annoyed by how loud and obnoxious they all were. And this wasn't just one night. We've been here a couple of nights and all those nights were annoying. Now this isn't the main reason why I'm not eating here anymore. The biggest reason was that they charged our card twice and it took them over a month and a half to even refund it. We'd call every single night and the manager Raymond said to call back tomorrow, call back tomorrow, CALL BACK TOMORROW. Every tomorrow we'd call back and he'd say the same thing and every single time we had to give him our credit card number! My bf and I got fed up so I told him that we'd go there in person. My bf is chinese so he spoke to him in Chinese and I guess Raymond got more chummy. Within a couple of days we got our money back. We stayed away from Kaze for a month and half because of this. When we did decide to go back we found out about this underage drinking thing. What really brought me to write this review here is because we found out we weren't the only ones being charged twice. My sister and her friend recently went there for dinner and she had told me that they had done the same thing and refused to reconcile! So all in all, I say that the food IS GOOD. But that will not bring me back. If you do visit, pay in cash and don't go during night hours. This place will probably be shut down soon anyway considering they serve to minors. Go to Shabu Zen a street over. It'll save a lot of trouble.
(1)
Jeff H.
I always forget how good this place is when I have been away. Recently went there for a Holiday lunch with friends. Absolutely wonderful Shabu Shabu for a cold December day. Veggies were super fresh. Meat selection was very nice (did sirloin and lamb) and added their delicious home made cuttlefish paste (cooks up into little fluffy fish pillows). Great broth selection (love Chinese herbal). Lots of delicious ways to customize your Shabu Shabu.
(5)
Todd K.
Kaze Shabu is a fun place. What other restaurant gives you a tray of raw, frozen meat and a boiling cauldron of broth for delectable carnivorous enjoyment? I'm always down for making a mess and playing with the heat element any chance I can get.... But seriously it is a fun place with good food. I usually get the hot pot with some sort of spicy-ass broth base (I think it's worth a little extra for that 2 hour later zing), the rib eye (I've found the chicken to be a bit chewy in hot pot - but the beef is excellent) and mix up my noodle choice (all are pretty good).
(4)
Jezzieo O.
DELICIOUS! Yummy food and a super reasonable price. My favorite go-to spot before/after going to the theater. Lots of veggies that come with the meat selections, and every broth I've tried is great. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Aleksandra S.
Great place! I had my very first shabu last friday and i love it - such a nice kind of getting together with friends! Wonderful.
(5)
Tony L.
After having just returned from California on a business trip, I had a deep craving for shabu shabu. While in California, a colleague of mine took me to a restaurant in downtown Mountain View called Shabuway and it was fantastic. I was determined to find a nice shabu shabu restaurant in Boston to satisfy my craving, and thanks to Yelp, Kaze suddenly appeared on my radar as a place to have dinner. As I approached the restaurant (which seems to have its own solitary presence on the outskirts of Chinatown), I was given the impression that it would have a nice atmosphere within, which turned out to be true. I would definitely recommend making reservations (at least for dinner on a weekend) as we were told the wait would be 20 minutes but really turned out to be 30-35, and all of the seats were taken in the waiting area. We were then seated at the bar area, which was distinctly different from a table in that each person had their own electric stove and boiling pot, as opposed to the dual-pots they provide to those seated at a table. The service was great, the staff was very attentive to our needs throughout the night. We ordered the prime rib eye beef as well as the black angus beef, and surprisingly, the black angus turned out to be more tender. The broths we chose were the korean kimchi and the japanese soy sauce with seaweed, both were delicious (obviously the kimchi broth made everything very spicy). The japanese potato noodles were a great accompaniment to the meal. Overall, I was extremely satisfied with the quality of the food. For those people that lack the experience of DIY restaurants (such as myself), there was a helpful cooking guide on the menu. I can't wait for the next time I come back to this place!
(4)
Samantha L.
This was my first hot pot experience, though it's so similar to fondue, which I had my first experience with about a year ago. It was pretty good, but I wish I got something more exciting than the miso soup for the base, and I got ostrich as my meat, which apparently is better when served steak-like rather than in strips you toss in a hot pot. I wish they gave more than one mushroom as well.
(4)
Anders R.
First shabu shabu outside of Asia. Really good at Kaze, Thai broth is authentic, the Szechuan broth is serious...rookies need not apply...
(4)
gado.gado D.
Out of the same owner of Fugakyu. Somewhat healthy food - good service and fun to bring guest from out of town. Dinner is more expensive than lunch for the same amount of food and all. hot pot - not good for kids under 10.
(3)
Honeyy l.
i love this place! go there so much we became friends with the manager. when they're busy they do get slow but we get free ice cream after that. reasonable price more food than shabu zen
(5)
Bridget D.
A Happy Birthday to me celebration was held at Kaze on Saturday night. Guests included Mumsy, Papa, Big Sis, Small Sis, Scottish Boyfriend of small sis, and birthday girl. Diners enjoyed their first shabu shabu experience. "You mean we have to cook our own food?!" states boyf of small sis. Yes, indeed we do and did. Deep fried cream corn appetizer. That is how we roll. Big sis and I (vegetable-tarians) shared our cooking pot with veggie broths. "I don't want any meat splash in my food," announces Big sis. Assorted tofus (one was skin like!), noodles and veggies swirled in our bubbling broths of chinese herbal and miso. Oh, and also yummy dumplings, but don't cook for too long or they melt and dissapear. We kept forgetting what we threw in the pot. Mumsy and small sis had assorted seafood platters. Small sis liked the salmon, "I made salmon rice soup!" No one liked the clams, "Ah, that tastes like burnt clutch!" (Boyf of small spit out.) What was that half circle pink and white seafood item? Nobody knows. The boys went for the meats. Papa had chicken and pork, "Chicken good." The boyfriend of small sister, a bold and daring Scottsman went for ostrich. OSTRICH! He liked it, but he likes everything. Papa was a little silly after a bottle of Sake, "Throw everything in here, all your veggies! I am the sample boy." Waiter Frankie was very nice and showed us how to mix in the sauces and the soy. Possibly he became annoyed with Mumsy as she continued to fiddle with the temperature control dials. "Let him do that!" The table was covered in vegetables upon noodles upon broths upon bowls upon plates upon plates. "I feel salty." Mmm good birthday.
(4)
Kim N.
One day we mosied on over to Shabu Zen, but as per usual, the wait was uber ridiculous. So my friend suggested Kaze, which is just a short walk over. This place is much bigger and there was NO wait. The shabu is just as good here, so I don't know why Zen gets all the lines, but hey, as long as I don't have to wait here, I'm good with it.
(4)
Fortuna F.
first time here after months of having the girl beg me to go. I love hot pot but it's a complicated relationship. I know boiled beef just isn't my style, I know that rolling with boiled fish paste just ain't right but it's so good mama. so dammmn good. if you don't like cooking and don't like something different then stay away--hot pot makes you feel primitive and awakens that primitive appetite that just can't say. this place is good by my hot pot standards. Clean place, fresh food, decent service, nice induction stoves, good broths, and good selection of meat (wham bam thank you lamb), veggies (watercress is best), seafood (tasty the fish pastey)
(5)
Christina K.
This place is just as good as Shabu-Zen. I ordered the surf and turf II combo. SO MUCH FOOD! The vegetable plate was really great, had the whole assortment. The broth I got was 3.00 extra... Malaysian something but it was good. (FYI It had a spicy factor of two "peppers" on the menu- I am white, like spicy food, this really wasn't spicy at all I cannot comment on the 3 pepper spice factor) I saw a really good looking scorpian bowl at the table across from me, but just got a kirin. Minus one star because the temp control was kind of weird at the table so my side of the pot was boiling but the person sitting across from me wasn't, and then the waiter turned it up then it was boiling wayy too much. I left feeling warm and full and happy and now crave this place all the time
(4)
Sushi Y.
hands down, most flavourful hot pot ever! i dont know of any other places where there is such a large selection of broths. there were four of us, so we had four different flavours- chinese herbal, chinese broth with preserved egg, malay satay and tom yum. It was a shame that they put the two chinese broths on the same side of the table as it was beginning to get too much on our sides of the table. i loved the little extras readily available to mix with your basic dipping sauce- I went crazy over the minced garlic and chopped green chillis, but there were chopped green onions as well as others i couldnt remember- there was so much stuff on our table it was a hot pot fest! The broth was so tasty there was hardly need to dip, but there were times I wanted to thrill my tastebuds and pack in the flavour... oh mi gosh, i just dribbled onto the lap top..... We ordered three kinds of beef and a seafood plate. Our extra treat were a side of live shrimp, wringling on their sticks.... look away children! yum!! (oh dear!...) the menu has a good selection of drinks- smoothies, cocktails and beer- staff were attentive and were on top of the empty plates. Broth was topped up in timely manner- or maybe they could read our faces when we pulled slight sour faces when things were getting intense. only downsides were the deary christmas tunes which began to annoy us after half an hour, Our server also forgot our mango shake, but not a huge loss. With two beers in top of our food, the bill was around 100 dollars- not cheap, but worth it...
(4)
Nicole B.
i love it here! it's clean, it's fun, it's yummy too! you can be as adventurous as you want while you mix it up with broth, meat (you can get ostrich), noodles, etc. the service isn't fantastic but you know what, i never expect amazing service in chinatown, so don't let it get you down. i have not had the pleasure of trying one of their drinks yet, but the "head hunter" looked great. yay for interactive eating!
(4)
Michelle L.
We just had a party there, 10 of our girls, and we had a great time! The food was great, many soup bases and a variety of things to select from. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. I love the little details like the pink flowers on the menu. Since we were sitting in the middle of the second floor, it is a little bit noisy and difficult to talk to each ohter. Also the service is a little bit slower than we would like. But still very good.
(4)
Cynthia C.
Yummy yummy yummy shabu shabu. I've had it once before at a shabu place in LA and it was NOT a good experience but this place redeemed Shabu in my eyes. Kimchi broth, miso broth, beef, vegetables, udon noodles, simply delicious.
(4)
Jaquelina L.
I am so glad that this place exists in Boston. Coming from SF bay area, I will have to say this shabu-shabu place is really good. I am very impressed. Their satay soup base is superb and the szechuan spicy is good too!! Will definitely come back.
(5)
Tim N.
This is an ok place to enjoy hot pot cooking. Food is good and they give you many different soup bases to choose from although some are much better than others - in my opinion the herbal broths and the thai tom yum are definitely better than the seaweed. My main complaint is that they have trouble finding NESN on the sattellite, unlike Zen where they have the Red Sox on the TV every time I go there. Zen is smaller so there's usually a line out the door on the weekends, however Kaze is a good alternative provided the Red Sox aren't playing. Also - make sure you point out which meat platter you want to order as they have a tendecy to default to the most expensive option if you're not specific.
(3)
Diana G.
My friend first brought me here a couple of years ago, and I LOVE it. Fun place to go on a zero-degree day! The food is tasty and healthy. My favourite broth is kimchi because it's spicy. The short rib & ostrich are also excellent if you're looking to try something different. Meals go best with a bottle of Kirin. Enjoy :)
(5)
Mike T.
I thought it was only the English that thought that boiling meat was a good idea. It turns out that the Japanese are meat boiling artists. Kaze is alot of fun with a group and the food is very tasty and reasonably priced. Order one of the mixed meat plates and one of their spicer broths. Their version of spciy is actually pretty mild.
(4)
Lanoi P.
this place is spectacular. perfect for any occasion, eff boys to girls night to first date night. its perfect because you pick what to eat and how long it takes. since you're cooking everything yourself its a perfect setting to just relax and eat at your own pace. no rushing by your BU undergrad waitress. sooo bring on that sapphoro and sake. gaze into your dates eyes or throw everything in to the pot all at once. the choices...meat, kobe or ostrich...tofu or vegetarian delight. everyone wins!
(5)
Peter V.
I can't believe I didn't try this place before. Wait times are much shorter here than shabu zen. If you get a table on the side, it is very spacious much more so than sitting at shabu zen. They also have excellent appetizers, try their special seafood roll. I tried the tom yum broth and it was pretty good. Next time I might be brave enough to try out the ostrich.
(5)
Stephen K.
Stumbled into this place all drunk not realizing it was a hot pot place. Had a pretty good time - the service was some of the best I've ever seen. The staff's English is very basic, so my friend had some difficulty in communicating that she was a vegetarian. But it worked out! You choose a broth (like $3-5) and then a selection of meats or seafood, and then you cook it yourself. It is what it is, pretty fun gimmick place.
(3)
Craig C.
We were the only non-Asians in the place which was a good sign. I never ate at a place like this and my chopstick skills really suck so I was glad that we were seated right on top of two different couples on our left and right. That way I could cheat by looking at my neighbors like my tests in high school. I was a little uncomfortable at first so I ordered us two Headhunters to get a little numb. It was vodka, coconut milk and pineapple juice. It was good but not strong enough so I gave mine away and ordered a mango shake and a Martini and dumped them together. (I was a bartender many moons ago) The waiter was thrown off by this. He kept saying "Why you do that/" over and over. It was funny. The service was OK. My waiter was the Chinese Jackie Mason. Very deadpan and having no sense of humor at all on purpose but was funny without meaning to be. which made him hysterical to me. I asked him what noodles I should get. "I don't like noodles." "Oh you think I should get rice?" "I don't eat rice." Seriously I thought all Chinese people eat rice. So he was little help. He told us since it was our first time to take all the stuff on the little plates and dump it into the soy sauce and dip it all in there. I noticed that one of the things on the plate was a hot chili and I knew my companion didn't like spicy so I ate one to see how spicy it was.........REALLY SPICY! and I like spicy but ouch. So I asked our neighbors who were more helpful. I ordered the Tamyun broth and she got the Miso. We both got the surf and turf with vermicelli (clear noodles) and the other big white noodles. The Food : The meat is too thin. It cooks fast and turns into steak ums so pass on it. The shrimp. scallops and salmon were really good. The salmon doesn't need cooking. Just eat it sushi style. The shrimp cook fast too. The fish cakes (no) the octopus(chewy) the lettuce (not meant to be cooked) watercress(see lettuce) some kind of whitish purpleish root (good) noodles (good but spoon broth onto them or you lose them in the pot) It was an interesting experience and I was full but I love sushi 100x more. PS. make sure the pot is over the heat. Hers was boiling and mine wasn't for like 15 minutes until I noticed. It was a lot of work but the payoff was a B+. Check it out, you might love it. Why wasn't the Sox game on any of the 9 TV's when Dice K was pitching? We will never know.
(3)
Ashley J.
I really like this restaurant. It is fun and modern. They are very accomodating of special requests within reason. The food is of great quality and super tasty. The prices range from reasonable to high depending on what you order to put in the pot and especially how much you drink. See the pic of me with the enormous pink fishbowl... that is at Kaze haha and I left a little tipsy. It is fun for a date and they will teach you if you are a newbie. Plus in chinatown it is easy to find and there is a lot nearby. Update I went here again Saturday night with my best friend. His bf was out of town so we had girls day shopping and deciding to go out for a fun meal so we could chat as well. He got the beef short ribs, I always get the seafood combo platter. It was even better than the other few times I went there. Maybe it was the company, maybe it was another giant scorpion bowl, but we had a total blast, the food was amazing, the waitress was super sweet and the right blend of available but not annoying. I left there so so so incredibly happy. Thanks Kaze!
(5)
Paul K.
I've been traveling more then average on business as of late. I was in San Diego couple months ago and tried couple shabu shabu places there. Now work decides to fly me to Boston so I decided to check out the shabu shabu. After reading yelp reviews between the 2 shabu shabu places I chose Kaze. The decor was nice. Service was decent. The cut of meat was good. So why the 2 stars? The broth (soy sauce seaweed) was too salty. The veggie choice was below average. But my biggest gripe is the sauce. WHERE THE HELL IS THE BROWN SAUCE!!! All the shabu places I've been to has the brown dipping sauce. It only came with soy sauce of some short. It was too salty. If that's their version of ponzu sauce...FAIL!!! They also came with some hot sauce. It only took me a short time to realize this was Chinese run and they are trying to influence some of their sauce to shabu shabu. This is suppose to be a Japanese cuisine not a Chinese hot pot restaurant. Fix it to make it more authentic and I may return. Btw, I love Boston!! Super nice city.
(2)
Serey A.
My family and I dined at Kaze Shabu Shabu last June 30th after watching "Riverdance" at the Schubert Theatre. Our dining experience was great. For more of my take on Kaze please visit my blog at this-side-of-heaven.blog…
(5)
Mina I.
Definitely my preference in shabu! Every time I go here the staff is friendly and helpful and the food is awesome. I heart hotpot and enjoy coming here to relax. The interior is very nice and comfortable and the waitresses are super. I am usually asked if I would like to try different noodles they make right on site which I think is awesome. Their fish noodle is awesome! Also close enough to the financial district that you can walk over on your lunch hour!
(4)
Q S.
I went to Kaze with a bunch of people. I wouldn't suggest coming here with more than six people (I was with 8 other people). If you come with more than six people, make sure you have a big budget because the plates can get really expensive, not to mention splitting the bill would just be hell between so many people at such a busy restaurant. I would have to try something from the bar the next time I come here. We were there relatively early so I didn't feel like drinking yet. We got there around 6:30pm, which is the ideal time to go since it gets very crowded after 7pm and lines start to form. Kaze has a really nice atmosphere. It's clean and modern with booths and tables that can accomodate large or intimate groups. You can get the small pots, or a group pot. You can also get different flavors of broth. I wasn't a big fan of the vegetable plate since it only gave one piece of taro and mushroom. I did like the short rib beef though. The ostrich was also interesting, but it didn't taste all that much different from beef. I will definitely come back to Kaze again, but I think in the mean time, I'll have to see how Shabu Zen measures up.
(4)
Victoria N.
It seems like the people of Boston are torn between two shabu shabu places: Kaze and Shabu Zen. But is it so bad having two shabu shabu restaurants to decide on? It's only going to make the wait shorter, isn't it? Although I didn't have any problem with lines at either place. I'm tempted, however, to say that I did enjoy my experience at Kaze more than I did at Shabu Zen, but that could be for any number of things. Like the company I was with. But Kaze also has a bit more ambiance, the service was nicer and more helpful, and they also take reservations, which I hear Shabu Zen does not. We were a group of 15 celebrating a birthday, and they accommodated us wonderfully. We didn't have to wait a minute before we were escorted upstairs to their long middle table. We didn't fill up the entire length of it though, so I felt bad for the couple sitting right next to us. This review probably wouldn't be as good if I was on a date stuck next to a big batch of college kids. =\ So Kaze (not to be mistaken for Kaze or Kaizen sushi) offers an almost identical menu to Shabu Zen, although they do like rounding up their prices to the whole dollar. There was a pot for every 4 of us, which worked out well. It was a little tough figuring out how and what to order for such a big group, but the split definitely made it easier. Many people at other pots decided it'd be easier to just order their own entree, which comes with a full plate of vegetables and a choice between rice and a selection of noodles. But I was glad the three people I was with didn't know what the hell they were doing and put me in charge. Now I'm all about getting full for cheap. So we shared the Meat Combo #2 with beef and lamb for $12 and the Seafood Deluxe for $17 in the original soup base at no charge, and it was plenty of food. I know if we had gotten four separate entrees, there would have been so much wasted food, which I hate, hate, hate. All of us put in an extra 4 bucks to cover tax, tip, and Birthday Boy's dinner, and I ended up paying just $11 for everything. Now that's pretty grand.
(5)
So S.
This place is pretty good if you have never had shabu shabu before. However, on a scale of this type of cusine, Shabu Zen (down the street) is waaayy better. Their broth is much tastier and its just better. However, Kaze has more variety . I like their fried oyster appetizers. But they do have a nice decor for those who are beginners in the world of shabu shabu. 3.5 for the taste and 4 for the decor.
(4)
t.T c.
Don't get me wrong, I love the food here, and the price is decent compare to Shabu-Zen. The only thing that keeps me from going there more often than I do is the service. This is by far the worst service I've had encountered, and I've had different waiter/waitress every time. Our teas didn't get refill, we didn't even get any water to start with (nor did they ask), our broth wasn't refill when it was almost completely dry...etc. The waiters/waitresses are always hover around in a crowd speaking and laughing loudly. Last time I was there, I saw my waitress 2 times (once when we ordered, and once when we got the check) My friend lost her credit card there one time, and we called, but they said they didn't find anything, and we're almost positive that's where she lost it. This is the only place where the service is consistently bad. The only good thing about this is the food and prices. Both decent and the kimchi broth is a must try if you can withstand their service. kazeshabushabu.com/menu.…
(3)
Stefanie K.
I love shabu-shabu in general, and I think this place is particularly good (I like it just a little bit more than Shabu-Zen, which is where I had my first shabu-shabu experience). Kaze has two floors and plenty of space; it would be good for a big group. The broths are really excellent here, and my favorite is probably the tom yum, and I highly recommend a lychee shake for dessert. The staff is all extremely nice, and last time I went my friend and I ordered a shake to share (that's how full we were!), and the waiter divided it into two little glasses (without us even having to ask). I will definitely be spending a lot of time there this winter, hovering over steamy vats of broth.
(5)
Ben L.
mmmm shabu shabu. There is a very important thing to be aware of with Kaze Shabu Shabu. It is not a place that you should just randomly take people to. You must trust the people enough to know that they will be friends for quite some time. Why do I say this? Because people don't really stop eating here. If you don't go for too long there will be an empty feeling from your taste sensors that can only be filled with more shabu shabu. This means that people that end up at odds will end up in a bitter custody battle over who gets to go on what days. It isn't worth it, only invite the worthy. That said their lunch is a great deal. you can have a fantastic lunch and still keep it under $20. Even if you don't want to experiment with your broth you can still mix up your apps or noodles. Also share freely with your friends. I have discovered some great broth combinations, and don't forget to muddle your soy sauce. The straight-great hot pot What's good-solid service, varied options and very good atmosphere The slap-experience isn't the same if you go stag....bring a friend
(5)
IK L.
I eat here religiously. My boyfriend and I come here at least every other week. We're from LA, so any chance we get of a wonderful chinese meal that reminds us of home is fantastic. The meat quality is great; it's even better than the ones in Los Angeles. In fact, before I ate here, I had never seen meet so well cut; it makes it so much easier to eat! (well duh) I've tried shabu-zen, and to be honest, it's really not worth the 2+ hours of wait coupled with sitting right next to strange people. I don't quite understand the loyalty to shabuzen when kaze is so much better. I have never had to wait at kaze, because even when they're busy they also have an upstairs so pretty much you never have to wait. They're clean, very willing to explain to you what some of the things on the menu are, and open till really late at night when you have those random cravings. I think they close at 1am on weekdays and 2 on weeknights or something. They have a great bar, good smoothies, and all in all my favorite restaurant in boston.
(5)
Hong L.
clean, great prices. delicious broths. perfect for cold winter evenings. the place was also very spacious and we were quickly served, albeit, it was thanksgiving evening.
(5)
Dhruv S.
Went with a large group for lunch expecting something different. hell yeah it was completely new experience and I loved it. we had a long talk about whether KSS was Japanese / Chinese, but it really doesn't matter. I had ordered the 'extra' spicy schezuan spicy soup and honestly i couldn't feel the spiciness there. i guess being from India, i have had more spicy food, but i need to mention the insane amount of whole black peppers that were in the soup. along with soup came the large dish with vegetables, then udon noodles (excellent) and then another large dish with meat(s) and then another plate and a soup bowl. seriously, we all were really short of space. then all the mess started. i am no pro with chopsticks but i tried my best and it was quite an effort. at one point my Taiwanese friend was helping me gather the noodles from the soup coz i was almost at the verge of losing control. but all in all, the food was excellent (after all u r making it yourself). be sure to order 2 or more different meats since its the same price as ordering one meat. i should mention that the waitresses (yeah abt 10 of them were at our table) were very sweet and courteous. i am definitely headin there again for a heavy lunch.
(4)
Leon T.
Kaze is definitely my favorite place to eat in Chinatown. The place always seems a little quite and empty, but I love that relaxing atmosphere. It's probably most likely due to the fact that it's in the outskirts of Chinatown. Most people probably go to Shabu-Zen because it's in the heart of all the commotion. Little do they know that there's a place with food that's on the same level for a lower price.
(4)
Virginia F.
I loved this place! We had a group of 8 people and all of us had great food and lots of fun. Our server was very personable and attentive. Go and enjoy Shabu Shabu!
(5)
Angie T.
portions are big..this place is similar to any hot pot restaurants around the area like shabu zen, BUT the only difference..this place has a way better service!
(5)
M C.
I really like Kaze, considering I was so turned off by the Shabu Zen exeperience. It's much quieter and relaxed, and the dessert was yummy. The portions are also a lot more generous.
(4)
Christine M.
a friend of mine from hong kong showed me this place about 3 years ago, and i've been coming here about once a month since. when i first started coming here i'd laugh to myself about usually being the only white girl in the whole place. i definitely stuck out like a sore thumb, but once the staff realized that i am proficient with chopsticks and wasn't totally baffled by the menu (which most westerners seem too be), i seemed to become accepted as a regular.
(4)
sam c.
kaze.. wow i heard you guys are a family of Fugakyu.. interesting cus fugakyu is awesome but i didnt like kaze too much.. the server that was serving us spoke broken english and i had trouble understandin what she was sayin. but she was pretty quick.. alil too quick.. i didnt start my app until the entree came out.. but the good was good and fresh. i really liked shabu ya in harvard square but thats jus my opinon and my gf and her friends.. lol.. overall i did enjoy the food, could of been better but decent i guess lol..
(2)
Le T.
long overdue review of this place. I used to come here often during my undergrad with my roommate because they used to have the BOGO deal in those college coupon books. Sad to say, they no longer have the deal. But I still come here from time to time. I think they still have "happy hours" where apps are half off. We used to go all out. The best addition to our hotpot was the salmon fish head for a buck 99. I would say, it was my roommate who really got me hooked on their tomato and beef broth. I blame you! and oh... god.. their mung bean noodles.. you cannot find it anywhere. it's that damn good, try it!
(5)
Ying X.
Kaze is one of three hot pot places that I frequent whenever I'm in Boston. It's a bit further out of the way than Q (my other non-shabu-shabu hot pot joint), so I sometimes get too lazy to walk the few extra blocks, but I do think that Kaze has a better selection of food items. Their store area is also much bigger, so you won't have to spend over an hour waiting just to get a table. You can order either a meat combination (which comes with veggies), or get things a la carte. We usually order the Prime Rib Eye combo with Lamb, and then get a few seafood and vegetable side orders (i.e. fish filet, watercress, spinach, tofu). I also like to get their fish or beef balls with pork filling. I don't think many other hot pot places offer these, but something about having an umami filling to your meatball just really adds to the overall enjoyment. As for soup bases, we've had the Chinese Herbal, Chinese Cilantro with Preserved Egg, Szechuan Spicy (which really wasn't that spicy), and Malaysian Satay. All of them are pretty good, and I'd recommend one of the first two if you're in the mood for something lighter, but none of these were really that heavy. Service can be a bit hit or miss depending on who you get, but as long as they bring out all your orders, the rest is pretty self-paced. I've never had to wait too long for my soup, meat, or veggies to be brought out, but they're sometimes a bit slow about refilling the pot.
(4)
Morgan J.
I struggle to find the appeal in this place. This was towards the end of my trip and Chinatown was the one place we hadn't checked out. We stopped in, based on the strong reviews from other Yelpers. The decor is beautiful. The color scheme was lovely and matched the Japanese culture. Light colors, calming, soothing. I liked that part a lot. However, the setup is a little awkward. There are about four or five booths and in the middle is a long table. We sat down at one part of the table and a couple sat down next to us. I think they were miffed at their seating location (because really, you have absolutely no privacy to have a conversation) and they decided to move. Okay then. It was a little too claustrophobic for me. The service was okay, not great. It took the waiter about ten minutes to come around to finally get our drink order. I had a good sense of what I wanted, but it just took way too long to get the ball rolling, know what I mean? Anyway, I ordered a strawberry banana smoothie which was absolutely delicious. They knew how to make it there, that's for sure. The food was decent. I've never had hotpot before. It was a unique experience, and something that I wasn't quite use to, because I forgot I had things boiling in the pot. The chicken was good. I also ordered vegetable rolls which turned out pretty good as well. Overall, okay. I think I'd find another place in Chinatown to eat next time, though.
(3)
Dedania M.
Arrived around late 9pm on a Sunday. Service here wasn't great. The hostess seemed confused when we arrived and our waiter was no where to be found after sending out our food. Kind of a typical thing at Chinatown so I'm not that surprised or offended but home girl was thirsty and needed a refill. Trying to get the bill took some time too; going at night is something to consider if you want better service OR be assertive with what you want. Regardless of service, food isn't as pricy as shabu-zen and not so sure about Q restaurant. Kimchi broth wasn't really strong like it is at shabu, sadly. We ordered lamb, beef, seafood, fish balls, udon, beef tongue, and gyozas. My favorite was probably the lamb or beef tongue. I didn't notice any problem with the noodles?? They looked like udon noodles to me haha, just very chewy. It's also nice that they're open as late as hot pot buffet!
(3)
Bonnie C.
Updating my review because everything changed drastically after writing my previous 5-star review. The quality of the meat is so inconsistent. I always order the prime rib eye when I come here. The prime rib eye is suppose to melt in your mouth after cooking it for several seconds. However, the past couple times I came here, the meat has been very "old" and not fresh. The meat is tough and very hard to eat. BUT the reason why I am giving this place one star is because of the staff there. The service isn't the best; it's awkward and you feel like you're not taken care of. I don't expect much because it's Chinatown. However, I came here last night with my friends after a long meeting. The only place opened was Kaze (we were craving for hot pot), so we decided to come here. It was 12:15AM and we were still working on our food. The restaurant CLOSES at 1:00AM. 12:30AM came and I heard the boss by the bar saying something about the check. He was very rude about it. Promptly, we asked for the check because we felt RUSHED and UNWELCOMED. We left around 12:45, and as we walked away, I noticed that the guy manager ROLLED HIS EYES at us, as if saying "finally they are leaving". He didn't even do a good job of hiding it. You have no idea how unwelcomed I felt. No offense, but when your restaurant close at 1:00AM, it means customers can stay till 1:00AM. It doesn't mean that YOU get to leave at 1:00AM. If you want to leave earlier, why don't you make the business hours close early so you can leave early? Of course that isn't smart for business, so why don't YOU (yes, you the manager and the staff) stop being so selfish and focus on satisfying YOUR CUSTOMERS and not YOURSELF. I want to say that I will never be back, but unfortunately this is the only hot pot restaurant that's opened late. Shabu Zen, please change your business hours so I can start giving you business. To think I always tip the waitress at least 20% due to generosity. Never again.
(1)
Mike A.
The guy who poured our water was named Tank. That is a legitimately masculine name. I can dig that. Unfortunately, he just poured our water. Then he disappeared. Which is generally hard for a tank to do, I think. There was nothing overly special about this place but I do see that it has good Yelp reviews. My only guess is that people's expectations of shabu shabu are lower in Boston than they are where I live. Or maybe I am just some high and mighty shabu shabu critic. Or neither. Lunch specials were a decent price. House hot sake was pretty good. I probably wouldn't go back but I wouldn't discourage anyone from going here either. It's good enough.
(3)
Samantha L.
Kaze Shabu is located in Chinatown on 1 Harrison Avenue. The restaurant has two floors for hot pot. They provide the soy sauce and four condiments (scallion, minced garlic, shrimp paste, and spicy sauce) to create your customized sauce. For drinks, we got a Mai Tai which consisted of Light Rum, Dark Rum, Orange Curaçao, Almond Syrups, and Tropical Juices (which was light and fruity) and Bahama Mama which consisted of Malibu Coconut Rum, Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum, White and Dark Rum, and Tropical Juice (which was strong). We ordered the Oden platter which consisted of assorted fish cake and tofu as well as the Beef Lover platter which consisted of Kobe, Prime Rib Eye, Black Angus Rib Eye, Boneless Short Rib, and Beef. We got the Japanese Miso Broth and Meat Bouillon. We got the vermicelli and Japanese potato noodles. Each entree came with a vegetable platter that consisted of tomato, watercress, napa cabbage, spinach, corn, mushroom, taro, and turnip. It was a delicious meal!
(4)
Don M.
Came here on a Monday night and there were barely people in the restaurant. The server was nice but service was a bit slow. Prices were a bit higher than I expected but then again, it's Boston and an American city. I'm used to Taiwan where it was grab all you can eat for a fixed price. Here, it's more like pay as you go for whatever you want. Broth was complementary as it should be. If you have a peanut allergy, beware of the sauces they give you since one of them has peanuts! The broths themselves were pretty good but a bit salty. We got the beef, chicken, taro, radish, and veggies. All were good quality but just pricey. Overall, I'd try other places around but would end up coming back at some point.
(3)
Angelica O.
The ambiance is great very clean and modern. The set up and layout of the dishes are beautiful. However, the soup can be a bit bland at times and the BBQ dipping sauce seems to be pre- refrigerated which takes away from the flavor a little. The hotpot also seems to take forever to come out even if it's not so busy. The staff is attentive at times and the mix drinks are pretty amazing. The main critic I have for this resturaunt is simply the cleanliness of the bathroom. It is gross and it's downstairs if your dining in the dining room. The upstairs bathroom of kaze is much much better but only has one stall. I recommend asking for seating upstairs so you can avoid the downstairs bathroom.
(3)
Justin K.
Super good hot pot! Lots of space too so you can bring big groups - just be sure to make a reservation. I came here with a large group (12 people) after finding out the wait at shabu zen was too long. The wait time here was only 20-30 mins, so we decided to try it out. My favorite broth is definitely the kimchi - spicy and flavorful, really good! The meat is all high quality and fresh as well. We also asked about sake bombs, and while they told us to try and keep it down, they didn't really mind :) the main guy at the front (possibly the owner?) was super friendly and really enthusiastic about our sake bombing haha. The rest of the staff was friendly as well. It was a great time!
(5)
Catherine H.
I love hot pot. There is nothing better than sitting in front of a steaming pot of warm delicious broth on a freezing cold day. The broth is flavorful without overpowering the meats, veggies, and noodles. I like that this spot is more more of a Chinese hot pot style restaurant than Japanese shabu shabu. Kaze has so many broth options, which is really fun. If you have a large group you can try a little bit of everything, which again makes the meal all that much more enjoyable. I recommend the Korean kimchi and the Japanese miso. The Japanese curry is alright as is the tomato with beef. As far as meat is concerned get the Kobe. You won't regret it. I tend to stay away from raw pork and chicken at hot pot places, for germ related reasons (however, I hear they are good too). As far as noodles are concerned get the udon. Just remember to come hungry!
(4)
April K.
We started off with a bottle of wine at the bar, and the owner/manager treated us like royalty. Also, who can say no to a $23 bottle of Sauv Blanc? The meat boullion based soup was pretty tasty. I ordered the beef plate. They served it with a side of vermicelli and a generous platter of veggies (bok choy, watercress, mushroom, cabbage, and taro). Only gripe is no tofu or enoki unless you get it as extra. They aren't stingy with the sauces, but they do charge for cilantro. Overall had a great dinner experience here and it may be my new favorite shabu place.
(4)
Theodore T.
My second favorite hot pot place in the area, after Q. I like getting a booth upstairs, I think the restaurant used to be a night club or something. My usual order includes boneless short rib, angus ribeye, udon, rice, and two broths -- Japanese curry and tomato beef. The spicy chicken nugget appetizer is good as well. I don't recommend their dessert. All in all a nice place, and the wait is usually less than Q.
(4)
Margorie G.
If there was a way to give 0 stars I would. If I wasn't starving I would have gotten up and left. This is the most uncoopperative establishment I've ever been to. I was on vacation so that means I'm adventurous and happy to try all the city has to offer. It was cold and we were hungry and Boston has a Chinatown what could be better right?? wrong! We walked in and its a hybrid of a pho/fondue with a broth of your choice and you cook the protein and vegetables and noodles etc of your choice. We arrived within 10 minutes of their time to stop serving lunch and when I tried to order it they refused. When I asked our waiter if she could ask her manager she said no. We ordered the meat bouillon base with the meat combo #3 which had beef and pork and the vermicelli noodles. This came with veggies like corn, taro, bok choi, tomatoes, etc... They bring this pot that they put in the middle of the table that has a burner they turn on. The concept is to put in the veggies and protein etc to cook in the broth and then eat. The food itself was very good and I lived the concept but the lack of customer service and assistance is unacceptable. Everything we requested or any question we had seemed to be a bother. I would never eat here again, there are so many other restaurants in that area do yourself a favor a choose one of those.
(1)
Jen K.
I've gone here many times but this time I'm super disappointed! I ordered the kimchi broth and when I asked him to make it spicy he said he would have to charge me more.... That makes no sense cause i already pay 3 dollars to get the spicy kimchi broth... I talked to the manager and he said that he has to charge double... HOW DOES THAT MAKE SENSE! So I would pay 6 dollars for broth???............. Manager was super unhelpful. They also didn't have sesame sauce or even sesame oil. Also 20 minutes into dinner service they told me that fish stuffed meatball was sold out.... Of course he couldn't tell me before .... Will not be going back sadly. I've tried a ton of Shabu places in Boston and this one definitely cares more about making money then customers coming back! WOMP
(1)
Tony S.
Wow.... have I really not reviewed this place? I've only been here 20 times.... last week (I keed, I keed!). No but seriously folks, I've been here at least that many times over the last 4-5 years. This is my go-to shabu place in Boston. I consider it one of the top 3 places to go in terms of quality, service (you'd be surprised how shitty service is in some of these places), and menu variety. Situated on the corner of a parking lot in Chinatown, the place is airy, and has two levels. They make their own soybean sauce (kinda like peanut sauce), which I mix with the standard Chinese bbq sauce and sriracha to make a Southeast Asian tasting dipping sauce. This is one of the few shabu places that has kobe beef, so if you're up for splurging, this is the place to do it. Personally, once I discovered the direct correlation of beef fat, my bank account deficit, and growing waistline, I nowadays opt for the angus beef, which you can't go wrong with. While the jury is still out for the top shabu place in the city, nobody can argue that his is a top-3 contender.
(4)
Dang P.
My wife and I are regulars here and we never had a bad meal. The hot pot broths are very flavorful. My favorite is the Kimchi broth. The meat and vegetables are always fresh. They are spacious, so we never waited for more than 10 mins for a table. The staff is very nice. I look forward to coming back in the near future.
(5)
Ria S.
I say 4.5 because drinks on that random occasion are not that great. But when the right bartender is on, they are fantastic. Hot pot is always a treat and depending on the lines, I really enjoy coming here with friends. It's hard to stray away from those bright neon pink lights... *_*
(4)
Elisha T.
Just like another reviewer said, this is definitely a Chinese hot pot restaurant and not quite an authentic Japanese shabu shabu. Nevertheless all the items we tried tasted pretty good. We had two large hot pot with a divider in between making total of 4 different flavors of soup. We also ordered different kinds of meat and vegetables to dip in. My favorite of all the meat was beef here, and porks were second best. Seafoods (e.g. mini octopus) were also interesting to eat as shabu shabu and I personally liked it. This is definitely a good place to come in a group so you can enjoy variety of items. They have a lot of tables so wait is not going to be much of an issue. After eating and drinking, it came around $135 for our six people group.
(4)
Gloria C.
This place definitely gives Shabu zen and all the other hotpot places a run for their money. However, I find that it isn't very sanitary! They stack the foods and pots before bringing it out to customers. I don't know about you but I don't trust that the bottoms of their plates are all that clean. The scary part is they aren't even afraid of customers seeing! That means that they either don't care or don't think that they are doing anything wrong--which is horrendous to me! They have a super extensive broth selection!!! Some of them are pretty hefty in price though. I think up to $5. I'm personally really sensitive to MSG and having told that to my waiter, they still managed to sneak some into my food somewhere. I got really sick after eating there. If you do want to give it a shot, go during lunch! You get the same portions except for a few bucks off. Beware though, they have a spending minimum!! Something in the low teens. One thing I do love is their large variety of noodles/rice. You can get green bean and potato noodles here which is pretty rare at other Shabu places. They have a large variety of appetizers in addition to their hotpot offerings. There's also a specials menu with I think eight items on there. I've ordered many of them multiple times but they're always out of half of the stuff. Also, whenever I go, I'm never greeted by a host at their super formal and established host stand. So what's the point of having that there? Both of the waiters I had were super attentive though, very swift, and super friendly.
(3)
Oki P.
Out of all the hotpot places in Boston i have visited, i would not visit Kaze again. Unattentive service and i did not like all the broths. I have tried all of them from japanese curry to sze chuan spicy and they were not comparable to other places. The broth tastes MSG laden and i felt like i was drinking instant noodle broth which really kills it for me. Also, the pink lights in the restaurant is irritating. Overall, the location is huge and bigger than the other hot pot restaurants but other options such as Q hotpot or Shabu Shabu are much more worth the wait.
(2)
Elleen P.
Came here with my friend one snowy night in Boston, and man... I don't think I could give ANY shabu shabu place less than 5 stars when I feel that cold and it warms me up that much. lol. I think this is a karaoke place too (or maybe the foursquare location is wrong) but the food was definitely restaurant quality. We were able to order a lot of food (not knowing the portions) because we thought that since it was cheap, it was going to be small amounts.. . but they were quite generous with what they gave. We ended up ordering way too much meat for just two people but somehow still ate it all. We're fatties. Oh well. Need the blubber for insulation hahaha. In California, this place would probably get a B just because it's not that clean, but we're in Massachusetts aka land of no food safety ratings (to my knowledge) so they're still getting a 5 stars. :)
(5)
Angela C.
The best part about this place right now is the fact that it's currently closed. If I can give negative stars, I will. I honestly cannot comprehend how anyone can give more than 3 stars for this place. The food was terrible. My bf has zero expectations for hotpot...he loves them all, but somehow Kaze manages to disappoint him. The quality of meat was bad, and the soup base tasted weird. The staff was horrible. The hostess that was downstairs did not look happy to see us, and was completely grumpy the entire way to our table. I understand that people can have their bad days, but when the restaurant is empty and your only job is to really greet your customers, maybe you should just suck it up for the 3 minutes it'll take to get us to our tables. Our waitress was friendly enough, but was inattentive. The whole atmosphere was weird and uncomfortable. tl;dr - THIS PLACE SUCKS.
(1)
Chau H.
Holy cow... I just saw their kitchen worker came out of the bathroom and did not wash her hands. I brought it up to the waitress and her response was maybe she will wash it when she gets to the kitchen. Huh? How is that a normal response?! I used to go to this place years ago when I was in college and am back visiting my sister. I'm docking them for hygiene. The shabu is ok.
(2)
Calvin L.
I'm used to doing hot pot at home where I would be able to have a variety of food served, so I'm a bit biased here. Each table has one burner for a split pot. 2 people share a pot. For the pot, you choose the type of soup base you want to flavor whatever you want to eat, be it veggies, seafood, or meat. Each person gets some veggies, sauces, and a choice of rice or noodles to accompany the main course. I choose the seafood combo, which included salmon, squid, clams, scallops, 2 types of fish cake, and shrimp. Despite their small size, they were easy to cook, which allows for near instant gratification. Personally, home is where I would do hot pot. I can pick out what I want to eat rather be limited to the offerings of a restaurant. However, if you are unwilling to handle a portable stove and gas can or don't have the time to prepare it, then this place would do.
(3)
Tiffany D.
This place is one of my absolute favorites! Every time I visit Boston, I always make sure to stop here for hot pot! For starters, this place can get very packed, so come early or come extra late so you aren't waiting in line for a table! I ALWAYS get two broths: Thai tomyum (super spicy and I'd recommend straining the broth before pouring onto your noodles so you don't chew on chunky peppercorns and chilis) and the Japanese tonkotsu, which is perfect for balancing out the spiciness of the tomyum! The broths at Kaze are so flavorful, it beats out all other broths I've tried that basically taste like plain water. For the meats, there are so many options, and they're very generous with the portions too! I usually get the beef lover (includes fatty Kobe beef.. Mmm), lamb, veal tongue, assorted meatballs, and tripe. This is definitely more than enough food for a small group, but hey, you might as well get everything you want when you don't come often! Make sure you stop by this place on your next trip through Chinatown. You will not be disappointed!
(5)
Mickey G.
Kaze is by far my favorite shabu shabu place in the Boston area. They consistently deliver a high quality meal at an affordable price point. I usually get a lamb combo with a side of short rib bones. The bones are inexpensive and have a decent amount of meat on them. My favorite soup bases are the Japanese curry and the Tom Yum soup base. My only complaint is that they no longer have their creamed corn croquettes, which were delicious. Note: If you are a CrossFitter or follow the paleo diet, you can very easily make a clean meal out of a visit here by skipping the soy sauce, taro, and the rice/noodle offerings. The sweet potato noodles are delicious are are technically paleo-approved, but my understanding is that they way they process the noodles, they take all of the fiber/nutrients out of the sweet potato, which defeats the purpose of such a substitution.
(5)
Vic G.
Decent place. I live in Quincy which really has the best Shabu places around. So 3 stars for Boston is really good. But this place is slightly over priced for the fact that there isn't much competition other than Shabu zen who I would rate 3 as well. What makes this place slightly better than Shabu Zen is that it has more options for broths depending on flavors you like and heat levels. Also - I have never had sushi or anything else but hot pot here because I am very specific about my sushi and once when I was at the bar looking how sushi was being made, I knew I would be having hot pot only. Hot pot is good especially the hot spicy broths. Decent service and they don't try to rush you. That's the good part.
(4)
Nina S.
I much prefer shabu Zen to this place. The broth at shabu Zen is more tasty. Here I got the original and Sichuan. Neither were worth drinking in copious amounts. The meats were aight. Got the lamb as part of the surf and turf combo#2. It was nice but the seafood was very rubbery. Next time if i come back it'll just be for the meat no seafood. Also ordered fishballs with Chinese sausage which to me just didn't go together even though it sounded good. Also got the crispy squid tentacles which was disappointing in flavor, texture and size. It cost $6 and was such a small portion.
(2)
Jennifer W.
Dragon bowl was strong but it tastes like juice! Huge plus for me as it was easy and pleasant to drink. Hotpot was standard as far as selection and quality. Great portions and your typical sides. Not the most upscale hot pot place but the prices reflect that which is why I don't mind. Would return for another "pre-game dinner meal and drink."
(4)
Amanda P.
I wish I could rave about the service!! This place has the worst service ever our waitress didn't check up on us whatsoever!! The atmosphere is laid-back and super comfortable. The food was decent, they weren't stingy with their proportions either so I guess that's a plus.
(3)
Julia C.
I'm sorry to say that during my 8 years in Boston, I've only just discovered Kaze, as it's the best shabu place around here! Reasons why Kaze is awesome: -It's marginally cheaper than Shabu Zen, Q, or Swish Shabu -The portions are the most generous of them all. They also don't skimp on the fixings for the dipping sauce. -The house broth here is the best one out of all three places listed above. -I also love that their super tasty fish paste isn't brimming with cilantro and that it's self-serve - in most shabu places, waitresses do the fish paste for you and drop huge pieces into the broth all at once, resulting in them never cooking through. One thing I found odd was that gratuity (about 18%) was already included in the bill, even though I was having dinner by myself. But the credit card bill sheet had a tip line as well as suggested gratuity amounts. So just be on the lookout for that.
(5)
Lily Z.
I used to like it here until i went to the bathroom and saw a chef use the bathroom and take a shit then not wash her hands. AND TO MAKE IT WORSE (as if it could get any worse...) There were 3!!!!!!!! dead and alive cockroaches downstairs on the floor OH MY GOD. Just stay away...
(1)
Emily L.
Never (almost never) have to wait for a table and waitstaff are attentive to your needs. I"m not sure why people choose shabu zen over this restaurant. The food is equally good and this restaurant is much bigger. I like getting a side order of the fish paste along with the meat combo meal.
(4)
Lusi J.
Have you tried their watermelon smoothie? TRY IT!!!! lol The hotpot here is great but is a bit pricey for dinner considering the portion is the same as lunch. Thats the only downside to this place, otherwise, everything is fantastic
(5)
Katie B.
This was my first shabu shabu experience and I LOVED IT! I love any type of Asian style soup, so I was pumped to try this. My friend brought me so she did all the ordering as she's a hot pot pro! We got Szechuan Spicy and Tom Yom as our two soup bases. Both were VERY tasty. The Szechuan had some serious heat behind it. We got udon and Spinach noodles to toss in. Both cooked up nice and were delicious. We got the meat (Kobe beef, pork, chicken) and a seafood (shrimp, scallops, white fish, clams, and salmon) combos. All the meat and seafood was very fresh! Everything was served with big plates of veggies to dump in as well! My green tea smoothie was amazing and sweet and my friends watermelon smoothie was light refreshing! We shared an awesome mango cake thing for desert! All of this totaled only about $20 a person, including tip! BONUS! I totally recommend this place to anyone looking for great shabu shabu, even if it's your first time!
(5)
Mabel N.
I love how I get seated right away for hot pot. Unlike other places around the area you must wait at least 20-30mins for a table. Wait staff are very friendly and attentive. Your water glass will never be half empty when you dine here. I really love the service here. Came here with a party of 10 we order so much food. Everything is fresh and delicious. Try the squid paste - it's so different from fish paste. Especially love their kobe beef SO GOOD!!!!!!
(4)
Sandro K.
This place is a very good location to experience hot pot in a group of about 8 people. It's not the cheapest place to have hot pot in Boston's Chinatown but the food is fresh and good. Try the beef lover plate. It's just awesome.
(4)
Holly C.
This was a very unique experience! My husband and I both thought the quality of meat & seafood ingredients were top notch, very tasty. It was a bit messy, but fun. Service was not the greatest, but I would go back.
(4)
Sandra C.
[Note: This is a straight up comparison of Kaze and Shabu] It's like Shabu-Zen (I refuse to write a review for that restaurant because I used to work there) except a little bit lower quality and stingier. I don't know, if you ask me, I'd just say this place is a major cop-off of Shabu-Zen. The good thing? The service is much faster. Of course, Shabuzen's service got a lot worse after I quit (I'm kidding. Okay not really...) Anyways, the vegetarian portions are much larger at Kaze, as well as the portions of rice, vermicelli, and udon. The beef tongue and sauteed clams got NOTHING on Shabuzen's though. I'm not gonna lie...after I get off this vegetarian phase, I'm gonna march right back into Kaze and order OSTRICH. Seriously, I'm so curious!
(4)
Valerie C.
I'd never been to hot-pot before, and I was, therefore, apprehensive about coming here. I've always loved Asian cuisine and soups, so after my boyfriend and I saw a review of a hot-pot place on the Phantom Gourmet while channel-flipping one morning, we decided to try it. I was pleasantly surprised to find the staff completely willing to answer any of my questions about how exactly to hot-pot, and we had a great time. The food seems like a lot when you're looking at everything being brought out, though the meat is obviously very thinly sliced. It ended up being filling without being too much, which was wonderful since I tend to become overfull on heavier foods and then feel off all day. The way hot-pot forces you to eat a little more slowly also helps with that. Staff was friendly, prices were more than reasonable, and food was delicious. Can't really ask for much more than that in a restaurant!
(5)
Shendi X.
This place does hot pot justice - incredible broth, with great variety/selection, and only the freshest ingredients - everything came together for a mouth-stuffingly delicious meal: my mouth waters just thinking about the experience! Certainly now my first choice for hot pot - come here!!
(5)
Lindsay D.
Been here twice both times with colleagues during lunch. I not only had fun but loved that I could eat healthy and have a long relaxing lunch. The food is fresh and delicious and the atmosphere clean and modern. The location is also very convenient. Try the spicy broth with your food as it has that extra bit of flavor your need when having shabu-style fare. I would go back more often if I didnt leave that job. Even my fiance who hates fondue loves this place because the food comes out quickly and in bulk. Especially the greens.
(4)
Ingrid S.
This is the first Shabu Shabu place I've tried in Boston, and it surpassed my expectations. My husband and I have recently relocated from the Bay are in CA, so we were very used to good Asian cuisine (the only 2 Japan Towns in the US are in the Bay area). I got the short ribs and my husband go the the prime and both were delicious. Mine was not a fatty but still very flavorful. The veggies that come with the dinners were good, but I like mushrooms as well so we ordered a side of assorted mushrooms. My husband had the standard broth base and thought it was kind of bland, but I was pleased with my selection of the Miso broth (it was an extra $3). There were a LOT of additional selections, which was kind of overwhelming b/c typically Shabu only has 2 choices of broth. I might try something more exotic next time, but I'm just not sure about mixing my cuisines- like selecting kimchee broth, or curry broth. But if I'm feeling crazy I just might ;) Overall it was good and I will go back. I do agree with some of the other reviewers in that it was a bit over priced for Shabu- our check with 2 dinners, extra mushrooms, and a small bottle of Sake was $65 before the tip.
(4)
Steve K.
I've been to a lot of japanese restaurants, but so far this one takes the cake. This isn't your run of the mill hibachi or sushi Japanese establishment that you can find just about anywhere. If you've never had Shabu Shabu or "Hot Pot" before, I highly suggest you check this place out first. If you have, then get over here for your next trip. You will probably never go anywhere else. This was my first Shabu Shabu experience and I can say I was very impressed. I'm not generally into a "cook it yourself" restaurant. If I want to "cook it myself", I'll go to the store, buy the food and take it home. Why pay to cook your own food, right? This place on the other hand, definitely will take my "cook it yourself" business. First thing to remember... meal portions are big here! You don't need to go and order two plates for you and your significant other. You would find yourselves overwhelmed with food. Honestly, you don't even need appetizers, although I will be going back to try some of them. Second, it's not as expensive as it seems. Both the location (Chinatown right on the outskirts of the financial district) and the decor may be deceiving, but trust me... you can get away on the cheap here and feel pleasantly full and satisfied by the time you leave. My last meal for two here cost $45 after tip. $45? At this location? No way... Yes way! First we chose our broths - Japanese Soy Sauce w/ Seaweed (makes a great cooking broth as well as a soup) and Japanese Curry (best for cooking, didn't enjoy it as much as a soup). Keep in mind you also get free refills on the broths. They came in a split pot so there was no waiting for one or the other. Next on the order was the Meat Combo #2 w/ Black Angus Rib Eye & Boneless Short Rib. The short rib was my favorite of the two, but I do love rib eye, especially when it is Black Angus. The assorted veggies and noodles were also on this plate. Added to the veggies was the assorted tofu. A fair warning, tofu takes a LONG time to pick up flavor of the broths, so toss them in for a while. I recommend using the silk tofu for clear broths as it works better in a soup. Added to all this, a bottle of hot saki and two green teas were on the table. The saki was amazing and the green tea was good, but if you are more for a mild green tea, it may not be your "cup of tea" so to speak as it is a bit strong. Well, there you have it! $45.00 for all that! Kaze Shabu Shabu lets you head out for a night on the town after a nice quiet dinner for two, some green tea and hot saki. I can't think of a better dinner for two on that side of town.
(5)
Melissa L.
There's a gazillion and a half reviews on this already, I know. But I just had to add this to my Boston list, since Kaze has had so much significance for me, and is definitely my favorite place for shabu in Boston. Which, having moved to New York, isn't saying much. But still, my favorite place in Boston. It's the only place where you can have a decent vegetarian platter with tons of stuff I like - spinach, daikon, bok choy, tofu, mushrooms. The short ribs platter is quite large, and the veggie side plate is a smaller version of the vegetarian platter, which is WAY better than Shabu Zen down the street, which has been trying to skimp on the veggies by replacing quality stuff with - oh, say - one piece of broccoli and one stick of carrot. I like that Kaze is huge, so you rarely have to wait for a seat, even in the busiest time of the week. Not only is it nice and spacious, it's clean, and has a nice big bar, with large flat screen TVs. Upstairs, there is even an enclosed area with a huge table so it can accommodate larger crowds. I've had shabu there as an after party with a theater cast of up to 18 people before. Lately, thought Kaze has been doing this thing where they've been replacing their Japanese sushi rice with a cheaper Chinese jasmine rice. Boo. It's irritating, and I wish they would change back to the rice I like better. Try the creamcorn croquette, and fried anchovies when you're there. Their appetizers are amazing.
(3)
Liza C.
I love kaze shabu shabu wayyy better than shabu zen, which is so over-rated! kaze has many broths to choose from, japanese curry being my all-time favorite! we usually order one surf and turf and a side of meat and that fills my boyfriend and i up! the veggies are plentiful. i like the udon here more as well. and for a cold day, i love taking the long drive just to have me some hotpot to warm myself up. the fruit shakes are just ok.
(5)
Xixi C.
Kaze is definitely my favorite hot pot spot. Great food and service. My favorite combination is the vegetarian Ma La soup base with Oden platter. Rest assured that your requests will be taken seriously - I have been to other restaurants where my requests for vegetarian soup base were neglected and I was given regular soup base - major failure. Try watermelon slush with your hot pot, it's a fantastic combination. I only wish Kaze offers more vegetarian options - more varieties of vegetables, but other than that, it's a fantastic spot to satisfy your hot pot cravings.
(5)
Sheena K.
For some reason, my favorite foods & dining experiences are the ones where they make me do all the cooking.It's probably a trick by some clever and also lazy chefs, but somehow I fall for it every time. Shabu Shabu was no exception. This is a hearty winter meal which will allow you, at least temporarily, to forget how ridiculously cold Boston can get. The meats & the broth were both very flavorful (see warning below). We got a good selection of veggies & noodles on the side, and the waiters were very helpful in explaining cook times to us for each of the items. One piece of caution - I'm not big lamb eater, but decided to go for it and try the lamb. We later realized this was a big mistake as the lamb flavor got into the broth, and then all of the food we put in after ended up tasting like lamb. My recommendation would be to avoid the lamb, or at least cook it last or keep it separated from the other meats.
(5)
Jason S.
Terrific hot pot here, as long as you avoid the Thai tomyum broth (tastes like fermented pepper with a sprinke of chalk dust). I recommend the Malaysian satay broth ($3 upcharge) with one of the combo meat deals - for about $15, you'll have a great meal. The shrimp tempura appetizer can be good, though sometimes the shrimp are undercooked for my tastes, but it's cool to see how they turn shrimp into long, straight pencil shapes when I'm accustomed to them looking more like question marks. The waitstaff is great about tending to the hot pots (presumably in hopes of avoiding fires, if not to please customers), but sometimes you need to beg for drink refills. I've never been rushed to leave this place, so if you're wandering around Boston and want a place to sit down and catch up with a friend over a bowl of hot soup, Kaze Shabu Shabu is for you.
(4)
Carly L.
This is the place to go for shabu shabu! Personally, I prefer Kaze than Shabuzen. Kaze has thicker udon noodles and more veggies. The Kimchi broth brings a mild taste of home. Enough to get me through the semesters. Their portions are reasonable and service is prompt. I haven't had a bad experience here. I just hate their awful red lighting..
(5)
A T.
When I seek a meal in Boston's Chinatown, I basically look for two things: 1) good food, and 2) a clean and attractive restaurant. Kaze Shabu Shabu offers good food that you cook at your table. The restaurant's interior is attractive, particularly compared to most Chinatown places. So, it wins on both of my criteria. I recently dined for lunch. I ordered the Vegetarian Delight, which was only $9.00. It came with a variety of greens, tomatoes, mushrooms, one-quarter of a corn cob, etc... In addition, I ordered the Japanese fish cake along with the homemade fish paste. Together, these two items added $10.00, but I wanted to try them. To a boiling pot of broth at my table, I added all the aforementioned ingredients in several batches. Once cooked -- each batch takes 1 to 3 minutes -- I then dipped the food into a sauce that I prepared ahead of time with various ingredients presented on the table. In addition to the food, which was very tasty, i ordered the recommended watermelon smoothie ($3.95), which was excellent. In fact, I liked it so much that I ordered a second. They also offer other fruit drinks along with other non- and alcoholic beverages. My meal was plentiful and next time I will order less, but I was eager to try the fish cake and fish paste. While I liked both, I preferred the fish paste, which added to the interesting cooking experience -- I carved off raw fish paste with a wooden knife and added it in clumps to the boiling water. The result was a solid piece of food. The wait service was generally good, particularly so around noon when the restaurant was less crowded, but as the restaurant filled up, the service slowed a bit. Separately, I did not enter the bathroom, which could have figured into my cleanliness rating. Kaze Shabu Shabu gets 5 stars for the quality of food and drink, the interesting way of cooking the food at one's table, and for the general attractiveness of the restaurant's interior.
(5)
Xixi C.
Kaze is definitely my favorite hot pot spot. Great food and service. My favorite combination is the vegetarian Ma La soup base with Oden platter. Rest assured that your requests will be taken seriously - I have been to other restaurants where my requests for vegetarian soup base were neglected and I was given regular soup base - major failure. Try watermelon slush with your hot pot, it's a fantastic combination. I only wish Kaze offers more vegetarian options - more varieties of vegetables, but other than that, it's a fantastic spot to satisfy your hot pot cravings.
(5)
Sheena K.
For some reason, my favorite foods & dining experiences are the ones where they make me do all the cooking.It's probably a trick by some clever and also lazy chefs, but somehow I fall for it every time. Shabu Shabu was no exception. This is a hearty winter meal which will allow you, at least temporarily, to forget how ridiculously cold Boston can get. The meats & the broth were both very flavorful (see warning below). We got a good selection of veggies & noodles on the side, and the waiters were very helpful in explaining cook times to us for each of the items. One piece of caution - I'm not big lamb eater, but decided to go for it and try the lamb. We later realized this was a big mistake as the lamb flavor got into the broth, and then all of the food we put in after ended up tasting like lamb. My recommendation would be to avoid the lamb, or at least cook it last or keep it separated from the other meats.
(5)
Jason S.
Terrific hot pot here, as long as you avoid the Thai tomyum broth (tastes like fermented pepper with a sprinke of chalk dust). I recommend the Malaysian satay broth ($3 upcharge) with one of the combo meat deals - for about $15, you'll have a great meal. The shrimp tempura appetizer can be good, though sometimes the shrimp are undercooked for my tastes, but it's cool to see how they turn shrimp into long, straight pencil shapes when I'm accustomed to them looking more like question marks. The waitstaff is great about tending to the hot pots (presumably in hopes of avoiding fires, if not to please customers), but sometimes you need to beg for drink refills. I've never been rushed to leave this place, so if you're wandering around Boston and want a place to sit down and catch up with a friend over a bowl of hot soup, Kaze Shabu Shabu is for you.
(4)
Carly L.
This is the place to go for shabu shabu! Personally, I prefer Kaze than Shabuzen. Kaze has thicker udon noodles and more veggies. The Kimchi broth brings a mild taste of home. Enough to get me through the semesters. Their portions are reasonable and service is prompt. I haven't had a bad experience here. I just hate their awful red lighting..
(5)
A T.
When I seek a meal in Boston's Chinatown, I basically look for two things: 1) good food, and 2) a clean and attractive restaurant. Kaze Shabu Shabu offers good food that you cook at your table. The restaurant's interior is attractive, particularly compared to most Chinatown places. So, it wins on both of my criteria. I recently dined for lunch. I ordered the Vegetarian Delight, which was only $9.00. It came with a variety of greens, tomatoes, mushrooms, one-quarter of a corn cob, etc... In addition, I ordered the Japanese fish cake along with the homemade fish paste. Together, these two items added $10.00, but I wanted to try them. To a boiling pot of broth at my table, I added all the aforementioned ingredients in several batches. Once cooked -- each batch takes 1 to 3 minutes -- I then dipped the food into a sauce that I prepared ahead of time with various ingredients presented on the table. In addition to the food, which was very tasty, i ordered the recommended watermelon smoothie ($3.95), which was excellent. In fact, I liked it so much that I ordered a second. They also offer other fruit drinks along with other non- and alcoholic beverages. My meal was plentiful and next time I will order less, but I was eager to try the fish cake and fish paste. While I liked both, I preferred the fish paste, which added to the interesting cooking experience -- I carved off raw fish paste with a wooden knife and added it in clumps to the boiling water. The result was a solid piece of food. The wait service was generally good, particularly so around noon when the restaurant was less crowded, but as the restaurant filled up, the service slowed a bit. Separately, I did not enter the bathroom, which could have figured into my cleanliness rating. Kaze Shabu Shabu gets 5 stars for the quality of food and drink, the interesting way of cooking the food at one's table, and for the general attractiveness of the restaurant's interior.
(5)
Lindsay D.
Been here twice both times with colleagues during lunch. I not only had fun but loved that I could eat healthy and have a long relaxing lunch. The food is fresh and delicious and the atmosphere clean and modern. The location is also very convenient. Try the spicy broth with your food as it has that extra bit of flavor your need when having shabu-style fare. I would go back more often if I didnt leave that job. Even my fiance who hates fondue loves this place because the food comes out quickly and in bulk. Especially the greens.
(4)
Ken G.
Unique experience, our party of four really enjoyed the experience and the meal. You cook your meal at your table. You pick a broth, such as Tomyum, Miso, etc. , then you pick an entree such as vegetarian, seafood, surf and turf, etc. With the entree there is a choice of noodles as well. They bring the soup base in a split bowl that handles two bases and bring it to a boil at your table. You put the veggies and the meat and the seafood in the boiling broth, wait 10 or 15 minutes and it's done. It was great.
(4)
Jotham O.
A friend and I went to this establishment. I liked the atmosphere, it has a very nice atmosphere. It's more pricey than the shabu shabu I often frequent. They offered more meat as part of the shabu, and I was very satisfied. I would come here again!
(4)
Bryan R.
Went for the first time last week. Came again a few days later. Will probably make the long long trek over from the SCLA again sometime soon. I like Shabu Zen as well but the booths at Kaze are much better for small parties and the quality is better. Only thing I'd like to see is 1/2 bottles of sparkling sake like Zipang. For now, keep the scallions coming. Yes, we will actually eat as many bowls as you put on the table.
(4)
Meagan F.
I love this place. Especially on a cold wintery day, or even simply when you just have a cold. Kaze Shabu Shabu offers a wide variety of sauces, entree selections, and noodles, that everyone will be able to find something they like. We decided to go a little bit daring this time, and since each pot can fit two different sauces, we ordered the Japanese Miso and Szechuan Spicy. Man was this one of the spiciest things I have ever eaten. Huge chilis, large kernels of black pepper, and tons of chili oil make up this fire-breathing goodness. The Miso helped cool our mouths down in addition to their amazingly fruity (albeit cheesy) cocktails. Mine tasted like honeydew melon. My fiance and I split the Surf and Turf with Prime Rib, some Udon, and the fried Oysters, all quite delicious and enough for two of us. The restaurant is funky, a little too bright to be romantic, according to my fiance, but offers just the perfect type of comfort food. To note: the service can be a little slow, especially when waiting for things from the bar, but the staff is patient enough to explain things and will (eventually) bring you what you ask for. Still worth it in my book.
(4)
Simon T.
Better than I had in Tokyo.
(4)
Lindsay D.
Absolutely delicious meal! My one wish is that my friend and I had shared a dish as the servings are sooo big!!!
(4)
Erica l.
This place is actually better than I expected, everything was very modern and welcoming. After having dinner here with my friends i would agree that this is much better than shabu-zen. When I first walked in I was greeted by friendly and welcoming staff. The appetizers are a must have especially the Japanese hot dogs. Really liked the wide variety of the soup bases. The beef lover is also a must! The food was very fresh and it was definitely not freezer food like other restaurants. A great place for any occasion
(5)
Doris K.
I used to really enjoy Kaze but I don't think I will ever go here again. 1. I think that someone accidentally dumped sugar into the BBQ sauce because it was SOOOO sweet. It has never been this way before so maybe it's a fluke but I'm not waiting around to find out. 2. I found a BIG bug in my watercress after I had boiled it and almost having eaten it I was thoroughly grossed out. Instead of offering to comp my meal, the waitress simply brought me a new pot of broth and a new veggie plate with some tofu that I had had boiling in my pot. I appreciate the fact that she decided to bring me an entirely new plate but I was also so disgusted that I couldn't eat anymore.
(2)
Jason C.
A dining experience indeed! Kaze Shabu Shabu offers a variety meats, seafood, and veggies that is cooked in a boiling hot pot filled with your choice of soup base/broth. The restaurant is able to divide the hot pot in two to accomodate two soup bases so be sure to try two different ones. My recommendations for the soup base are the Japanese Curry and the Malaysian satay. The meats, seafood, and veggies are all very fresh. Since the meats are thinly sliced, they cook very quickly. The staff is extremely friendly and attentive. For first-timers, they walk you through the process of shabu shabu and they certainly make sure that you have the full dining experience. Prices are moderate; about $30 bucks a person (including tip, but not including alcohol). My eyes are always bigger than my stomach, but the portions are large enough to satiate a big appetite like mine. The Meat Combo 1 and veggies that accompany are just the right amount of food for me. My friend and I constantly crave shabu shabu and we always come back to Kaze. The earlier in the evening you go, the more seating there is. It gets pretty packed at around 8 pm on the weekends. ...it's a great date place too! ;-)
(5)
Ali E.
I love hot pot. The seafood is so fresh you want to slap it and send it to it's room. This was confirmed to an almost disturbing degree when I ate at Kaze. I ordered the seafood platter, as I do in Shabu Shabu circumstances. I, however, am not a big clam fan, so I left mine untouched as I dunked my salmon and scallops and shrimp (oh my). Until it started crawling across the platter. I will repeat. The clam was still alive, and was sticking it's foot out of it's shell, and moving, presumably to avoid a certain death. THAT, my friend, is fresh seafood. Said clam spent the rest of the meal under a cup, behind a leaf of lettuce, on the other side of the table, however.
(4)
Chelsie H.
It's Friday in Boston town. A leisurely stroll brings you to Kaze, right on the edge of Chinatown, by the RMV. You think, 'I'm starving, this place looks good. I'll check it out.' So you enter. There's a redhead sitting alone at the shabu bar, transfixed by a John Grisham novel and sipping a watermelon smoothie It's me. My Friday lunch break ritual is nearly always the same. I take myself out for a date (I'm kind of a sure thing, but I pick up the bill anyways, just to be sure,) and my favorite place to go is Kaze. When it's cold out, it's wonderfully warming food in a cozy atmosphere, and when it's warm out, the icy watermelon smoothie promise is too much to resist. First impressions: the restaurant itself is lovely and modern, immaculately clean, and the staff friendly and smiling. I have tried all of the different shabu platters, but my favorite is still the boneless short rib. Each platter comes with a plate of vegetables as well, all super fresh and delicious. I get the basic soup base, with rice, and on occasion a Sapporo. The quality of the food is really the star here, and I dare you to try to find a shabu place with fresher ingredients. They have a full bar, and an array of delicious smoothies, the watermelon one being the best in my opinion. If you can imagine drinking a watermelon, that is what this smoothie is like. So effing delicious. I think the only negative comment I could make about this place is that the waitstaff is not super attentive once you've been served your food. I don't like waiters that check in every 32 seconds, but once or twice through the course of a meal would be reasonable. I've waited upwards of 10-15 minutes to get my drink refilled, and even then I had to finally flag them down to ask for it. But that aside, this place is wonderful, SUPER cheap prices for a huge amount of food, delicious, healthy, and fresh. Definitely give this place a try, but if you see me at the bar demolishing beef and watercress while pouring over my John Grisham, don't bother me. I'm in another world and probably won't even hear you.
(4)
Stephanie W.
I know this is going to make me sound stupid, but I didn't know this was a hot pot place. I had only tried hot pot once and didn't really enjoy it. But I stayed anyway and gave it a try here...and I'm glad I did. It was great. I was slow to warm up to it, but when it was all said and done and I was happy and full from lots of fresh veg and oh-so-tasty broth, I was won over. And the prices? YES- such a great value. If you've never tried hot pot before, or if you have somewhere else and didn't really like it, give this place a chance. The waiters are very patient, kind and understanding with newcomers and will show you what to do.
(4)
Allison R.
i know very little about shabu. but i knew nothing one evening last march, when i resolved to have a fun dinner in chinatown and ended up at kaze. kaze was pretty empty around 8 on a friday night, so we were seated quickly. kirins and dumplings were ordered as we perused the menu and deliberated on broth and meat selections. i appreciated that it's possible to get a split pot of broth, so you can try two for (almost) the price of one). turns out, cooking thin strips of meat, veggies, tofu, and seafood in a pot of hot soup kind of rocks!
(4)
Nikki B.
I went here for lunch with a coworker and it was even better than I expected it to be. Once you come in and are seated, a waitress arrives to take your drink order. Even though I just stuck with green tea, they have alcoholic beverages available as well, including a pretty good selection of Sake. After that, you select your meat (or vegetarian fare, they have vegetarian delight option featuring a bunch of tofu and veggies) . From there you pick your soup base that you'll cook your meal in, and a starch. I chose to get the combo of prime rib eye and lamb and the Thai tomyum soup base. For my starch, I got rice. The waitress will bring out the bowl with your broth, your meats (or veggie delight) and a selection of veggies to put into the broth for extra flavoring. On each table are a few sauces (chili paste, garlic, soy) for you to mix on your own. Once the broth is boiling, it's time to get started! Skewer your veggies and meat and boil in the pot until cooked, then eat how you like it with cooked veggies, rice (or noodles) and your custom sauces. My rib eye and lamb were delicious and the tomyum broth was just spicy enough and absolutely delicious, perfect to mix in with some rice when I was done with all of my meat. Service wise, this place was awesome. Our server was back every few minutes to make sure our drinks were full and even offered us some cooking tips (especially my friend who struggled a bit with his noodles) and help. Just one last word of advice- if you're not good with chopsticks, definitely smuggle in a fork! The meat and veggies can be a little hard to maneuver unless you're relatively accomplished with chopsticks!
(5)
Shaina P.
Kaze does a great job at accommodating large groups of people. I tested this out on my birthday. 14 of us spread out on the second floor of the restaurant. I apologize for our behavior to the other patrons trying to just have a nice dinner out... Only thing is, not all of the tables have burners at them. In which case you're probably just supposed to share... but if you're a friend of mine, you insist on getting an extra burner at all cost! Despite the issues with the burners, it was a very entertaining night watching my friends who had never even heard of shabu try to figure it out with broth down their shirts and noodles all over their faces.
(5)
Christine L.
This is my absolute favorite place for hot pot! Prices are what you expect for hot pot, which is to say not cheap, but it's so gosh darn addictive that I'm willing to sign a pact with the devil for that pink frosted donut! In my opinion, most bang for your buck is to get the short rib combo, one additional side (I get daikon) and one of those BIG sapporo's. This will probably run $30 after tip and tax. I would give this place four stars because the service, as with all asian restaurants can be spotty. What earns them that extra star is because of the following anecdote: One evening after filling up on prescribed meal above, my co-workers and I began discussing what a sake bomb is. We, at the time, had no intention of consuming said drink... that is until our waiter popped his head from around the booth and proclaims, "Saaaake booomb?", So began our descent into debauchery and it has continued in tradition weeks subsequent to this.
(5)
John L.
Until the night of the Yelp prom, I had never done Shabu Shabu before. Kudos to Roni for putting up the event, because I would have never come here otherwise. So, the basics of shabu shabu (at least what I think they are) are that you order broths, a meat, and a noodle-related thing, and you dip the latter two (as well as some veggies) into said broth. Now, based on what broth you get, you get different tastes, as the broths are infused into the foodstuffs. It's quite good, actually. It's particularly good for a group setting (in this case, myself, Roni, Becki W. , Ben L., John R., and later on Heather H. and Joey M.) It was a little slow, particularly in getting seated, but overall a good experience.
(4)
S L.
Chinease version of Shabu Shabu?! Fun to try two differenct stocks with great portions!
(4)
Yvonne W.
The server we had was unprofessional and annoying -- she was friendly and attentive, maybe too attentive, but she just acted too immature. They need some older (or at least more mature) servers here. Also, she kept pushing us to order things that we didn't want -- uhh, NO. That's probably my only complaint about this place because we liked everything else -- the soup base selection is great (we had the Sichuan spicy and tonkotsu broths, which were both really good), as is the noodle selection; i really liked the potato noodles and the spinach noodles that we got. We got a seafood combination plate, the lamb/beef slice plate, and I had the plum martini (can't remember the name), and my lovely had the rose by the glass. Their vegetable platter that comes with each entree is pretty good - loved the taro pieces in them. The sa cha sauce is SO good with the meats. I had to get more of it! The drinks we got were really good, too, and not overly sweet. The seafood and meats were well prepared and fresh. Words of advice, though: don't get the free soup base -- I had that the first time I came here about two years ago, and it's such a disappointment (it's free, so I guess we can't expect much). The decor here is also very modern and trendy, but not in a snooty way. I'll definitely be back here for more hot pot since it's getting colder now.
(3)
Elena B.
Hands down the BEST hot pot restaurant around the Boston area. The lunch prices can't be beat. The restaurant is big and I've never had to wait. I've never had a problem with the food, it is always fresh and always prepared correctly. The service is pretty good, can get slow when it is busy but hey, they are only human. Only complaint, parking is difficult but I guess that's the case for anything in Boston.
(5)
Kelly C.
Loved this shabu place. It's very spacious, so there was no wait, even on a Saturday night. Pretty big portions for decent prices - Prime rib shabu, dumplings and shrimp tempura for about $20 each. The pot is split in two so you can choose different broths - the kimchi one was delicious and spicy. The service could have been much more attentive though. Overall, a great spot for some hotpot.
(4)
Tracy C.
This is our go to place for hot pot. Immaculately clean, contemporary and spacious. Great selections of delicious meats and food. They have all sorts of broth from herbal to pho to tom yum.
(5)
Thy L.
I was so happy when Kaze opened a couple years back. I really hated the fact that Shabu Zen was my only option for hot pot. I prefer Kaze for sure! Here's why: 1) More space means less wait. Kaze has two floors to serve both you and me! 2) The udon here is nice and fat, just the way I like it. The udon at Shabu Zen look like they have anorexia. 3) Prime Rib Combo as a Meat Combo option. I don't need to settle for crappy quality beef to get variety. I can get my prime rib and lamb! 4) Extended choices for soup bases. Shabu Zen only has plain pork broth and a few spicy soup bases. Kaze has the spicy varieties along with other notable ones like Japanese Curry, Malaysian Satay, Japanese Tonkotsu, Miso and more! One thing I think Kaze could improve on though is their waitstaff. They need friendlier and happier people. Although the girl I got at lunch today was pretty awesome, generally their servers leave a lot to be desired.
(4)
Michael C.
Great place for a leisurely dinner or lunch! Dinner here is a wonderful experience. The food is fresh, displayed in a manner that really makes you want to dig in. The staff is great about showing how get started (it can be a bit confusing the first time). Once served the staff tends to disappear. They need to work at paying more attention to the dinners. This is definitely a place to come if you want to take your time eating.
(4)
Jess W.
I'm not a hater but that pink neon lighting inside the restaurant has got to go. Nothing says tacky more so than neon lights. Other than that, I love everything about Kaze! It's not as centrally located as say Shabu Zen or the Hot Pot Buffet but it's still very close and easy to find. There is also a parking lot right next to Kaze which charges $5/ half hour. Not a bad deal considering how difficult it is to park in Chinatown and that paying $10-15 is a lot less painful than having to pay a ticket. They give more veggies and vermicelli than Shabu Zen. Almost too much vermicelli because I never finish it.
(4)
D M.
Alright, so this has become the hot spot for me and Dorian anytime we want Shabu. Shabu Zen pales in comparison in my opinion, and the service is lovely. We always end up getting waited on by Rachel, who must know of brunching habits by now. The true science of really enjoying shabu is ordering more of what you want. Dorian goes for a boat load of mushrooms, and gives me all of her greens, and you should always go for extra noodles if you feel like one bowl isn't enough. The veggie platter is awesome, and I often go for that happily, but when I am feeling carnivorous, I go for the regular beef. The rib eye honestly doesn't taste as awesome to me. My preferred broth are any of them that are spicy and lighter, like the tom yum, which is spicy and vinegary, with a lovely ginger flavor. If you haven't done shabu before, do yourself a favor and go here. It's really the best you can find.
(5)
R.G. W.
I like Kaze Shabu for its calming & intimate atmosphere (high backed booths for parties of 3 or more), sheer selection of meats and side dishes (try the ostrich and home made fish paste noodle), and assorted broths. In general, it's more expensive than the other shabu places, particularly at dinner time. I wish they offered tofu skin, standard, but most American people don't like this, so I suppose it's okay. I've considered bringing my own to drop in, but I wonder what they'd say?
(4)
Michelle L.
We just had a party there, 10 of our girls, and we had a great time! The food was great, many soup bases and a variety of things to select from. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. I love the little details like the pink flowers on the menu. Since we were sitting in the middle of the second floor, it is a little bit noisy and difficult to talk to each ohter. Also the service is a little bit slower than we would like. But still very good.
(4)
Cynthia C.
Yummy yummy yummy shabu shabu. I've had it once before at a shabu place in LA and it was NOT a good experience but this place redeemed Shabu in my eyes. Kimchi broth, miso broth, beef, vegetables, udon noodles, simply delicious.
(4)
Tom E.
Modern and warm, with a fantastic selection of different meats and appetizers and far less crowed than nearby Shabu Zen, Kaze is definitely the number one Shabu Shabu spot in Boston. It's Japanese / Chinese run with excellent waitstaff, so why not make a dick of yourself and have a go at some of the few words you learnt from TV? "Ichiban, qing!" :s I came here with a big group on a cold cold night at the beginning of December and we experimented our little hearts off and came up with this guide for you.... TWO PEOPLE: Meat: * One seafood special * One prime rib and lamb Soups: * Korean (best dipping flavor, not so spicy but then none are) * Chinese Herbal (good contrast, makes best soup at the end) Deserts: * One kiwi smoothie (to share - it's very filling) My only problem with this place was the szechuan spicy soup which really wasn't very spicy at all. Ive had true szechuan hot pot and was close to calling a paramedic. I was hoping for that experience here again, or at least something that tingled my tongue. Alas, not to be - but the other soups were at least very flavourful.
(5)
Kenny L.
For my Boston send-off back to California, my fellow Yelpers and I gathered here to complete my Shabu Trifecta, especially since my very first Yelp night was at Shabu Zen followed by Lanes and Games! This was definitely the best shabu shabu out of the three. I can tell you all about Kaze Shabu that others have already talked about. But what don't the others have in the Trifecta that Kaze does? Shabu Zen - Reservation is well recommended as it can be very busy with limited available seating. Everyone in the party must arrive in order to be seated. Shabu Shabu Toki - medium size seating area compared to Kaze and comparable to Shabu Zen. Side vegetable with your choice of meat is around $4 extra, bring the cost of your entree to a total of a least around $20 each person. No choice of noodles. No plates or bowls for serve oneself when we were there; I was reusing the bowl that came with the udon noodles. And the tea was barely hot (an Asian sin)! Kaze Shabu - Easiest reservations. Me: Can I have reservation for 8 on Saturday? Receptionist: Sure! Called back the next day Me: Can I add two more to the party for a total of 10 tomorrow Receptionist: Sure! Ample space for groups in two stories of space! The choices were plentiful and the prices were reasonable. My only two gripes about Kaze is that it is not a true authentic Japanese shabu shabu (expect no Japanese chefs or servers here). Menu also have only Chinese as the alternative language. Sorry Spanish speakers. And the beef bouillon booth was a bit light and could have had more flavor. I noticed that Allix's vegie miso broth uses the same soup base! Yikes! Oh, and if you're dining with her, make sure to watch out for scalding hot broth coming your way; duck unless you want to get burned! Kidding :) You should definitely read Allix's review (and the idea is from her) as well, but here's my tribute to my fellow Yelp friends that night: S, is for the Saturday night we gathered here for my send-off from Boston. H, is for the happy memories we can reminisce on in the future. A, is for the ample food you will consume at reasonable prices. B, is for the boiling hot broths that you can cook and warm yourself up in a cold winter night. U, is for the uber awesome Yelp friends I have in Boston :)
(4)
Ann C.
IT'S AWESOME. Especially if you like dining to be an "event". Great service, inviting atmosphere (love the 80s nightclub ceiling on the first floor!) amazing selection to suit all tastes! Even if you don't feel hungry or ambitious enough for hot pot, you can just snag a delicious appetizer or two, which are equally as well prepared. The soup broth selection runs all over the map of East Asia - so if your not actually in the mood for the Japanese ones, you can get Malaysian Satay, Thai Tom Yum, etc. The veggies and meat are ALWAYS at their freshest. And the complimenting beverages don't disappoint.........they have green tea smoothies and pina coladas here!! :D
(5)
Ellen C.
Me and eighteen of my closest friends descended upon Kaze Shabu Shabu for my birthday this past weekend, and we had an excellent time. I had made a reservation, and when we arrived there was a large table set up with plenty of elbow room for everyone. An army of waitstaff was ready to take care of us, and they did a stellar job -- no problems whatsoever with incorrect orders, and everything was *fast*. The prices here are very reasonable -- the total came out to $19 each for the food, and we got lots and lots of food. There's a good selection of alcohol (sake, beer, wine, cocktails), and food options for vegans/vegetarians, pescatarians, and those who love plates full of red meat. The shabu pots are split into two sections, so you can have two different kinds of broth -- great for sharing. The location is accessible, right off the Chinatown stop, and right next to 93. Conclusion: Kaze Shabu Shabu = love.
(5)
Mina K.
In the crazy weather of today (lower 50's with wind and rain), omg... This stuff definitely hit the spot. =) It was amazing... and i always forget how much i can actually eat until I come here. YUM! It's only a bit expensive for my taste... however, it was worth every single penny, especially on a day like today.
(4)
Amanda L.
Best part of the dinner? (Besides the fact that we were celebrating the lovlie Chere's bday, and the fact there was CAKE). Ligaya teaching me how to make a chopsticks holder out of my chopsticks wrapper. Anyway, I'm going to be a tad honest here. I'd like to say that I was tremendously excited to finally partake in some Shabu. It's seriously like a demi-god in the world of Yelp, so I was expecting some like of divine revelation or something. ...::insert sad face:: Maybe I picked the wrong broth, or I left it in too long, or didn't leave it in long enough, but most of it was flavorless. The only redeaming factor was the paste and soy sauce that I soaked my food in. I'll admit, I only got the miso base and the regular base....but I was not excited (Especially since it's $3.00 for each base!) I'm also glad me and my BF shared the Surf and Turf, because if we had gotten our own meal, it would have been a hellova lot of money!! For $17.00 I expected a lot more meat/fish. Instead, there were three of everything. I don't know, but that doesn't equal $17.00 in my book. I also expected more veggies. Some of the other reviewers mentioned they give the most veggies here....but I didn't see it. There wasn't enough room either. Maybe it was because there were so many of us, but there was NO room left, at all. I really hate to be the Debbie Downer, so I'll try to end with some positive things. I like the whole interactive dining experience, because it just makes it more fun. My strawberry smoothie was delicious. The service was better than I expected given there were so many of us. The place is REALLY pretty, down to the place mats and the menu. I don't want to say I wouldn't come back here, but I'm not in a hurry to go back either. 3.5 stars. I'm bumping it up to 4 ONLY because I was surrounded by the best Yelpers EVER!
(4)
Nathen S.
Great food and helpful servers. First time at hot pot restaurant and it was a great time.
(4)
Debbie N.
Despite the profusion of shabu restaurants in the Boston area in the past couple of years, Kaze remains my choice shabu place. The tom yum soup base is deliciously spicy, the food is fresh, and the smoothies are yummy. The fast, attentive service here beats its competitors out of the water (ahem, nearby shabu-zen and quincy's shabu). Also, the restaurant has a lot of space (2 floors), and so there is rarely a wait for a table.
(5)
Katie D.
SO FUN! My coworkers and I would come eat here every other Friday or so because it's just a great experience and the food (which you cook yourself) is delicious! Relatively cheap and they've got some great drinks, too.. definitely one of our favorite spots we know we can come to!
(5)
Alan Y.
I had a good experience at Kaze Shabu Shabu after coming here for the first time with 3 other friends. We ordered four different types of broth (I ordered the Malaysian satay) as well as two orders of mixed lamb, pork, chicken, and beef. The meat was thinly sliced and contained very little fat and my broth was pretty spicy. The entrees also came with some vegetables and a bowl of udon sauce. It was all pretty tasty, but I wasn't exactly satiated since we had basically ordered one plate for two people. I also wish the serving sizes were bigger. However, I will definitely come here again.
(4)
Annie P.
I ain;t going to lie.. MAD clean restaurant for Chinatown. WICKED, HELLA.. whatever coast slang you want. No fish smell! Huge deal for all of us sensitive yet accurate hunting dog nose people. Eric should be my best friend. He was the nicest somewhat innocent waiter that a group of confused Shabu Shabu beginners of the United Colors of NYC/Boston Benetton taste buds (one halfJapanesehalfWhite, one halfVietnamesehalfWhite, one Thai and two Koreans) could ask for. I've done the whole individual shabu pot thing but never the sharing with groups thing. It's an indeed fun, bonding and double dipping so trust your seating arrangement neighbor chomping experience. There were so many parties of 6-20 just enjoying themselves that it made me go into rage mode to think they were actually able to gather that many "friends" to go eat there all at the same time same night! Amazing. This place has two sections per pot so strict lined diet humans can come too. Nothing too complicated in the whole process... don't worry your pink brain to pieces... it's more like common sense cooking skills that will get you far in this place. If you;re lacking that... I don;t know what to tell you.. order more sake or beer.. just kidding.. just know these two things: ** Make your sauce ** This means in slow language: You see the minced garlic and chopped scallions with side sauces they laid out infront of you? Now what can that possibly be? Why??? Get your chopsticks or that stabby metal stick you've been dying to use and put a little bit of whatever you want in the already poured brown sauce in small dish they put to the right of you. Voila... dipping sauce. ** Cook according to texture and rawness ** For example... put the longer to cook in complimentary vegetables like radish and corn on cobb first to boil in the soup. This goes for the Udons (fish cakes) too. Meats only take 10 seconds like you do in Pho! Now you are an expert. Play and eat well. Life is pimp in Shabu(I love saying that word)Shabu land.
(4)
Rudy W.
food is freshly cut from frozen meat selection. a bit on the pricey side for the amount of the food you are getting. its a good place to get to know shabu2, but an expensive way of learning the food. there is one interesting soup. malaysian satay soup base. I haven't had that for a while and surprisingly enough, in boston there are many of the restaurant using the name malaysian satay.
(3)
Ami R.
This was our first hot pot experience in Boston. After reading the reviews from Yelp, I was excited. The reviews were spot on this time. We were seated upstairs on a Sunday afternoon. The place was pretty much empty. We ordered the Japanese curry and kimchi curry base, with a vegetable plate and a lamb/chicken plate. Overall, a great place to check out on a cold winter day for some flavorful soup. Prices were decent and the concept of creating your own soup was fun!!
(3)
Alex L.
First time at a shabu shabu place and loved it! Great, friendly staff, and really good food. A few notes: I normally love spicy food, but the schezuan was a bit too intense even for me. My wife's japanese soy bouillon was really salty - I think my plan next time is to get as mild a base as possible and concentrate on the dipping sauces / condiments. Will return soon!
(4)
Ligaya T.
Yay for renovation - dirty karaoke bar, begone! Now the place is a huge shabu shabu (Japanese hot pot) place. The upstairs has pastel colored, spacious booths great for groups of six or less and two electric tops. I'm used to the counter style service, but this is a good alternative when you've got a bigger group and want to relax. We ordered the tomyum and regular soup base with a seafood combo and chicken, and the prime rib. The slices seemed a bit thicker than those at Shabu Zen and tasted great. The tomyum broth was spicy goodness! The veggie selection included watercress, taro, corn and turnip which aren't so common at other spots, so I was pleased. They even had ice tofu, which is layered and more spongey than other types. My companion spoke Cantonese, so the server was nice, not friendly, but helpful. She brightened up when I ordered a bottle of sake. Which upon drinking, made the panning for noodles and stray bits at the bottom of the pot loads more fun. They give all the right tools, pokey thing for raw meat, scooper wire net, chopsticks, and wide spoons too.
(4)
Alyssa N.
I don't mind cooking my own food when the price is reasonable. Shabu shabu was lots of fun here, if a bit confusing at first. Once we got the hang of it, dinner went smoothly. A word of advice - skip the vermicelli noodles. They proved hard to wrangle into the scoop to dip into the pot of broth. On a totally random note - the ladies room has a very cool sink. More arty than you'd expect to find downstairs at a restaurant in Chinatown. Was also relatively clean.
(4)
Jonathan L.
I was pleasantly surprised during and after trying Shabu Shabu. I'm not sure why I doubted it in the first place, but it may have been because it was my first time at a place of this sort. I will be returning and am almost motivated to go to B-town just for it. Service is great, atmosphere is fantastic, and the cooking sauces are extremely tasty. A top-notice place all around.
(4)
Anna F.
Don't go looking for a cheap lunch here. Expect to pay $20-25 a piece for lunch and drink and a shared appetizer. That said the food is really good. The presentation and service are stellar as well. I have been there three times, introducing a friend to hot pot each time. It's an adventure each time as I try new foods like ostrich and strange fish cakes. The soup bases are really the highlight- but beware- they can be very spicy! At lunch time they play soap operas on the TV's. Just FYI.
(4)
Laura L.
I LOVE HOT POT! Shabu Shabu most of the time has a line but it goes by pretty quickly. The service is quick, nice and straight forward. I always get the short rib with tons of veggies put in the kimchee spicy broth. DELICIOUS! The wait staff is very friendly and helpful always ready to pour you more broth and fill your water. Jut remember to not wear white!
(4)
Janie W.
I love Kaza Shabu. Boston does a fantastic shabu, and I haven't been able to find anything quite like it in other cities. I usually get the short-rib combo with vermicelli, plus one or two sides of veggies. The soup is delicious and I love the mix it yourslef sauce. The price is very affordable, especially the lunch deals.
(5)
jenilee p.
It's Chinatown Shabu^2 face off time: Zen vs. Kaze. Today, after much debate and deliberation among fellow hot pot enthusiasts, I do believe that the win goes to Kaze by a slim margin. When faced with an unshakable need to soak raw beef in hot broth, either one will fulfill your needs. But in the case of Kaze, the standalone building offers a slightly more formal, pleasant atmosphere compared to the rowdy lunchroom dinner setting of Shabuzen. The other big plus? At lunch time, there is a choice of broth ranging from classic beef bullion to tomato to spicy szechuan to a pork-based tonkatsu offering. Just another dimension of flavor to enjoy as your meat and vegetable dipping session runs its course. For those unfamiliar with this interactive meal, I'd try the place during lunch. It makes for a pretty good business lunch joint, as it's nicely decorated, fairly quiet, and the price point is right. I recommend ordering the meat combo #1 (beef, with choice of lamb/chicken/pork). A plate of vegetables including corn on the cob, some sort of watercress, spinach, cabbage, shiitake mushroom, a daikon slice, and a piece of white sweet potato will also arrive at your table to join your meat selection. You must also choose a broth, as I've noted above. I recommend going with the beef bullion (for a first timer), the miso is apparently very good, and if you like a little kick, I also thought the kimchi was delectable. When your meat arrives, use your chopsticks, and give it about three to four two-second swishes through the broth, until the thin slices are cooked through. Dip into your sauce and enjoy. With regard to the vegetables, the corn takes the longest to cook, so I usually dump that in first. The cabbage also takes a bit of time, and picks up nice flavor from the liquid. Use your own judgment, there's no wrong way to do this, just add veggies, meat, dip, eat. I always leave udon noodles for the end, dragging them out after a light cooking, and adding bits of the various condiments to the top to enjoy and drag the lunch out just long enough to muster enough courage to return to the office. And of course, don't forget to savor that delicious broth that you worked so hard on. I'm very glad I took part in the Shabu Shabu Summit. I hope our results encourage you to give Kaze Shabu Shabu a try.
(4)
Renee G.
It was midnight on a cold and rainy Saturday night. I was starved and drunk - alas, not drunk enough to forget that I was starved, or that it was cold and rainy. As my friend and I stumbled into Chinatown, Kaze Shabu Shabu beckoned us, all warm-looking and well lit. We were sold. Cheap and quick had initially been the name of the game, but not-so-cheap, not-so-quick, and there turned out to be good enough. I got my stiletto-clad foot stuck between the door and the top step on the way in, which I should have perhaps taken as an omen of pain to come. "Pain?" you ask. The math: (inebriation + extreme hunger) - (patience + common sense) * a plate of assorted foodstuffs to be dipped in a pot of boiling-hot broth = OUCH. I seared both the tongue and the roof of my mouth with my first bite and liberally splattered my decolletage with scalding liquid. It was not. Enjoyable. However, I remain confident that it would have been delicious had I retained the presence of mind to eat like a normal human being and not someone raised by wolves, and would love to go back. Sober.
(3)
Orly M.
So, I have now completed the Shabu trifecta, much like Kenny, who I already miss and needs to get his butt back here for more shabu. Now, shabu is the food of my dreams. I am obsessed with three things: 1)Soup; 2)Condiments; and, 3)Making food needlessly complicated and time consuming to eat. So, shabu is clearly the food for me, with the many utensils and ingredients and sauces and all of that broth. This place was so cute, down to the cute little logo on their chopsticks. We were seated in a big, comfy table in our own little section, which was nice -- we had plenty of space and could concentrate on the conversation and the task at hand. I was sick and it was making me stoooopid so I made a major mess. At least I entertained my fellow yelpers, I guess. Now the bathroom was kind of terrible -- fine, make it a unisex bathroom, but does it need a urinal? I know aiming can be hard when you're covered in soup, but I think guys can handle peeing in the toilet. And heat would be a good idea. And hot water. Having a shabu filled warm tummy and then going to a bathroom like the tundra sucks. Oh yeah, so I bet you wanna know about the food. It ROCKS! Seriously. I got the chicken and beef combo plate. The veggie plate that came with it was by far the most generous and best of all of the shabu places. The tom yum broth and szechuan spicy were both amazing. Nice and spicy!! I may be a white girl, but I like my food spicy, and this place delivered. Lastly, I got the spinach noodles. Yum!!! I could go for some right now.
(5)
Lauren B.
Oh Shabu Shabu. I am a vegetarian who eats fish but has no interest in meat which makes sharing food with meat eating people not that fun. BUT at Shabu, Shabu everybody gets what they want because you make it yourself! Be sure to follow their suggested cooking times, eat up all your vegetables and not go too crazy with the sauces. Oh, and be prepared to take what you can't eat home (and there will be plenty). This is a great place to come with friends because the whole process of deciding on what you want, being brought your ingredients and cooking it at the table can take awhile. I would imagine this would be the worst possible place for a first date or, worse, to be with people with whom you frequently share uncomfortable silences. And don't forget to order a scorpion bowl for one, even if you are eating with enough people to get a regular size. It will ruin the experience.
(4)
Kevin W.
Devon, I was reading your post about your Kaze and it said that you and your bf do this for NYE and its a tradition, its funny that you should say that because my and the gf do that as well. For the past few years we always have done Shabu-Zen in C-Town not the one in brighton, but this year we did Kaze and thought it was serviceable. Between Kaze and Shabu-Zen I like Zen, but I feel like who ever lowers their price by a few bucks will win the battle and see more revenue. If youre craving Shabu t his place is great! Check it out.
(4)
Shaula C.
Have to agree with MzLizz M. here: This is a great crucible for a first date. Very little about the shabu experience can be described as graceful -- you find yourself slopping broth everywhere, fumbling with mollusks in those little dipping baskets and fiddling with the temperature control dials. But the food is tasty and conveniently modular (sharing is good fun!), and there's a nice collaborative aspect to the whole thing. Plus, you've got plenty of built-in talking points if you're stuck for conversation. And if your date can't handle that ... well, it probably wasn't going to work out anyway. Protip: The Vegetarian Delight paired with either the Thai tom yum or the Malaysian satay broth is heavenly (especially on a bone-chilling winter night).
(4)
Ezra A.
Lots of fun cooking your own food. They do a good job of teaching the uninitiated in proper swishing techniques. Beef tongue was surprisingly good. Of course the Ribeye was my favorite.
(4)
Alex T.
Kaze used to be my favorite place to go to for shabu in all of Boston. The portions are bigger here than Shabu-Zen, the service is friendly and efficient, and the soups were top notch ( love the herbal). If I wrote this review even a couple months ago, I would have given this place a solid 3 stars. Unfortunately, most of their cooks have since left and a visit here this past weekend showed a huge drop in food quality and portions. I'm sorry, but I can't excuse a piece of salmon sliced paper thin. The beef is also sliced super thin and the color led me to question the freshness. Service has stayed pretty consistent but the food has really gone downhill. I understand prices of food has gone up but the difference is just night and day. I'd rather they raise their prices or something else rather than kill the quality and quantity. Unfortunately, with all the choices in and around Boston for shabu, I don't think I will be frequenting this location much anymore.
(2)
Yui K.
Perfect spot for our Asian Night get together because..... can it get any more asian? Waiter tried to trick us saying one order feeds one person. We had three orders for five. Coupled with some sake and sapporos made for good conversations and good times. Forget the free soup base, get the kimchi. Zest and flavor infused in every thin piece of prime rib, scallop, and turnip. Tofu purse from the oden plate was a big hit too. How To ShabuShabu guide in the menu gives precise seconds to minutes time to dunk said food. Manager showed us newbs how to mixmake the sauce.
(4)
Jared S.
Went here with my gf after she flew in from San Francisco. Was a perfect meal. We had the Surf & Turf #1 (with Prime rib). Used the Thai Tomyum and Japanese Miso broths. Was a perfect amount of food for 2. Also had a seaweed salad appetizer and shared the Mango Mouse dessert. Great dinner. Will definitely go back.
(5)
Lina G.
I love Japanese cuisine, therefore, I was bound to like shabu shabu. This is a great place....very accessible by the T and right in the center of Chinatown. Went there with my hubby, I was a little nervous at first because the thought of him cooking his own food (with boiling water) kinda scared me. Well we ordered the seaweed salad appetizer which was great. I was so tasty and dressed perfectly. We got the surf and turf with chicken. I'm not a fan of chicken at all so I got a side of tofu. It was yum yum!!! They give you a bit of garlic, scallions, hot sauce to mix in the soy sauce you use for dipping and man, I can drink that shizz. Overall it was fabulous, the service was good (had to remind the waitress about the sauces) and the food yumm-o. The only con is the price, just a bit steep but isn't everything lately?
(4)
Lucy B.
I can't tell you how much I love this place. It's relatively inexpensive - like 12 bucks a person - the wait staff is really nice and attentive. The food is fresh and lovely. The broths are always so good, I haven't figured out which one is best, but I can tell you the Szechuan broth is SPICY. They give you so much food too! The veggie platter comes packed with cabbage, a delicious mushroom, watercress, spinach, turnip, radish, tomato, and more. The meat is cut frozen and rolled for a nice presentation. Great date place, or awesome place to bring a group of people. Love love love this place, I've been craving it constantly.
(5)
Teresa T.
My family's go to place for hot pot in Chinatown is Shabu Shabu so was looking forward to mixing things up by going to Kaze Shabu Shabu. Kaze Shabu Shabu is on the edge of Chinatown and is in a distinct purple cube. A friend had gotten reservations for five of us on a weeknight though upon entering it didn't seem like they were needed. We sat at a booth which were comfortable though the backs of the chairs were thin (kids were sitting right in back of us and kept kicking the seats). The service was friendly though sometimes a little slow however the menu is quite extensive. I am use to just choosing from two or three broths but they had probably about three to four times that. Also they had a lot more beer and drinks to choose from but no smoothies. I settled on the tom yum broth ($3), seafood deluxe with udon ($18) and a hot tea. The tom yum was delicious but spicy and the seafood deluxe had a nice assortment from clams and squid to salmon and fish balls though I kept wondering if these were fresh (there was still some ice on the seafood). I was stuffed by the end and felt that the experience and price were reasonable so I think I would come back here again.
(4)
Kadin L.
i just love everything about this place, from their watermelon smoothie to the prime ribeye beef. oh my gawd, i love the prime ribeye soooooo omuch! Every time i go there, i get Miso and Kimchi for my soup base and an order of Fried Spicy Jumbo Tentacles, seaweed salad, watermelon smoothie, prime-ribeye(x2 if there's alot of ppl), surf and turf with prime ribeye, and tofu skins. I love it here, but there appetizers are kind of overpriced, i mean 6 dollars for some seaweed salad? but they have special hours for half-priced appetizers. Totally recommend KAZE!
(4)
Susan D.
Coming to Chinatown since the 80's, I am glad to see that they made better use of this building. Although from the pink flourescent lights outside, you can gather what it was before it became a fine restaurant. This was my first shabu-shabu experience outside my mother's doors. Boy, it was perfect. I chose the tomyum soup base (spicy, yet complex with slightly sweet and tamarind flavors). At our booth, they divided our pot with a metal divider. So, we essentially shared the whole meal in the same pot: half tomyum and half basic broth. We ordered the seafood array, the red meats with lamb, and a huge vegetable platter. Dumping your food in the boiling broth along with chopped garlic and bbq paste (you got to!) and coming up with delicious tidbits was more exciting than I thought it would be. My favorite part was the watercrest and baby corns absorbing all that delicious tomyum broth. Then, I ladled soup onto my udon noodles and I have myself THE perfect soup. Being Vietnamese, I know my soups. If your company isn't all that interesting, go ahead and play with your food. Use that spider web and search/sieve for straggling goodies on the bottom. Then, slurp up the delicious broth you made. *side note: private & very clean women's room (don't know about the men's) very good green tea ice cream I like this establishment better than Shabu zen
(5)
Christopher D.
Food was awesome. I had the Black Angus rib eye and it was delicious. I also had the boneless short rib which was very, very good. My gf had the seafood platter; parts of it were better than others. The service was outstanding. Our waitress helped us with our food and broth selection, and was very attentive throughout. The ambiance isn't exactly romantic, but it's fun and casual. I will definitely be returning.
(4)
Kenneth C.
This place is outstanding. My partner and I routinely drive the hour and a half to Boston just to have diner here. The food is amazing, the price is great and the service couldn't be better. I recommend this place to everyone I know that is going near china town.
(5)
Sarah S.
I have been here a few times now, all with Yelping Goddess Aretha... it's every bit as wonderful as she says it is. It takes a little getting used to in terms of cooking times and especially getting those noodles out of the pot!!, but it's filling and delicious. My tip: if you can't eat it all, cook all your veggies and what have you in the pot and ask for a to-go container. Don't waste it; it's great for leftovers too!
(5)
Ha T.
Darn Kaze for being so delicious and all kinda yummies! The flavors at Kaze cannot be replicated at its counterpart literally down the street-- Shabu-Zen. We use to come here at least once, if not twice, a week when we lived in the city. So it's hot pot--choose your flavor broth (Kim Chee) and sea meats or land meats (Seafood delight or Vegetarian delight) and you get staple veggies. Tidbits: don't eat here before clubbing and tie back long hair or else it's gonna smell like chicken fish broth. Lunch specials are same meats, only a little smaller portions (but still lots of food).
(5)
Mia D.
YUM YUM YUM! I took a coworker here last week and had a fabulous time! One tip though, if you are foodies, sit at the bar and you can each get your own bowl of 2 soup bases! If we sat at a table, we would have had to share the soups, but our waitress suggested we sit at the bar and we could each get our own 2 soups! Way to go for sure!!! The reason for the 4 bars is really based on price, I thought for the price, it was a little steep for what you got. I mean, come on, no tofu with the veggie plate? And I got ONE mushroom, seriously!!! Of course got plenty of cabbage and spinach (read, cheap!) and how are you supposed to eat corn after its been in a hot broth? Also didn't like that they charged you extra for rice ($1.75) for a bowl of white steamed rice? Come on, that's expensive!!! Okay, but the meal itself was divine! I had the miso base and the kimchi base, I definitely preferred the kimchi base. I got the surf and turf combo 1 which I believe had the better beef option (but still felt it wasn't the BEST grade of beef possible). Loved all the dipping sauces, the noodles, etc... We also had the red bean ice cream of dessert...unbelievably good!!! All in all a very pleasant dining experience! Would definitely go back and take my husband!
(4)
Sara S.
I have been here probably five or six times. I seem to always forget that this place exists and end up going to Shabu Zen, but that's a shame. I'm not exactly sure, but as far as I can tell the prices are fairly similar. They give you larger portions here, wider variety of broths (omg curry!?!? It's amazing, go try it!), but the restaurant itself is much nicer, the food feels fresher and the waiters are more attentive. I wish the location weren't so random, but other than that I love it!
(5)
Anna A.
If you have never been to a "hot pot" restaurant before, Kaze Shabu Shabu is a great introduction. A big pot of hot broth is set in the middle of the table on a induction cooking surface (you can control the temperature with the dials on the side of the table); each person picks a combination plate (either sea-food, meat, or vegetarian, though any plate comes with a good amounts of vegetables) and then proceeds to cook the items in the simmering broth, periodically poking around and fishing out a thing or two. Ultimately, the experience largely depends not on the food you pick from the menu (as it is uniformly fresh, varied and filling), but rather on how well you like your dining companions, since the meal will take you a good while.
(5)
Aleksandra S.
Great place! I had my very first shabu last friday and i love it - such a nice kind of getting together with friends! Wonderful.
(5)
Honeyy l.
i love this place! go there so much we became friends with the manager. when they're busy they do get slow but we get free ice cream after that. reasonable price more food than shabu zen
(5)
Hughes N.
I went to Kaze coz I'm tired of the scene at Shabu-zen: the long wait, the same old self-centered customers. Kaze has 3 times the choice of soup base compares to Shabu-zen and all the ingredients are as fresh. I ordered the Oden, it was surprisingly good, it made me feel nostalgic eventhough I'm not Japanese, LOL. The Malaysian satay soup was really delicious whlie my friend's choice of Chinese herbal was rather weak compare to Shabu-zen. And beware of the cocktails here, they're really strong! It's a nice touch though if u want to get ur female friends drunk,lol. I like the interior here despite it's not good enough for people watching and the waitress here aren't as cute as in Shabu-zen (I don't really care about that, but I throw it out for ppl who think that matter). Finally, the rice and udon here aren't as good as Shabu-zen (for ppl who can tell the diferrent). To sum it up: go to Shabu-Zen if you want to people watching, hit on cute waitstaff. And go to Kaze if you want to have some conversation with your date/friends.
(3)
Kit Y.
By far, my favorite restaurant in Chinatown. I eaten here at least 40 times by now. The service is excellent, the atmosphere us hip and trendy, and I love hot pot! For vegans, this place is WAY superior to Shabu Zen. The vegetarian platter is loaded with watercress, dumplings, taro, daikon, lotus root, napa cabbage, enoki mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, rice noodles, and two kinds of tofu. (All from memory, please clap now). I usually get miso or veg broth, but I decided to try the sezchuan broth loaded with chillies and peppercorns and boy was it hot! I also love that you get to choose from six types of noodles or rice. Mmmmmmmmmm...... I am so full by the end of it that I can't move and it's healthy and fresh and tasty. The price is also reasonable and it's open oh so late. I have come here at least four times when they also have given out samples of their new products to my table. Unfortunately they were always meat, but I was always with some meat consumers anyway which was nice for them. This place is great when you want to eat with others because it really caters to many veggies and omnis and is a great place to eat communally. I once ate with a party of over 15 and it was great because half of us were vegetarian/vegan and we all ate well and got to hang out as a group.
(5)
Vanessa F.
They have $1 PBRs after 9pm. Does the food really matter at that point? The fact that it's good is just icing on the cake. I think everyone's covered the food already. Service is attentive and friendly.
(5)
Tammie P.
My family comes here almost every week, and it's great for accommodating large groups and kids. The food is consistently good, and the service can be a hit or miss. The manager is super nice and usually comps wine or dessert for us. I like Kaze's soup base and veggie selection more than Shabu Zen's, and the portions are better, too.
(4)
Alicia N.
First of all let me take a moment to establish the fact of how much of a staple this place is in my eating cycle. If someone comes into town you know there is always that one restaurant that you HAVE to bring them to. Shabu Shabu is by far that place. Also I am a complete creep when it comes to what I will eat. I can't just stroll by some burger joint and roll in diving into the first item on the menu. This place has something that will arouse even the pickiest or obscure palette. I myself don't dig dairy much or eat meat outside of the swimming family which usually induces the response "so what do you eat? Lettuce"...yea obviously. Anyway, so this place combines unique with old school fondue style which is not only fun it's great if you end up on an awkward date and want to entertain yourself, or with a group of people who want an "outside the box experience". Essentially you end up elbow deep in a pot of boiling soup bases, and your choice of meat (veggie option), and noodle/rice, surrounded by an array of bizarre utensils that add to the experience. They have all the traditional Japanese style apps, but often with a twist. I had never ordered their Tempura until my last visit expecting the usual fried veggies compiled into a tee pee, instead we received some alien life form shriveled on the plate...which was good but not great. Other than that everything was amazing as usual. The bill is usually pretty steep (around $50+ a person if you consider a meal, app, and drinks), so my friend and I decided to share one fondue "setup" and a few apps. We got the seafood tray which I absolutely adore because it is a little bit of everything (I am a huge fan of variety), with two soup bases, and three apps (we're piglets whatev). The other two apps aside from the tempura were great. The seaweed salad wasn't too skimpy, and the corn croquettes weren't bland and didn't have a gross texture. *Let me take a moment to emphasize how much I hate when restaurants disfavor sharing meals, Shabu Shabu was totally positive about it. * The main course was awesome and the waitresses explain everything to you if you say you've never been. Each entree comes with a unique array of dipping sauces/toppings. Again, being a fan of variety I almost dropped trow at the amount of different choices when I first went there. The variety of soup bases are also great for variety...anyway did I mention I dig variety? The fish was practically right out of the boat, and 20 seconds later in my mouth. Instant gratification, who doesn't love it? Most importantly their drinks are out of this world! I have had any and every drink from this place and again they are not weak, not too strong, and unique without peacing out on Japanese style all together. Needless to say half the time I leave I am full but not wanting to vomit, and glassy eyed. LOVE IT!
(5)
Alison E.
I loooooooooove Kaze. :) To be fair, I've only ever been to one other shabu-shabu place (Shabuzen), but I prefer this one. They give you giant plates of stuff to put in, and the broth is really awesome. For vegetarians (like me) there's miso, kimchee, or herbal broth. If you're looking for an authentic Japanese experience, though, my Japanese friend was startled and amused to find that when he thought he was ordering miso as a starter it turned out to be his broth. ;) They're good with groups--I had my birthday and my graduation parties here!
(5)
Kris M.
My first real shabu experience! For my farewell dinner, my boss took me and the rest of our group to Kaze Shabu Shabu. The place is clean, well-lit, and well decorated. I assume the set-up is fairly standard - an induction-plate in the center to keep broth warm, various side dishes and vegetables to go along with your main meat plate and noodles/rice. They do have a pretty good selection of broths, and a reasonably good selection of meat dishes that aren't too expensive. Most of the table, being mainland Chinese, ordered the Szechuan-style broth, the "hottest" one on the menu with three peppers next to the name. Not to be outdone, I ordered the same. When the broth arrived, we noticed mine was lighter in color than the others; we asked the waitress and she went, "Oh, we made it not so spicy for you, because you're American." .... *sigh* Whatever, the meal was good, and trying the "real" stuff, well, it wasn't that hot anyway. Definitely a place to go to for special occasions if you're in the mood for shabu. There's even a nice parking lot right next door, if you get fed up trying to find street parking.
(4)
Ameer N.
i live in sf, where asian food can be found on any and every corner. i used to live with two chinese girls who regularly threw hot pot aka shabu shabu parties. there, i've validated my shabu shabu credentials for all to see! i really like the array of broths this place has: tonkatsu, kimchi, schezuan, tomato beef, etc etc. the seafood platter was $17, the seafood quality was good. my brother got the beef/lamb combo which was mighty tasty. i'd definitely go back to this place on a cold boston day when i have a big appetite and a lot of friends.
(4)
Nam T.
Kaze continues to be the goto spot for my friends, family, and myself. There are several shabu shabu places in boston, but in my opinion this is the best. It's hard to go wrong with shabu shabu but kaze always seems to have the best variety of vegetables and meats available. They're soup bases are also nice and tasty. If you are looking to take a date out for something different, I would think about this place. It offers a great meat and plenty to talk about.
(4)
Michele G.
Delicious! Spicy food, mildly priced. Super clean and cute bathroom, important to sticklers like myself. This was my first hot pot experience and my god, messy, but so delish! That's the first time I've ever used that word, ever. Get the watermelon smoothie (it's real watermelon!!) and the thai broth--mouth-watering.. I have to bring more people here. Everyone is really nice, too, and wait--I almost forgot the mango mousse cake. It's killer. I need to have their key lime pie cake whenever it comes back on the menu. Killer. Go eat there now.
(5)
charley w.
it's actually 1 Harrison street. Anyway went on this place on biz trip because it was damn cold in Boston this time of year. Kaze is wonderful place with nice decore and hot pot is awesome. Try the sezchuan soup base it's the best! I was very surprised to find such good hot pot place in Boston.
(4)
Erica T.
This place is clean! That is a good start for a restaurant in Chinatown. I had the Prime Rib Eye and my friend had the Veggie Delight. We had the "regular broth" and the kimchee broth. I was scared the kimchee broth was going to be too spicy so that is why we got the regular broth. Compared to the kimchee broth, the regular broth had no flavor. However, it was ok. You get a plate of meat and a separate plate of mixed veggies. Nicely arranged and sliced up. The veggie delight came with some of the same vegetable on my plate but with added of tofu and dried tofu. Service was good. They were polite and attentive. The green tea shake was SO good! It's in a tall slim glass, so I think there is less than it really looks. But it was very delicious so I won't complain. I would come here again!
(4)
stacey n.
Plenty of choices for broth. Portions are fairly reasonable. Space is nice comparing to other restaturants.
(4)
Linh V.
shabu zen is better. just saying. our pot was broken so out two broths, kim chee and herbal, just ended up mixing into eachother and the server never once asked us if we wanted to switch it out. but besides that the broths weren't even tasty to begin with! BUT the spicy tentacles are extremely tasty and i sometimes comtemplate going here just to have them.
(3)
Kabir H.
Kaze really shines for large groups or intimate dates, as it's just a lot of fun. You start by picking out a broth, which your server pours into a steel bowl and places on a burner on your table. A tray of vegetables and your choice of meats is brought out. As for choice of meats, they've got a lot of variety here, from standard chicken and beef, to ostrich and live shrimp. You slowly throw everything you want into the pot and let it cook, and the end result is a fresh, delicious meal that you've just made yourself. I really can't think of a better spot to visit on those cold winter nights, as the broth really warms you up and it's awfully hearty. Service is near impeccable: quick, courteous and great at helping you navigate the menu if you're a first timer. If you don't mind working for you food, you'll find the experience memorable and the rewards plentiful.
(5)
Jenna C.
My boyfriend took me here on our first date. I was reluctant at first, because I had never heard of the place but after we arrived I was really happy with the choice he had made. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and the waitstaff are helpful and friendly. This was the first shabu shabu restaurant I'd ever been to, and I thought the idea of cooking the food at the table was a great one for a first date. We ordered miso broth, which was very tasty, and the combination meat dishes. The waiters bring out a large amount of vegetables, mostly cabbages and greens, and then the meat, rolled up in little rounds. The entire act of cooking your own meal, tasting some of the mystery vegetables they give you, and seasoning your own soy sauce makes this restaurant really fun and entertaining. I highly recommend it and would take anywhere there who hasn't experienced shabu shabu.
(5)
Suzanne M.
I came here because of the great Yelp reviews and close proximity to the Opera House where I was going after dinner. Thank you yelpers, this place was a great choice! It was a cool, clean, modern looking place. The seats were comfortable and the general ambiance was contemporary and inviting. I am a novice cook-it-yourselfer, and I have to admit I was a little nervous looking at the array of utensils and trays of spices in front of me. However, there is a great little "cooking tips" guide in the front of the menu that tells you how long to cook and what to do with the spices & soy sauce. That was very helpful, and I kept the menu with me throughout dinner just in case I forgot how long to cook some things. The food was very good. We tried the tom yum and the Japanese miso broth. Though the tom yum was given a 1 out of 3 spice rating, and that met my expectation, as it wasn't that hot but had more kick than the not-spicy miso. I was afraid to get the rated-3 szechuan broth but will definitely give it a go next time. We shared chicken and pork, which ended up being a ton of food. For noodles, I we had the udon and the vermicelli. Our waitress told us to put them into the pot for 5 minutes, which we did, and then struggled to get them out. Especially the udon noodles - they kept slipping back in! I definitely splashed myself a few times. I will follow the other yelps on here and just spoon broth into the noodle bowl next time! We tried the Romance Sake per the recommendation of our waitress. It was smooth. We started with an appetizer of edamame, which was unnecessary, since the food comes out very quickly. We got the broth and vegetables before the edamame! I thought Kaze was reasonably priced. Each entree was $11, the broths were $3 each, and the sake was $20. Thanks Joyce - I did not know that Kaze was owned by the Fugakyu owners.
(4)
Shang S.
I've had Chinese hot pot since I was a little kid at home, so my standards for hot pot, no matter how simple, are pretty high. Despite its Japanese sounding name, all the ingredients are pretty standard Chinese, and most of the wait staff (and the owner, I believe) are Cantonese, but that's not really a big deal here. Price and Location: We paid a total of $44 (before tip) for 2 sets and an appetizer (steamed gyoza, thumbs up). For the price you pay and its convenient location, I was very satisfied with Kaze Shabu Shabu. For two people, we decided to order one set each (basically, you specify the soup base, the meat, and then they give you veggies and a choice of bowl of noodles or rice). Service: The food arrived promptly, it was nicely sliced and clean. Service was courteous and friendly. Since I tend to eat a little slower than usual, I turned down the heat so that the pot wouldn't overcook the things I had in there, but the waiters sometimes come by and check on you and adjust temperature accordingly. Middle through the meal they will also add soup base for free as the rest has boiled away. Taste: I had the malaysian satay base while my friend had the Japanese miso base. If you like strong tastes, I definitely recommend the satay base, it's not too spicy at all. If you get a bowl of noodles, it's really fun to put the noodles into the soup base too. You also get small dishes of soy sauce, satay sauce, garlic, green onion, and red pepper which you can mix together in your own bowl to make your own tasty dipping sauce. This is perfect comfort food for a cold winter night. Klutzes beware! It can get a little messy at times. I've found that the bok choy pieces especially were too large and had to break them into smaller bits before placing it inside the soup. Overall, I'm definitely coming back here again! But first... gotta febreeze the soup smell out of my jacket...
(5)
alison j.
Shabu is super duper fun. I went here for a friend's birthday on a Saturday night. I made a reservation and had to move it back an hour about a half hour before we were supposed to be there, but the staff was very accomodating. We ordered the chicken, short ribs and lamb. I wasn't a huge fan of the lamb (I think I don't like lamb in general though), the chicken was good and the short ribs were amazing! The service was excellent and the waitress took a little time out with us to explain the different broths, cooking times, how much food we should order to share, etc. My scorpion bowl was a little weak, but overall it was a really fun and delicious experience. I would definitely come back.
(4)
Jessica M.
My friend and I came here at about 8PM on a Saturday night with a reservation and were seated almost immediately. The waiter was really nice, but didn't come back to check up on us and refill our water. Had to ask for napkins. Food was great, service was otherwise fast, and a great experience I'd recommend.
(4)
Michael L.
I only wish there were a place like this closer to where I lived. The food was good, and the prices reasonable. This is also one of the cleanest hotpot restaurants I've been to before. While the lunch special wasn't enough to fill me up on its own, you can add sides of meat for only $4 more. On a cold Boston day, this place totally hit the spot.
(5)
aaron t.
I came here by accident but plesantly surprised at the quality and variety of options. Usually I tend to go to Shabu Zen nearby, but Kaze has a much large menu, more options, and is just as delicious, if not less crowded. The price is awesome, and it'll fill you up. If your not familiar with shabu style, it's cook your on food in a big shared brothe with your friends at your table. This is what separates shabu zen and kaze. Shabu zen has mostly individual bowls which is great if you are picky about eating out of your own cooker, but sharing is what makes the experience great.. You choose the soup base, the meats, and you get lots of little extra vegetables to eat up. It's a great ritualistic experiene to have a good time with friends. Come here with a small or large group. I think they have an upstairs which i have not been to. Near a T station and walking distance to various entertainment venues.
(4)
Lanoi P.
this place is spectacular. perfect for any occasion, eff boys to girls night to first date night. its perfect because you pick what to eat and how long it takes. since you're cooking everything yourself its a perfect setting to just relax and eat at your own pace. no rushing by your BU undergrad waitress. sooo bring on that sapphoro and sake. gaze into your dates eyes or throw everything in to the pot all at once. the choices...meat, kobe or ostrich...tofu or vegetarian delight. everyone wins!
(5)
Peter V.
I can't believe I didn't try this place before. Wait times are much shorter here than shabu zen. If you get a table on the side, it is very spacious much more so than sitting at shabu zen. They also have excellent appetizers, try their special seafood roll. I tried the tom yum broth and it was pretty good. Next time I might be brave enough to try out the ostrich.
(5)
Lachinita X.
I LOVE this place!!! I'm leaving Boston soon, and I'll come back to visit Boston - just to eat here. Kaze is one of the best shabu places I've been to outside of Asia. and it's actually clean and a nice place to eat and bring friends and family who are from out of town. I think it's a little expensive for shabu for dinner, so I come here for the lunch special. I usually get the Malaysian Satay broth, but it's sometimes inconsistent. Sometimes, the flavor is just right, other times, it's not that flavorful. To be safe, I get both the Malaysian Satay and the Tom Yum, which tastes absolutely delicious with beef or lamb. Other broths I highly recommend are the Japanese Soy Sauce with Seaweed, Japanese Curry (so good with udon noodles!), and Szechwan Spicy if you genuinely can handle really spicy foods. I know the portion size for the vegetarian dish is very generous, and if I'm not up for meat, I would order it and still leave very satisfied. I've never really had anything else besides shabu-shabu. Kaze has half-price appetizers though, and once in a while, I'll splurge for the Japanese fried oysters. Yum! Also, if I have room, I will always get the trilogy mousse cake. It may not be very Asian, but it's awesome.
(5)
ChianWen T.
It's been years since I had shabu shabu. The last time was about 6 year ago at Miki in Ann Arbor with.....oh you know. From time to time, I seriously believe I either have mad cow disease or Alzheimer's, but moments like these make me believe otherwise. Kaze is surprising good considering how inexpensive it is. For about $20 each, we ate until we had to roll our tummies out the door. Good food + inexpensive + cleanliness = CW, a fan
(4)
Sean C.
Great place to have Shabu-Shabu in Boston area. I have been enjoy the meal there for couple times and every time I change a type of soup in Shabu-Shabu. Every soup type has its own taste and very good quality. Service is good and the price is quite affordable. *Pork bone soup is my favorite.
(5)
Steven P.
Although I prefer Shabu Zen, my brother is an avid fan of Kaze, so we went there along with my sisters for dinner. We ordered lots and lots of dishes, like the surf and turf, tripe, salmon, watercress, and watercress, and a helluva lot more watercress. We chose two different broths, which was decent in flavor. My main gripe was the udon noodles which was always brought out cold. So you'd have to either dump the noodles into the broth to steam them, or to try and pour the broth into your bowl and hopefully having the noodles nice and just the way they should be. Overall, the meal was nice and filling. Though, if I had to, I'd chose Zen or Kaze. But, if Zen which usually is always packed, is full, Kaze would be next on the list.
(3)
Mike T.
I thought it was only the English that thought that boiling meat was a good idea. It turns out that the Japanese are meat boiling artists. Kaze is alot of fun with a group and the food is very tasty and reasonably priced. Order one of the mixed meat plates and one of their spicer broths. Their version of spciy is actually pretty mild.
(4)
Kristin M.
Love this place, and am loyal to Kaze over Shabu Zen ever since they opened. I mean, for one, it used to be the hot lesbian spot on Saturday nights. Now it's Japanese shabu shabu- how appropriate. Good memories here: the owner knows us and is very friendly. The food is great- I usually order the Surf and Turf. Some of the platters are large enough to share, or if you order separatetly there will be leftovers (yes we are so asian that we take our soup to-go- they will do it for you, just ask). Lots of soup base and noodle options- I especially like the cilantro and egg one. The last time we went though, we noticed they had changed the veggie platter from yummy things like diakon and taro to carrots and broccoli. :( EDIT: last time, the diakon and taro were back!
(5)
Antony S.
The good: Everything. Pictures of what you can order on the menu, friendly staff, T.V.'s all around yet still a great ambiance, fancy bathrooms, cool lighting...and DELICIOUS FOOD The bad: Nothing. Nothing at all! Joyce K, an nba groupie, sums it all up perfectly . This is my easiest rating yet: 5 stars and I'd give them more if I could.
(5)
Chin C.
I like the variety of broth they offer. And by far the one I like most is Japanese Tonkotsu. For app I love Fired Spicy Jumbo Tentacles, it was so tasty, crispy and as the name stated, spicy. The entree we have prime rib, short rib, lamb and seafood. The prime rib and lamp were fine, the short rib was great. The prawns were big and fresh you have to try it. If you want to put some twist in it, try Thai sukiyaki sauce, it's spicy so be careful. The place is not that big but plenty of room, but no long line. The services were quite good too.
(4)
Kristin G.
The Japanese Curry broth is to DIE for. I've been here a few times- just went back last week for a friend's birthday and was not disappointed. The food was fresh, the broth was delicious and the staff were totally friendly.
(4)
Sean M.
Legit high-end Chinese/Pan Asian style hot pot with decent sushi. Really nice bar and decor. Staff is attentive, knowledgeable and patient. Very good appetizers but don't fill up, cause the platters are generously portioned. We always like to get two or three broths going and share, so a group of 4-6 is optimum. But you have a nice meal for two here as well. Tip on the spicy broth: Don't leave the szechuan peppers in the boiling broth for more than a minute or two.
(4)
Stephen K.
Stumbled into this place all drunk not realizing it was a hot pot place. Had a pretty good time - the service was some of the best I've ever seen. The staff's English is very basic, so my friend had some difficulty in communicating that she was a vegetarian. But it worked out! You choose a broth (like $3-5) and then a selection of meats or seafood, and then you cook it yourself. It is what it is, pretty fun gimmick place.
(3)
K J.
Konichiwa. I love Japan, from the martial arts to their cars. And this includes the food as well. Sushi and Shabu have become my perennial favorites. Shabu, for those who landed here from Google, is Japanese style cooking where you can order the ingredients and a soup. The soup is delivered in a bowl that is shared by two people and compartmentalized. So people sharing the bowl can have different soups. The bowl is placed on a stove on the table and while the soup is boiling you can add the ingredients and let them cook for sometime and use the assortment of straining spoons to transfer to your plate and enjoy :) Truthfully when I went there for the first time I hated it and vowed never to come back again. And like politicians changing stands I changed mine too. What caused me to change it? I don't know. I went there probably to give it a second try, probably because my body was craving hot fluids from a terrible cold. But I loved it the second time, and the third time, and the fourth..... The food is pretty pricey considering all they do is provide you the ingredients and you are left to do the "cooking".My favorite is the spicy Tom Yum soup with the veggie plater. The veggie platter came with an assortment of thinly sliced and diced vegetables, and included cubes of tofu, some kind of veggie balls, a small corn cob... I even once ordered an Oden platter (not to be confused with Greg Oden from the Portland Jailblazers) which considered a variety of fish, but I feel that the shabu tastes better with the veggies more than anything. So this review may not be much about the place, but more about the food in general. But even with the restaurant, I was sometimes left to fidget with the stove controls myself since the soup boiling too much, and at that rate I would be left with veggie curry in no time. And with the spicy soup, I would like my water filled when it is empty. But little things like these is not going to stop me, and you, from going here once again. Sayonara.
(4)
Mindy G.
This place is the BEST shabushabu place ever. Japanese owned, Chinese waiters/waitresses, classical jazzy music, steamy soup base that you can choose from (Kimchi, original, ...), and fantastic meat and reasonable price. Especially on a cloudy/rainy/cold days, there is nothing that soothes better than Kaze. Lunch goes till 3pm everyday, even on weekends -- much better deal compared to dinner portion. Even tho they say dinner portion is "larger" than lunch, proportionally (amt of meat/ price), lunch is much better. Also, check out the bathroom too - the faucet is amazing! I want one of those in my personal bathroom later.
(5)
M. Deloris D.
I thought I knew shabu-shabu, then I met Kaze. Large portions fresh meats, fresh vegetables delicious broth, healing for the cold and flu ridden of you. SMOOTHIES. YUMS, in the plural. Spicy crispy tentacles were never so tantalizing as at Kaze. The meat orders come with generous servings of vegetables so, if you're not averse to meat broth but don't want to eat meat, you can split with a carnivorous pal and come out of here having spent less than $15 each. You can order affordable ($3 and up) 'sides' of meats and vegetables to augment your dining scene and everyone can leave with a full belly. Some call that shabu-shabu. I call it sensible.
(5)
David X.
I really like Kaze a lot. I won't bore you with a typical review since there are so many here. I'll just list some things that I particularly like and things I don't. 1.) It is around the corner from the Boston Common Movie Theater, so it is a perfect date - movie and meal. 2.) I like the decor. Tons of booths - most with window views. Two floors. And the place has never been crowded any time I have been there. On a cold winter's day, the windows fog up and there's nothing more relaxing than eating soup while watching the snow fall. 3.) They give you a wide variety of vegetables. If you get the Veggie plate, they include 3 types of mushrooms, dumplings, 2 types of tofu, extra noodles (on top of the ones that automatically come with the dinner). I just like the amount and the variety. Now I do have a few gripes. 1.) One time, we had ordered our meal and the waitress asked if we'd like today's special side dish. Most of those on the menu cost about $5. The side dish was giant clam. So foolishly, my partner said "sure", expecting a typical small side dish. Sure enough, they brought out a HUGE service dish with enough clam to feed an army, and when we got the bill, they had charged $35 for it. So... NEVER order anything there without knowing the price first. 2.) One time, the watercress was so fresh that there was a snail crawling in it. 3A.) I'm sure this is typical with all shabu restaurants. The big joy I get out of shabu is being able to slowly make my own broth so that by the end of the meal after it's been simmering for an hour, the broth is amazing. My gripe is that they come around and add more of the free regular broth if your broth is getting low - negating all your hard work. Having learned this, I now wave them off if I see the waiter approaching. But as part of this, if you order a special broth for $3, it is often pointless since they usually come around very quickly to add more broth to your pot and the broth they add is always the regular broth. I think if you pay for special broth, then the extra broth they add should be the same kind at least. b.) Since I love to make my own broth, the place is perfect when there are two of us since each of us get half a pot. But on the times there have been THREE of us, three people have to share a pot with a divider that divides it in half. So no one gets to make their own broth. Couldn't they get larger pots that divide into 3 parts for people who come with an odd number? Anyway, so far Kaze is my favorite Shabu place in boston. I've only been to four though. Still haven't gone to the original (shabu zen?) so that's next on the list.
(5)
Todd K.
Kaze Shabu is a fun place. What other restaurant gives you a tray of raw, frozen meat and a boiling cauldron of broth for delectable carnivorous enjoyment? I'm always down for making a mess and playing with the heat element any chance I can get.... But seriously it is a fun place with good food. I usually get the hot pot with some sort of spicy-ass broth base (I think it's worth a little extra for that 2 hour later zing), the rib eye (I've found the chicken to be a bit chewy in hot pot - but the beef is excellent) and mix up my noodle choice (all are pretty good).
(4)
Jezzieo O.
DELICIOUS! Yummy food and a super reasonable price. My favorite go-to spot before/after going to the theater. Lots of veggies that come with the meat selections, and every broth I've tried is great. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Linda T.
I signed up for yelp just to write this review because I felt like I had to get the word out there. First of all, my bf and I USED to eat at Kaze twice a week because we loved it that much. The food was delicious and the waitors were awesome! We'd go during lunch time, dinner time, and even late late at night. Then recently they started this $1 beer thing after 9pm. We noticed that they don't check IDs. We noticed the customers were all underage! They don't look a day over 18. Not only do we not condone underage drinking, we were just annoyed by how loud and obnoxious they all were. And this wasn't just one night. We've been here a couple of nights and all those nights were annoying. Now this isn't the main reason why I'm not eating here anymore. The biggest reason was that they charged our card twice and it took them over a month and a half to even refund it. We'd call every single night and the manager Raymond said to call back tomorrow, call back tomorrow, CALL BACK TOMORROW. Every tomorrow we'd call back and he'd say the same thing and every single time we had to give him our credit card number! My bf and I got fed up so I told him that we'd go there in person. My bf is chinese so he spoke to him in Chinese and I guess Raymond got more chummy. Within a couple of days we got our money back. We stayed away from Kaze for a month and half because of this. When we did decide to go back we found out about this underage drinking thing. What really brought me to write this review here is because we found out we weren't the only ones being charged twice. My sister and her friend recently went there for dinner and she had told me that they had done the same thing and refused to reconcile! So all in all, I say that the food IS GOOD. But that will not bring me back. If you do visit, pay in cash and don't go during night hours. This place will probably be shut down soon anyway considering they serve to minors. Go to Shabu Zen a street over. It'll save a lot of trouble.
(1)
Jeff H.
I always forget how good this place is when I have been away. Recently went there for a Holiday lunch with friends. Absolutely wonderful Shabu Shabu for a cold December day. Veggies were super fresh. Meat selection was very nice (did sirloin and lamb) and added their delicious home made cuttlefish paste (cooks up into little fluffy fish pillows). Great broth selection (love Chinese herbal). Lots of delicious ways to customize your Shabu Shabu.
(5)
Tony L.
After having just returned from California on a business trip, I had a deep craving for shabu shabu. While in California, a colleague of mine took me to a restaurant in downtown Mountain View called Shabuway and it was fantastic. I was determined to find a nice shabu shabu restaurant in Boston to satisfy my craving, and thanks to Yelp, Kaze suddenly appeared on my radar as a place to have dinner. As I approached the restaurant (which seems to have its own solitary presence on the outskirts of Chinatown), I was given the impression that it would have a nice atmosphere within, which turned out to be true. I would definitely recommend making reservations (at least for dinner on a weekend) as we were told the wait would be 20 minutes but really turned out to be 30-35, and all of the seats were taken in the waiting area. We were then seated at the bar area, which was distinctly different from a table in that each person had their own electric stove and boiling pot, as opposed to the dual-pots they provide to those seated at a table. The service was great, the staff was very attentive to our needs throughout the night. We ordered the prime rib eye beef as well as the black angus beef, and surprisingly, the black angus turned out to be more tender. The broths we chose were the korean kimchi and the japanese soy sauce with seaweed, both were delicious (obviously the kimchi broth made everything very spicy). The japanese potato noodles were a great accompaniment to the meal. Overall, I was extremely satisfied with the quality of the food. For those people that lack the experience of DIY restaurants (such as myself), there was a helpful cooking guide on the menu. I can't wait for the next time I come back to this place!
(4)
Samantha L.
This was my first hot pot experience, though it's so similar to fondue, which I had my first experience with about a year ago. It was pretty good, but I wish I got something more exciting than the miso soup for the base, and I got ostrich as my meat, which apparently is better when served steak-like rather than in strips you toss in a hot pot. I wish they gave more than one mushroom as well.
(4)
Anders R.
First shabu shabu outside of Asia. Really good at Kaze, Thai broth is authentic, the Szechuan broth is serious...rookies need not apply...
(4)
gado.gado D.
Out of the same owner of Fugakyu. Somewhat healthy food - good service and fun to bring guest from out of town. Dinner is more expensive than lunch for the same amount of food and all. hot pot - not good for kids under 10.
(3)
Bridget D.
A Happy Birthday to me celebration was held at Kaze on Saturday night. Guests included Mumsy, Papa, Big Sis, Small Sis, Scottish Boyfriend of small sis, and birthday girl. Diners enjoyed their first shabu shabu experience. "You mean we have to cook our own food?!" states boyf of small sis. Yes, indeed we do and did. Deep fried cream corn appetizer. That is how we roll. Big sis and I (vegetable-tarians) shared our cooking pot with veggie broths. "I don't want any meat splash in my food," announces Big sis. Assorted tofus (one was skin like!), noodles and veggies swirled in our bubbling broths of chinese herbal and miso. Oh, and also yummy dumplings, but don't cook for too long or they melt and dissapear. We kept forgetting what we threw in the pot. Mumsy and small sis had assorted seafood platters. Small sis liked the salmon, "I made salmon rice soup!" No one liked the clams, "Ah, that tastes like burnt clutch!" (Boyf of small spit out.) What was that half circle pink and white seafood item? Nobody knows. The boys went for the meats. Papa had chicken and pork, "Chicken good." The boyfriend of small sister, a bold and daring Scottsman went for ostrich. OSTRICH! He liked it, but he likes everything. Papa was a little silly after a bottle of Sake, "Throw everything in here, all your veggies! I am the sample boy." Waiter Frankie was very nice and showed us how to mix in the sauces and the soy. Possibly he became annoyed with Mumsy as she continued to fiddle with the temperature control dials. "Let him do that!" The table was covered in vegetables upon noodles upon broths upon bowls upon plates upon plates. "I feel salty." Mmm good birthday.
(4)
Kim N.
One day we mosied on over to Shabu Zen, but as per usual, the wait was uber ridiculous. So my friend suggested Kaze, which is just a short walk over. This place is much bigger and there was NO wait. The shabu is just as good here, so I don't know why Zen gets all the lines, but hey, as long as I don't have to wait here, I'm good with it.
(4)
Fortuna F.
first time here after months of having the girl beg me to go. I love hot pot but it's a complicated relationship. I know boiled beef just isn't my style, I know that rolling with boiled fish paste just ain't right but it's so good mama. so dammmn good. if you don't like cooking and don't like something different then stay away--hot pot makes you feel primitive and awakens that primitive appetite that just can't say. this place is good by my hot pot standards. Clean place, fresh food, decent service, nice induction stoves, good broths, and good selection of meat (wham bam thank you lamb), veggies (watercress is best), seafood (tasty the fish pastey)
(5)
Christina K.
This place is just as good as Shabu-Zen. I ordered the surf and turf II combo. SO MUCH FOOD! The vegetable plate was really great, had the whole assortment. The broth I got was 3.00 extra... Malaysian something but it was good. (FYI It had a spicy factor of two "peppers" on the menu- I am white, like spicy food, this really wasn't spicy at all I cannot comment on the 3 pepper spice factor) I saw a really good looking scorpian bowl at the table across from me, but just got a kirin. Minus one star because the temp control was kind of weird at the table so my side of the pot was boiling but the person sitting across from me wasn't, and then the waiter turned it up then it was boiling wayy too much. I left feeling warm and full and happy and now crave this place all the time
(4)
Sushi Y.
hands down, most flavourful hot pot ever! i dont know of any other places where there is such a large selection of broths. there were four of us, so we had four different flavours- chinese herbal, chinese broth with preserved egg, malay satay and tom yum. It was a shame that they put the two chinese broths on the same side of the table as it was beginning to get too much on our sides of the table. i loved the little extras readily available to mix with your basic dipping sauce- I went crazy over the minced garlic and chopped green chillis, but there were chopped green onions as well as others i couldnt remember- there was so much stuff on our table it was a hot pot fest! The broth was so tasty there was hardly need to dip, but there were times I wanted to thrill my tastebuds and pack in the flavour... oh mi gosh, i just dribbled onto the lap top..... We ordered three kinds of beef and a seafood plate. Our extra treat were a side of live shrimp, wringling on their sticks.... look away children! yum!! (oh dear!...) the menu has a good selection of drinks- smoothies, cocktails and beer- staff were attentive and were on top of the empty plates. Broth was topped up in timely manner- or maybe they could read our faces when we pulled slight sour faces when things were getting intense. only downsides were the deary christmas tunes which began to annoy us after half an hour, Our server also forgot our mango shake, but not a huge loss. With two beers in top of our food, the bill was around 100 dollars- not cheap, but worth it...
(4)
Nicole B.
i love it here! it's clean, it's fun, it's yummy too! you can be as adventurous as you want while you mix it up with broth, meat (you can get ostrich), noodles, etc. the service isn't fantastic but you know what, i never expect amazing service in chinatown, so don't let it get you down. i have not had the pleasure of trying one of their drinks yet, but the "head hunter" looked great. yay for interactive eating!
(4)
Jaquelina L.
I am so glad that this place exists in Boston. Coming from SF bay area, I will have to say this shabu-shabu place is really good. I am very impressed. Their satay soup base is superb and the szechuan spicy is good too!! Will definitely come back.
(5)
Tim N.
This is an ok place to enjoy hot pot cooking. Food is good and they give you many different soup bases to choose from although some are much better than others - in my opinion the herbal broths and the thai tom yum are definitely better than the seaweed. My main complaint is that they have trouble finding NESN on the sattellite, unlike Zen where they have the Red Sox on the TV every time I go there. Zen is smaller so there's usually a line out the door on the weekends, however Kaze is a good alternative provided the Red Sox aren't playing. Also - make sure you point out which meat platter you want to order as they have a tendecy to default to the most expensive option if you're not specific.
(3)
Diana G.
My friend first brought me here a couple of years ago, and I LOVE it. Fun place to go on a zero-degree day! The food is tasty and healthy. My favourite broth is kimchi because it's spicy. The short rib & ostrich are also excellent if you're looking to try something different. Meals go best with a bottle of Kirin. Enjoy :)
(5)
Craig C.
We were the only non-Asians in the place which was a good sign. I never ate at a place like this and my chopstick skills really suck so I was glad that we were seated right on top of two different couples on our left and right. That way I could cheat by looking at my neighbors like my tests in high school. I was a little uncomfortable at first so I ordered us two Headhunters to get a little numb. It was vodka, coconut milk and pineapple juice. It was good but not strong enough so I gave mine away and ordered a mango shake and a Martini and dumped them together. (I was a bartender many moons ago) The waiter was thrown off by this. He kept saying "Why you do that/" over and over. It was funny. The service was OK. My waiter was the Chinese Jackie Mason. Very deadpan and having no sense of humor at all on purpose but was funny without meaning to be. which made him hysterical to me. I asked him what noodles I should get. "I don't like noodles." "Oh you think I should get rice?" "I don't eat rice." Seriously I thought all Chinese people eat rice. So he was little help. He told us since it was our first time to take all the stuff on the little plates and dump it into the soy sauce and dip it all in there. I noticed that one of the things on the plate was a hot chili and I knew my companion didn't like spicy so I ate one to see how spicy it was.........REALLY SPICY! and I like spicy but ouch. So I asked our neighbors who were more helpful. I ordered the Tamyun broth and she got the Miso. We both got the surf and turf with vermicelli (clear noodles) and the other big white noodles. The Food : The meat is too thin. It cooks fast and turns into steak ums so pass on it. The shrimp. scallops and salmon were really good. The salmon doesn't need cooking. Just eat it sushi style. The shrimp cook fast too. The fish cakes (no) the octopus(chewy) the lettuce (not meant to be cooked) watercress(see lettuce) some kind of whitish purpleish root (good) noodles (good but spoon broth onto them or you lose them in the pot) It was an interesting experience and I was full but I love sushi 100x more. PS. make sure the pot is over the heat. Hers was boiling and mine wasn't for like 15 minutes until I noticed. It was a lot of work but the payoff was a B+. Check it out, you might love it. Why wasn't the Sox game on any of the 9 TV's when Dice K was pitching? We will never know.
(3)
Ashley J.
I really like this restaurant. It is fun and modern. They are very accomodating of special requests within reason. The food is of great quality and super tasty. The prices range from reasonable to high depending on what you order to put in the pot and especially how much you drink. See the pic of me with the enormous pink fishbowl... that is at Kaze haha and I left a little tipsy. It is fun for a date and they will teach you if you are a newbie. Plus in chinatown it is easy to find and there is a lot nearby. Update I went here again Saturday night with my best friend. His bf was out of town so we had girls day shopping and deciding to go out for a fun meal so we could chat as well. He got the beef short ribs, I always get the seafood combo platter. It was even better than the other few times I went there. Maybe it was the company, maybe it was another giant scorpion bowl, but we had a total blast, the food was amazing, the waitress was super sweet and the right blend of available but not annoying. I left there so so so incredibly happy. Thanks Kaze!
(5)
Paul K.
I've been traveling more then average on business as of late. I was in San Diego couple months ago and tried couple shabu shabu places there. Now work decides to fly me to Boston so I decided to check out the shabu shabu. After reading yelp reviews between the 2 shabu shabu places I chose Kaze. The decor was nice. Service was decent. The cut of meat was good. So why the 2 stars? The broth (soy sauce seaweed) was too salty. The veggie choice was below average. But my biggest gripe is the sauce. WHERE THE HELL IS THE BROWN SAUCE!!! All the shabu places I've been to has the brown dipping sauce. It only came with soy sauce of some short. It was too salty. If that's their version of ponzu sauce...FAIL!!! They also came with some hot sauce. It only took me a short time to realize this was Chinese run and they are trying to influence some of their sauce to shabu shabu. This is suppose to be a Japanese cuisine not a Chinese hot pot restaurant. Fix it to make it more authentic and I may return. Btw, I love Boston!! Super nice city.
(2)
Serey A.
My family and I dined at Kaze Shabu Shabu last June 30th after watching "Riverdance" at the Schubert Theatre. Our dining experience was great. For more of my take on Kaze please visit my blog at this-side-of-heaven.blog…
(5)
Mina I.
Definitely my preference in shabu! Every time I go here the staff is friendly and helpful and the food is awesome. I heart hotpot and enjoy coming here to relax. The interior is very nice and comfortable and the waitresses are super. I am usually asked if I would like to try different noodles they make right on site which I think is awesome. Their fish noodle is awesome! Also close enough to the financial district that you can walk over on your lunch hour!
(4)
Q S.
I went to Kaze with a bunch of people. I wouldn't suggest coming here with more than six people (I was with 8 other people). If you come with more than six people, make sure you have a big budget because the plates can get really expensive, not to mention splitting the bill would just be hell between so many people at such a busy restaurant. I would have to try something from the bar the next time I come here. We were there relatively early so I didn't feel like drinking yet. We got there around 6:30pm, which is the ideal time to go since it gets very crowded after 7pm and lines start to form. Kaze has a really nice atmosphere. It's clean and modern with booths and tables that can accomodate large or intimate groups. You can get the small pots, or a group pot. You can also get different flavors of broth. I wasn't a big fan of the vegetable plate since it only gave one piece of taro and mushroom. I did like the short rib beef though. The ostrich was also interesting, but it didn't taste all that much different from beef. I will definitely come back to Kaze again, but I think in the mean time, I'll have to see how Shabu Zen measures up.
(4)
Victoria N.
It seems like the people of Boston are torn between two shabu shabu places: Kaze and Shabu Zen. But is it so bad having two shabu shabu restaurants to decide on? It's only going to make the wait shorter, isn't it? Although I didn't have any problem with lines at either place. I'm tempted, however, to say that I did enjoy my experience at Kaze more than I did at Shabu Zen, but that could be for any number of things. Like the company I was with. But Kaze also has a bit more ambiance, the service was nicer and more helpful, and they also take reservations, which I hear Shabu Zen does not. We were a group of 15 celebrating a birthday, and they accommodated us wonderfully. We didn't have to wait a minute before we were escorted upstairs to their long middle table. We didn't fill up the entire length of it though, so I felt bad for the couple sitting right next to us. This review probably wouldn't be as good if I was on a date stuck next to a big batch of college kids. =\ So Kaze (not to be mistaken for Kaze or Kaizen sushi) offers an almost identical menu to Shabu Zen, although they do like rounding up their prices to the whole dollar. There was a pot for every 4 of us, which worked out well. It was a little tough figuring out how and what to order for such a big group, but the split definitely made it easier. Many people at other pots decided it'd be easier to just order their own entree, which comes with a full plate of vegetables and a choice between rice and a selection of noodles. But I was glad the three people I was with didn't know what the hell they were doing and put me in charge. Now I'm all about getting full for cheap. So we shared the Meat Combo #2 with beef and lamb for $12 and the Seafood Deluxe for $17 in the original soup base at no charge, and it was plenty of food. I know if we had gotten four separate entrees, there would have been so much wasted food, which I hate, hate, hate. All of us put in an extra 4 bucks to cover tax, tip, and Birthday Boy's dinner, and I ended up paying just $11 for everything. Now that's pretty grand.
(5)
So S.
This place is pretty good if you have never had shabu shabu before. However, on a scale of this type of cusine, Shabu Zen (down the street) is waaayy better. Their broth is much tastier and its just better. However, Kaze has more variety . I like their fried oyster appetizers. But they do have a nice decor for those who are beginners in the world of shabu shabu. 3.5 for the taste and 4 for the decor.
(4)
t.T c.
Don't get me wrong, I love the food here, and the price is decent compare to Shabu-Zen. The only thing that keeps me from going there more often than I do is the service. This is by far the worst service I've had encountered, and I've had different waiter/waitress every time. Our teas didn't get refill, we didn't even get any water to start with (nor did they ask), our broth wasn't refill when it was almost completely dry...etc. The waiters/waitresses are always hover around in a crowd speaking and laughing loudly. Last time I was there, I saw my waitress 2 times (once when we ordered, and once when we got the check) My friend lost her credit card there one time, and we called, but they said they didn't find anything, and we're almost positive that's where she lost it. This is the only place where the service is consistently bad. The only good thing about this is the food and prices. Both decent and the kimchi broth is a must try if you can withstand their service. kazeshabushabu.com/menu.…
(3)
Stefanie K.
I love shabu-shabu in general, and I think this place is particularly good (I like it just a little bit more than Shabu-Zen, which is where I had my first shabu-shabu experience). Kaze has two floors and plenty of space; it would be good for a big group. The broths are really excellent here, and my favorite is probably the tom yum, and I highly recommend a lychee shake for dessert. The staff is all extremely nice, and last time I went my friend and I ordered a shake to share (that's how full we were!), and the waiter divided it into two little glasses (without us even having to ask). I will definitely be spending a lot of time there this winter, hovering over steamy vats of broth.
(5)
Ben L.
mmmm shabu shabu. There is a very important thing to be aware of with Kaze Shabu Shabu. It is not a place that you should just randomly take people to. You must trust the people enough to know that they will be friends for quite some time. Why do I say this? Because people don't really stop eating here. If you don't go for too long there will be an empty feeling from your taste sensors that can only be filled with more shabu shabu. This means that people that end up at odds will end up in a bitter custody battle over who gets to go on what days. It isn't worth it, only invite the worthy. That said their lunch is a great deal. you can have a fantastic lunch and still keep it under $20. Even if you don't want to experiment with your broth you can still mix up your apps or noodles. Also share freely with your friends. I have discovered some great broth combinations, and don't forget to muddle your soy sauce. The straight-great hot pot What's good-solid service, varied options and very good atmosphere The slap-experience isn't the same if you go stag....bring a friend
(5)
IK L.
I eat here religiously. My boyfriend and I come here at least every other week. We're from LA, so any chance we get of a wonderful chinese meal that reminds us of home is fantastic. The meat quality is great; it's even better than the ones in Los Angeles. In fact, before I ate here, I had never seen meet so well cut; it makes it so much easier to eat! (well duh) I've tried shabu-zen, and to be honest, it's really not worth the 2+ hours of wait coupled with sitting right next to strange people. I don't quite understand the loyalty to shabuzen when kaze is so much better. I have never had to wait at kaze, because even when they're busy they also have an upstairs so pretty much you never have to wait. They're clean, very willing to explain to you what some of the things on the menu are, and open till really late at night when you have those random cravings. I think they close at 1am on weekdays and 2 on weeknights or something. They have a great bar, good smoothies, and all in all my favorite restaurant in boston.
(5)
Hong L.
clean, great prices. delicious broths. perfect for cold winter evenings. the place was also very spacious and we were quickly served, albeit, it was thanksgiving evening.
(5)
Dhruv S.
Went with a large group for lunch expecting something different. hell yeah it was completely new experience and I loved it. we had a long talk about whether KSS was Japanese / Chinese, but it really doesn't matter. I had ordered the 'extra' spicy schezuan spicy soup and honestly i couldn't feel the spiciness there. i guess being from India, i have had more spicy food, but i need to mention the insane amount of whole black peppers that were in the soup. along with soup came the large dish with vegetables, then udon noodles (excellent) and then another large dish with meat(s) and then another plate and a soup bowl. seriously, we all were really short of space. then all the mess started. i am no pro with chopsticks but i tried my best and it was quite an effort. at one point my Taiwanese friend was helping me gather the noodles from the soup coz i was almost at the verge of losing control. but all in all, the food was excellent (after all u r making it yourself). be sure to order 2 or more different meats since its the same price as ordering one meat. i should mention that the waitresses (yeah abt 10 of them were at our table) were very sweet and courteous. i am definitely headin there again for a heavy lunch.
(4)
Leon T.
Kaze is definitely my favorite place to eat in Chinatown. The place always seems a little quite and empty, but I love that relaxing atmosphere. It's probably most likely due to the fact that it's in the outskirts of Chinatown. Most people probably go to Shabu-Zen because it's in the heart of all the commotion. Little do they know that there's a place with food that's on the same level for a lower price.
(4)
Virginia F.
I loved this place! We had a group of 8 people and all of us had great food and lots of fun. Our server was very personable and attentive. Go and enjoy Shabu Shabu!
(5)
Angie T.
portions are big..this place is similar to any hot pot restaurants around the area like shabu zen, BUT the only difference..this place has a way better service!
(5)
M C.
I really like Kaze, considering I was so turned off by the Shabu Zen exeperience. It's much quieter and relaxed, and the dessert was yummy. The portions are also a lot more generous.
(4)
Christine M.
a friend of mine from hong kong showed me this place about 3 years ago, and i've been coming here about once a month since. when i first started coming here i'd laugh to myself about usually being the only white girl in the whole place. i definitely stuck out like a sore thumb, but once the staff realized that i am proficient with chopsticks and wasn't totally baffled by the menu (which most westerners seem too be), i seemed to become accepted as a regular.
(4)
sam c.
kaze.. wow i heard you guys are a family of Fugakyu.. interesting cus fugakyu is awesome but i didnt like kaze too much.. the server that was serving us spoke broken english and i had trouble understandin what she was sayin. but she was pretty quick.. alil too quick.. i didnt start my app until the entree came out.. but the good was good and fresh. i really liked shabu ya in harvard square but thats jus my opinon and my gf and her friends.. lol.. overall i did enjoy the food, could of been better but decent i guess lol..
(2)
Erick H.
Thanks to a troublesome MSG allergy, I rarely eat any Asian-style food out of both an abundance of caution and complete unfamiliarity. In light of this, I cannot speak highly enough about the staff at Kaze. I dined here recently with three other people, one of whom is also allergic to MSG, and the consideration exhibited by the waitstaff was impressive. As we reviewed the menu, our waitress stood by, ready to caution us against any item that could contain MSG while also offering suitable alternatives. Even after we'd ordered, the frequent-yet-unobtrusive attention from the waitstaff continued throughout the two hours we spent at Kaze. As for the food itself, I greatly enjoyed and was quite impressed with my first shabu experience. I ordered the prime rib paired the with the meat bouillon soup and was presented with a plate of beautifully-marbled, thinly-sliced beef and a generous side of vegetables including spinach, cabbage, watercress, and taro. Kaze's entrees also include a choice of either noodles (Udon or vermicelli) or rice that round out a very filling meal. The contrasting flavors, augmented by the various sauces shared around the table, provided for a diverse and ever-changing flavor experience that will undoubtedly have me returning in the future. The shabu process itself also heightened the dining experience by engaging everyone in the meal's preparation; there is something to be said for doing more than simply ordering and consuming the food one chooses.
(4)
Derek S.
I'd never tried shabu before and this was a great experience. Great, healthy food, and they were willing to deal with beginners.
(4)
Kevin W.
Love this place! As an Asian food snob, this really does bring me back to Taiwan and Hong Kong hot pot styles! The staff are friendly and remember customers! Managers also remember faces and are very nice! They even allow me to use the bathroom in dire times when I am walking around Chinatown!
(5)
Eric F.
Would've given Kaze 4 stars as the meat quality is a notch higher than Shabu-Zen and their soup base selection is more extensive, but the service is def on the shoddier side as some other Yelpers have noted. It took almost 15 min to get a refill on my tea and it was difficult enough to flag a waiter over in the first place. A solid spot as a healthier dinner option in Chinatown, but I'd personally go with Shabu-Zen for their better service & interior, and slightly lower prices.
(3)
nguyet l.
I like this place a lot because it is great for hot pot. the seats allow for intimate conversations and allows you to control the tempt of pot. It also allows you to share the hot pot as hotpot was meant to be. the sake is a bit over priced, but they had a nice selection. meat quality is ok, its not the best that i had. but the customer service was wonderful so 4 stars ^^
(4)
I-Chun C.
I went to Kaze last night to meet up with a couple of friends. We were planning on going to Shabu Zen at first, but there was a 40 minute wait. I suggested Kaze since I had walked past it and it looked a lot less busy. We were seated in about five minutes, so that was good. The food is really delicious. We got one side plain broth, and one side Malaysian Satay. The Malaysian Satay was really tasty, and just a little bit spicy (I put a LOT of chili in my dipping sauce). We got three different meat entrees and a few extra veggie side orders (hot pot is not complete for me without enoki!). Nearing the end of the meal, my friend and I couldn't stop scooping up more broth even though we were really full -- the broths just absorb all the flavors and it's irresistible!!! The only reason I'm giving 4 stars is that the service left a lot to be desired. The waitstaff looked somewhat confused, and some looked downright pissy the entire time. The only person who smiled at us was one man who cleared our dishes. Good thing we were too busy stuffing our faces to worry about it. For two hungry girls and one guy, the total was $60, which is definitely reasonable for the amount of food we got. Definitely want to go back!
(4)
Don W.
Okay, this was amazing. Four of us went to Kaze because Yelpers said it was the place to go, and they were right. I don't know if it's better than Shabu-Zen but it's so good that I'll probably never find out. We all had some kind of combo plate, we all went with the standard broth, we split a bottle of wine and then finished with some tea. The bill came to $100 plus a $20 tip. We were all happy and full after a great meal on a Saturday night in Boston and we did it for $30 each. They also have wagyu beef for more money, but when it's sliced this thin and cooked in broth, the beef doesn't have to be the expensive stuff. Service was very good. The server was always there to see if we needed anything and the manager dropped by as well. The only thing that would have made us happier would be a surf & turf combo that had a higher ratio of meat to fish, but that's not a complaint because it was amazing just the way it was. So thanks to Yelp for helping me find this amazing restaurant. I'll definitely be back for more.
(5)
Alyssa H.
I never had hot pot before so I was quite lost when I sat down. The waitress was very helpful and was very helpful giving recommendations and explained what to cook first, etc. Great portion for the price and loved the variety of broths. Went with my boo, but it'd be more fun to go in a larger group. If you've never tried it, don't be intimidated. Go! :)
(3)
Jimmy H.
What this shabu shabu joint stands out of other shabu shabu joints is that they have wider variety on choice of soup base. They have a few choices of each Asian country- Thai, Korean, Chinese and Japanese. My favorite is Tonkotsu soup base that is pork soup base. This soup base is very popular for ramen noodle in Japan. And I thought it was quite interesting to use it in shabu shabu. I was skeptical at first but it tasted great and now I am addicted to it. Only complaint I have is that meat slice is a little too thin. I think Shabuzen 's is a little thicker than Kaze's. But Shabuzen doesn't have as much soup base choice as Kaze.
(4)
Lisa S.
LOVE THIS PLACE. Easy to find (by driving or taking the T). Validated parking around the corner for $6 (Beach St. Garage) and another lot right next to the restaurant (don't know if that one is validated?). Their prices are very affordable. I'm sure it's easy to spend a pretty penny in here if you like seafood or the more expensive cuts of beef but i just stick to the Pick 2 meats combo and get chicken and beef. Each entree comes with a plate of very thinly sliced raw meat (or seafood or tofu if you're vegetarian). You also each get an entire plate of raw greens and veggies. And lastly you get to pick from a few different types of noodles or white rice. Ok now, I could probably write an epic review but I'm going to cut to the chase. Picking a soup base you like is KEY to enjoying your meal. I've tried a few different kinds and the only one i really enjoy (and by really, i mean REALLY) is the Japanese Curry. Normally that wouldn't appeal to me as I'm a wimp when it comes to spicy foods but this is definitely on the milder side. However, it is super flavorful and comes with a bunch of chopped veggies(carrots, onions...maybe something else?) and the other soup bases i've tried don't seem to come with the extra vegetables. I am probably unhealthily obsessed with their dipping sauce, a korean BBQ sauce i believe? Nothing like the american BBQ sauce we know. Mix in some freshly chopped garlic and scallions and I've died and gone to heaven. I think I gross out my dinner companions out when I end of eating the sauce straight on some rice. Yeah, it's a problem :-\ Anywho. Kaze is open really late. Great on a cold night when you can warm up with a belly full of warm goodness. Doesn't hurt the wallet and the staff are very friendly.
(5)
Amit A.
This was our first hot pot experience and I must say I wouldnt mind doing this again. It was definitely a great experience. You do need to be a chopstick expert, if you arent you or the person with you will be wearing the broth. We ordered the Japanese curry and kimchi curry base, with a vegetable plate and a lamb/chicken plate.
(4)
Jennifer R.
Holy Moly! If you like shabu shabu try this place out! It offers various options in meats, soup bases, seafood, veggies. On weekends it does get packed in the evening so be sure to make a reservation. Everything is flavorful and the service varies from night to night. But, I've never had a horrific experience and vow to never come back. It's the food that lures me in. I usually get the 3 meat combo with Tonkatsu or Miso soup base. The prices are reasonable, after all it is in Chinatown. They have 2 floors to accommodate the masses of hungry patrons wanting their shabu. I have been to Shabu Zen which is another shabu restaurant in Chinatown, but it didn't leave a lasting impression on me. It's a lot smaller than Kaze but it gets crowded there as well. Kaze is another MUST VISIT on my list whenever I'm back in town :)
(4)
Simone C.
We LOVE this place. Delicious, relatively inexpensive, fast, healthy food served by kind people. What more could you want? Easy to be veg or gluten free.
(5)
George L.
Not a bad place. I think it would be closer to a 3.5 but you know i'm feeling generous =p. So i havent been to Boston in 8 years and I was excited to try the types of food they had in boston. A little bird told me that Kaze had amazing Shabu Shabu. I'm a big fan of shabu shabu so I had to see what the big deal was. It was 1:30 on a friday afternoon and the place was empty except for like 4 other people. THe service was quick and the atmosphere was pleasant. I ordered the lamb and beef combo. It was great! What I loved most was the amount of food and broth they gave you. I feel like I giped in some places in manhattan (looking at you k-town!). I also got it with the tonkatsu broth. It was amazing. They had a ton a choices with broth. At most shabu shabu places you get a nice assortment of meat but it's usually one type of soup so this was amazing. The food was great and especially the lamb (i never saw lamb offered at a shabu shabu place before) it was GLORIOUS!!! I love lamb and I just discovered a new way to eat it!!! So to say the least i was pleased. Stay away from the watermelon slushy or whatever that was. That was just bad... But overall the place is good at providing amazing shabu shabu at a great price.
(4)
Derek T.
15 degree weather....where else to eat but at Kaze!! Kaze and I have a lot of history. Again, I've never been a fan of shabu shabu, and being from California you think I eat this stuff all the time, but it was at Kaze that I had my first shabu shabu experience three years ago and where I reunited with one of my best friend I had a falling out with so this place has a special place in my heart. Til today my east coast trip is not complete unless I get to dine here. This past weekend, I got the chance to eat at Kaze with some of my closest college friends. Freezing cold weather (literally), great friends, and delicious food....you can't beat eating at Kaze. The waitress who undoubtedly has a crush on my bff gave us superb service and free ice cream. For three people, the meal cost around $120. We ordered every single meat on the menu including the kobe beef. Kobe was good but for a few slices totally not worth the price. I rather order more prime rib eye.
(4)
Sara S.
In comparison to Shabu Zen, Kaze is the winner. Kaze's service is great, atmosphere is fun, place is larger, not as crowded, and seems to have a wider variety of choices. At least 8 different types of broth and six different kinds of noodles. The quality of vegetables and meat was outstanding, and the selection of broth was awesome. I was appreciate that the waitress was able to articulately tell me which broths were the best for me based on my dietary needs (vegetarian-ish) and spice. My vegetarian selection came with SO may different vegetables: corn, taro, spinach, three different kinds of greens, mushrooms, tomatoes, at least three different kinds of tofu, and even vegetable dumplings! The only thing "wrong" thing with the meal is the $3 extra charge if you don't go with the standard broth. I wouldn't go back to Shabu Zen, but I'll be back here. At Kaze, I'm OK with paying for food I need to cook myself!
(4)
Nick M.
This review is for first time Japanese hot pot readers. It is not a comparison of Shabu Zen. We went during off-peak hours on Saturday. Almost nobody in the place which means we had the entire upstairs to ourselves. We ordered up the creamed corn croquettes and shrimp tempura for appetizers and both were yummy. Boy, were the apps cheap too! Onto the broth: I did a rather traditional Japanese Tonkotsu soup base, while the girlfriend did a spicy Thai tomyum broth. I found hers a bit too spicy for Japanese cuisine, while mine wasn't too bland after I started cooking down a few ingredients. The broth wasn't out of this world good, it tasted canned but was certainly good in itself. For the platters, I ended up with a Surf and Turf No.1 Shrimp, Scallop, Salmon, White Fish, Squid, Clam, Fried Fish Cake & Prime Rib Eye. Also included was the vegetables. My girlfriend did the Meat combo which was steak and chicken. I found my seafood to be very fresh and complimented the soup broth very well. The steak was very good as well, sliced razor thin and beautifully marbled. There wasn't anything I didn't enjoy. My favorite probably was the fish cake. Next time I'll order the Oden assorted fish cake platter, as this is what Shabu Shabu is all about. I ordered the potato noodles while she ordered the thicker udon noodles. We put our noodles into a separate soup bowl and poured hot broth onto them to soften them up a bit. At the table was minced garlic, satay sauce, scallion and chili sauce. I'd say these ingredients were the weakest of everything. The garlic was from a jar, the satay sauce was OK, the scallions could have been fresher and the "fresh chilis" were substituted with a mild sriracha-like sauce. Didn't end up doing dessert and didn't need to. We were so full from everything else! One platter and two apps would easily leave us two people full. The highlight of the style of Shabu Shabu is that your meal is truly unique each and every time. You chose your combinations of food, how to season your broth, your own melody of vegetables and meats. If you're looking to get in and out in 30min, grab a burger. Kaze took us a few hours to enjoy our meal and we savored every bite. Next time I go back I'll get the Oden Fish cakes and won't ask them to top off the broth. It dilutes the flavors too much!
(4)
Thanh L.
This is my second time going to this location. The hot pot was not bad for the price. The cost was reasonable for the portion that we received. The service was bad due to the language barrier. we didn't receive everything we ordered, but we also didn't get charged for it too. The bill was about $240 for 8 people
(3)
Jane S.
After visiting both Kaze Shabu and Shabu Zen I had to write a review. Kaze Shabu is by far the better bet for your money, for the food and for the experience. We walked into Kaze Shabu and were seated right away. Our waiter was very helpful and explained all of the choices to us. The surf and turf came with tons of food and it was all fresh and delicious. The broth options were all really interesting and tasty too. It was a great dinner start to finish and we'll definitely be coming back. The biggest different between Kaze and Shabu Zen has got to be the atmosphere. In Kaze you get a table (even for just 2 people) and lots of room to breathe. At Shabu Zen you'll be cramped at a bar in a humid steamy room (and the food isn't any better there). Just be warned that when they say spicy.... they mean SPICY! Still delicious though!
(5)
Jo-Anna L.
I just went to Kaze Shabu Shabu and was impressed. Just got the basic $12.00 Beef with bouillon broth and was satisfied. Next time, though I think I'll splurge on their $3.00 flavored broths, as the bouillon was a bit bland... which is to be expected. Our first waiter was very attentive and helpful, but he must have gone on break because a new waitress came on and kept walking by as if she were ready to clear the table while we were still eating! Then she cleared away our sauces when we had just ordered some extra spicy sauce. It was like she was rushing us out the door even though there were only 4 or 5 groups in the restaurant. I hope my tip went to our first waiter. Anyway, good food, but splurge and get the good broth as you might be disappointed with the free bouillon.
(4)
Wei W.
Kaze is an alternative to Shabu Zen on busy nights, since they have a much bigger space to work with. It's great for groups and the servings are pretty good. The pricing is reasonable as well, although I think Shabu Zen is slightly cheaper than Kaze. They have an assortment of broths to choose from, from Chinese herbal to Japanese tonkatsu (more spicy). They also offer ostrich (something that Shabu Zen doesn't offer, I believe), which is a pretty interesting choice of meat. I enjoy their smoothies as well, and they make it to order (if you want pearls in it, they'll add them for you). Overall, it's a good place to go on a Saturday night with a group of friends, with moderate prices and great food.
(4)
Erica D.
Yum Yum Yum, I love this place. Food is great, service is good. Just keep in mind that chilled sake (which apparently is better quality than hot sake) is much more expensive. I accidentally ordered a $17 bottle of chilled sake -- still good.
(4)
Erin C.
A great shabu experience, but Shabu Zen still holds first place in my book. Pros: -Great prices -A decent looking drink menu -Huge place so little to no wait time even when it was busy Cons: -Its missing those fun mushroom balls that Shabu Zen has -The Thai TomYum broth wasn't nearly as spicy as it was other places -Service was a bit slow Overall, a great dinner. I would go back, but only if Shabu Zen was too crowded.
(3)
Helen L.
I came here for Chinese New Year with a group of friends and it worked out really well. There were 6 of us, and we got there at 6pm and was seated right away because we had reservations. So first of all, it was great they took reservations! Like any hot pot place, you order what meat/veggie/combo you want, and they bring it to you raw and you cook it in the boiling pot of broth in front of you. In terms of distinguishing one hot pot place from another, well, food wise, it's pretty much the same exact thing. The nice thing about Kaze is that they don't charge you for the "regular" broth. Some places make you pick a broth but charge you $3 no matter what kind. This place has a zero charge broth and other options. Atmosphere was good and service was average. The price was about $13-20 for anything you order, meat or combo wise. I got the surf and turf combo (seafood and meat) and that was a LOT of food, so your money is well spent if you got this combo. I feel like if you just got a meat, it might not be quite enough. All around good time!
(4)
Jenny N.
For the uninitiated, shabu shabu may seem like a whole lot of work for dining out. I mean, you are basically paying for raw ingredients and a soup base, so you can cook your own food in the middle of the table, right? But if you give it a chance, you might just fall in love with the whole idea. Kind of like a strange cross between dipping fondue and Mongolian grill, shabu shabu allows you to build your own meal from a whole mess of fresh vegetables, thinly sliced meats, seafood and your choice of rice or noodles. All the raw ingredients get thrown into the pot of broth and you fish them out with your personal ladle and chopsticks. Trust me, it's pretty fun! I love that Kaze gives you the options of many types of broth, and you can "split the pot" by getting two different broths for variety. This is such a great, healthy dining option as there is no oil added (other than whatever is in the soup broth). My friends and I had a blast, and it was so cheap too! Between the 3 of us, we had the beef and chicken entrees with udon and vermicelli for about $10 each. How can you beat that? We left completely full but not in the gross and bloated way. Upon recommendation by the waiter, we chose the tomato beef broth as well as the miso. The sides of veggies were plentiful and a great accompaniment to the meat. I was totally impressed by the presentation too. One other side note-- I really had trouble keeping my dining area clean...You gotta be careful not to splash the hot soup everywhere while getting food to bowl. It's tricky! Prior to dining at Kaze, I had only experienced homemade Chinese hotpot (it's quite similar). I had always loved the experience of cooking your own food at the table, but the soups I'd had were never that impressive. Kaze definitely takes it to another level and I'm so glad there is finally good shabu shabu in Boston!
(5)
Will N.
This is a very good hot pot place; the best one I've been to though there are some caveats. You're guaranteed a ton of great food and it won't even break the bank. The Surf and Turf No. 2 is an excellent option as well as the Kimchi soup base but you really can't go wrong anywhere here. The food is undoubtedly top notch. The only gripe here is the service; it's definitely not perfect. We waited about 20 minutes once for a water refill (much needed with spicy food!) and had to signal the waitress several times. However I wouldn't say the service is bad, it's just not completely solid at all times. Another time our waiter was nothing short of perfect and I guess it all depends on who you get. If you can handle a little spotty service and want great food, Kaze Shabu Shabu is a great place to go.
(4)
Lisa W.
It was convenient to my work, so I decided to give it a shot. A friend and I shared the beef lover's meal with an extra order of rice, which was more than enough. We got the Meat Bouillon and the Malaysian Satay broth. The meat bouillon was plain, but what do you expect for free? The malaysian satay was excellent, though. The service was prompt and our cups were never empty, but our waiter took so long to pick up our check that we just brought it to the register. Overall, it was a pleasant experience.
(4)
Norina N.
My dad usually makes this meal at home for my family to enjoy whenever I ask him to. My favorite soup base from him is hot and sour in his own ways, it was excellent that I thought none of the hot pot place could beat it. So when reading good reviews from here, i decided to give it a try. I went last weekend with my bf, we ordered Miso and tomyum soup base, seafood deluxe, and a few side orders, caro, watercress, oyster, baby clams and mandarin tea with honey. I wasn't surprised with whatever they brough out, 'cause i had it many times before at home. The miso soup base was ok, tomyum soup was good (but my dad' version is still the best). Baby clams were so fresh and sweet, therefore I had 2 orders of it. The decoration was very nice & modern. One thing that I wasnt happy on that day was we waited for 15 minutes before the waitress came and get our orders, she appologized that we sat in the corner, that's why she didnt see us. ummm didnt they get inform by the hostess beforehand? So during the waiting time for service to come by, I was upset, so i got my phone out and told my bf that i would for 5 more minutes, if they still wouldnt come, we'd leave....I was counting on the minute, and there she came 3 minutes after. After the meal that I totally forgot that I was mad earlier, 'cause I'm satisfied with their food.
(4)
Purvi R.
"Mmmmmm. MMMMM!!! Ohmygaw. SoGood." That's most of what you would have heard if you were sitting anywhere near me during my first in-restaurant Shabu Shabu experience (I had had it once before at a friend's place). I have had this on my list of things to try for a while, and when my Friday night date turned into a dinner-movie thing, I thought we'd give it a shot since it's right near the Tremont St. AMC. Walked in to see the bf already seated at the bar, where we ended up staying the entire time as they had little personal-pan sized hot plates. I was already impressed with the place - at 6pm there was already a sizable crowd, and a lovely smell wafted throughout. We both knew the drill, and the waitress explained a bit about the different dishes so we knew what was in them etc. I was just geeked that we'd have separate pots since I'm a veggie and the bf most definitely was not planning on going veggie. :) I'm glad I read the yelp reviews and knew to order one of the broths you pay $3 extra for - it was well worth it! We both got the kimchee broth; I got the veggie/tofu plate and the bf got beef and pork (I think?). I got udon noodles which I highly highly recommend - so delish! After we got our pots and plates, it was Shabutime. We had so much fun just popping in whatever we pleased and throwing a bunch of sauces on after the food was cooked. The kimchee combined with all the chilis I put in my soy sauce ended up being quite a bit of heat, so my sinuses were going a bit wild! But soooo good. The waitress kept checking up on us throughout, making sure we had drinks, that we knew what we were doing, and that our broth was at the right temperature and filled. She was great and aside from one lost-in-translation moment the service was fantastic and prompt. The bill with a beer apiece ended up in the $50 range incl tip, which I thought was well worth it and pretty reasonable at that. The bf noted it was probably a bit pricey for the area, but given that this place was very clean, decor was nice, and the shadiness factor was at a minimum, he agreed that it probably made sense that it cost a bit more.
(5)
Karina M.
I have been cursed with picky roommates. Finding a place where everyone could getsomething they enjoyed would have been difficult. But shabu shabu saved the day! I've always eyed this place during my trips to Chinatown, so I decided to go there for my birthday. Let me tell you, best decision of my life! Everyone basically makes their own food and picks out what they do or do not like. And it's fun. Good for cold weather and sooo delicious. Definitely going back for more!
(5)
Nicole R.
I have been here with my boyfriend 3 times so far, it has become our Boston day-trip staple! We love the uniqueness of this restaurant. I love cook-for-yourself restaurants and this lets you choose your own broth, meat, and pasta to cook on your table. Not only is everything extremely fresh, lightweight and healthy, but it fills you up (and it takes longer to prepare and eat so you don't over stuff yourself!) Very clean and helpful staff who aren't too overbearing.
(5)
Stephanie L.
A very solid four stars. The food was delicious; the portions are generous and the food tasted fresh and super-yummy. I was happy to see the appetizer special was on when we were there (Saturday for lunch), so we ordered two appetizers for half-price. Neither disappointed us: we got edamame (a very generous portion) and seaweed salad (standard, and a fair portion). As a fair warning, I made the mistake of ordering Szechuan Spicy broth. Let me tell you - I'm the girl who practically eats Sriracha sauce from the bottle (not really, but you get my point. I can handle spicy). This is the second dish I've had in my entire life that I really couldn't handle - it's that spicy! Luckily with Shabu Shabu you don't have to drink the broth, and I ended up trying to "rinse" my cooked items in borrowed broth from my boyfriend's side. It loses one star for two reasons: 1) the $3 broth charge. Maybe this is some way to price discriminate, but honestly, extra broth shouldn't be that much more expensive. 2) The atmosphere. It wasn't awful, but the peeling Lucky Star Bus poster on the window didn't allow the place to be very conducive to feeling ... restaurant-y. I'll be back when I can, though! The food was delicious!
(4)
Aretha B.
My friend and I came in here after having passed by it countless times en route to chau chow city. I didn't know what to expect, but soon learned that this was no typical asian eatery. What they do is hand you a menu and basically you choose a broth, you choose a meat platter... and then they put down condiments in front of you. A platter of raw veggies comes your way, and then they lay the fresh raw slices of meat down. There is a heating element in the middle of the table and they put a bowl down that was bisected so two separate broths cooked at once. I got the japanese curry broth and he got the kimchee. BOTH WERE FANTASTIC. What you do is you dip the meat into the broth and cook it to your preference... we both ordered udon noodles and you ladle broth over the noodles, and then eat the meat and vegetables along with it, making several batches and trying out both broths. IT WAS SO DELICIOUS, flavorful, clean, healthy, and filling. Definitely a new chinatown favorite!!!! And if you bring someone there for their first time you'll look like a PIMP because it's so cool. Nice ambiance, great service, DELICIOUS FOOD.
(5)
sylvia k.
I love the shabu here! Meats, seafood and veggies are very fresh. Portions are larger than shabu zen's. scorpion bowls are a must try! Great, fast service.
(5)
Colleen B.
The food is still great and amazingly fresh. I swear the seafood portions double every time I come in! I did some homework about the soup bases prior to my visit and HIGHLY recommend the tonkotsu which roughly translates "pork bone". This broth has a smooth pork flavor. This time I had a lot more trouble communicating with the servers. Service overall was inconsistent They almost seemed new or in training, hence the drop in star. I did try the steamed shumai and it was succulent and shrimpy. My dining guest also swore by the creamed corn croquettes.
(4)
Cassie B.
(Technical 4.49, I'm a pessimist, i round down) Creamcorn Croquette App= Fabu. Schezuan, and Soy & spinach broth=both delightful! Had a meat combo of beef and lamb, very tasty. And a seafood combo, which some things were tasty, others not so much. Chicken and woodear dumplings=super yum in BOTH broths Array of condiments? AWE-wait for it-SOME Scorpion bowl, kinda weak, but apparently the smoothies are where its at...damn Service was quick, he didn't really do too much. Very clean and spacious spot. Overall, fun experience, looking forward to some more shabu shabu in my future!
(4)
Julie T.
My favorite place in Boston to eat Hot Pot ! Unlike it's competition a few blocks down (Shabu-Zen), Kaze has fried tentacles! Doesn't sound as tasty as it actually is, but don't knock it before you try it! I love the atmosphere and it's a great place to eat with your friends and have a lovely chat. The service is alright, I've had some not so friendly waitresses before but the food makes up for it. Huzzah for Kaze!
(4)
Jackie C.
If you want shabu shabu and you're in Chinatown, skip Shabu-Zen and head over here instead! The place is roomier with a more welcoming atmosphere and the menu selection also has a bigger variety you can choose from- my favorite being the oden set (japanese fish cakes are awesome). The sets come in pretty decent sizes since they also include a carb (noodles or rice) and veggies. (I've come to realize that not all shabu places actually include veggies in their price... weird, i know) This is one of the go-to places my friend and I tend to go to whenever we meet up in chinatown for a bite to eat. The service is pretty good and its great to be able to take your time to eat and talk. Since its a larger establishment with two floors, its also a great place to have a birthday dinner or whatever special occasion. Parking is a bit of a hassle, but when is parking in chinatown not a hassle.
(4)
Andrea M.
Not too impressed with my first visit, but I'd try it again, since it was edible. Based on the high-star reviews, I felt comfortable inviting a friend to Kaze for her first shabu experience despite the fact that I hadn't been there before. But, I was disappointed with my visit. - Bitter herbal broth, too many herbs at too high a heat. And, they waited until the broth was almost burning the bottom of the pot to refill us, despite the small lunch crowd. - As another reviewer said, it's true: watercress watercress watercress watercress. With some spinach, cabbage, and a side of watercress, all with wilty wet spots. I felt loved that they added a little piece of corn cob, taro, and radish. - Scallops and clams in my surf & turf harbored bits of sand. - Beef was a little on the fatty side for my taste. - Tea refill came after we got our check. On the up side, if you're new to shabu, they offer a little primer on the first few pages of the menu, complete with average cooking times for most shabu plate items. I was impressed that a standard surf & turf plate included clams. So yeah, 2 stars because genuinely, meh, I've had better, but it wasn't a disaster for the first timer. I will give it one more go, try the house broth, and hope for fresher veggies.
(2)
Chase S.
Went last night, and we were seated at a 2 seater table. The problem was that we were sandwiched by two other tables close enough to be considered inside my personal space. I am ALL about making new friends, but if I'm paying $40 a meal I'm going to reserve the right to my own unshared airspace. On top of that, one of the seats at my table was a bench which was shared with our neighbors. Anytime any one of the three got up, the entire bench cushion would earthquake. The veggies were the same quality compared to other places, but they do have vegetarian dumplings and a huge mushroom that other places do not offer. Their beef slices were a larger portion, thicker cut and higher quality than other places. So the food was good, but the atmosphere wasn't as relaxed as other places.
(3)
Roni E.
I've been back several times and the food is consistently good. It's definitely my go to spot if I'm in Chinatown or within the Boston area, since it's such a hike for me and parking is an everlasting battle. But if there's ever an event and want to grab a bite to eat, to Kaze we go. The veggies have changed a lil bit, but who doesn't like a lil change up, right? It's not the same as it used to be, but the size hasn't gotten any smaller like the Zen has. The portions are still very good as are their prices and taste. The service once again is still good despite a one time incident where they were rude to Becki. I had actually considered lowering their stars, but that is in the past. It was a one time thing. Maybe the host was having a bad day that day. While I still favor Shabu Restaurant over Kaze, they both are 5 stars in my eyes. They're like your children, you just gotta love 'em both unconditionally and can't really favor one over the other, esp. since they're both about the same distance for me. Although, it IS easier to park in Quincy. P.S. Be sure to get their Scorpion Bowls!
(5)
Joyce K.
Torn between here and Shabu-Zen but ultimately, it's difficult to compare the two because they seem to strive for two completely different scenes. Shabu-Zen reminds of me of a hectic Chinatown eatery...very clean and local, filled with young people and grounded in delivering simple, delicious, and filling meals. Kaze has the same great shabu shabu spread but being owned by the same people who are behind Fugakyu, it also delivers an added bonus of a calming ambience. The doors are beautiful, the menus are daintily pretty, and everything in the restrooms are automated. They offer the same things as Shabu-Zen for the same prices but also offer ostrich. They don't offer two levels of the seafood platter like Shabu-Zen so I ordered it with the prawns and clams, etc. for $17. What's useful is the shabu shabu guide at the front of the menu because it was then that I realized that I had been undercooking my mushrooms and corn which I deeply regret because it tasted to much better after learning how to cook it properly. We opted for the kimchee flavored broth ($3) and it was AWESOME! Kaze also offers more noodle options so we tried the mungbean noodles (clear, chewy, flat ribbons of noodles) and Japanese potato starch noodles (thicker vermicelli). I liked that the cooking pot was above the horizon of the table because at Shabu-Zen with the pot built in the table, I kept losing things and dipping my hair in all the food as I bent over trying to cook. Also the pot is split in two so that you and your dining partner can share one pot making it more fun as you can dip between two different soup bases. My seafood platter was way too big. I finished it but man, was I terribly full...that's a serious bargain considering the amount of fresh seafood you get. The clams opened easily and I didn't like eating the fish raw because the platter was prepared prior to ordering and chilled. The fish was definitely better off cooked whereas at Shabu-Zen, the fish didn't taste very good cooked...I liked it better raw. The staff was unbelievably helpful and attentive. The service was flawless. One of the managers stuck around the table being terribly apologetic that the satellites were blocked so they couldn't get NESN - The Red Sox on their flat screens and even shared the scores with my friend. Another bonus is that they offer taro and daikon as part of the veggie platter that comes with the entree. Instead, there's no tofu or tofu skin which I don't particularly care for since I LOVE taro. The complimentary red bean dessert at the end of the meal was very thick and gooey which is how it's supposed to be. At Shabu-zen, it was pretty watery but still refreshing and delicious. I feel like Shabu-Zen is a great place if I'm in the mood for seafood since I really like that they offer a smaller platter for $12 and the seafood is fresh enough (according to my taste buds) to eat raw (yeah, I could die). For red meat and poultry and dinner, I would recommend Kaze. It's like stepping out of Chinatown into a serene dining atmosphere for the same low prices that Shabu-Zen offers.
(5)
William T.
Been here many times and last nights experience was the same as all the others. The foods always fresh, the broths arent greasy and the service is attentative and pleasant. Always fun to cook your own food and a great way to keep a child occupied through a whole meal.
(4)
Jane B.
So many options here. And it's all good. From the food to the service, they are great! For two to groups, every time I've come the nail it. Plus, unlike some other Shabu places in Chinatown, they allow you to split your pot, so you can try different broths. Definitely give it a try.
(5)
Nikol K.
I go here about once a week. Here's why it's so good: 1. My kids love the udon noodles (they are 2 and 4 years old), Japanese fish cake, edamame, and Strawberry smoothie. 2. My husband and I always get the Prime Rib combo - it's only $19 and it comes with all the sides. The beef is really flavorful and tender. The dipping sauce is just right. The hot pot soup (we get the Kim Chi flavor) is spicy but not overwhelming. 3. It's clean. 4. Service is good. 5. There's hardly ever a wait (we've been to Shabu Zen a few times and there's much more of a wait there) How Kaze compares to Shabu Zen: food is pretty equal in terms of taste portions are bigger at Kaze much more space at Kaze (there are 2 floors) and you don't need to worry about elbowing a fellow diner.
(4)
Victoria L.
I should start off by saying that I have a very unhealthy obsession with hot pot, and I come to Kaze so frequently that I owe them a review. I've been to a good variety of places for hot pot, but I always come back to Kaze. They have a great variety of broths, veggies, and noodles, but the tonkotsu broth and the mung bean noodles are the things that keep me coming back. On top of that, they make delicious drinks!!
(5)
Jen H.
I am a fan... big one. After my first shabu experience at Shabu Restaurant in Quincy, I was excited to try Kaze after the Yelp PBR cruise event. We came here late night, and were basically the only patrons in the place at such a late hour... sweet... it was like our own personal dining experience! I opted for the Spicy Szechwan since when I had it in Quincy we got the plain broth which needed more spice, and the SS in Quincy it wasn't overly spicy... but it was here! Too spicy for my taste, but I'm a wimp. I ended up using my neighbor's broth the whole time... I think it was Thai Tomyum, and it was good. I always end up getting something on me when I shabu, so obviously I haven't gotten the technique down... so I will have to frequent Kaze more and practice.
(4)
Lydia C.
mMmMmMm!!!! only reason i dont give 5 stars is cause im not liberal with them! (but its like a solid 4 1/2) Kaze is amazing, the decor is trendy clean but not too uppidy. The food has always been fresh the times i have been there (good date place! esp. if she's never been to hot pot! ;) All the times i have been there i used to free broth and never changed it cause has always been good. Big fan of all the meats esp. the lamb!! One of the things i love to do is mix all the sides together (garlic, pepper, scallions, and bean sauce) into one big sauce and dip the meats into it. My next time back i will most definitely try the other broths!! The green tea smoothie is also mmmmmaaazing. There IS one pretty rude waitress there which i ran into twice. However, all my experiences with the other waiters and waitresses have been quite pleasant.
(4)
Melissa A.
I only went here once. The veggies and what not were tasty, but THEY HAVE NO VEGGIE BROTH. Be forewarned, fellow vegetarians, that their only veggie broth option is a pot of boiling water... I had to get extra garlic, scallions, etc to add to my broth (I mean water) to make it somewhat flavorful. Even with that, it just didn't compare to other places that actually offer a veggie option. Alas, I will not be returning.
(2)
Brady B.
Tonight I had my first Shabu experience with two friends on the fly (don't hate me Roni!) and I must say, new drug. Our waitress was the cutest thing ever and the food....oh the food. Plentiful for starters. We each ordered meat combo #1 which was amazing and two different broths, one being a Japanese curry broth and the other a nice, spicy brown broth that I can't recall the name of. Honestly folks, I don't think I could have had a better Shabu deflowering than this. Everything in my opinion was perfect. Delicious meat, delicious veggies and delicious broth. I was so full when I left, but not the weighed down full....the "God I ate so much healthy food" full. And yes, you will need need a change of under garment in your bag for Kaze. You're welcome.
(5)
Carl P.
My favorite place for a wintry day! Definitely get the short rib dinner and add the chinese traditional broth. Awesome Spicyness!!! Also good for an after-bar place!
(5)
Jen L.
I love eating shabu shabu. It is one of my favorite types of food to have. Kaze is quickly becoming a favorite for several reasons: 1. good variety of broths (YAY Chinese spicy and Malaysian satay) 2. Generous meat portions 3. GOOD seafood options (faves are the whitefish, prawn, and salmon) 4. Lots of fresh veggies This place edges out Shabu Zen by a little for the better variety and slighty spicier (mmmm...burnination)Chinese spicy broth. The service has always been good and attentive and one time the manager, who always comes by to our table to see how everything is, gave me a coupon for a free appetizer. Parking is interesting, but there are several lots around chinatown that one can park in if you do not feel like being aggressive about driving around and trying to find a spot.
(4)
Shannon R.
This is my favorite resturant in Boston. It is open late, the servers are all very nice and remember my face, the food comes out VERY fast, and it is delicious. The Black Angus is delicious, as well as the salmon, and I am obsessed with the oyster mushrooms and dikon radish. They have some good little apitizers, but I say skip them and order some more side items for your shabu shabu bowl- My favorite soup base is the Japanese miso and I also like the Japanese soy sauce and seaweed- but I have tried almost every base now and I like them all. For a special treat, order one of their fun mixed drinks (I like godzilla) and get the Moochi for dessert if you have room! It's a delicious ice cream treat!
(5)
ash l.
I think I'm going to like Shabu shabu. I love the fact that you have multiple soups you can choose from with which to cook your meats, veggies, and noodles. They also have a great selection of ice smoothies, and I went with the watermelon and strawberry flavors to cool off the hot soup burning up my tummy.... (really didn't want to sweat into my own soup). I went with the prime rib slices and udon noodles, over a split soup combo of curry and miso. The miso was a nice neutral flavor, which let me use the soy sauce concoction I made with their ingredients (lots of raw chopped garlic, onion, and some other black mush stuff). The curry, at first, was a bit bland, in my opinion, but about 15 minutes into cooking all the meats and vegetables in it, I noted that the soup, like a fine wine, tasted better with time. The more stuff I added in to cook it, the better it got, until all I wanted was my curry soup. I'll definately come again!
(4)
Diane H.
No lines on Saturday at 6! Yummy hot pot! I will come back, staff is pleasant and checked on us many times. Beef soo good!! LLove the soup too. Very nice atmosphere!
(4)
Jennifer D.
I have eaten here *so* many times.. why? It's open late, the food's great, the ambiance rocks, and the prices aren't half bad either. Just make sure you come hungry!
(5)
M Z.
taste is so so, very bad service. My friend and I went to Kaze in the Winter. We went to upstair. Waitress gave two menu to us. Suddenly, one fat female(she is one of managers), wore glasses took my menu go away and gave it to behind table (all american). I asked her what are you doing? She told me she will give me another one in shortly. I think it's weird and rude. took my menu give other customers. Remember that and be smart!! Asian people love hot pot than American people do. I and my friends won't go Kaze Shabu again. Bad service and attitude .....
(1)
Jamie S.
Apparently this is supposed to be one of the nicer places to Shabu Shabu. Given this was my first experience, I don't have a hot pot to compare it to. Shabu Shabu is very interactive and makes for a great date activity. I'll spare my readership the details of what Shabu Shabu is, because other reviews cover this in good detail. Kaze is special in part because they provide split bowls, so you and your dining companion can huddle over a shared pot-- fluids of your choice heating up and percolating. The thing I learned about Shabu Shabu, is that the more you add, the better it tastes. Throw in the watercress, the other veggies, dashes of special seasonings... but keep an eye on anything soft because it could quickly become part of the soupy ether. Overall it was fun and tasted great. When I dine out I typically subscribe to the "You should not have to pay to cook for yourself" camp. But because this is something I wouldn't make at home, I fully support and approve of this dining experience.
(3)
Beth G.
I work nearby and have enjoyed the meals I have had here. I am always pleased w/the freshness of the seafood and the method to my seasoning changes everytime, so I get a whole new experience at each visit. It's usually the most fun with a group. I do really like Kaze, but I am giving it 3 stars for the following reasons: 1. The service is... well, iffy at best. During one of my (brief) visits the waiter tried pouring me soy sauce after 3 times saying that I didn't want it. I had to put my hand up to stop him. Then he walked away and didn't come back for some time. A couple was seated next to me and he took their orders first. I got up and left. 2. On another visit where I sat at the bar downstairs, there was a cockroach crawling by. I know the location is in an area heavily populated w/restaurants, but that's not acceptable. 3. It's not explained until you get your bill that if you choose any broth other than the regular broth, you will be charged for each refill. So while the soup really hits the spot on cold days, just know what you are getting into.
(3)
Emily S.
This is my new favorite lunch spot. The great: The food is tasty and fun to cook. The dipping sauce must have some narcotic in it - I'm addicted! The staff are friendly and helpful The place is spotless! I mean seriously, it's always a good sign when you're in a restaurant, and you look up to see an air vent that is not only clean, but has clearly been polished to a shine. The bad: Sometimes the waitstaff forgets to come and turn down the heat at the table, nearly causing a boilover - no biggie, just a minor annoyance. Lunchtime prices are cheap, dinner, not so much. Overall: YUMMY!
(5)
J F.
Went here for lunch on a Saturday. I really enjoyed this place for the food and service. The staff is great, they are always smiling and they are very helpful... we went around 2pm so it was not crowded at all.. There were half price appetizers on Saturday which was a plus so we got a few. The spicy chicken nuggets were basically that. They were ok. The dumplings were ok as well -- nothing special. However, the reason we came was for the shabu shabu and they did not disappoint. We got the meat lovers combo which had a large portion of beef, the szechuan broth and the udon noodles. Our waitress warned us that even she couldn't handle the spicy szechuan broth.. she wasn't kidding it was really spicy but thats how i like it.. overall the food from the kobe beef to the plate of veggies were all fresh and delicious.. a great satisfying meal.. the appetizers aren't very good, but they are extremlely cheap on saturdays.. oh and they have $1 pabsts.. if you want a fresh healthy casual meal with incredible service, definitely come here.. parking is a b**ch but there is a parking lot next door for $15 flat rate all day price.. so if you are lazy like me and don't want to look for a parking spot there's that option.
(4)
Luke A.
I went to Kaze with no expectations, because to have any is unfair and already limits your experience to those standards you hold against them. The interior is nice, the waitstaff was all dressed up in some funny costumes, and the ambiance gave the impression of a very fancy place (sorta). When I went it with my girlfriend, we came at a time when it wasn't busy at all, and we were seated upstairs next to a window seat. The waitress was a very friendly, older woman, who graciously took her time to explain some things on the menu and what came with what. I ordered the spicy fried octopus tentacles appetizer and OH MY GOD, I would solely come back just to order 5 more of those. . .they were soooooo gooooooddd, crunchy, spicy, it was perfect. The broth's weren't so tasty however, we got Curry and Tom Yum. I was disappointed, and the Curry broth made my girlfriend sick. I ordered the Surf and turf with prime meat. . .and boy did i feel like i got ripped off. I hardly got any seafood, i got like 4 pieces of meat that were thinner than paper, and the vegetables barely covered the plate itself. My girlfriend got the Tofu platter, and as much as i like tofu, i can't see how they can charge more than 10 bucks for a platter of bean curd (it had like 10-14 pieces). Also got beef tripe, which was fine, considering its tripe and the soup is what gives it flavor. . .but again, i must have gotten the wrong soups, since they weren't the most pleasing. For what i got and for what it cost (two people, 70 bucks?!, not including tip!) and the fact that i went to McDonald's around the corner after, because i was still hungry, prevents this from being any higher than 3 stars. It was a subpar experience and i would only go again if someone else was treating me. . .or if i really get a craving for those friend tentacles. . .
(3)
David D.
I'll admit it...I started going to Kaze solely because it was such a PITA to get a seat at Shabu-Zen, which is where I first got my shabu-shabu on. Funny thing happened though - Kaze soon became the number one choice for us when we went out. I've been going there for a couple of years now, and I've honestly never really been disappointed. I will say this though - level of service is definitely dictated by how much you order. Nevertheless, service is never _bad_ and it's always a solid good meal. What you get depends on your appetite and the appetite of your date/guests. I've gone on dates where we've literally split just one plate of seafood. Been out on other dates where we feasted until I felt like a stuffed tofu pouch. Generally, a plate (i.e., seafood plate, chicken/beef plate) per person tends to get the job done. Keep in mind that you'll also be served a tractor full of vegetation on the side. Don't let that stop you from getting a side of taro, though. Never had dessert here...usually because I'm so full after the main meal. Not a bad place to take a date; the concept of shabu-shabu is definitely an interesting topic for conversation. Bit on the louder side, and you won't have any mood lighting. (Apparently, they use the same lighting company that Fenway Park uses.) Still highly recommended for dates or for taking family or friends out.
(4)
Jillian Y.
Okay, so at first I was like...waaiiiit a minute here, I have to cook my own food? At these prices? But then I ordered the surf and turf (not bad, $15 or so) and was in HEAVEN when it arrived all huge - thinly sliced beef, salmon, clams, calamari, and so much more...all raw, just waiting to be tossed into the boiling broth in front of me. Plus, they give you an enormous plate of veggies to go with. I don't think it gets much better than this. And my nickname at work? Shabu.
(5)
Christian R.
I've been frequenting Kaze since summer, 2006, have brought dozens of friends along for the experience, and have always gotten really positive feedback from them. I became good friends with one of the managers and she would often give me and my friends free appetizers to try or a free round of drinks. 6 months ago she left for another endeavor and the staff hasn't quite been the same. Even still, for its price (esp at lunch) Kaze is a great deal for quality shabu shabu. The watermelon smoothies (and other flavors, I've heard, although I only get the watermelon) are fire (read awesome) and the cream-corn croquettes so delicious my mom ended up getting 3 orders worth for herself when I brought her by. Dessert's a little overpriced for what it is, but it's good nonetheless. And as for the food - there's an extremely wide variety of high quality food. I've never been disappointed and neither have my guests. Definitely one of the restaurants worth checking out in Boston, especially if you've never done shabu shabu before. Kaze will bring you back time and time again.
(5)
Andrew B.
This is a great place to go with a small group. I went with my girlfriend and another couple and we had a great time. Its extremely easy to get to, has good drinks, and give you a ton of food for an extremely good price considering you're in Boston. The wait staff was a little slow, but we were catching dinner on a friday night at 10pm. They were very pleasant and helpful, as it was our first time dining at a "hot pot" restaurant. If you haven't tried it yet, you have to. Its a lot of fun and its a sort of interactive dinner. I actually found out about this place on yelp, and decided to give it a try since there are no Hibachi places in Boston. Anyways, its a great time, and especially attractive if you're on a budget.
(4)
Jaime K.
I wanted to do something fun and different with a few friends for my birthday. This was the perfect choice. And it was my first time ever doing hot pot. It was a Wednesday night so it wasn't too crowded and we got seated in the corner area all to ourselves (which was really nice. Of course started of with the HUGE scorpion bowls which were pretty good. Then decided to go with a seafood platter, beef platter and a side or own individual side or two. (I like some of the crazy stuff they had on the menu as I will try anything and everything) And also, we got a huge crab which was yummy and a lot of fun. We had two pots split down the middle with the miso (mild) and then a spicier soup. The food can seem to be a little bland with the miso soup but the spicier soups did have a great little kick!! It ended up taking us 2 1/2 hours to eat everything and our tummys were very satisfied. Overall, it was such a fun experience and I definitely recommend it if you're looking for something to do with a group!
(4)
Ryan V.
I would love to give this place 5 stars but somehow it loses a star due to reservation complications. I called 3 days in advance since I was expecting to have a party of 6 during peak dinner time. When I arrived and told them I had made reservation for this particular day and time, they could not find my name. I was very upset because I wanted to avoid the long wait and wanted to be seated immediately. Luckly, they decided to honor my reservation even though they could not find my reservation. I only had to wait 10 minutes for them to set my table while I wait for my party. NOTE: You should not call 3 days in advance. Try calling 12 hours in advance so that they won't lose your reservation. Everything on the menus is a bit pricey since you are eating in the city. There was a variety of broths, a la carte items, fresh seafood and combo platters. We order the miso broth and the spicy szechuan broth and was not disappointed. The broth was hot and hearty. The shrimp and lobster was fresh. Vegetables seemed a bit aged but still nice and crisp. Even though this place is located in Chinatown and has a Japanese name, don't assume the employees are Japanese. I tried to speak to them in Japanese but got a weird look as if I had 3 heads. In the end, I was still left unfulfilled. The meat, veggies, and all the a la carte items may look good doesn't mean it will leave you full. The portion size were relatively small. You may need to order two of everything if you have a party of 6 or more. Prepare yourself by bringing a little snack as you will still be hungry!! I definately come back but with a bigger wallet and my stomach half full.
(4)
Anne D.
This place is wonderful! Its super clean, the waitstaff is friendly and knowledgeable and the food is amazing. I've brought my 70-year old parents and my 7-year old cousins and they all love it. Its a great place for a groups and is really easy to get to. The meats and tofus are always fresh and delicious and the vegetables are always clean and nicely prepared. The staff is awesome about explaining things, brining substitutions and keeping your broth bowls hot. I think its the best shabu shabu in town - try it!
(5)
Jasmine C.
Good place to hang out with a few friends for a casual dinner. The food is good, but really, its Nabe (hot pot) and you do your own cooking, so what else can go wrong right? Price is a little on the high side and I would say more expensive compared to Shabu Zen (also in Chinatown). I usually come here instead of Shabu Zen as there is a shorter wait and bigger and roomier tables, which is great if you want to eat slow and just enjoy chatting and eating over dinner. Overally it has always been a pleasant experience, service is good and fairly clean, which is pretty important.
(4)
Lys W.
Legions of Vegans! I have been hearing all kinds of wonderful things about Kaze Shabu Shabu. The we had a vegetarian/vegan night here, and quite a few people showed up. I have never tried hot pot before, and I found it similar to the fondue that I remember from home. A nice soup base (Miso, in my case) and the vegetarian platter hit the spot. I shared a pot with Tyler, and we kept getting our noodles and tofu mixed up, but it was all good! I think the tofu and the greens were my favourite. Make sure you ask them what is veg, because a lot of their bases are not. Another note, the waiter we had was super nice and super knowledgeable. If I could remember his name, I would recommend him!
(4)
Trish F.
My favorite shabu-shabu place in Boston (out of the 3 that I've tried). Lucky for me I came here with several Yelpers for Kenny's "See ya later" dinner. I really like the set up of the tables. For our large group (10-12), they put us in a semi-private table that was separated by half walls. Great for Yelpers because our conversations can go from zero to dirty in negative five seconds flat. I think that you get the most bang for your buck here. It seems like for the same dishes at each place, Kaze gives you more veggies. Hoorah! The service was great and I didn't hear our server say anything under his breath when I complained that my pot wasn't boiling as fast as the other pots. Allix commented on something about how the watched pot never gets hot or something.. so I distracted myself with the always lively Yelper convo. Another note on the service.. Kenny, Allix and I showed up before everyone else and they sat us without giving us ish. We actually didn't order until 30+ minutes after our reservation. That's not usually how I roll, but I really appreciate them accommodating us like that. Can't tell ya about the bathroom, but I hear the water is cold... sayeth many lady Yelpers. And I didn't get a chance to try out their smoothies (if they had any), but as of now, Shabu Zen in Allston has a one up on Kaze because of their lychee smoothies. But no worries, I'll be back on the regular so I can try everything on the menu. YUM!
(5)
Nina S.
I much prefer shabu Zen to this place. The broth at shabu Zen is more tasty. Here I got the original and Sichuan. Neither were worth drinking in copious amounts. The meats were aight. Got the lamb as part of the surf and turf combo#2. It was nice but the seafood was very rubbery. Next time if i come back it'll just be for the meat no seafood. Also ordered fishballs with Chinese sausage which to me just didn't go together even though it sounded good. Also got the crispy squid tentacles which was disappointing in flavor, texture and size. It cost $6 and was such a small portion.
(2)
Jennifer W.
Dragon bowl was strong but it tastes like juice! Huge plus for me as it was easy and pleasant to drink. Hotpot was standard as far as selection and quality. Great portions and your typical sides. Not the most upscale hot pot place but the prices reflect that which is why I don't mind. Would return for another "pre-game dinner meal and drink."
(4)
Amanda P.
I wish I could rave about the service!! This place has the worst service ever our waitress didn't check up on us whatsoever!! The atmosphere is laid-back and super comfortable. The food was decent, they weren't stingy with their proportions either so I guess that's a plus.
(3)
Le T.
long overdue review of this place. I used to come here often during my undergrad with my roommate because they used to have the BOGO deal in those college coupon books. Sad to say, they no longer have the deal. But I still come here from time to time. I think they still have "happy hours" where apps are half off. We used to go all out. The best addition to our hotpot was the salmon fish head for a buck 99. I would say, it was my roommate who really got me hooked on their tomato and beef broth. I blame you! and oh... god.. their mung bean noodles.. you cannot find it anywhere. it's that damn good, try it!
(5)
Ying X.
Kaze is one of three hot pot places that I frequent whenever I'm in Boston. It's a bit further out of the way than Q (my other non-shabu-shabu hot pot joint), so I sometimes get too lazy to walk the few extra blocks, but I do think that Kaze has a better selection of food items. Their store area is also much bigger, so you won't have to spend over an hour waiting just to get a table. You can order either a meat combination (which comes with veggies), or get things a la carte. We usually order the Prime Rib Eye combo with Lamb, and then get a few seafood and vegetable side orders (i.e. fish filet, watercress, spinach, tofu). I also like to get their fish or beef balls with pork filling. I don't think many other hot pot places offer these, but something about having an umami filling to your meatball just really adds to the overall enjoyment. As for soup bases, we've had the Chinese Herbal, Chinese Cilantro with Preserved Egg, Szechuan Spicy (which really wasn't that spicy), and Malaysian Satay. All of them are pretty good, and I'd recommend one of the first two if you're in the mood for something lighter, but none of these were really that heavy. Service can be a bit hit or miss depending on who you get, but as long as they bring out all your orders, the rest is pretty self-paced. I've never had to wait too long for my soup, meat, or veggies to be brought out, but they're sometimes a bit slow about refilling the pot.
(4)
Morgan J.
I struggle to find the appeal in this place. This was towards the end of my trip and Chinatown was the one place we hadn't checked out. We stopped in, based on the strong reviews from other Yelpers. The decor is beautiful. The color scheme was lovely and matched the Japanese culture. Light colors, calming, soothing. I liked that part a lot. However, the setup is a little awkward. There are about four or five booths and in the middle is a long table. We sat down at one part of the table and a couple sat down next to us. I think they were miffed at their seating location (because really, you have absolutely no privacy to have a conversation) and they decided to move. Okay then. It was a little too claustrophobic for me. The service was okay, not great. It took the waiter about ten minutes to come around to finally get our drink order. I had a good sense of what I wanted, but it just took way too long to get the ball rolling, know what I mean? Anyway, I ordered a strawberry banana smoothie which was absolutely delicious. They knew how to make it there, that's for sure. The food was decent. I've never had hotpot before. It was a unique experience, and something that I wasn't quite use to, because I forgot I had things boiling in the pot. The chicken was good. I also ordered vegetable rolls which turned out pretty good as well. Overall, okay. I think I'd find another place in Chinatown to eat next time, though.
(3)
Dedania M.
Arrived around late 9pm on a Sunday. Service here wasn't great. The hostess seemed confused when we arrived and our waiter was no where to be found after sending out our food. Kind of a typical thing at Chinatown so I'm not that surprised or offended but home girl was thirsty and needed a refill. Trying to get the bill took some time too; going at night is something to consider if you want better service OR be assertive with what you want. Regardless of service, food isn't as pricy as shabu-zen and not so sure about Q restaurant. Kimchi broth wasn't really strong like it is at shabu, sadly. We ordered lamb, beef, seafood, fish balls, udon, beef tongue, and gyozas. My favorite was probably the lamb or beef tongue. I didn't notice any problem with the noodles?? They looked like udon noodles to me haha, just very chewy. It's also nice that they're open as late as hot pot buffet!
(3)
Theodore T.
My second favorite hot pot place in the area, after Q. I like getting a booth upstairs, I think the restaurant used to be a night club or something. My usual order includes boneless short rib, angus ribeye, udon, rice, and two broths -- Japanese curry and tomato beef. The spicy chicken nugget appetizer is good as well. I don't recommend their dessert. All in all a nice place, and the wait is usually less than Q.
(4)
Ria S.
I say 4.5 because drinks on that random occasion are not that great. But when the right bartender is on, they are fantastic. Hot pot is always a treat and depending on the lines, I really enjoy coming here with friends. It's hard to stray away from those bright neon pink lights... *_*
(4)
Bonnie C.
Updating my review because everything changed drastically after writing my previous 5-star review. The quality of the meat is so inconsistent. I always order the prime rib eye when I come here. The prime rib eye is suppose to melt in your mouth after cooking it for several seconds. However, the past couple times I came here, the meat has been very "old" and not fresh. The meat is tough and very hard to eat. BUT the reason why I am giving this place one star is because of the staff there. The service isn't the best; it's awkward and you feel like you're not taken care of. I don't expect much because it's Chinatown. However, I came here last night with my friends after a long meeting. The only place opened was Kaze (we were craving for hot pot), so we decided to come here. It was 12:15AM and we were still working on our food. The restaurant CLOSES at 1:00AM. 12:30AM came and I heard the boss by the bar saying something about the check. He was very rude about it. Promptly, we asked for the check because we felt RUSHED and UNWELCOMED. We left around 12:45, and as we walked away, I noticed that the guy manager ROLLED HIS EYES at us, as if saying "finally they are leaving". He didn't even do a good job of hiding it. You have no idea how unwelcomed I felt. No offense, but when your restaurant close at 1:00AM, it means customers can stay till 1:00AM. It doesn't mean that YOU get to leave at 1:00AM. If you want to leave earlier, why don't you make the business hours close early so you can leave early? Of course that isn't smart for business, so why don't YOU (yes, you the manager and the staff) stop being so selfish and focus on satisfying YOUR CUSTOMERS and not YOURSELF. I want to say that I will never be back, but unfortunately this is the only hot pot restaurant that's opened late. Shabu Zen, please change your business hours so I can start giving you business. To think I always tip the waitress at least 20% due to generosity. Never again.
(1)
Samantha L.
Kaze Shabu is located in Chinatown on 1 Harrison Avenue. The restaurant has two floors for hot pot. They provide the soy sauce and four condiments (scallion, minced garlic, shrimp paste, and spicy sauce) to create your customized sauce. For drinks, we got a Mai Tai which consisted of Light Rum, Dark Rum, Orange Curaçao, Almond Syrups, and Tropical Juices (which was light and fruity) and Bahama Mama which consisted of Malibu Coconut Rum, Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum, White and Dark Rum, and Tropical Juice (which was strong). We ordered the Oden platter which consisted of assorted fish cake and tofu as well as the Beef Lover platter which consisted of Kobe, Prime Rib Eye, Black Angus Rib Eye, Boneless Short Rib, and Beef. We got the Japanese Miso Broth and Meat Bouillon. We got the vermicelli and Japanese potato noodles. Each entree came with a vegetable platter that consisted of tomato, watercress, napa cabbage, spinach, corn, mushroom, taro, and turnip. It was a delicious meal!
(4)
April K.
We started off with a bottle of wine at the bar, and the owner/manager treated us like royalty. Also, who can say no to a $23 bottle of Sauv Blanc? The meat boullion based soup was pretty tasty. I ordered the beef plate. They served it with a side of vermicelli and a generous platter of veggies (bok choy, watercress, mushroom, cabbage, and taro). Only gripe is no tofu or enoki unless you get it as extra. They aren't stingy with the sauces, but they do charge for cilantro. Overall had a great dinner experience here and it may be my new favorite shabu place.
(4)
Don M.
Came here on a Monday night and there were barely people in the restaurant. The server was nice but service was a bit slow. Prices were a bit higher than I expected but then again, it's Boston and an American city. I'm used to Taiwan where it was grab all you can eat for a fixed price. Here, it's more like pay as you go for whatever you want. Broth was complementary as it should be. If you have a peanut allergy, beware of the sauces they give you since one of them has peanuts! The broths themselves were pretty good but a bit salty. We got the beef, chicken, taro, radish, and veggies. All were good quality but just pricey. Overall, I'd try other places around but would end up coming back at some point.
(3)
Angelica O.
The ambiance is great very clean and modern. The set up and layout of the dishes are beautiful. However, the soup can be a bit bland at times and the BBQ dipping sauce seems to be pre- refrigerated which takes away from the flavor a little. The hotpot also seems to take forever to come out even if it's not so busy. The staff is attentive at times and the mix drinks are pretty amazing. The main critic I have for this resturaunt is simply the cleanliness of the bathroom. It is gross and it's downstairs if your dining in the dining room. The upstairs bathroom of kaze is much much better but only has one stall. I recommend asking for seating upstairs so you can avoid the downstairs bathroom.
(3)
Justin K.
Super good hot pot! Lots of space too so you can bring big groups - just be sure to make a reservation. I came here with a large group (12 people) after finding out the wait at shabu zen was too long. The wait time here was only 20-30 mins, so we decided to try it out. My favorite broth is definitely the kimchi - spicy and flavorful, really good! The meat is all high quality and fresh as well. We also asked about sake bombs, and while they told us to try and keep it down, they didn't really mind :) the main guy at the front (possibly the owner?) was super friendly and really enthusiastic about our sake bombing haha. The rest of the staff was friendly as well. It was a great time!
(5)
Catherine H.
I love hot pot. There is nothing better than sitting in front of a steaming pot of warm delicious broth on a freezing cold day. The broth is flavorful without overpowering the meats, veggies, and noodles. I like that this spot is more more of a Chinese hot pot style restaurant than Japanese shabu shabu. Kaze has so many broth options, which is really fun. If you have a large group you can try a little bit of everything, which again makes the meal all that much more enjoyable. I recommend the Korean kimchi and the Japanese miso. The Japanese curry is alright as is the tomato with beef. As far as meat is concerned get the Kobe. You won't regret it. I tend to stay away from raw pork and chicken at hot pot places, for germ related reasons (however, I hear they are good too). As far as noodles are concerned get the udon. Just remember to come hungry!
(4)
Margorie G.
If there was a way to give 0 stars I would. If I wasn't starving I would have gotten up and left. This is the most uncoopperative establishment I've ever been to. I was on vacation so that means I'm adventurous and happy to try all the city has to offer. It was cold and we were hungry and Boston has a Chinatown what could be better right?? wrong! We walked in and its a hybrid of a pho/fondue with a broth of your choice and you cook the protein and vegetables and noodles etc of your choice. We arrived within 10 minutes of their time to stop serving lunch and when I tried to order it they refused. When I asked our waiter if she could ask her manager she said no. We ordered the meat bouillon base with the meat combo #3 which had beef and pork and the vermicelli noodles. This came with veggies like corn, taro, bok choi, tomatoes, etc... They bring this pot that they put in the middle of the table that has a burner they turn on. The concept is to put in the veggies and protein etc to cook in the broth and then eat. The food itself was very good and I lived the concept but the lack of customer service and assistance is unacceptable. Everything we requested or any question we had seemed to be a bother. I would never eat here again, there are so many other restaurants in that area do yourself a favor a choose one of those.
(1)
Jen K.
I've gone here many times but this time I'm super disappointed! I ordered the kimchi broth and when I asked him to make it spicy he said he would have to charge me more.... That makes no sense cause i already pay 3 dollars to get the spicy kimchi broth... I talked to the manager and he said that he has to charge double... HOW DOES THAT MAKE SENSE! So I would pay 6 dollars for broth???............. Manager was super unhelpful. They also didn't have sesame sauce or even sesame oil. Also 20 minutes into dinner service they told me that fish stuffed meatball was sold out.... Of course he couldn't tell me before .... Will not be going back sadly. I've tried a ton of Shabu places in Boston and this one definitely cares more about making money then customers coming back! WOMP
(1)
Tony S.
Wow.... have I really not reviewed this place? I've only been here 20 times.... last week (I keed, I keed!). No but seriously folks, I've been here at least that many times over the last 4-5 years. This is my go-to shabu place in Boston. I consider it one of the top 3 places to go in terms of quality, service (you'd be surprised how shitty service is in some of these places), and menu variety. Situated on the corner of a parking lot in Chinatown, the place is airy, and has two levels. They make their own soybean sauce (kinda like peanut sauce), which I mix with the standard Chinese bbq sauce and sriracha to make a Southeast Asian tasting dipping sauce. This is one of the few shabu places that has kobe beef, so if you're up for splurging, this is the place to do it. Personally, once I discovered the direct correlation of beef fat, my bank account deficit, and growing waistline, I nowadays opt for the angus beef, which you can't go wrong with. While the jury is still out for the top shabu place in the city, nobody can argue that his is a top-3 contender.
(4)
Dang P.
My wife and I are regulars here and we never had a bad meal. The hot pot broths are very flavorful. My favorite is the Kimchi broth. The meat and vegetables are always fresh. They are spacious, so we never waited for more than 10 mins for a table. The staff is very nice. I look forward to coming back in the near future.
(5)
Elisha T.
Just like another reviewer said, this is definitely a Chinese hot pot restaurant and not quite an authentic Japanese shabu shabu. Nevertheless all the items we tried tasted pretty good. We had two large hot pot with a divider in between making total of 4 different flavors of soup. We also ordered different kinds of meat and vegetables to dip in. My favorite of all the meat was beef here, and porks were second best. Seafoods (e.g. mini octopus) were also interesting to eat as shabu shabu and I personally liked it. This is definitely a good place to come in a group so you can enjoy variety of items. They have a lot of tables so wait is not going to be much of an issue. After eating and drinking, it came around $135 for our six people group.
(4)
Gloria C.
This place definitely gives Shabu zen and all the other hotpot places a run for their money. However, I find that it isn't very sanitary! They stack the foods and pots before bringing it out to customers. I don't know about you but I don't trust that the bottoms of their plates are all that clean. The scary part is they aren't even afraid of customers seeing! That means that they either don't care or don't think that they are doing anything wrong--which is horrendous to me! They have a super extensive broth selection!!! Some of them are pretty hefty in price though. I think up to $5. I'm personally really sensitive to MSG and having told that to my waiter, they still managed to sneak some into my food somewhere. I got really sick after eating there. If you do want to give it a shot, go during lunch! You get the same portions except for a few bucks off. Beware though, they have a spending minimum!! Something in the low teens. One thing I do love is their large variety of noodles/rice. You can get green bean and potato noodles here which is pretty rare at other Shabu places. They have a large variety of appetizers in addition to their hotpot offerings. There's also a specials menu with I think eight items on there. I've ordered many of them multiple times but they're always out of half of the stuff. Also, whenever I go, I'm never greeted by a host at their super formal and established host stand. So what's the point of having that there? Both of the waiters I had were super attentive though, very swift, and super friendly.
(3)
Oki P.
Out of all the hotpot places in Boston i have visited, i would not visit Kaze again. Unattentive service and i did not like all the broths. I have tried all of them from japanese curry to sze chuan spicy and they were not comparable to other places. The broth tastes MSG laden and i felt like i was drinking instant noodle broth which really kills it for me. Also, the pink lights in the restaurant is irritating. Overall, the location is huge and bigger than the other hot pot restaurants but other options such as Q hotpot or Shabu Shabu are much more worth the wait.
(2)
Elleen P.
Came here with my friend one snowy night in Boston, and man... I don't think I could give ANY shabu shabu place less than 5 stars when I feel that cold and it warms me up that much. lol. I think this is a karaoke place too (or maybe the foursquare location is wrong) but the food was definitely restaurant quality. We were able to order a lot of food (not knowing the portions) because we thought that since it was cheap, it was going to be small amounts.. . but they were quite generous with what they gave. We ended up ordering way too much meat for just two people but somehow still ate it all. We're fatties. Oh well. Need the blubber for insulation hahaha. In California, this place would probably get a B just because it's not that clean, but we're in Massachusetts aka land of no food safety ratings (to my knowledge) so they're still getting a 5 stars. :)
(5)
Mike A.
The guy who poured our water was named Tank. That is a legitimately masculine name. I can dig that. Unfortunately, he just poured our water. Then he disappeared. Which is generally hard for a tank to do, I think. There was nothing overly special about this place but I do see that it has good Yelp reviews. My only guess is that people's expectations of shabu shabu are lower in Boston than they are where I live. Or maybe I am just some high and mighty shabu shabu critic. Or neither. Lunch specials were a decent price. House hot sake was pretty good. I probably wouldn't go back but I wouldn't discourage anyone from going here either. It's good enough.
(3)
Angela C.
The best part about this place right now is the fact that it's currently closed. If I can give negative stars, I will. I honestly cannot comprehend how anyone can give more than 3 stars for this place. The food was terrible. My bf has zero expectations for hotpot...he loves them all, but somehow Kaze manages to disappoint him. The quality of meat was bad, and the soup base tasted weird. The staff was horrible. The hostess that was downstairs did not look happy to see us, and was completely grumpy the entire way to our table. I understand that people can have their bad days, but when the restaurant is empty and your only job is to really greet your customers, maybe you should just suck it up for the 3 minutes it'll take to get us to our tables. Our waitress was friendly enough, but was inattentive. The whole atmosphere was weird and uncomfortable. tl;dr - THIS PLACE SUCKS.
(1)
Chau H.
Holy cow... I just saw their kitchen worker came out of the bathroom and did not wash her hands. I brought it up to the waitress and her response was maybe she will wash it when she gets to the kitchen. Huh? How is that a normal response?! I used to go to this place years ago when I was in college and am back visiting my sister. I'm docking them for hygiene. The shabu is ok.
(2)
Calvin L.
I'm used to doing hot pot at home where I would be able to have a variety of food served, so I'm a bit biased here. Each table has one burner for a split pot. 2 people share a pot. For the pot, you choose the type of soup base you want to flavor whatever you want to eat, be it veggies, seafood, or meat. Each person gets some veggies, sauces, and a choice of rice or noodles to accompany the main course. I choose the seafood combo, which included salmon, squid, clams, scallops, 2 types of fish cake, and shrimp. Despite their small size, they were easy to cook, which allows for near instant gratification. Personally, home is where I would do hot pot. I can pick out what I want to eat rather be limited to the offerings of a restaurant. However, if you are unwilling to handle a portable stove and gas can or don't have the time to prepare it, then this place would do.
(3)
Tiffany D.
This place is one of my absolute favorites! Every time I visit Boston, I always make sure to stop here for hot pot! For starters, this place can get very packed, so come early or come extra late so you aren't waiting in line for a table! I ALWAYS get two broths: Thai tomyum (super spicy and I'd recommend straining the broth before pouring onto your noodles so you don't chew on chunky peppercorns and chilis) and the Japanese tonkotsu, which is perfect for balancing out the spiciness of the tomyum! The broths at Kaze are so flavorful, it beats out all other broths I've tried that basically taste like plain water. For the meats, there are so many options, and they're very generous with the portions too! I usually get the beef lover (includes fatty Kobe beef.. Mmm), lamb, veal tongue, assorted meatballs, and tripe. This is definitely more than enough food for a small group, but hey, you might as well get everything you want when you don't come often! Make sure you stop by this place on your next trip through Chinatown. You will not be disappointed!
(5)
Mickey G.
Kaze is by far my favorite shabu shabu place in the Boston area. They consistently deliver a high quality meal at an affordable price point. I usually get a lamb combo with a side of short rib bones. The bones are inexpensive and have a decent amount of meat on them. My favorite soup bases are the Japanese curry and the Tom Yum soup base. My only complaint is that they no longer have their creamed corn croquettes, which were delicious. Note: If you are a CrossFitter or follow the paleo diet, you can very easily make a clean meal out of a visit here by skipping the soy sauce, taro, and the rice/noodle offerings. The sweet potato noodles are delicious are are technically paleo-approved, but my understanding is that they way they process the noodles, they take all of the fiber/nutrients out of the sweet potato, which defeats the purpose of such a substitution.
(5)
Vic G.
Decent place. I live in Quincy which really has the best Shabu places around. So 3 stars for Boston is really good. But this place is slightly over priced for the fact that there isn't much competition other than Shabu zen who I would rate 3 as well. What makes this place slightly better than Shabu Zen is that it has more options for broths depending on flavors you like and heat levels. Also - I have never had sushi or anything else but hot pot here because I am very specific about my sushi and once when I was at the bar looking how sushi was being made, I knew I would be having hot pot only. Hot pot is good especially the hot spicy broths. Decent service and they don't try to rush you. That's the good part.
(4)
Julia C.
I'm sorry to say that during my 8 years in Boston, I've only just discovered Kaze, as it's the best shabu place around here! Reasons why Kaze is awesome: -It's marginally cheaper than Shabu Zen, Q, or Swish Shabu -The portions are the most generous of them all. They also don't skimp on the fixings for the dipping sauce. -The house broth here is the best one out of all three places listed above. -I also love that their super tasty fish paste isn't brimming with cilantro and that it's self-serve - in most shabu places, waitresses do the fish paste for you and drop huge pieces into the broth all at once, resulting in them never cooking through. One thing I found odd was that gratuity (about 18%) was already included in the bill, even though I was having dinner by myself. But the credit card bill sheet had a tip line as well as suggested gratuity amounts. So just be on the lookout for that.
(5)
Lily Z.
I used to like it here until i went to the bathroom and saw a chef use the bathroom and take a shit then not wash her hands. AND TO MAKE IT WORSE (as if it could get any worse...) There were 3!!!!!!!! dead and alive cockroaches downstairs on the floor OH MY GOD. Just stay away...
(1)
Emily L.
Never (almost never) have to wait for a table and waitstaff are attentive to your needs. I"m not sure why people choose shabu zen over this restaurant. The food is equally good and this restaurant is much bigger. I like getting a side order of the fish paste along with the meat combo meal.
(4)
Lusi J.
Have you tried their watermelon smoothie? TRY IT!!!! lol The hotpot here is great but is a bit pricey for dinner considering the portion is the same as lunch. Thats the only downside to this place, otherwise, everything is fantastic
(5)
Lillian C.
My friend was visiting and wanted some shabu like we used to have back home so I just yelped and found this place. We didn't make reservations and got here around 8:30 on a Sat night. We didn't really have to wait since this place has two floors and plenty of tables. We sat down and was helped quickly. We ordered surf and turf #1, a side order of lamb, king oyster mushrooms, tofu, with one traditional soup base and one Japanese soy sauce with seaweed. The food came and I quickly realized we ordered wayyyy too much food. The side order of lamb meat was huge... It felt like it was as much as a regular order. The surf and turf was great and there were a lot of good seafood in it. You can tell they use quality ingredients. I also ordered a lychee martini and that was delicious. My friend ordered a smoothie and it was rich and milky. The only downsides I would say are 1) they ran out of peanut sauce... how does that happen for a shabu place? 2) we ordered mochi ice cream for dessert and it was hard... clearly something wrong with the container or freezer. They took it back and gave us just ice cream. My friend said the red bean ice cream was weird... I got green tea ice cream and thought it was ok. 3) I felt like it was a little pricey... or maybe I'm just used to LA quantity, quality, and price...
(3)
Leah G.
We love this place! There are so many broth flavors to choose from. The meat and veggies are always fresh and portions are very generous. The spicy broths are extremely spicy, so beware! My favorite is the Tonkatsu broth with boneless short ribs. I do find that the "generic" beef isn't as good, so I upgrade The kimchi broth is also great and very flavorful, but very spicy. The tomato and beef broth is another good non-spicy broth choice. The food comes out quickly, so there's barely any waiting involved. There is a lot of seating, though most times they seat you upstairs. There are quite a few stairs and they're very steep, so be careful!! For drinks, their house scorpion-bowl-like drink is so yummy (can't remember the exact drink name)!! The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The prices for hot pot are generally pretty high, and this place is up there. On two hot pot meals alone, expect to spend at least $50, but it's worth it. One of the best hot pot places I've been to in the area. Would definitely recommend!!
(5)
Becca P.
I always go to Shabu Zen but my friend suggested that we go to this place so I figured WHY NOT? I wish I didn't but now I know. The SERVICE was okay. I had to flag down the waiter and other waiters a few times since my waiter didn't check on us after he served us. For food, we got the angus rib eye and short rib combos to split. I got the assorted veggies as is and my friend removed the cabbage and added more spinach for her plate. I don't understand why the waiter made the substitutions such a fuss. "Let me ask my manager." But they sub'd it out anyways. The assorted veggies comprised of watercress, spinach, napa cabbage, one black mushroom, corn and a tomato. It was underwhelming. I tried Spinach noodles for the first time. Not a fan. Just go with the Udon. The first angus rib eye was good. The short rib was cut really thin and just didn't satisfy. We were still hungry so we ordered another angus rib eye. The second plate was more fresh because the cut looked better and tasted much better. Our broth was the house broth and the cilantro and duck egg. House broth was quite bland as well as the cilantro one but I still enjoyed the duck eggs. Altogether, thumbs down. I would not come back. They are WAY OVERPRICED for what they offer. I'll go to Shabu Zen or the Shabu in Quincy.
(2)
Bradley B.
Really great selection and food, came for a birthday party and will definitely be back. There are so many combinations to try: although the prime rib was so good I don't think I can order anything else.
(4)
Mike F.
Stumbled into this restaurant unknowing of what I was getting myself into. Little did I know my world and taste buds were about to be rocked into space. The food was quality and the dipping soup broths are extremely tasty. Once you're out of food you will be left dipping anything you can find in the broth to soak up the goodness. i recommend a classic face first slurp approach.
(4)
Thanh H.
Great place, but only if you're not in a hurry. For those new to the concept of hotpot, it was really designed for eating with a group of people. You put the food in, let it cook as you chat with you friends. I was never a fan growing up since I didn't really eat out much, let alone eating out with a group. After I met my wife and her group of friends, I started liking hotpot a lot. Not just because of the food, but that fact that we're all together enjoying each other's company. Of course, having great foods around doesn't hurt. I really like the Chicken Wings and the Spicy Tentacles here. The Chicken Wings are juicy and flavorful, and the sauce that comes with it only sweetens the deal. The Spicy Tentacles had a slight hint of spice so even if you don't really eat spicy foods, you might find this to be in your comfort zone. There is a large selection of broths to choose from. Most places will offer maybe four or five types of broth, Kaze offers about a dozen. Their broth range from tamed Japanese Miso to aromatic Chinese Herbal to face-burning Malaysian. Each has their own unique taste so it's not uncommon for a group of friends to order several broths (each pot can hold two broths) and share. I, personally, like the Malaysian and the Szechuan. I like my foods with a kick. For the main course, a tip given to me by a friend of mine, Paul Le, who goes here at LEAST 4 days out of the week, is to order from the "Sides" section of the menu. That way you get exactly what you want. Rib eye, shortrib, chicken, beef balls, water cress, and udon noodles. If this is what I want, there's no reason to order meat combo and assorted vegetables. The food here is of better quality than that is at Hot Pot Buffet, but the quantity is not even close. So I guess you might say you come here to dine and hang out, and you go to the buffet down the street if you're just planning on stuffing yourself. The service is great here. Never had a problem and was always attended to. I've been here more than I can count in one hand...so probably around 7 or 8 times. Most of the time, the waiter has been Ross. He is fantastic. The moment water in in my glass is half way, BAM! There he was, filling it. When Coke (soda) is low, BAM! He's there asking if you need another one. The establishment is always clean and properly lit. Tables are cleaned promptly have customers get up to ensure the next customers are seated quickly. They also offer alcohol and desserts. What's dinner with friends without some adult beverages? Well, unless you're underage. They offer beer and wines to hard liquor such as Jack Daniels and Hennessy. For those feeling a might be adventurous they offer giant scorpion bowls for your party. I'm disappointed to say, I've never actually tried the desserts here so I can't really comment on that. Perhaps an update in the future is in order.
(5)
Holly H.
First hot pot experience ever and I loved it. Sat at the bar, drinks were never empty. Food came out quick (not much preparation) and was delicious. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Mary T.
Prepare to have garlic breath, if you eat here!! I had dinner here. This is similar to a lot of the other shabu restaurants nearby. I came here on a Sunday night and it wasn't really busy. We were seated upstairs. My friend and I got the lamb and beef combo. I usually get the mala soup base, but I was warned by my sister that it is super spicy, I mean there is 3 chili signs next to it, so it must be spicy. I asked the server to make it with half the spice. I also got basic broth. The broth is not that flavorful and it was bland. They give you a lot of veggies, I wish they had tofu. It was a little weird that they had tomatoes. They have several dipping sauces for the meat--sriracha, satay, and soy sauce. You can add garlic, and scallions to your soy sauce. I was pretty full from the lamb combo I got. The server was quick to serve the food, but when we ask for more sauces, they never got it for us. The prices here are fair and it is a good place to go to if Q is pack.
(3)
Chris C.
Our dinner group went here on a January Friday night. RATINGS: Food: 4 Service: 4 Decor: 3 Overall: 4 SUMMARY: First Friday attendees found the food to be " fresh and plentiful," and that the "Thai Tomyum and Japanese Miso broths I had were a good compliment to one another." However, one attendee found the lamb to be "fattier than I remember." Service ranged from "fine" to "good," with one review stating he wished "there was more explanation from the waitstaff." Reviewers also found Shabu Shabu to be "a lot nicer than most shabu places." Multiple respondents said they would return for "a relaxed and casual dinner" or that they would return with "people from out of town." INDIVIDUAL DINER COMMENTS: Nice atmosphere, reasonable food. No really big surprises, good or bad. I'd come back again and since it's different, it's a nice activity to do with people visiting from out of town, etc. -- I've been to Shabu Shabu many times and was excited to return. Though I definitely had to work for my dinner (finally got into the rhythm by the end of the meal), the ingredients were fresh and plentiful and the Thai Tomyum broth has become a new favorite. Service was fine. The lamb was fattier than I remembered from previous visits but the beef was excellent so I'd stick with that. Overall, I would definitely return for a relaxed and casual dinner. Mmmmm I'm hungry just thinking about it.... -- The Thai Tomyum and Japanese Miso broths I had were a good compliment to one another, offering a spicy and tasty way to eat my meal. I found the meat just a little too fatty, had to leave a few pieces floating in the broth, doomed to shabu hell. It took me a little bit to get in the flow of cooking and conversing, but it did not detract from the experience in anyway. I enjoyed Shabu Shabu's aesthetic, service, and overall experience to Shabu Zen, a most welcomed change to the evening. -- Tthis was a fun first friday. The food was fresh, plentiful and affordable, and the service was good, and helpful, and the interior was spacious and a lot nicer than many shabu places, i thoroughly enjoyed it!! -- Definitely an enjoyable change of pace from the normal restaurant experience, Shabu Shabu was a pleasant surprise. I found the food delicious and filling without being overwrought. They DIY-nature of the meal was quite fun. A little more explanation from the waitstaff about what different items were would have been helpful, but I also could have asked.
(4)
Kestrel S.
Delicious! Fresh, good meat and produce. Nice miso broth. The Kaze Special Bowl is a fun drink--like alcoholic candy. Udon noodles and jumbo shrimp are great.
(4)
Carolyn L.
I'd probably rate this place closer to 2.5 stars. It's just missing the wow factor. They really shouldn't advertise themselves as being a Japanese restaurant when it has a heavier Chinese influence. Their shabu uses Chinese sauces and they even serve Chinese rice. My Japanese friend was incredibly disappointed. I guess that's what you'd expect for Chinatown though? However, I will say I really liked the option of ordering different soup bases and enjoyed the tonkatsu broth. But other than that, prices are decent and the portions are average. I'll probably check out all the other shabu places before coming back.
(3)
Jerry L.
Really like this place especially as a single traveler. One can eat here alone without feeling weird. Does that make sense? Plus the food is excellent. I really enjoy their Satay broth.....why can't I find this broth in Los Angeles?? $4 PBRs and a beef/seafood shabu with Satay broth pls. I stayed 3 days in Boston and ate here twice......it's worth a visit.
(5)
Jessica B.
Good lord I love this place. This is my favorite restaurant in the Boston area. Full disclosure, I don't know anything about Shabu Shabu, what it's supposed to be like, what's authentic and what's not, etc. What I love about Kaze is that it's simply delicious. I usually get the vegetarian combo, which says a lot for me because I love meat [insert tasteless joke here]. My significant other always gets one of the lamb/beef combos and he loves it. You get a ridiculous portion of food, choice of two broths, and a starch (I still haven't found the rice/noodles I like, but it's so secondary to the main show that who cares). Then you get to play with your food and cook it, poke it with a little fork pokey thing, scoop it out with a personal little basket, and then dip it in your very own blend of soy sauce, garlic, hot sauce and scallions. Then you put it in your mouth and die of happiness. Seriously I have no substantive complaints about this place - the staff is friendly and attentive, prices are pretty affordable considering the amount of food you get, and because you're cooking everything in broth and not oil, it's relatively healthy. The two things I'd change if I could are 1) everything you're wearing will smell like Shabu Shabu until you wash it next, and 2) you can't take any leftovers home. Go here. As an aside it would be a great first date place because each random item you get with your meal could be its own conversation piece. A delicious, brothy conversation piece.
(5)
Meg C.
This place is actually pretty good. I usually go to Shabu Zen for my hotpot but I wanted to try a different place out. The food is very good and plentiful. Definitely worth what you pay for. Best part about this place is how late it is open! On some nights they're open until 1:30am!
(4)
Wilma O.
First, I would say my rating would be more on the side of 3.5 stars, and this is a solid, fun restaurant with friends. But, that being said, Boston these days is overrun with a ton of "shabu-shabu" places like this (Shabu-zen, Q, some rando place in Quincy I once went to, etc) and they don't deviate much from each other. While shabu-shabu is indeed a Japanese dish, these places all have a distinctive Chinese flavor and I would never classify them as Japanese food. (The broths in Japanese shabu-shabu are stronger with saltier flavors, and the meats are cut thinner and don't taste like they're out of the freezer, a different assortment of stuff is put in, and 4-6 people will share one pot). Kaze is decent - its meat is fresh enough, it has good atmosphere, and the food is very filling. I really enjoy kicking back here with my girl friends, and it's great having an interactive yet hearty meal. However, their broths are not incredibly strong (ex: I'm very sensitive to spice but the two-pepper kimchi broth was nothing), their vegetables that come with the meat are lacking compared to other places I've been (with more quantity, more varieties of mushrooms, fried tofu, eggs, etc). I'd say, overall, if you've never had Asian-style hot-pot, this is a fun and "safe" place to try.
(3)
Tuyet V.
My favorite hot pot place, even when you're being stingy and cutting back on the meat, its all good though. I'll never leave you! Favorite broth is the beef and tomato. Where have you been all my life?
(5)
Abby R.
Great hot pot, exceptionally friendly service. A bit empty when I went on a Monday night, but it wasn't really an issue for me. Our waiter joked around with us and made suggestions, and was happy to help us whenever we needed it. I got the spiciest broth, which was decently spicy, but not scorching, and very flavorful. It also looked like the lava level in the old Super Mario, which I count as a plus. The chicken and beef both seemed to be of nice quality and they tasted great with the flavor of the broth. The vegetables were so-so in selection and freshness, and some of them weren't cut small enough to be placed in the broth, necessitating ripping it up with my fingers, wondering if that's an ok thing to do. Hot sake was great too, and the prices were right for everything. Would hot pot here again.
(4)
Ivy F.
Kaze has been my favorite for years. All the soup bases are good but my favorite is the Japanese Curry. Their watermelon shake, fried oysters and octopus tentacles are amazing too!
(5)
Christina H.
Kaze Shabu Shabu has been around for as long as I could remember. I would walk by it all the time when I take the T to Chinatown. I actually ate Hot Pot Buffet (aka the Fat Cow), Q Restaurant and Shabu-Zen before ever stepping foot into Kaze. My friend brought me here one time for late-night hot pot and it forever changed my life. The portions are reasonable for the price and quality. The meat and veggies were all fresh. Friendly service. I recommend the Beef Lover or the Surf & Turf # 1. And hey, you have to get a drink today or a Kaze Special Bowl to share. Their cocktails are perfectly crafted. They are flavorful enough for you to enjoy and not overly sweet; their also nice and strong, so you know you are getting your money's worth. My friend at the end of the table gave the same drink critique (great minds think alike!)
(5)
Alex A.
This place is great, but a little odd. In fact, even though it is ultimately designed with large groups in mind (hot pots are intended to be shared, after all), the best experiences I've had here were with small groups. Best place to come to Kaze is really around the 11 PM - midnight mark. There's a couple of reasons for that: first, the lot behind the restaurant usually tends to be unattended after 11, and second, even if it is, street parking becomes much more freely available. Also, as the place generally tends to be pretty slammed during on-hours, coming later will nearly always guarantee you an immediate seating arrangement. The place offers a number of excellent options for appetizers and main courses, as well as plenty of diverse and delicious broths and meat and vegetarian options for the shabu. They also have a fully stocked bar with wine, beer, and liquor options. Fair warning to people just getting into Japanese food: this is definitely expert-mode shit. Granted, the waiters are almost always kind enough to explain to newbies how shabu works, but you will definitely get the feeling that maybe you should've known this stuff before coming there. So, if you're new to Japanese cuisine, you may be a bit overwhelmed on your first time. After that, it'll be easy-peasy.
(4)
Wayne T.
Service was good, no msg free option, prices reasonable, been several times, service friendly, overall good
(4)
Mike T.
If shabuzen is busy this is my second go to shabu place. It's cheaper but I feel like the meat is not the greatest quality. Their vegetarian special is really good though and better than shabuzens. Their broth can be pretty spicy so be careful. You can pass on the apps.
(4)
Kimberly Y.
Met up with friends for a late dinner. The wait was about 10 minutes. The service was good and quick. The soup bases tasted good and the veggies and meats all fresh. Of all the hot pot places around Chinatown, I think this one offered the freshest veggies and meats. Couple that with the attentive service we had a great dining experience and highly recommend!
The best shabu in Massachusetts together with van shabu bar in Dorchester. I always get the Malaysian satay broth and ask for extra satay sauce. The vegetables, meat and fish are very fresh.and if you are thirsty, try one of these amazing watermelon shakes.
(5)
Ravisara L.
I've been here a few times over the years and it consistently stayed at 3-3.5 stars for me. However, the past few visit leave me quite disappointed. Service: Horrible service. The staff wasn't attentive at all, we had to call her over to ask for more broth and water/tea. Also, they double charge my card but said that they cant cancel the transaction and my friend will have to give me cash. Food: The broth was tasteless.
(1)
Jimmy B.
I'm having a heart-break on having to give this place a 4. I've adored this place since I was a child - as a huge fan of hot pot (or honestly, more for the dipping sauce... mmmm chinese BBQ sauce, I'd inhale you over oxygen any day), this place is on the top of my list. Back in the day, the meat was sososooooo fresh with heaps of sliced meat (I think I remembered counting 14+), a good assortment of veggies, flavorful soup bases and an awesome selection of noodles. Oh hey, and did I forget to mention you could order OSTRICH meat? Talk about something you'd hesitate to order, yet wouldn't be able to resist trying at least once. Fast forward 100+ meals of dining here (seriously.. I probably have the record for eating here, or at least I'd like to believe so) and after all the ups and downs, I'm settling on a four. Why? Didn't I say this was my top place for hot pot? Why yes sir I did, and I still hold to it. However, as with most restaurants, small things start to change, and typically not for the better. I've noticed that the meat quality has started to go down in quality (really sad - I'm sad to say that some of their competitors have better meat) as well as reduced quantity (10 slices for lunch, 12 or so for dinner). It's quite sad, especially after the slight increase in prices. (those $8 lunches were the BEST). Luckily, their soup bases still rock (Kimchi all the way!) and their noodles are also still amazing. Unlike some places, Shabu Kaze actually serves what I consider UDON noodles, not the tiny ass noodles some others places serve as udon. Although both are chewy, the size definitely changes the texture and taste - give me the big, chewy udon any day! Also, consider trying their other noodles like the japanese potato! That's my second favorite whenever I strangely am not craving udon. In summary, some slight declines to what used to make this place a shining 5. If they could focus a bit more on their meat, you'd get this missing star back Kaze. Until then, continue to give me all that extra BBQ sauce, and you'll have my patronage any day of the week.
(4)
issy d.
I love you kaze I try to go to you once a week! I'll go to you today. Squid tentacles, watermelon shake, fried oysters, scorpion bowl and tonkatsu broth :) because I'm a frequent flyer I do return because I like my squid and I like my watermelon shake. If for some reason it comes out not as crispy or Broth is bland or my shake is melted.... They always fix it and I always stay happy. I loveeeee you kaze. I miss Ross doe
(5)
Katie-Rose N.
I want to give this one four stars for the food (I ordered the vegetarian entree with a kimchi soup base), but I'm knocking one off because the service was lacking. It was extremely hard to flag down our waiter after our orders came out (although our food arrived quickly), and we were basically ignored until we finished our meal. However, the portions were large enough for two people, the food was yummy, and it was fairly cheap!
(3)
Eunice E.
It took me a while to warm up (ha, ha) to this shabu place, but now that I have, I often try to find excuses to come here and have a nice hot pot of kimchi broth and beef. MmmmMmmmm. And that is my first recommendation -- if you like spicy (and especially if you like kimchi), opt for the kimchi broth. The original is OK (and we used to do half and half -- that is, half kimchi, half regular), but I love the tangy kick that can come only from this flavor. Word to the wise, though: even if you order ALL kimchi broth, they'll charge you for two soups, since, uh, well, they didn't have a very good explanation of why, besides there's a divider in the bowl that separates the bowl into "two." OK, that load of BS aside, the rest of your meal is sure to please. I like to add my hard-to-cook veggies first (the taro, the napa cabbage, etc) and the others as I go, since they cook fairly quickly, and then, just dunk and cook the meat as necessary. When the pot is hot enough, the meat will cook fast, so you can scoop it (and the veggies and the broth) into a separate little bowl and just ENJOY at your own pace. I like to save (and savor) my udon noodles for the very end, so I can end on a high (carb) note, but to each his own. Add your noodles (or eat with rice) however and whenever you want. It all tastes great. I'll admit that I was anti-Kaze for a while because I kept remembering my phenomenal, can't-touch-this experiences with "real" shabu shabu in Japan... but this has become a good Boston experience. I usually come post-movie screening down at the AMC Loews near the Common, so I now associate Kaze with seeing a good flick and talking about how to write my reviews over broth. But whatever the occasion may be for you, I think this is a great place to go to warm up and fill your belly with good soup, veggies, and meat. ("Fancier" upstairs than the more casual downstairs, but I believe only the downstairs is open past a certain hour during the week. Either way, you'll get yummy food.)
(4)
Roger S.
This is the best hot pot I've ever done! Prime Rib in Tom Yom broth was absolutely amazing. I dream of returning here, and can't recommend it to enough people.
(5)
Michael S.
I am so glad that I tried hot pot so many years ago. It is one of my favorite meals. Kaze does it very well. The atmosphere is suitable and the booths are comfortable. The drinks are great. I have gotten everything from scallops to veal tongue and everything has been fresh and tasted excellent. Not to mention, they are open until 1am on weekdays and 3 on weekends. My buddies and I ate here after my bachelor party! It gets one less star because the location is somewhat sketchy at night and parking is almost impossible (welcome to boston)
(4)
Sir william W.
This place is so hit or miss. They're even spectacularly or downright awful and I mean this in ever respect. You'll come in one night and get amazing service and impeccable food or terrible service and a meal that you worry might give you food poisoning. So i really make this review rating their performance relative to their nearby competitor Q that really has their shit down in the hot pot department. Kaze used to be my go to hot pot joint, now its definitely Q.
(2)
Barry R.
Great find! Yummy!
(5)
Thuy L.
Oh my god. I was never a BIG fan of hot pot and I would rather have it occasionally but, I would actually come here once a week for their hotpot! So my husband and I came here on a rainy Tuesday night around 1030ish craving for hotpot. We were so glad that this place opens late , rather than closing at 11pm like shabu zen or little Q. It was dead of course, because who would come out at 1030 on a Tuesday night just to have hotpot? *raised hands* . Anyways. We started off with the beef tongue and the baby clams. My husband loved the tongue; it was chewy, didn't have a smell to it, and flavorful. The baby clams were not great because we thought it was in a blackbean sauce but instead , it was in a tangyish like sauce which wasn't what I expected. Our waiter was super friendly, I wanted something SIMPLE, not boring, but has some flavoring (not miso soup either) and he suggested the Japanese (something) seaweed soup. Man , I really wish I can remember the exact name for it! But I know it's the only broth with Japanese and seaweed together haha. I was kinda skeptical about it when he first suggested it, but I was like, "freak it! I'll try it". I was afraid that it might have a pungent "sea" taste/smell. When he brought out the half tom yum and the Japanese seaweed broth, I looked at it and i said to my husband "omg, why is it so.. Black?!" *shrug.* I waited for the soup to come to a boiled and I tasted it. Let me tell you, it was the BEST broth I've ever had! Throughout our meal, I could not stop complimenting on the broth. My husband tried it and he loved it as well! It reminded us of the "Chinese herbal blacken chicken" (if you guys ever had it) but it's slightly different. I don't think shabu zen or little Q can top this broth. I liked how there were plenty of wakame seaweed that was cooked in there as well! As for the meats, we ordered Prime Rib, rib eye and beef combo. Both the prime rib and rib eye was big! I would say the palm of my hands . It was slice to perfection; not too thin, not thick either. The combos came with veggies of course and we also ordered extra corns, enoki mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms. Asked for extra BBQ sauce as well. As for drinks, I ordered the honey chrysanthemum tea (stated in the menu), it came out in a bottle (the waiter also asked if I mind it from a bottle) and he brought out a cup of ice and poured the tea for me. When I took a sip of it, it didn't taste like what I expected! Why?! Because it was Honey chrysanthemum WITH Ginseng! The ginseng was TOO overpowering for my taste and I couldn't taste the tea at all :(. I wish they would've stated that in the menu . My husband got a orange soda and they also have a small selections of smoothie as well. But over all, everything costed under $100! Veryyy veryyyy filling! Everything tasted delicious! It beats shabu zen and other hotpot places in my book! Great service as well!
(4)
Jay S.
What an experience! I have been here a few times all for special occasions and had a great time. I had the surf and turf with extra spicy broth. We had a bunch of scorpion bowls with extra long colorful straws. Our waitress was great. She was down to earth and her service was above expectation. The part that makes this place special is that you can cook and share a meal with friends and family.
(4)
Jonah K.
Never had this stuff before, but my buddy is a regular, so I got the rundown. The restaurant was extremely cold due to it being freakishly cold that day and they seemed to be running the AC. The service was generally good with a decent number of goof ups. The food was great, got the steak and chicken combo with a bunch of veggies.
(3)
John D.
Went here last night during the wonderful winds and rain of Massachusetts. Perfect weather of hot pot with a group of friends? Of course! Overall a lot better experience here than I had 2 weeks ago. Meat tasted swell, veggies were fresh, the table was roomy, and service was good! Tom yum broth isn't spicy enough for me and they forgot my fish balls ): + Seated upstairs in a booth, not secluded in a corner. + Although 1/2 of us were waiting for the rest of us to show up, service was really patient and wasn't giving us dirty looks as if we just wanted to sit there. - I had no clue the appetizers were so pricey because my friend ordered them. Not worth. Ordered chicken nuggets, shrimp tempura, and oysters. Nuggets were good. Tempura nothing special. Oysters were alright. - Ordered tom yum broth and bouillon. Still not spicy enough. Spicier than kim chi doe. + Orders a bunch of meat, received a bunch of meat. + Kobe beef still very good quality. Practically melts in your mouth. Pretty pricey doe. - Ordered fish balls, never got fish balls ): You don't understand. The fish balls with filling are amazing... Even though you only get 4 they are so worth. - Fish paste was alright. Really bland, not much flavor. + Veggies were fresh vegetables. + Sauce was good as well! Mixed in a bunch more ginger and the smelly stuff! + Service was fantastic! Came to check up on us quite a few times and were really friendly.
(4)
Dessa R.
There are two kinds of people in this world: those who wear white with complete confidence, and then there's the rest of us, who have to make an ACTIVE effort not to look like a an 7 year-old spattered with random shmutz by the end of the day. I, being a member of the latter team (read: clumsy), did not do well here. In my defense, it was my first time. A little background first. Personal shortcoming- I suck at chopsticks. I can play piano, paint fine detail, french braid hair, write in fancy scripts, yet somehow I haven't mastered the ability to grasp rice with two sticks. Eating here at Kaze was like every embarrassing chopstick failure I've ever had, but amped up to the Nth degree. Basically, I found myself trying to skewer what appeared to me to be raw cold cuts, cooking it in boiling broth, losing the coldcut in the broth 3 or 4 times, overcooking it while frantically trying to fish it out, and quickly shoving it into my mouth, with broth gracefully running down my ladylike chin. Awesome. The payoff, in terms of tastiness, was not comparable to the effort it required, IMHO. My dining companion, who was attempting to explain protocol, was appalled. He had to remind me several times not to use the same utensil that I originally picked the raw cold cut up with. Okay, so I suck. I suck at chopsticks, I suck at Shabu Shabu, and I suck at life. Truth be told, I just wasn't into it. I don't see myself trying this again. *If you like this style though, I am told that this is one of the best Shabu spots in all of Boston!
(2)
Sharon Z.
I'm kaze-ddicted. I've been coming here way, way, way too much. That being said, every experience is extremely positive. The consistency in the great quality of their ingredients is amazing and their appetizers (fried calamari is so good) and other cooked dishes are also exemplary. They definitely deserve this 5 star.
(5)
Karen H.
Been here several times since it's so conveniently located next to/in Chinatown. Multiple times I tried to go to Q but the wait is always 30 + min so I give up and come here. :) There's nothing amazing to me about this place but they have relatively fresh food -- small portions and not the cheapest. Service is just OK and the waiters/waitresses aren't super friendly but aren't mean either. I guess this place is really just a "meh" place to me with nothing bad but nothing outstanding -- thus the 3 stars. I prefer the all-you-can eat Shabu place in Chinatown next to the main gate but that's 30$ and only worth it if you can eat a good amount. Anyways when I do decide to come here, I like to get the szechaun spicy malayasian broth but most my friends (who can't do spicy) like the house broth. The fatty beef is most tender and most delicious so I always ask for that and then their seafood platter is pretty good too. Only come here if you're really craving shabu, happen to be in Chinatown, and don't want to spend a fortune.
(3)
Xiao Z.
I've only had their half-off appetizers after 10pm, and haven't tried their shabu. I think the appetizers are certainly a steal at half-off, but they feel generic and without pizzaz. Also, the services has always been lacking everytime I've visited here; it may be secondary to the late night shift and a wide variety of characters visiting this place, but it still doesn't excuse the lackluster service. Food: 2 stars Price: 4 stars Service: 2 stars
(2)
Tamarleigh G.
"Adventures in Food with the Vegaquarian and the Meat-Eater" began at Kaze. This is the place where the Meat-Eater took me for our first date. He was trying to find somewhere to bring a non-meat-eater. This was a GREAT choice! It has ample options for vegetarians, vegaquarians, and meat-eaters. This place is GREAT for a first date! It is really clever and creative and gives you something to talk about on the date, even if you can't think of anything else to say to one another. In our case, we ended up having so much to say to one another that on the way to Cambridge - where we went to get drinks after Kaze - we missed our train connections not one, not two, but THREE separate times...and are still together (oh, the cuteness...). It would probably also be good for any lunch or dinner meeting with a stranger - for the same reason (gives you something to talk about) - but the hot pots in the middle of the table would mean it couldn't be the sort of meeting in which you are showing one another laptops or papers and using the table partly as a desk. I don't remember any issues with the service at all. We've been back nearly every year on the anniversary of that first date, and we always have a good time. Of course, perhaps we are just so dazzled with one another's company that we wouldn't even notice poor service... oh, wait, I shouldn't try to say such a thing, because if you've read any of my other reviews, you'll already know that I definitely DO notice poor service. :-D The service at Kaze is fine. Highly recommended!
(5)
Ryuu L.
It's terrible that I have to write such a poor review, since I used to love coming here with family, friends and the boyfriend regularly. However the service has gone downhill so quickly that it's hardly worth making the trip into Boston. This used to be my favorite restaurant. Two visits ago, we had ordered our meals and had received what we asked for. However that's all we got. We were never checked in on for more sodas, soy sauce or napkins. It wasn't a busy night, so I'm not sure why our server left our plates and never came back. Finally we flagged down another server to get us the check. I had decided that I wanted to try their mango ice cream before getting the check. Big mistake. They went to get the ice cream but didn't return for almost 20 minutes (for just a few small scoops of icrcream!). When the ice cream finally arrived, it was green tea and not mango! We sent it back and they came back quickly with mango and the check. My last visit there though, was absolutely pitiful. We ordered the gyoza as an appetizer with our meals. Our beef platters and veggies came out, but no appetizer. We figured the gyoza was just taking a little longer to pan fry. So we waited and ate our beef instead. I accidentally spilt over my entire dish of soy sauce and desperately needed napkins, but no servers in sight. I grabbed napkins from nearby tables but it wasn't enough. My boyfriend went to find a server to ask for some basic attention, but found that the entire staff was just sitting at the bar, talking. He complained about not having the appetizer, soy sauce and napkins and he was snubbed. Finally our server arrives. He drops the plate on the table . We say thank you and he says nothing in response. Very uncomfortable, also did not return with soy sauce or napkins for our visibly still wet/sticky table. To add insult to injury, the gyoza was cold. Obviously left sitting out instead of coming to our table. It's very clear that the staff does not care about the customer and sees us only as an inconvenience to their social life downstairs at the bar. I wish I could continue to love the food here, but the service has been so horrendous that I will not be returning. It's time for me to find a new hot pot place to enjoy.
(2)
Maddie C.
This place was fantastic. Highly recommend. They have a great deal of meat and broth selections. The combo we tried was Korean Kim Chi and Chinese Herbal. All the flavors were fantastic and the portions were generous. I got pork, with vermicelli as my side and an extra side of napa, which almost proved to be too much. Definitely going back to this place.
(5)
Chong C.
Definitely satisfied with their Shabu! Bit more pricy cuz they literally charge for everything. Like broth (only basic is free, others 3.50~4.00), rice&noodles (2.50~3.50), and all. Since most other Shabu places have at least 3 selections for broth and charge an extra buck for special broth, and they have rice or noodles included in a meal, you'll end up paying like 5~6 dollars more here. Taste is absolutely great. Serving size is good, meat and veggie are fresh as they are, and broth has deep, delicious flavor to it. We had Chinese Herb and Malaysian something and both were pretty good. Little something extra, their Organic Sake (warm) is really good. I'm not a big fan of sake since most of sake I've had suck, but they had the best sake I've had thus far!
(4)
Ambrose C.
It is a dismal 4 degrees Celsius outside, maybe even significantly lower, and you want something really warm to eat as a light dinner. Where should you go? This place should have your answer. I have been here several times, and after my most recent visit, it was significantly better than before. My previous visits were really mediocre, and most of the time, I usually make hot pot dinner at home or with some people that I know for Chinese New Year. Here's what happened that made my experience better: I ordered just the ordinary broth, with udon noodles and as for the meat, I ordered the prime rib beef with lamb. I also mixed some scallions with garlic into a small cup filled with soy sauce. I learned this method from my sister. After doing this, I quickly cooked the meat in the broth, then after that, I dipped the beef and lamb in the sauce. Adding the watercress and spinach into the broth also made it a really good meal. I really enjoyed the rich flavor of the meats, especially when it was mixed with the broth, the noodles, and the sauce my sister and I created. I also cooked the taro in the broth for a while, possibly for a few minutes. After that, I mashed the taro a few times with my chopsticks, mixed it a little with the udon noodles and the beef, and I also enjoyed my light dinner even more. I did not detect any monosodium glutamate in the broth, so that should be a good thing. The service was somewhat decent, not really stellar. Prices are a little high, expect to have up to $25 in cash ready. Overall, this is not a bad choice to get some hot pot for a light dinner, and I think it has a lot of potential to get better. My most recent visit at this place was significantly better than my previous visits, so this is why I am giving this place a much higher mark.
(4)
Shirley Y.
Been here twice before. First time with a fly in the soup base...decided to give it another shot yesterday and the waitress gave me the wrong bill. Staff aren't very friendly either :/
(1)
Colby B.
This place is great. Its huge, you don't have to sit at a weird bar if there are only two of you, and the broths are great. I have had the spicy Chinese (Szechuan? I don't remember) broth as well as the miso and kimchi, and the miso is by far my favorite. It sounds a little boring - miso at a shabu shabu place when there are so many more exciting flavors - which is why it took me a few visits to order it...I wish I had been ordering it the whole time. It was really good! As was the kimchi, but...miso wins. Other than that, the service is really good and its a great power lunch. Next time I am in town I will probably get here as soon as possible!
(5)
Katie B.
Swish Shabu by Fenway is my favorite place to get hot pot. However, if you're in Chinatown (especially if you're a college student) Kaze is a good choice. It's a spacious restaurant with pretty good service. And the best part is, in the collegiate coupon book you can get a Buy-1-Get-1-Free deal for lunch combos!! Saves a lot of money. The quality of the meats, vegetables and soup are all solid. If you're in the area, check it out. And bring your coupon book!!!
(4)
Cammy C.
I came here for lunch with my bf a couple weeks ago, I let him pick the place and I told him to "surprise me." And boy, was I surprised! The place doesn't look like much from the outside, but once you get inside it's actually quite clean and spacious. They sat us upstairs at a nice big booth. This was my first time trying Japanese Shabu Shabu so I had a lot of questions. Our server was helpful in helping me decide which kind of broth and noodles I wanted. The service was fast and friendly (my favorite combo!) We went with the meat bouillon (free) and the kimchi broth (an extra $3), which had just the right amount of flavor and spiciness! I loved all the different kinds of tofu and fishcakes they gave us, sometimes I didn't know what I was eating but everything was delicious! We were afraid there wasn't going to be enough food when we ordered, but it was actually plenty, all the extra veggies and noodles were more filling than I'd thought. When we got our check we were blown away by how inexpensive everything was, I think it was about $20 total! My bf made sure to tell me, "You better give this place 5 stars!" I came in on a particularly rainy day, and my socks and shoes were soggy, my hair was dripping and I couldn't feel my finger tips! But Kaze's Shabu Shabu completely hit the spot and turned my day around!
(5)
Nick N.
Food: 5/5 Service: 4/5 Cleanliness: 4/5 Decor & Style: 4/5 I haven't been to many shabu restaurants, but the meat and sauce here is the best i've ever had! MUST TRY NOW. Pretty cool Decor. The pink neon lights are weird.
(5)
Kai L.
I was here with my friends for lunch. I ordered Meat Combo #2 which came with four slices of short rib and four slices of rib eye. Both types of meat was cooked very quickly. A veggie platter is included with each lunch set. Overall, not bad. My friends and I literally sat there for close to 2.5 hours. We were not rushed, but at the end of the lunch rush, it was difficult to get the waiter's attention for the check. Good if you are taking your time with friends. Bathroom is clean and well lit.
(3)
CK K.
This is my favorite restaurant in Boston. Great soup, meat, and good price. Stop by here for lunch on saturdays.
(5)
Lynn S.
I would give 0 star if there's a way to do so. Worst waitress I've ever got! Hot-pot tastes very much the same at different restaurants.
(1)
Eric C.
Great place to go if you're with a party of people. Prices were not bad for the quality and quantity of the food. Fun atmosphere and my waitress was great at explaining how everything works. I would recommend this to anyone. You won't regret it. It's pretty yummy and no matter how much you eat, you don't leave feeling disgusting! all of the ingredients are fresh and tasty. you cook it right at the table so it's an activity as well as a meal and you can be a control freak about your ingredients! staff are great about ensuring you don't hurt yourself on the table burners.
(4)
herp d.
I've been here twice, once for a bachelorette party, and once just for drinks/snacks. As far as dinner hot-pot goes, this place is great. There was five of us, and I believe we got miso, herbal, Szechuan pepper, and tom yum broth. The herbal was hands-down the best, but the Szechuan was also good (Though I wound up being the only person eating it, since it was too spicy for everyone else, suckers!). The amount of food was just about perfect, and everything was very tasty. What a bill though, oof. If you're going just for drinks and snacks though...The experience is a little different. The same group of friends and I wanted to go back and get their Godzilla drink, which was just too good. Turns out they don't have it on the menu anymore, and nobody seemed to remember it either. Oh well. We were seated at a hot-pot table, and had to awkwardly mention that we just wanted drinks and maybe appetizers (We'd just eaten and didn't know if we wanted munchies or not). After a few minutes they booted us down to the bar, which was fine initially, but it's a little hard for five people to converse at a bar. So, I went and asked if we could move to an empty non-hot-pot table, mentioning that we'd be ordering some food as well (I only asked because the place was nearly empty). I felt so bad for the girl I asked; I clearly put her in an uncomfortable position of having to ask her manager, but she was very nice about the whole thing. The manager was clearly pissed at us, and scowled at us at every opportunity. He was generally pretty rude, even though we kept quiet, ordered food, and weren't even taking up precious space that other customers would need. He was obviously happy to see us go, and his attitude and service left a bad taste in my mouth. Also, their downstairs bathroom is disgusting.
(3)
Ben L.
cant really say this place is bad, but as a really big eater, i am not satisfied of the portions, but it's not towards for the efforts of the restaurant workers. this is actually my first time eating hot pot that's not a buffet because i was forced here. everything was fresh and I actually really liked the flavor of the broth so perhaps this place wins so far on the quantity over quality. They also gave you good assortment of vegetables which is really good to give a try to everything and I loved it. I would of gave this 5 stars if prices were a little lower... but thats every hot pot place in general to me if it's not all you can eat because well, i personally think you're better off going to all you can eat places. I paid about $15 dollars for a meat combo with veggies and it doesnt hit the spot for my appetite. at hot pot buffet you probably pay around $18 for testing yourself on your appetite. i still dont mind this place, they provided good service and everything and me and my group of friends stayed for nearly 4 hours just talking and they didnt seem to scuff or anything. id come back only on lunch time though, i looked at the prices which are pretty good
(4)
Woonwoon W.
I would call this place pan-Asian hotpot. It offers a lot more options than Japanese shabu such as kimchi, satay, and Szechuan soup base, beef ball, fish ball and Chinese noodles. Service is super friendly I am used to Cafe Mum in San Francisco where you get excellent all you can eat shabu for under $30, so this place is a little expensive. But I am thousands of miles away from home so I am totally satisfied with this place.
(4)
David S.
This place was probably one of the best surprises I came across in Boston. Having explored the North end and survived a near death experience with tainted fish, soup was something I was looking forward to. We came in on a Sunday night around 7 PM and were seated almost immediately. The first thing that caught my eye was the huge selection of soups and meats. No one at our table had a good idea of what portions were like or what would work. The server was extremely helpful in explaining all of the options and giving us a general idea of what is common. Between the 4 of us, we were able to order 3 different dishes and walk out very full. It is also not nearly as expensive as other places in Boston. The meat was great, the soup was well prepared and all of the suggestions from the server turned out great. I think I will visit this place many more times before I move away!
(4)
Sally B.
I recently took a group here for a bachelorette party. It was fun, delicious, and inexpensive. What it wasn't was on time. Basically, the idea of taking reservations is more or less a lie. We got there 10 minutes before ours and had to wait until 45 minutes after it was due to start before we got to sit down. They had sat someone at "our" table and they just weren't leaving. I get that there's not a ton you can do at that point, but if they knew we were coming, why didn't they just tell the people that they would have to leave at a certain point? I've had that done to me a dozen times - it's a trade off for getting to sit immediately, that you have a bit of a time limit on your experience. Given that this was the sole reason I chose this place, I was pissed that they didn't care about keeping our reservation on time. That being said, the food was delicious - it was great to have a variety of broth. We had a few people in our party with seafood allergies and they felt very safe with the knowledge that their food wouldn't be contaminated and it all worked out fine. The prime rib was pretty much the best thing I've ever eaten, and the tofu variety was interesting, if not all equally delicious (skip the iced tofu). We all ate until we were completely stuffed and still paid only $20 each. Delicious food, just don't come in a rush... or with a group, even if you think you have a reservation.
(4)
Leanne C.
Want to look cultured, clever and fun on a date? Go. to. this. place. With a downtown dining price of only $15-$25/person, I can't think of a better place to bring your dinner chatter, open-minded munchitude and appetite. They give you a variety of sauces, rather hefty proportions and a wide variety of foods to hot pot it up. Being the veg I am, I got the Vegetarian Delight (typical Asian fare name for "vegetables... with or without sauce!") and this was the first time I was delighted. My date copied suit and we ordered the curry base with rice noodles on the side. So many veggies: a few types of tofu, some cabbage, mushrooms, taro, daikon, spinach, watercrest and a couple others. I barely made it halfway into my portions when I tapped out from being too full. I'm in love with this place. The staff were completely understanding of my date's lack of timing (and almost burning) of some of the foodstuffs too. Solid place and I can't wait to come back.
(5)
Idy T.
Can't stand the long wait at Q Restaurant? No worries! Just walk down the street and Kaze will be there to rescue! I love shabu shabu, especially during the cold Boston weather. Kaze offers a wide selection of meats for shabu. They have prime rib eye, boneless short ribs, black angus beef, lamb, chicken, shrimp, salmon. You name it, they will probably have it here! They have pretty good soup bases too. I like the Japanese miso. It is super flavorful and goes well with the meat and veggies. The Chinese herb is good too but for those who cannot stand the herbal flavor, this is not recommended. However, I am disappointed at the spicy mala soup base at kaze! It has big kick to it, almost impossible for me to eat it. When the soup boils it makes you cough and sneeze like crazy! It gets even worst after it has been boiling for awhile, when the flavors are even more concentrated. I am the type of person that can eat really spicy food and I would have to say this one is a killer. The portion is really big. Each order comes with a plate of meat, a plate of veggies, a choice of broth, and rice or noodles. The service is pretty good a little better than Q. They are really quick with your orders though so you can start shabu-ing away as soon as possible!
(4)
Sakura V.
Before all the other hot pot places around Boston and Metro-Boston emerged, the original Shabu places were Kaze and Shabu Zen. Before I used to go to Shabu Zen religiously because that was the go to spot all my friends and family liked. Gradually I started to go to Kaze more because of their happy hour special (half off appetizers after 9 Mon-Thur) After going to Kaze so often, the few times I went back to Shabu Zen I started to realize it didn't hit the spot anymore. I realized Shabu Zen's taste was now lacking compared to Kaze. Also, although a little more pricier, Kaze definitely gives your moneys worth with bigger portions. Pros: Comfortable booths Good Portions Dessert appetizers Cons Some seating are too close together Have to ask for crushed chili peppers My Typical Hot Pot Meal for two: Beef short Rib meal with rice Side order of Pork Two smoothies ***Jumbo Spicy Tentacles (ordered extra spicy, but not really spicier, just tastier)
(4)
Sonja F.
What an experience. We sat upstairs on a Friday night at 7 pm, only had to wait 5 minutes for a nice booth. Service was fast for the amount of people in the place. Edamame was perfect, and WOW the short rib was out of this world. Had the kim chi broth, which was a perfect spiciness. Went all out with a nice bottle of saki and we were one happy couple. The meat lovers plate was twice as expensive as the others, and wasn't noted on the menu, but I didn't mind because it was that good. Going back ASAP!
(5)
Jackel J.
Today my girlfriend bring me here for the first time. it was look great designed all around upstairs and the pink lights look so good for relax with our hotpot .The food just great and fresh. Also the staff did a good job as well. cheers
(5)
Alyssa W.
I havent gone out for hot pot in a really long time. so it was so good to come to a place that was decent! came with 8 people and we pigged out. Love that you can pick two kinds of soup so that you dont get bored. so we got tom yum and regular beef broth. so glad we got a non spicy soup to neutralize the tom yum. it was a good spicy, but my mouth was on fire. the portions of meat, seafood and vegetables are abundant, I didn't feel like I was getting ripped off at all. Service was good. only complaint, fix the booth chairs so that people who sit behind you, who decide to bounce off the chair..dont make me smash my face into my hot food...it got old quick. I think I would return to this place for hot pot. it was clean and an enjoyable environment and the food was great!
(4)
Callan C.
Great spot on a cold or rainy day! Wonderful multi-level hot pot place with plenty of space to accommodate larger groups. Here's how it works: 1. Pick a soup base (I recommend one of the upgraded ones - they are much tastier!) 2. Select meat - I've had lamb and chicken and thought the lamb was much more flavorful 3. Select noodles - only tried Spinach but thought they went great with my lamb 4. Throw all your selections + veggies in boiling hot pot for a few minutes 5. Enjoy your masterpiece! I'm normally not a fan of food you have to work really hard for (fondue, shell-on lobster, etc) but this was really easy and fun. You'll drop between $15-$20 on the meal. The service is slow but they generally get the job done.
(4)
Days G.
Absolutely love this place. Price is good and shabu is the best ive had so far. my kids love the chicken wings with j sauce!
(5)
Ken Y.
Love going to places like these when it's cold out. Had the seafood/beef combo and the ribeye/lamb combo. The amount per plate is a bit less than Little Q, but it's also less expensive. One thing I didn't like about the seafood plate was the clam is frozen, so it's effectively dead; the waiter said they used to have fresh clams but they had a lot of sand and customers didn't like that. The Sichuan broth is *spicy*...probably at least twice as spicy as Little Q's spicy (not their ultra spicy one). It's a good spicy though :-)
(4)
Jen P.
Randomly went here a few nights ago with friends and not only was the food amazing, but the whole experience of eating was so great. Our fantastic waitress Grace explained to us how everything worked and answered all of our admittedly basic questions (first hot pot experience!) and everything we got was delicious. We all ordered something different and shared, and the whole experience was very interactive, which we loved. Culinary highlights were the rib eye and the pork, and the spicy base we got was both flavorful and a great kick to our sinuses on a sleepy Sunday evening. Grab a group of friends and make the trip from wherever you are--totally worth the visit!!!!
(5)
Olivia C.
So, we missed our bus at south station and set out into the snow to find a place to chill. It's super bowl Sunday and despite their normal business hours the two sportsbars we think to go to are conspicuously closed. We must head to Chinatown where some unofficial national holiday would never supercede making money!! We don't get far before coming across Kaze where the glow of the television invites us in. Turns out this place is a Chinese run shabu shabu joint. According to wiki, shabu shabu is a Japanese onamonapia for the boiling sound the food makes when you cook it in the boiling broth. Dang, it was goodddd. I've been on a red meat bender and this dose of thinly sliced prime rib just kicked my iron and protein high right back up. The salmon and white fish were also incredible. I'd dip it just to get it cooled on the outside and leave it raw inside. Perfect place to pass the time, warm up from the snow, and watch the commercials, I mean Ravens.
(5)
Michelle P.
The food was delicious, but there were constant communication problems with the waitress. Also she disappeared for quite some time and never checked up on us. It took a solid 30 minutes just to get the check which was basically thrown at us by a clearly disgruntled employee. Had they actually checked up on us I would've shown then the coupon I had earlier, of course it took another 30 minutes to get the check again after that. We finished eating at 1:15 and it was after 2 by the time we got our check and I ended up having to find one of the employees to hand the check to and she rolled her eyes and sighed. Overall, I wouldn't go back there. The service was ridiculous. I suggest going to Shabu Zen or any other hot pot place. Also she was cleaning the take next to us (even though there were further tables away from the rest of us that needed cleaning) and it got into my friend's eyes.
(1)
Ryan L.
I've been coming to this place with my friends since I started college in the Boston area, and it's become one of my favorites ever since. I've been to a lot of hot pot places in Boston, New York, and San Francisco, and honestly, Kaze is better than all of them. Some people prefer the nearby Hot Pot Buffet since it's cheaper and it's all you can eat, but I think the quality of food you get at Kaze makes the price worth it. The Prime Ribeye here is some of the best hot pot meat I've ever had, and even the regular beef here tastes better than the "prime ribeye" you get at Hot Pot Buffet. But what really distinguishes Kaze from the other hot pot places are the broths. The Tonkotsu (pork broth) soup base is amazing, and if you can stand the spicy, the Szechuan Spicy broth is also great. The house sauce that they give you is also great to dip your meat and veggies in. I think it's made of soy sauce and some sugar. Overall, this place is a bit more pricy than the other hot pot options around, but the difference in quality is definitely noticeable and well worth it.
(5)
Adela N.
I've been here a lot of times. And, a lot of the workers that wear red clothing actually gossip about you. Theyre outside at the bar and stare and give you dirty looks while you eat. They even talked about my dad when they didnt know him that well. The hostesses dont even smile, and my family just walk ourselves in. The waiters, though, are excellent. My mom got expired food and they apologized so many times. They make great convos and are awesome. I just dont like the hostesses and kitchen ppl. Food: 7/10 Service: 9.5/10 Also, I went to have a "end of year" club dinner. After all 11 or 12 of us ate, the bill came, and we all paid our meal. BUT the tips were already put on the bill, and we had to pay 16% in tips more--which means we paid TWICE as much as tips. The waitress who gave it to us didnt even say anything. The club members and I were TRICKED by her.
(1)
Jim D.
We were very pleased with the quality of food & service. The split service pot allowed us to have 2 very different meals at the same table - a spicy Tom Yum and a mild Miso stock. They had an adequate selection of sakes, generous tea service and we left thoroughly satisfied. We will definitely return.
(4)
Le N.
My fiance and I often alternates between here and shabu. They both have good food and service isn't terrible. I alternate between the kimchee broth and the tomyum broth - both flavorful. I usually get the beef or the lamb, occasionally the pork. The fiance gets seafood. They provide the veggies and noodles (udon or japanese potato). I always leave full without breaking the bank. =)
(4)
Jackies B.
This restaurant is great. I always come here when I wanna eat somethings feel hot. The price is good. I recommend japanese soy sauce with seaweed soup and kimji soup. When the weather is cold,think about Kaze
(5)
Andrew H.
When I go to these communal pot/grill establishments I usually hope for an all-you-can eat option to prevent the ensuing guilt that usually follows devouring more than your share of the noodles or meat that goes into the pot. Kaze Shabu Shabu eradicated this problem by physically splitting the hot pot in two with a barrier straight down the middle of the pot and having a boiling station for every two people! I unfortunately did not reap the benefits of this system as we had a party of nine for an eight person table and was shocked to find thy charged $3 for each soup base and charged you for each side of the pot so choosing a spicy soup base for the entire pot would set you back six dollars. When the pot starts running low on fluid, they simply add more water, not flavored base. Each meat platter is relatively expensive at about $14a plate for maybe twelve rolls of thin meat. However, each comes with your choice of thin or udon noodles and a vegetable medley. Overall I did not find this place a good value but I do recognize the novelty value will likely make it a hit for first-time hot-potters. Come for birthdays but I would recommend poor people like me to shy away and save our money for a good Korean BBQ joint.
(3)
Catie C.
I declare this as my top choice for shabu. Kaze has an extensive list for a good varietal. Most importantly, they use live seafood so this place is as close as it gets comparing to Asia. We ordered a lobster. My mom dumped the head into the broth and I can see it twitching. Is that inhumane? The service is pretty good, but could be more attentive. We had to ask for refills of condiments and broth, but at least they don't turn off the cooker before we were even done (something shabu zen is known for). They actually don't adjust the heat at all which I don't mind since I like to do it myself. The veggies are fresh and good selection in the combo meal. Daikon, Taro, Spinach, Watercrest, Napa, Tomato, Mushroom, Corn.
(5)
ANGELA O.
Absolutely delicious. If it weren't for the rude waiter it would've probably gotten 5 stars, and the stairs are not people friendly, ridiculous, in this day in age all restaurants should be wheel chair friendly. The hot pot choices you can't go wrong! They would definately be awesome if they added sushi to their menu, after all it is a Japanese restaurant!
(4)
Jeremy K.
I've had the pleasure of eating Shabu all over the place. Quincy, Cambridge, Brookline and now Boston. Hell, I've even had Shabu years ago during a short stint in Tokyo, long before the fad reached the United States and took it by storm. But I had never been to Kaze and after much discussion about possibly going there with Tony T., we proceeded to make it happen, and were joined by Nate Y. and Erick H. The place two floors and the staff is pretty friendly. After greeting us politely, we were escorted to a table upstairs; the very first one you see from the top of the stairs. Although not the best table, it happens to be the one closest to the kitchen. Two members of our group have terrible MSG allergies and the staff was very compliant, and was even telling them what to avoid ordering and offered alternatives that were MSG free. That in itself was pretty damn awesome - I had never seen that before at a Shabu place. After a brief glance at the menu, I decided to order what Tony T. told me to order since he had been here so many times. I went with the prime rib eye, which was beautifully marbled and sliced well, against the grain, as it should always be. Each slice had a fair amount of fat on it, and since Tony and I had ordered the same broth, the Malaysia Satay one, we decided to get our pot split so we could use one half to cook our meat, the other for the rest; that decision was made so that all of the fat from the meat would stay on one side. It was a good call because by the time we cooked our two plates-worth of the stuff, that side of the bowl looked like a heart-attack in a broth. On the other side, we cooked all kinds of vegetables: taro, corn, cabbage, shiitake mushrooms and enokitake mushroom, and I decided to pick some udon noodles over the vermicelli. The broth was light and tasted awesome although it was marked as a bit spicy and I felt no heat whatsoever. The service was great and the prices were good as well. This has to be the best Shabu spot in and around Boston I'd think.
(4)
Steve K.
Stopped in after an early show at the Wilber Theater. This was my wife's first dhabi dhabi experience so we got the basic beef broth with prime rib and pork. It was very good and very quick.
(4)
Sarah G.
The pink mood lighting is kinda funny here, but their menu is big enough to distract you from that. I wish our server told us that we really didn't need an appetizer when we asked her because a) those steamed gyoza were kind of flavorless and b) those fried oysters were just so so too. It was actually the appetizers that brought your rating down, because like many others have written your shabu shabu was actually pretty good! They bring you a ton of stuff, so if you ask them if one of their shabu shabu meals is enough for two people it probably is! It did make me sad that it was $3 extra to get a different type of broth--I think that is a little steep. But their combos come with both meat and seafood if you order right which I like a lot. I mean who doesn't like surf and turf? And it all is pretty fresh too. The service was good and got us out on time for the show we were making that night, I just really wish I hadn't gotten those appetizers!
(3)
Shayna C.
I came here with a friend earlier this year, because Q Restaurant was booked and we would have waited around an hour for a table. This was just a short walk away, so we figured "why not?". We had a short wait, and were seated upstairs in a corner table. The waitress was very friendly and answered some menu questions for us before we placed our order. The food came out quickly as well after we ordered it. I will give them some stars because it was presented well, and the appetizer we ordered was delicious. The meat was of good quality, but I was a bit disappointed in the veggie selection they had. I forget the name of it, but we got some sort of assortment platter; it ended up coming with a variety of tofu and veggies that I wasn't ready to call home over. Maybe I'm spoiled from Q Restaurant, but I wish that the volume of a-la-carte items you can find there could be found here. The drink I got there was strong as well, and the waitress was attentive to our table. All and all, the food was okay, the service was really great, and I'd be willing to give it another shot if I was in the area again.
(3)
David W.
I came here to celebrate a birthday, and I had a blast! It's so much fun if you have a large group of people. The place is really clean and you can be loud and rowdy, and just party it up! This is so perfect for the cold winters, and I love their assortments of broths and food.
(4)
Sharon D.
I LOVE this place! I have been going for years and they never disappoint! I usually get the seafood and beef combination that comes with a vast amount of delicious vegetables and I am stuffed for days! Here is how it works...you pick your type of meat, your starch (rice or noodles) and the broth in which you ail cook your own food at your table in your own hot pot. There is something for everyone on the menu. Tomyun, miso and kimchi are all my favorites. The best part is that you decide how to cook your food since you do it yourself. During your first time, you'll do some experimenting but they have a suggested cooking time guide. The staff is amazing, friendly and very helpful. I highly recommend for a healthy and satisfying dining experience!
(5)
Mike Z.
This has been my go-to place for hotpot in Boston for several reasons: 1) they make the best scorpion bowls and their other drinks are generally good 2) they make the best frozen watermelon shake 3) their meats and veggies are always fresh I've tried several other shabu joints and there really isn't much differentiating between the types of food that is offered, so as long as the standard fare is offered and fresh and reasonably priced, it's good. Don't get me wrong, shabu is expensive, so you're going to spend at least $25 per person! Another nice thing about Kaze is that they offer 50% off appetizers during weekdays after 10pm if I can remember correctly. I'm a fan of their chicken wings and fried octopus tentacles, so it'd be nice to take advantage of this offer sometime. The service is very efficient, but can be spotty at times when it gets busy. It's in Chinatown, afterall. The restaurant is cleaner and tidier than most other restaurants in Chinatown, so that's always a plus. Ambiance is very important for hotpot restaurants. Parking can be difficult, though.
(4)
Jenn H.
4.5 stars. Kaze is my go-to hot pot place in Boston. Whenever my bf used to visit me in winter months (when I was still in school in Boston), we'd always come here--it's a tad pricey, but really good food. Anyways, the best parts about Kaze: great assortment of meats, veggies, oden, mushrooms, noodles (I love the potato noodles!). It's clean, spacious, and the service has always been great. what is there not to love? oh, right. the price per portion. I don't know if my bf and I are monsters, or if it's normal to eat 4 portions, but we always end up spending more money than we probably should. Who can resist those chewy little oden though?! I hear there's a new hot pot buffet place nearby--I haven't tried it, so I can't compare. I can say, however, that i'd take Kaze over Shabuzen any day--prices are about the same, and i like Kaze's atmosphere better--cleaner, less cramped, and a lot less noisy. Also, their veggies were much fresher than the ones I got from Shabu Zen. Anyways, if it's cold out, and you're willing to spend a few bucks, go forth and fill your tummy with some delicious hot pot ^^
(4)
Lynn C.
It's been a while since I've last had hot pot. I've been craving the malaysian satay soup base and we had just the right number of people to share one big pot (unlike shabu-zen down the street, the hot pot here is not individual sized). The big pot generally comes with two types of soup, and each type of soup base is $3. Unfortunately, when we got there, the server who did not speak a lot of english, took a long time to explain to us that they were out of malaysian satay soup base for the day. We ended up trying his recommendations, which were tom yum and miso, both of which were awesome as well. The tom yum was surprisingly spicy considering it was only one star. It's definitely not as amazing as the satay, but it is definitely worthy of a 5 star rating regardless. I also loved the miso, even though it's not spicy and i like spicy. Four of us each got an entree, which comes with a dish of various vegetables, a combo of really fresh and good quality meat, and a starch of your choice. The price came out to be $20 each person after tax and tip. I ate a lot more than I really can handle. I love this place. But again, the best part is their soup base. I have yet to try one that's not good. next time I'm gonna try the kimchee and the curry. Can't wait!!
(4)
Mikayla F.
Went here for my first time this week and ended up coming back two days later again since it was so good! This was my first hot pot experience so I can't compare it to others, but its definitely a unique dining experience!! The appetizer selection wasn't anything too special but the hot pot is enough to keep me coming back for more.
(4)
Michelle K.
I went here recently for lunch. Amazing steak, amazing broth, amazing vegetables. The ambiance leaves something to be desired, but I would definitely go here again, especially for lunch where the prices are more reasonable.
(4)
Nho H.
Best hot pot in Boston. The reason why this place does not get a 5 star from me is because they cheap out a little on the veggies and no tofu! But then again, I am always full after I eat my portion......Whatever, I'm just greedy when it comes to my hotpot. I want it ALLLLLLL. The regular broth is superb but I always get the Szechuan broth. It's so spicy that my stomach hates me for 2 days after but its so good that its worth it!!! GO HERE. Great lunch price :)
(4)
Michael L.
this place is good. just come here The meat selection and combos are better than that of shabu zen's. you CANT go wrong with the Beef lover entree but I am a personal fan of the No.2 Black Angus Rib Eye & Boneless Short Rib combo. -The tomato with beef broth is tasty and kinda of sweet -the japanese miso soup is good -the szechuan spicy has these huge unground pepper balls in it. I found that very annoying. order this at your own risk
(5)
Caitlin B.
Great, friendly service. Fresh vegetables (and meat). Awesome broths. Basically, as wonderful as hot pot can get!
(5)
Guillermo M.
I really like the variety of food that this place has. You can have so many different types of hot pots with seafood, beef, vegetables and choose from several base soups. The smoothies are amazing, made from fresh fruit. Also their mochi for dessert was really good. Prices are decent based on what you get.
(4)
Yisel F.
Saporo beer, musk broth, veggies, salmon, white rice, and noodles. Drove out to this place and was worth it. Very authentic tasting and good quality.
(5)
Dan G.
I'm not always a fan of asian food but I think I would totally come here again. We didn't actually get to enjoy the hot pot because we were a little too drunk to understand but we did order some appetizers which were really good. Also, can I just say that it smelled so good inside too. Anyways, I thought we would be spending a hefty amount as many restaurants charge a lot for apps, but a bowl of edamame, a plate of chicken nuggets (SO GOOD), Shrimp tempura and spring rolls came to $10. I really wan to come back for the full experience because it looked and smelled so wonderful. Everyone was friendly and I felt really bad that we spent only $10, so next time lets multiply that by 10.
(4)
Fan L.
In terms of portions, this restaurant is consistent about theirs and you can get a lot, especially their Oden special!!! (traditional Japanese fish cakes, tofu, and other delicious goodies) you get to choose rice or noodles, and I recommend getting the spinach noodles, or the udon (thick Japanese wheat white noodles). Also they have nice soup bases Though, for the absolute best soup bases, try the LIttle Q restaurant. They're a bit overpriced and their service sucks when they're flooded. Oh, and for those of you ppl scared of spicy food, please don't don't shy away from Kaze's Mala soup base, it's more savory than spicy
(4)
Judy L.
It was a lot better than I expected! We had a group of about 12, and we shared 5 pots between us. With each pot, you get to pick 2 different broths. They have a surprisingly large array of choices! From kimchi to malaysian satay, from curry to tonkasu. For my pot, we picked 1/2 satay and 1/2 tonkatsu, which was a good contrast. We expected the satay to be hotter though, but it was still delicious nontheless. Other people recommended the curry broth as well. Between two of us sharing the one pot, we ordered the pork dinner combo, which comes with a plate of pork and a plate of vegetables, with a choice of udon, rice, or vermicelli. It wasn't enough for the two of us. . . .so we ordered another order of pork and an order of assorted tofu. The tofu was very tasty! They gave us 3 different kinds of tofu, though only 1 of each. . . . . I wish they could have given us more. Oo and the sauces! Yum. Each pot gets 4 different ingredients for you to mix your own sauce, including taiwanese satay, garlic, onion, and this soy sauce (tasted like ponsu sauce). Delicious! :) I want to go back already!!!!!
(4)
Kat T.
I love this place. When mom came to visit from California (home of great Asian food, may I add) I took her here and SHE loved it as well. I've tried most of the soup bases and have to say that Tom Yum is the one for me. Between coughing from the spice of the Tom Yum seeped in my vegetables, dipping my meat in the delicious satay (or Chinese/Korean BBQ sauce as they call it in Amurica) sauce con garlic and scallions, and eating my soupy Tom Yum udon noodles I could not be any happier. Compared to Shabu Zen, I much prefer this family style pot over individual ones. Otherwise there's not much of a difference.
(5)
J L.
Came here with some friends and the food was excellent. Portions are a good size so come hungry. Definitely would come back.
(4)
Sze Yin Benjamin W.
Kaze Shabu Shabu is in a rather obscure location compared with other hotpot places in Chinatown. But it is by far the best in my opinion. I really enjoy the great selections of broth they provide. I highly recommend the curry and kimchi broth, they are just delicious! The quality and freshness of the ingredients are excellent, especially the meat. Make sure you order the fish paste in addition to your regular combo. You will not regret it. The portion is reasonable where you will feel satisfied and not suffer from eating too much as I almost guarantee I will over eat if it is a buffet. I do think the price is a little bit expensive, but the quality of the food is worth every single dime. Give it a try if you are getting sick of the mainstream hotpot buffet restaurants in Chinatown.
(4)
David M.
I've been here a couple of times over the year: A bit touristy, yet slightly off the path. The food isn't super adventerous, but when was the last time your dinner came with instructions? Fun, unique, and a great place to bring people from out of town, or just to meet up with a big group of people. It can even be a great quirky date.
(4)
Phillip Y.
Absolutely positively yummy and fun with making your own food. I had a wonderful lunch with udno noodles and soup. Here are some selections which are very good. Also, order green tea and some appetizers while you wait). APPETIZER SPECIAL 50% OFF- All day Sunday as well selected times during the week and Saturday. Lunch Menu * Deluxe Seafood (scallops, clams, salmon, fish ball, shrimp) * Surf and Turf with Sirloin Beef (same with some beef) Note that all of these meals comes with a tray of vegetables to add flavor to your soup. * Tomato Slices (two) * Chinese mushroom (really big and flavorful) * Taro root (like a potato but breaks apart in hot water) * Napa cabbage (good leafy veggie) * Spinach (good for your muscles like Popeye) * Small corn on cob (something to nibble on) * Snowpea stalks (very tender) Appetizers * Jumbo fried shrimp (really long and meaty too) * Jumbo fried tenticles (really chunky with suction cups)
(5)
Camille R.
This is the first time since I was 8 or 9 years old that I've done shabu shabu and I'm always down for an interactive meal with good people. The service was whack and there is no good set up for large groups. Kaze offers many meat options and one seafood and one vegetarian/vegan option. I ordered the seafood, while a friend ordered the vegetarian. The vegetables were fresh/crisp, the broth flavorful, and you can concoct just about any wonderful flavor with the few spices/sauces they offer. We made reservations for somewhere betwene 8-10 people and when we got there our table hadn't been set up yet. Fortunately that on a Friday night, they weren't very busy. I had a real problem with the fact that between each table for two with two hotpots there is a table for two without a hotpot, so that means that because each of us wanted to shabu shabu we had to sit in every other seat. We asked if there was anything they could do - like do they have a portable hotpot thing or something, they said 'yes' and after waiting forever and asking again, they finally said they could do nothing. So, we made the best of it and anytime we wanted to talk to someone across the table there was an open seat next to them. I wonder why the setup is such because it can make for a really awkward time. Overall, I had a pleasant experience and I know for next time not to go large group.
(4)
Jenn V.
Kaze shabu was my first east coast shabu experience. It's definitely different from west coast shabu but good none the less. I liked that they had a variety of broth for you to choose from and the seafood was really fresh. Service was really good. My real reason for wanting to review this place though, is to let everyone know that the fried oysters here are fantastic! It comes in an order of 4 and they are crunchy and light, not greasy at all, and then they melt in your mouth like butter. Man I miss these.
(4)
Travis D.
This was my first hot pot experience, and I'm not sure why that sounds so dirty. Our waiter was very helpful with explaining everything. The food was delicious and the big Sapporos were a nice compliment. We arrived at 5:45 and were done by 6:45, which was just enough time to make it to a 7pm theater start. I would plan for more time on the weekends. The only reason that it didn't get 5 stars is for value. I thought it was just a little overpriced, but I would definitely go to Kaze Shabu Shabu again.
(4)
S. O.
I had never been to a shabu shabu restaurant before and I had so much fun here. Service was fast, food was great. It was loud at 8pm on Saturday, but I think that might come with the territory. We ordered an edamame appetizer, miso soup and Szechuan broth (deliciously spicy!!), with raw seafood, beef, and vegetables, for three people. With some sodas and one sake, the bill was $65. awesome!!!
(4)
Jeff J.
The ribeye was good and marbled, but the portion was a bit small for $15.50. I had to order 2 plates to feel satiated. Pleasant overall experience, though the sauce could have been a bit better considering that's the sole reason why I'd pay top dollar to go back to Shabu Shabu House in LA.
(3)
Alicia J.
In short: - Too expensive. - Very good meats and vegetables. - Clean and nice atmosphere. Later on, I looked up what the difference between all the Japanese hot pots are. According to Wikipedia, Shabu Shabu is a variant of the Chinese shuan yang rou (which is a little curious because Shabu Shabu does not necessarily have any lamb meat in them), and it is more savory than sukiyaki with a ponzu (lemon sauce) or sesame dip. Curiously enough none of these are present here, and the broths are also not made with dashi. In most other aspects, Kaze Shabu Shabu also feels like a Chinese restaurant. The majority of the patrons are Chinese, the decor is of a somewhat Chinese esthetic and there are Chinese names for the dishes on the menu. That said, this a surprisingly nice, spacious restaurant with two floors where you can sit comfortably in large booths unless you come in a huge group. The waiting time was therefore also very short even though we had no reservation. We got the rib eye meat combo and the seafood deluxe platter, with the standard meat broth and the spicy Szechuan broth. With all the vegetables and noodles they served, this was luckily enough for three. My favorite were the nicely marbled rib eyes, thinly sliced and very flavorful. The vegetables were of good quality, and the udon were very thick and good. The meats went perfectly with the Szechuan broth, which was way too hot for the vegetables. Unlike what most reviews, I thought the service was good. Our waiter was constantly running and seemed very busy on that Saturday evening, but he did well. Finally, Kaze Shabu Shabu made me crave hot pots again. It reminded me of how much I used to love them as a small child, and I want to go back already!
(4)
Edgar L.
Food was good/standard but service was incredibly slow. Took over an hour for the raw, uncooked food to come out. Someone at our table ordered a beer that came out very late. The uncooked noodles we ordered came out another 10+ minutes later. Perhaps for a smaller group (we had over ten people) it might have come out quicker but I can't vouch for that right now.
(2)
Mike C.
It was my first time driving to Boston from NYC with my girlfriend and my friend suggested this hot pot place for meet up. On a cold winter night, this was the place to go as it warmed us up. Initially we waited approximately half an hour for seating for the three of us. The wait wasn't bad as I went back out to move my car. Be warned with parking in Chinatown... read the signs. Once we were seated, we were given menus to look view. The waitress did not pressure us to order food which was good since it was my first visit. For the soup base, we ordered the Tomato and Beef and Japanese Curry. As for the combo, we ordered a beef combo, a prime rib/chicken combo, and seafood deluxe. Overall, the quality of the food was superb. The cut of the beef was great, not very fatty. I would come to this place again on my next visit to Boston.
(4)
Anita S.
I love, love, love shabu shabu and it is a must have whenever I visit Boston. Initially I was a devoted Shabu Zen fan, but one night, faced with a long wait, I tried Kaze and was pleasantly surprised by how fresh the meat tasted. Be warned, the tom yum broth packs a serious punch.
(5)
Steve S.
What could be better on a 90 degree day than boiling hot soup? I really liked Shabu Shabu....Its two floors in Chinatown. Shabu(as I now will refer to it) is about soup. You have a choice of soup stock, vegetable, condiments, sauces and meats. Think of it as a salad bar, but only soup Then you cook it on a high speed burner at the table...Its pretty fantastic as the flavor improves with each morsel added. Its different, its social, its delicious Probably even better in the winter
(4)
Tiffany J.
I really enjoyed the food at Kaze. The portions were large (I ordered the vegetarian entree) and had good variety (my plate included 3 different cruciferous greens, tofu, mung bean noodles, 3 vegetarian dumplings, and more... very impressive for vegetarian shabu). I was, however, a little bothered by two aspects of my experience at Kaze. First of all, the bathroom is in the basement next to the kitchen, and it was kind of cramped and dirty. To make matters worse, I saw an employee leave a bathroom stall, rinse her hands without soap, and then proceed to the kitchen next door, which also didn't look terribly clean. Ugh. I tried to put this out of my mind, but it definitely prevented me from enjoying my meal to the fullest possible extent. Secondly, their standard broth contains meat, and there is no free vegetarian alternative. You need to pay a few extra bucks to switch to the kimchi or miso broths, which, on top of the already pricey $13 you're paying for the vegetarian entree, feels like a lot... All in all: Good food that's pricey, and Kaze can really improve in its hygiene..
(3)
Lan Z.
The waitresses were dare to tell me how much tips I should give and later I refused to give tips because of her rudeness she said " okay, no coming back then" what kind of waitress she is! It is horrible
(1)
Ave H.
I LOVE Kaze! This is the go to place for me and a few of my girlfriends, and it's always a blast. They have multiple floors so seating is ample, however there is still often a wait. They do not have private parking but there are a few lots nearby that cost between $10-15. Beware - they do not take reservations for small groups (we were told once the minimum as 7 and another time 5) and they have virtually no waiting area (2 chairs uncomfortably crammed in front of the stairs). So if you have a party of 3 or 4 it can get kinda uncomfortable. So we usually wait outside, weather permitting. I always get the same thing - kimchi base, udon noodles, and beef. Yuuuuum! Shabu veggies are always delicious and look fresh. Service has been hit or miss for us. They are always prompt with taking our order and delivering our food and first round of drinks. However, we often are forgotten after this and go until the end of the meal without the ability to get drink refills. Despite the few flaws, we keep coming back for more. It is just so darn delicious that I can't say no.
(4)
Cassy H.
How to shabu shabu: 1) Gather your group of friends; I think it's fun with more people.. especially with people who haven't done shabu shabu before. It's an interactive dining experience, so prepare to do some cooking! 2) Select your protein (ie., chicken, pork, beef, lamb, seafood, or a combination of the above). Whatever you select, it will come with a tray of veggies, so don't you worry. They got your fiber covered. 3) Select your soup base. As a tip, I think steps 2 and 3 are interchangeable.. as in, depending of what type of protein you get, you should think about what soup base will taste good with that protein. Or if you care more about your soup base, select soup base first and then decide on protein. My combination? Usually, pork plus tonkotsu soup base. Anyway, I am definitely a fan of this shabu shabu place! Compared to Shabu Zen, this place offers more soup base options and better quality meat. However, I think it's slightly more expensive, but I guess you get what you pay for.
(4)
Savannah B.
When my friend and I decided to go out for dinner, he said "I know a place..." It's his favorite. I have only been to one other hotpot restaurant, and as a vegetarian, take my herbivore opinion for what it's worth. I went there for the second time today...and I think I could go for a third...fourth...fifth... The food is scrumptious. The vegetarian platter looks nearly identical to the other well-known hotpot place around the corner, but my friend's enthusiasm for this place over the other helped win me over. I agree that the staff is friendlier. Also, the other place never seemed to have miso broth, which I'd always wanted to try. The decor is nice. The staff is tremendously warm and helpful. If you are not sure of what you're doing, the staff will give you tips. If you really want, ask them to leave a menu, which features instructions on how long to cook what. I left my camera at the restaurant the first time... I did not realize I had done so until two days later. I had to remember what the last photo I'd taken was...my dinner plate at Kaze Shabu Shabu. I called, and once I had confirmed the description, they told me I could come pick it up. I just switched them from 4 to 5 stars because of that. There are good honest people out there - and they include the Kaze Shabu Shabu staff.
(5)
Von T.
I should have walked out as soon as we'd stepped in. We walked in to three hostesses, none of whom greeted us. I had to say hi and request a table for two upstairs. They told me upstairs was full. That's fine. Then the hostess grabbed two menus, threw them on a table and walked away without so much as a bye. The waiter more than made up for the hostesses' lack of welcome. He was great, friendly, prompt. He was alarmed when he asked us what we'd like to drink and I told him we weren't given a drink menu. Going in, we knew it'd be pricey. The food was good, but the portions were a bit small. I'll be returning to Shabu-Zen two streets over from now on.
(2)
Holly C.
This was a very unique experience! My husband and I both thought the quality of meat & seafood ingredients were top notch, very tasty. It was a bit messy, but fun. Service was not the greatest, but I would go back.
(4)
Sandra C.
[Note: This is a straight up comparison of Kaze and Shabu] It's like Shabu-Zen (I refuse to write a review for that restaurant because I used to work there) except a little bit lower quality and stingier. I don't know, if you ask me, I'd just say this place is a major cop-off of Shabu-Zen. The good thing? The service is much faster. Of course, Shabuzen's service got a lot worse after I quit (I'm kidding. Okay not really...) Anyways, the vegetarian portions are much larger at Kaze, as well as the portions of rice, vermicelli, and udon. The beef tongue and sauteed clams got NOTHING on Shabuzen's though. I'm not gonna lie...after I get off this vegetarian phase, I'm gonna march right back into Kaze and order OSTRICH. Seriously, I'm so curious!
(4)
Valerie C.
I'd never been to hot-pot before, and I was, therefore, apprehensive about coming here. I've always loved Asian cuisine and soups, so after my boyfriend and I saw a review of a hot-pot place on the Phantom Gourmet while channel-flipping one morning, we decided to try it. I was pleasantly surprised to find the staff completely willing to answer any of my questions about how exactly to hot-pot, and we had a great time. The food seems like a lot when you're looking at everything being brought out, though the meat is obviously very thinly sliced. It ended up being filling without being too much, which was wonderful since I tend to become overfull on heavier foods and then feel off all day. The way hot-pot forces you to eat a little more slowly also helps with that. Staff was friendly, prices were more than reasonable, and food was delicious. Can't really ask for much more than that in a restaurant!
(5)
Shendi X.
This place does hot pot justice - incredible broth, with great variety/selection, and only the freshest ingredients - everything came together for a mouth-stuffingly delicious meal: my mouth waters just thinking about the experience! Certainly now my first choice for hot pot - come here!!
(5)
Ingrid S.
This is the first Shabu Shabu place I've tried in Boston, and it surpassed my expectations. My husband and I have recently relocated from the Bay are in CA, so we were very used to good Asian cuisine (the only 2 Japan Towns in the US are in the Bay area). I got the short ribs and my husband go the the prime and both were delicious. Mine was not a fatty but still very flavorful. The veggies that come with the dinners were good, but I like mushrooms as well so we ordered a side of assorted mushrooms. My husband had the standard broth base and thought it was kind of bland, but I was pleased with my selection of the Miso broth (it was an extra $3). There were a LOT of additional selections, which was kind of overwhelming b/c typically Shabu only has 2 choices of broth. I might try something more exotic next time, but I'm just not sure about mixing my cuisines- like selecting kimchee broth, or curry broth. But if I'm feeling crazy I just might ;) Overall it was good and I will go back. I do agree with some of the other reviewers in that it was a bit over priced for Shabu- our check with 2 dinners, extra mushrooms, and a small bottle of Sake was $65 before the tip.
(4)
Katie B.
This was my first shabu shabu experience and I LOVED IT! I love any type of Asian style soup, so I was pumped to try this. My friend brought me so she did all the ordering as she's a hot pot pro! We got Szechuan Spicy and Tom Yom as our two soup bases. Both were VERY tasty. The Szechuan had some serious heat behind it. We got udon and Spinach noodles to toss in. Both cooked up nice and were delicious. We got the meat (Kobe beef, pork, chicken) and a seafood (shrimp, scallops, white fish, clams, and salmon) combos. All the meat and seafood was very fresh! Everything was served with big plates of veggies to dump in as well! My green tea smoothie was amazing and sweet and my friends watermelon smoothie was light refreshing! We shared an awesome mango cake thing for desert! All of this totaled only about $20 a person, including tip! BONUS! I totally recommend this place to anyone looking for great shabu shabu, even if it's your first time!
(5)
Mabel N.
I love how I get seated right away for hot pot. Unlike other places around the area you must wait at least 20-30mins for a table. Wait staff are very friendly and attentive. Your water glass will never be half empty when you dine here. I really love the service here. Came here with a party of 10 we order so much food. Everything is fresh and delicious. Try the squid paste - it's so different from fish paste. Especially love their kobe beef SO GOOD!!!!!!
(4)
Sandro K.
This place is a very good location to experience hot pot in a group of about 8 people. It's not the cheapest place to have hot pot in Boston's Chinatown but the food is fresh and good. Try the beef lover plate. It's just awesome.
(4)
CJ N.
Such a great date place! Especially if you're going to see a movie at the AMC in Copley close to Chinatown. Shabu style is cooking your own meats/veg in a hotpot at your table. I recommend the tom-yum broth for cooking. The plates come out fresh and are served extremely fast. This is a fun and delicious dining place. Enjoy!
(5)
William G.
Great place for a nice casual shabu dinner. Not too loud, easy access, and the food is amazing! Friendly staff, and management. The prices are also not bad for this area of town. Tip: we ordered the curry stock shabu and it was so good!
(4)
Steve K.
I've been to a lot of japanese restaurants, but so far this one takes the cake. This isn't your run of the mill hibachi or sushi Japanese establishment that you can find just about anywhere. If you've never had Shabu Shabu or "Hot Pot" before, I highly suggest you check this place out first. If you have, then get over here for your next trip. You will probably never go anywhere else. This was my first Shabu Shabu experience and I can say I was very impressed. I'm not generally into a "cook it yourself" restaurant. If I want to "cook it myself", I'll go to the store, buy the food and take it home. Why pay to cook your own food, right? This place on the other hand, definitely will take my "cook it yourself" business. First thing to remember... meal portions are big here! You don't need to go and order two plates for you and your significant other. You would find yourselves overwhelmed with food. Honestly, you don't even need appetizers, although I will be going back to try some of them. Second, it's not as expensive as it seems. Both the location (Chinatown right on the outskirts of the financial district) and the decor may be deceiving, but trust me... you can get away on the cheap here and feel pleasantly full and satisfied by the time you leave. My last meal for two here cost $45 after tip. $45? At this location? No way... Yes way! First we chose our broths - Japanese Soy Sauce w/ Seaweed (makes a great cooking broth as well as a soup) and Japanese Curry (best for cooking, didn't enjoy it as much as a soup). Keep in mind you also get free refills on the broths. They came in a split pot so there was no waiting for one or the other. Next on the order was the Meat Combo #2 w/ Black Angus Rib Eye & Boneless Short Rib. The short rib was my favorite of the two, but I do love rib eye, especially when it is Black Angus. The assorted veggies and noodles were also on this plate. Added to the veggies was the assorted tofu. A fair warning, tofu takes a LONG time to pick up flavor of the broths, so toss them in for a while. I recommend using the silk tofu for clear broths as it works better in a soup. Added to all this, a bottle of hot saki and two green teas were on the table. The saki was amazing and the green tea was good, but if you are more for a mild green tea, it may not be your "cup of tea" so to speak as it is a bit strong. Well, there you have it! $45.00 for all that! Kaze Shabu Shabu lets you head out for a night on the town after a nice quiet dinner for two, some green tea and hot saki. I can't think of a better dinner for two on that side of town.
(5)
Melissa L.
There's a gazillion and a half reviews on this already, I know. But I just had to add this to my Boston list, since Kaze has had so much significance for me, and is definitely my favorite place for shabu in Boston. Which, having moved to New York, isn't saying much. But still, my favorite place in Boston. It's the only place where you can have a decent vegetarian platter with tons of stuff I like - spinach, daikon, bok choy, tofu, mushrooms. The short ribs platter is quite large, and the veggie side plate is a smaller version of the vegetarian platter, which is WAY better than Shabu Zen down the street, which has been trying to skimp on the veggies by replacing quality stuff with - oh, say - one piece of broccoli and one stick of carrot. I like that Kaze is huge, so you rarely have to wait for a seat, even in the busiest time of the week. Not only is it nice and spacious, it's clean, and has a nice big bar, with large flat screen TVs. Upstairs, there is even an enclosed area with a huge table so it can accommodate larger crowds. I've had shabu there as an after party with a theater cast of up to 18 people before. Lately, thought Kaze has been doing this thing where they've been replacing their Japanese sushi rice with a cheaper Chinese jasmine rice. Boo. It's irritating, and I wish they would change back to the rice I like better. Try the creamcorn croquette, and fried anchovies when you're there. Their appetizers are amazing.
(3)
Liza C.
I love kaze shabu shabu wayyy better than shabu zen, which is so over-rated! kaze has many broths to choose from, japanese curry being my all-time favorite! we usually order one surf and turf and a side of meat and that fills my boyfriend and i up! the veggies are plentiful. i like the udon here more as well. and for a cold day, i love taking the long drive just to have me some hotpot to warm myself up. the fruit shakes are just ok.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Lillian C.
My friend was visiting and wanted some shabu like we used to have back home so I just yelped and found this place. We didn't make reservations and got here around 8:30 on a Sat night. We didn't really have to wait since this place has two floors and plenty of tables. We sat down and was helped quickly. We ordered surf and turf #1, a side order of lamb, king oyster mushrooms, tofu, with one traditional soup base and one Japanese soy sauce with seaweed. The food came and I quickly realized we ordered wayyyy too much food. The side order of lamb meat was huge... It felt like it was as much as a regular order. The surf and turf was great and there were a lot of good seafood in it. You can tell they use quality ingredients. I also ordered a lychee martini and that was delicious. My friend ordered a smoothie and it was rich and milky. The only downsides I would say are 1) they ran out of peanut sauce... how does that happen for a shabu place? 2) we ordered mochi ice cream for dessert and it was hard... clearly something wrong with the container or freezer. They took it back and gave us just ice cream. My friend said the red bean ice cream was weird... I got green tea ice cream and thought it was ok. 3) I felt like it was a little pricey... or maybe I'm just used to LA quantity, quality, and price...
(3)Leah G.
We love this place! There are so many broth flavors to choose from. The meat and veggies are always fresh and portions are very generous. The spicy broths are extremely spicy, so beware! My favorite is the Tonkatsu broth with boneless short ribs. I do find that the "generic" beef isn't as good, so I upgrade The kimchi broth is also great and very flavorful, but very spicy. The tomato and beef broth is another good non-spicy broth choice. The food comes out quickly, so there's barely any waiting involved. There is a lot of seating, though most times they seat you upstairs. There are quite a few stairs and they're very steep, so be careful!! For drinks, their house scorpion-bowl-like drink is so yummy (can't remember the exact drink name)!! The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The prices for hot pot are generally pretty high, and this place is up there. On two hot pot meals alone, expect to spend at least $50, but it's worth it. One of the best hot pot places I've been to in the area. Would definitely recommend!!
(5)Becca P.
I always go to Shabu Zen but my friend suggested that we go to this place so I figured WHY NOT? I wish I didn't but now I know. The SERVICE was okay. I had to flag down the waiter and other waiters a few times since my waiter didn't check on us after he served us. For food, we got the angus rib eye and short rib combos to split. I got the assorted veggies as is and my friend removed the cabbage and added more spinach for her plate. I don't understand why the waiter made the substitutions such a fuss. "Let me ask my manager." But they sub'd it out anyways. The assorted veggies comprised of watercress, spinach, napa cabbage, one black mushroom, corn and a tomato. It was underwhelming. I tried Spinach noodles for the first time. Not a fan. Just go with the Udon. The first angus rib eye was good. The short rib was cut really thin and just didn't satisfy. We were still hungry so we ordered another angus rib eye. The second plate was more fresh because the cut looked better and tasted much better. Our broth was the house broth and the cilantro and duck egg. House broth was quite bland as well as the cilantro one but I still enjoyed the duck eggs. Altogether, thumbs down. I would not come back. They are WAY OVERPRICED for what they offer. I'll go to Shabu Zen or the Shabu in Quincy.
(2)Bradley B.
Really great selection and food, came for a birthday party and will definitely be back. There are so many combinations to try: although the prime rib was so good I don't think I can order anything else.
(4)Thanh H.
Great place, but only if you're not in a hurry. For those new to the concept of hotpot, it was really designed for eating with a group of people. You put the food in, let it cook as you chat with you friends. I was never a fan growing up since I didn't really eat out much, let alone eating out with a group. After I met my wife and her group of friends, I started liking hotpot a lot. Not just because of the food, but that fact that we're all together enjoying each other's company. Of course, having great foods around doesn't hurt. I really like the Chicken Wings and the Spicy Tentacles here. The Chicken Wings are juicy and flavorful, and the sauce that comes with it only sweetens the deal. The Spicy Tentacles had a slight hint of spice so even if you don't really eat spicy foods, you might find this to be in your comfort zone. There is a large selection of broths to choose from. Most places will offer maybe four or five types of broth, Kaze offers about a dozen. Their broth range from tamed Japanese Miso to aromatic Chinese Herbal to face-burning Malaysian. Each has their own unique taste so it's not uncommon for a group of friends to order several broths (each pot can hold two broths) and share. I, personally, like the Malaysian and the Szechuan. I like my foods with a kick. For the main course, a tip given to me by a friend of mine, Paul Le, who goes here at LEAST 4 days out of the week, is to order from the "Sides" section of the menu. That way you get exactly what you want. Rib eye, shortrib, chicken, beef balls, water cress, and udon noodles. If this is what I want, there's no reason to order meat combo and assorted vegetables. The food here is of better quality than that is at Hot Pot Buffet, but the quantity is not even close. So I guess you might say you come here to dine and hang out, and you go to the buffet down the street if you're just planning on stuffing yourself. The service is great here. Never had a problem and was always attended to. I've been here more than I can count in one hand...so probably around 7 or 8 times. Most of the time, the waiter has been Ross. He is fantastic. The moment water in in my glass is half way, BAM! There he was, filling it. When Coke (soda) is low, BAM! He's there asking if you need another one. The establishment is always clean and properly lit. Tables are cleaned promptly have customers get up to ensure the next customers are seated quickly. They also offer alcohol and desserts. What's dinner with friends without some adult beverages? Well, unless you're underage. They offer beer and wines to hard liquor such as Jack Daniels and Hennessy. For those feeling a might be adventurous they offer giant scorpion bowls for your party. I'm disappointed to say, I've never actually tried the desserts here so I can't really comment on that. Perhaps an update in the future is in order.
(5)David S.
This place was probably one of the best surprises I came across in Boston. Having explored the North end and survived a near death experience with tainted fish, soup was something I was looking forward to. We came in on a Sunday night around 7 PM and were seated almost immediately. The first thing that caught my eye was the huge selection of soups and meats. No one at our table had a good idea of what portions were like or what would work. The server was extremely helpful in explaining all of the options and giving us a general idea of what is common. Between the 4 of us, we were able to order 3 different dishes and walk out very full. It is also not nearly as expensive as other places in Boston. The meat was great, the soup was well prepared and all of the suggestions from the server turned out great. I think I will visit this place many more times before I move away!
(4)Sally B.
I recently took a group here for a bachelorette party. It was fun, delicious, and inexpensive. What it wasn't was on time. Basically, the idea of taking reservations is more or less a lie. We got there 10 minutes before ours and had to wait until 45 minutes after it was due to start before we got to sit down. They had sat someone at "our" table and they just weren't leaving. I get that there's not a ton you can do at that point, but if they knew we were coming, why didn't they just tell the people that they would have to leave at a certain point? I've had that done to me a dozen times - it's a trade off for getting to sit immediately, that you have a bit of a time limit on your experience. Given that this was the sole reason I chose this place, I was pissed that they didn't care about keeping our reservation on time. That being said, the food was delicious - it was great to have a variety of broth. We had a few people in our party with seafood allergies and they felt very safe with the knowledge that their food wouldn't be contaminated and it all worked out fine. The prime rib was pretty much the best thing I've ever eaten, and the tofu variety was interesting, if not all equally delicious (skip the iced tofu). We all ate until we were completely stuffed and still paid only $20 each. Delicious food, just don't come in a rush... or with a group, even if you think you have a reservation.
(4)Leanne C.
Want to look cultured, clever and fun on a date? Go. to. this. place. With a downtown dining price of only $15-$25/person, I can't think of a better place to bring your dinner chatter, open-minded munchitude and appetite. They give you a variety of sauces, rather hefty proportions and a wide variety of foods to hot pot it up. Being the veg I am, I got the Vegetarian Delight (typical Asian fare name for "vegetables... with or without sauce!") and this was the first time I was delighted. My date copied suit and we ordered the curry base with rice noodles on the side. So many veggies: a few types of tofu, some cabbage, mushrooms, taro, daikon, spinach, watercrest and a couple others. I barely made it halfway into my portions when I tapped out from being too full. I'm in love with this place. The staff were completely understanding of my date's lack of timing (and almost burning) of some of the foodstuffs too. Solid place and I can't wait to come back.
(5)Katie B.
Swish Shabu by Fenway is my favorite place to get hot pot. However, if you're in Chinatown (especially if you're a college student) Kaze is a good choice. It's a spacious restaurant with pretty good service. And the best part is, in the collegiate coupon book you can get a Buy-1-Get-1-Free deal for lunch combos!! Saves a lot of money. The quality of the meats, vegetables and soup are all solid. If you're in the area, check it out. And bring your coupon book!!!
(4)Idy T.
Can't stand the long wait at Q Restaurant? No worries! Just walk down the street and Kaze will be there to rescue! I love shabu shabu, especially during the cold Boston weather. Kaze offers a wide selection of meats for shabu. They have prime rib eye, boneless short ribs, black angus beef, lamb, chicken, shrimp, salmon. You name it, they will probably have it here! They have pretty good soup bases too. I like the Japanese miso. It is super flavorful and goes well with the meat and veggies. The Chinese herb is good too but for those who cannot stand the herbal flavor, this is not recommended. However, I am disappointed at the spicy mala soup base at kaze! It has big kick to it, almost impossible for me to eat it. When the soup boils it makes you cough and sneeze like crazy! It gets even worst after it has been boiling for awhile, when the flavors are even more concentrated. I am the type of person that can eat really spicy food and I would have to say this one is a killer. The portion is really big. Each order comes with a plate of meat, a plate of veggies, a choice of broth, and rice or noodles. The service is pretty good a little better than Q. They are really quick with your orders though so you can start shabu-ing away as soon as possible!
(4)Holly H.
First hot pot experience ever and I loved it. Sat at the bar, drinks were never empty. Food came out quick (not much preparation) and was delicious. Will definitely be back.
(4)Mary T.
Prepare to have garlic breath, if you eat here!! I had dinner here. This is similar to a lot of the other shabu restaurants nearby. I came here on a Sunday night and it wasn't really busy. We were seated upstairs. My friend and I got the lamb and beef combo. I usually get the mala soup base, but I was warned by my sister that it is super spicy, I mean there is 3 chili signs next to it, so it must be spicy. I asked the server to make it with half the spice. I also got basic broth. The broth is not that flavorful and it was bland. They give you a lot of veggies, I wish they had tofu. It was a little weird that they had tomatoes. They have several dipping sauces for the meat--sriracha, satay, and soy sauce. You can add garlic, and scallions to your soy sauce. I was pretty full from the lamb combo I got. The server was quick to serve the food, but when we ask for more sauces, they never got it for us. The prices here are fair and it is a good place to go to if Q is pack.
(3)Chris C.
Our dinner group went here on a January Friday night. RATINGS: Food: 4 Service: 4 Decor: 3 Overall: 4 SUMMARY: First Friday attendees found the food to be " fresh and plentiful," and that the "Thai Tomyum and Japanese Miso broths I had were a good compliment to one another." However, one attendee found the lamb to be "fattier than I remember." Service ranged from "fine" to "good," with one review stating he wished "there was more explanation from the waitstaff." Reviewers also found Shabu Shabu to be "a lot nicer than most shabu places." Multiple respondents said they would return for "a relaxed and casual dinner" or that they would return with "people from out of town." INDIVIDUAL DINER COMMENTS: Nice atmosphere, reasonable food. No really big surprises, good or bad. I'd come back again and since it's different, it's a nice activity to do with people visiting from out of town, etc. -- I've been to Shabu Shabu many times and was excited to return. Though I definitely had to work for my dinner (finally got into the rhythm by the end of the meal), the ingredients were fresh and plentiful and the Thai Tomyum broth has become a new favorite. Service was fine. The lamb was fattier than I remembered from previous visits but the beef was excellent so I'd stick with that. Overall, I would definitely return for a relaxed and casual dinner. Mmmmm I'm hungry just thinking about it.... -- The Thai Tomyum and Japanese Miso broths I had were a good compliment to one another, offering a spicy and tasty way to eat my meal. I found the meat just a little too fatty, had to leave a few pieces floating in the broth, doomed to shabu hell. It took me a little bit to get in the flow of cooking and conversing, but it did not detract from the experience in anyway. I enjoyed Shabu Shabu's aesthetic, service, and overall experience to Shabu Zen, a most welcomed change to the evening. -- Tthis was a fun first friday. The food was fresh, plentiful and affordable, and the service was good, and helpful, and the interior was spacious and a lot nicer than many shabu places, i thoroughly enjoyed it!! -- Definitely an enjoyable change of pace from the normal restaurant experience, Shabu Shabu was a pleasant surprise. I found the food delicious and filling without being overwrought. They DIY-nature of the meal was quite fun. A little more explanation from the waitstaff about what different items were would have been helpful, but I also could have asked.
(4)Kestrel S.
Delicious! Fresh, good meat and produce. Nice miso broth. The Kaze Special Bowl is a fun drink--like alcoholic candy. Udon noodles and jumbo shrimp are great.
(4)Mike F.
Stumbled into this restaurant unknowing of what I was getting myself into. Little did I know my world and taste buds were about to be rocked into space. The food was quality and the dipping soup broths are extremely tasty. Once you're out of food you will be left dipping anything you can find in the broth to soak up the goodness. i recommend a classic face first slurp approach.
(4)Carolyn L.
I'd probably rate this place closer to 2.5 stars. It's just missing the wow factor. They really shouldn't advertise themselves as being a Japanese restaurant when it has a heavier Chinese influence. Their shabu uses Chinese sauces and they even serve Chinese rice. My Japanese friend was incredibly disappointed. I guess that's what you'd expect for Chinatown though? However, I will say I really liked the option of ordering different soup bases and enjoyed the tonkatsu broth. But other than that, prices are decent and the portions are average. I'll probably check out all the other shabu places before coming back.
(3)Jerry L.
Really like this place especially as a single traveler. One can eat here alone without feeling weird. Does that make sense? Plus the food is excellent. I really enjoy their Satay broth.....why can't I find this broth in Los Angeles?? $4 PBRs and a beef/seafood shabu with Satay broth pls. I stayed 3 days in Boston and ate here twice......it's worth a visit.
(5)Jessica B.
Good lord I love this place. This is my favorite restaurant in the Boston area. Full disclosure, I don't know anything about Shabu Shabu, what it's supposed to be like, what's authentic and what's not, etc. What I love about Kaze is that it's simply delicious. I usually get the vegetarian combo, which says a lot for me because I love meat [insert tasteless joke here]. My significant other always gets one of the lamb/beef combos and he loves it. You get a ridiculous portion of food, choice of two broths, and a starch (I still haven't found the rice/noodles I like, but it's so secondary to the main show that who cares). Then you get to play with your food and cook it, poke it with a little fork pokey thing, scoop it out with a personal little basket, and then dip it in your very own blend of soy sauce, garlic, hot sauce and scallions. Then you put it in your mouth and die of happiness. Seriously I have no substantive complaints about this place - the staff is friendly and attentive, prices are pretty affordable considering the amount of food you get, and because you're cooking everything in broth and not oil, it's relatively healthy. The two things I'd change if I could are 1) everything you're wearing will smell like Shabu Shabu until you wash it next, and 2) you can't take any leftovers home. Go here. As an aside it would be a great first date place because each random item you get with your meal could be its own conversation piece. A delicious, brothy conversation piece.
(5)Von T.
I should have walked out as soon as we'd stepped in. We walked in to three hostesses, none of whom greeted us. I had to say hi and request a table for two upstairs. They told me upstairs was full. That's fine. Then the hostess grabbed two menus, threw them on a table and walked away without so much as a bye. The waiter more than made up for the hostesses' lack of welcome. He was great, friendly, prompt. He was alarmed when he asked us what we'd like to drink and I told him we weren't given a drink menu. Going in, we knew it'd be pricey. The food was good, but the portions were a bit small. I'll be returning to Shabu-Zen two streets over from now on.
(2)Wilma O.
First, I would say my rating would be more on the side of 3.5 stars, and this is a solid, fun restaurant with friends. But, that being said, Boston these days is overrun with a ton of "shabu-shabu" places like this (Shabu-zen, Q, some rando place in Quincy I once went to, etc) and they don't deviate much from each other. While shabu-shabu is indeed a Japanese dish, these places all have a distinctive Chinese flavor and I would never classify them as Japanese food. (The broths in Japanese shabu-shabu are stronger with saltier flavors, and the meats are cut thinner and don't taste like they're out of the freezer, a different assortment of stuff is put in, and 4-6 people will share one pot). Kaze is decent - its meat is fresh enough, it has good atmosphere, and the food is very filling. I really enjoy kicking back here with my girl friends, and it's great having an interactive yet hearty meal. However, their broths are not incredibly strong (ex: I'm very sensitive to spice but the two-pepper kimchi broth was nothing), their vegetables that come with the meat are lacking compared to other places I've been (with more quantity, more varieties of mushrooms, fried tofu, eggs, etc). I'd say, overall, if you've never had Asian-style hot-pot, this is a fun and "safe" place to try.
(3)Tuyet V.
My favorite hot pot place, even when you're being stingy and cutting back on the meat, its all good though. I'll never leave you! Favorite broth is the beef and tomato. Where have you been all my life?
(5)Abby R.
Great hot pot, exceptionally friendly service. A bit empty when I went on a Monday night, but it wasn't really an issue for me. Our waiter joked around with us and made suggestions, and was happy to help us whenever we needed it. I got the spiciest broth, which was decently spicy, but not scorching, and very flavorful. It also looked like the lava level in the old Super Mario, which I count as a plus. The chicken and beef both seemed to be of nice quality and they tasted great with the flavor of the broth. The vegetables were so-so in selection and freshness, and some of them weren't cut small enough to be placed in the broth, necessitating ripping it up with my fingers, wondering if that's an ok thing to do. Hot sake was great too, and the prices were right for everything. Would hot pot here again.
(4)Days G.
Absolutely love this place. Price is good and shabu is the best ive had so far. my kids love the chicken wings with j sauce!
(5)Ken Y.
Love going to places like these when it's cold out. Had the seafood/beef combo and the ribeye/lamb combo. The amount per plate is a bit less than Little Q, but it's also less expensive. One thing I didn't like about the seafood plate was the clam is frozen, so it's effectively dead; the waiter said they used to have fresh clams but they had a lot of sand and customers didn't like that. The Sichuan broth is *spicy*...probably at least twice as spicy as Little Q's spicy (not their ultra spicy one). It's a good spicy though :-)
(4)Alex A.
This place is great, but a little odd. In fact, even though it is ultimately designed with large groups in mind (hot pots are intended to be shared, after all), the best experiences I've had here were with small groups. Best place to come to Kaze is really around the 11 PM - midnight mark. There's a couple of reasons for that: first, the lot behind the restaurant usually tends to be unattended after 11, and second, even if it is, street parking becomes much more freely available. Also, as the place generally tends to be pretty slammed during on-hours, coming later will nearly always guarantee you an immediate seating arrangement. The place offers a number of excellent options for appetizers and main courses, as well as plenty of diverse and delicious broths and meat and vegetarian options for the shabu. They also have a fully stocked bar with wine, beer, and liquor options. Fair warning to people just getting into Japanese food: this is definitely expert-mode shit. Granted, the waiters are almost always kind enough to explain to newbies how shabu works, but you will definitely get the feeling that maybe you should've known this stuff before coming there. So, if you're new to Japanese cuisine, you may be a bit overwhelmed on your first time. After that, it'll be easy-peasy.
(4)Wayne T.
Service was good, no msg free option, prices reasonable, been several times, service friendly, overall good
(4)Mike T.
If shabuzen is busy this is my second go to shabu place. It's cheaper but I feel like the meat is not the greatest quality. Their vegetarian special is really good though and better than shabuzens. Their broth can be pretty spicy so be careful. You can pass on the apps.
(4)Kimberly Y.
Met up with friends for a late dinner. The wait was about 10 minutes. The service was good and quick. The soup bases tasted good and the veggies and meats all fresh. Of all the hot pot places around Chinatown, I think this one offered the freshest veggies and meats. Couple that with the attentive service we had a great dining experience and highly recommend!
(4)Frédéric A.
The best shabu in Massachusetts together with van shabu bar in Dorchester. I always get the Malaysian satay broth and ask for extra satay sauce. The vegetables, meat and fish are very fresh.and if you are thirsty, try one of these amazing watermelon shakes.
(5)Meg C.
This place is actually pretty good. I usually go to Shabu Zen for my hotpot but I wanted to try a different place out. The food is very good and plentiful. Definitely worth what you pay for. Best part about this place is how late it is open! On some nights they're open until 1:30am!
(4)Ken G.
Unique experience, our party of four really enjoyed the experience and the meal. You cook your meal at your table. You pick a broth, such as Tomyum, Miso, etc. , then you pick an entree such as vegetarian, seafood, surf and turf, etc. With the entree there is a choice of noodles as well. They bring the soup base in a split bowl that handles two bases and bring it to a boil at your table. You put the veggies and the meat and the seafood in the boiling broth, wait 10 or 15 minutes and it's done. It was great.
(4)Jotham O.
A friend and I went to this establishment. I liked the atmosphere, it has a very nice atmosphere. It's more pricey than the shabu shabu I often frequent. They offered more meat as part of the shabu, and I was very satisfied. I would come here again!
(4)Bryan R.
Went for the first time last week. Came again a few days later. Will probably make the long long trek over from the SCLA again sometime soon. I like Shabu Zen as well but the booths at Kaze are much better for small parties and the quality is better. Only thing I'd like to see is 1/2 bottles of sparkling sake like Zipang. For now, keep the scallions coming. Yes, we will actually eat as many bowls as you put on the table.
(4)Meagan F.
I love this place. Especially on a cold wintery day, or even simply when you just have a cold. Kaze Shabu Shabu offers a wide variety of sauces, entree selections, and noodles, that everyone will be able to find something they like. We decided to go a little bit daring this time, and since each pot can fit two different sauces, we ordered the Japanese Miso and Szechuan Spicy. Man was this one of the spiciest things I have ever eaten. Huge chilis, large kernels of black pepper, and tons of chili oil make up this fire-breathing goodness. The Miso helped cool our mouths down in addition to their amazingly fruity (albeit cheesy) cocktails. Mine tasted like honeydew melon. My fiance and I split the Surf and Turf with Prime Rib, some Udon, and the fried Oysters, all quite delicious and enough for two of us. The restaurant is funky, a little too bright to be romantic, according to my fiance, but offers just the perfect type of comfort food. To note: the service can be a little slow, especially when waiting for things from the bar, but the staff is patient enough to explain things and will (eventually) bring you what you ask for. Still worth it in my book.
(4)Simon T.
Better than I had in Tokyo.
(4)Lindsay D.
Absolutely delicious meal! My one wish is that my friend and I had shared a dish as the servings are sooo big!!!
(4)Erica l.
This place is actually better than I expected, everything was very modern and welcoming. After having dinner here with my friends i would agree that this is much better than shabu-zen. When I first walked in I was greeted by friendly and welcoming staff. The appetizers are a must have especially the Japanese hot dogs. Really liked the wide variety of the soup bases. The beef lover is also a must! The food was very fresh and it was definitely not freezer food like other restaurants. A great place for any occasion
(5)Doris K.
I used to really enjoy Kaze but I don't think I will ever go here again. 1. I think that someone accidentally dumped sugar into the BBQ sauce because it was SOOOO sweet. It has never been this way before so maybe it's a fluke but I'm not waiting around to find out. 2. I found a BIG bug in my watercress after I had boiled it and almost having eaten it I was thoroughly grossed out. Instead of offering to comp my meal, the waitress simply brought me a new pot of broth and a new veggie plate with some tofu that I had had boiling in my pot. I appreciate the fact that she decided to bring me an entirely new plate but I was also so disgusted that I couldn't eat anymore.
(2)Jason C.
A dining experience indeed! Kaze Shabu Shabu offers a variety meats, seafood, and veggies that is cooked in a boiling hot pot filled with your choice of soup base/broth. The restaurant is able to divide the hot pot in two to accomodate two soup bases so be sure to try two different ones. My recommendations for the soup base are the Japanese Curry and the Malaysian satay. The meats, seafood, and veggies are all very fresh. Since the meats are thinly sliced, they cook very quickly. The staff is extremely friendly and attentive. For first-timers, they walk you through the process of shabu shabu and they certainly make sure that you have the full dining experience. Prices are moderate; about $30 bucks a person (including tip, but not including alcohol). My eyes are always bigger than my stomach, but the portions are large enough to satiate a big appetite like mine. The Meat Combo 1 and veggies that accompany are just the right amount of food for me. My friend and I constantly crave shabu shabu and we always come back to Kaze. The earlier in the evening you go, the more seating there is. It gets pretty packed at around 8 pm on the weekends. ...it's a great date place too! ;-)
(5)Ali E.
I love hot pot. The seafood is so fresh you want to slap it and send it to it's room. This was confirmed to an almost disturbing degree when I ate at Kaze. I ordered the seafood platter, as I do in Shabu Shabu circumstances. I, however, am not a big clam fan, so I left mine untouched as I dunked my salmon and scallops and shrimp (oh my). Until it started crawling across the platter. I will repeat. The clam was still alive, and was sticking it's foot out of it's shell, and moving, presumably to avoid a certain death. THAT, my friend, is fresh seafood. Said clam spent the rest of the meal under a cup, behind a leaf of lettuce, on the other side of the table, however.
(4)Jimmy H.
What this shabu shabu joint stands out of other shabu shabu joints is that they have wider variety on choice of soup base. They have a few choices of each Asian country- Thai, Korean, Chinese and Japanese. My favorite is Tonkotsu soup base that is pork soup base. This soup base is very popular for ramen noodle in Japan. And I thought it was quite interesting to use it in shabu shabu. I was skeptical at first but it tasted great and now I am addicted to it. Only complaint I have is that meat slice is a little too thin. I think Shabuzen 's is a little thicker than Kaze's. But Shabuzen doesn't have as much soup base choice as Kaze.
(4)Chelsie H.
It's Friday in Boston town. A leisurely stroll brings you to Kaze, right on the edge of Chinatown, by the RMV. You think, 'I'm starving, this place looks good. I'll check it out.' So you enter. There's a redhead sitting alone at the shabu bar, transfixed by a John Grisham novel and sipping a watermelon smoothie It's me. My Friday lunch break ritual is nearly always the same. I take myself out for a date (I'm kind of a sure thing, but I pick up the bill anyways, just to be sure,) and my favorite place to go is Kaze. When it's cold out, it's wonderfully warming food in a cozy atmosphere, and when it's warm out, the icy watermelon smoothie promise is too much to resist. First impressions: the restaurant itself is lovely and modern, immaculately clean, and the staff friendly and smiling. I have tried all of the different shabu platters, but my favorite is still the boneless short rib. Each platter comes with a plate of vegetables as well, all super fresh and delicious. I get the basic soup base, with rice, and on occasion a Sapporo. The quality of the food is really the star here, and I dare you to try to find a shabu place with fresher ingredients. They have a full bar, and an array of delicious smoothies, the watermelon one being the best in my opinion. If you can imagine drinking a watermelon, that is what this smoothie is like. So effing delicious. I think the only negative comment I could make about this place is that the waitstaff is not super attentive once you've been served your food. I don't like waiters that check in every 32 seconds, but once or twice through the course of a meal would be reasonable. I've waited upwards of 10-15 minutes to get my drink refilled, and even then I had to finally flag them down to ask for it. But that aside, this place is wonderful, SUPER cheap prices for a huge amount of food, delicious, healthy, and fresh. Definitely give this place a try, but if you see me at the bar demolishing beef and watercress while pouring over my John Grisham, don't bother me. I'm in another world and probably won't even hear you.
(4)Stephanie W.
I know this is going to make me sound stupid, but I didn't know this was a hot pot place. I had only tried hot pot once and didn't really enjoy it. But I stayed anyway and gave it a try here...and I'm glad I did. It was great. I was slow to warm up to it, but when it was all said and done and I was happy and full from lots of fresh veg and oh-so-tasty broth, I was won over. And the prices? YES- such a great value. If you've never tried hot pot before, or if you have somewhere else and didn't really like it, give this place a chance. The waiters are very patient, kind and understanding with newcomers and will show you what to do.
(4)Allison R.
i know very little about shabu. but i knew nothing one evening last march, when i resolved to have a fun dinner in chinatown and ended up at kaze. kaze was pretty empty around 8 on a friday night, so we were seated quickly. kirins and dumplings were ordered as we perused the menu and deliberated on broth and meat selections. i appreciated that it's possible to get a split pot of broth, so you can try two for (almost) the price of one). turns out, cooking thin strips of meat, veggies, tofu, and seafood in a pot of hot soup kind of rocks!
(4)Nikki B.
I went here for lunch with a coworker and it was even better than I expected it to be. Once you come in and are seated, a waitress arrives to take your drink order. Even though I just stuck with green tea, they have alcoholic beverages available as well, including a pretty good selection of Sake. After that, you select your meat (or vegetarian fare, they have vegetarian delight option featuring a bunch of tofu and veggies) . From there you pick your soup base that you'll cook your meal in, and a starch. I chose to get the combo of prime rib eye and lamb and the Thai tomyum soup base. For my starch, I got rice. The waitress will bring out the bowl with your broth, your meats (or veggie delight) and a selection of veggies to put into the broth for extra flavoring. On each table are a few sauces (chili paste, garlic, soy) for you to mix on your own. Once the broth is boiling, it's time to get started! Skewer your veggies and meat and boil in the pot until cooked, then eat how you like it with cooked veggies, rice (or noodles) and your custom sauces. My rib eye and lamb were delicious and the tomyum broth was just spicy enough and absolutely delicious, perfect to mix in with some rice when I was done with all of my meat. Service wise, this place was awesome. Our server was back every few minutes to make sure our drinks were full and even offered us some cooking tips (especially my friend who struggled a bit with his noodles) and help. Just one last word of advice- if you're not good with chopsticks, definitely smuggle in a fork! The meat and veggies can be a little hard to maneuver unless you're relatively accomplished with chopsticks!
(5)Shaina P.
Kaze does a great job at accommodating large groups of people. I tested this out on my birthday. 14 of us spread out on the second floor of the restaurant. I apologize for our behavior to the other patrons trying to just have a nice dinner out... Only thing is, not all of the tables have burners at them. In which case you're probably just supposed to share... but if you're a friend of mine, you insist on getting an extra burner at all cost! Despite the issues with the burners, it was a very entertaining night watching my friends who had never even heard of shabu try to figure it out with broth down their shirts and noodles all over their faces.
(5)Christine L.
This is my absolute favorite place for hot pot! Prices are what you expect for hot pot, which is to say not cheap, but it's so gosh darn addictive that I'm willing to sign a pact with the devil for that pink frosted donut! In my opinion, most bang for your buck is to get the short rib combo, one additional side (I get daikon) and one of those BIG sapporo's. This will probably run $30 after tip and tax. I would give this place four stars because the service, as with all asian restaurants can be spotty. What earns them that extra star is because of the following anecdote: One evening after filling up on prescribed meal above, my co-workers and I began discussing what a sake bomb is. We, at the time, had no intention of consuming said drink... that is until our waiter popped his head from around the booth and proclaims, "Saaaake booomb?", So began our descent into debauchery and it has continued in tradition weeks subsequent to this.
(5)John L.
Until the night of the Yelp prom, I had never done Shabu Shabu before. Kudos to Roni for putting up the event, because I would have never come here otherwise. So, the basics of shabu shabu (at least what I think they are) are that you order broths, a meat, and a noodle-related thing, and you dip the latter two (as well as some veggies) into said broth. Now, based on what broth you get, you get different tastes, as the broths are infused into the foodstuffs. It's quite good, actually. It's particularly good for a group setting (in this case, myself, Roni, Becki W. , Ben L., John R., and later on Heather H. and Joey M.) It was a little slow, particularly in getting seated, but overall a good experience.
(4)S L.
Chinease version of Shabu Shabu?! Fun to try two differenct stocks with great portions!
(4)Yvonne W.
The server we had was unprofessional and annoying -- she was friendly and attentive, maybe too attentive, but she just acted too immature. They need some older (or at least more mature) servers here. Also, she kept pushing us to order things that we didn't want -- uhh, NO. That's probably my only complaint about this place because we liked everything else -- the soup base selection is great (we had the Sichuan spicy and tonkotsu broths, which were both really good), as is the noodle selection; i really liked the potato noodles and the spinach noodles that we got. We got a seafood combination plate, the lamb/beef slice plate, and I had the plum martini (can't remember the name), and my lovely had the rose by the glass. Their vegetable platter that comes with each entree is pretty good - loved the taro pieces in them. The sa cha sauce is SO good with the meats. I had to get more of it! The drinks we got were really good, too, and not overly sweet. The seafood and meats were well prepared and fresh. Words of advice, though: don't get the free soup base -- I had that the first time I came here about two years ago, and it's such a disappointment (it's free, so I guess we can't expect much). The decor here is also very modern and trendy, but not in a snooty way. I'll definitely be back here for more hot pot since it's getting colder now.
(3)Elena B.
Hands down the BEST hot pot restaurant around the Boston area. The lunch prices can't be beat. The restaurant is big and I've never had to wait. I've never had a problem with the food, it is always fresh and always prepared correctly. The service is pretty good, can get slow when it is busy but hey, they are only human. Only complaint, parking is difficult but I guess that's the case for anything in Boston.
(5)Kelly C.
Loved this shabu place. It's very spacious, so there was no wait, even on a Saturday night. Pretty big portions for decent prices - Prime rib shabu, dumplings and shrimp tempura for about $20 each. The pot is split in two so you can choose different broths - the kimchi one was delicious and spicy. The service could have been much more attentive though. Overall, a great spot for some hotpot.
(4)Tracy C.
This is our go to place for hot pot. Immaculately clean, contemporary and spacious. Great selections of delicious meats and food. They have all sorts of broth from herbal to pho to tom yum.
(5)Thy L.
I was so happy when Kaze opened a couple years back. I really hated the fact that Shabu Zen was my only option for hot pot. I prefer Kaze for sure! Here's why: 1) More space means less wait. Kaze has two floors to serve both you and me! 2) The udon here is nice and fat, just the way I like it. The udon at Shabu Zen look like they have anorexia. 3) Prime Rib Combo as a Meat Combo option. I don't need to settle for crappy quality beef to get variety. I can get my prime rib and lamb! 4) Extended choices for soup bases. Shabu Zen only has plain pork broth and a few spicy soup bases. Kaze has the spicy varieties along with other notable ones like Japanese Curry, Malaysian Satay, Japanese Tonkotsu, Miso and more! One thing I think Kaze could improve on though is their waitstaff. They need friendlier and happier people. Although the girl I got at lunch today was pretty awesome, generally their servers leave a lot to be desired.
(4)Michael C.
Great place for a leisurely dinner or lunch! Dinner here is a wonderful experience. The food is fresh, displayed in a manner that really makes you want to dig in. The staff is great about showing how get started (it can be a bit confusing the first time). Once served the staff tends to disappear. They need to work at paying more attention to the dinners. This is definitely a place to come if you want to take your time eating.
(4)Jess W.
I'm not a hater but that pink neon lighting inside the restaurant has got to go. Nothing says tacky more so than neon lights. Other than that, I love everything about Kaze! It's not as centrally located as say Shabu Zen or the Hot Pot Buffet but it's still very close and easy to find. There is also a parking lot right next to Kaze which charges $5/ half hour. Not a bad deal considering how difficult it is to park in Chinatown and that paying $10-15 is a lot less painful than having to pay a ticket. They give more veggies and vermicelli than Shabu Zen. Almost too much vermicelli because I never finish it.
(4)D M.
Alright, so this has become the hot spot for me and Dorian anytime we want Shabu. Shabu Zen pales in comparison in my opinion, and the service is lovely. We always end up getting waited on by Rachel, who must know of brunching habits by now. The true science of really enjoying shabu is ordering more of what you want. Dorian goes for a boat load of mushrooms, and gives me all of her greens, and you should always go for extra noodles if you feel like one bowl isn't enough. The veggie platter is awesome, and I often go for that happily, but when I am feeling carnivorous, I go for the regular beef. The rib eye honestly doesn't taste as awesome to me. My preferred broth are any of them that are spicy and lighter, like the tom yum, which is spicy and vinegary, with a lovely ginger flavor. If you haven't done shabu before, do yourself a favor and go here. It's really the best you can find.
(5)Erick H.
Thanks to a troublesome MSG allergy, I rarely eat any Asian-style food out of both an abundance of caution and complete unfamiliarity. In light of this, I cannot speak highly enough about the staff at Kaze. I dined here recently with three other people, one of whom is also allergic to MSG, and the consideration exhibited by the waitstaff was impressive. As we reviewed the menu, our waitress stood by, ready to caution us against any item that could contain MSG while also offering suitable alternatives. Even after we'd ordered, the frequent-yet-unobtrusive attention from the waitstaff continued throughout the two hours we spent at Kaze. As for the food itself, I greatly enjoyed and was quite impressed with my first shabu experience. I ordered the prime rib paired the with the meat bouillon soup and was presented with a plate of beautifully-marbled, thinly-sliced beef and a generous side of vegetables including spinach, cabbage, watercress, and taro. Kaze's entrees also include a choice of either noodles (Udon or vermicelli) or rice that round out a very filling meal. The contrasting flavors, augmented by the various sauces shared around the table, provided for a diverse and ever-changing flavor experience that will undoubtedly have me returning in the future. The shabu process itself also heightened the dining experience by engaging everyone in the meal's preparation; there is something to be said for doing more than simply ordering and consuming the food one chooses.
(4)Derek S.
I'd never tried shabu before and this was a great experience. Great, healthy food, and they were willing to deal with beginners.
(4)Kevin W.
Love this place! As an Asian food snob, this really does bring me back to Taiwan and Hong Kong hot pot styles! The staff are friendly and remember customers! Managers also remember faces and are very nice! They even allow me to use the bathroom in dire times when I am walking around Chinatown!
(5)Eric F.
Would've given Kaze 4 stars as the meat quality is a notch higher than Shabu-Zen and their soup base selection is more extensive, but the service is def on the shoddier side as some other Yelpers have noted. It took almost 15 min to get a refill on my tea and it was difficult enough to flag a waiter over in the first place. A solid spot as a healthier dinner option in Chinatown, but I'd personally go with Shabu-Zen for their better service & interior, and slightly lower prices.
(3)Karina M.
I have been cursed with picky roommates. Finding a place where everyone could getsomething they enjoyed would have been difficult. But shabu shabu saved the day! I've always eyed this place during my trips to Chinatown, so I decided to go there for my birthday. Let me tell you, best decision of my life! Everyone basically makes their own food and picks out what they do or do not like. And it's fun. Good for cold weather and sooo delicious. Definitely going back for more!
(5)I-Chun C.
I went to Kaze last night to meet up with a couple of friends. We were planning on going to Shabu Zen at first, but there was a 40 minute wait. I suggested Kaze since I had walked past it and it looked a lot less busy. We were seated in about five minutes, so that was good. The food is really delicious. We got one side plain broth, and one side Malaysian Satay. The Malaysian Satay was really tasty, and just a little bit spicy (I put a LOT of chili in my dipping sauce). We got three different meat entrees and a few extra veggie side orders (hot pot is not complete for me without enoki!). Nearing the end of the meal, my friend and I couldn't stop scooping up more broth even though we were really full -- the broths just absorb all the flavors and it's irresistible!!! The only reason I'm giving 4 stars is that the service left a lot to be desired. The waitstaff looked somewhat confused, and some looked downright pissy the entire time. The only person who smiled at us was one man who cleared our dishes. Good thing we were too busy stuffing our faces to worry about it. For two hungry girls and one guy, the total was $60, which is definitely reasonable for the amount of food we got. Definitely want to go back!
(4)Don W.
Okay, this was amazing. Four of us went to Kaze because Yelpers said it was the place to go, and they were right. I don't know if it's better than Shabu-Zen but it's so good that I'll probably never find out. We all had some kind of combo plate, we all went with the standard broth, we split a bottle of wine and then finished with some tea. The bill came to $100 plus a $20 tip. We were all happy and full after a great meal on a Saturday night in Boston and we did it for $30 each. They also have wagyu beef for more money, but when it's sliced this thin and cooked in broth, the beef doesn't have to be the expensive stuff. Service was very good. The server was always there to see if we needed anything and the manager dropped by as well. The only thing that would have made us happier would be a surf & turf combo that had a higher ratio of meat to fish, but that's not a complaint because it was amazing just the way it was. So thanks to Yelp for helping me find this amazing restaurant. I'll definitely be back for more.
(5)Alyssa H.
I never had hot pot before so I was quite lost when I sat down. The waitress was very helpful and was very helpful giving recommendations and explained what to cook first, etc. Great portion for the price and loved the variety of broths. Went with my boo, but it'd be more fun to go in a larger group. If you've never tried it, don't be intimidated. Go! :)
(3)nguyet l.
I like this place a lot because it is great for hot pot. the seats allow for intimate conversations and allows you to control the tempt of pot. It also allows you to share the hot pot as hotpot was meant to be. the sake is a bit over priced, but they had a nice selection. meat quality is ok, its not the best that i had. but the customer service was wonderful so 4 stars ^^
(4)Lisa S.
LOVE THIS PLACE. Easy to find (by driving or taking the T). Validated parking around the corner for $6 (Beach St. Garage) and another lot right next to the restaurant (don't know if that one is validated?). Their prices are very affordable. I'm sure it's easy to spend a pretty penny in here if you like seafood or the more expensive cuts of beef but i just stick to the Pick 2 meats combo and get chicken and beef. Each entree comes with a plate of very thinly sliced raw meat (or seafood or tofu if you're vegetarian). You also each get an entire plate of raw greens and veggies. And lastly you get to pick from a few different types of noodles or white rice. Ok now, I could probably write an epic review but I'm going to cut to the chase. Picking a soup base you like is KEY to enjoying your meal. I've tried a few different kinds and the only one i really enjoy (and by really, i mean REALLY) is the Japanese Curry. Normally that wouldn't appeal to me as I'm a wimp when it comes to spicy foods but this is definitely on the milder side. However, it is super flavorful and comes with a bunch of chopped veggies(carrots, onions...maybe something else?) and the other soup bases i've tried don't seem to come with the extra vegetables. I am probably unhealthily obsessed with their dipping sauce, a korean BBQ sauce i believe? Nothing like the american BBQ sauce we know. Mix in some freshly chopped garlic and scallions and I've died and gone to heaven. I think I gross out my dinner companions out when I end of eating the sauce straight on some rice. Yeah, it's a problem :-\ Anywho. Kaze is open really late. Great on a cold night when you can warm up with a belly full of warm goodness. Doesn't hurt the wallet and the staff are very friendly.
(5)Amit A.
This was our first hot pot experience and I must say I wouldnt mind doing this again. It was definitely a great experience. You do need to be a chopstick expert, if you arent you or the person with you will be wearing the broth. We ordered the Japanese curry and kimchi curry base, with a vegetable plate and a lamb/chicken plate.
(4)Jennifer R.
Holy Moly! If you like shabu shabu try this place out! It offers various options in meats, soup bases, seafood, veggies. On weekends it does get packed in the evening so be sure to make a reservation. Everything is flavorful and the service varies from night to night. But, I've never had a horrific experience and vow to never come back. It's the food that lures me in. I usually get the 3 meat combo with Tonkatsu or Miso soup base. The prices are reasonable, after all it is in Chinatown. They have 2 floors to accommodate the masses of hungry patrons wanting their shabu. I have been to Shabu Zen which is another shabu restaurant in Chinatown, but it didn't leave a lasting impression on me. It's a lot smaller than Kaze but it gets crowded there as well. Kaze is another MUST VISIT on my list whenever I'm back in town :)
(4)Simone C.
We LOVE this place. Delicious, relatively inexpensive, fast, healthy food served by kind people. What more could you want? Easy to be veg or gluten free.
(5)George L.
Not a bad place. I think it would be closer to a 3.5 but you know i'm feeling generous =p. So i havent been to Boston in 8 years and I was excited to try the types of food they had in boston. A little bird told me that Kaze had amazing Shabu Shabu. I'm a big fan of shabu shabu so I had to see what the big deal was. It was 1:30 on a friday afternoon and the place was empty except for like 4 other people. THe service was quick and the atmosphere was pleasant. I ordered the lamb and beef combo. It was great! What I loved most was the amount of food and broth they gave you. I feel like I giped in some places in manhattan (looking at you k-town!). I also got it with the tonkatsu broth. It was amazing. They had a ton a choices with broth. At most shabu shabu places you get a nice assortment of meat but it's usually one type of soup so this was amazing. The food was great and especially the lamb (i never saw lamb offered at a shabu shabu place before) it was GLORIOUS!!! I love lamb and I just discovered a new way to eat it!!! So to say the least i was pleased. Stay away from the watermelon slushy or whatever that was. That was just bad... But overall the place is good at providing amazing shabu shabu at a great price.
(4)Derek T.
15 degree weather....where else to eat but at Kaze!! Kaze and I have a lot of history. Again, I've never been a fan of shabu shabu, and being from California you think I eat this stuff all the time, but it was at Kaze that I had my first shabu shabu experience three years ago and where I reunited with one of my best friend I had a falling out with so this place has a special place in my heart. Til today my east coast trip is not complete unless I get to dine here. This past weekend, I got the chance to eat at Kaze with some of my closest college friends. Freezing cold weather (literally), great friends, and delicious food....you can't beat eating at Kaze. The waitress who undoubtedly has a crush on my bff gave us superb service and free ice cream. For three people, the meal cost around $120. We ordered every single meat on the menu including the kobe beef. Kobe was good but for a few slices totally not worth the price. I rather order more prime rib eye.
(4)Sara S.
In comparison to Shabu Zen, Kaze is the winner. Kaze's service is great, atmosphere is fun, place is larger, not as crowded, and seems to have a wider variety of choices. At least 8 different types of broth and six different kinds of noodles. The quality of vegetables and meat was outstanding, and the selection of broth was awesome. I was appreciate that the waitress was able to articulately tell me which broths were the best for me based on my dietary needs (vegetarian-ish) and spice. My vegetarian selection came with SO may different vegetables: corn, taro, spinach, three different kinds of greens, mushrooms, tomatoes, at least three different kinds of tofu, and even vegetable dumplings! The only thing "wrong" thing with the meal is the $3 extra charge if you don't go with the standard broth. I wouldn't go back to Shabu Zen, but I'll be back here. At Kaze, I'm OK with paying for food I need to cook myself!
(4)Nick M.
This review is for first time Japanese hot pot readers. It is not a comparison of Shabu Zen. We went during off-peak hours on Saturday. Almost nobody in the place which means we had the entire upstairs to ourselves. We ordered up the creamed corn croquettes and shrimp tempura for appetizers and both were yummy. Boy, were the apps cheap too! Onto the broth: I did a rather traditional Japanese Tonkotsu soup base, while the girlfriend did a spicy Thai tomyum broth. I found hers a bit too spicy for Japanese cuisine, while mine wasn't too bland after I started cooking down a few ingredients. The broth wasn't out of this world good, it tasted canned but was certainly good in itself. For the platters, I ended up with a Surf and Turf No.1 Shrimp, Scallop, Salmon, White Fish, Squid, Clam, Fried Fish Cake & Prime Rib Eye. Also included was the vegetables. My girlfriend did the Meat combo which was steak and chicken. I found my seafood to be very fresh and complimented the soup broth very well. The steak was very good as well, sliced razor thin and beautifully marbled. There wasn't anything I didn't enjoy. My favorite probably was the fish cake. Next time I'll order the Oden assorted fish cake platter, as this is what Shabu Shabu is all about. I ordered the potato noodles while she ordered the thicker udon noodles. We put our noodles into a separate soup bowl and poured hot broth onto them to soften them up a bit. At the table was minced garlic, satay sauce, scallion and chili sauce. I'd say these ingredients were the weakest of everything. The garlic was from a jar, the satay sauce was OK, the scallions could have been fresher and the "fresh chilis" were substituted with a mild sriracha-like sauce. Didn't end up doing dessert and didn't need to. We were so full from everything else! One platter and two apps would easily leave us two people full. The highlight of the style of Shabu Shabu is that your meal is truly unique each and every time. You chose your combinations of food, how to season your broth, your own melody of vegetables and meats. If you're looking to get in and out in 30min, grab a burger. Kaze took us a few hours to enjoy our meal and we savored every bite. Next time I go back I'll get the Oden Fish cakes and won't ask them to top off the broth. It dilutes the flavors too much!
(4)Thanh L.
This is my second time going to this location. The hot pot was not bad for the price. The cost was reasonable for the portion that we received. The service was bad due to the language barrier. we didn't receive everything we ordered, but we also didn't get charged for it too. The bill was about $240 for 8 people
(3)Jane S.
After visiting both Kaze Shabu and Shabu Zen I had to write a review. Kaze Shabu is by far the better bet for your money, for the food and for the experience. We walked into Kaze Shabu and were seated right away. Our waiter was very helpful and explained all of the choices to us. The surf and turf came with tons of food and it was all fresh and delicious. The broth options were all really interesting and tasty too. It was a great dinner start to finish and we'll definitely be coming back. The biggest different between Kaze and Shabu Zen has got to be the atmosphere. In Kaze you get a table (even for just 2 people) and lots of room to breathe. At Shabu Zen you'll be cramped at a bar in a humid steamy room (and the food isn't any better there). Just be warned that when they say spicy.... they mean SPICY! Still delicious though!
(5)Jo-Anna L.
I just went to Kaze Shabu Shabu and was impressed. Just got the basic $12.00 Beef with bouillon broth and was satisfied. Next time, though I think I'll splurge on their $3.00 flavored broths, as the bouillon was a bit bland... which is to be expected. Our first waiter was very attentive and helpful, but he must have gone on break because a new waitress came on and kept walking by as if she were ready to clear the table while we were still eating! Then she cleared away our sauces when we had just ordered some extra spicy sauce. It was like she was rushing us out the door even though there were only 4 or 5 groups in the restaurant. I hope my tip went to our first waiter. Anyway, good food, but splurge and get the good broth as you might be disappointed with the free bouillon.
(4)Wei W.
Kaze is an alternative to Shabu Zen on busy nights, since they have a much bigger space to work with. It's great for groups and the servings are pretty good. The pricing is reasonable as well, although I think Shabu Zen is slightly cheaper than Kaze. They have an assortment of broths to choose from, from Chinese herbal to Japanese tonkatsu (more spicy). They also offer ostrich (something that Shabu Zen doesn't offer, I believe), which is a pretty interesting choice of meat. I enjoy their smoothies as well, and they make it to order (if you want pearls in it, they'll add them for you). Overall, it's a good place to go on a Saturday night with a group of friends, with moderate prices and great food.
(4)Erica D.
Yum Yum Yum, I love this place. Food is great, service is good. Just keep in mind that chilled sake (which apparently is better quality than hot sake) is much more expensive. I accidentally ordered a $17 bottle of chilled sake -- still good.
(4)Erin C.
A great shabu experience, but Shabu Zen still holds first place in my book. Pros: -Great prices -A decent looking drink menu -Huge place so little to no wait time even when it was busy Cons: -Its missing those fun mushroom balls that Shabu Zen has -The Thai TomYum broth wasn't nearly as spicy as it was other places -Service was a bit slow Overall, a great dinner. I would go back, but only if Shabu Zen was too crowded.
(3)Helen L.
I came here for Chinese New Year with a group of friends and it worked out really well. There were 6 of us, and we got there at 6pm and was seated right away because we had reservations. So first of all, it was great they took reservations! Like any hot pot place, you order what meat/veggie/combo you want, and they bring it to you raw and you cook it in the boiling pot of broth in front of you. In terms of distinguishing one hot pot place from another, well, food wise, it's pretty much the same exact thing. The nice thing about Kaze is that they don't charge you for the "regular" broth. Some places make you pick a broth but charge you $3 no matter what kind. This place has a zero charge broth and other options. Atmosphere was good and service was average. The price was about $13-20 for anything you order, meat or combo wise. I got the surf and turf combo (seafood and meat) and that was a LOT of food, so your money is well spent if you got this combo. I feel like if you just got a meat, it might not be quite enough. All around good time!
(4)Jenny N.
For the uninitiated, shabu shabu may seem like a whole lot of work for dining out. I mean, you are basically paying for raw ingredients and a soup base, so you can cook your own food in the middle of the table, right? But if you give it a chance, you might just fall in love with the whole idea. Kind of like a strange cross between dipping fondue and Mongolian grill, shabu shabu allows you to build your own meal from a whole mess of fresh vegetables, thinly sliced meats, seafood and your choice of rice or noodles. All the raw ingredients get thrown into the pot of broth and you fish them out with your personal ladle and chopsticks. Trust me, it's pretty fun! I love that Kaze gives you the options of many types of broth, and you can "split the pot" by getting two different broths for variety. This is such a great, healthy dining option as there is no oil added (other than whatever is in the soup broth). My friends and I had a blast, and it was so cheap too! Between the 3 of us, we had the beef and chicken entrees with udon and vermicelli for about $10 each. How can you beat that? We left completely full but not in the gross and bloated way. Upon recommendation by the waiter, we chose the tomato beef broth as well as the miso. The sides of veggies were plentiful and a great accompaniment to the meat. I was totally impressed by the presentation too. One other side note-- I really had trouble keeping my dining area clean...You gotta be careful not to splash the hot soup everywhere while getting food to bowl. It's tricky! Prior to dining at Kaze, I had only experienced homemade Chinese hotpot (it's quite similar). I had always loved the experience of cooking your own food at the table, but the soups I'd had were never that impressive. Kaze definitely takes it to another level and I'm so glad there is finally good shabu shabu in Boston!
(5)Will N.
This is a very good hot pot place; the best one I've been to though there are some caveats. You're guaranteed a ton of great food and it won't even break the bank. The Surf and Turf No. 2 is an excellent option as well as the Kimchi soup base but you really can't go wrong anywhere here. The food is undoubtedly top notch. The only gripe here is the service; it's definitely not perfect. We waited about 20 minutes once for a water refill (much needed with spicy food!) and had to signal the waitress several times. However I wouldn't say the service is bad, it's just not completely solid at all times. Another time our waiter was nothing short of perfect and I guess it all depends on who you get. If you can handle a little spotty service and want great food, Kaze Shabu Shabu is a great place to go.
(4)Lisa W.
It was convenient to my work, so I decided to give it a shot. A friend and I shared the beef lover's meal with an extra order of rice, which was more than enough. We got the Meat Bouillon and the Malaysian Satay broth. The meat bouillon was plain, but what do you expect for free? The malaysian satay was excellent, though. The service was prompt and our cups were never empty, but our waiter took so long to pick up our check that we just brought it to the register. Overall, it was a pleasant experience.
(4)Norina N.
My dad usually makes this meal at home for my family to enjoy whenever I ask him to. My favorite soup base from him is hot and sour in his own ways, it was excellent that I thought none of the hot pot place could beat it. So when reading good reviews from here, i decided to give it a try. I went last weekend with my bf, we ordered Miso and tomyum soup base, seafood deluxe, and a few side orders, caro, watercress, oyster, baby clams and mandarin tea with honey. I wasn't surprised with whatever they brough out, 'cause i had it many times before at home. The miso soup base was ok, tomyum soup was good (but my dad' version is still the best). Baby clams were so fresh and sweet, therefore I had 2 orders of it. The decoration was very nice & modern. One thing that I wasnt happy on that day was we waited for 15 minutes before the waitress came and get our orders, she appologized that we sat in the corner, that's why she didnt see us. ummm didnt they get inform by the hostess beforehand? So during the waiting time for service to come by, I was upset, so i got my phone out and told my bf that i would for 5 more minutes, if they still wouldnt come, we'd leave....I was counting on the minute, and there she came 3 minutes after. After the meal that I totally forgot that I was mad earlier, 'cause I'm satisfied with their food.
(4)Purvi R.
"Mmmmmm. MMMMM!!! Ohmygaw. SoGood." That's most of what you would have heard if you were sitting anywhere near me during my first in-restaurant Shabu Shabu experience (I had had it once before at a friend's place). I have had this on my list of things to try for a while, and when my Friday night date turned into a dinner-movie thing, I thought we'd give it a shot since it's right near the Tremont St. AMC. Walked in to see the bf already seated at the bar, where we ended up staying the entire time as they had little personal-pan sized hot plates. I was already impressed with the place - at 6pm there was already a sizable crowd, and a lovely smell wafted throughout. We both knew the drill, and the waitress explained a bit about the different dishes so we knew what was in them etc. I was just geeked that we'd have separate pots since I'm a veggie and the bf most definitely was not planning on going veggie. :) I'm glad I read the yelp reviews and knew to order one of the broths you pay $3 extra for - it was well worth it! We both got the kimchee broth; I got the veggie/tofu plate and the bf got beef and pork (I think?). I got udon noodles which I highly highly recommend - so delish! After we got our pots and plates, it was Shabutime. We had so much fun just popping in whatever we pleased and throwing a bunch of sauces on after the food was cooked. The kimchee combined with all the chilis I put in my soy sauce ended up being quite a bit of heat, so my sinuses were going a bit wild! But soooo good. The waitress kept checking up on us throughout, making sure we had drinks, that we knew what we were doing, and that our broth was at the right temperature and filled. She was great and aside from one lost-in-translation moment the service was fantastic and prompt. The bill with a beer apiece ended up in the $50 range incl tip, which I thought was well worth it and pretty reasonable at that. The bf noted it was probably a bit pricey for the area, but given that this place was very clean, decor was nice, and the shadiness factor was at a minimum, he agreed that it probably made sense that it cost a bit more.
(5)Nicole R.
I have been here with my boyfriend 3 times so far, it has become our Boston day-trip staple! We love the uniqueness of this restaurant. I love cook-for-yourself restaurants and this lets you choose your own broth, meat, and pasta to cook on your table. Not only is everything extremely fresh, lightweight and healthy, but it fills you up (and it takes longer to prepare and eat so you don't over stuff yourself!) Very clean and helpful staff who aren't too overbearing.
(5)Stephanie L.
A very solid four stars. The food was delicious; the portions are generous and the food tasted fresh and super-yummy. I was happy to see the appetizer special was on when we were there (Saturday for lunch), so we ordered two appetizers for half-price. Neither disappointed us: we got edamame (a very generous portion) and seaweed salad (standard, and a fair portion). As a fair warning, I made the mistake of ordering Szechuan Spicy broth. Let me tell you - I'm the girl who practically eats Sriracha sauce from the bottle (not really, but you get my point. I can handle spicy). This is the second dish I've had in my entire life that I really couldn't handle - it's that spicy! Luckily with Shabu Shabu you don't have to drink the broth, and I ended up trying to "rinse" my cooked items in borrowed broth from my boyfriend's side. It loses one star for two reasons: 1) the $3 broth charge. Maybe this is some way to price discriminate, but honestly, extra broth shouldn't be that much more expensive. 2) The atmosphere. It wasn't awful, but the peeling Lucky Star Bus poster on the window didn't allow the place to be very conducive to feeling ... restaurant-y. I'll be back when I can, though! The food was delicious!
(4)Aretha B.
My friend and I came in here after having passed by it countless times en route to chau chow city. I didn't know what to expect, but soon learned that this was no typical asian eatery. What they do is hand you a menu and basically you choose a broth, you choose a meat platter... and then they put down condiments in front of you. A platter of raw veggies comes your way, and then they lay the fresh raw slices of meat down. There is a heating element in the middle of the table and they put a bowl down that was bisected so two separate broths cooked at once. I got the japanese curry broth and he got the kimchee. BOTH WERE FANTASTIC. What you do is you dip the meat into the broth and cook it to your preference... we both ordered udon noodles and you ladle broth over the noodles, and then eat the meat and vegetables along with it, making several batches and trying out both broths. IT WAS SO DELICIOUS, flavorful, clean, healthy, and filling. Definitely a new chinatown favorite!!!! And if you bring someone there for their first time you'll look like a PIMP because it's so cool. Nice ambiance, great service, DELICIOUS FOOD.
(5)sylvia k.
I love the shabu here! Meats, seafood and veggies are very fresh. Portions are larger than shabu zen's. scorpion bowls are a must try! Great, fast service.
(5)Colleen B.
The food is still great and amazingly fresh. I swear the seafood portions double every time I come in! I did some homework about the soup bases prior to my visit and HIGHLY recommend the tonkotsu which roughly translates "pork bone". This broth has a smooth pork flavor. This time I had a lot more trouble communicating with the servers. Service overall was inconsistent They almost seemed new or in training, hence the drop in star. I did try the steamed shumai and it was succulent and shrimpy. My dining guest also swore by the creamed corn croquettes.
(4)Cassie B.
(Technical 4.49, I'm a pessimist, i round down) Creamcorn Croquette App= Fabu. Schezuan, and Soy & spinach broth=both delightful! Had a meat combo of beef and lamb, very tasty. And a seafood combo, which some things were tasty, others not so much. Chicken and woodear dumplings=super yum in BOTH broths Array of condiments? AWE-wait for it-SOME Scorpion bowl, kinda weak, but apparently the smoothies are where its at...damn Service was quick, he didn't really do too much. Very clean and spacious spot. Overall, fun experience, looking forward to some more shabu shabu in my future!
(4)Julie T.
My favorite place in Boston to eat Hot Pot ! Unlike it's competition a few blocks down (Shabu-Zen), Kaze has fried tentacles! Doesn't sound as tasty as it actually is, but don't knock it before you try it! I love the atmosphere and it's a great place to eat with your friends and have a lovely chat. The service is alright, I've had some not so friendly waitresses before but the food makes up for it. Huzzah for Kaze!
(4)Jackie C.
If you want shabu shabu and you're in Chinatown, skip Shabu-Zen and head over here instead! The place is roomier with a more welcoming atmosphere and the menu selection also has a bigger variety you can choose from- my favorite being the oden set (japanese fish cakes are awesome). The sets come in pretty decent sizes since they also include a carb (noodles or rice) and veggies. (I've come to realize that not all shabu places actually include veggies in their price... weird, i know) This is one of the go-to places my friend and I tend to go to whenever we meet up in chinatown for a bite to eat. The service is pretty good and its great to be able to take your time to eat and talk. Since its a larger establishment with two floors, its also a great place to have a birthday dinner or whatever special occasion. Parking is a bit of a hassle, but when is parking in chinatown not a hassle.
(4)Kadin L.
i just love everything about this place, from their watermelon smoothie to the prime ribeye beef. oh my gawd, i love the prime ribeye soooooo omuch! Every time i go there, i get Miso and Kimchi for my soup base and an order of Fried Spicy Jumbo Tentacles, seaweed salad, watermelon smoothie, prime-ribeye(x2 if there's alot of ppl), surf and turf with prime ribeye, and tofu skins. I love it here, but there appetizers are kind of overpriced, i mean 6 dollars for some seaweed salad? but they have special hours for half-priced appetizers. Totally recommend KAZE!
(4)Andrea M.
Not too impressed with my first visit, but I'd try it again, since it was edible. Based on the high-star reviews, I felt comfortable inviting a friend to Kaze for her first shabu experience despite the fact that I hadn't been there before. But, I was disappointed with my visit. - Bitter herbal broth, too many herbs at too high a heat. And, they waited until the broth was almost burning the bottom of the pot to refill us, despite the small lunch crowd. - As another reviewer said, it's true: watercress watercress watercress watercress. With some spinach, cabbage, and a side of watercress, all with wilty wet spots. I felt loved that they added a little piece of corn cob, taro, and radish. - Scallops and clams in my surf & turf harbored bits of sand. - Beef was a little on the fatty side for my taste. - Tea refill came after we got our check. On the up side, if you're new to shabu, they offer a little primer on the first few pages of the menu, complete with average cooking times for most shabu plate items. I was impressed that a standard surf & turf plate included clams. So yeah, 2 stars because genuinely, meh, I've had better, but it wasn't a disaster for the first timer. I will give it one more go, try the house broth, and hope for fresher veggies.
(2)Chase S.
Went last night, and we were seated at a 2 seater table. The problem was that we were sandwiched by two other tables close enough to be considered inside my personal space. I am ALL about making new friends, but if I'm paying $40 a meal I'm going to reserve the right to my own unshared airspace. On top of that, one of the seats at my table was a bench which was shared with our neighbors. Anytime any one of the three got up, the entire bench cushion would earthquake. The veggies were the same quality compared to other places, but they do have vegetarian dumplings and a huge mushroom that other places do not offer. Their beef slices were a larger portion, thicker cut and higher quality than other places. So the food was good, but the atmosphere wasn't as relaxed as other places.
(3)Vanessa F.
They have $1 PBRs after 9pm. Does the food really matter at that point? The fact that it's good is just icing on the cake. I think everyone's covered the food already. Service is attentive and friendly.
(5)Tammie P.
My family comes here almost every week, and it's great for accommodating large groups and kids. The food is consistently good, and the service can be a hit or miss. The manager is super nice and usually comps wine or dessert for us. I like Kaze's soup base and veggie selection more than Shabu Zen's, and the portions are better, too.
(4)Ha T.
Darn Kaze for being so delicious and all kinda yummies! The flavors at Kaze cannot be replicated at its counterpart literally down the street-- Shabu-Zen. We use to come here at least once, if not twice, a week when we lived in the city. So it's hot pot--choose your flavor broth (Kim Chee) and sea meats or land meats (Seafood delight or Vegetarian delight) and you get staple veggies. Tidbits: don't eat here before clubbing and tie back long hair or else it's gonna smell like chicken fish broth. Lunch specials are same meats, only a little smaller portions (but still lots of food).
(5)Kris M.
My first real shabu experience! For my farewell dinner, my boss took me and the rest of our group to Kaze Shabu Shabu. The place is clean, well-lit, and well decorated. I assume the set-up is fairly standard - an induction-plate in the center to keep broth warm, various side dishes and vegetables to go along with your main meat plate and noodles/rice. They do have a pretty good selection of broths, and a reasonably good selection of meat dishes that aren't too expensive. Most of the table, being mainland Chinese, ordered the Szechuan-style broth, the "hottest" one on the menu with three peppers next to the name. Not to be outdone, I ordered the same. When the broth arrived, we noticed mine was lighter in color than the others; we asked the waitress and she went, "Oh, we made it not so spicy for you, because you're American." .... *sigh* Whatever, the meal was good, and trying the "real" stuff, well, it wasn't that hot anyway. Definitely a place to go to for special occasions if you're in the mood for shabu. There's even a nice parking lot right next door, if you get fed up trying to find street parking.
(4)Roni E.
I've been back several times and the food is consistently good. It's definitely my go to spot if I'm in Chinatown or within the Boston area, since it's such a hike for me and parking is an everlasting battle. But if there's ever an event and want to grab a bite to eat, to Kaze we go. The veggies have changed a lil bit, but who doesn't like a lil change up, right? It's not the same as it used to be, but the size hasn't gotten any smaller like the Zen has. The portions are still very good as are their prices and taste. The service once again is still good despite a one time incident where they were rude to Becki. I had actually considered lowering their stars, but that is in the past. It was a one time thing. Maybe the host was having a bad day that day. While I still favor Shabu Restaurant over Kaze, they both are 5 stars in my eyes. They're like your children, you just gotta love 'em both unconditionally and can't really favor one over the other, esp. since they're both about the same distance for me. Although, it IS easier to park in Quincy. P.S. Be sure to get their Scorpion Bowls!
(5)Diane H.
No lines on Saturday at 6! Yummy hot pot! I will come back, staff is pleasant and checked on us many times. Beef soo good!! LLove the soup too. Very nice atmosphere!
(4)Jennifer D.
I have eaten here *so* many times.. why? It's open late, the food's great, the ambiance rocks, and the prices aren't half bad either. Just make sure you come hungry!
(5)M Z.
taste is so so, very bad service. My friend and I went to Kaze in the Winter. We went to upstair. Waitress gave two menu to us. Suddenly, one fat female(she is one of managers), wore glasses took my menu go away and gave it to behind table (all american). I asked her what are you doing? She told me she will give me another one in shortly. I think it's weird and rude. took my menu give other customers. Remember that and be smart!! Asian people love hot pot than American people do. I and my friends won't go Kaze Shabu again. Bad service and attitude .....
(1)Joyce K.
Torn between here and Shabu-Zen but ultimately, it's difficult to compare the two because they seem to strive for two completely different scenes. Shabu-Zen reminds of me of a hectic Chinatown eatery...very clean and local, filled with young people and grounded in delivering simple, delicious, and filling meals. Kaze has the same great shabu shabu spread but being owned by the same people who are behind Fugakyu, it also delivers an added bonus of a calming ambience. The doors are beautiful, the menus are daintily pretty, and everything in the restrooms are automated. They offer the same things as Shabu-Zen for the same prices but also offer ostrich. They don't offer two levels of the seafood platter like Shabu-Zen so I ordered it with the prawns and clams, etc. for $17. What's useful is the shabu shabu guide at the front of the menu because it was then that I realized that I had been undercooking my mushrooms and corn which I deeply regret because it tasted to much better after learning how to cook it properly. We opted for the kimchee flavored broth ($3) and it was AWESOME! Kaze also offers more noodle options so we tried the mungbean noodles (clear, chewy, flat ribbons of noodles) and Japanese potato starch noodles (thicker vermicelli). I liked that the cooking pot was above the horizon of the table because at Shabu-Zen with the pot built in the table, I kept losing things and dipping my hair in all the food as I bent over trying to cook. Also the pot is split in two so that you and your dining partner can share one pot making it more fun as you can dip between two different soup bases. My seafood platter was way too big. I finished it but man, was I terribly full...that's a serious bargain considering the amount of fresh seafood you get. The clams opened easily and I didn't like eating the fish raw because the platter was prepared prior to ordering and chilled. The fish was definitely better off cooked whereas at Shabu-Zen, the fish didn't taste very good cooked...I liked it better raw. The staff was unbelievably helpful and attentive. The service was flawless. One of the managers stuck around the table being terribly apologetic that the satellites were blocked so they couldn't get NESN - The Red Sox on their flat screens and even shared the scores with my friend. Another bonus is that they offer taro and daikon as part of the veggie platter that comes with the entree. Instead, there's no tofu or tofu skin which I don't particularly care for since I LOVE taro. The complimentary red bean dessert at the end of the meal was very thick and gooey which is how it's supposed to be. At Shabu-zen, it was pretty watery but still refreshing and delicious. I feel like Shabu-Zen is a great place if I'm in the mood for seafood since I really like that they offer a smaller platter for $12 and the seafood is fresh enough (according to my taste buds) to eat raw (yeah, I could die). For red meat and poultry and dinner, I would recommend Kaze. It's like stepping out of Chinatown into a serene dining atmosphere for the same low prices that Shabu-Zen offers.
(5)William T.
Been here many times and last nights experience was the same as all the others. The foods always fresh, the broths arent greasy and the service is attentative and pleasant. Always fun to cook your own food and a great way to keep a child occupied through a whole meal.
(4)Jane B.
So many options here. And it's all good. From the food to the service, they are great! For two to groups, every time I've come the nail it. Plus, unlike some other Shabu places in Chinatown, they allow you to split your pot, so you can try different broths. Definitely give it a try.
(5)Nikol K.
I go here about once a week. Here's why it's so good: 1. My kids love the udon noodles (they are 2 and 4 years old), Japanese fish cake, edamame, and Strawberry smoothie. 2. My husband and I always get the Prime Rib combo - it's only $19 and it comes with all the sides. The beef is really flavorful and tender. The dipping sauce is just right. The hot pot soup (we get the Kim Chi flavor) is spicy but not overwhelming. 3. It's clean. 4. Service is good. 5. There's hardly ever a wait (we've been to Shabu Zen a few times and there's much more of a wait there) How Kaze compares to Shabu Zen: food is pretty equal in terms of taste portions are bigger at Kaze much more space at Kaze (there are 2 floors) and you don't need to worry about elbowing a fellow diner.
(4)Victoria L.
I should start off by saying that I have a very unhealthy obsession with hot pot, and I come to Kaze so frequently that I owe them a review. I've been to a good variety of places for hot pot, but I always come back to Kaze. They have a great variety of broths, veggies, and noodles, but the tonkotsu broth and the mung bean noodles are the things that keep me coming back. On top of that, they make delicious drinks!!
(5)Jen H.
I am a fan... big one. After my first shabu experience at Shabu Restaurant in Quincy, I was excited to try Kaze after the Yelp PBR cruise event. We came here late night, and were basically the only patrons in the place at such a late hour... sweet... it was like our own personal dining experience! I opted for the Spicy Szechwan since when I had it in Quincy we got the plain broth which needed more spice, and the SS in Quincy it wasn't overly spicy... but it was here! Too spicy for my taste, but I'm a wimp. I ended up using my neighbor's broth the whole time... I think it was Thai Tomyum, and it was good. I always end up getting something on me when I shabu, so obviously I haven't gotten the technique down... so I will have to frequent Kaze more and practice.
(4)Lydia C.
mMmMmMm!!!! only reason i dont give 5 stars is cause im not liberal with them! (but its like a solid 4 1/2) Kaze is amazing, the decor is trendy clean but not too uppidy. The food has always been fresh the times i have been there (good date place! esp. if she's never been to hot pot! ;) All the times i have been there i used to free broth and never changed it cause has always been good. Big fan of all the meats esp. the lamb!! One of the things i love to do is mix all the sides together (garlic, pepper, scallions, and bean sauce) into one big sauce and dip the meats into it. My next time back i will most definitely try the other broths!! The green tea smoothie is also mmmmmaaazing. There IS one pretty rude waitress there which i ran into twice. However, all my experiences with the other waiters and waitresses have been quite pleasant.
(4)Melissa A.
I only went here once. The veggies and what not were tasty, but THEY HAVE NO VEGGIE BROTH. Be forewarned, fellow vegetarians, that their only veggie broth option is a pot of boiling water... I had to get extra garlic, scallions, etc to add to my broth (I mean water) to make it somewhat flavorful. Even with that, it just didn't compare to other places that actually offer a veggie option. Alas, I will not be returning.
(2)Brady B.
Tonight I had my first Shabu experience with two friends on the fly (don't hate me Roni!) and I must say, new drug. Our waitress was the cutest thing ever and the food....oh the food. Plentiful for starters. We each ordered meat combo #1 which was amazing and two different broths, one being a Japanese curry broth and the other a nice, spicy brown broth that I can't recall the name of. Honestly folks, I don't think I could have had a better Shabu deflowering than this. Everything in my opinion was perfect. Delicious meat, delicious veggies and delicious broth. I was so full when I left, but not the weighed down full....the "God I ate so much healthy food" full. And yes, you will need need a change of under garment in your bag for Kaze. You're welcome.
(5)Carl P.
My favorite place for a wintry day! Definitely get the short rib dinner and add the chinese traditional broth. Awesome Spicyness!!! Also good for an after-bar place!
(5)Jen L.
I love eating shabu shabu. It is one of my favorite types of food to have. Kaze is quickly becoming a favorite for several reasons: 1. good variety of broths (YAY Chinese spicy and Malaysian satay) 2. Generous meat portions 3. GOOD seafood options (faves are the whitefish, prawn, and salmon) 4. Lots of fresh veggies This place edges out Shabu Zen by a little for the better variety and slighty spicier (mmmm...burnination)Chinese spicy broth. The service has always been good and attentive and one time the manager, who always comes by to our table to see how everything is, gave me a coupon for a free appetizer. Parking is interesting, but there are several lots around chinatown that one can park in if you do not feel like being aggressive about driving around and trying to find a spot.
(4)Shannon R.
This is my favorite resturant in Boston. It is open late, the servers are all very nice and remember my face, the food comes out VERY fast, and it is delicious. The Black Angus is delicious, as well as the salmon, and I am obsessed with the oyster mushrooms and dikon radish. They have some good little apitizers, but I say skip them and order some more side items for your shabu shabu bowl- My favorite soup base is the Japanese miso and I also like the Japanese soy sauce and seaweed- but I have tried almost every base now and I like them all. For a special treat, order one of their fun mixed drinks (I like godzilla) and get the Moochi for dessert if you have room! It's a delicious ice cream treat!
(5)ash l.
I think I'm going to like Shabu shabu. I love the fact that you have multiple soups you can choose from with which to cook your meats, veggies, and noodles. They also have a great selection of ice smoothies, and I went with the watermelon and strawberry flavors to cool off the hot soup burning up my tummy.... (really didn't want to sweat into my own soup). I went with the prime rib slices and udon noodles, over a split soup combo of curry and miso. The miso was a nice neutral flavor, which let me use the soy sauce concoction I made with their ingredients (lots of raw chopped garlic, onion, and some other black mush stuff). The curry, at first, was a bit bland, in my opinion, but about 15 minutes into cooking all the meats and vegetables in it, I noted that the soup, like a fine wine, tasted better with time. The more stuff I added in to cook it, the better it got, until all I wanted was my curry soup. I'll definately come again!
(4)Jamie S.
Apparently this is supposed to be one of the nicer places to Shabu Shabu. Given this was my first experience, I don't have a hot pot to compare it to. Shabu Shabu is very interactive and makes for a great date activity. I'll spare my readership the details of what Shabu Shabu is, because other reviews cover this in good detail. Kaze is special in part because they provide split bowls, so you and your dining companion can huddle over a shared pot-- fluids of your choice heating up and percolating. The thing I learned about Shabu Shabu, is that the more you add, the better it tastes. Throw in the watercress, the other veggies, dashes of special seasonings... but keep an eye on anything soft because it could quickly become part of the soupy ether. Overall it was fun and tasted great. When I dine out I typically subscribe to the "You should not have to pay to cook for yourself" camp. But because this is something I wouldn't make at home, I fully support and approve of this dining experience.
(3)Beth G.
I work nearby and have enjoyed the meals I have had here. I am always pleased w/the freshness of the seafood and the method to my seasoning changes everytime, so I get a whole new experience at each visit. It's usually the most fun with a group. I do really like Kaze, but I am giving it 3 stars for the following reasons: 1. The service is... well, iffy at best. During one of my (brief) visits the waiter tried pouring me soy sauce after 3 times saying that I didn't want it. I had to put my hand up to stop him. Then he walked away and didn't come back for some time. A couple was seated next to me and he took their orders first. I got up and left. 2. On another visit where I sat at the bar downstairs, there was a cockroach crawling by. I know the location is in an area heavily populated w/restaurants, but that's not acceptable. 3. It's not explained until you get your bill that if you choose any broth other than the regular broth, you will be charged for each refill. So while the soup really hits the spot on cold days, just know what you are getting into.
(3)Emily S.
This is my new favorite lunch spot. The great: The food is tasty and fun to cook. The dipping sauce must have some narcotic in it - I'm addicted! The staff are friendly and helpful The place is spotless! I mean seriously, it's always a good sign when you're in a restaurant, and you look up to see an air vent that is not only clean, but has clearly been polished to a shine. The bad: Sometimes the waitstaff forgets to come and turn down the heat at the table, nearly causing a boilover - no biggie, just a minor annoyance. Lunchtime prices are cheap, dinner, not so much. Overall: YUMMY!
(5)Anne D.
This place is wonderful! Its super clean, the waitstaff is friendly and knowledgeable and the food is amazing. I've brought my 70-year old parents and my 7-year old cousins and they all love it. Its a great place for a groups and is really easy to get to. The meats and tofus are always fresh and delicious and the vegetables are always clean and nicely prepared. The staff is awesome about explaining things, brining substitutions and keeping your broth bowls hot. I think its the best shabu shabu in town - try it!
(5)J F.
Went here for lunch on a Saturday. I really enjoyed this place for the food and service. The staff is great, they are always smiling and they are very helpful... we went around 2pm so it was not crowded at all.. There were half price appetizers on Saturday which was a plus so we got a few. The spicy chicken nuggets were basically that. They were ok. The dumplings were ok as well -- nothing special. However, the reason we came was for the shabu shabu and they did not disappoint. We got the meat lovers combo which had a large portion of beef, the szechuan broth and the udon noodles. Our waitress warned us that even she couldn't handle the spicy szechuan broth.. she wasn't kidding it was really spicy but thats how i like it.. overall the food from the kobe beef to the plate of veggies were all fresh and delicious.. a great satisfying meal.. the appetizers aren't very good, but they are extremlely cheap on saturdays.. oh and they have $1 pabsts.. if you want a fresh healthy casual meal with incredible service, definitely come here.. parking is a b**ch but there is a parking lot next door for $15 flat rate all day price.. so if you are lazy like me and don't want to look for a parking spot there's that option.
(4)Luke A.
I went to Kaze with no expectations, because to have any is unfair and already limits your experience to those standards you hold against them. The interior is nice, the waitstaff was all dressed up in some funny costumes, and the ambiance gave the impression of a very fancy place (sorta). When I went it with my girlfriend, we came at a time when it wasn't busy at all, and we were seated upstairs next to a window seat. The waitress was a very friendly, older woman, who graciously took her time to explain some things on the menu and what came with what. I ordered the spicy fried octopus tentacles appetizer and OH MY GOD, I would solely come back just to order 5 more of those. . .they were soooooo gooooooddd, crunchy, spicy, it was perfect. The broth's weren't so tasty however, we got Curry and Tom Yum. I was disappointed, and the Curry broth made my girlfriend sick. I ordered the Surf and turf with prime meat. . .and boy did i feel like i got ripped off. I hardly got any seafood, i got like 4 pieces of meat that were thinner than paper, and the vegetables barely covered the plate itself. My girlfriend got the Tofu platter, and as much as i like tofu, i can't see how they can charge more than 10 bucks for a platter of bean curd (it had like 10-14 pieces). Also got beef tripe, which was fine, considering its tripe and the soup is what gives it flavor. . .but again, i must have gotten the wrong soups, since they weren't the most pleasing. For what i got and for what it cost (two people, 70 bucks?!, not including tip!) and the fact that i went to McDonald's around the corner after, because i was still hungry, prevents this from being any higher than 3 stars. It was a subpar experience and i would only go again if someone else was treating me. . .or if i really get a craving for those friend tentacles. . .
(3)David D.
I'll admit it...I started going to Kaze solely because it was such a PITA to get a seat at Shabu-Zen, which is where I first got my shabu-shabu on. Funny thing happened though - Kaze soon became the number one choice for us when we went out. I've been going there for a couple of years now, and I've honestly never really been disappointed. I will say this though - level of service is definitely dictated by how much you order. Nevertheless, service is never _bad_ and it's always a solid good meal. What you get depends on your appetite and the appetite of your date/guests. I've gone on dates where we've literally split just one plate of seafood. Been out on other dates where we feasted until I felt like a stuffed tofu pouch. Generally, a plate (i.e., seafood plate, chicken/beef plate) per person tends to get the job done. Keep in mind that you'll also be served a tractor full of vegetation on the side. Don't let that stop you from getting a side of taro, though. Never had dessert here...usually because I'm so full after the main meal. Not a bad place to take a date; the concept of shabu-shabu is definitely an interesting topic for conversation. Bit on the louder side, and you won't have any mood lighting. (Apparently, they use the same lighting company that Fenway Park uses.) Still highly recommended for dates or for taking family or friends out.
(4)Jillian Y.
Okay, so at first I was like...waaiiiit a minute here, I have to cook my own food? At these prices? But then I ordered the surf and turf (not bad, $15 or so) and was in HEAVEN when it arrived all huge - thinly sliced beef, salmon, clams, calamari, and so much more...all raw, just waiting to be tossed into the boiling broth in front of me. Plus, they give you an enormous plate of veggies to go with. I don't think it gets much better than this. And my nickname at work? Shabu.
(5)Christian R.
I've been frequenting Kaze since summer, 2006, have brought dozens of friends along for the experience, and have always gotten really positive feedback from them. I became good friends with one of the managers and she would often give me and my friends free appetizers to try or a free round of drinks. 6 months ago she left for another endeavor and the staff hasn't quite been the same. Even still, for its price (esp at lunch) Kaze is a great deal for quality shabu shabu. The watermelon smoothies (and other flavors, I've heard, although I only get the watermelon) are fire (read awesome) and the cream-corn croquettes so delicious my mom ended up getting 3 orders worth for herself when I brought her by. Dessert's a little overpriced for what it is, but it's good nonetheless. And as for the food - there's an extremely wide variety of high quality food. I've never been disappointed and neither have my guests. Definitely one of the restaurants worth checking out in Boston, especially if you've never done shabu shabu before. Kaze will bring you back time and time again.
(5)Andrew B.
This is a great place to go with a small group. I went with my girlfriend and another couple and we had a great time. Its extremely easy to get to, has good drinks, and give you a ton of food for an extremely good price considering you're in Boston. The wait staff was a little slow, but we were catching dinner on a friday night at 10pm. They were very pleasant and helpful, as it was our first time dining at a "hot pot" restaurant. If you haven't tried it yet, you have to. Its a lot of fun and its a sort of interactive dinner. I actually found out about this place on yelp, and decided to give it a try since there are no Hibachi places in Boston. Anyways, its a great time, and especially attractive if you're on a budget.
(4)Jaime K.
I wanted to do something fun and different with a few friends for my birthday. This was the perfect choice. And it was my first time ever doing hot pot. It was a Wednesday night so it wasn't too crowded and we got seated in the corner area all to ourselves (which was really nice. Of course started of with the HUGE scorpion bowls which were pretty good. Then decided to go with a seafood platter, beef platter and a side or own individual side or two. (I like some of the crazy stuff they had on the menu as I will try anything and everything) And also, we got a huge crab which was yummy and a lot of fun. We had two pots split down the middle with the miso (mild) and then a spicier soup. The food can seem to be a little bland with the miso soup but the spicier soups did have a great little kick!! It ended up taking us 2 1/2 hours to eat everything and our tummys were very satisfied. Overall, it was such a fun experience and I definitely recommend it if you're looking for something to do with a group!
(4)Ryan V.
I would love to give this place 5 stars but somehow it loses a star due to reservation complications. I called 3 days in advance since I was expecting to have a party of 6 during peak dinner time. When I arrived and told them I had made reservation for this particular day and time, they could not find my name. I was very upset because I wanted to avoid the long wait and wanted to be seated immediately. Luckly, they decided to honor my reservation even though they could not find my reservation. I only had to wait 10 minutes for them to set my table while I wait for my party. NOTE: You should not call 3 days in advance. Try calling 12 hours in advance so that they won't lose your reservation. Everything on the menus is a bit pricey since you are eating in the city. There was a variety of broths, a la carte items, fresh seafood and combo platters. We order the miso broth and the spicy szechuan broth and was not disappointed. The broth was hot and hearty. The shrimp and lobster was fresh. Vegetables seemed a bit aged but still nice and crisp. Even though this place is located in Chinatown and has a Japanese name, don't assume the employees are Japanese. I tried to speak to them in Japanese but got a weird look as if I had 3 heads. In the end, I was still left unfulfilled. The meat, veggies, and all the a la carte items may look good doesn't mean it will leave you full. The portion size were relatively small. You may need to order two of everything if you have a party of 6 or more. Prepare yourself by bringing a little snack as you will still be hungry!! I definately come back but with a bigger wallet and my stomach half full.
(4)Jasmine C.
Good place to hang out with a few friends for a casual dinner. The food is good, but really, its Nabe (hot pot) and you do your own cooking, so what else can go wrong right? Price is a little on the high side and I would say more expensive compared to Shabu Zen (also in Chinatown). I usually come here instead of Shabu Zen as there is a shorter wait and bigger and roomier tables, which is great if you want to eat slow and just enjoy chatting and eating over dinner. Overally it has always been a pleasant experience, service is good and fairly clean, which is pretty important.
(4)Lys W.
Legions of Vegans! I have been hearing all kinds of wonderful things about Kaze Shabu Shabu. The we had a vegetarian/vegan night here, and quite a few people showed up. I have never tried hot pot before, and I found it similar to the fondue that I remember from home. A nice soup base (Miso, in my case) and the vegetarian platter hit the spot. I shared a pot with Tyler, and we kept getting our noodles and tofu mixed up, but it was all good! I think the tofu and the greens were my favourite. Make sure you ask them what is veg, because a lot of their bases are not. Another note, the waiter we had was super nice and super knowledgeable. If I could remember his name, I would recommend him!
(4)Trish F.
My favorite shabu-shabu place in Boston (out of the 3 that I've tried). Lucky for me I came here with several Yelpers for Kenny's "See ya later" dinner. I really like the set up of the tables. For our large group (10-12), they put us in a semi-private table that was separated by half walls. Great for Yelpers because our conversations can go from zero to dirty in negative five seconds flat. I think that you get the most bang for your buck here. It seems like for the same dishes at each place, Kaze gives you more veggies. Hoorah! The service was great and I didn't hear our server say anything under his breath when I complained that my pot wasn't boiling as fast as the other pots. Allix commented on something about how the watched pot never gets hot or something.. so I distracted myself with the always lively Yelper convo. Another note on the service.. Kenny, Allix and I showed up before everyone else and they sat us without giving us ish. We actually didn't order until 30+ minutes after our reservation. That's not usually how I roll, but I really appreciate them accommodating us like that. Can't tell ya about the bathroom, but I hear the water is cold... sayeth many lady Yelpers. And I didn't get a chance to try out their smoothies (if they had any), but as of now, Shabu Zen in Allston has a one up on Kaze because of their lychee smoothies. But no worries, I'll be back on the regular so I can try everything on the menu. YUM!
(5)Ann C.
IT'S AWESOME. Especially if you like dining to be an "event". Great service, inviting atmosphere (love the 80s nightclub ceiling on the first floor!) amazing selection to suit all tastes! Even if you don't feel hungry or ambitious enough for hot pot, you can just snag a delicious appetizer or two, which are equally as well prepared. The soup broth selection runs all over the map of East Asia - so if your not actually in the mood for the Japanese ones, you can get Malaysian Satay, Thai Tom Yum, etc. The veggies and meat are ALWAYS at their freshest. And the complimenting beverages don't disappoint.........they have green tea smoothies and pina coladas here!! :D
(5)Tom E.
Modern and warm, with a fantastic selection of different meats and appetizers and far less crowed than nearby Shabu Zen, Kaze is definitely the number one Shabu Shabu spot in Boston. It's Japanese / Chinese run with excellent waitstaff, so why not make a dick of yourself and have a go at some of the few words you learnt from TV? "Ichiban, qing!" :s I came here with a big group on a cold cold night at the beginning of December and we experimented our little hearts off and came up with this guide for you.... TWO PEOPLE: Meat: * One seafood special * One prime rib and lamb Soups: * Korean (best dipping flavor, not so spicy but then none are) * Chinese Herbal (good contrast, makes best soup at the end) Deserts: * One kiwi smoothie (to share - it's very filling) My only problem with this place was the szechuan spicy soup which really wasn't very spicy at all. Ive had true szechuan hot pot and was close to calling a paramedic. I was hoping for that experience here again, or at least something that tingled my tongue. Alas, not to be - but the other soups were at least very flavourful.
(5)Kenny L.
For my Boston send-off back to California, my fellow Yelpers and I gathered here to complete my Shabu Trifecta, especially since my very first Yelp night was at Shabu Zen followed by Lanes and Games! This was definitely the best shabu shabu out of the three. I can tell you all about Kaze Shabu that others have already talked about. But what don't the others have in the Trifecta that Kaze does? Shabu Zen - Reservation is well recommended as it can be very busy with limited available seating. Everyone in the party must arrive in order to be seated. Shabu Shabu Toki - medium size seating area compared to Kaze and comparable to Shabu Zen. Side vegetable with your choice of meat is around $4 extra, bring the cost of your entree to a total of a least around $20 each person. No choice of noodles. No plates or bowls for serve oneself when we were there; I was reusing the bowl that came with the udon noodles. And the tea was barely hot (an Asian sin)! Kaze Shabu - Easiest reservations. Me: Can I have reservation for 8 on Saturday? Receptionist: Sure! Called back the next day Me: Can I add two more to the party for a total of 10 tomorrow Receptionist: Sure! Ample space for groups in two stories of space! The choices were plentiful and the prices were reasonable. My only two gripes about Kaze is that it is not a true authentic Japanese shabu shabu (expect no Japanese chefs or servers here). Menu also have only Chinese as the alternative language. Sorry Spanish speakers. And the beef bouillon booth was a bit light and could have had more flavor. I noticed that Allix's vegie miso broth uses the same soup base! Yikes! Oh, and if you're dining with her, make sure to watch out for scalding hot broth coming your way; duck unless you want to get burned! Kidding :) You should definitely read Allix's review (and the idea is from her) as well, but here's my tribute to my fellow Yelp friends that night: S, is for the Saturday night we gathered here for my send-off from Boston. H, is for the happy memories we can reminisce on in the future. A, is for the ample food you will consume at reasonable prices. B, is for the boiling hot broths that you can cook and warm yourself up in a cold winter night. U, is for the uber awesome Yelp friends I have in Boston :)
(4)Ellen C.
Me and eighteen of my closest friends descended upon Kaze Shabu Shabu for my birthday this past weekend, and we had an excellent time. I had made a reservation, and when we arrived there was a large table set up with plenty of elbow room for everyone. An army of waitstaff was ready to take care of us, and they did a stellar job -- no problems whatsoever with incorrect orders, and everything was *fast*. The prices here are very reasonable -- the total came out to $19 each for the food, and we got lots and lots of food. There's a good selection of alcohol (sake, beer, wine, cocktails), and food options for vegans/vegetarians, pescatarians, and those who love plates full of red meat. The shabu pots are split into two sections, so you can have two different kinds of broth -- great for sharing. The location is accessible, right off the Chinatown stop, and right next to 93. Conclusion: Kaze Shabu Shabu = love.
(5)Mina K.
In the crazy weather of today (lower 50's with wind and rain), omg... This stuff definitely hit the spot. =) It was amazing... and i always forget how much i can actually eat until I come here. YUM! It's only a bit expensive for my taste... however, it was worth every single penny, especially on a day like today.
(4)Amanda L.
Best part of the dinner? (Besides the fact that we were celebrating the lovlie Chere's bday, and the fact there was CAKE). Ligaya teaching me how to make a chopsticks holder out of my chopsticks wrapper. Anyway, I'm going to be a tad honest here. I'd like to say that I was tremendously excited to finally partake in some Shabu. It's seriously like a demi-god in the world of Yelp, so I was expecting some like of divine revelation or something. ...::insert sad face:: Maybe I picked the wrong broth, or I left it in too long, or didn't leave it in long enough, but most of it was flavorless. The only redeaming factor was the paste and soy sauce that I soaked my food in. I'll admit, I only got the miso base and the regular base....but I was not excited (Especially since it's $3.00 for each base!) I'm also glad me and my BF shared the Surf and Turf, because if we had gotten our own meal, it would have been a hellova lot of money!! For $17.00 I expected a lot more meat/fish. Instead, there were three of everything. I don't know, but that doesn't equal $17.00 in my book. I also expected more veggies. Some of the other reviewers mentioned they give the most veggies here....but I didn't see it. There wasn't enough room either. Maybe it was because there were so many of us, but there was NO room left, at all. I really hate to be the Debbie Downer, so I'll try to end with some positive things. I like the whole interactive dining experience, because it just makes it more fun. My strawberry smoothie was delicious. The service was better than I expected given there were so many of us. The place is REALLY pretty, down to the place mats and the menu. I don't want to say I wouldn't come back here, but I'm not in a hurry to go back either. 3.5 stars. I'm bumping it up to 4 ONLY because I was surrounded by the best Yelpers EVER!
(4)Nathen S.
Great food and helpful servers. First time at hot pot restaurant and it was a great time.
(4)Debbie N.
Despite the profusion of shabu restaurants in the Boston area in the past couple of years, Kaze remains my choice shabu place. The tom yum soup base is deliciously spicy, the food is fresh, and the smoothies are yummy. The fast, attentive service here beats its competitors out of the water (ahem, nearby shabu-zen and quincy's shabu). Also, the restaurant has a lot of space (2 floors), and so there is rarely a wait for a table.
(5)Annie P.
I ain;t going to lie.. MAD clean restaurant for Chinatown. WICKED, HELLA.. whatever coast slang you want. No fish smell! Huge deal for all of us sensitive yet accurate hunting dog nose people. Eric should be my best friend. He was the nicest somewhat innocent waiter that a group of confused Shabu Shabu beginners of the United Colors of NYC/Boston Benetton taste buds (one halfJapanesehalfWhite, one halfVietnamesehalfWhite, one Thai and two Koreans) could ask for. I've done the whole individual shabu pot thing but never the sharing with groups thing. It's an indeed fun, bonding and double dipping so trust your seating arrangement neighbor chomping experience. There were so many parties of 6-20 just enjoying themselves that it made me go into rage mode to think they were actually able to gather that many "friends" to go eat there all at the same time same night! Amazing. This place has two sections per pot so strict lined diet humans can come too. Nothing too complicated in the whole process... don't worry your pink brain to pieces... it's more like common sense cooking skills that will get you far in this place. If you;re lacking that... I don;t know what to tell you.. order more sake or beer.. just kidding.. just know these two things: ** Make your sauce ** This means in slow language: You see the minced garlic and chopped scallions with side sauces they laid out infront of you? Now what can that possibly be? Why??? Get your chopsticks or that stabby metal stick you've been dying to use and put a little bit of whatever you want in the already poured brown sauce in small dish they put to the right of you. Voila... dipping sauce. ** Cook according to texture and rawness ** For example... put the longer to cook in complimentary vegetables like radish and corn on cobb first to boil in the soup. This goes for the Udons (fish cakes) too. Meats only take 10 seconds like you do in Pho! Now you are an expert. Play and eat well. Life is pimp in Shabu(I love saying that word)Shabu land.
(4)Rudy W.
food is freshly cut from frozen meat selection. a bit on the pricey side for the amount of the food you are getting. its a good place to get to know shabu2, but an expensive way of learning the food. there is one interesting soup. malaysian satay soup base. I haven't had that for a while and surprisingly enough, in boston there are many of the restaurant using the name malaysian satay.
(3)Ami R.
This was our first hot pot experience in Boston. After reading the reviews from Yelp, I was excited. The reviews were spot on this time. We were seated upstairs on a Sunday afternoon. The place was pretty much empty. We ordered the Japanese curry and kimchi curry base, with a vegetable plate and a lamb/chicken plate. Overall, a great place to check out on a cold winter day for some flavorful soup. Prices were decent and the concept of creating your own soup was fun!!
(3)Alex L.
First time at a shabu shabu place and loved it! Great, friendly staff, and really good food. A few notes: I normally love spicy food, but the schezuan was a bit too intense even for me. My wife's japanese soy bouillon was really salty - I think my plan next time is to get as mild a base as possible and concentrate on the dipping sauces / condiments. Will return soon!
(4)Katie D.
SO FUN! My coworkers and I would come eat here every other Friday or so because it's just a great experience and the food (which you cook yourself) is delicious! Relatively cheap and they've got some great drinks, too.. definitely one of our favorite spots we know we can come to!
(5)Ligaya T.
Yay for renovation - dirty karaoke bar, begone! Now the place is a huge shabu shabu (Japanese hot pot) place. The upstairs has pastel colored, spacious booths great for groups of six or less and two electric tops. I'm used to the counter style service, but this is a good alternative when you've got a bigger group and want to relax. We ordered the tomyum and regular soup base with a seafood combo and chicken, and the prime rib. The slices seemed a bit thicker than those at Shabu Zen and tasted great. The tomyum broth was spicy goodness! The veggie selection included watercress, taro, corn and turnip which aren't so common at other spots, so I was pleased. They even had ice tofu, which is layered and more spongey than other types. My companion spoke Cantonese, so the server was nice, not friendly, but helpful. She brightened up when I ordered a bottle of sake. Which upon drinking, made the panning for noodles and stray bits at the bottom of the pot loads more fun. They give all the right tools, pokey thing for raw meat, scooper wire net, chopsticks, and wide spoons too.
(4)Alyssa N.
I don't mind cooking my own food when the price is reasonable. Shabu shabu was lots of fun here, if a bit confusing at first. Once we got the hang of it, dinner went smoothly. A word of advice - skip the vermicelli noodles. They proved hard to wrangle into the scoop to dip into the pot of broth. On a totally random note - the ladies room has a very cool sink. More arty than you'd expect to find downstairs at a restaurant in Chinatown. Was also relatively clean.
(4)Jonathan L.
I was pleasantly surprised during and after trying Shabu Shabu. I'm not sure why I doubted it in the first place, but it may have been because it was my first time at a place of this sort. I will be returning and am almost motivated to go to B-town just for it. Service is great, atmosphere is fantastic, and the cooking sauces are extremely tasty. A top-notice place all around.
(4)jenilee p.
It's Chinatown Shabu^2 face off time: Zen vs. Kaze. Today, after much debate and deliberation among fellow hot pot enthusiasts, I do believe that the win goes to Kaze by a slim margin. When faced with an unshakable need to soak raw beef in hot broth, either one will fulfill your needs. But in the case of Kaze, the standalone building offers a slightly more formal, pleasant atmosphere compared to the rowdy lunchroom dinner setting of Shabuzen. The other big plus? At lunch time, there is a choice of broth ranging from classic beef bullion to tomato to spicy szechuan to a pork-based tonkatsu offering. Just another dimension of flavor to enjoy as your meat and vegetable dipping session runs its course. For those unfamiliar with this interactive meal, I'd try the place during lunch. It makes for a pretty good business lunch joint, as it's nicely decorated, fairly quiet, and the price point is right. I recommend ordering the meat combo #1 (beef, with choice of lamb/chicken/pork). A plate of vegetables including corn on the cob, some sort of watercress, spinach, cabbage, shiitake mushroom, a daikon slice, and a piece of white sweet potato will also arrive at your table to join your meat selection. You must also choose a broth, as I've noted above. I recommend going with the beef bullion (for a first timer), the miso is apparently very good, and if you like a little kick, I also thought the kimchi was delectable. When your meat arrives, use your chopsticks, and give it about three to four two-second swishes through the broth, until the thin slices are cooked through. Dip into your sauce and enjoy. With regard to the vegetables, the corn takes the longest to cook, so I usually dump that in first. The cabbage also takes a bit of time, and picks up nice flavor from the liquid. Use your own judgment, there's no wrong way to do this, just add veggies, meat, dip, eat. I always leave udon noodles for the end, dragging them out after a light cooking, and adding bits of the various condiments to the top to enjoy and drag the lunch out just long enough to muster enough courage to return to the office. And of course, don't forget to savor that delicious broth that you worked so hard on. I'm very glad I took part in the Shabu Shabu Summit. I hope our results encourage you to give Kaze Shabu Shabu a try.
(4)Renee G.
It was midnight on a cold and rainy Saturday night. I was starved and drunk - alas, not drunk enough to forget that I was starved, or that it was cold and rainy. As my friend and I stumbled into Chinatown, Kaze Shabu Shabu beckoned us, all warm-looking and well lit. We were sold. Cheap and quick had initially been the name of the game, but not-so-cheap, not-so-quick, and there turned out to be good enough. I got my stiletto-clad foot stuck between the door and the top step on the way in, which I should have perhaps taken as an omen of pain to come. "Pain?" you ask. The math: (inebriation + extreme hunger) - (patience + common sense) * a plate of assorted foodstuffs to be dipped in a pot of boiling-hot broth = OUCH. I seared both the tongue and the roof of my mouth with my first bite and liberally splattered my decolletage with scalding liquid. It was not. Enjoyable. However, I remain confident that it would have been delicious had I retained the presence of mind to eat like a normal human being and not someone raised by wolves, and would love to go back. Sober.
(3)Orly M.
So, I have now completed the Shabu trifecta, much like Kenny, who I already miss and needs to get his butt back here for more shabu. Now, shabu is the food of my dreams. I am obsessed with three things: 1)Soup; 2)Condiments; and, 3)Making food needlessly complicated and time consuming to eat. So, shabu is clearly the food for me, with the many utensils and ingredients and sauces and all of that broth. This place was so cute, down to the cute little logo on their chopsticks. We were seated in a big, comfy table in our own little section, which was nice -- we had plenty of space and could concentrate on the conversation and the task at hand. I was sick and it was making me stoooopid so I made a major mess. At least I entertained my fellow yelpers, I guess. Now the bathroom was kind of terrible -- fine, make it a unisex bathroom, but does it need a urinal? I know aiming can be hard when you're covered in soup, but I think guys can handle peeing in the toilet. And heat would be a good idea. And hot water. Having a shabu filled warm tummy and then going to a bathroom like the tundra sucks. Oh yeah, so I bet you wanna know about the food. It ROCKS! Seriously. I got the chicken and beef combo plate. The veggie plate that came with it was by far the most generous and best of all of the shabu places. The tom yum broth and szechuan spicy were both amazing. Nice and spicy!! I may be a white girl, but I like my food spicy, and this place delivered. Lastly, I got the spinach noodles. Yum!!! I could go for some right now.
(5)Lauren B.
Oh Shabu Shabu. I am a vegetarian who eats fish but has no interest in meat which makes sharing food with meat eating people not that fun. BUT at Shabu, Shabu everybody gets what they want because you make it yourself! Be sure to follow their suggested cooking times, eat up all your vegetables and not go too crazy with the sauces. Oh, and be prepared to take what you can't eat home (and there will be plenty). This is a great place to come with friends because the whole process of deciding on what you want, being brought your ingredients and cooking it at the table can take awhile. I would imagine this would be the worst possible place for a first date or, worse, to be with people with whom you frequently share uncomfortable silences. And don't forget to order a scorpion bowl for one, even if you are eating with enough people to get a regular size. It will ruin the experience.
(4)Kevin W.
Devon, I was reading your post about your Kaze and it said that you and your bf do this for NYE and its a tradition, its funny that you should say that because my and the gf do that as well. For the past few years we always have done Shabu-Zen in C-Town not the one in brighton, but this year we did Kaze and thought it was serviceable. Between Kaze and Shabu-Zen I like Zen, but I feel like who ever lowers their price by a few bucks will win the battle and see more revenue. If youre craving Shabu t his place is great! Check it out.
(4)Alan Y.
I had a good experience at Kaze Shabu Shabu after coming here for the first time with 3 other friends. We ordered four different types of broth (I ordered the Malaysian satay) as well as two orders of mixed lamb, pork, chicken, and beef. The meat was thinly sliced and contained very little fat and my broth was pretty spicy. The entrees also came with some vegetables and a bowl of udon sauce. It was all pretty tasty, but I wasn't exactly satiated since we had basically ordered one plate for two people. I also wish the serving sizes were bigger. However, I will definitely come here again.
(4)Shaula C.
Have to agree with MzLizz M. here: This is a great crucible for a first date. Very little about the shabu experience can be described as graceful -- you find yourself slopping broth everywhere, fumbling with mollusks in those little dipping baskets and fiddling with the temperature control dials. But the food is tasty and conveniently modular (sharing is good fun!), and there's a nice collaborative aspect to the whole thing. Plus, you've got plenty of built-in talking points if you're stuck for conversation. And if your date can't handle that ... well, it probably wasn't going to work out anyway. Protip: The Vegetarian Delight paired with either the Thai tom yum or the Malaysian satay broth is heavenly (especially on a bone-chilling winter night).
(4)Ezra A.
Lots of fun cooking your own food. They do a good job of teaching the uninitiated in proper swishing techniques. Beef tongue was surprisingly good. Of course the Ribeye was my favorite.
(4)Alex T.
Kaze used to be my favorite place to go to for shabu in all of Boston. The portions are bigger here than Shabu-Zen, the service is friendly and efficient, and the soups were top notch ( love the herbal). If I wrote this review even a couple months ago, I would have given this place a solid 3 stars. Unfortunately, most of their cooks have since left and a visit here this past weekend showed a huge drop in food quality and portions. I'm sorry, but I can't excuse a piece of salmon sliced paper thin. The beef is also sliced super thin and the color led me to question the freshness. Service has stayed pretty consistent but the food has really gone downhill. I understand prices of food has gone up but the difference is just night and day. I'd rather they raise their prices or something else rather than kill the quality and quantity. Unfortunately, with all the choices in and around Boston for shabu, I don't think I will be frequenting this location much anymore.
(2)Yui K.
Perfect spot for our Asian Night get together because..... can it get any more asian? Waiter tried to trick us saying one order feeds one person. We had three orders for five. Coupled with some sake and sapporos made for good conversations and good times. Forget the free soup base, get the kimchi. Zest and flavor infused in every thin piece of prime rib, scallop, and turnip. Tofu purse from the oden plate was a big hit too. How To ShabuShabu guide in the menu gives precise seconds to minutes time to dunk said food. Manager showed us newbs how to mixmake the sauce.
(4)Jared S.
Went here with my gf after she flew in from San Francisco. Was a perfect meal. We had the Surf & Turf #1 (with Prime rib). Used the Thai Tomyum and Japanese Miso broths. Was a perfect amount of food for 2. Also had a seaweed salad appetizer and shared the Mango Mouse dessert. Great dinner. Will definitely go back.
(5)Anna F.
Don't go looking for a cheap lunch here. Expect to pay $20-25 a piece for lunch and drink and a shared appetizer. That said the food is really good. The presentation and service are stellar as well. I have been there three times, introducing a friend to hot pot each time. It's an adventure each time as I try new foods like ostrich and strange fish cakes. The soup bases are really the highlight- but beware- they can be very spicy! At lunch time they play soap operas on the TV's. Just FYI.
(4)Laura L.
I LOVE HOT POT! Shabu Shabu most of the time has a line but it goes by pretty quickly. The service is quick, nice and straight forward. I always get the short rib with tons of veggies put in the kimchee spicy broth. DELICIOUS! The wait staff is very friendly and helpful always ready to pour you more broth and fill your water. Jut remember to not wear white!
(4)Janie W.
I love Kaza Shabu. Boston does a fantastic shabu, and I haven't been able to find anything quite like it in other cities. I usually get the short-rib combo with vermicelli, plus one or two sides of veggies. The soup is delicious and I love the mix it yourslef sauce. The price is very affordable, especially the lunch deals.
(5)Lina G.
I love Japanese cuisine, therefore, I was bound to like shabu shabu. This is a great place....very accessible by the T and right in the center of Chinatown. Went there with my hubby, I was a little nervous at first because the thought of him cooking his own food (with boiling water) kinda scared me. Well we ordered the seaweed salad appetizer which was great. I was so tasty and dressed perfectly. We got the surf and turf with chicken. I'm not a fan of chicken at all so I got a side of tofu. It was yum yum!!! They give you a bit of garlic, scallions, hot sauce to mix in the soy sauce you use for dipping and man, I can drink that shizz. Overall it was fabulous, the service was good (had to remind the waitress about the sauces) and the food yumm-o. The only con is the price, just a bit steep but isn't everything lately?
(4)Lucy B.
I can't tell you how much I love this place. It's relatively inexpensive - like 12 bucks a person - the wait staff is really nice and attentive. The food is fresh and lovely. The broths are always so good, I haven't figured out which one is best, but I can tell you the Szechuan broth is SPICY. They give you so much food too! The veggie platter comes packed with cabbage, a delicious mushroom, watercress, spinach, turnip, radish, tomato, and more. The meat is cut frozen and rolled for a nice presentation. Great date place, or awesome place to bring a group of people. Love love love this place, I've been craving it constantly.
(5)Teresa T.
My family's go to place for hot pot in Chinatown is Shabu Shabu so was looking forward to mixing things up by going to Kaze Shabu Shabu. Kaze Shabu Shabu is on the edge of Chinatown and is in a distinct purple cube. A friend had gotten reservations for five of us on a weeknight though upon entering it didn't seem like they were needed. We sat at a booth which were comfortable though the backs of the chairs were thin (kids were sitting right in back of us and kept kicking the seats). The service was friendly though sometimes a little slow however the menu is quite extensive. I am use to just choosing from two or three broths but they had probably about three to four times that. Also they had a lot more beer and drinks to choose from but no smoothies. I settled on the tom yum broth ($3), seafood deluxe with udon ($18) and a hot tea. The tom yum was delicious but spicy and the seafood deluxe had a nice assortment from clams and squid to salmon and fish balls though I kept wondering if these were fresh (there was still some ice on the seafood). I was stuffed by the end and felt that the experience and price were reasonable so I think I would come back here again.
(4)Susan D.
Coming to Chinatown since the 80's, I am glad to see that they made better use of this building. Although from the pink flourescent lights outside, you can gather what it was before it became a fine restaurant. This was my first shabu-shabu experience outside my mother's doors. Boy, it was perfect. I chose the tomyum soup base (spicy, yet complex with slightly sweet and tamarind flavors). At our booth, they divided our pot with a metal divider. So, we essentially shared the whole meal in the same pot: half tomyum and half basic broth. We ordered the seafood array, the red meats with lamb, and a huge vegetable platter. Dumping your food in the boiling broth along with chopped garlic and bbq paste (you got to!) and coming up with delicious tidbits was more exciting than I thought it would be. My favorite part was the watercrest and baby corns absorbing all that delicious tomyum broth. Then, I ladled soup onto my udon noodles and I have myself THE perfect soup. Being Vietnamese, I know my soups. If your company isn't all that interesting, go ahead and play with your food. Use that spider web and search/sieve for straggling goodies on the bottom. Then, slurp up the delicious broth you made. *side note: private & very clean women's room (don't know about the men's) very good green tea ice cream I like this establishment better than Shabu zen
(5)Christopher D.
Food was awesome. I had the Black Angus rib eye and it was delicious. I also had the boneless short rib which was very, very good. My gf had the seafood platter; parts of it were better than others. The service was outstanding. Our waitress helped us with our food and broth selection, and was very attentive throughout. The ambiance isn't exactly romantic, but it's fun and casual. I will definitely be returning.
(4)Kenneth C.
This place is outstanding. My partner and I routinely drive the hour and a half to Boston just to have diner here. The food is amazing, the price is great and the service couldn't be better. I recommend this place to everyone I know that is going near china town.
(5)Sarah S.
I have been here a few times now, all with Yelping Goddess Aretha... it's every bit as wonderful as she says it is. It takes a little getting used to in terms of cooking times and especially getting those noodles out of the pot!!, but it's filling and delicious. My tip: if you can't eat it all, cook all your veggies and what have you in the pot and ask for a to-go container. Don't waste it; it's great for leftovers too!
(5)Mia D.
YUM YUM YUM! I took a coworker here last week and had a fabulous time! One tip though, if you are foodies, sit at the bar and you can each get your own bowl of 2 soup bases! If we sat at a table, we would have had to share the soups, but our waitress suggested we sit at the bar and we could each get our own 2 soups! Way to go for sure!!! The reason for the 4 bars is really based on price, I thought for the price, it was a little steep for what you got. I mean, come on, no tofu with the veggie plate? And I got ONE mushroom, seriously!!! Of course got plenty of cabbage and spinach (read, cheap!) and how are you supposed to eat corn after its been in a hot broth? Also didn't like that they charged you extra for rice ($1.75) for a bowl of white steamed rice? Come on, that's expensive!!! Okay, but the meal itself was divine! I had the miso base and the kimchi base, I definitely preferred the kimchi base. I got the surf and turf combo 1 which I believe had the better beef option (but still felt it wasn't the BEST grade of beef possible). Loved all the dipping sauces, the noodles, etc... We also had the red bean ice cream of dessert...unbelievably good!!! All in all a very pleasant dining experience! Would definitely go back and take my husband!
(4)Sara S.
I have been here probably five or six times. I seem to always forget that this place exists and end up going to Shabu Zen, but that's a shame. I'm not exactly sure, but as far as I can tell the prices are fairly similar. They give you larger portions here, wider variety of broths (omg curry!?!? It's amazing, go try it!), but the restaurant itself is much nicer, the food feels fresher and the waiters are more attentive. I wish the location weren't so random, but other than that I love it!
(5)Anna A.
If you have never been to a "hot pot" restaurant before, Kaze Shabu Shabu is a great introduction. A big pot of hot broth is set in the middle of the table on a induction cooking surface (you can control the temperature with the dials on the side of the table); each person picks a combination plate (either sea-food, meat, or vegetarian, though any plate comes with a good amounts of vegetables) and then proceeds to cook the items in the simmering broth, periodically poking around and fishing out a thing or two. Ultimately, the experience largely depends not on the food you pick from the menu (as it is uniformly fresh, varied and filling), but rather on how well you like your dining companions, since the meal will take you a good while.
(5)Hughes N.
I went to Kaze coz I'm tired of the scene at Shabu-zen: the long wait, the same old self-centered customers. Kaze has 3 times the choice of soup base compares to Shabu-zen and all the ingredients are as fresh. I ordered the Oden, it was surprisingly good, it made me feel nostalgic eventhough I'm not Japanese, LOL. The Malaysian satay soup was really delicious whlie my friend's choice of Chinese herbal was rather weak compare to Shabu-zen. And beware of the cocktails here, they're really strong! It's a nice touch though if u want to get ur female friends drunk,lol. I like the interior here despite it's not good enough for people watching and the waitress here aren't as cute as in Shabu-zen (I don't really care about that, but I throw it out for ppl who think that matter). Finally, the rice and udon here aren't as good as Shabu-zen (for ppl who can tell the diferrent). To sum it up: go to Shabu-Zen if you want to people watching, hit on cute waitstaff. And go to Kaze if you want to have some conversation with your date/friends.
(3)Kit Y.
By far, my favorite restaurant in Chinatown. I eaten here at least 40 times by now. The service is excellent, the atmosphere us hip and trendy, and I love hot pot! For vegans, this place is WAY superior to Shabu Zen. The vegetarian platter is loaded with watercress, dumplings, taro, daikon, lotus root, napa cabbage, enoki mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, rice noodles, and two kinds of tofu. (All from memory, please clap now). I usually get miso or veg broth, but I decided to try the sezchuan broth loaded with chillies and peppercorns and boy was it hot! I also love that you get to choose from six types of noodles or rice. Mmmmmmmmmm...... I am so full by the end of it that I can't move and it's healthy and fresh and tasty. The price is also reasonable and it's open oh so late. I have come here at least four times when they also have given out samples of their new products to my table. Unfortunately they were always meat, but I was always with some meat consumers anyway which was nice for them. This place is great when you want to eat with others because it really caters to many veggies and omnis and is a great place to eat communally. I once ate with a party of over 15 and it was great because half of us were vegetarian/vegan and we all ate well and got to hang out as a group.
(5)Ameer N.
i live in sf, where asian food can be found on any and every corner. i used to live with two chinese girls who regularly threw hot pot aka shabu shabu parties. there, i've validated my shabu shabu credentials for all to see! i really like the array of broths this place has: tonkatsu, kimchi, schezuan, tomato beef, etc etc. the seafood platter was $17, the seafood quality was good. my brother got the beef/lamb combo which was mighty tasty. i'd definitely go back to this place on a cold boston day when i have a big appetite and a lot of friends.
(4)Nam T.
Kaze continues to be the goto spot for my friends, family, and myself. There are several shabu shabu places in boston, but in my opinion this is the best. It's hard to go wrong with shabu shabu but kaze always seems to have the best variety of vegetables and meats available. They're soup bases are also nice and tasty. If you are looking to take a date out for something different, I would think about this place. It offers a great meat and plenty to talk about.
(4)Alicia N.
First of all let me take a moment to establish the fact of how much of a staple this place is in my eating cycle. If someone comes into town you know there is always that one restaurant that you HAVE to bring them to. Shabu Shabu is by far that place. Also I am a complete creep when it comes to what I will eat. I can't just stroll by some burger joint and roll in diving into the first item on the menu. This place has something that will arouse even the pickiest or obscure palette. I myself don't dig dairy much or eat meat outside of the swimming family which usually induces the response "so what do you eat? Lettuce"...yea obviously. Anyway, so this place combines unique with old school fondue style which is not only fun it's great if you end up on an awkward date and want to entertain yourself, or with a group of people who want an "outside the box experience". Essentially you end up elbow deep in a pot of boiling soup bases, and your choice of meat (veggie option), and noodle/rice, surrounded by an array of bizarre utensils that add to the experience. They have all the traditional Japanese style apps, but often with a twist. I had never ordered their Tempura until my last visit expecting the usual fried veggies compiled into a tee pee, instead we received some alien life form shriveled on the plate...which was good but not great. Other than that everything was amazing as usual. The bill is usually pretty steep (around $50+ a person if you consider a meal, app, and drinks), so my friend and I decided to share one fondue "setup" and a few apps. We got the seafood tray which I absolutely adore because it is a little bit of everything (I am a huge fan of variety), with two soup bases, and three apps (we're piglets whatev). The other two apps aside from the tempura were great. The seaweed salad wasn't too skimpy, and the corn croquettes weren't bland and didn't have a gross texture. *Let me take a moment to emphasize how much I hate when restaurants disfavor sharing meals, Shabu Shabu was totally positive about it. * The main course was awesome and the waitresses explain everything to you if you say you've never been. Each entree comes with a unique array of dipping sauces/toppings. Again, being a fan of variety I almost dropped trow at the amount of different choices when I first went there. The variety of soup bases are also great for variety...anyway did I mention I dig variety? The fish was practically right out of the boat, and 20 seconds later in my mouth. Instant gratification, who doesn't love it? Most importantly their drinks are out of this world! I have had any and every drink from this place and again they are not weak, not too strong, and unique without peacing out on Japanese style all together. Needless to say half the time I leave I am full but not wanting to vomit, and glassy eyed. LOVE IT!
(5)Michele G.
Delicious! Spicy food, mildly priced. Super clean and cute bathroom, important to sticklers like myself. This was my first hot pot experience and my god, messy, but so delish! That's the first time I've ever used that word, ever. Get the watermelon smoothie (it's real watermelon!!) and the thai broth--mouth-watering.. I have to bring more people here. Everyone is really nice, too, and wait--I almost forgot the mango mousse cake. It's killer. I need to have their key lime pie cake whenever it comes back on the menu. Killer. Go eat there now.
(5)Erica T.
This place is clean! That is a good start for a restaurant in Chinatown. I had the Prime Rib Eye and my friend had the Veggie Delight. We had the "regular broth" and the kimchee broth. I was scared the kimchee broth was going to be too spicy so that is why we got the regular broth. Compared to the kimchee broth, the regular broth had no flavor. However, it was ok. You get a plate of meat and a separate plate of mixed veggies. Nicely arranged and sliced up. The veggie delight came with some of the same vegetable on my plate but with added of tofu and dried tofu. Service was good. They were polite and attentive. The green tea shake was SO good! It's in a tall slim glass, so I think there is less than it really looks. But it was very delicious so I won't complain. I would come here again!
(4)stacey n.
Plenty of choices for broth. Portions are fairly reasonable. Space is nice comparing to other restaturants.
(4)Linh V.
shabu zen is better. just saying. our pot was broken so out two broths, kim chee and herbal, just ended up mixing into eachother and the server never once asked us if we wanted to switch it out. but besides that the broths weren't even tasty to begin with! BUT the spicy tentacles are extremely tasty and i sometimes comtemplate going here just to have them.
(3)Kabir H.
Kaze really shines for large groups or intimate dates, as it's just a lot of fun. You start by picking out a broth, which your server pours into a steel bowl and places on a burner on your table. A tray of vegetables and your choice of meats is brought out. As for choice of meats, they've got a lot of variety here, from standard chicken and beef, to ostrich and live shrimp. You slowly throw everything you want into the pot and let it cook, and the end result is a fresh, delicious meal that you've just made yourself. I really can't think of a better spot to visit on those cold winter nights, as the broth really warms you up and it's awfully hearty. Service is near impeccable: quick, courteous and great at helping you navigate the menu if you're a first timer. If you don't mind working for you food, you'll find the experience memorable and the rewards plentiful.
(5)Jenna C.
My boyfriend took me here on our first date. I was reluctant at first, because I had never heard of the place but after we arrived I was really happy with the choice he had made. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and the waitstaff are helpful and friendly. This was the first shabu shabu restaurant I'd ever been to, and I thought the idea of cooking the food at the table was a great one for a first date. We ordered miso broth, which was very tasty, and the combination meat dishes. The waiters bring out a large amount of vegetables, mostly cabbages and greens, and then the meat, rolled up in little rounds. The entire act of cooking your own meal, tasting some of the mystery vegetables they give you, and seasoning your own soy sauce makes this restaurant really fun and entertaining. I highly recommend it and would take anywhere there who hasn't experienced shabu shabu.
(5)Suzanne M.
I came here because of the great Yelp reviews and close proximity to the Opera House where I was going after dinner. Thank you yelpers, this place was a great choice! It was a cool, clean, modern looking place. The seats were comfortable and the general ambiance was contemporary and inviting. I am a novice cook-it-yourselfer, and I have to admit I was a little nervous looking at the array of utensils and trays of spices in front of me. However, there is a great little "cooking tips" guide in the front of the menu that tells you how long to cook and what to do with the spices & soy sauce. That was very helpful, and I kept the menu with me throughout dinner just in case I forgot how long to cook some things. The food was very good. We tried the tom yum and the Japanese miso broth. Though the tom yum was given a 1 out of 3 spice rating, and that met my expectation, as it wasn't that hot but had more kick than the not-spicy miso. I was afraid to get the rated-3 szechuan broth but will definitely give it a go next time. We shared chicken and pork, which ended up being a ton of food. For noodles, I we had the udon and the vermicelli. Our waitress told us to put them into the pot for 5 minutes, which we did, and then struggled to get them out. Especially the udon noodles - they kept slipping back in! I definitely splashed myself a few times. I will follow the other yelps on here and just spoon broth into the noodle bowl next time! We tried the Romance Sake per the recommendation of our waitress. It was smooth. We started with an appetizer of edamame, which was unnecessary, since the food comes out very quickly. We got the broth and vegetables before the edamame! I thought Kaze was reasonably priced. Each entree was $11, the broths were $3 each, and the sake was $20. Thanks Joyce - I did not know that Kaze was owned by the Fugakyu owners.
(4)Shang S.
I've had Chinese hot pot since I was a little kid at home, so my standards for hot pot, no matter how simple, are pretty high. Despite its Japanese sounding name, all the ingredients are pretty standard Chinese, and most of the wait staff (and the owner, I believe) are Cantonese, but that's not really a big deal here. Price and Location: We paid a total of $44 (before tip) for 2 sets and an appetizer (steamed gyoza, thumbs up). For the price you pay and its convenient location, I was very satisfied with Kaze Shabu Shabu. For two people, we decided to order one set each (basically, you specify the soup base, the meat, and then they give you veggies and a choice of bowl of noodles or rice). Service: The food arrived promptly, it was nicely sliced and clean. Service was courteous and friendly. Since I tend to eat a little slower than usual, I turned down the heat so that the pot wouldn't overcook the things I had in there, but the waiters sometimes come by and check on you and adjust temperature accordingly. Middle through the meal they will also add soup base for free as the rest has boiled away. Taste: I had the malaysian satay base while my friend had the Japanese miso base. If you like strong tastes, I definitely recommend the satay base, it's not too spicy at all. If you get a bowl of noodles, it's really fun to put the noodles into the soup base too. You also get small dishes of soy sauce, satay sauce, garlic, green onion, and red pepper which you can mix together in your own bowl to make your own tasty dipping sauce. This is perfect comfort food for a cold winter night. Klutzes beware! It can get a little messy at times. I've found that the bok choy pieces especially were too large and had to break them into smaller bits before placing it inside the soup. Overall, I'm definitely coming back here again! But first... gotta febreeze the soup smell out of my jacket...
(5)Alison E.
I loooooooooove Kaze. :) To be fair, I've only ever been to one other shabu-shabu place (Shabuzen), but I prefer this one. They give you giant plates of stuff to put in, and the broth is really awesome. For vegetarians (like me) there's miso, kimchee, or herbal broth. If you're looking for an authentic Japanese experience, though, my Japanese friend was startled and amused to find that when he thought he was ordering miso as a starter it turned out to be his broth. ;) They're good with groups--I had my birthday and my graduation parties here!
(5)alison j.
Shabu is super duper fun. I went here for a friend's birthday on a Saturday night. I made a reservation and had to move it back an hour about a half hour before we were supposed to be there, but the staff was very accomodating. We ordered the chicken, short ribs and lamb. I wasn't a huge fan of the lamb (I think I don't like lamb in general though), the chicken was good and the short ribs were amazing! The service was excellent and the waitress took a little time out with us to explain the different broths, cooking times, how much food we should order to share, etc. My scorpion bowl was a little weak, but overall it was a really fun and delicious experience. I would definitely come back.
(4)Jessica M.
My friend and I came here at about 8PM on a Saturday night with a reservation and were seated almost immediately. The waiter was really nice, but didn't come back to check up on us and refill our water. Had to ask for napkins. Food was great, service was otherwise fast, and a great experience I'd recommend.
(4)Michael L.
I only wish there were a place like this closer to where I lived. The food was good, and the prices reasonable. This is also one of the cleanest hotpot restaurants I've been to before. While the lunch special wasn't enough to fill me up on its own, you can add sides of meat for only $4 more. On a cold Boston day, this place totally hit the spot.
(5)aaron t.
I came here by accident but plesantly surprised at the quality and variety of options. Usually I tend to go to Shabu Zen nearby, but Kaze has a much large menu, more options, and is just as delicious, if not less crowded. The price is awesome, and it'll fill you up. If your not familiar with shabu style, it's cook your on food in a big shared brothe with your friends at your table. This is what separates shabu zen and kaze. Shabu zen has mostly individual bowls which is great if you are picky about eating out of your own cooker, but sharing is what makes the experience great.. You choose the soup base, the meats, and you get lots of little extra vegetables to eat up. It's a great ritualistic experiene to have a good time with friends. Come here with a small or large group. I think they have an upstairs which i have not been to. Near a T station and walking distance to various entertainment venues.
(4)Lachinita X.
I LOVE this place!!! I'm leaving Boston soon, and I'll come back to visit Boston - just to eat here. Kaze is one of the best shabu places I've been to outside of Asia. and it's actually clean and a nice place to eat and bring friends and family who are from out of town. I think it's a little expensive for shabu for dinner, so I come here for the lunch special. I usually get the Malaysian Satay broth, but it's sometimes inconsistent. Sometimes, the flavor is just right, other times, it's not that flavorful. To be safe, I get both the Malaysian Satay and the Tom Yum, which tastes absolutely delicious with beef or lamb. Other broths I highly recommend are the Japanese Soy Sauce with Seaweed, Japanese Curry (so good with udon noodles!), and Szechwan Spicy if you genuinely can handle really spicy foods. I know the portion size for the vegetarian dish is very generous, and if I'm not up for meat, I would order it and still leave very satisfied. I've never really had anything else besides shabu-shabu. Kaze has half-price appetizers though, and once in a while, I'll splurge for the Japanese fried oysters. Yum! Also, if I have room, I will always get the trilogy mousse cake. It may not be very Asian, but it's awesome.
(5)ChianWen T.
It's been years since I had shabu shabu. The last time was about 6 year ago at Miki in Ann Arbor with.....oh you know. From time to time, I seriously believe I either have mad cow disease or Alzheimer's, but moments like these make me believe otherwise. Kaze is surprising good considering how inexpensive it is. For about $20 each, we ate until we had to roll our tummies out the door. Good food + inexpensive + cleanliness = CW, a fan
(4)Sean C.
Great place to have Shabu-Shabu in Boston area. I have been enjoy the meal there for couple times and every time I change a type of soup in Shabu-Shabu. Every soup type has its own taste and very good quality. Service is good and the price is quite affordable. *Pork bone soup is my favorite.
(5)Steven P.
Although I prefer Shabu Zen, my brother is an avid fan of Kaze, so we went there along with my sisters for dinner. We ordered lots and lots of dishes, like the surf and turf, tripe, salmon, watercress, and watercress, and a helluva lot more watercress. We chose two different broths, which was decent in flavor. My main gripe was the udon noodles which was always brought out cold. So you'd have to either dump the noodles into the broth to steam them, or to try and pour the broth into your bowl and hopefully having the noodles nice and just the way they should be. Overall, the meal was nice and filling. Though, if I had to, I'd chose Zen or Kaze. But, if Zen which usually is always packed, is full, Kaze would be next on the list.
(3)Kristin M.
Love this place, and am loyal to Kaze over Shabu Zen ever since they opened. I mean, for one, it used to be the hot lesbian spot on Saturday nights. Now it's Japanese shabu shabu- how appropriate. Good memories here: the owner knows us and is very friendly. The food is great- I usually order the Surf and Turf. Some of the platters are large enough to share, or if you order separatetly there will be leftovers (yes we are so asian that we take our soup to-go- they will do it for you, just ask). Lots of soup base and noodle options- I especially like the cilantro and egg one. The last time we went though, we noticed they had changed the veggie platter from yummy things like diakon and taro to carrots and broccoli. :( EDIT: last time, the diakon and taro were back!
(5)Antony S.
The good: Everything. Pictures of what you can order on the menu, friendly staff, T.V.'s all around yet still a great ambiance, fancy bathrooms, cool lighting...and DELICIOUS FOOD The bad: Nothing. Nothing at all! Joyce K, an nba groupie, sums it all up perfectly . This is my easiest rating yet: 5 stars and I'd give them more if I could.
(5)Chin C.
I like the variety of broth they offer. And by far the one I like most is Japanese Tonkotsu. For app I love Fired Spicy Jumbo Tentacles, it was so tasty, crispy and as the name stated, spicy. The entree we have prime rib, short rib, lamb and seafood. The prime rib and lamp were fine, the short rib was great. The prawns were big and fresh you have to try it. If you want to put some twist in it, try Thai sukiyaki sauce, it's spicy so be careful. The place is not that big but plenty of room, but no long line. The services were quite good too.
(4)Kristin G.
The Japanese Curry broth is to DIE for. I've been here a few times- just went back last week for a friend's birthday and was not disappointed. The food was fresh, the broth was delicious and the staff were totally friendly.
(4)Sean M.
Legit high-end Chinese/Pan Asian style hot pot with decent sushi. Really nice bar and decor. Staff is attentive, knowledgeable and patient. Very good appetizers but don't fill up, cause the platters are generously portioned. We always like to get two or three broths going and share, so a group of 4-6 is optimum. But you have a nice meal for two here as well. Tip on the spicy broth: Don't leave the szechuan peppers in the boiling broth for more than a minute or two.
(4)Jimmy B.
I'm having a heart-break on having to give this place a 4. I've adored this place since I was a child - as a huge fan of hot pot (or honestly, more for the dipping sauce... mmmm chinese BBQ sauce, I'd inhale you over oxygen any day), this place is on the top of my list. Back in the day, the meat was sososooooo fresh with heaps of sliced meat (I think I remembered counting 14+), a good assortment of veggies, flavorful soup bases and an awesome selection of noodles. Oh hey, and did I forget to mention you could order OSTRICH meat? Talk about something you'd hesitate to order, yet wouldn't be able to resist trying at least once. Fast forward 100+ meals of dining here (seriously.. I probably have the record for eating here, or at least I'd like to believe so) and after all the ups and downs, I'm settling on a four. Why? Didn't I say this was my top place for hot pot? Why yes sir I did, and I still hold to it. However, as with most restaurants, small things start to change, and typically not for the better. I've noticed that the meat quality has started to go down in quality (really sad - I'm sad to say that some of their competitors have better meat) as well as reduced quantity (10 slices for lunch, 12 or so for dinner). It's quite sad, especially after the slight increase in prices. (those $8 lunches were the BEST). Luckily, their soup bases still rock (Kimchi all the way!) and their noodles are also still amazing. Unlike some places, Shabu Kaze actually serves what I consider UDON noodles, not the tiny ass noodles some others places serve as udon. Although both are chewy, the size definitely changes the texture and taste - give me the big, chewy udon any day! Also, consider trying their other noodles like the japanese potato! That's my second favorite whenever I strangely am not craving udon. In summary, some slight declines to what used to make this place a shining 5. If they could focus a bit more on their meat, you'd get this missing star back Kaze. Until then, continue to give me all that extra BBQ sauce, and you'll have my patronage any day of the week.
(4)issy d.
I love you kaze I try to go to you once a week! I'll go to you today. Squid tentacles, watermelon shake, fried oysters, scorpion bowl and tonkatsu broth :) because I'm a frequent flyer I do return because I like my squid and I like my watermelon shake. If for some reason it comes out not as crispy or Broth is bland or my shake is melted.... They always fix it and I always stay happy. I loveeeee you kaze. I miss Ross doe
(5)Ivy F.
Kaze has been my favorite for years. All the soup bases are good but my favorite is the Japanese Curry. Their watermelon shake, fried oysters and octopus tentacles are amazing too!
(5)Christina H.
Kaze Shabu Shabu has been around for as long as I could remember. I would walk by it all the time when I take the T to Chinatown. I actually ate Hot Pot Buffet (aka the Fat Cow), Q Restaurant and Shabu-Zen before ever stepping foot into Kaze. My friend brought me here one time for late-night hot pot and it forever changed my life. The portions are reasonable for the price and quality. The meat and veggies were all fresh. Friendly service. I recommend the Beef Lover or the Surf & Turf # 1. And hey, you have to get a drink today or a Kaze Special Bowl to share. Their cocktails are perfectly crafted. They are flavorful enough for you to enjoy and not overly sweet; their also nice and strong, so you know you are getting your money's worth. My friend at the end of the table gave the same drink critique (great minds think alike!)
(5)Eunice E.
It took me a while to warm up (ha, ha) to this shabu place, but now that I have, I often try to find excuses to come here and have a nice hot pot of kimchi broth and beef. MmmmMmmmm. And that is my first recommendation -- if you like spicy (and especially if you like kimchi), opt for the kimchi broth. The original is OK (and we used to do half and half -- that is, half kimchi, half regular), but I love the tangy kick that can come only from this flavor. Word to the wise, though: even if you order ALL kimchi broth, they'll charge you for two soups, since, uh, well, they didn't have a very good explanation of why, besides there's a divider in the bowl that separates the bowl into "two." OK, that load of BS aside, the rest of your meal is sure to please. I like to add my hard-to-cook veggies first (the taro, the napa cabbage, etc) and the others as I go, since they cook fairly quickly, and then, just dunk and cook the meat as necessary. When the pot is hot enough, the meat will cook fast, so you can scoop it (and the veggies and the broth) into a separate little bowl and just ENJOY at your own pace. I like to save (and savor) my udon noodles for the very end, so I can end on a high (carb) note, but to each his own. Add your noodles (or eat with rice) however and whenever you want. It all tastes great. I'll admit that I was anti-Kaze for a while because I kept remembering my phenomenal, can't-touch-this experiences with "real" shabu shabu in Japan... but this has become a good Boston experience. I usually come post-movie screening down at the AMC Loews near the Common, so I now associate Kaze with seeing a good flick and talking about how to write my reviews over broth. But whatever the occasion may be for you, I think this is a great place to go to warm up and fill your belly with good soup, veggies, and meat. ("Fancier" upstairs than the more casual downstairs, but I believe only the downstairs is open past a certain hour during the week. Either way, you'll get yummy food.)
(4)Roger S.
This is the best hot pot I've ever done! Prime Rib in Tom Yom broth was absolutely amazing. I dream of returning here, and can't recommend it to enough people.
(5)Michael S.
I am so glad that I tried hot pot so many years ago. It is one of my favorite meals. Kaze does it very well. The atmosphere is suitable and the booths are comfortable. The drinks are great. I have gotten everything from scallops to veal tongue and everything has been fresh and tasted excellent. Not to mention, they are open until 1am on weekdays and 3 on weekends. My buddies and I ate here after my bachelor party! It gets one less star because the location is somewhat sketchy at night and parking is almost impossible (welcome to boston)
(4)Sir william W.
This place is so hit or miss. They're even spectacularly or downright awful and I mean this in ever respect. You'll come in one night and get amazing service and impeccable food or terrible service and a meal that you worry might give you food poisoning. So i really make this review rating their performance relative to their nearby competitor Q that really has their shit down in the hot pot department. Kaze used to be my go to hot pot joint, now its definitely Q.
(2)Barry R.
Great find! Yummy!
(5)Thuy L.
Oh my god. I was never a BIG fan of hot pot and I would rather have it occasionally but, I would actually come here once a week for their hotpot! So my husband and I came here on a rainy Tuesday night around 1030ish craving for hotpot. We were so glad that this place opens late , rather than closing at 11pm like shabu zen or little Q. It was dead of course, because who would come out at 1030 on a Tuesday night just to have hotpot? *raised hands* . Anyways. We started off with the beef tongue and the baby clams. My husband loved the tongue; it was chewy, didn't have a smell to it, and flavorful. The baby clams were not great because we thought it was in a blackbean sauce but instead , it was in a tangyish like sauce which wasn't what I expected. Our waiter was super friendly, I wanted something SIMPLE, not boring, but has some flavoring (not miso soup either) and he suggested the Japanese (something) seaweed soup. Man , I really wish I can remember the exact name for it! But I know it's the only broth with Japanese and seaweed together haha. I was kinda skeptical about it when he first suggested it, but I was like, "freak it! I'll try it". I was afraid that it might have a pungent "sea" taste/smell. When he brought out the half tom yum and the Japanese seaweed broth, I looked at it and i said to my husband "omg, why is it so.. Black?!" *shrug.* I waited for the soup to come to a boiled and I tasted it. Let me tell you, it was the BEST broth I've ever had! Throughout our meal, I could not stop complimenting on the broth. My husband tried it and he loved it as well! It reminded us of the "Chinese herbal blacken chicken" (if you guys ever had it) but it's slightly different. I don't think shabu zen or little Q can top this broth. I liked how there were plenty of wakame seaweed that was cooked in there as well! As for the meats, we ordered Prime Rib, rib eye and beef combo. Both the prime rib and rib eye was big! I would say the palm of my hands . It was slice to perfection; not too thin, not thick either. The combos came with veggies of course and we also ordered extra corns, enoki mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms. Asked for extra BBQ sauce as well. As for drinks, I ordered the honey chrysanthemum tea (stated in the menu), it came out in a bottle (the waiter also asked if I mind it from a bottle) and he brought out a cup of ice and poured the tea for me. When I took a sip of it, it didn't taste like what I expected! Why?! Because it was Honey chrysanthemum WITH Ginseng! The ginseng was TOO overpowering for my taste and I couldn't taste the tea at all :(. I wish they would've stated that in the menu . My husband got a orange soda and they also have a small selections of smoothie as well. But over all, everything costed under $100! Veryyy veryyyy filling! Everything tasted delicious! It beats shabu zen and other hotpot places in my book! Great service as well!
(4)Jay S.
What an experience! I have been here a few times all for special occasions and had a great time. I had the surf and turf with extra spicy broth. We had a bunch of scorpion bowls with extra long colorful straws. Our waitress was great. She was down to earth and her service was above expectation. The part that makes this place special is that you can cook and share a meal with friends and family.
(4)Jonah K.
Never had this stuff before, but my buddy is a regular, so I got the rundown. The restaurant was extremely cold due to it being freakishly cold that day and they seemed to be running the AC. The service was generally good with a decent number of goof ups. The food was great, got the steak and chicken combo with a bunch of veggies.
(3)John D.
Went here last night during the wonderful winds and rain of Massachusetts. Perfect weather of hot pot with a group of friends? Of course! Overall a lot better experience here than I had 2 weeks ago. Meat tasted swell, veggies were fresh, the table was roomy, and service was good! Tom yum broth isn't spicy enough for me and they forgot my fish balls ): + Seated upstairs in a booth, not secluded in a corner. + Although 1/2 of us were waiting for the rest of us to show up, service was really patient and wasn't giving us dirty looks as if we just wanted to sit there. - I had no clue the appetizers were so pricey because my friend ordered them. Not worth. Ordered chicken nuggets, shrimp tempura, and oysters. Nuggets were good. Tempura nothing special. Oysters were alright. - Ordered tom yum broth and bouillon. Still not spicy enough. Spicier than kim chi doe. + Orders a bunch of meat, received a bunch of meat. + Kobe beef still very good quality. Practically melts in your mouth. Pretty pricey doe. - Ordered fish balls, never got fish balls ): You don't understand. The fish balls with filling are amazing... Even though you only get 4 they are so worth. - Fish paste was alright. Really bland, not much flavor. + Veggies were fresh vegetables. + Sauce was good as well! Mixed in a bunch more ginger and the smelly stuff! + Service was fantastic! Came to check up on us quite a few times and were really friendly.
(4)Dessa R.
There are two kinds of people in this world: those who wear white with complete confidence, and then there's the rest of us, who have to make an ACTIVE effort not to look like a an 7 year-old spattered with random shmutz by the end of the day. I, being a member of the latter team (read: clumsy), did not do well here. In my defense, it was my first time. A little background first. Personal shortcoming- I suck at chopsticks. I can play piano, paint fine detail, french braid hair, write in fancy scripts, yet somehow I haven't mastered the ability to grasp rice with two sticks. Eating here at Kaze was like every embarrassing chopstick failure I've ever had, but amped up to the Nth degree. Basically, I found myself trying to skewer what appeared to me to be raw cold cuts, cooking it in boiling broth, losing the coldcut in the broth 3 or 4 times, overcooking it while frantically trying to fish it out, and quickly shoving it into my mouth, with broth gracefully running down my ladylike chin. Awesome. The payoff, in terms of tastiness, was not comparable to the effort it required, IMHO. My dining companion, who was attempting to explain protocol, was appalled. He had to remind me several times not to use the same utensil that I originally picked the raw cold cut up with. Okay, so I suck. I suck at chopsticks, I suck at Shabu Shabu, and I suck at life. Truth be told, I just wasn't into it. I don't see myself trying this again. *If you like this style though, I am told that this is one of the best Shabu spots in all of Boston!
(2)Sharon Z.
I'm kaze-ddicted. I've been coming here way, way, way too much. That being said, every experience is extremely positive. The consistency in the great quality of their ingredients is amazing and their appetizers (fried calamari is so good) and other cooked dishes are also exemplary. They definitely deserve this 5 star.
(5)Karen H.
Been here several times since it's so conveniently located next to/in Chinatown. Multiple times I tried to go to Q but the wait is always 30 + min so I give up and come here. :) There's nothing amazing to me about this place but they have relatively fresh food -- small portions and not the cheapest. Service is just OK and the waiters/waitresses aren't super friendly but aren't mean either. I guess this place is really just a "meh" place to me with nothing bad but nothing outstanding -- thus the 3 stars. I prefer the all-you-can eat Shabu place in Chinatown next to the main gate but that's 30$ and only worth it if you can eat a good amount. Anyways when I do decide to come here, I like to get the szechaun spicy malayasian broth but most my friends (who can't do spicy) like the house broth. The fatty beef is most tender and most delicious so I always ask for that and then their seafood platter is pretty good too. Only come here if you're really craving shabu, happen to be in Chinatown, and don't want to spend a fortune.
(3)Xiao Z.
I've only had their half-off appetizers after 10pm, and haven't tried their shabu. I think the appetizers are certainly a steal at half-off, but they feel generic and without pizzaz. Also, the services has always been lacking everytime I've visited here; it may be secondary to the late night shift and a wide variety of characters visiting this place, but it still doesn't excuse the lackluster service. Food: 2 stars Price: 4 stars Service: 2 stars
(2)Tamarleigh G.
"Adventures in Food with the Vegaquarian and the Meat-Eater" began at Kaze. This is the place where the Meat-Eater took me for our first date. He was trying to find somewhere to bring a non-meat-eater. This was a GREAT choice! It has ample options for vegetarians, vegaquarians, and meat-eaters. This place is GREAT for a first date! It is really clever and creative and gives you something to talk about on the date, even if you can't think of anything else to say to one another. In our case, we ended up having so much to say to one another that on the way to Cambridge - where we went to get drinks after Kaze - we missed our train connections not one, not two, but THREE separate times...and are still together (oh, the cuteness...). It would probably also be good for any lunch or dinner meeting with a stranger - for the same reason (gives you something to talk about) - but the hot pots in the middle of the table would mean it couldn't be the sort of meeting in which you are showing one another laptops or papers and using the table partly as a desk. I don't remember any issues with the service at all. We've been back nearly every year on the anniversary of that first date, and we always have a good time. Of course, perhaps we are just so dazzled with one another's company that we wouldn't even notice poor service... oh, wait, I shouldn't try to say such a thing, because if you've read any of my other reviews, you'll already know that I definitely DO notice poor service. :-D The service at Kaze is fine. Highly recommended!
(5)Ryuu L.
It's terrible that I have to write such a poor review, since I used to love coming here with family, friends and the boyfriend regularly. However the service has gone downhill so quickly that it's hardly worth making the trip into Boston. This used to be my favorite restaurant. Two visits ago, we had ordered our meals and had received what we asked for. However that's all we got. We were never checked in on for more sodas, soy sauce or napkins. It wasn't a busy night, so I'm not sure why our server left our plates and never came back. Finally we flagged down another server to get us the check. I had decided that I wanted to try their mango ice cream before getting the check. Big mistake. They went to get the ice cream but didn't return for almost 20 minutes (for just a few small scoops of icrcream!). When the ice cream finally arrived, it was green tea and not mango! We sent it back and they came back quickly with mango and the check. My last visit there though, was absolutely pitiful. We ordered the gyoza as an appetizer with our meals. Our beef platters and veggies came out, but no appetizer. We figured the gyoza was just taking a little longer to pan fry. So we waited and ate our beef instead. I accidentally spilt over my entire dish of soy sauce and desperately needed napkins, but no servers in sight. I grabbed napkins from nearby tables but it wasn't enough. My boyfriend went to find a server to ask for some basic attention, but found that the entire staff was just sitting at the bar, talking. He complained about not having the appetizer, soy sauce and napkins and he was snubbed. Finally our server arrives. He drops the plate on the table . We say thank you and he says nothing in response. Very uncomfortable, also did not return with soy sauce or napkins for our visibly still wet/sticky table. To add insult to injury, the gyoza was cold. Obviously left sitting out instead of coming to our table. It's very clear that the staff does not care about the customer and sees us only as an inconvenience to their social life downstairs at the bar. I wish I could continue to love the food here, but the service has been so horrendous that I will not be returning. It's time for me to find a new hot pot place to enjoy.
(2)Maddie C.
This place was fantastic. Highly recommend. They have a great deal of meat and broth selections. The combo we tried was Korean Kim Chi and Chinese Herbal. All the flavors were fantastic and the portions were generous. I got pork, with vermicelli as my side and an extra side of napa, which almost proved to be too much. Definitely going back to this place.
(5)Chong C.
Definitely satisfied with their Shabu! Bit more pricy cuz they literally charge for everything. Like broth (only basic is free, others 3.50~4.00), rice&noodles (2.50~3.50), and all. Since most other Shabu places have at least 3 selections for broth and charge an extra buck for special broth, and they have rice or noodles included in a meal, you'll end up paying like 5~6 dollars more here. Taste is absolutely great. Serving size is good, meat and veggie are fresh as they are, and broth has deep, delicious flavor to it. We had Chinese Herb and Malaysian something and both were pretty good. Little something extra, their Organic Sake (warm) is really good. I'm not a big fan of sake since most of sake I've had suck, but they had the best sake I've had thus far!
(4)Ambrose C.
It is a dismal 4 degrees Celsius outside, maybe even significantly lower, and you want something really warm to eat as a light dinner. Where should you go? This place should have your answer. I have been here several times, and after my most recent visit, it was significantly better than before. My previous visits were really mediocre, and most of the time, I usually make hot pot dinner at home or with some people that I know for Chinese New Year. Here's what happened that made my experience better: I ordered just the ordinary broth, with udon noodles and as for the meat, I ordered the prime rib beef with lamb. I also mixed some scallions with garlic into a small cup filled with soy sauce. I learned this method from my sister. After doing this, I quickly cooked the meat in the broth, then after that, I dipped the beef and lamb in the sauce. Adding the watercress and spinach into the broth also made it a really good meal. I really enjoyed the rich flavor of the meats, especially when it was mixed with the broth, the noodles, and the sauce my sister and I created. I also cooked the taro in the broth for a while, possibly for a few minutes. After that, I mashed the taro a few times with my chopsticks, mixed it a little with the udon noodles and the beef, and I also enjoyed my light dinner even more. I did not detect any monosodium glutamate in the broth, so that should be a good thing. The service was somewhat decent, not really stellar. Prices are a little high, expect to have up to $25 in cash ready. Overall, this is not a bad choice to get some hot pot for a light dinner, and I think it has a lot of potential to get better. My most recent visit at this place was significantly better than my previous visits, so this is why I am giving this place a much higher mark.
(4)Shirley Y.
Been here twice before. First time with a fly in the soup base...decided to give it another shot yesterday and the waitress gave me the wrong bill. Staff aren't very friendly either :/
(1)Colby B.
This place is great. Its huge, you don't have to sit at a weird bar if there are only two of you, and the broths are great. I have had the spicy Chinese (Szechuan? I don't remember) broth as well as the miso and kimchi, and the miso is by far my favorite. It sounds a little boring - miso at a shabu shabu place when there are so many more exciting flavors - which is why it took me a few visits to order it...I wish I had been ordering it the whole time. It was really good! As was the kimchi, but...miso wins. Other than that, the service is really good and its a great power lunch. Next time I am in town I will probably get here as soon as possible!
(5)Edgar L.
Food was good/standard but service was incredibly slow. Took over an hour for the raw, uncooked food to come out. Someone at our table ordered a beer that came out very late. The uncooked noodles we ordered came out another 10+ minutes later. Perhaps for a smaller group (we had over ten people) it might have come out quicker but I can't vouch for that right now.
(2)Cammy C.
I came here for lunch with my bf a couple weeks ago, I let him pick the place and I told him to "surprise me." And boy, was I surprised! The place doesn't look like much from the outside, but once you get inside it's actually quite clean and spacious. They sat us upstairs at a nice big booth. This was my first time trying Japanese Shabu Shabu so I had a lot of questions. Our server was helpful in helping me decide which kind of broth and noodles I wanted. The service was fast and friendly (my favorite combo!) We went with the meat bouillon (free) and the kimchi broth (an extra $3), which had just the right amount of flavor and spiciness! I loved all the different kinds of tofu and fishcakes they gave us, sometimes I didn't know what I was eating but everything was delicious! We were afraid there wasn't going to be enough food when we ordered, but it was actually plenty, all the extra veggies and noodles were more filling than I'd thought. When we got our check we were blown away by how inexpensive everything was, I think it was about $20 total! My bf made sure to tell me, "You better give this place 5 stars!" I came in on a particularly rainy day, and my socks and shoes were soggy, my hair was dripping and I couldn't feel my finger tips! But Kaze's Shabu Shabu completely hit the spot and turned my day around!
(5)Nick N.
Food: 5/5 Service: 4/5 Cleanliness: 4/5 Decor & Style: 4/5 I haven't been to many shabu restaurants, but the meat and sauce here is the best i've ever had! MUST TRY NOW. Pretty cool Decor. The pink neon lights are weird.
(5)Kai L.
I was here with my friends for lunch. I ordered Meat Combo #2 which came with four slices of short rib and four slices of rib eye. Both types of meat was cooked very quickly. A veggie platter is included with each lunch set. Overall, not bad. My friends and I literally sat there for close to 2.5 hours. We were not rushed, but at the end of the lunch rush, it was difficult to get the waiter's attention for the check. Good if you are taking your time with friends. Bathroom is clean and well lit.
(3)CK K.
This is my favorite restaurant in Boston. Great soup, meat, and good price. Stop by here for lunch on saturdays.
(5)Lynn S.
I would give 0 star if there's a way to do so. Worst waitress I've ever got! Hot-pot tastes very much the same at different restaurants.
(1)Eric C.
Great place to go if you're with a party of people. Prices were not bad for the quality and quantity of the food. Fun atmosphere and my waitress was great at explaining how everything works. I would recommend this to anyone. You won't regret it. It's pretty yummy and no matter how much you eat, you don't leave feeling disgusting! all of the ingredients are fresh and tasty. you cook it right at the table so it's an activity as well as a meal and you can be a control freak about your ingredients! staff are great about ensuring you don't hurt yourself on the table burners.
(4)herp d.
I've been here twice, once for a bachelorette party, and once just for drinks/snacks. As far as dinner hot-pot goes, this place is great. There was five of us, and I believe we got miso, herbal, Szechuan pepper, and tom yum broth. The herbal was hands-down the best, but the Szechuan was also good (Though I wound up being the only person eating it, since it was too spicy for everyone else, suckers!). The amount of food was just about perfect, and everything was very tasty. What a bill though, oof. If you're going just for drinks and snacks though...The experience is a little different. The same group of friends and I wanted to go back and get their Godzilla drink, which was just too good. Turns out they don't have it on the menu anymore, and nobody seemed to remember it either. Oh well. We were seated at a hot-pot table, and had to awkwardly mention that we just wanted drinks and maybe appetizers (We'd just eaten and didn't know if we wanted munchies or not). After a few minutes they booted us down to the bar, which was fine initially, but it's a little hard for five people to converse at a bar. So, I went and asked if we could move to an empty non-hot-pot table, mentioning that we'd be ordering some food as well (I only asked because the place was nearly empty). I felt so bad for the girl I asked; I clearly put her in an uncomfortable position of having to ask her manager, but she was very nice about the whole thing. The manager was clearly pissed at us, and scowled at us at every opportunity. He was generally pretty rude, even though we kept quiet, ordered food, and weren't even taking up precious space that other customers would need. He was obviously happy to see us go, and his attitude and service left a bad taste in my mouth. Also, their downstairs bathroom is disgusting.
(3)Ben L.
cant really say this place is bad, but as a really big eater, i am not satisfied of the portions, but it's not towards for the efforts of the restaurant workers. this is actually my first time eating hot pot that's not a buffet because i was forced here. everything was fresh and I actually really liked the flavor of the broth so perhaps this place wins so far on the quantity over quality. They also gave you good assortment of vegetables which is really good to give a try to everything and I loved it. I would of gave this 5 stars if prices were a little lower... but thats every hot pot place in general to me if it's not all you can eat because well, i personally think you're better off going to all you can eat places. I paid about $15 dollars for a meat combo with veggies and it doesnt hit the spot for my appetite. at hot pot buffet you probably pay around $18 for testing yourself on your appetite. i still dont mind this place, they provided good service and everything and me and my group of friends stayed for nearly 4 hours just talking and they didnt seem to scuff or anything. id come back only on lunch time though, i looked at the prices which are pretty good
(4)Woonwoon W.
I would call this place pan-Asian hotpot. It offers a lot more options than Japanese shabu such as kimchi, satay, and Szechuan soup base, beef ball, fish ball and Chinese noodles. Service is super friendly I am used to Cafe Mum in San Francisco where you get excellent all you can eat shabu for under $30, so this place is a little expensive. But I am thousands of miles away from home so I am totally satisfied with this place.
(4)Mike C.
It was my first time driving to Boston from NYC with my girlfriend and my friend suggested this hot pot place for meet up. On a cold winter night, this was the place to go as it warmed us up. Initially we waited approximately half an hour for seating for the three of us. The wait wasn't bad as I went back out to move my car. Be warned with parking in Chinatown... read the signs. Once we were seated, we were given menus to look view. The waitress did not pressure us to order food which was good since it was my first visit. For the soup base, we ordered the Tomato and Beef and Japanese Curry. As for the combo, we ordered a beef combo, a prime rib/chicken combo, and seafood deluxe. Overall, the quality of the food was superb. The cut of the beef was great, not very fatty. I would come to this place again on my next visit to Boston.
(4)Anita S.
I love, love, love shabu shabu and it is a must have whenever I visit Boston. Initially I was a devoted Shabu Zen fan, but one night, faced with a long wait, I tried Kaze and was pleasantly surprised by how fresh the meat tasted. Be warned, the tom yum broth packs a serious punch.
(5)Steve S.
What could be better on a 90 degree day than boiling hot soup? I really liked Shabu Shabu....Its two floors in Chinatown. Shabu(as I now will refer to it) is about soup. You have a choice of soup stock, vegetable, condiments, sauces and meats. Think of it as a salad bar, but only soup Then you cook it on a high speed burner at the table...Its pretty fantastic as the flavor improves with each morsel added. Its different, its social, its delicious Probably even better in the winter
(4)Tiffany J.
I really enjoyed the food at Kaze. The portions were large (I ordered the vegetarian entree) and had good variety (my plate included 3 different cruciferous greens, tofu, mung bean noodles, 3 vegetarian dumplings, and more... very impressive for vegetarian shabu). I was, however, a little bothered by two aspects of my experience at Kaze. First of all, the bathroom is in the basement next to the kitchen, and it was kind of cramped and dirty. To make matters worse, I saw an employee leave a bathroom stall, rinse her hands without soap, and then proceed to the kitchen next door, which also didn't look terribly clean. Ugh. I tried to put this out of my mind, but it definitely prevented me from enjoying my meal to the fullest possible extent. Secondly, their standard broth contains meat, and there is no free vegetarian alternative. You need to pay a few extra bucks to switch to the kimchi or miso broths, which, on top of the already pricey $13 you're paying for the vegetarian entree, feels like a lot... All in all: Good food that's pricey, and Kaze can really improve in its hygiene..
(3)Lan Z.
The waitresses were dare to tell me how much tips I should give and later I refused to give tips because of her rudeness she said " okay, no coming back then" what kind of waitress she is! It is horrible
(1)Ave H.
I LOVE Kaze! This is the go to place for me and a few of my girlfriends, and it's always a blast. They have multiple floors so seating is ample, however there is still often a wait. They do not have private parking but there are a few lots nearby that cost between $10-15. Beware - they do not take reservations for small groups (we were told once the minimum as 7 and another time 5) and they have virtually no waiting area (2 chairs uncomfortably crammed in front of the stairs). So if you have a party of 3 or 4 it can get kinda uncomfortable. So we usually wait outside, weather permitting. I always get the same thing - kimchi base, udon noodles, and beef. Yuuuuum! Shabu veggies are always delicious and look fresh. Service has been hit or miss for us. They are always prompt with taking our order and delivering our food and first round of drinks. However, we often are forgotten after this and go until the end of the meal without the ability to get drink refills. Despite the few flaws, we keep coming back for more. It is just so darn delicious that I can't say no.
(4)Cassy H.
How to shabu shabu: 1) Gather your group of friends; I think it's fun with more people.. especially with people who haven't done shabu shabu before. It's an interactive dining experience, so prepare to do some cooking! 2) Select your protein (ie., chicken, pork, beef, lamb, seafood, or a combination of the above). Whatever you select, it will come with a tray of veggies, so don't you worry. They got your fiber covered. 3) Select your soup base. As a tip, I think steps 2 and 3 are interchangeable.. as in, depending of what type of protein you get, you should think about what soup base will taste good with that protein. Or if you care more about your soup base, select soup base first and then decide on protein. My combination? Usually, pork plus tonkotsu soup base. Anyway, I am definitely a fan of this shabu shabu place! Compared to Shabu Zen, this place offers more soup base options and better quality meat. However, I think it's slightly more expensive, but I guess you get what you pay for.
(4)Savannah B.
When my friend and I decided to go out for dinner, he said "I know a place..." It's his favorite. I have only been to one other hotpot restaurant, and as a vegetarian, take my herbivore opinion for what it's worth. I went there for the second time today...and I think I could go for a third...fourth...fifth... The food is scrumptious. The vegetarian platter looks nearly identical to the other well-known hotpot place around the corner, but my friend's enthusiasm for this place over the other helped win me over. I agree that the staff is friendlier. Also, the other place never seemed to have miso broth, which I'd always wanted to try. The decor is nice. The staff is tremendously warm and helpful. If you are not sure of what you're doing, the staff will give you tips. If you really want, ask them to leave a menu, which features instructions on how long to cook what. I left my camera at the restaurant the first time... I did not realize I had done so until two days later. I had to remember what the last photo I'd taken was...my dinner plate at Kaze Shabu Shabu. I called, and once I had confirmed the description, they told me I could come pick it up. I just switched them from 4 to 5 stars because of that. There are good honest people out there - and they include the Kaze Shabu Shabu staff.
(5)Sakura V.
Before all the other hot pot places around Boston and Metro-Boston emerged, the original Shabu places were Kaze and Shabu Zen. Before I used to go to Shabu Zen religiously because that was the go to spot all my friends and family liked. Gradually I started to go to Kaze more because of their happy hour special (half off appetizers after 9 Mon-Thur) After going to Kaze so often, the few times I went back to Shabu Zen I started to realize it didn't hit the spot anymore. I realized Shabu Zen's taste was now lacking compared to Kaze. Also, although a little more pricier, Kaze definitely gives your moneys worth with bigger portions. Pros: Comfortable booths Good Portions Dessert appetizers Cons Some seating are too close together Have to ask for crushed chili peppers My Typical Hot Pot Meal for two: Beef short Rib meal with rice Side order of Pork Two smoothies ***Jumbo Spicy Tentacles (ordered extra spicy, but not really spicier, just tastier)
(4)Sonja F.
What an experience. We sat upstairs on a Friday night at 7 pm, only had to wait 5 minutes for a nice booth. Service was fast for the amount of people in the place. Edamame was perfect, and WOW the short rib was out of this world. Had the kim chi broth, which was a perfect spiciness. Went all out with a nice bottle of saki and we were one happy couple. The meat lovers plate was twice as expensive as the others, and wasn't noted on the menu, but I didn't mind because it was that good. Going back ASAP!
(5)Jackel J.
Today my girlfriend bring me here for the first time. it was look great designed all around upstairs and the pink lights look so good for relax with our hotpot .The food just great and fresh. Also the staff did a good job as well. cheers
(5)Alyssa W.
I havent gone out for hot pot in a really long time. so it was so good to come to a place that was decent! came with 8 people and we pigged out. Love that you can pick two kinds of soup so that you dont get bored. so we got tom yum and regular beef broth. so glad we got a non spicy soup to neutralize the tom yum. it was a good spicy, but my mouth was on fire. the portions of meat, seafood and vegetables are abundant, I didn't feel like I was getting ripped off at all. Service was good. only complaint, fix the booth chairs so that people who sit behind you, who decide to bounce off the chair..dont make me smash my face into my hot food...it got old quick. I think I would return to this place for hot pot. it was clean and an enjoyable environment and the food was great!
(4)Callan C.
Great spot on a cold or rainy day! Wonderful multi-level hot pot place with plenty of space to accommodate larger groups. Here's how it works: 1. Pick a soup base (I recommend one of the upgraded ones - they are much tastier!) 2. Select meat - I've had lamb and chicken and thought the lamb was much more flavorful 3. Select noodles - only tried Spinach but thought they went great with my lamb 4. Throw all your selections + veggies in boiling hot pot for a few minutes 5. Enjoy your masterpiece! I'm normally not a fan of food you have to work really hard for (fondue, shell-on lobster, etc) but this was really easy and fun. You'll drop between $15-$20 on the meal. The service is slow but they generally get the job done.
(4)Jen P.
Randomly went here a few nights ago with friends and not only was the food amazing, but the whole experience of eating was so great. Our fantastic waitress Grace explained to us how everything worked and answered all of our admittedly basic questions (first hot pot experience!) and everything we got was delicious. We all ordered something different and shared, and the whole experience was very interactive, which we loved. Culinary highlights were the rib eye and the pork, and the spicy base we got was both flavorful and a great kick to our sinuses on a sleepy Sunday evening. Grab a group of friends and make the trip from wherever you are--totally worth the visit!!!!
(5)Olivia C.
So, we missed our bus at south station and set out into the snow to find a place to chill. It's super bowl Sunday and despite their normal business hours the two sportsbars we think to go to are conspicuously closed. We must head to Chinatown where some unofficial national holiday would never supercede making money!! We don't get far before coming across Kaze where the glow of the television invites us in. Turns out this place is a Chinese run shabu shabu joint. According to wiki, shabu shabu is a Japanese onamonapia for the boiling sound the food makes when you cook it in the boiling broth. Dang, it was goodddd. I've been on a red meat bender and this dose of thinly sliced prime rib just kicked my iron and protein high right back up. The salmon and white fish were also incredible. I'd dip it just to get it cooled on the outside and leave it raw inside. Perfect place to pass the time, warm up from the snow, and watch the commercials, I mean Ravens.
(5)Michelle P.
The food was delicious, but there were constant communication problems with the waitress. Also she disappeared for quite some time and never checked up on us. It took a solid 30 minutes just to get the check which was basically thrown at us by a clearly disgruntled employee. Had they actually checked up on us I would've shown then the coupon I had earlier, of course it took another 30 minutes to get the check again after that. We finished eating at 1:15 and it was after 2 by the time we got our check and I ended up having to find one of the employees to hand the check to and she rolled her eyes and sighed. Overall, I wouldn't go back there. The service was ridiculous. I suggest going to Shabu Zen or any other hot pot place. Also she was cleaning the take next to us (even though there were further tables away from the rest of us that needed cleaning) and it got into my friend's eyes.
(1)Nho H.
Best hot pot in Boston. The reason why this place does not get a 5 star from me is because they cheap out a little on the veggies and no tofu! But then again, I am always full after I eat my portion......Whatever, I'm just greedy when it comes to my hotpot. I want it ALLLLLLL. The regular broth is superb but I always get the Szechuan broth. It's so spicy that my stomach hates me for 2 days after but its so good that its worth it!!! GO HERE. Great lunch price :)
(4)Ryan L.
I've been coming to this place with my friends since I started college in the Boston area, and it's become one of my favorites ever since. I've been to a lot of hot pot places in Boston, New York, and San Francisco, and honestly, Kaze is better than all of them. Some people prefer the nearby Hot Pot Buffet since it's cheaper and it's all you can eat, but I think the quality of food you get at Kaze makes the price worth it. The Prime Ribeye here is some of the best hot pot meat I've ever had, and even the regular beef here tastes better than the "prime ribeye" you get at Hot Pot Buffet. But what really distinguishes Kaze from the other hot pot places are the broths. The Tonkotsu (pork broth) soup base is amazing, and if you can stand the spicy, the Szechuan Spicy broth is also great. The house sauce that they give you is also great to dip your meat and veggies in. I think it's made of soy sauce and some sugar. Overall, this place is a bit more pricy than the other hot pot options around, but the difference in quality is definitely noticeable and well worth it.
(5)Adela N.
I've been here a lot of times. And, a lot of the workers that wear red clothing actually gossip about you. Theyre outside at the bar and stare and give you dirty looks while you eat. They even talked about my dad when they didnt know him that well. The hostesses dont even smile, and my family just walk ourselves in. The waiters, though, are excellent. My mom got expired food and they apologized so many times. They make great convos and are awesome. I just dont like the hostesses and kitchen ppl. Food: 7/10 Service: 9.5/10 Also, I went to have a "end of year" club dinner. After all 11 or 12 of us ate, the bill came, and we all paid our meal. BUT the tips were already put on the bill, and we had to pay 16% in tips more--which means we paid TWICE as much as tips. The waitress who gave it to us didnt even say anything. The club members and I were TRICKED by her.
(1)Jim D.
We were very pleased with the quality of food & service. The split service pot allowed us to have 2 very different meals at the same table - a spicy Tom Yum and a mild Miso stock. They had an adequate selection of sakes, generous tea service and we left thoroughly satisfied. We will definitely return.
(4)Le N.
My fiance and I often alternates between here and shabu. They both have good food and service isn't terrible. I alternate between the kimchee broth and the tomyum broth - both flavorful. I usually get the beef or the lamb, occasionally the pork. The fiance gets seafood. They provide the veggies and noodles (udon or japanese potato). I always leave full without breaking the bank. =)
(4)Jackies B.
This restaurant is great. I always come here when I wanna eat somethings feel hot. The price is good. I recommend japanese soy sauce with seaweed soup and kimji soup. When the weather is cold,think about Kaze
(5)Andrew H.
When I go to these communal pot/grill establishments I usually hope for an all-you-can eat option to prevent the ensuing guilt that usually follows devouring more than your share of the noodles or meat that goes into the pot. Kaze Shabu Shabu eradicated this problem by physically splitting the hot pot in two with a barrier straight down the middle of the pot and having a boiling station for every two people! I unfortunately did not reap the benefits of this system as we had a party of nine for an eight person table and was shocked to find thy charged $3 for each soup base and charged you for each side of the pot so choosing a spicy soup base for the entire pot would set you back six dollars. When the pot starts running low on fluid, they simply add more water, not flavored base. Each meat platter is relatively expensive at about $14a plate for maybe twelve rolls of thin meat. However, each comes with your choice of thin or udon noodles and a vegetable medley. Overall I did not find this place a good value but I do recognize the novelty value will likely make it a hit for first-time hot-potters. Come for birthdays but I would recommend poor people like me to shy away and save our money for a good Korean BBQ joint.
(3)Ravisara L.
I've been here a few times over the years and it consistently stayed at 3-3.5 stars for me. However, the past few visit leave me quite disappointed. Service: Horrible service. The staff wasn't attentive at all, we had to call her over to ask for more broth and water/tea. Also, they double charge my card but said that they cant cancel the transaction and my friend will have to give me cash. Food: The broth was tasteless.
(1)Catie C.
I declare this as my top choice for shabu. Kaze has an extensive list for a good varietal. Most importantly, they use live seafood so this place is as close as it gets comparing to Asia. We ordered a lobster. My mom dumped the head into the broth and I can see it twitching. Is that inhumane? The service is pretty good, but could be more attentive. We had to ask for refills of condiments and broth, but at least they don't turn off the cooker before we were even done (something shabu zen is known for). They actually don't adjust the heat at all which I don't mind since I like to do it myself. The veggies are fresh and good selection in the combo meal. Daikon, Taro, Spinach, Watercrest, Napa, Tomato, Mushroom, Corn.
(5)ANGELA O.
Absolutely delicious. If it weren't for the rude waiter it would've probably gotten 5 stars, and the stairs are not people friendly, ridiculous, in this day in age all restaurants should be wheel chair friendly. The hot pot choices you can't go wrong! They would definately be awesome if they added sushi to their menu, after all it is a Japanese restaurant!
(4)Jeremy K.
I've had the pleasure of eating Shabu all over the place. Quincy, Cambridge, Brookline and now Boston. Hell, I've even had Shabu years ago during a short stint in Tokyo, long before the fad reached the United States and took it by storm. But I had never been to Kaze and after much discussion about possibly going there with Tony T., we proceeded to make it happen, and were joined by Nate Y. and Erick H. The place two floors and the staff is pretty friendly. After greeting us politely, we were escorted to a table upstairs; the very first one you see from the top of the stairs. Although not the best table, it happens to be the one closest to the kitchen. Two members of our group have terrible MSG allergies and the staff was very compliant, and was even telling them what to avoid ordering and offered alternatives that were MSG free. That in itself was pretty damn awesome - I had never seen that before at a Shabu place. After a brief glance at the menu, I decided to order what Tony T. told me to order since he had been here so many times. I went with the prime rib eye, which was beautifully marbled and sliced well, against the grain, as it should always be. Each slice had a fair amount of fat on it, and since Tony and I had ordered the same broth, the Malaysia Satay one, we decided to get our pot split so we could use one half to cook our meat, the other for the rest; that decision was made so that all of the fat from the meat would stay on one side. It was a good call because by the time we cooked our two plates-worth of the stuff, that side of the bowl looked like a heart-attack in a broth. On the other side, we cooked all kinds of vegetables: taro, corn, cabbage, shiitake mushrooms and enokitake mushroom, and I decided to pick some udon noodles over the vermicelli. The broth was light and tasted awesome although it was marked as a bit spicy and I felt no heat whatsoever. The service was great and the prices were good as well. This has to be the best Shabu spot in and around Boston I'd think.
(4)Steve K.
Stopped in after an early show at the Wilber Theater. This was my wife's first dhabi dhabi experience so we got the basic beef broth with prime rib and pork. It was very good and very quick.
(4)Sarah G.
The pink mood lighting is kinda funny here, but their menu is big enough to distract you from that. I wish our server told us that we really didn't need an appetizer when we asked her because a) those steamed gyoza were kind of flavorless and b) those fried oysters were just so so too. It was actually the appetizers that brought your rating down, because like many others have written your shabu shabu was actually pretty good! They bring you a ton of stuff, so if you ask them if one of their shabu shabu meals is enough for two people it probably is! It did make me sad that it was $3 extra to get a different type of broth--I think that is a little steep. But their combos come with both meat and seafood if you order right which I like a lot. I mean who doesn't like surf and turf? And it all is pretty fresh too. The service was good and got us out on time for the show we were making that night, I just really wish I hadn't gotten those appetizers!
(3)Shayna C.
I came here with a friend earlier this year, because Q Restaurant was booked and we would have waited around an hour for a table. This was just a short walk away, so we figured "why not?". We had a short wait, and were seated upstairs in a corner table. The waitress was very friendly and answered some menu questions for us before we placed our order. The food came out quickly as well after we ordered it. I will give them some stars because it was presented well, and the appetizer we ordered was delicious. The meat was of good quality, but I was a bit disappointed in the veggie selection they had. I forget the name of it, but we got some sort of assortment platter; it ended up coming with a variety of tofu and veggies that I wasn't ready to call home over. Maybe I'm spoiled from Q Restaurant, but I wish that the volume of a-la-carte items you can find there could be found here. The drink I got there was strong as well, and the waitress was attentive to our table. All and all, the food was okay, the service was really great, and I'd be willing to give it another shot if I was in the area again.
(3)David W.
I came here to celebrate a birthday, and I had a blast! It's so much fun if you have a large group of people. The place is really clean and you can be loud and rowdy, and just party it up! This is so perfect for the cold winters, and I love their assortments of broths and food.
(4)Sharon D.
I LOVE this place! I have been going for years and they never disappoint! I usually get the seafood and beef combination that comes with a vast amount of delicious vegetables and I am stuffed for days! Here is how it works...you pick your type of meat, your starch (rice or noodles) and the broth in which you ail cook your own food at your table in your own hot pot. There is something for everyone on the menu. Tomyun, miso and kimchi are all my favorites. The best part is that you decide how to cook your food since you do it yourself. During your first time, you'll do some experimenting but they have a suggested cooking time guide. The staff is amazing, friendly and very helpful. I highly recommend for a healthy and satisfying dining experience!
(5)Katie-Rose N.
I want to give this one four stars for the food (I ordered the vegetarian entree with a kimchi soup base), but I'm knocking one off because the service was lacking. It was extremely hard to flag down our waiter after our orders came out (although our food arrived quickly), and we were basically ignored until we finished our meal. However, the portions were large enough for two people, the food was yummy, and it was fairly cheap!
(3)Mikayla F.
Went here for my first time this week and ended up coming back two days later again since it was so good! This was my first hot pot experience so I can't compare it to others, but its definitely a unique dining experience!! The appetizer selection wasn't anything too special but the hot pot is enough to keep me coming back for more.
(4)Michelle K.
I went here recently for lunch. Amazing steak, amazing broth, amazing vegetables. The ambiance leaves something to be desired, but I would definitely go here again, especially for lunch where the prices are more reasonable.
(4)Mike Z.
This has been my go-to place for hotpot in Boston for several reasons: 1) they make the best scorpion bowls and their other drinks are generally good 2) they make the best frozen watermelon shake 3) their meats and veggies are always fresh I've tried several other shabu joints and there really isn't much differentiating between the types of food that is offered, so as long as the standard fare is offered and fresh and reasonably priced, it's good. Don't get me wrong, shabu is expensive, so you're going to spend at least $25 per person! Another nice thing about Kaze is that they offer 50% off appetizers during weekdays after 10pm if I can remember correctly. I'm a fan of their chicken wings and fried octopus tentacles, so it'd be nice to take advantage of this offer sometime. The service is very efficient, but can be spotty at times when it gets busy. It's in Chinatown, afterall. The restaurant is cleaner and tidier than most other restaurants in Chinatown, so that's always a plus. Ambiance is very important for hotpot restaurants. Parking can be difficult, though.
(4)Jenn H.
4.5 stars. Kaze is my go-to hot pot place in Boston. Whenever my bf used to visit me in winter months (when I was still in school in Boston), we'd always come here--it's a tad pricey, but really good food. Anyways, the best parts about Kaze: great assortment of meats, veggies, oden, mushrooms, noodles (I love the potato noodles!). It's clean, spacious, and the service has always been great. what is there not to love? oh, right. the price per portion. I don't know if my bf and I are monsters, or if it's normal to eat 4 portions, but we always end up spending more money than we probably should. Who can resist those chewy little oden though?! I hear there's a new hot pot buffet place nearby--I haven't tried it, so I can't compare. I can say, however, that i'd take Kaze over Shabuzen any day--prices are about the same, and i like Kaze's atmosphere better--cleaner, less cramped, and a lot less noisy. Also, their veggies were much fresher than the ones I got from Shabu Zen. Anyways, if it's cold out, and you're willing to spend a few bucks, go forth and fill your tummy with some delicious hot pot ^^
(4)Lynn C.
It's been a while since I've last had hot pot. I've been craving the malaysian satay soup base and we had just the right number of people to share one big pot (unlike shabu-zen down the street, the hot pot here is not individual sized). The big pot generally comes with two types of soup, and each type of soup base is $3. Unfortunately, when we got there, the server who did not speak a lot of english, took a long time to explain to us that they were out of malaysian satay soup base for the day. We ended up trying his recommendations, which were tom yum and miso, both of which were awesome as well. The tom yum was surprisingly spicy considering it was only one star. It's definitely not as amazing as the satay, but it is definitely worthy of a 5 star rating regardless. I also loved the miso, even though it's not spicy and i like spicy. Four of us each got an entree, which comes with a dish of various vegetables, a combo of really fresh and good quality meat, and a starch of your choice. The price came out to be $20 each person after tax and tip. I ate a lot more than I really can handle. I love this place. But again, the best part is their soup base. I have yet to try one that's not good. next time I'm gonna try the kimchee and the curry. Can't wait!!
(4)Michael L.
this place is good. just come here The meat selection and combos are better than that of shabu zen's. you CANT go wrong with the Beef lover entree but I am a personal fan of the No.2 Black Angus Rib Eye & Boneless Short Rib combo. -The tomato with beef broth is tasty and kinda of sweet -the japanese miso soup is good -the szechuan spicy has these huge unground pepper balls in it. I found that very annoying. order this at your own risk
(5)Caitlin B.
Great, friendly service. Fresh vegetables (and meat). Awesome broths. Basically, as wonderful as hot pot can get!
(5)Guillermo M.
I really like the variety of food that this place has. You can have so many different types of hot pots with seafood, beef, vegetables and choose from several base soups. The smoothies are amazing, made from fresh fruit. Also their mochi for dessert was really good. Prices are decent based on what you get.
(4)Yisel F.
Saporo beer, musk broth, veggies, salmon, white rice, and noodles. Drove out to this place and was worth it. Very authentic tasting and good quality.
(5)Dan G.
I'm not always a fan of asian food but I think I would totally come here again. We didn't actually get to enjoy the hot pot because we were a little too drunk to understand but we did order some appetizers which were really good. Also, can I just say that it smelled so good inside too. Anyways, I thought we would be spending a hefty amount as many restaurants charge a lot for apps, but a bowl of edamame, a plate of chicken nuggets (SO GOOD), Shrimp tempura and spring rolls came to $10. I really wan to come back for the full experience because it looked and smelled so wonderful. Everyone was friendly and I felt really bad that we spent only $10, so next time lets multiply that by 10.
(4)Fan L.
In terms of portions, this restaurant is consistent about theirs and you can get a lot, especially their Oden special!!! (traditional Japanese fish cakes, tofu, and other delicious goodies) you get to choose rice or noodles, and I recommend getting the spinach noodles, or the udon (thick Japanese wheat white noodles). Also they have nice soup bases Though, for the absolute best soup bases, try the LIttle Q restaurant. They're a bit overpriced and their service sucks when they're flooded. Oh, and for those of you ppl scared of spicy food, please don't don't shy away from Kaze's Mala soup base, it's more savory than spicy
(4)S. O.
I had never been to a shabu shabu restaurant before and I had so much fun here. Service was fast, food was great. It was loud at 8pm on Saturday, but I think that might come with the territory. We ordered an edamame appetizer, miso soup and Szechuan broth (deliciously spicy!!), with raw seafood, beef, and vegetables, for three people. With some sodas and one sake, the bill was $65. awesome!!!
(4)Judy L.
It was a lot better than I expected! We had a group of about 12, and we shared 5 pots between us. With each pot, you get to pick 2 different broths. They have a surprisingly large array of choices! From kimchi to malaysian satay, from curry to tonkasu. For my pot, we picked 1/2 satay and 1/2 tonkatsu, which was a good contrast. We expected the satay to be hotter though, but it was still delicious nontheless. Other people recommended the curry broth as well. Between two of us sharing the one pot, we ordered the pork dinner combo, which comes with a plate of pork and a plate of vegetables, with a choice of udon, rice, or vermicelli. It wasn't enough for the two of us. . . .so we ordered another order of pork and an order of assorted tofu. The tofu was very tasty! They gave us 3 different kinds of tofu, though only 1 of each. . . . . I wish they could have given us more. Oo and the sauces! Yum. Each pot gets 4 different ingredients for you to mix your own sauce, including taiwanese satay, garlic, onion, and this soy sauce (tasted like ponsu sauce). Delicious! :) I want to go back already!!!!!
(4)Kat T.
I love this place. When mom came to visit from California (home of great Asian food, may I add) I took her here and SHE loved it as well. I've tried most of the soup bases and have to say that Tom Yum is the one for me. Between coughing from the spice of the Tom Yum seeped in my vegetables, dipping my meat in the delicious satay (or Chinese/Korean BBQ sauce as they call it in Amurica) sauce con garlic and scallions, and eating my soupy Tom Yum udon noodles I could not be any happier. Compared to Shabu Zen, I much prefer this family style pot over individual ones. Otherwise there's not much of a difference.
(5)J L.
Came here with some friends and the food was excellent. Portions are a good size so come hungry. Definitely would come back.
(4)Sze Yin Benjamin W.
Kaze Shabu Shabu is in a rather obscure location compared with other hotpot places in Chinatown. But it is by far the best in my opinion. I really enjoy the great selections of broth they provide. I highly recommend the curry and kimchi broth, they are just delicious! The quality and freshness of the ingredients are excellent, especially the meat. Make sure you order the fish paste in addition to your regular combo. You will not regret it. The portion is reasonable where you will feel satisfied and not suffer from eating too much as I almost guarantee I will over eat if it is a buffet. I do think the price is a little bit expensive, but the quality of the food is worth every single dime. Give it a try if you are getting sick of the mainstream hotpot buffet restaurants in Chinatown.
(4)David M.
I've been here a couple of times over the year: A bit touristy, yet slightly off the path. The food isn't super adventerous, but when was the last time your dinner came with instructions? Fun, unique, and a great place to bring people from out of town, or just to meet up with a big group of people. It can even be a great quirky date.
(4)Phillip Y.
Absolutely positively yummy and fun with making your own food. I had a wonderful lunch with udno noodles and soup. Here are some selections which are very good. Also, order green tea and some appetizers while you wait). APPETIZER SPECIAL 50% OFF- All day Sunday as well selected times during the week and Saturday. Lunch Menu * Deluxe Seafood (scallops, clams, salmon, fish ball, shrimp) * Surf and Turf with Sirloin Beef (same with some beef) Note that all of these meals comes with a tray of vegetables to add flavor to your soup. * Tomato Slices (two) * Chinese mushroom (really big and flavorful) * Taro root (like a potato but breaks apart in hot water) * Napa cabbage (good leafy veggie) * Spinach (good for your muscles like Popeye) * Small corn on cob (something to nibble on) * Snowpea stalks (very tender) Appetizers * Jumbo fried shrimp (really long and meaty too) * Jumbo fried tenticles (really chunky with suction cups)
(5)Camille R.
This is the first time since I was 8 or 9 years old that I've done shabu shabu and I'm always down for an interactive meal with good people. The service was whack and there is no good set up for large groups. Kaze offers many meat options and one seafood and one vegetarian/vegan option. I ordered the seafood, while a friend ordered the vegetarian. The vegetables were fresh/crisp, the broth flavorful, and you can concoct just about any wonderful flavor with the few spices/sauces they offer. We made reservations for somewhere betwene 8-10 people and when we got there our table hadn't been set up yet. Fortunately that on a Friday night, they weren't very busy. I had a real problem with the fact that between each table for two with two hotpots there is a table for two without a hotpot, so that means that because each of us wanted to shabu shabu we had to sit in every other seat. We asked if there was anything they could do - like do they have a portable hotpot thing or something, they said 'yes' and after waiting forever and asking again, they finally said they could do nothing. So, we made the best of it and anytime we wanted to talk to someone across the table there was an open seat next to them. I wonder why the setup is such because it can make for a really awkward time. Overall, I had a pleasant experience and I know for next time not to go large group.
(4)Jenn V.
Kaze shabu was my first east coast shabu experience. It's definitely different from west coast shabu but good none the less. I liked that they had a variety of broth for you to choose from and the seafood was really fresh. Service was really good. My real reason for wanting to review this place though, is to let everyone know that the fried oysters here are fantastic! It comes in an order of 4 and they are crunchy and light, not greasy at all, and then they melt in your mouth like butter. Man I miss these.
(4)Travis D.
This was my first hot pot experience, and I'm not sure why that sounds so dirty. Our waiter was very helpful with explaining everything. The food was delicious and the big Sapporos were a nice compliment. We arrived at 5:45 and were done by 6:45, which was just enough time to make it to a 7pm theater start. I would plan for more time on the weekends. The only reason that it didn't get 5 stars is for value. I thought it was just a little overpriced, but I would definitely go to Kaze Shabu Shabu again.
(4)Jeff J.
The ribeye was good and marbled, but the portion was a bit small for $15.50. I had to order 2 plates to feel satiated. Pleasant overall experience, though the sauce could have been a bit better considering that's the sole reason why I'd pay top dollar to go back to Shabu Shabu House in LA.
(3)Alicia J.
In short: - Too expensive. - Very good meats and vegetables. - Clean and nice atmosphere. Later on, I looked up what the difference between all the Japanese hot pots are. According to Wikipedia, Shabu Shabu is a variant of the Chinese shuan yang rou (which is a little curious because Shabu Shabu does not necessarily have any lamb meat in them), and it is more savory than sukiyaki with a ponzu (lemon sauce) or sesame dip. Curiously enough none of these are present here, and the broths are also not made with dashi. In most other aspects, Kaze Shabu Shabu also feels like a Chinese restaurant. The majority of the patrons are Chinese, the decor is of a somewhat Chinese esthetic and there are Chinese names for the dishes on the menu. That said, this a surprisingly nice, spacious restaurant with two floors where you can sit comfortably in large booths unless you come in a huge group. The waiting time was therefore also very short even though we had no reservation. We got the rib eye meat combo and the seafood deluxe platter, with the standard meat broth and the spicy Szechuan broth. With all the vegetables and noodles they served, this was luckily enough for three. My favorite were the nicely marbled rib eyes, thinly sliced and very flavorful. The vegetables were of good quality, and the udon were very thick and good. The meats went perfectly with the Szechuan broth, which was way too hot for the vegetables. Unlike what most reviews, I thought the service was good. Our waiter was constantly running and seemed very busy on that Saturday evening, but he did well. Finally, Kaze Shabu Shabu made me crave hot pots again. It reminded me of how much I used to love them as a small child, and I want to go back already!
(4)CJ N.
Such a great date place! Especially if you're going to see a movie at the AMC in Copley close to Chinatown. Shabu style is cooking your own meats/veg in a hotpot at your table. I recommend the tom-yum broth for cooking. The plates come out fresh and are served extremely fast. This is a fun and delicious dining place. Enjoy!
(5)William G.
Great place for a nice casual shabu dinner. Not too loud, easy access, and the food is amazing! Friendly staff, and management. The prices are also not bad for this area of town. Tip: we ordered the curry stock shabu and it was so good!
(4)charley w.
it's actually 1 Harrison street. Anyway went on this place on biz trip because it was damn cold in Boston this time of year. Kaze is wonderful place with nice decore and hot pot is awesome. Try the sezchuan soup base it's the best! I was very surprised to find such good hot pot place in Boston.
(4)K J.
Konichiwa. I love Japan, from the martial arts to their cars. And this includes the food as well. Sushi and Shabu have become my perennial favorites. Shabu, for those who landed here from Google, is Japanese style cooking where you can order the ingredients and a soup. The soup is delivered in a bowl that is shared by two people and compartmentalized. So people sharing the bowl can have different soups. The bowl is placed on a stove on the table and while the soup is boiling you can add the ingredients and let them cook for sometime and use the assortment of straining spoons to transfer to your plate and enjoy :) Truthfully when I went there for the first time I hated it and vowed never to come back again. And like politicians changing stands I changed mine too. What caused me to change it? I don't know. I went there probably to give it a second try, probably because my body was craving hot fluids from a terrible cold. But I loved it the second time, and the third time, and the fourth..... The food is pretty pricey considering all they do is provide you the ingredients and you are left to do the "cooking".My favorite is the spicy Tom Yum soup with the veggie plater. The veggie platter came with an assortment of thinly sliced and diced vegetables, and included cubes of tofu, some kind of veggie balls, a small corn cob... I even once ordered an Oden platter (not to be confused with Greg Oden from the Portland Jailblazers) which considered a variety of fish, but I feel that the shabu tastes better with the veggies more than anything. So this review may not be much about the place, but more about the food in general. But even with the restaurant, I was sometimes left to fidget with the stove controls myself since the soup boiling too much, and at that rate I would be left with veggie curry in no time. And with the spicy soup, I would like my water filled when it is empty. But little things like these is not going to stop me, and you, from going here once again. Sayonara.
(4)Mindy G.
This place is the BEST shabushabu place ever. Japanese owned, Chinese waiters/waitresses, classical jazzy music, steamy soup base that you can choose from (Kimchi, original, ...), and fantastic meat and reasonable price. Especially on a cloudy/rainy/cold days, there is nothing that soothes better than Kaze. Lunch goes till 3pm everyday, even on weekends -- much better deal compared to dinner portion. Even tho they say dinner portion is "larger" than lunch, proportionally (amt of meat/ price), lunch is much better. Also, check out the bathroom too - the faucet is amazing! I want one of those in my personal bathroom later.
(5)R.G. W.
I like Kaze Shabu for its calming & intimate atmosphere (high backed booths for parties of 3 or more), sheer selection of meats and side dishes (try the ostrich and home made fish paste noodle), and assorted broths. In general, it's more expensive than the other shabu places, particularly at dinner time. I wish they offered tofu skin, standard, but most American people don't like this, so I suppose it's okay. I've considered bringing my own to drop in, but I wonder what they'd say?
(4)David X.
I really like Kaze a lot. I won't bore you with a typical review since there are so many here. I'll just list some things that I particularly like and things I don't. 1.) It is around the corner from the Boston Common Movie Theater, so it is a perfect date - movie and meal. 2.) I like the decor. Tons of booths - most with window views. Two floors. And the place has never been crowded any time I have been there. On a cold winter's day, the windows fog up and there's nothing more relaxing than eating soup while watching the snow fall. 3.) They give you a wide variety of vegetables. If you get the Veggie plate, they include 3 types of mushrooms, dumplings, 2 types of tofu, extra noodles (on top of the ones that automatically come with the dinner). I just like the amount and the variety. Now I do have a few gripes. 1.) One time, we had ordered our meal and the waitress asked if we'd like today's special side dish. Most of those on the menu cost about $5. The side dish was giant clam. So foolishly, my partner said "sure", expecting a typical small side dish. Sure enough, they brought out a HUGE service dish with enough clam to feed an army, and when we got the bill, they had charged $35 for it. So... NEVER order anything there without knowing the price first. 2.) One time, the watercress was so fresh that there was a snail crawling in it. 3A.) I'm sure this is typical with all shabu restaurants. The big joy I get out of shabu is being able to slowly make my own broth so that by the end of the meal after it's been simmering for an hour, the broth is amazing. My gripe is that they come around and add more of the free regular broth if your broth is getting low - negating all your hard work. Having learned this, I now wave them off if I see the waiter approaching. But as part of this, if you order a special broth for $3, it is often pointless since they usually come around very quickly to add more broth to your pot and the broth they add is always the regular broth. I think if you pay for special broth, then the extra broth they add should be the same kind at least. b.) Since I love to make my own broth, the place is perfect when there are two of us since each of us get half a pot. But on the times there have been THREE of us, three people have to share a pot with a divider that divides it in half. So no one gets to make their own broth. Couldn't they get larger pots that divide into 3 parts for people who come with an odd number? Anyway, so far Kaze is my favorite Shabu place in boston. I've only been to four though. Still haven't gone to the original (shabu zen?) so that's next on the list.
(5)M. Deloris D.
I thought I knew shabu-shabu, then I met Kaze. Large portions fresh meats, fresh vegetables delicious broth, healing for the cold and flu ridden of you. SMOOTHIES. YUMS, in the plural. Spicy crispy tentacles were never so tantalizing as at Kaze. The meat orders come with generous servings of vegetables so, if you're not averse to meat broth but don't want to eat meat, you can split with a carnivorous pal and come out of here having spent less than $15 each. You can order affordable ($3 and up) 'sides' of meats and vegetables to augment your dining scene and everyone can leave with a full belly. Some call that shabu-shabu. I call it sensible.
(5)Linda T.
I signed up for yelp just to write this review because I felt like I had to get the word out there. First of all, my bf and I USED to eat at Kaze twice a week because we loved it that much. The food was delicious and the waitors were awesome! We'd go during lunch time, dinner time, and even late late at night. Then recently they started this $1 beer thing after 9pm. We noticed that they don't check IDs. We noticed the customers were all underage! They don't look a day over 18. Not only do we not condone underage drinking, we were just annoyed by how loud and obnoxious they all were. And this wasn't just one night. We've been here a couple of nights and all those nights were annoying. Now this isn't the main reason why I'm not eating here anymore. The biggest reason was that they charged our card twice and it took them over a month and a half to even refund it. We'd call every single night and the manager Raymond said to call back tomorrow, call back tomorrow, CALL BACK TOMORROW. Every tomorrow we'd call back and he'd say the same thing and every single time we had to give him our credit card number! My bf and I got fed up so I told him that we'd go there in person. My bf is chinese so he spoke to him in Chinese and I guess Raymond got more chummy. Within a couple of days we got our money back. We stayed away from Kaze for a month and half because of this. When we did decide to go back we found out about this underage drinking thing. What really brought me to write this review here is because we found out we weren't the only ones being charged twice. My sister and her friend recently went there for dinner and she had told me that they had done the same thing and refused to reconcile! So all in all, I say that the food IS GOOD. But that will not bring me back. If you do visit, pay in cash and don't go during night hours. This place will probably be shut down soon anyway considering they serve to minors. Go to Shabu Zen a street over. It'll save a lot of trouble.
(1)Jeff H.
I always forget how good this place is when I have been away. Recently went there for a Holiday lunch with friends. Absolutely wonderful Shabu Shabu for a cold December day. Veggies were super fresh. Meat selection was very nice (did sirloin and lamb) and added their delicious home made cuttlefish paste (cooks up into little fluffy fish pillows). Great broth selection (love Chinese herbal). Lots of delicious ways to customize your Shabu Shabu.
(5)Todd K.
Kaze Shabu is a fun place. What other restaurant gives you a tray of raw, frozen meat and a boiling cauldron of broth for delectable carnivorous enjoyment? I'm always down for making a mess and playing with the heat element any chance I can get.... But seriously it is a fun place with good food. I usually get the hot pot with some sort of spicy-ass broth base (I think it's worth a little extra for that 2 hour later zing), the rib eye (I've found the chicken to be a bit chewy in hot pot - but the beef is excellent) and mix up my noodle choice (all are pretty good).
(4)Jezzieo O.
DELICIOUS! Yummy food and a super reasonable price. My favorite go-to spot before/after going to the theater. Lots of veggies that come with the meat selections, and every broth I've tried is great. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Aleksandra S.
Great place! I had my very first shabu last friday and i love it - such a nice kind of getting together with friends! Wonderful.
(5)Tony L.
After having just returned from California on a business trip, I had a deep craving for shabu shabu. While in California, a colleague of mine took me to a restaurant in downtown Mountain View called Shabuway and it was fantastic. I was determined to find a nice shabu shabu restaurant in Boston to satisfy my craving, and thanks to Yelp, Kaze suddenly appeared on my radar as a place to have dinner. As I approached the restaurant (which seems to have its own solitary presence on the outskirts of Chinatown), I was given the impression that it would have a nice atmosphere within, which turned out to be true. I would definitely recommend making reservations (at least for dinner on a weekend) as we were told the wait would be 20 minutes but really turned out to be 30-35, and all of the seats were taken in the waiting area. We were then seated at the bar area, which was distinctly different from a table in that each person had their own electric stove and boiling pot, as opposed to the dual-pots they provide to those seated at a table. The service was great, the staff was very attentive to our needs throughout the night. We ordered the prime rib eye beef as well as the black angus beef, and surprisingly, the black angus turned out to be more tender. The broths we chose were the korean kimchi and the japanese soy sauce with seaweed, both were delicious (obviously the kimchi broth made everything very spicy). The japanese potato noodles were a great accompaniment to the meal. Overall, I was extremely satisfied with the quality of the food. For those people that lack the experience of DIY restaurants (such as myself), there was a helpful cooking guide on the menu. I can't wait for the next time I come back to this place!
(4)Samantha L.
This was my first hot pot experience, though it's so similar to fondue, which I had my first experience with about a year ago. It was pretty good, but I wish I got something more exciting than the miso soup for the base, and I got ostrich as my meat, which apparently is better when served steak-like rather than in strips you toss in a hot pot. I wish they gave more than one mushroom as well.
(4)Anders R.
First shabu shabu outside of Asia. Really good at Kaze, Thai broth is authentic, the Szechuan broth is serious...rookies need not apply...
(4)gado.gado D.
Out of the same owner of Fugakyu. Somewhat healthy food - good service and fun to bring guest from out of town. Dinner is more expensive than lunch for the same amount of food and all. hot pot - not good for kids under 10.
(3)Honeyy l.
i love this place! go there so much we became friends with the manager. when they're busy they do get slow but we get free ice cream after that. reasonable price more food than shabu zen
(5)Bridget D.
A Happy Birthday to me celebration was held at Kaze on Saturday night. Guests included Mumsy, Papa, Big Sis, Small Sis, Scottish Boyfriend of small sis, and birthday girl. Diners enjoyed their first shabu shabu experience. "You mean we have to cook our own food?!" states boyf of small sis. Yes, indeed we do and did. Deep fried cream corn appetizer. That is how we roll. Big sis and I (vegetable-tarians) shared our cooking pot with veggie broths. "I don't want any meat splash in my food," announces Big sis. Assorted tofus (one was skin like!), noodles and veggies swirled in our bubbling broths of chinese herbal and miso. Oh, and also yummy dumplings, but don't cook for too long or they melt and dissapear. We kept forgetting what we threw in the pot. Mumsy and small sis had assorted seafood platters. Small sis liked the salmon, "I made salmon rice soup!" No one liked the clams, "Ah, that tastes like burnt clutch!" (Boyf of small spit out.) What was that half circle pink and white seafood item? Nobody knows. The boys went for the meats. Papa had chicken and pork, "Chicken good." The boyfriend of small sister, a bold and daring Scottsman went for ostrich. OSTRICH! He liked it, but he likes everything. Papa was a little silly after a bottle of Sake, "Throw everything in here, all your veggies! I am the sample boy." Waiter Frankie was very nice and showed us how to mix in the sauces and the soy. Possibly he became annoyed with Mumsy as she continued to fiddle with the temperature control dials. "Let him do that!" The table was covered in vegetables upon noodles upon broths upon bowls upon plates upon plates. "I feel salty." Mmm good birthday.
(4)Kim N.
One day we mosied on over to Shabu Zen, but as per usual, the wait was uber ridiculous. So my friend suggested Kaze, which is just a short walk over. This place is much bigger and there was NO wait. The shabu is just as good here, so I don't know why Zen gets all the lines, but hey, as long as I don't have to wait here, I'm good with it.
(4)Fortuna F.
first time here after months of having the girl beg me to go. I love hot pot but it's a complicated relationship. I know boiled beef just isn't my style, I know that rolling with boiled fish paste just ain't right but it's so good mama. so dammmn good. if you don't like cooking and don't like something different then stay away--hot pot makes you feel primitive and awakens that primitive appetite that just can't say. this place is good by my hot pot standards. Clean place, fresh food, decent service, nice induction stoves, good broths, and good selection of meat (wham bam thank you lamb), veggies (watercress is best), seafood (tasty the fish pastey)
(5)Christina K.
This place is just as good as Shabu-Zen. I ordered the surf and turf II combo. SO MUCH FOOD! The vegetable plate was really great, had the whole assortment. The broth I got was 3.00 extra... Malaysian something but it was good. (FYI It had a spicy factor of two "peppers" on the menu- I am white, like spicy food, this really wasn't spicy at all I cannot comment on the 3 pepper spice factor) I saw a really good looking scorpian bowl at the table across from me, but just got a kirin. Minus one star because the temp control was kind of weird at the table so my side of the pot was boiling but the person sitting across from me wasn't, and then the waiter turned it up then it was boiling wayy too much. I left feeling warm and full and happy and now crave this place all the time
(4)Sushi Y.
hands down, most flavourful hot pot ever! i dont know of any other places where there is such a large selection of broths. there were four of us, so we had four different flavours- chinese herbal, chinese broth with preserved egg, malay satay and tom yum. It was a shame that they put the two chinese broths on the same side of the table as it was beginning to get too much on our sides of the table. i loved the little extras readily available to mix with your basic dipping sauce- I went crazy over the minced garlic and chopped green chillis, but there were chopped green onions as well as others i couldnt remember- there was so much stuff on our table it was a hot pot fest! The broth was so tasty there was hardly need to dip, but there were times I wanted to thrill my tastebuds and pack in the flavour... oh mi gosh, i just dribbled onto the lap top..... We ordered three kinds of beef and a seafood plate. Our extra treat were a side of live shrimp, wringling on their sticks.... look away children! yum!! (oh dear!...) the menu has a good selection of drinks- smoothies, cocktails and beer- staff were attentive and were on top of the empty plates. Broth was topped up in timely manner- or maybe they could read our faces when we pulled slight sour faces when things were getting intense. only downsides were the deary christmas tunes which began to annoy us after half an hour, Our server also forgot our mango shake, but not a huge loss. With two beers in top of our food, the bill was around 100 dollars- not cheap, but worth it...
(4)Nicole B.
i love it here! it's clean, it's fun, it's yummy too! you can be as adventurous as you want while you mix it up with broth, meat (you can get ostrich), noodles, etc. the service isn't fantastic but you know what, i never expect amazing service in chinatown, so don't let it get you down. i have not had the pleasure of trying one of their drinks yet, but the "head hunter" looked great. yay for interactive eating!
(4)Michelle L.
We just had a party there, 10 of our girls, and we had a great time! The food was great, many soup bases and a variety of things to select from. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. I love the little details like the pink flowers on the menu. Since we were sitting in the middle of the second floor, it is a little bit noisy and difficult to talk to each ohter. Also the service is a little bit slower than we would like. But still very good.
(4)Cynthia C.
Yummy yummy yummy shabu shabu. I've had it once before at a shabu place in LA and it was NOT a good experience but this place redeemed Shabu in my eyes. Kimchi broth, miso broth, beef, vegetables, udon noodles, simply delicious.
(4)Jaquelina L.
I am so glad that this place exists in Boston. Coming from SF bay area, I will have to say this shabu-shabu place is really good. I am very impressed. Their satay soup base is superb and the szechuan spicy is good too!! Will definitely come back.
(5)Tim N.
This is an ok place to enjoy hot pot cooking. Food is good and they give you many different soup bases to choose from although some are much better than others - in my opinion the herbal broths and the thai tom yum are definitely better than the seaweed. My main complaint is that they have trouble finding NESN on the sattellite, unlike Zen where they have the Red Sox on the TV every time I go there. Zen is smaller so there's usually a line out the door on the weekends, however Kaze is a good alternative provided the Red Sox aren't playing. Also - make sure you point out which meat platter you want to order as they have a tendecy to default to the most expensive option if you're not specific.
(3)Diana G.
My friend first brought me here a couple of years ago, and I LOVE it. Fun place to go on a zero-degree day! The food is tasty and healthy. My favourite broth is kimchi because it's spicy. The short rib & ostrich are also excellent if you're looking to try something different. Meals go best with a bottle of Kirin. Enjoy :)
(5)Mike T.
I thought it was only the English that thought that boiling meat was a good idea. It turns out that the Japanese are meat boiling artists. Kaze is alot of fun with a group and the food is very tasty and reasonably priced. Order one of the mixed meat plates and one of their spicer broths. Their version of spciy is actually pretty mild.
(4)Lanoi P.
this place is spectacular. perfect for any occasion, eff boys to girls night to first date night. its perfect because you pick what to eat and how long it takes. since you're cooking everything yourself its a perfect setting to just relax and eat at your own pace. no rushing by your BU undergrad waitress. sooo bring on that sapphoro and sake. gaze into your dates eyes or throw everything in to the pot all at once. the choices...meat, kobe or ostrich...tofu or vegetarian delight. everyone wins!
(5)Peter V.
I can't believe I didn't try this place before. Wait times are much shorter here than shabu zen. If you get a table on the side, it is very spacious much more so than sitting at shabu zen. They also have excellent appetizers, try their special seafood roll. I tried the tom yum broth and it was pretty good. Next time I might be brave enough to try out the ostrich.
(5)Stephen K.
Stumbled into this place all drunk not realizing it was a hot pot place. Had a pretty good time - the service was some of the best I've ever seen. The staff's English is very basic, so my friend had some difficulty in communicating that she was a vegetarian. But it worked out! You choose a broth (like $3-5) and then a selection of meats or seafood, and then you cook it yourself. It is what it is, pretty fun gimmick place.
(3)Craig C.
We were the only non-Asians in the place which was a good sign. I never ate at a place like this and my chopstick skills really suck so I was glad that we were seated right on top of two different couples on our left and right. That way I could cheat by looking at my neighbors like my tests in high school. I was a little uncomfortable at first so I ordered us two Headhunters to get a little numb. It was vodka, coconut milk and pineapple juice. It was good but not strong enough so I gave mine away and ordered a mango shake and a Martini and dumped them together. (I was a bartender many moons ago) The waiter was thrown off by this. He kept saying "Why you do that/" over and over. It was funny. The service was OK. My waiter was the Chinese Jackie Mason. Very deadpan and having no sense of humor at all on purpose but was funny without meaning to be. which made him hysterical to me. I asked him what noodles I should get. "I don't like noodles." "Oh you think I should get rice?" "I don't eat rice." Seriously I thought all Chinese people eat rice. So he was little help. He told us since it was our first time to take all the stuff on the little plates and dump it into the soy sauce and dip it all in there. I noticed that one of the things on the plate was a hot chili and I knew my companion didn't like spicy so I ate one to see how spicy it was.........REALLY SPICY! and I like spicy but ouch. So I asked our neighbors who were more helpful. I ordered the Tamyun broth and she got the Miso. We both got the surf and turf with vermicelli (clear noodles) and the other big white noodles. The Food : The meat is too thin. It cooks fast and turns into steak ums so pass on it. The shrimp. scallops and salmon were really good. The salmon doesn't need cooking. Just eat it sushi style. The shrimp cook fast too. The fish cakes (no) the octopus(chewy) the lettuce (not meant to be cooked) watercress(see lettuce) some kind of whitish purpleish root (good) noodles (good but spoon broth onto them or you lose them in the pot) It was an interesting experience and I was full but I love sushi 100x more. PS. make sure the pot is over the heat. Hers was boiling and mine wasn't for like 15 minutes until I noticed. It was a lot of work but the payoff was a B+. Check it out, you might love it. Why wasn't the Sox game on any of the 9 TV's when Dice K was pitching? We will never know.
(3)Ashley J.
I really like this restaurant. It is fun and modern. They are very accomodating of special requests within reason. The food is of great quality and super tasty. The prices range from reasonable to high depending on what you order to put in the pot and especially how much you drink. See the pic of me with the enormous pink fishbowl... that is at Kaze haha and I left a little tipsy. It is fun for a date and they will teach you if you are a newbie. Plus in chinatown it is easy to find and there is a lot nearby. Update I went here again Saturday night with my best friend. His bf was out of town so we had girls day shopping and deciding to go out for a fun meal so we could chat as well. He got the beef short ribs, I always get the seafood combo platter. It was even better than the other few times I went there. Maybe it was the company, maybe it was another giant scorpion bowl, but we had a total blast, the food was amazing, the waitress was super sweet and the right blend of available but not annoying. I left there so so so incredibly happy. Thanks Kaze!
(5)Paul K.
I've been traveling more then average on business as of late. I was in San Diego couple months ago and tried couple shabu shabu places there. Now work decides to fly me to Boston so I decided to check out the shabu shabu. After reading yelp reviews between the 2 shabu shabu places I chose Kaze. The decor was nice. Service was decent. The cut of meat was good. So why the 2 stars? The broth (soy sauce seaweed) was too salty. The veggie choice was below average. But my biggest gripe is the sauce. WHERE THE HELL IS THE BROWN SAUCE!!! All the shabu places I've been to has the brown dipping sauce. It only came with soy sauce of some short. It was too salty. If that's their version of ponzu sauce...FAIL!!! They also came with some hot sauce. It only took me a short time to realize this was Chinese run and they are trying to influence some of their sauce to shabu shabu. This is suppose to be a Japanese cuisine not a Chinese hot pot restaurant. Fix it to make it more authentic and I may return. Btw, I love Boston!! Super nice city.
(2)Serey A.
My family and I dined at Kaze Shabu Shabu last June 30th after watching "Riverdance" at the Schubert Theatre. Our dining experience was great. For more of my take on Kaze please visit my blog at this-side-of-heaven.blog…
(5)Mina I.
Definitely my preference in shabu! Every time I go here the staff is friendly and helpful and the food is awesome. I heart hotpot and enjoy coming here to relax. The interior is very nice and comfortable and the waitresses are super. I am usually asked if I would like to try different noodles they make right on site which I think is awesome. Their fish noodle is awesome! Also close enough to the financial district that you can walk over on your lunch hour!
(4)Q S.
I went to Kaze with a bunch of people. I wouldn't suggest coming here with more than six people (I was with 8 other people). If you come with more than six people, make sure you have a big budget because the plates can get really expensive, not to mention splitting the bill would just be hell between so many people at such a busy restaurant. I would have to try something from the bar the next time I come here. We were there relatively early so I didn't feel like drinking yet. We got there around 6:30pm, which is the ideal time to go since it gets very crowded after 7pm and lines start to form. Kaze has a really nice atmosphere. It's clean and modern with booths and tables that can accomodate large or intimate groups. You can get the small pots, or a group pot. You can also get different flavors of broth. I wasn't a big fan of the vegetable plate since it only gave one piece of taro and mushroom. I did like the short rib beef though. The ostrich was also interesting, but it didn't taste all that much different from beef. I will definitely come back to Kaze again, but I think in the mean time, I'll have to see how Shabu Zen measures up.
(4)Victoria N.
It seems like the people of Boston are torn between two shabu shabu places: Kaze and Shabu Zen. But is it so bad having two shabu shabu restaurants to decide on? It's only going to make the wait shorter, isn't it? Although I didn't have any problem with lines at either place. I'm tempted, however, to say that I did enjoy my experience at Kaze more than I did at Shabu Zen, but that could be for any number of things. Like the company I was with. But Kaze also has a bit more ambiance, the service was nicer and more helpful, and they also take reservations, which I hear Shabu Zen does not. We were a group of 15 celebrating a birthday, and they accommodated us wonderfully. We didn't have to wait a minute before we were escorted upstairs to their long middle table. We didn't fill up the entire length of it though, so I felt bad for the couple sitting right next to us. This review probably wouldn't be as good if I was on a date stuck next to a big batch of college kids. =\ So Kaze (not to be mistaken for Kaze or Kaizen sushi) offers an almost identical menu to Shabu Zen, although they do like rounding up their prices to the whole dollar. There was a pot for every 4 of us, which worked out well. It was a little tough figuring out how and what to order for such a big group, but the split definitely made it easier. Many people at other pots decided it'd be easier to just order their own entree, which comes with a full plate of vegetables and a choice between rice and a selection of noodles. But I was glad the three people I was with didn't know what the hell they were doing and put me in charge. Now I'm all about getting full for cheap. So we shared the Meat Combo #2 with beef and lamb for $12 and the Seafood Deluxe for $17 in the original soup base at no charge, and it was plenty of food. I know if we had gotten four separate entrees, there would have been so much wasted food, which I hate, hate, hate. All of us put in an extra 4 bucks to cover tax, tip, and Birthday Boy's dinner, and I ended up paying just $11 for everything. Now that's pretty grand.
(5)So S.
This place is pretty good if you have never had shabu shabu before. However, on a scale of this type of cusine, Shabu Zen (down the street) is waaayy better. Their broth is much tastier and its just better. However, Kaze has more variety . I like their fried oyster appetizers. But they do have a nice decor for those who are beginners in the world of shabu shabu. 3.5 for the taste and 4 for the decor.
(4)t.T c.
Don't get me wrong, I love the food here, and the price is decent compare to Shabu-Zen. The only thing that keeps me from going there more often than I do is the service. This is by far the worst service I've had encountered, and I've had different waiter/waitress every time. Our teas didn't get refill, we didn't even get any water to start with (nor did they ask), our broth wasn't refill when it was almost completely dry...etc. The waiters/waitresses are always hover around in a crowd speaking and laughing loudly. Last time I was there, I saw my waitress 2 times (once when we ordered, and once when we got the check) My friend lost her credit card there one time, and we called, but they said they didn't find anything, and we're almost positive that's where she lost it. This is the only place where the service is consistently bad. The only good thing about this is the food and prices. Both decent and the kimchi broth is a must try if you can withstand their service. kazeshabushabu.com/menu.…
(3)Stefanie K.
I love shabu-shabu in general, and I think this place is particularly good (I like it just a little bit more than Shabu-Zen, which is where I had my first shabu-shabu experience). Kaze has two floors and plenty of space; it would be good for a big group. The broths are really excellent here, and my favorite is probably the tom yum, and I highly recommend a lychee shake for dessert. The staff is all extremely nice, and last time I went my friend and I ordered a shake to share (that's how full we were!), and the waiter divided it into two little glasses (without us even having to ask). I will definitely be spending a lot of time there this winter, hovering over steamy vats of broth.
(5)Ben L.
mmmm shabu shabu. There is a very important thing to be aware of with Kaze Shabu Shabu. It is not a place that you should just randomly take people to. You must trust the people enough to know that they will be friends for quite some time. Why do I say this? Because people don't really stop eating here. If you don't go for too long there will be an empty feeling from your taste sensors that can only be filled with more shabu shabu. This means that people that end up at odds will end up in a bitter custody battle over who gets to go on what days. It isn't worth it, only invite the worthy. That said their lunch is a great deal. you can have a fantastic lunch and still keep it under $20. Even if you don't want to experiment with your broth you can still mix up your apps or noodles. Also share freely with your friends. I have discovered some great broth combinations, and don't forget to muddle your soy sauce. The straight-great hot pot What's good-solid service, varied options and very good atmosphere The slap-experience isn't the same if you go stag....bring a friend
(5)IK L.
I eat here religiously. My boyfriend and I come here at least every other week. We're from LA, so any chance we get of a wonderful chinese meal that reminds us of home is fantastic. The meat quality is great; it's even better than the ones in Los Angeles. In fact, before I ate here, I had never seen meet so well cut; it makes it so much easier to eat! (well duh) I've tried shabu-zen, and to be honest, it's really not worth the 2+ hours of wait coupled with sitting right next to strange people. I don't quite understand the loyalty to shabuzen when kaze is so much better. I have never had to wait at kaze, because even when they're busy they also have an upstairs so pretty much you never have to wait. They're clean, very willing to explain to you what some of the things on the menu are, and open till really late at night when you have those random cravings. I think they close at 1am on weekdays and 2 on weeknights or something. They have a great bar, good smoothies, and all in all my favorite restaurant in boston.
(5)Hong L.
clean, great prices. delicious broths. perfect for cold winter evenings. the place was also very spacious and we were quickly served, albeit, it was thanksgiving evening.
(5)Dhruv S.
Went with a large group for lunch expecting something different. hell yeah it was completely new experience and I loved it. we had a long talk about whether KSS was Japanese / Chinese, but it really doesn't matter. I had ordered the 'extra' spicy schezuan spicy soup and honestly i couldn't feel the spiciness there. i guess being from India, i have had more spicy food, but i need to mention the insane amount of whole black peppers that were in the soup. along with soup came the large dish with vegetables, then udon noodles (excellent) and then another large dish with meat(s) and then another plate and a soup bowl. seriously, we all were really short of space. then all the mess started. i am no pro with chopsticks but i tried my best and it was quite an effort. at one point my Taiwanese friend was helping me gather the noodles from the soup coz i was almost at the verge of losing control. but all in all, the food was excellent (after all u r making it yourself). be sure to order 2 or more different meats since its the same price as ordering one meat. i should mention that the waitresses (yeah abt 10 of them were at our table) were very sweet and courteous. i am definitely headin there again for a heavy lunch.
(4)Leon T.
Kaze is definitely my favorite place to eat in Chinatown. The place always seems a little quite and empty, but I love that relaxing atmosphere. It's probably most likely due to the fact that it's in the outskirts of Chinatown. Most people probably go to Shabu-Zen because it's in the heart of all the commotion. Little do they know that there's a place with food that's on the same level for a lower price.
(4)Virginia F.
I loved this place! We had a group of 8 people and all of us had great food and lots of fun. Our server was very personable and attentive. Go and enjoy Shabu Shabu!
(5)Angie T.
portions are big..this place is similar to any hot pot restaurants around the area like shabu zen, BUT the only difference..this place has a way better service!
(5)M C.
I really like Kaze, considering I was so turned off by the Shabu Zen exeperience. It's much quieter and relaxed, and the dessert was yummy. The portions are also a lot more generous.
(4)Christine M.
a friend of mine from hong kong showed me this place about 3 years ago, and i've been coming here about once a month since. when i first started coming here i'd laugh to myself about usually being the only white girl in the whole place. i definitely stuck out like a sore thumb, but once the staff realized that i am proficient with chopsticks and wasn't totally baffled by the menu (which most westerners seem too be), i seemed to become accepted as a regular.
(4)sam c.
kaze.. wow i heard you guys are a family of Fugakyu.. interesting cus fugakyu is awesome but i didnt like kaze too much.. the server that was serving us spoke broken english and i had trouble understandin what she was sayin. but she was pretty quick.. alil too quick.. i didnt start my app until the entree came out.. but the good was good and fresh. i really liked shabu ya in harvard square but thats jus my opinon and my gf and her friends.. lol.. overall i did enjoy the food, could of been better but decent i guess lol..
(2)Le T.
long overdue review of this place. I used to come here often during my undergrad with my roommate because they used to have the BOGO deal in those college coupon books. Sad to say, they no longer have the deal. But I still come here from time to time. I think they still have "happy hours" where apps are half off. We used to go all out. The best addition to our hotpot was the salmon fish head for a buck 99. I would say, it was my roommate who really got me hooked on their tomato and beef broth. I blame you! and oh... god.. their mung bean noodles.. you cannot find it anywhere. it's that damn good, try it!
(5)Ying X.
Kaze is one of three hot pot places that I frequent whenever I'm in Boston. It's a bit further out of the way than Q (my other non-shabu-shabu hot pot joint), so I sometimes get too lazy to walk the few extra blocks, but I do think that Kaze has a better selection of food items. Their store area is also much bigger, so you won't have to spend over an hour waiting just to get a table. You can order either a meat combination (which comes with veggies), or get things a la carte. We usually order the Prime Rib Eye combo with Lamb, and then get a few seafood and vegetable side orders (i.e. fish filet, watercress, spinach, tofu). I also like to get their fish or beef balls with pork filling. I don't think many other hot pot places offer these, but something about having an umami filling to your meatball just really adds to the overall enjoyment. As for soup bases, we've had the Chinese Herbal, Chinese Cilantro with Preserved Egg, Szechuan Spicy (which really wasn't that spicy), and Malaysian Satay. All of them are pretty good, and I'd recommend one of the first two if you're in the mood for something lighter, but none of these were really that heavy. Service can be a bit hit or miss depending on who you get, but as long as they bring out all your orders, the rest is pretty self-paced. I've never had to wait too long for my soup, meat, or veggies to be brought out, but they're sometimes a bit slow about refilling the pot.
(4)Morgan J.
I struggle to find the appeal in this place. This was towards the end of my trip and Chinatown was the one place we hadn't checked out. We stopped in, based on the strong reviews from other Yelpers. The decor is beautiful. The color scheme was lovely and matched the Japanese culture. Light colors, calming, soothing. I liked that part a lot. However, the setup is a little awkward. There are about four or five booths and in the middle is a long table. We sat down at one part of the table and a couple sat down next to us. I think they were miffed at their seating location (because really, you have absolutely no privacy to have a conversation) and they decided to move. Okay then. It was a little too claustrophobic for me. The service was okay, not great. It took the waiter about ten minutes to come around to finally get our drink order. I had a good sense of what I wanted, but it just took way too long to get the ball rolling, know what I mean? Anyway, I ordered a strawberry banana smoothie which was absolutely delicious. They knew how to make it there, that's for sure. The food was decent. I've never had hotpot before. It was a unique experience, and something that I wasn't quite use to, because I forgot I had things boiling in the pot. The chicken was good. I also ordered vegetable rolls which turned out pretty good as well. Overall, okay. I think I'd find another place in Chinatown to eat next time, though.
(3)Dedania M.
Arrived around late 9pm on a Sunday. Service here wasn't great. The hostess seemed confused when we arrived and our waiter was no where to be found after sending out our food. Kind of a typical thing at Chinatown so I'm not that surprised or offended but home girl was thirsty and needed a refill. Trying to get the bill took some time too; going at night is something to consider if you want better service OR be assertive with what you want. Regardless of service, food isn't as pricy as shabu-zen and not so sure about Q restaurant. Kimchi broth wasn't really strong like it is at shabu, sadly. We ordered lamb, beef, seafood, fish balls, udon, beef tongue, and gyozas. My favorite was probably the lamb or beef tongue. I didn't notice any problem with the noodles?? They looked like udon noodles to me haha, just very chewy. It's also nice that they're open as late as hot pot buffet!
(3)Bonnie C.
Updating my review because everything changed drastically after writing my previous 5-star review. The quality of the meat is so inconsistent. I always order the prime rib eye when I come here. The prime rib eye is suppose to melt in your mouth after cooking it for several seconds. However, the past couple times I came here, the meat has been very "old" and not fresh. The meat is tough and very hard to eat. BUT the reason why I am giving this place one star is because of the staff there. The service isn't the best; it's awkward and you feel like you're not taken care of. I don't expect much because it's Chinatown. However, I came here last night with my friends after a long meeting. The only place opened was Kaze (we were craving for hot pot), so we decided to come here. It was 12:15AM and we were still working on our food. The restaurant CLOSES at 1:00AM. 12:30AM came and I heard the boss by the bar saying something about the check. He was very rude about it. Promptly, we asked for the check because we felt RUSHED and UNWELCOMED. We left around 12:45, and as we walked away, I noticed that the guy manager ROLLED HIS EYES at us, as if saying "finally they are leaving". He didn't even do a good job of hiding it. You have no idea how unwelcomed I felt. No offense, but when your restaurant close at 1:00AM, it means customers can stay till 1:00AM. It doesn't mean that YOU get to leave at 1:00AM. If you want to leave earlier, why don't you make the business hours close early so you can leave early? Of course that isn't smart for business, so why don't YOU (yes, you the manager and the staff) stop being so selfish and focus on satisfying YOUR CUSTOMERS and not YOURSELF. I want to say that I will never be back, but unfortunately this is the only hot pot restaurant that's opened late. Shabu Zen, please change your business hours so I can start giving you business. To think I always tip the waitress at least 20% due to generosity. Never again.
(1)Mike A.
The guy who poured our water was named Tank. That is a legitimately masculine name. I can dig that. Unfortunately, he just poured our water. Then he disappeared. Which is generally hard for a tank to do, I think. There was nothing overly special about this place but I do see that it has good Yelp reviews. My only guess is that people's expectations of shabu shabu are lower in Boston than they are where I live. Or maybe I am just some high and mighty shabu shabu critic. Or neither. Lunch specials were a decent price. House hot sake was pretty good. I probably wouldn't go back but I wouldn't discourage anyone from going here either. It's good enough.
(3)Samantha L.
Kaze Shabu is located in Chinatown on 1 Harrison Avenue. The restaurant has two floors for hot pot. They provide the soy sauce and four condiments (scallion, minced garlic, shrimp paste, and spicy sauce) to create your customized sauce. For drinks, we got a Mai Tai which consisted of Light Rum, Dark Rum, Orange Curaçao, Almond Syrups, and Tropical Juices (which was light and fruity) and Bahama Mama which consisted of Malibu Coconut Rum, Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum, White and Dark Rum, and Tropical Juice (which was strong). We ordered the Oden platter which consisted of assorted fish cake and tofu as well as the Beef Lover platter which consisted of Kobe, Prime Rib Eye, Black Angus Rib Eye, Boneless Short Rib, and Beef. We got the Japanese Miso Broth and Meat Bouillon. We got the vermicelli and Japanese potato noodles. Each entree came with a vegetable platter that consisted of tomato, watercress, napa cabbage, spinach, corn, mushroom, taro, and turnip. It was a delicious meal!
(4)Don M.
Came here on a Monday night and there were barely people in the restaurant. The server was nice but service was a bit slow. Prices were a bit higher than I expected but then again, it's Boston and an American city. I'm used to Taiwan where it was grab all you can eat for a fixed price. Here, it's more like pay as you go for whatever you want. Broth was complementary as it should be. If you have a peanut allergy, beware of the sauces they give you since one of them has peanuts! The broths themselves were pretty good but a bit salty. We got the beef, chicken, taro, radish, and veggies. All were good quality but just pricey. Overall, I'd try other places around but would end up coming back at some point.
(3)Angelica O.
The ambiance is great very clean and modern. The set up and layout of the dishes are beautiful. However, the soup can be a bit bland at times and the BBQ dipping sauce seems to be pre- refrigerated which takes away from the flavor a little. The hotpot also seems to take forever to come out even if it's not so busy. The staff is attentive at times and the mix drinks are pretty amazing. The main critic I have for this resturaunt is simply the cleanliness of the bathroom. It is gross and it's downstairs if your dining in the dining room. The upstairs bathroom of kaze is much much better but only has one stall. I recommend asking for seating upstairs so you can avoid the downstairs bathroom.
(3)Justin K.
Super good hot pot! Lots of space too so you can bring big groups - just be sure to make a reservation. I came here with a large group (12 people) after finding out the wait at shabu zen was too long. The wait time here was only 20-30 mins, so we decided to try it out. My favorite broth is definitely the kimchi - spicy and flavorful, really good! The meat is all high quality and fresh as well. We also asked about sake bombs, and while they told us to try and keep it down, they didn't really mind :) the main guy at the front (possibly the owner?) was super friendly and really enthusiastic about our sake bombing haha. The rest of the staff was friendly as well. It was a great time!
(5)Catherine H.
I love hot pot. There is nothing better than sitting in front of a steaming pot of warm delicious broth on a freezing cold day. The broth is flavorful without overpowering the meats, veggies, and noodles. I like that this spot is more more of a Chinese hot pot style restaurant than Japanese shabu shabu. Kaze has so many broth options, which is really fun. If you have a large group you can try a little bit of everything, which again makes the meal all that much more enjoyable. I recommend the Korean kimchi and the Japanese miso. The Japanese curry is alright as is the tomato with beef. As far as meat is concerned get the Kobe. You won't regret it. I tend to stay away from raw pork and chicken at hot pot places, for germ related reasons (however, I hear they are good too). As far as noodles are concerned get the udon. Just remember to come hungry!
(4)April K.
We started off with a bottle of wine at the bar, and the owner/manager treated us like royalty. Also, who can say no to a $23 bottle of Sauv Blanc? The meat boullion based soup was pretty tasty. I ordered the beef plate. They served it with a side of vermicelli and a generous platter of veggies (bok choy, watercress, mushroom, cabbage, and taro). Only gripe is no tofu or enoki unless you get it as extra. They aren't stingy with the sauces, but they do charge for cilantro. Overall had a great dinner experience here and it may be my new favorite shabu place.
(4)Theodore T.
My second favorite hot pot place in the area, after Q. I like getting a booth upstairs, I think the restaurant used to be a night club or something. My usual order includes boneless short rib, angus ribeye, udon, rice, and two broths -- Japanese curry and tomato beef. The spicy chicken nugget appetizer is good as well. I don't recommend their dessert. All in all a nice place, and the wait is usually less than Q.
(4)Margorie G.
If there was a way to give 0 stars I would. If I wasn't starving I would have gotten up and left. This is the most uncoopperative establishment I've ever been to. I was on vacation so that means I'm adventurous and happy to try all the city has to offer. It was cold and we were hungry and Boston has a Chinatown what could be better right?? wrong! We walked in and its a hybrid of a pho/fondue with a broth of your choice and you cook the protein and vegetables and noodles etc of your choice. We arrived within 10 minutes of their time to stop serving lunch and when I tried to order it they refused. When I asked our waiter if she could ask her manager she said no. We ordered the meat bouillon base with the meat combo #3 which had beef and pork and the vermicelli noodles. This came with veggies like corn, taro, bok choi, tomatoes, etc... They bring this pot that they put in the middle of the table that has a burner they turn on. The concept is to put in the veggies and protein etc to cook in the broth and then eat. The food itself was very good and I lived the concept but the lack of customer service and assistance is unacceptable. Everything we requested or any question we had seemed to be a bother. I would never eat here again, there are so many other restaurants in that area do yourself a favor a choose one of those.
(1)Jen K.
I've gone here many times but this time I'm super disappointed! I ordered the kimchi broth and when I asked him to make it spicy he said he would have to charge me more.... That makes no sense cause i already pay 3 dollars to get the spicy kimchi broth... I talked to the manager and he said that he has to charge double... HOW DOES THAT MAKE SENSE! So I would pay 6 dollars for broth???............. Manager was super unhelpful. They also didn't have sesame sauce or even sesame oil. Also 20 minutes into dinner service they told me that fish stuffed meatball was sold out.... Of course he couldn't tell me before .... Will not be going back sadly. I've tried a ton of Shabu places in Boston and this one definitely cares more about making money then customers coming back! WOMP
(1)Tony S.
Wow.... have I really not reviewed this place? I've only been here 20 times.... last week (I keed, I keed!). No but seriously folks, I've been here at least that many times over the last 4-5 years. This is my go-to shabu place in Boston. I consider it one of the top 3 places to go in terms of quality, service (you'd be surprised how shitty service is in some of these places), and menu variety. Situated on the corner of a parking lot in Chinatown, the place is airy, and has two levels. They make their own soybean sauce (kinda like peanut sauce), which I mix with the standard Chinese bbq sauce and sriracha to make a Southeast Asian tasting dipping sauce. This is one of the few shabu places that has kobe beef, so if you're up for splurging, this is the place to do it. Personally, once I discovered the direct correlation of beef fat, my bank account deficit, and growing waistline, I nowadays opt for the angus beef, which you can't go wrong with. While the jury is still out for the top shabu place in the city, nobody can argue that his is a top-3 contender.
(4)Dang P.
My wife and I are regulars here and we never had a bad meal. The hot pot broths are very flavorful. My favorite is the Kimchi broth. The meat and vegetables are always fresh. They are spacious, so we never waited for more than 10 mins for a table. The staff is very nice. I look forward to coming back in the near future.
(5)Ria S.
I say 4.5 because drinks on that random occasion are not that great. But when the right bartender is on, they are fantastic. Hot pot is always a treat and depending on the lines, I really enjoy coming here with friends. It's hard to stray away from those bright neon pink lights... *_*
(4)Elisha T.
Just like another reviewer said, this is definitely a Chinese hot pot restaurant and not quite an authentic Japanese shabu shabu. Nevertheless all the items we tried tasted pretty good. We had two large hot pot with a divider in between making total of 4 different flavors of soup. We also ordered different kinds of meat and vegetables to dip in. My favorite of all the meat was beef here, and porks were second best. Seafoods (e.g. mini octopus) were also interesting to eat as shabu shabu and I personally liked it. This is definitely a good place to come in a group so you can enjoy variety of items. They have a lot of tables so wait is not going to be much of an issue. After eating and drinking, it came around $135 for our six people group.
(4)Gloria C.
This place definitely gives Shabu zen and all the other hotpot places a run for their money. However, I find that it isn't very sanitary! They stack the foods and pots before bringing it out to customers. I don't know about you but I don't trust that the bottoms of their plates are all that clean. The scary part is they aren't even afraid of customers seeing! That means that they either don't care or don't think that they are doing anything wrong--which is horrendous to me! They have a super extensive broth selection!!! Some of them are pretty hefty in price though. I think up to $5. I'm personally really sensitive to MSG and having told that to my waiter, they still managed to sneak some into my food somewhere. I got really sick after eating there. If you do want to give it a shot, go during lunch! You get the same portions except for a few bucks off. Beware though, they have a spending minimum!! Something in the low teens. One thing I do love is their large variety of noodles/rice. You can get green bean and potato noodles here which is pretty rare at other Shabu places. They have a large variety of appetizers in addition to their hotpot offerings. There's also a specials menu with I think eight items on there. I've ordered many of them multiple times but they're always out of half of the stuff. Also, whenever I go, I'm never greeted by a host at their super formal and established host stand. So what's the point of having that there? Both of the waiters I had were super attentive though, very swift, and super friendly.
(3)Oki P.
Out of all the hotpot places in Boston i have visited, i would not visit Kaze again. Unattentive service and i did not like all the broths. I have tried all of them from japanese curry to sze chuan spicy and they were not comparable to other places. The broth tastes MSG laden and i felt like i was drinking instant noodle broth which really kills it for me. Also, the pink lights in the restaurant is irritating. Overall, the location is huge and bigger than the other hot pot restaurants but other options such as Q hotpot or Shabu Shabu are much more worth the wait.
(2)Elleen P.
Came here with my friend one snowy night in Boston, and man... I don't think I could give ANY shabu shabu place less than 5 stars when I feel that cold and it warms me up that much. lol. I think this is a karaoke place too (or maybe the foursquare location is wrong) but the food was definitely restaurant quality. We were able to order a lot of food (not knowing the portions) because we thought that since it was cheap, it was going to be small amounts.. . but they were quite generous with what they gave. We ended up ordering way too much meat for just two people but somehow still ate it all. We're fatties. Oh well. Need the blubber for insulation hahaha. In California, this place would probably get a B just because it's not that clean, but we're in Massachusetts aka land of no food safety ratings (to my knowledge) so they're still getting a 5 stars. :)
(5)Angela C.
The best part about this place right now is the fact that it's currently closed. If I can give negative stars, I will. I honestly cannot comprehend how anyone can give more than 3 stars for this place. The food was terrible. My bf has zero expectations for hotpot...he loves them all, but somehow Kaze manages to disappoint him. The quality of meat was bad, and the soup base tasted weird. The staff was horrible. The hostess that was downstairs did not look happy to see us, and was completely grumpy the entire way to our table. I understand that people can have their bad days, but when the restaurant is empty and your only job is to really greet your customers, maybe you should just suck it up for the 3 minutes it'll take to get us to our tables. Our waitress was friendly enough, but was inattentive. The whole atmosphere was weird and uncomfortable. tl;dr - THIS PLACE SUCKS.
(1)Chau H.
Holy cow... I just saw their kitchen worker came out of the bathroom and did not wash her hands. I brought it up to the waitress and her response was maybe she will wash it when she gets to the kitchen. Huh? How is that a normal response?! I used to go to this place years ago when I was in college and am back visiting my sister. I'm docking them for hygiene. The shabu is ok.
(2)Calvin L.
I'm used to doing hot pot at home where I would be able to have a variety of food served, so I'm a bit biased here. Each table has one burner for a split pot. 2 people share a pot. For the pot, you choose the type of soup base you want to flavor whatever you want to eat, be it veggies, seafood, or meat. Each person gets some veggies, sauces, and a choice of rice or noodles to accompany the main course. I choose the seafood combo, which included salmon, squid, clams, scallops, 2 types of fish cake, and shrimp. Despite their small size, they were easy to cook, which allows for near instant gratification. Personally, home is where I would do hot pot. I can pick out what I want to eat rather be limited to the offerings of a restaurant. However, if you are unwilling to handle a portable stove and gas can or don't have the time to prepare it, then this place would do.
(3)Tiffany D.
This place is one of my absolute favorites! Every time I visit Boston, I always make sure to stop here for hot pot! For starters, this place can get very packed, so come early or come extra late so you aren't waiting in line for a table! I ALWAYS get two broths: Thai tomyum (super spicy and I'd recommend straining the broth before pouring onto your noodles so you don't chew on chunky peppercorns and chilis) and the Japanese tonkotsu, which is perfect for balancing out the spiciness of the tomyum! The broths at Kaze are so flavorful, it beats out all other broths I've tried that basically taste like plain water. For the meats, there are so many options, and they're very generous with the portions too! I usually get the beef lover (includes fatty Kobe beef.. Mmm), lamb, veal tongue, assorted meatballs, and tripe. This is definitely more than enough food for a small group, but hey, you might as well get everything you want when you don't come often! Make sure you stop by this place on your next trip through Chinatown. You will not be disappointed!
(5)Mickey G.
Kaze is by far my favorite shabu shabu place in the Boston area. They consistently deliver a high quality meal at an affordable price point. I usually get a lamb combo with a side of short rib bones. The bones are inexpensive and have a decent amount of meat on them. My favorite soup bases are the Japanese curry and the Tom Yum soup base. My only complaint is that they no longer have their creamed corn croquettes, which were delicious. Note: If you are a CrossFitter or follow the paleo diet, you can very easily make a clean meal out of a visit here by skipping the soy sauce, taro, and the rice/noodle offerings. The sweet potato noodles are delicious are are technically paleo-approved, but my understanding is that they way they process the noodles, they take all of the fiber/nutrients out of the sweet potato, which defeats the purpose of such a substitution.
(5)Vic G.
Decent place. I live in Quincy which really has the best Shabu places around. So 3 stars for Boston is really good. But this place is slightly over priced for the fact that there isn't much competition other than Shabu zen who I would rate 3 as well. What makes this place slightly better than Shabu Zen is that it has more options for broths depending on flavors you like and heat levels. Also - I have never had sushi or anything else but hot pot here because I am very specific about my sushi and once when I was at the bar looking how sushi was being made, I knew I would be having hot pot only. Hot pot is good especially the hot spicy broths. Decent service and they don't try to rush you. That's the good part.
(4)Nina S.
I much prefer shabu Zen to this place. The broth at shabu Zen is more tasty. Here I got the original and Sichuan. Neither were worth drinking in copious amounts. The meats were aight. Got the lamb as part of the surf and turf combo#2. It was nice but the seafood was very rubbery. Next time if i come back it'll just be for the meat no seafood. Also ordered fishballs with Chinese sausage which to me just didn't go together even though it sounded good. Also got the crispy squid tentacles which was disappointing in flavor, texture and size. It cost $6 and was such a small portion.
(2)Jennifer W.
Dragon bowl was strong but it tastes like juice! Huge plus for me as it was easy and pleasant to drink. Hotpot was standard as far as selection and quality. Great portions and your typical sides. Not the most upscale hot pot place but the prices reflect that which is why I don't mind. Would return for another "pre-game dinner meal and drink."
(4)Amanda P.
I wish I could rave about the service!! This place has the worst service ever our waitress didn't check up on us whatsoever!! The atmosphere is laid-back and super comfortable. The food was decent, they weren't stingy with their proportions either so I guess that's a plus.
(3)Julia C.
I'm sorry to say that during my 8 years in Boston, I've only just discovered Kaze, as it's the best shabu place around here! Reasons why Kaze is awesome: -It's marginally cheaper than Shabu Zen, Q, or Swish Shabu -The portions are the most generous of them all. They also don't skimp on the fixings for the dipping sauce. -The house broth here is the best one out of all three places listed above. -I also love that their super tasty fish paste isn't brimming with cilantro and that it's self-serve - in most shabu places, waitresses do the fish paste for you and drop huge pieces into the broth all at once, resulting in them never cooking through. One thing I found odd was that gratuity (about 18%) was already included in the bill, even though I was having dinner by myself. But the credit card bill sheet had a tip line as well as suggested gratuity amounts. So just be on the lookout for that.
(5)Lily Z.
I used to like it here until i went to the bathroom and saw a chef use the bathroom and take a shit then not wash her hands. AND TO MAKE IT WORSE (as if it could get any worse...) There were 3!!!!!!!! dead and alive cockroaches downstairs on the floor OH MY GOD. Just stay away...
(1)Emily L.
Never (almost never) have to wait for a table and waitstaff are attentive to your needs. I"m not sure why people choose shabu zen over this restaurant. The food is equally good and this restaurant is much bigger. I like getting a side order of the fish paste along with the meat combo meal.
(4)Lusi J.
Have you tried their watermelon smoothie? TRY IT!!!! lol The hotpot here is great but is a bit pricey for dinner considering the portion is the same as lunch. Thats the only downside to this place, otherwise, everything is fantastic
(5)Katie B.
This was my first shabu shabu experience and I LOVED IT! I love any type of Asian style soup, so I was pumped to try this. My friend brought me so she did all the ordering as she's a hot pot pro! We got Szechuan Spicy and Tom Yom as our two soup bases. Both were VERY tasty. The Szechuan had some serious heat behind it. We got udon and Spinach noodles to toss in. Both cooked up nice and were delicious. We got the meat (Kobe beef, pork, chicken) and a seafood (shrimp, scallops, white fish, clams, and salmon) combos. All the meat and seafood was very fresh! Everything was served with big plates of veggies to dump in as well! My green tea smoothie was amazing and sweet and my friends watermelon smoothie was light refreshing! We shared an awesome mango cake thing for desert! All of this totaled only about $20 a person, including tip! BONUS! I totally recommend this place to anyone looking for great shabu shabu, even if it's your first time!
(5)Mabel N.
I love how I get seated right away for hot pot. Unlike other places around the area you must wait at least 20-30mins for a table. Wait staff are very friendly and attentive. Your water glass will never be half empty when you dine here. I really love the service here. Came here with a party of 10 we order so much food. Everything is fresh and delicious. Try the squid paste - it's so different from fish paste. Especially love their kobe beef SO GOOD!!!!!!
(4)Sandro K.
This place is a very good location to experience hot pot in a group of about 8 people. It's not the cheapest place to have hot pot in Boston's Chinatown but the food is fresh and good. Try the beef lover plate. It's just awesome.
(4)Holly C.
This was a very unique experience! My husband and I both thought the quality of meat & seafood ingredients were top notch, very tasty. It was a bit messy, but fun. Service was not the greatest, but I would go back.
(4)Sandra C.
[Note: This is a straight up comparison of Kaze and Shabu] It's like Shabu-Zen (I refuse to write a review for that restaurant because I used to work there) except a little bit lower quality and stingier. I don't know, if you ask me, I'd just say this place is a major cop-off of Shabu-Zen. The good thing? The service is much faster. Of course, Shabuzen's service got a lot worse after I quit (I'm kidding. Okay not really...) Anyways, the vegetarian portions are much larger at Kaze, as well as the portions of rice, vermicelli, and udon. The beef tongue and sauteed clams got NOTHING on Shabuzen's though. I'm not gonna lie...after I get off this vegetarian phase, I'm gonna march right back into Kaze and order OSTRICH. Seriously, I'm so curious!
(4)Valerie C.
I'd never been to hot-pot before, and I was, therefore, apprehensive about coming here. I've always loved Asian cuisine and soups, so after my boyfriend and I saw a review of a hot-pot place on the Phantom Gourmet while channel-flipping one morning, we decided to try it. I was pleasantly surprised to find the staff completely willing to answer any of my questions about how exactly to hot-pot, and we had a great time. The food seems like a lot when you're looking at everything being brought out, though the meat is obviously very thinly sliced. It ended up being filling without being too much, which was wonderful since I tend to become overfull on heavier foods and then feel off all day. The way hot-pot forces you to eat a little more slowly also helps with that. Staff was friendly, prices were more than reasonable, and food was delicious. Can't really ask for much more than that in a restaurant!
(5)Shendi X.
This place does hot pot justice - incredible broth, with great variety/selection, and only the freshest ingredients - everything came together for a mouth-stuffingly delicious meal: my mouth waters just thinking about the experience! Certainly now my first choice for hot pot - come here!!
(5)Lindsay D.
Been here twice both times with colleagues during lunch. I not only had fun but loved that I could eat healthy and have a long relaxing lunch. The food is fresh and delicious and the atmosphere clean and modern. The location is also very convenient. Try the spicy broth with your food as it has that extra bit of flavor your need when having shabu-style fare. I would go back more often if I didnt leave that job. Even my fiance who hates fondue loves this place because the food comes out quickly and in bulk. Especially the greens.
(4)Ingrid S.
This is the first Shabu Shabu place I've tried in Boston, and it surpassed my expectations. My husband and I have recently relocated from the Bay are in CA, so we were very used to good Asian cuisine (the only 2 Japan Towns in the US are in the Bay area). I got the short ribs and my husband go the the prime and both were delicious. Mine was not a fatty but still very flavorful. The veggies that come with the dinners were good, but I like mushrooms as well so we ordered a side of assorted mushrooms. My husband had the standard broth base and thought it was kind of bland, but I was pleased with my selection of the Miso broth (it was an extra $3). There were a LOT of additional selections, which was kind of overwhelming b/c typically Shabu only has 2 choices of broth. I might try something more exotic next time, but I'm just not sure about mixing my cuisines- like selecting kimchee broth, or curry broth. But if I'm feeling crazy I just might ;) Overall it was good and I will go back. I do agree with some of the other reviewers in that it was a bit over priced for Shabu- our check with 2 dinners, extra mushrooms, and a small bottle of Sake was $65 before the tip.
(4)Steve K.
I've been to a lot of japanese restaurants, but so far this one takes the cake. This isn't your run of the mill hibachi or sushi Japanese establishment that you can find just about anywhere. If you've never had Shabu Shabu or "Hot Pot" before, I highly suggest you check this place out first. If you have, then get over here for your next trip. You will probably never go anywhere else. This was my first Shabu Shabu experience and I can say I was very impressed. I'm not generally into a "cook it yourself" restaurant. If I want to "cook it myself", I'll go to the store, buy the food and take it home. Why pay to cook your own food, right? This place on the other hand, definitely will take my "cook it yourself" business. First thing to remember... meal portions are big here! You don't need to go and order two plates for you and your significant other. You would find yourselves overwhelmed with food. Honestly, you don't even need appetizers, although I will be going back to try some of them. Second, it's not as expensive as it seems. Both the location (Chinatown right on the outskirts of the financial district) and the decor may be deceiving, but trust me... you can get away on the cheap here and feel pleasantly full and satisfied by the time you leave. My last meal for two here cost $45 after tip. $45? At this location? No way... Yes way! First we chose our broths - Japanese Soy Sauce w/ Seaweed (makes a great cooking broth as well as a soup) and Japanese Curry (best for cooking, didn't enjoy it as much as a soup). Keep in mind you also get free refills on the broths. They came in a split pot so there was no waiting for one or the other. Next on the order was the Meat Combo #2 w/ Black Angus Rib Eye & Boneless Short Rib. The short rib was my favorite of the two, but I do love rib eye, especially when it is Black Angus. The assorted veggies and noodles were also on this plate. Added to the veggies was the assorted tofu. A fair warning, tofu takes a LONG time to pick up flavor of the broths, so toss them in for a while. I recommend using the silk tofu for clear broths as it works better in a soup. Added to all this, a bottle of hot saki and two green teas were on the table. The saki was amazing and the green tea was good, but if you are more for a mild green tea, it may not be your "cup of tea" so to speak as it is a bit strong. Well, there you have it! $45.00 for all that! Kaze Shabu Shabu lets you head out for a night on the town after a nice quiet dinner for two, some green tea and hot saki. I can't think of a better dinner for two on that side of town.
(5)Melissa L.
There's a gazillion and a half reviews on this already, I know. But I just had to add this to my Boston list, since Kaze has had so much significance for me, and is definitely my favorite place for shabu in Boston. Which, having moved to New York, isn't saying much. But still, my favorite place in Boston. It's the only place where you can have a decent vegetarian platter with tons of stuff I like - spinach, daikon, bok choy, tofu, mushrooms. The short ribs platter is quite large, and the veggie side plate is a smaller version of the vegetarian platter, which is WAY better than Shabu Zen down the street, which has been trying to skimp on the veggies by replacing quality stuff with - oh, say - one piece of broccoli and one stick of carrot. I like that Kaze is huge, so you rarely have to wait for a seat, even in the busiest time of the week. Not only is it nice and spacious, it's clean, and has a nice big bar, with large flat screen TVs. Upstairs, there is even an enclosed area with a huge table so it can accommodate larger crowds. I've had shabu there as an after party with a theater cast of up to 18 people before. Lately, thought Kaze has been doing this thing where they've been replacing their Japanese sushi rice with a cheaper Chinese jasmine rice. Boo. It's irritating, and I wish they would change back to the rice I like better. Try the creamcorn croquette, and fried anchovies when you're there. Their appetizers are amazing.
(3)Liza C.
I love kaze shabu shabu wayyy better than shabu zen, which is so over-rated! kaze has many broths to choose from, japanese curry being my all-time favorite! we usually order one surf and turf and a side of meat and that fills my boyfriend and i up! the veggies are plentiful. i like the udon here more as well. and for a cold day, i love taking the long drive just to have me some hotpot to warm myself up. the fruit shakes are just ok.
(5)Xixi C.
Kaze is definitely my favorite hot pot spot. Great food and service. My favorite combination is the vegetarian Ma La soup base with Oden platter. Rest assured that your requests will be taken seriously - I have been to other restaurants where my requests for vegetarian soup base were neglected and I was given regular soup base - major failure. Try watermelon slush with your hot pot, it's a fantastic combination. I only wish Kaze offers more vegetarian options - more varieties of vegetables, but other than that, it's a fantastic spot to satisfy your hot pot cravings.
(5)Sheena K.
For some reason, my favorite foods & dining experiences are the ones where they make me do all the cooking.It's probably a trick by some clever and also lazy chefs, but somehow I fall for it every time. Shabu Shabu was no exception. This is a hearty winter meal which will allow you, at least temporarily, to forget how ridiculously cold Boston can get. The meats & the broth were both very flavorful (see warning below). We got a good selection of veggies & noodles on the side, and the waiters were very helpful in explaining cook times to us for each of the items. One piece of caution - I'm not big lamb eater, but decided to go for it and try the lamb. We later realized this was a big mistake as the lamb flavor got into the broth, and then all of the food we put in after ended up tasting like lamb. My recommendation would be to avoid the lamb, or at least cook it last or keep it separated from the other meats.
(5)Jason S.
Terrific hot pot here, as long as you avoid the Thai tomyum broth (tastes like fermented pepper with a sprinke of chalk dust). I recommend the Malaysian satay broth ($3 upcharge) with one of the combo meat deals - for about $15, you'll have a great meal. The shrimp tempura appetizer can be good, though sometimes the shrimp are undercooked for my tastes, but it's cool to see how they turn shrimp into long, straight pencil shapes when I'm accustomed to them looking more like question marks. The waitstaff is great about tending to the hot pots (presumably in hopes of avoiding fires, if not to please customers), but sometimes you need to beg for drink refills. I've never been rushed to leave this place, so if you're wandering around Boston and want a place to sit down and catch up with a friend over a bowl of hot soup, Kaze Shabu Shabu is for you.
(4)Carly L.
This is the place to go for shabu shabu! Personally, I prefer Kaze than Shabuzen. Kaze has thicker udon noodles and more veggies. The Kimchi broth brings a mild taste of home. Enough to get me through the semesters. Their portions are reasonable and service is prompt. I haven't had a bad experience here. I just hate their awful red lighting..
(5)A T.
When I seek a meal in Boston's Chinatown, I basically look for two things: 1) good food, and 2) a clean and attractive restaurant. Kaze Shabu Shabu offers good food that you cook at your table. The restaurant's interior is attractive, particularly compared to most Chinatown places. So, it wins on both of my criteria. I recently dined for lunch. I ordered the Vegetarian Delight, which was only $9.00. It came with a variety of greens, tomatoes, mushrooms, one-quarter of a corn cob, etc... In addition, I ordered the Japanese fish cake along with the homemade fish paste. Together, these two items added $10.00, but I wanted to try them. To a boiling pot of broth at my table, I added all the aforementioned ingredients in several batches. Once cooked -- each batch takes 1 to 3 minutes -- I then dipped the food into a sauce that I prepared ahead of time with various ingredients presented on the table. In addition to the food, which was very tasty, i ordered the recommended watermelon smoothie ($3.95), which was excellent. In fact, I liked it so much that I ordered a second. They also offer other fruit drinks along with other non- and alcoholic beverages. My meal was plentiful and next time I will order less, but I was eager to try the fish cake and fish paste. While I liked both, I preferred the fish paste, which added to the interesting cooking experience -- I carved off raw fish paste with a wooden knife and added it in clumps to the boiling water. The result was a solid piece of food. The wait service was generally good, particularly so around noon when the restaurant was less crowded, but as the restaurant filled up, the service slowed a bit. Separately, I did not enter the bathroom, which could have figured into my cleanliness rating. Kaze Shabu Shabu gets 5 stars for the quality of food and drink, the interesting way of cooking the food at one's table, and for the general attractiveness of the restaurant's interior.
(5)Xixi C.
Kaze is definitely my favorite hot pot spot. Great food and service. My favorite combination is the vegetarian Ma La soup base with Oden platter. Rest assured that your requests will be taken seriously - I have been to other restaurants where my requests for vegetarian soup base were neglected and I was given regular soup base - major failure. Try watermelon slush with your hot pot, it's a fantastic combination. I only wish Kaze offers more vegetarian options - more varieties of vegetables, but other than that, it's a fantastic spot to satisfy your hot pot cravings.
(5)Sheena K.
For some reason, my favorite foods & dining experiences are the ones where they make me do all the cooking.It's probably a trick by some clever and also lazy chefs, but somehow I fall for it every time. Shabu Shabu was no exception. This is a hearty winter meal which will allow you, at least temporarily, to forget how ridiculously cold Boston can get. The meats & the broth were both very flavorful (see warning below). We got a good selection of veggies & noodles on the side, and the waiters were very helpful in explaining cook times to us for each of the items. One piece of caution - I'm not big lamb eater, but decided to go for it and try the lamb. We later realized this was a big mistake as the lamb flavor got into the broth, and then all of the food we put in after ended up tasting like lamb. My recommendation would be to avoid the lamb, or at least cook it last or keep it separated from the other meats.
(5)Jason S.
Terrific hot pot here, as long as you avoid the Thai tomyum broth (tastes like fermented pepper with a sprinke of chalk dust). I recommend the Malaysian satay broth ($3 upcharge) with one of the combo meat deals - for about $15, you'll have a great meal. The shrimp tempura appetizer can be good, though sometimes the shrimp are undercooked for my tastes, but it's cool to see how they turn shrimp into long, straight pencil shapes when I'm accustomed to them looking more like question marks. The waitstaff is great about tending to the hot pots (presumably in hopes of avoiding fires, if not to please customers), but sometimes you need to beg for drink refills. I've never been rushed to leave this place, so if you're wandering around Boston and want a place to sit down and catch up with a friend over a bowl of hot soup, Kaze Shabu Shabu is for you.
(4)Carly L.
This is the place to go for shabu shabu! Personally, I prefer Kaze than Shabuzen. Kaze has thicker udon noodles and more veggies. The Kimchi broth brings a mild taste of home. Enough to get me through the semesters. Their portions are reasonable and service is prompt. I haven't had a bad experience here. I just hate their awful red lighting..
(5)A T.
When I seek a meal in Boston's Chinatown, I basically look for two things: 1) good food, and 2) a clean and attractive restaurant. Kaze Shabu Shabu offers good food that you cook at your table. The restaurant's interior is attractive, particularly compared to most Chinatown places. So, it wins on both of my criteria. I recently dined for lunch. I ordered the Vegetarian Delight, which was only $9.00. It came with a variety of greens, tomatoes, mushrooms, one-quarter of a corn cob, etc... In addition, I ordered the Japanese fish cake along with the homemade fish paste. Together, these two items added $10.00, but I wanted to try them. To a boiling pot of broth at my table, I added all the aforementioned ingredients in several batches. Once cooked -- each batch takes 1 to 3 minutes -- I then dipped the food into a sauce that I prepared ahead of time with various ingredients presented on the table. In addition to the food, which was very tasty, i ordered the recommended watermelon smoothie ($3.95), which was excellent. In fact, I liked it so much that I ordered a second. They also offer other fruit drinks along with other non- and alcoholic beverages. My meal was plentiful and next time I will order less, but I was eager to try the fish cake and fish paste. While I liked both, I preferred the fish paste, which added to the interesting cooking experience -- I carved off raw fish paste with a wooden knife and added it in clumps to the boiling water. The result was a solid piece of food. The wait service was generally good, particularly so around noon when the restaurant was less crowded, but as the restaurant filled up, the service slowed a bit. Separately, I did not enter the bathroom, which could have figured into my cleanliness rating. Kaze Shabu Shabu gets 5 stars for the quality of food and drink, the interesting way of cooking the food at one's table, and for the general attractiveness of the restaurant's interior.
(5)Lindsay D.
Been here twice both times with colleagues during lunch. I not only had fun but loved that I could eat healthy and have a long relaxing lunch. The food is fresh and delicious and the atmosphere clean and modern. The location is also very convenient. Try the spicy broth with your food as it has that extra bit of flavor your need when having shabu-style fare. I would go back more often if I didnt leave that job. Even my fiance who hates fondue loves this place because the food comes out quickly and in bulk. Especially the greens.
(4)Ken G.
Unique experience, our party of four really enjoyed the experience and the meal. You cook your meal at your table. You pick a broth, such as Tomyum, Miso, etc. , then you pick an entree such as vegetarian, seafood, surf and turf, etc. With the entree there is a choice of noodles as well. They bring the soup base in a split bowl that handles two bases and bring it to a boil at your table. You put the veggies and the meat and the seafood in the boiling broth, wait 10 or 15 minutes and it's done. It was great.
(4)Jotham O.
A friend and I went to this establishment. I liked the atmosphere, it has a very nice atmosphere. It's more pricey than the shabu shabu I often frequent. They offered more meat as part of the shabu, and I was very satisfied. I would come here again!
(4)Bryan R.
Went for the first time last week. Came again a few days later. Will probably make the long long trek over from the SCLA again sometime soon. I like Shabu Zen as well but the booths at Kaze are much better for small parties and the quality is better. Only thing I'd like to see is 1/2 bottles of sparkling sake like Zipang. For now, keep the scallions coming. Yes, we will actually eat as many bowls as you put on the table.
(4)Meagan F.
I love this place. Especially on a cold wintery day, or even simply when you just have a cold. Kaze Shabu Shabu offers a wide variety of sauces, entree selections, and noodles, that everyone will be able to find something they like. We decided to go a little bit daring this time, and since each pot can fit two different sauces, we ordered the Japanese Miso and Szechuan Spicy. Man was this one of the spiciest things I have ever eaten. Huge chilis, large kernels of black pepper, and tons of chili oil make up this fire-breathing goodness. The Miso helped cool our mouths down in addition to their amazingly fruity (albeit cheesy) cocktails. Mine tasted like honeydew melon. My fiance and I split the Surf and Turf with Prime Rib, some Udon, and the fried Oysters, all quite delicious and enough for two of us. The restaurant is funky, a little too bright to be romantic, according to my fiance, but offers just the perfect type of comfort food. To note: the service can be a little slow, especially when waiting for things from the bar, but the staff is patient enough to explain things and will (eventually) bring you what you ask for. Still worth it in my book.
(4)Simon T.
Better than I had in Tokyo.
(4)Lindsay D.
Absolutely delicious meal! My one wish is that my friend and I had shared a dish as the servings are sooo big!!!
(4)Erica l.
This place is actually better than I expected, everything was very modern and welcoming. After having dinner here with my friends i would agree that this is much better than shabu-zen. When I first walked in I was greeted by friendly and welcoming staff. The appetizers are a must have especially the Japanese hot dogs. Really liked the wide variety of the soup bases. The beef lover is also a must! The food was very fresh and it was definitely not freezer food like other restaurants. A great place for any occasion
(5)Doris K.
I used to really enjoy Kaze but I don't think I will ever go here again. 1. I think that someone accidentally dumped sugar into the BBQ sauce because it was SOOOO sweet. It has never been this way before so maybe it's a fluke but I'm not waiting around to find out. 2. I found a BIG bug in my watercress after I had boiled it and almost having eaten it I was thoroughly grossed out. Instead of offering to comp my meal, the waitress simply brought me a new pot of broth and a new veggie plate with some tofu that I had had boiling in my pot. I appreciate the fact that she decided to bring me an entirely new plate but I was also so disgusted that I couldn't eat anymore.
(2)Jason C.
A dining experience indeed! Kaze Shabu Shabu offers a variety meats, seafood, and veggies that is cooked in a boiling hot pot filled with your choice of soup base/broth. The restaurant is able to divide the hot pot in two to accomodate two soup bases so be sure to try two different ones. My recommendations for the soup base are the Japanese Curry and the Malaysian satay. The meats, seafood, and veggies are all very fresh. Since the meats are thinly sliced, they cook very quickly. The staff is extremely friendly and attentive. For first-timers, they walk you through the process of shabu shabu and they certainly make sure that you have the full dining experience. Prices are moderate; about $30 bucks a person (including tip, but not including alcohol). My eyes are always bigger than my stomach, but the portions are large enough to satiate a big appetite like mine. The Meat Combo 1 and veggies that accompany are just the right amount of food for me. My friend and I constantly crave shabu shabu and we always come back to Kaze. The earlier in the evening you go, the more seating there is. It gets pretty packed at around 8 pm on the weekends. ...it's a great date place too! ;-)
(5)Ali E.
I love hot pot. The seafood is so fresh you want to slap it and send it to it's room. This was confirmed to an almost disturbing degree when I ate at Kaze. I ordered the seafood platter, as I do in Shabu Shabu circumstances. I, however, am not a big clam fan, so I left mine untouched as I dunked my salmon and scallops and shrimp (oh my). Until it started crawling across the platter. I will repeat. The clam was still alive, and was sticking it's foot out of it's shell, and moving, presumably to avoid a certain death. THAT, my friend, is fresh seafood. Said clam spent the rest of the meal under a cup, behind a leaf of lettuce, on the other side of the table, however.
(4)Chelsie H.
It's Friday in Boston town. A leisurely stroll brings you to Kaze, right on the edge of Chinatown, by the RMV. You think, 'I'm starving, this place looks good. I'll check it out.' So you enter. There's a redhead sitting alone at the shabu bar, transfixed by a John Grisham novel and sipping a watermelon smoothie It's me. My Friday lunch break ritual is nearly always the same. I take myself out for a date (I'm kind of a sure thing, but I pick up the bill anyways, just to be sure,) and my favorite place to go is Kaze. When it's cold out, it's wonderfully warming food in a cozy atmosphere, and when it's warm out, the icy watermelon smoothie promise is too much to resist. First impressions: the restaurant itself is lovely and modern, immaculately clean, and the staff friendly and smiling. I have tried all of the different shabu platters, but my favorite is still the boneless short rib. Each platter comes with a plate of vegetables as well, all super fresh and delicious. I get the basic soup base, with rice, and on occasion a Sapporo. The quality of the food is really the star here, and I dare you to try to find a shabu place with fresher ingredients. They have a full bar, and an array of delicious smoothies, the watermelon one being the best in my opinion. If you can imagine drinking a watermelon, that is what this smoothie is like. So effing delicious. I think the only negative comment I could make about this place is that the waitstaff is not super attentive once you've been served your food. I don't like waiters that check in every 32 seconds, but once or twice through the course of a meal would be reasonable. I've waited upwards of 10-15 minutes to get my drink refilled, and even then I had to finally flag them down to ask for it. But that aside, this place is wonderful, SUPER cheap prices for a huge amount of food, delicious, healthy, and fresh. Definitely give this place a try, but if you see me at the bar demolishing beef and watercress while pouring over my John Grisham, don't bother me. I'm in another world and probably won't even hear you.
(4)Stephanie W.
I know this is going to make me sound stupid, but I didn't know this was a hot pot place. I had only tried hot pot once and didn't really enjoy it. But I stayed anyway and gave it a try here...and I'm glad I did. It was great. I was slow to warm up to it, but when it was all said and done and I was happy and full from lots of fresh veg and oh-so-tasty broth, I was won over. And the prices? YES- such a great value. If you've never tried hot pot before, or if you have somewhere else and didn't really like it, give this place a chance. The waiters are very patient, kind and understanding with newcomers and will show you what to do.
(4)Allison R.
i know very little about shabu. but i knew nothing one evening last march, when i resolved to have a fun dinner in chinatown and ended up at kaze. kaze was pretty empty around 8 on a friday night, so we were seated quickly. kirins and dumplings were ordered as we perused the menu and deliberated on broth and meat selections. i appreciated that it's possible to get a split pot of broth, so you can try two for (almost) the price of one). turns out, cooking thin strips of meat, veggies, tofu, and seafood in a pot of hot soup kind of rocks!
(4)Nikki B.
I went here for lunch with a coworker and it was even better than I expected it to be. Once you come in and are seated, a waitress arrives to take your drink order. Even though I just stuck with green tea, they have alcoholic beverages available as well, including a pretty good selection of Sake. After that, you select your meat (or vegetarian fare, they have vegetarian delight option featuring a bunch of tofu and veggies) . From there you pick your soup base that you'll cook your meal in, and a starch. I chose to get the combo of prime rib eye and lamb and the Thai tomyum soup base. For my starch, I got rice. The waitress will bring out the bowl with your broth, your meats (or veggie delight) and a selection of veggies to put into the broth for extra flavoring. On each table are a few sauces (chili paste, garlic, soy) for you to mix on your own. Once the broth is boiling, it's time to get started! Skewer your veggies and meat and boil in the pot until cooked, then eat how you like it with cooked veggies, rice (or noodles) and your custom sauces. My rib eye and lamb were delicious and the tomyum broth was just spicy enough and absolutely delicious, perfect to mix in with some rice when I was done with all of my meat. Service wise, this place was awesome. Our server was back every few minutes to make sure our drinks were full and even offered us some cooking tips (especially my friend who struggled a bit with his noodles) and help. Just one last word of advice- if you're not good with chopsticks, definitely smuggle in a fork! The meat and veggies can be a little hard to maneuver unless you're relatively accomplished with chopsticks!
(5)Shaina P.
Kaze does a great job at accommodating large groups of people. I tested this out on my birthday. 14 of us spread out on the second floor of the restaurant. I apologize for our behavior to the other patrons trying to just have a nice dinner out... Only thing is, not all of the tables have burners at them. In which case you're probably just supposed to share... but if you're a friend of mine, you insist on getting an extra burner at all cost! Despite the issues with the burners, it was a very entertaining night watching my friends who had never even heard of shabu try to figure it out with broth down their shirts and noodles all over their faces.
(5)Christine L.
This is my absolute favorite place for hot pot! Prices are what you expect for hot pot, which is to say not cheap, but it's so gosh darn addictive that I'm willing to sign a pact with the devil for that pink frosted donut! In my opinion, most bang for your buck is to get the short rib combo, one additional side (I get daikon) and one of those BIG sapporo's. This will probably run $30 after tip and tax. I would give this place four stars because the service, as with all asian restaurants can be spotty. What earns them that extra star is because of the following anecdote: One evening after filling up on prescribed meal above, my co-workers and I began discussing what a sake bomb is. We, at the time, had no intention of consuming said drink... that is until our waiter popped his head from around the booth and proclaims, "Saaaake booomb?", So began our descent into debauchery and it has continued in tradition weeks subsequent to this.
(5)John L.
Until the night of the Yelp prom, I had never done Shabu Shabu before. Kudos to Roni for putting up the event, because I would have never come here otherwise. So, the basics of shabu shabu (at least what I think they are) are that you order broths, a meat, and a noodle-related thing, and you dip the latter two (as well as some veggies) into said broth. Now, based on what broth you get, you get different tastes, as the broths are infused into the foodstuffs. It's quite good, actually. It's particularly good for a group setting (in this case, myself, Roni, Becki W. , Ben L., John R., and later on Heather H. and Joey M.) It was a little slow, particularly in getting seated, but overall a good experience.
(4)S L.
Chinease version of Shabu Shabu?! Fun to try two differenct stocks with great portions!
(4)Yvonne W.
The server we had was unprofessional and annoying -- she was friendly and attentive, maybe too attentive, but she just acted too immature. They need some older (or at least more mature) servers here. Also, she kept pushing us to order things that we didn't want -- uhh, NO. That's probably my only complaint about this place because we liked everything else -- the soup base selection is great (we had the Sichuan spicy and tonkotsu broths, which were both really good), as is the noodle selection; i really liked the potato noodles and the spinach noodles that we got. We got a seafood combination plate, the lamb/beef slice plate, and I had the plum martini (can't remember the name), and my lovely had the rose by the glass. Their vegetable platter that comes with each entree is pretty good - loved the taro pieces in them. The sa cha sauce is SO good with the meats. I had to get more of it! The drinks we got were really good, too, and not overly sweet. The seafood and meats were well prepared and fresh. Words of advice, though: don't get the free soup base -- I had that the first time I came here about two years ago, and it's such a disappointment (it's free, so I guess we can't expect much). The decor here is also very modern and trendy, but not in a snooty way. I'll definitely be back here for more hot pot since it's getting colder now.
(3)Elena B.
Hands down the BEST hot pot restaurant around the Boston area. The lunch prices can't be beat. The restaurant is big and I've never had to wait. I've never had a problem with the food, it is always fresh and always prepared correctly. The service is pretty good, can get slow when it is busy but hey, they are only human. Only complaint, parking is difficult but I guess that's the case for anything in Boston.
(5)Kelly C.
Loved this shabu place. It's very spacious, so there was no wait, even on a Saturday night. Pretty big portions for decent prices - Prime rib shabu, dumplings and shrimp tempura for about $20 each. The pot is split in two so you can choose different broths - the kimchi one was delicious and spicy. The service could have been much more attentive though. Overall, a great spot for some hotpot.
(4)Tracy C.
This is our go to place for hot pot. Immaculately clean, contemporary and spacious. Great selections of delicious meats and food. They have all sorts of broth from herbal to pho to tom yum.
(5)Thy L.
I was so happy when Kaze opened a couple years back. I really hated the fact that Shabu Zen was my only option for hot pot. I prefer Kaze for sure! Here's why: 1) More space means less wait. Kaze has two floors to serve both you and me! 2) The udon here is nice and fat, just the way I like it. The udon at Shabu Zen look like they have anorexia. 3) Prime Rib Combo as a Meat Combo option. I don't need to settle for crappy quality beef to get variety. I can get my prime rib and lamb! 4) Extended choices for soup bases. Shabu Zen only has plain pork broth and a few spicy soup bases. Kaze has the spicy varieties along with other notable ones like Japanese Curry, Malaysian Satay, Japanese Tonkotsu, Miso and more! One thing I think Kaze could improve on though is their waitstaff. They need friendlier and happier people. Although the girl I got at lunch today was pretty awesome, generally their servers leave a lot to be desired.
(4)Michael C.
Great place for a leisurely dinner or lunch! Dinner here is a wonderful experience. The food is fresh, displayed in a manner that really makes you want to dig in. The staff is great about showing how get started (it can be a bit confusing the first time). Once served the staff tends to disappear. They need to work at paying more attention to the dinners. This is definitely a place to come if you want to take your time eating.
(4)Jess W.
I'm not a hater but that pink neon lighting inside the restaurant has got to go. Nothing says tacky more so than neon lights. Other than that, I love everything about Kaze! It's not as centrally located as say Shabu Zen or the Hot Pot Buffet but it's still very close and easy to find. There is also a parking lot right next to Kaze which charges $5/ half hour. Not a bad deal considering how difficult it is to park in Chinatown and that paying $10-15 is a lot less painful than having to pay a ticket. They give more veggies and vermicelli than Shabu Zen. Almost too much vermicelli because I never finish it.
(4)D M.
Alright, so this has become the hot spot for me and Dorian anytime we want Shabu. Shabu Zen pales in comparison in my opinion, and the service is lovely. We always end up getting waited on by Rachel, who must know of brunching habits by now. The true science of really enjoying shabu is ordering more of what you want. Dorian goes for a boat load of mushrooms, and gives me all of her greens, and you should always go for extra noodles if you feel like one bowl isn't enough. The veggie platter is awesome, and I often go for that happily, but when I am feeling carnivorous, I go for the regular beef. The rib eye honestly doesn't taste as awesome to me. My preferred broth are any of them that are spicy and lighter, like the tom yum, which is spicy and vinegary, with a lovely ginger flavor. If you haven't done shabu before, do yourself a favor and go here. It's really the best you can find.
(5)R.G. W.
I like Kaze Shabu for its calming & intimate atmosphere (high backed booths for parties of 3 or more), sheer selection of meats and side dishes (try the ostrich and home made fish paste noodle), and assorted broths. In general, it's more expensive than the other shabu places, particularly at dinner time. I wish they offered tofu skin, standard, but most American people don't like this, so I suppose it's okay. I've considered bringing my own to drop in, but I wonder what they'd say?
(4)Michelle L.
We just had a party there, 10 of our girls, and we had a great time! The food was great, many soup bases and a variety of things to select from. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. I love the little details like the pink flowers on the menu. Since we were sitting in the middle of the second floor, it is a little bit noisy and difficult to talk to each ohter. Also the service is a little bit slower than we would like. But still very good.
(4)Cynthia C.
Yummy yummy yummy shabu shabu. I've had it once before at a shabu place in LA and it was NOT a good experience but this place redeemed Shabu in my eyes. Kimchi broth, miso broth, beef, vegetables, udon noodles, simply delicious.
(4)Tom E.
Modern and warm, with a fantastic selection of different meats and appetizers and far less crowed than nearby Shabu Zen, Kaze is definitely the number one Shabu Shabu spot in Boston. It's Japanese / Chinese run with excellent waitstaff, so why not make a dick of yourself and have a go at some of the few words you learnt from TV? "Ichiban, qing!" :s I came here with a big group on a cold cold night at the beginning of December and we experimented our little hearts off and came up with this guide for you.... TWO PEOPLE: Meat: * One seafood special * One prime rib and lamb Soups: * Korean (best dipping flavor, not so spicy but then none are) * Chinese Herbal (good contrast, makes best soup at the end) Deserts: * One kiwi smoothie (to share - it's very filling) My only problem with this place was the szechuan spicy soup which really wasn't very spicy at all. Ive had true szechuan hot pot and was close to calling a paramedic. I was hoping for that experience here again, or at least something that tingled my tongue. Alas, not to be - but the other soups were at least very flavourful.
(5)Kenny L.
For my Boston send-off back to California, my fellow Yelpers and I gathered here to complete my Shabu Trifecta, especially since my very first Yelp night was at Shabu Zen followed by Lanes and Games! This was definitely the best shabu shabu out of the three. I can tell you all about Kaze Shabu that others have already talked about. But what don't the others have in the Trifecta that Kaze does? Shabu Zen - Reservation is well recommended as it can be very busy with limited available seating. Everyone in the party must arrive in order to be seated. Shabu Shabu Toki - medium size seating area compared to Kaze and comparable to Shabu Zen. Side vegetable with your choice of meat is around $4 extra, bring the cost of your entree to a total of a least around $20 each person. No choice of noodles. No plates or bowls for serve oneself when we were there; I was reusing the bowl that came with the udon noodles. And the tea was barely hot (an Asian sin)! Kaze Shabu - Easiest reservations. Me: Can I have reservation for 8 on Saturday? Receptionist: Sure! Called back the next day Me: Can I add two more to the party for a total of 10 tomorrow Receptionist: Sure! Ample space for groups in two stories of space! The choices were plentiful and the prices were reasonable. My only two gripes about Kaze is that it is not a true authentic Japanese shabu shabu (expect no Japanese chefs or servers here). Menu also have only Chinese as the alternative language. Sorry Spanish speakers. And the beef bouillon booth was a bit light and could have had more flavor. I noticed that Allix's vegie miso broth uses the same soup base! Yikes! Oh, and if you're dining with her, make sure to watch out for scalding hot broth coming your way; duck unless you want to get burned! Kidding :) You should definitely read Allix's review (and the idea is from her) as well, but here's my tribute to my fellow Yelp friends that night: S, is for the Saturday night we gathered here for my send-off from Boston. H, is for the happy memories we can reminisce on in the future. A, is for the ample food you will consume at reasonable prices. B, is for the boiling hot broths that you can cook and warm yourself up in a cold winter night. U, is for the uber awesome Yelp friends I have in Boston :)
(4)Ann C.
IT'S AWESOME. Especially if you like dining to be an "event". Great service, inviting atmosphere (love the 80s nightclub ceiling on the first floor!) amazing selection to suit all tastes! Even if you don't feel hungry or ambitious enough for hot pot, you can just snag a delicious appetizer or two, which are equally as well prepared. The soup broth selection runs all over the map of East Asia - so if your not actually in the mood for the Japanese ones, you can get Malaysian Satay, Thai Tom Yum, etc. The veggies and meat are ALWAYS at their freshest. And the complimenting beverages don't disappoint.........they have green tea smoothies and pina coladas here!! :D
(5)Ellen C.
Me and eighteen of my closest friends descended upon Kaze Shabu Shabu for my birthday this past weekend, and we had an excellent time. I had made a reservation, and when we arrived there was a large table set up with plenty of elbow room for everyone. An army of waitstaff was ready to take care of us, and they did a stellar job -- no problems whatsoever with incorrect orders, and everything was *fast*. The prices here are very reasonable -- the total came out to $19 each for the food, and we got lots and lots of food. There's a good selection of alcohol (sake, beer, wine, cocktails), and food options for vegans/vegetarians, pescatarians, and those who love plates full of red meat. The shabu pots are split into two sections, so you can have two different kinds of broth -- great for sharing. The location is accessible, right off the Chinatown stop, and right next to 93. Conclusion: Kaze Shabu Shabu = love.
(5)Mina K.
In the crazy weather of today (lower 50's with wind and rain), omg... This stuff definitely hit the spot. =) It was amazing... and i always forget how much i can actually eat until I come here. YUM! It's only a bit expensive for my taste... however, it was worth every single penny, especially on a day like today.
(4)Amanda L.
Best part of the dinner? (Besides the fact that we were celebrating the lovlie Chere's bday, and the fact there was CAKE). Ligaya teaching me how to make a chopsticks holder out of my chopsticks wrapper. Anyway, I'm going to be a tad honest here. I'd like to say that I was tremendously excited to finally partake in some Shabu. It's seriously like a demi-god in the world of Yelp, so I was expecting some like of divine revelation or something. ...::insert sad face:: Maybe I picked the wrong broth, or I left it in too long, or didn't leave it in long enough, but most of it was flavorless. The only redeaming factor was the paste and soy sauce that I soaked my food in. I'll admit, I only got the miso base and the regular base....but I was not excited (Especially since it's $3.00 for each base!) I'm also glad me and my BF shared the Surf and Turf, because if we had gotten our own meal, it would have been a hellova lot of money!! For $17.00 I expected a lot more meat/fish. Instead, there were three of everything. I don't know, but that doesn't equal $17.00 in my book. I also expected more veggies. Some of the other reviewers mentioned they give the most veggies here....but I didn't see it. There wasn't enough room either. Maybe it was because there were so many of us, but there was NO room left, at all. I really hate to be the Debbie Downer, so I'll try to end with some positive things. I like the whole interactive dining experience, because it just makes it more fun. My strawberry smoothie was delicious. The service was better than I expected given there were so many of us. The place is REALLY pretty, down to the place mats and the menu. I don't want to say I wouldn't come back here, but I'm not in a hurry to go back either. 3.5 stars. I'm bumping it up to 4 ONLY because I was surrounded by the best Yelpers EVER!
(4)Nathen S.
Great food and helpful servers. First time at hot pot restaurant and it was a great time.
(4)Debbie N.
Despite the profusion of shabu restaurants in the Boston area in the past couple of years, Kaze remains my choice shabu place. The tom yum soup base is deliciously spicy, the food is fresh, and the smoothies are yummy. The fast, attentive service here beats its competitors out of the water (ahem, nearby shabu-zen and quincy's shabu). Also, the restaurant has a lot of space (2 floors), and so there is rarely a wait for a table.
(5)Katie D.
SO FUN! My coworkers and I would come eat here every other Friday or so because it's just a great experience and the food (which you cook yourself) is delicious! Relatively cheap and they've got some great drinks, too.. definitely one of our favorite spots we know we can come to!
(5)Alan Y.
I had a good experience at Kaze Shabu Shabu after coming here for the first time with 3 other friends. We ordered four different types of broth (I ordered the Malaysian satay) as well as two orders of mixed lamb, pork, chicken, and beef. The meat was thinly sliced and contained very little fat and my broth was pretty spicy. The entrees also came with some vegetables and a bowl of udon sauce. It was all pretty tasty, but I wasn't exactly satiated since we had basically ordered one plate for two people. I also wish the serving sizes were bigger. However, I will definitely come here again.
(4)Annie P.
I ain;t going to lie.. MAD clean restaurant for Chinatown. WICKED, HELLA.. whatever coast slang you want. No fish smell! Huge deal for all of us sensitive yet accurate hunting dog nose people. Eric should be my best friend. He was the nicest somewhat innocent waiter that a group of confused Shabu Shabu beginners of the United Colors of NYC/Boston Benetton taste buds (one halfJapanesehalfWhite, one halfVietnamesehalfWhite, one Thai and two Koreans) could ask for. I've done the whole individual shabu pot thing but never the sharing with groups thing. It's an indeed fun, bonding and double dipping so trust your seating arrangement neighbor chomping experience. There were so many parties of 6-20 just enjoying themselves that it made me go into rage mode to think they were actually able to gather that many "friends" to go eat there all at the same time same night! Amazing. This place has two sections per pot so strict lined diet humans can come too. Nothing too complicated in the whole process... don't worry your pink brain to pieces... it's more like common sense cooking skills that will get you far in this place. If you;re lacking that... I don;t know what to tell you.. order more sake or beer.. just kidding.. just know these two things: ** Make your sauce ** This means in slow language: You see the minced garlic and chopped scallions with side sauces they laid out infront of you? Now what can that possibly be? Why??? Get your chopsticks or that stabby metal stick you've been dying to use and put a little bit of whatever you want in the already poured brown sauce in small dish they put to the right of you. Voila... dipping sauce. ** Cook according to texture and rawness ** For example... put the longer to cook in complimentary vegetables like radish and corn on cobb first to boil in the soup. This goes for the Udons (fish cakes) too. Meats only take 10 seconds like you do in Pho! Now you are an expert. Play and eat well. Life is pimp in Shabu(I love saying that word)Shabu land.
(4)Rudy W.
food is freshly cut from frozen meat selection. a bit on the pricey side for the amount of the food you are getting. its a good place to get to know shabu2, but an expensive way of learning the food. there is one interesting soup. malaysian satay soup base. I haven't had that for a while and surprisingly enough, in boston there are many of the restaurant using the name malaysian satay.
(3)Ami R.
This was our first hot pot experience in Boston. After reading the reviews from Yelp, I was excited. The reviews were spot on this time. We were seated upstairs on a Sunday afternoon. The place was pretty much empty. We ordered the Japanese curry and kimchi curry base, with a vegetable plate and a lamb/chicken plate. Overall, a great place to check out on a cold winter day for some flavorful soup. Prices were decent and the concept of creating your own soup was fun!!
(3)Alex L.
First time at a shabu shabu place and loved it! Great, friendly staff, and really good food. A few notes: I normally love spicy food, but the schezuan was a bit too intense even for me. My wife's japanese soy bouillon was really salty - I think my plan next time is to get as mild a base as possible and concentrate on the dipping sauces / condiments. Will return soon!
(4)Ligaya T.
Yay for renovation - dirty karaoke bar, begone! Now the place is a huge shabu shabu (Japanese hot pot) place. The upstairs has pastel colored, spacious booths great for groups of six or less and two electric tops. I'm used to the counter style service, but this is a good alternative when you've got a bigger group and want to relax. We ordered the tomyum and regular soup base with a seafood combo and chicken, and the prime rib. The slices seemed a bit thicker than those at Shabu Zen and tasted great. The tomyum broth was spicy goodness! The veggie selection included watercress, taro, corn and turnip which aren't so common at other spots, so I was pleased. They even had ice tofu, which is layered and more spongey than other types. My companion spoke Cantonese, so the server was nice, not friendly, but helpful. She brightened up when I ordered a bottle of sake. Which upon drinking, made the panning for noodles and stray bits at the bottom of the pot loads more fun. They give all the right tools, pokey thing for raw meat, scooper wire net, chopsticks, and wide spoons too.
(4)Alyssa N.
I don't mind cooking my own food when the price is reasonable. Shabu shabu was lots of fun here, if a bit confusing at first. Once we got the hang of it, dinner went smoothly. A word of advice - skip the vermicelli noodles. They proved hard to wrangle into the scoop to dip into the pot of broth. On a totally random note - the ladies room has a very cool sink. More arty than you'd expect to find downstairs at a restaurant in Chinatown. Was also relatively clean.
(4)Jonathan L.
I was pleasantly surprised during and after trying Shabu Shabu. I'm not sure why I doubted it in the first place, but it may have been because it was my first time at a place of this sort. I will be returning and am almost motivated to go to B-town just for it. Service is great, atmosphere is fantastic, and the cooking sauces are extremely tasty. A top-notice place all around.
(4)Anna F.
Don't go looking for a cheap lunch here. Expect to pay $20-25 a piece for lunch and drink and a shared appetizer. That said the food is really good. The presentation and service are stellar as well. I have been there three times, introducing a friend to hot pot each time. It's an adventure each time as I try new foods like ostrich and strange fish cakes. The soup bases are really the highlight- but beware- they can be very spicy! At lunch time they play soap operas on the TV's. Just FYI.
(4)Laura L.
I LOVE HOT POT! Shabu Shabu most of the time has a line but it goes by pretty quickly. The service is quick, nice and straight forward. I always get the short rib with tons of veggies put in the kimchee spicy broth. DELICIOUS! The wait staff is very friendly and helpful always ready to pour you more broth and fill your water. Jut remember to not wear white!
(4)Janie W.
I love Kaza Shabu. Boston does a fantastic shabu, and I haven't been able to find anything quite like it in other cities. I usually get the short-rib combo with vermicelli, plus one or two sides of veggies. The soup is delicious and I love the mix it yourslef sauce. The price is very affordable, especially the lunch deals.
(5)jenilee p.
It's Chinatown Shabu^2 face off time: Zen vs. Kaze. Today, after much debate and deliberation among fellow hot pot enthusiasts, I do believe that the win goes to Kaze by a slim margin. When faced with an unshakable need to soak raw beef in hot broth, either one will fulfill your needs. But in the case of Kaze, the standalone building offers a slightly more formal, pleasant atmosphere compared to the rowdy lunchroom dinner setting of Shabuzen. The other big plus? At lunch time, there is a choice of broth ranging from classic beef bullion to tomato to spicy szechuan to a pork-based tonkatsu offering. Just another dimension of flavor to enjoy as your meat and vegetable dipping session runs its course. For those unfamiliar with this interactive meal, I'd try the place during lunch. It makes for a pretty good business lunch joint, as it's nicely decorated, fairly quiet, and the price point is right. I recommend ordering the meat combo #1 (beef, with choice of lamb/chicken/pork). A plate of vegetables including corn on the cob, some sort of watercress, spinach, cabbage, shiitake mushroom, a daikon slice, and a piece of white sweet potato will also arrive at your table to join your meat selection. You must also choose a broth, as I've noted above. I recommend going with the beef bullion (for a first timer), the miso is apparently very good, and if you like a little kick, I also thought the kimchi was delectable. When your meat arrives, use your chopsticks, and give it about three to four two-second swishes through the broth, until the thin slices are cooked through. Dip into your sauce and enjoy. With regard to the vegetables, the corn takes the longest to cook, so I usually dump that in first. The cabbage also takes a bit of time, and picks up nice flavor from the liquid. Use your own judgment, there's no wrong way to do this, just add veggies, meat, dip, eat. I always leave udon noodles for the end, dragging them out after a light cooking, and adding bits of the various condiments to the top to enjoy and drag the lunch out just long enough to muster enough courage to return to the office. And of course, don't forget to savor that delicious broth that you worked so hard on. I'm very glad I took part in the Shabu Shabu Summit. I hope our results encourage you to give Kaze Shabu Shabu a try.
(4)Renee G.
It was midnight on a cold and rainy Saturday night. I was starved and drunk - alas, not drunk enough to forget that I was starved, or that it was cold and rainy. As my friend and I stumbled into Chinatown, Kaze Shabu Shabu beckoned us, all warm-looking and well lit. We were sold. Cheap and quick had initially been the name of the game, but not-so-cheap, not-so-quick, and there turned out to be good enough. I got my stiletto-clad foot stuck between the door and the top step on the way in, which I should have perhaps taken as an omen of pain to come. "Pain?" you ask. The math: (inebriation + extreme hunger) - (patience + common sense) * a plate of assorted foodstuffs to be dipped in a pot of boiling-hot broth = OUCH. I seared both the tongue and the roof of my mouth with my first bite and liberally splattered my decolletage with scalding liquid. It was not. Enjoyable. However, I remain confident that it would have been delicious had I retained the presence of mind to eat like a normal human being and not someone raised by wolves, and would love to go back. Sober.
(3)Orly M.
So, I have now completed the Shabu trifecta, much like Kenny, who I already miss and needs to get his butt back here for more shabu. Now, shabu is the food of my dreams. I am obsessed with three things: 1)Soup; 2)Condiments; and, 3)Making food needlessly complicated and time consuming to eat. So, shabu is clearly the food for me, with the many utensils and ingredients and sauces and all of that broth. This place was so cute, down to the cute little logo on their chopsticks. We were seated in a big, comfy table in our own little section, which was nice -- we had plenty of space and could concentrate on the conversation and the task at hand. I was sick and it was making me stoooopid so I made a major mess. At least I entertained my fellow yelpers, I guess. Now the bathroom was kind of terrible -- fine, make it a unisex bathroom, but does it need a urinal? I know aiming can be hard when you're covered in soup, but I think guys can handle peeing in the toilet. And heat would be a good idea. And hot water. Having a shabu filled warm tummy and then going to a bathroom like the tundra sucks. Oh yeah, so I bet you wanna know about the food. It ROCKS! Seriously. I got the chicken and beef combo plate. The veggie plate that came with it was by far the most generous and best of all of the shabu places. The tom yum broth and szechuan spicy were both amazing. Nice and spicy!! I may be a white girl, but I like my food spicy, and this place delivered. Lastly, I got the spinach noodles. Yum!!! I could go for some right now.
(5)Lauren B.
Oh Shabu Shabu. I am a vegetarian who eats fish but has no interest in meat which makes sharing food with meat eating people not that fun. BUT at Shabu, Shabu everybody gets what they want because you make it yourself! Be sure to follow their suggested cooking times, eat up all your vegetables and not go too crazy with the sauces. Oh, and be prepared to take what you can't eat home (and there will be plenty). This is a great place to come with friends because the whole process of deciding on what you want, being brought your ingredients and cooking it at the table can take awhile. I would imagine this would be the worst possible place for a first date or, worse, to be with people with whom you frequently share uncomfortable silences. And don't forget to order a scorpion bowl for one, even if you are eating with enough people to get a regular size. It will ruin the experience.
(4)Kevin W.
Devon, I was reading your post about your Kaze and it said that you and your bf do this for NYE and its a tradition, its funny that you should say that because my and the gf do that as well. For the past few years we always have done Shabu-Zen in C-Town not the one in brighton, but this year we did Kaze and thought it was serviceable. Between Kaze and Shabu-Zen I like Zen, but I feel like who ever lowers their price by a few bucks will win the battle and see more revenue. If youre craving Shabu t his place is great! Check it out.
(4)Shaula C.
Have to agree with MzLizz M. here: This is a great crucible for a first date. Very little about the shabu experience can be described as graceful -- you find yourself slopping broth everywhere, fumbling with mollusks in those little dipping baskets and fiddling with the temperature control dials. But the food is tasty and conveniently modular (sharing is good fun!), and there's a nice collaborative aspect to the whole thing. Plus, you've got plenty of built-in talking points if you're stuck for conversation. And if your date can't handle that ... well, it probably wasn't going to work out anyway. Protip: The Vegetarian Delight paired with either the Thai tom yum or the Malaysian satay broth is heavenly (especially on a bone-chilling winter night).
(4)Ezra A.
Lots of fun cooking your own food. They do a good job of teaching the uninitiated in proper swishing techniques. Beef tongue was surprisingly good. Of course the Ribeye was my favorite.
(4)Alex T.
Kaze used to be my favorite place to go to for shabu in all of Boston. The portions are bigger here than Shabu-Zen, the service is friendly and efficient, and the soups were top notch ( love the herbal). If I wrote this review even a couple months ago, I would have given this place a solid 3 stars. Unfortunately, most of their cooks have since left and a visit here this past weekend showed a huge drop in food quality and portions. I'm sorry, but I can't excuse a piece of salmon sliced paper thin. The beef is also sliced super thin and the color led me to question the freshness. Service has stayed pretty consistent but the food has really gone downhill. I understand prices of food has gone up but the difference is just night and day. I'd rather they raise their prices or something else rather than kill the quality and quantity. Unfortunately, with all the choices in and around Boston for shabu, I don't think I will be frequenting this location much anymore.
(2)Yui K.
Perfect spot for our Asian Night get together because..... can it get any more asian? Waiter tried to trick us saying one order feeds one person. We had three orders for five. Coupled with some sake and sapporos made for good conversations and good times. Forget the free soup base, get the kimchi. Zest and flavor infused in every thin piece of prime rib, scallop, and turnip. Tofu purse from the oden plate was a big hit too. How To ShabuShabu guide in the menu gives precise seconds to minutes time to dunk said food. Manager showed us newbs how to mixmake the sauce.
(4)Jared S.
Went here with my gf after she flew in from San Francisco. Was a perfect meal. We had the Surf & Turf #1 (with Prime rib). Used the Thai Tomyum and Japanese Miso broths. Was a perfect amount of food for 2. Also had a seaweed salad appetizer and shared the Mango Mouse dessert. Great dinner. Will definitely go back.
(5)Lina G.
I love Japanese cuisine, therefore, I was bound to like shabu shabu. This is a great place....very accessible by the T and right in the center of Chinatown. Went there with my hubby, I was a little nervous at first because the thought of him cooking his own food (with boiling water) kinda scared me. Well we ordered the seaweed salad appetizer which was great. I was so tasty and dressed perfectly. We got the surf and turf with chicken. I'm not a fan of chicken at all so I got a side of tofu. It was yum yum!!! They give you a bit of garlic, scallions, hot sauce to mix in the soy sauce you use for dipping and man, I can drink that shizz. Overall it was fabulous, the service was good (had to remind the waitress about the sauces) and the food yumm-o. The only con is the price, just a bit steep but isn't everything lately?
(4)Lucy B.
I can't tell you how much I love this place. It's relatively inexpensive - like 12 bucks a person - the wait staff is really nice and attentive. The food is fresh and lovely. The broths are always so good, I haven't figured out which one is best, but I can tell you the Szechuan broth is SPICY. They give you so much food too! The veggie platter comes packed with cabbage, a delicious mushroom, watercress, spinach, turnip, radish, tomato, and more. The meat is cut frozen and rolled for a nice presentation. Great date place, or awesome place to bring a group of people. Love love love this place, I've been craving it constantly.
(5)Teresa T.
My family's go to place for hot pot in Chinatown is Shabu Shabu so was looking forward to mixing things up by going to Kaze Shabu Shabu. Kaze Shabu Shabu is on the edge of Chinatown and is in a distinct purple cube. A friend had gotten reservations for five of us on a weeknight though upon entering it didn't seem like they were needed. We sat at a booth which were comfortable though the backs of the chairs were thin (kids were sitting right in back of us and kept kicking the seats). The service was friendly though sometimes a little slow however the menu is quite extensive. I am use to just choosing from two or three broths but they had probably about three to four times that. Also they had a lot more beer and drinks to choose from but no smoothies. I settled on the tom yum broth ($3), seafood deluxe with udon ($18) and a hot tea. The tom yum was delicious but spicy and the seafood deluxe had a nice assortment from clams and squid to salmon and fish balls though I kept wondering if these were fresh (there was still some ice on the seafood). I was stuffed by the end and felt that the experience and price were reasonable so I think I would come back here again.
(4)Kadin L.
i just love everything about this place, from their watermelon smoothie to the prime ribeye beef. oh my gawd, i love the prime ribeye soooooo omuch! Every time i go there, i get Miso and Kimchi for my soup base and an order of Fried Spicy Jumbo Tentacles, seaweed salad, watermelon smoothie, prime-ribeye(x2 if there's alot of ppl), surf and turf with prime ribeye, and tofu skins. I love it here, but there appetizers are kind of overpriced, i mean 6 dollars for some seaweed salad? but they have special hours for half-priced appetizers. Totally recommend KAZE!
(4)Susan D.
Coming to Chinatown since the 80's, I am glad to see that they made better use of this building. Although from the pink flourescent lights outside, you can gather what it was before it became a fine restaurant. This was my first shabu-shabu experience outside my mother's doors. Boy, it was perfect. I chose the tomyum soup base (spicy, yet complex with slightly sweet and tamarind flavors). At our booth, they divided our pot with a metal divider. So, we essentially shared the whole meal in the same pot: half tomyum and half basic broth. We ordered the seafood array, the red meats with lamb, and a huge vegetable platter. Dumping your food in the boiling broth along with chopped garlic and bbq paste (you got to!) and coming up with delicious tidbits was more exciting than I thought it would be. My favorite part was the watercrest and baby corns absorbing all that delicious tomyum broth. Then, I ladled soup onto my udon noodles and I have myself THE perfect soup. Being Vietnamese, I know my soups. If your company isn't all that interesting, go ahead and play with your food. Use that spider web and search/sieve for straggling goodies on the bottom. Then, slurp up the delicious broth you made. *side note: private & very clean women's room (don't know about the men's) very good green tea ice cream I like this establishment better than Shabu zen
(5)Christopher D.
Food was awesome. I had the Black Angus rib eye and it was delicious. I also had the boneless short rib which was very, very good. My gf had the seafood platter; parts of it were better than others. The service was outstanding. Our waitress helped us with our food and broth selection, and was very attentive throughout. The ambiance isn't exactly romantic, but it's fun and casual. I will definitely be returning.
(4)Kenneth C.
This place is outstanding. My partner and I routinely drive the hour and a half to Boston just to have diner here. The food is amazing, the price is great and the service couldn't be better. I recommend this place to everyone I know that is going near china town.
(5)Sarah S.
I have been here a few times now, all with Yelping Goddess Aretha... it's every bit as wonderful as she says it is. It takes a little getting used to in terms of cooking times and especially getting those noodles out of the pot!!, but it's filling and delicious. My tip: if you can't eat it all, cook all your veggies and what have you in the pot and ask for a to-go container. Don't waste it; it's great for leftovers too!
(5)Ha T.
Darn Kaze for being so delicious and all kinda yummies! The flavors at Kaze cannot be replicated at its counterpart literally down the street-- Shabu-Zen. We use to come here at least once, if not twice, a week when we lived in the city. So it's hot pot--choose your flavor broth (Kim Chee) and sea meats or land meats (Seafood delight or Vegetarian delight) and you get staple veggies. Tidbits: don't eat here before clubbing and tie back long hair or else it's gonna smell like chicken fish broth. Lunch specials are same meats, only a little smaller portions (but still lots of food).
(5)Mia D.
YUM YUM YUM! I took a coworker here last week and had a fabulous time! One tip though, if you are foodies, sit at the bar and you can each get your own bowl of 2 soup bases! If we sat at a table, we would have had to share the soups, but our waitress suggested we sit at the bar and we could each get our own 2 soups! Way to go for sure!!! The reason for the 4 bars is really based on price, I thought for the price, it was a little steep for what you got. I mean, come on, no tofu with the veggie plate? And I got ONE mushroom, seriously!!! Of course got plenty of cabbage and spinach (read, cheap!) and how are you supposed to eat corn after its been in a hot broth? Also didn't like that they charged you extra for rice ($1.75) for a bowl of white steamed rice? Come on, that's expensive!!! Okay, but the meal itself was divine! I had the miso base and the kimchi base, I definitely preferred the kimchi base. I got the surf and turf combo 1 which I believe had the better beef option (but still felt it wasn't the BEST grade of beef possible). Loved all the dipping sauces, the noodles, etc... We also had the red bean ice cream of dessert...unbelievably good!!! All in all a very pleasant dining experience! Would definitely go back and take my husband!
(4)Sara S.
I have been here probably five or six times. I seem to always forget that this place exists and end up going to Shabu Zen, but that's a shame. I'm not exactly sure, but as far as I can tell the prices are fairly similar. They give you larger portions here, wider variety of broths (omg curry!?!? It's amazing, go try it!), but the restaurant itself is much nicer, the food feels fresher and the waiters are more attentive. I wish the location weren't so random, but other than that I love it!
(5)Anna A.
If you have never been to a "hot pot" restaurant before, Kaze Shabu Shabu is a great introduction. A big pot of hot broth is set in the middle of the table on a induction cooking surface (you can control the temperature with the dials on the side of the table); each person picks a combination plate (either sea-food, meat, or vegetarian, though any plate comes with a good amounts of vegetables) and then proceeds to cook the items in the simmering broth, periodically poking around and fishing out a thing or two. Ultimately, the experience largely depends not on the food you pick from the menu (as it is uniformly fresh, varied and filling), but rather on how well you like your dining companions, since the meal will take you a good while.
(5)Aleksandra S.
Great place! I had my very first shabu last friday and i love it - such a nice kind of getting together with friends! Wonderful.
(5)Honeyy l.
i love this place! go there so much we became friends with the manager. when they're busy they do get slow but we get free ice cream after that. reasonable price more food than shabu zen
(5)Hughes N.
I went to Kaze coz I'm tired of the scene at Shabu-zen: the long wait, the same old self-centered customers. Kaze has 3 times the choice of soup base compares to Shabu-zen and all the ingredients are as fresh. I ordered the Oden, it was surprisingly good, it made me feel nostalgic eventhough I'm not Japanese, LOL. The Malaysian satay soup was really delicious whlie my friend's choice of Chinese herbal was rather weak compare to Shabu-zen. And beware of the cocktails here, they're really strong! It's a nice touch though if u want to get ur female friends drunk,lol. I like the interior here despite it's not good enough for people watching and the waitress here aren't as cute as in Shabu-zen (I don't really care about that, but I throw it out for ppl who think that matter). Finally, the rice and udon here aren't as good as Shabu-zen (for ppl who can tell the diferrent). To sum it up: go to Shabu-Zen if you want to people watching, hit on cute waitstaff. And go to Kaze if you want to have some conversation with your date/friends.
(3)Kit Y.
By far, my favorite restaurant in Chinatown. I eaten here at least 40 times by now. The service is excellent, the atmosphere us hip and trendy, and I love hot pot! For vegans, this place is WAY superior to Shabu Zen. The vegetarian platter is loaded with watercress, dumplings, taro, daikon, lotus root, napa cabbage, enoki mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, rice noodles, and two kinds of tofu. (All from memory, please clap now). I usually get miso or veg broth, but I decided to try the sezchuan broth loaded with chillies and peppercorns and boy was it hot! I also love that you get to choose from six types of noodles or rice. Mmmmmmmmmm...... I am so full by the end of it that I can't move and it's healthy and fresh and tasty. The price is also reasonable and it's open oh so late. I have come here at least four times when they also have given out samples of their new products to my table. Unfortunately they were always meat, but I was always with some meat consumers anyway which was nice for them. This place is great when you want to eat with others because it really caters to many veggies and omnis and is a great place to eat communally. I once ate with a party of over 15 and it was great because half of us were vegetarian/vegan and we all ate well and got to hang out as a group.
(5)Vanessa F.
They have $1 PBRs after 9pm. Does the food really matter at that point? The fact that it's good is just icing on the cake. I think everyone's covered the food already. Service is attentive and friendly.
(5)Tammie P.
My family comes here almost every week, and it's great for accommodating large groups and kids. The food is consistently good, and the service can be a hit or miss. The manager is super nice and usually comps wine or dessert for us. I like Kaze's soup base and veggie selection more than Shabu Zen's, and the portions are better, too.
(4)Alicia N.
First of all let me take a moment to establish the fact of how much of a staple this place is in my eating cycle. If someone comes into town you know there is always that one restaurant that you HAVE to bring them to. Shabu Shabu is by far that place. Also I am a complete creep when it comes to what I will eat. I can't just stroll by some burger joint and roll in diving into the first item on the menu. This place has something that will arouse even the pickiest or obscure palette. I myself don't dig dairy much or eat meat outside of the swimming family which usually induces the response "so what do you eat? Lettuce"...yea obviously. Anyway, so this place combines unique with old school fondue style which is not only fun it's great if you end up on an awkward date and want to entertain yourself, or with a group of people who want an "outside the box experience". Essentially you end up elbow deep in a pot of boiling soup bases, and your choice of meat (veggie option), and noodle/rice, surrounded by an array of bizarre utensils that add to the experience. They have all the traditional Japanese style apps, but often with a twist. I had never ordered their Tempura until my last visit expecting the usual fried veggies compiled into a tee pee, instead we received some alien life form shriveled on the plate...which was good but not great. Other than that everything was amazing as usual. The bill is usually pretty steep (around $50+ a person if you consider a meal, app, and drinks), so my friend and I decided to share one fondue "setup" and a few apps. We got the seafood tray which I absolutely adore because it is a little bit of everything (I am a huge fan of variety), with two soup bases, and three apps (we're piglets whatev). The other two apps aside from the tempura were great. The seaweed salad wasn't too skimpy, and the corn croquettes weren't bland and didn't have a gross texture. *Let me take a moment to emphasize how much I hate when restaurants disfavor sharing meals, Shabu Shabu was totally positive about it. * The main course was awesome and the waitresses explain everything to you if you say you've never been. Each entree comes with a unique array of dipping sauces/toppings. Again, being a fan of variety I almost dropped trow at the amount of different choices when I first went there. The variety of soup bases are also great for variety...anyway did I mention I dig variety? The fish was practically right out of the boat, and 20 seconds later in my mouth. Instant gratification, who doesn't love it? Most importantly their drinks are out of this world! I have had any and every drink from this place and again they are not weak, not too strong, and unique without peacing out on Japanese style all together. Needless to say half the time I leave I am full but not wanting to vomit, and glassy eyed. LOVE IT!
(5)Alison E.
I loooooooooove Kaze. :) To be fair, I've only ever been to one other shabu-shabu place (Shabuzen), but I prefer this one. They give you giant plates of stuff to put in, and the broth is really awesome. For vegetarians (like me) there's miso, kimchee, or herbal broth. If you're looking for an authentic Japanese experience, though, my Japanese friend was startled and amused to find that when he thought he was ordering miso as a starter it turned out to be his broth. ;) They're good with groups--I had my birthday and my graduation parties here!
(5)Kris M.
My first real shabu experience! For my farewell dinner, my boss took me and the rest of our group to Kaze Shabu Shabu. The place is clean, well-lit, and well decorated. I assume the set-up is fairly standard - an induction-plate in the center to keep broth warm, various side dishes and vegetables to go along with your main meat plate and noodles/rice. They do have a pretty good selection of broths, and a reasonably good selection of meat dishes that aren't too expensive. Most of the table, being mainland Chinese, ordered the Szechuan-style broth, the "hottest" one on the menu with three peppers next to the name. Not to be outdone, I ordered the same. When the broth arrived, we noticed mine was lighter in color than the others; we asked the waitress and she went, "Oh, we made it not so spicy for you, because you're American." .... *sigh* Whatever, the meal was good, and trying the "real" stuff, well, it wasn't that hot anyway. Definitely a place to go to for special occasions if you're in the mood for shabu. There's even a nice parking lot right next door, if you get fed up trying to find street parking.
(4)Ameer N.
i live in sf, where asian food can be found on any and every corner. i used to live with two chinese girls who regularly threw hot pot aka shabu shabu parties. there, i've validated my shabu shabu credentials for all to see! i really like the array of broths this place has: tonkatsu, kimchi, schezuan, tomato beef, etc etc. the seafood platter was $17, the seafood quality was good. my brother got the beef/lamb combo which was mighty tasty. i'd definitely go back to this place on a cold boston day when i have a big appetite and a lot of friends.
(4)Nam T.
Kaze continues to be the goto spot for my friends, family, and myself. There are several shabu shabu places in boston, but in my opinion this is the best. It's hard to go wrong with shabu shabu but kaze always seems to have the best variety of vegetables and meats available. They're soup bases are also nice and tasty. If you are looking to take a date out for something different, I would think about this place. It offers a great meat and plenty to talk about.
(4)Michele G.
Delicious! Spicy food, mildly priced. Super clean and cute bathroom, important to sticklers like myself. This was my first hot pot experience and my god, messy, but so delish! That's the first time I've ever used that word, ever. Get the watermelon smoothie (it's real watermelon!!) and the thai broth--mouth-watering.. I have to bring more people here. Everyone is really nice, too, and wait--I almost forgot the mango mousse cake. It's killer. I need to have their key lime pie cake whenever it comes back on the menu. Killer. Go eat there now.
(5)charley w.
it's actually 1 Harrison street. Anyway went on this place on biz trip because it was damn cold in Boston this time of year. Kaze is wonderful place with nice decore and hot pot is awesome. Try the sezchuan soup base it's the best! I was very surprised to find such good hot pot place in Boston.
(4)Erica T.
This place is clean! That is a good start for a restaurant in Chinatown. I had the Prime Rib Eye and my friend had the Veggie Delight. We had the "regular broth" and the kimchee broth. I was scared the kimchee broth was going to be too spicy so that is why we got the regular broth. Compared to the kimchee broth, the regular broth had no flavor. However, it was ok. You get a plate of meat and a separate plate of mixed veggies. Nicely arranged and sliced up. The veggie delight came with some of the same vegetable on my plate but with added of tofu and dried tofu. Service was good. They were polite and attentive. The green tea shake was SO good! It's in a tall slim glass, so I think there is less than it really looks. But it was very delicious so I won't complain. I would come here again!
(4)stacey n.
Plenty of choices for broth. Portions are fairly reasonable. Space is nice comparing to other restaturants.
(4)Linh V.
shabu zen is better. just saying. our pot was broken so out two broths, kim chee and herbal, just ended up mixing into eachother and the server never once asked us if we wanted to switch it out. but besides that the broths weren't even tasty to begin with! BUT the spicy tentacles are extremely tasty and i sometimes comtemplate going here just to have them.
(3)Kabir H.
Kaze really shines for large groups or intimate dates, as it's just a lot of fun. You start by picking out a broth, which your server pours into a steel bowl and places on a burner on your table. A tray of vegetables and your choice of meats is brought out. As for choice of meats, they've got a lot of variety here, from standard chicken and beef, to ostrich and live shrimp. You slowly throw everything you want into the pot and let it cook, and the end result is a fresh, delicious meal that you've just made yourself. I really can't think of a better spot to visit on those cold winter nights, as the broth really warms you up and it's awfully hearty. Service is near impeccable: quick, courteous and great at helping you navigate the menu if you're a first timer. If you don't mind working for you food, you'll find the experience memorable and the rewards plentiful.
(5)Jenna C.
My boyfriend took me here on our first date. I was reluctant at first, because I had never heard of the place but after we arrived I was really happy with the choice he had made. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and the waitstaff are helpful and friendly. This was the first shabu shabu restaurant I'd ever been to, and I thought the idea of cooking the food at the table was a great one for a first date. We ordered miso broth, which was very tasty, and the combination meat dishes. The waiters bring out a large amount of vegetables, mostly cabbages and greens, and then the meat, rolled up in little rounds. The entire act of cooking your own meal, tasting some of the mystery vegetables they give you, and seasoning your own soy sauce makes this restaurant really fun and entertaining. I highly recommend it and would take anywhere there who hasn't experienced shabu shabu.
(5)Suzanne M.
I came here because of the great Yelp reviews and close proximity to the Opera House where I was going after dinner. Thank you yelpers, this place was a great choice! It was a cool, clean, modern looking place. The seats were comfortable and the general ambiance was contemporary and inviting. I am a novice cook-it-yourselfer, and I have to admit I was a little nervous looking at the array of utensils and trays of spices in front of me. However, there is a great little "cooking tips" guide in the front of the menu that tells you how long to cook and what to do with the spices & soy sauce. That was very helpful, and I kept the menu with me throughout dinner just in case I forgot how long to cook some things. The food was very good. We tried the tom yum and the Japanese miso broth. Though the tom yum was given a 1 out of 3 spice rating, and that met my expectation, as it wasn't that hot but had more kick than the not-spicy miso. I was afraid to get the rated-3 szechuan broth but will definitely give it a go next time. We shared chicken and pork, which ended up being a ton of food. For noodles, I we had the udon and the vermicelli. Our waitress told us to put them into the pot for 5 minutes, which we did, and then struggled to get them out. Especially the udon noodles - they kept slipping back in! I definitely splashed myself a few times. I will follow the other yelps on here and just spoon broth into the noodle bowl next time! We tried the Romance Sake per the recommendation of our waitress. It was smooth. We started with an appetizer of edamame, which was unnecessary, since the food comes out very quickly. We got the broth and vegetables before the edamame! I thought Kaze was reasonably priced. Each entree was $11, the broths were $3 each, and the sake was $20. Thanks Joyce - I did not know that Kaze was owned by the Fugakyu owners.
(4)Shang S.
I've had Chinese hot pot since I was a little kid at home, so my standards for hot pot, no matter how simple, are pretty high. Despite its Japanese sounding name, all the ingredients are pretty standard Chinese, and most of the wait staff (and the owner, I believe) are Cantonese, but that's not really a big deal here. Price and Location: We paid a total of $44 (before tip) for 2 sets and an appetizer (steamed gyoza, thumbs up). For the price you pay and its convenient location, I was very satisfied with Kaze Shabu Shabu. For two people, we decided to order one set each (basically, you specify the soup base, the meat, and then they give you veggies and a choice of bowl of noodles or rice). Service: The food arrived promptly, it was nicely sliced and clean. Service was courteous and friendly. Since I tend to eat a little slower than usual, I turned down the heat so that the pot wouldn't overcook the things I had in there, but the waiters sometimes come by and check on you and adjust temperature accordingly. Middle through the meal they will also add soup base for free as the rest has boiled away. Taste: I had the malaysian satay base while my friend had the Japanese miso base. If you like strong tastes, I definitely recommend the satay base, it's not too spicy at all. If you get a bowl of noodles, it's really fun to put the noodles into the soup base too. You also get small dishes of soy sauce, satay sauce, garlic, green onion, and red pepper which you can mix together in your own bowl to make your own tasty dipping sauce. This is perfect comfort food for a cold winter night. Klutzes beware! It can get a little messy at times. I've found that the bok choy pieces especially were too large and had to break them into smaller bits before placing it inside the soup. Overall, I'm definitely coming back here again! But first... gotta febreeze the soup smell out of my jacket...
(5)alison j.
Shabu is super duper fun. I went here for a friend's birthday on a Saturday night. I made a reservation and had to move it back an hour about a half hour before we were supposed to be there, but the staff was very accomodating. We ordered the chicken, short ribs and lamb. I wasn't a huge fan of the lamb (I think I don't like lamb in general though), the chicken was good and the short ribs were amazing! The service was excellent and the waitress took a little time out with us to explain the different broths, cooking times, how much food we should order to share, etc. My scorpion bowl was a little weak, but overall it was a really fun and delicious experience. I would definitely come back.
(4)Jessica M.
My friend and I came here at about 8PM on a Saturday night with a reservation and were seated almost immediately. The waiter was really nice, but didn't come back to check up on us and refill our water. Had to ask for napkins. Food was great, service was otherwise fast, and a great experience I'd recommend.
(4)Michael L.
I only wish there were a place like this closer to where I lived. The food was good, and the prices reasonable. This is also one of the cleanest hotpot restaurants I've been to before. While the lunch special wasn't enough to fill me up on its own, you can add sides of meat for only $4 more. On a cold Boston day, this place totally hit the spot.
(5)aaron t.
I came here by accident but plesantly surprised at the quality and variety of options. Usually I tend to go to Shabu Zen nearby, but Kaze has a much large menu, more options, and is just as delicious, if not less crowded. The price is awesome, and it'll fill you up. If your not familiar with shabu style, it's cook your on food in a big shared brothe with your friends at your table. This is what separates shabu zen and kaze. Shabu zen has mostly individual bowls which is great if you are picky about eating out of your own cooker, but sharing is what makes the experience great.. You choose the soup base, the meats, and you get lots of little extra vegetables to eat up. It's a great ritualistic experiene to have a good time with friends. Come here with a small or large group. I think they have an upstairs which i have not been to. Near a T station and walking distance to various entertainment venues.
(4)Lanoi P.
this place is spectacular. perfect for any occasion, eff boys to girls night to first date night. its perfect because you pick what to eat and how long it takes. since you're cooking everything yourself its a perfect setting to just relax and eat at your own pace. no rushing by your BU undergrad waitress. sooo bring on that sapphoro and sake. gaze into your dates eyes or throw everything in to the pot all at once. the choices...meat, kobe or ostrich...tofu or vegetarian delight. everyone wins!
(5)Peter V.
I can't believe I didn't try this place before. Wait times are much shorter here than shabu zen. If you get a table on the side, it is very spacious much more so than sitting at shabu zen. They also have excellent appetizers, try their special seafood roll. I tried the tom yum broth and it was pretty good. Next time I might be brave enough to try out the ostrich.
(5)Lachinita X.
I LOVE this place!!! I'm leaving Boston soon, and I'll come back to visit Boston - just to eat here. Kaze is one of the best shabu places I've been to outside of Asia. and it's actually clean and a nice place to eat and bring friends and family who are from out of town. I think it's a little expensive for shabu for dinner, so I come here for the lunch special. I usually get the Malaysian Satay broth, but it's sometimes inconsistent. Sometimes, the flavor is just right, other times, it's not that flavorful. To be safe, I get both the Malaysian Satay and the Tom Yum, which tastes absolutely delicious with beef or lamb. Other broths I highly recommend are the Japanese Soy Sauce with Seaweed, Japanese Curry (so good with udon noodles!), and Szechwan Spicy if you genuinely can handle really spicy foods. I know the portion size for the vegetarian dish is very generous, and if I'm not up for meat, I would order it and still leave very satisfied. I've never really had anything else besides shabu-shabu. Kaze has half-price appetizers though, and once in a while, I'll splurge for the Japanese fried oysters. Yum! Also, if I have room, I will always get the trilogy mousse cake. It may not be very Asian, but it's awesome.
(5)ChianWen T.
It's been years since I had shabu shabu. The last time was about 6 year ago at Miki in Ann Arbor with.....oh you know. From time to time, I seriously believe I either have mad cow disease or Alzheimer's, but moments like these make me believe otherwise. Kaze is surprising good considering how inexpensive it is. For about $20 each, we ate until we had to roll our tummies out the door. Good food + inexpensive + cleanliness = CW, a fan
(4)Sean C.
Great place to have Shabu-Shabu in Boston area. I have been enjoy the meal there for couple times and every time I change a type of soup in Shabu-Shabu. Every soup type has its own taste and very good quality. Service is good and the price is quite affordable. *Pork bone soup is my favorite.
(5)Steven P.
Although I prefer Shabu Zen, my brother is an avid fan of Kaze, so we went there along with my sisters for dinner. We ordered lots and lots of dishes, like the surf and turf, tripe, salmon, watercress, and watercress, and a helluva lot more watercress. We chose two different broths, which was decent in flavor. My main gripe was the udon noodles which was always brought out cold. So you'd have to either dump the noodles into the broth to steam them, or to try and pour the broth into your bowl and hopefully having the noodles nice and just the way they should be. Overall, the meal was nice and filling. Though, if I had to, I'd chose Zen or Kaze. But, if Zen which usually is always packed, is full, Kaze would be next on the list.
(3)Mike T.
I thought it was only the English that thought that boiling meat was a good idea. It turns out that the Japanese are meat boiling artists. Kaze is alot of fun with a group and the food is very tasty and reasonably priced. Order one of the mixed meat plates and one of their spicer broths. Their version of spciy is actually pretty mild.
(4)Kristin M.
Love this place, and am loyal to Kaze over Shabu Zen ever since they opened. I mean, for one, it used to be the hot lesbian spot on Saturday nights. Now it's Japanese shabu shabu- how appropriate. Good memories here: the owner knows us and is very friendly. The food is great- I usually order the Surf and Turf. Some of the platters are large enough to share, or if you order separatetly there will be leftovers (yes we are so asian that we take our soup to-go- they will do it for you, just ask). Lots of soup base and noodle options- I especially like the cilantro and egg one. The last time we went though, we noticed they had changed the veggie platter from yummy things like diakon and taro to carrots and broccoli. :( EDIT: last time, the diakon and taro were back!
(5)Antony S.
The good: Everything. Pictures of what you can order on the menu, friendly staff, T.V.'s all around yet still a great ambiance, fancy bathrooms, cool lighting...and DELICIOUS FOOD The bad: Nothing. Nothing at all! Joyce K, an nba groupie, sums it all up perfectly . This is my easiest rating yet: 5 stars and I'd give them more if I could.
(5)Chin C.
I like the variety of broth they offer. And by far the one I like most is Japanese Tonkotsu. For app I love Fired Spicy Jumbo Tentacles, it was so tasty, crispy and as the name stated, spicy. The entree we have prime rib, short rib, lamb and seafood. The prime rib and lamp were fine, the short rib was great. The prawns were big and fresh you have to try it. If you want to put some twist in it, try Thai sukiyaki sauce, it's spicy so be careful. The place is not that big but plenty of room, but no long line. The services were quite good too.
(4)Kristin G.
The Japanese Curry broth is to DIE for. I've been here a few times- just went back last week for a friend's birthday and was not disappointed. The food was fresh, the broth was delicious and the staff were totally friendly.
(4)Sean M.
Legit high-end Chinese/Pan Asian style hot pot with decent sushi. Really nice bar and decor. Staff is attentive, knowledgeable and patient. Very good appetizers but don't fill up, cause the platters are generously portioned. We always like to get two or three broths going and share, so a group of 4-6 is optimum. But you have a nice meal for two here as well. Tip on the spicy broth: Don't leave the szechuan peppers in the boiling broth for more than a minute or two.
(4)Stephen K.
Stumbled into this place all drunk not realizing it was a hot pot place. Had a pretty good time - the service was some of the best I've ever seen. The staff's English is very basic, so my friend had some difficulty in communicating that she was a vegetarian. But it worked out! You choose a broth (like $3-5) and then a selection of meats or seafood, and then you cook it yourself. It is what it is, pretty fun gimmick place.
(3)K J.
Konichiwa. I love Japan, from the martial arts to their cars. And this includes the food as well. Sushi and Shabu have become my perennial favorites. Shabu, for those who landed here from Google, is Japanese style cooking where you can order the ingredients and a soup. The soup is delivered in a bowl that is shared by two people and compartmentalized. So people sharing the bowl can have different soups. The bowl is placed on a stove on the table and while the soup is boiling you can add the ingredients and let them cook for sometime and use the assortment of straining spoons to transfer to your plate and enjoy :) Truthfully when I went there for the first time I hated it and vowed never to come back again. And like politicians changing stands I changed mine too. What caused me to change it? I don't know. I went there probably to give it a second try, probably because my body was craving hot fluids from a terrible cold. But I loved it the second time, and the third time, and the fourth..... The food is pretty pricey considering all they do is provide you the ingredients and you are left to do the "cooking".My favorite is the spicy Tom Yum soup with the veggie plater. The veggie platter came with an assortment of thinly sliced and diced vegetables, and included cubes of tofu, some kind of veggie balls, a small corn cob... I even once ordered an Oden platter (not to be confused with Greg Oden from the Portland Jailblazers) which considered a variety of fish, but I feel that the shabu tastes better with the veggies more than anything. So this review may not be much about the place, but more about the food in general. But even with the restaurant, I was sometimes left to fidget with the stove controls myself since the soup boiling too much, and at that rate I would be left with veggie curry in no time. And with the spicy soup, I would like my water filled when it is empty. But little things like these is not going to stop me, and you, from going here once again. Sayonara.
(4)Mindy G.
This place is the BEST shabushabu place ever. Japanese owned, Chinese waiters/waitresses, classical jazzy music, steamy soup base that you can choose from (Kimchi, original, ...), and fantastic meat and reasonable price. Especially on a cloudy/rainy/cold days, there is nothing that soothes better than Kaze. Lunch goes till 3pm everyday, even on weekends -- much better deal compared to dinner portion. Even tho they say dinner portion is "larger" than lunch, proportionally (amt of meat/ price), lunch is much better. Also, check out the bathroom too - the faucet is amazing! I want one of those in my personal bathroom later.
(5)M. Deloris D.
I thought I knew shabu-shabu, then I met Kaze. Large portions fresh meats, fresh vegetables delicious broth, healing for the cold and flu ridden of you. SMOOTHIES. YUMS, in the plural. Spicy crispy tentacles were never so tantalizing as at Kaze. The meat orders come with generous servings of vegetables so, if you're not averse to meat broth but don't want to eat meat, you can split with a carnivorous pal and come out of here having spent less than $15 each. You can order affordable ($3 and up) 'sides' of meats and vegetables to augment your dining scene and everyone can leave with a full belly. Some call that shabu-shabu. I call it sensible.
(5)David X.
I really like Kaze a lot. I won't bore you with a typical review since there are so many here. I'll just list some things that I particularly like and things I don't. 1.) It is around the corner from the Boston Common Movie Theater, so it is a perfect date - movie and meal. 2.) I like the decor. Tons of booths - most with window views. Two floors. And the place has never been crowded any time I have been there. On a cold winter's day, the windows fog up and there's nothing more relaxing than eating soup while watching the snow fall. 3.) They give you a wide variety of vegetables. If you get the Veggie plate, they include 3 types of mushrooms, dumplings, 2 types of tofu, extra noodles (on top of the ones that automatically come with the dinner). I just like the amount and the variety. Now I do have a few gripes. 1.) One time, we had ordered our meal and the waitress asked if we'd like today's special side dish. Most of those on the menu cost about $5. The side dish was giant clam. So foolishly, my partner said "sure", expecting a typical small side dish. Sure enough, they brought out a HUGE service dish with enough clam to feed an army, and when we got the bill, they had charged $35 for it. So... NEVER order anything there without knowing the price first. 2.) One time, the watercress was so fresh that there was a snail crawling in it. 3A.) I'm sure this is typical with all shabu restaurants. The big joy I get out of shabu is being able to slowly make my own broth so that by the end of the meal after it's been simmering for an hour, the broth is amazing. My gripe is that they come around and add more of the free regular broth if your broth is getting low - negating all your hard work. Having learned this, I now wave them off if I see the waiter approaching. But as part of this, if you order a special broth for $3, it is often pointless since they usually come around very quickly to add more broth to your pot and the broth they add is always the regular broth. I think if you pay for special broth, then the extra broth they add should be the same kind at least. b.) Since I love to make my own broth, the place is perfect when there are two of us since each of us get half a pot. But on the times there have been THREE of us, three people have to share a pot with a divider that divides it in half. So no one gets to make their own broth. Couldn't they get larger pots that divide into 3 parts for people who come with an odd number? Anyway, so far Kaze is my favorite Shabu place in boston. I've only been to four though. Still haven't gone to the original (shabu zen?) so that's next on the list.
(5)Todd K.
Kaze Shabu is a fun place. What other restaurant gives you a tray of raw, frozen meat and a boiling cauldron of broth for delectable carnivorous enjoyment? I'm always down for making a mess and playing with the heat element any chance I can get.... But seriously it is a fun place with good food. I usually get the hot pot with some sort of spicy-ass broth base (I think it's worth a little extra for that 2 hour later zing), the rib eye (I've found the chicken to be a bit chewy in hot pot - but the beef is excellent) and mix up my noodle choice (all are pretty good).
(4)Jezzieo O.
DELICIOUS! Yummy food and a super reasonable price. My favorite go-to spot before/after going to the theater. Lots of veggies that come with the meat selections, and every broth I've tried is great. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Linda T.
I signed up for yelp just to write this review because I felt like I had to get the word out there. First of all, my bf and I USED to eat at Kaze twice a week because we loved it that much. The food was delicious and the waitors were awesome! We'd go during lunch time, dinner time, and even late late at night. Then recently they started this $1 beer thing after 9pm. We noticed that they don't check IDs. We noticed the customers were all underage! They don't look a day over 18. Not only do we not condone underage drinking, we were just annoyed by how loud and obnoxious they all were. And this wasn't just one night. We've been here a couple of nights and all those nights were annoying. Now this isn't the main reason why I'm not eating here anymore. The biggest reason was that they charged our card twice and it took them over a month and a half to even refund it. We'd call every single night and the manager Raymond said to call back tomorrow, call back tomorrow, CALL BACK TOMORROW. Every tomorrow we'd call back and he'd say the same thing and every single time we had to give him our credit card number! My bf and I got fed up so I told him that we'd go there in person. My bf is chinese so he spoke to him in Chinese and I guess Raymond got more chummy. Within a couple of days we got our money back. We stayed away from Kaze for a month and half because of this. When we did decide to go back we found out about this underage drinking thing. What really brought me to write this review here is because we found out we weren't the only ones being charged twice. My sister and her friend recently went there for dinner and she had told me that they had done the same thing and refused to reconcile! So all in all, I say that the food IS GOOD. But that will not bring me back. If you do visit, pay in cash and don't go during night hours. This place will probably be shut down soon anyway considering they serve to minors. Go to Shabu Zen a street over. It'll save a lot of trouble.
(1)Jeff H.
I always forget how good this place is when I have been away. Recently went there for a Holiday lunch with friends. Absolutely wonderful Shabu Shabu for a cold December day. Veggies were super fresh. Meat selection was very nice (did sirloin and lamb) and added their delicious home made cuttlefish paste (cooks up into little fluffy fish pillows). Great broth selection (love Chinese herbal). Lots of delicious ways to customize your Shabu Shabu.
(5)Tony L.
After having just returned from California on a business trip, I had a deep craving for shabu shabu. While in California, a colleague of mine took me to a restaurant in downtown Mountain View called Shabuway and it was fantastic. I was determined to find a nice shabu shabu restaurant in Boston to satisfy my craving, and thanks to Yelp, Kaze suddenly appeared on my radar as a place to have dinner. As I approached the restaurant (which seems to have its own solitary presence on the outskirts of Chinatown), I was given the impression that it would have a nice atmosphere within, which turned out to be true. I would definitely recommend making reservations (at least for dinner on a weekend) as we were told the wait would be 20 minutes but really turned out to be 30-35, and all of the seats were taken in the waiting area. We were then seated at the bar area, which was distinctly different from a table in that each person had their own electric stove and boiling pot, as opposed to the dual-pots they provide to those seated at a table. The service was great, the staff was very attentive to our needs throughout the night. We ordered the prime rib eye beef as well as the black angus beef, and surprisingly, the black angus turned out to be more tender. The broths we chose were the korean kimchi and the japanese soy sauce with seaweed, both were delicious (obviously the kimchi broth made everything very spicy). The japanese potato noodles were a great accompaniment to the meal. Overall, I was extremely satisfied with the quality of the food. For those people that lack the experience of DIY restaurants (such as myself), there was a helpful cooking guide on the menu. I can't wait for the next time I come back to this place!
(4)Samantha L.
This was my first hot pot experience, though it's so similar to fondue, which I had my first experience with about a year ago. It was pretty good, but I wish I got something more exciting than the miso soup for the base, and I got ostrich as my meat, which apparently is better when served steak-like rather than in strips you toss in a hot pot. I wish they gave more than one mushroom as well.
(4)Anders R.
First shabu shabu outside of Asia. Really good at Kaze, Thai broth is authentic, the Szechuan broth is serious...rookies need not apply...
(4)gado.gado D.
Out of the same owner of Fugakyu. Somewhat healthy food - good service and fun to bring guest from out of town. Dinner is more expensive than lunch for the same amount of food and all. hot pot - not good for kids under 10.
(3)Bridget D.
A Happy Birthday to me celebration was held at Kaze on Saturday night. Guests included Mumsy, Papa, Big Sis, Small Sis, Scottish Boyfriend of small sis, and birthday girl. Diners enjoyed their first shabu shabu experience. "You mean we have to cook our own food?!" states boyf of small sis. Yes, indeed we do and did. Deep fried cream corn appetizer. That is how we roll. Big sis and I (vegetable-tarians) shared our cooking pot with veggie broths. "I don't want any meat splash in my food," announces Big sis. Assorted tofus (one was skin like!), noodles and veggies swirled in our bubbling broths of chinese herbal and miso. Oh, and also yummy dumplings, but don't cook for too long or they melt and dissapear. We kept forgetting what we threw in the pot. Mumsy and small sis had assorted seafood platters. Small sis liked the salmon, "I made salmon rice soup!" No one liked the clams, "Ah, that tastes like burnt clutch!" (Boyf of small spit out.) What was that half circle pink and white seafood item? Nobody knows. The boys went for the meats. Papa had chicken and pork, "Chicken good." The boyfriend of small sister, a bold and daring Scottsman went for ostrich. OSTRICH! He liked it, but he likes everything. Papa was a little silly after a bottle of Sake, "Throw everything in here, all your veggies! I am the sample boy." Waiter Frankie was very nice and showed us how to mix in the sauces and the soy. Possibly he became annoyed with Mumsy as she continued to fiddle with the temperature control dials. "Let him do that!" The table was covered in vegetables upon noodles upon broths upon bowls upon plates upon plates. "I feel salty." Mmm good birthday.
(4)Kim N.
One day we mosied on over to Shabu Zen, but as per usual, the wait was uber ridiculous. So my friend suggested Kaze, which is just a short walk over. This place is much bigger and there was NO wait. The shabu is just as good here, so I don't know why Zen gets all the lines, but hey, as long as I don't have to wait here, I'm good with it.
(4)Fortuna F.
first time here after months of having the girl beg me to go. I love hot pot but it's a complicated relationship. I know boiled beef just isn't my style, I know that rolling with boiled fish paste just ain't right but it's so good mama. so dammmn good. if you don't like cooking and don't like something different then stay away--hot pot makes you feel primitive and awakens that primitive appetite that just can't say. this place is good by my hot pot standards. Clean place, fresh food, decent service, nice induction stoves, good broths, and good selection of meat (wham bam thank you lamb), veggies (watercress is best), seafood (tasty the fish pastey)
(5)Christina K.
This place is just as good as Shabu-Zen. I ordered the surf and turf II combo. SO MUCH FOOD! The vegetable plate was really great, had the whole assortment. The broth I got was 3.00 extra... Malaysian something but it was good. (FYI It had a spicy factor of two "peppers" on the menu- I am white, like spicy food, this really wasn't spicy at all I cannot comment on the 3 pepper spice factor) I saw a really good looking scorpian bowl at the table across from me, but just got a kirin. Minus one star because the temp control was kind of weird at the table so my side of the pot was boiling but the person sitting across from me wasn't, and then the waiter turned it up then it was boiling wayy too much. I left feeling warm and full and happy and now crave this place all the time
(4)Sushi Y.
hands down, most flavourful hot pot ever! i dont know of any other places where there is such a large selection of broths. there were four of us, so we had four different flavours- chinese herbal, chinese broth with preserved egg, malay satay and tom yum. It was a shame that they put the two chinese broths on the same side of the table as it was beginning to get too much on our sides of the table. i loved the little extras readily available to mix with your basic dipping sauce- I went crazy over the minced garlic and chopped green chillis, but there were chopped green onions as well as others i couldnt remember- there was so much stuff on our table it was a hot pot fest! The broth was so tasty there was hardly need to dip, but there were times I wanted to thrill my tastebuds and pack in the flavour... oh mi gosh, i just dribbled onto the lap top..... We ordered three kinds of beef and a seafood plate. Our extra treat were a side of live shrimp, wringling on their sticks.... look away children! yum!! (oh dear!...) the menu has a good selection of drinks- smoothies, cocktails and beer- staff were attentive and were on top of the empty plates. Broth was topped up in timely manner- or maybe they could read our faces when we pulled slight sour faces when things were getting intense. only downsides were the deary christmas tunes which began to annoy us after half an hour, Our server also forgot our mango shake, but not a huge loss. With two beers in top of our food, the bill was around 100 dollars- not cheap, but worth it...
(4)Nicole B.
i love it here! it's clean, it's fun, it's yummy too! you can be as adventurous as you want while you mix it up with broth, meat (you can get ostrich), noodles, etc. the service isn't fantastic but you know what, i never expect amazing service in chinatown, so don't let it get you down. i have not had the pleasure of trying one of their drinks yet, but the "head hunter" looked great. yay for interactive eating!
(4)Jaquelina L.
I am so glad that this place exists in Boston. Coming from SF bay area, I will have to say this shabu-shabu place is really good. I am very impressed. Their satay soup base is superb and the szechuan spicy is good too!! Will definitely come back.
(5)Tim N.
This is an ok place to enjoy hot pot cooking. Food is good and they give you many different soup bases to choose from although some are much better than others - in my opinion the herbal broths and the thai tom yum are definitely better than the seaweed. My main complaint is that they have trouble finding NESN on the sattellite, unlike Zen where they have the Red Sox on the TV every time I go there. Zen is smaller so there's usually a line out the door on the weekends, however Kaze is a good alternative provided the Red Sox aren't playing. Also - make sure you point out which meat platter you want to order as they have a tendecy to default to the most expensive option if you're not specific.
(3)Diana G.
My friend first brought me here a couple of years ago, and I LOVE it. Fun place to go on a zero-degree day! The food is tasty and healthy. My favourite broth is kimchi because it's spicy. The short rib & ostrich are also excellent if you're looking to try something different. Meals go best with a bottle of Kirin. Enjoy :)
(5)Craig C.
We were the only non-Asians in the place which was a good sign. I never ate at a place like this and my chopstick skills really suck so I was glad that we were seated right on top of two different couples on our left and right. That way I could cheat by looking at my neighbors like my tests in high school. I was a little uncomfortable at first so I ordered us two Headhunters to get a little numb. It was vodka, coconut milk and pineapple juice. It was good but not strong enough so I gave mine away and ordered a mango shake and a Martini and dumped them together. (I was a bartender many moons ago) The waiter was thrown off by this. He kept saying "Why you do that/" over and over. It was funny. The service was OK. My waiter was the Chinese Jackie Mason. Very deadpan and having no sense of humor at all on purpose but was funny without meaning to be. which made him hysterical to me. I asked him what noodles I should get. "I don't like noodles." "Oh you think I should get rice?" "I don't eat rice." Seriously I thought all Chinese people eat rice. So he was little help. He told us since it was our first time to take all the stuff on the little plates and dump it into the soy sauce and dip it all in there. I noticed that one of the things on the plate was a hot chili and I knew my companion didn't like spicy so I ate one to see how spicy it was.........REALLY SPICY! and I like spicy but ouch. So I asked our neighbors who were more helpful. I ordered the Tamyun broth and she got the Miso. We both got the surf and turf with vermicelli (clear noodles) and the other big white noodles. The Food : The meat is too thin. It cooks fast and turns into steak ums so pass on it. The shrimp. scallops and salmon were really good. The salmon doesn't need cooking. Just eat it sushi style. The shrimp cook fast too. The fish cakes (no) the octopus(chewy) the lettuce (not meant to be cooked) watercress(see lettuce) some kind of whitish purpleish root (good) noodles (good but spoon broth onto them or you lose them in the pot) It was an interesting experience and I was full but I love sushi 100x more. PS. make sure the pot is over the heat. Hers was boiling and mine wasn't for like 15 minutes until I noticed. It was a lot of work but the payoff was a B+. Check it out, you might love it. Why wasn't the Sox game on any of the 9 TV's when Dice K was pitching? We will never know.
(3)Ashley J.
I really like this restaurant. It is fun and modern. They are very accomodating of special requests within reason. The food is of great quality and super tasty. The prices range from reasonable to high depending on what you order to put in the pot and especially how much you drink. See the pic of me with the enormous pink fishbowl... that is at Kaze haha and I left a little tipsy. It is fun for a date and they will teach you if you are a newbie. Plus in chinatown it is easy to find and there is a lot nearby. Update I went here again Saturday night with my best friend. His bf was out of town so we had girls day shopping and deciding to go out for a fun meal so we could chat as well. He got the beef short ribs, I always get the seafood combo platter. It was even better than the other few times I went there. Maybe it was the company, maybe it was another giant scorpion bowl, but we had a total blast, the food was amazing, the waitress was super sweet and the right blend of available but not annoying. I left there so so so incredibly happy. Thanks Kaze!
(5)Paul K.
I've been traveling more then average on business as of late. I was in San Diego couple months ago and tried couple shabu shabu places there. Now work decides to fly me to Boston so I decided to check out the shabu shabu. After reading yelp reviews between the 2 shabu shabu places I chose Kaze. The decor was nice. Service was decent. The cut of meat was good. So why the 2 stars? The broth (soy sauce seaweed) was too salty. The veggie choice was below average. But my biggest gripe is the sauce. WHERE THE HELL IS THE BROWN SAUCE!!! All the shabu places I've been to has the brown dipping sauce. It only came with soy sauce of some short. It was too salty. If that's their version of ponzu sauce...FAIL!!! They also came with some hot sauce. It only took me a short time to realize this was Chinese run and they are trying to influence some of their sauce to shabu shabu. This is suppose to be a Japanese cuisine not a Chinese hot pot restaurant. Fix it to make it more authentic and I may return. Btw, I love Boston!! Super nice city.
(2)Serey A.
My family and I dined at Kaze Shabu Shabu last June 30th after watching "Riverdance" at the Schubert Theatre. Our dining experience was great. For more of my take on Kaze please visit my blog at this-side-of-heaven.blog…
(5)Mina I.
Definitely my preference in shabu! Every time I go here the staff is friendly and helpful and the food is awesome. I heart hotpot and enjoy coming here to relax. The interior is very nice and comfortable and the waitresses are super. I am usually asked if I would like to try different noodles they make right on site which I think is awesome. Their fish noodle is awesome! Also close enough to the financial district that you can walk over on your lunch hour!
(4)Q S.
I went to Kaze with a bunch of people. I wouldn't suggest coming here with more than six people (I was with 8 other people). If you come with more than six people, make sure you have a big budget because the plates can get really expensive, not to mention splitting the bill would just be hell between so many people at such a busy restaurant. I would have to try something from the bar the next time I come here. We were there relatively early so I didn't feel like drinking yet. We got there around 6:30pm, which is the ideal time to go since it gets very crowded after 7pm and lines start to form. Kaze has a really nice atmosphere. It's clean and modern with booths and tables that can accomodate large or intimate groups. You can get the small pots, or a group pot. You can also get different flavors of broth. I wasn't a big fan of the vegetable plate since it only gave one piece of taro and mushroom. I did like the short rib beef though. The ostrich was also interesting, but it didn't taste all that much different from beef. I will definitely come back to Kaze again, but I think in the mean time, I'll have to see how Shabu Zen measures up.
(4)Victoria N.
It seems like the people of Boston are torn between two shabu shabu places: Kaze and Shabu Zen. But is it so bad having two shabu shabu restaurants to decide on? It's only going to make the wait shorter, isn't it? Although I didn't have any problem with lines at either place. I'm tempted, however, to say that I did enjoy my experience at Kaze more than I did at Shabu Zen, but that could be for any number of things. Like the company I was with. But Kaze also has a bit more ambiance, the service was nicer and more helpful, and they also take reservations, which I hear Shabu Zen does not. We were a group of 15 celebrating a birthday, and they accommodated us wonderfully. We didn't have to wait a minute before we were escorted upstairs to their long middle table. We didn't fill up the entire length of it though, so I felt bad for the couple sitting right next to us. This review probably wouldn't be as good if I was on a date stuck next to a big batch of college kids. =\ So Kaze (not to be mistaken for Kaze or Kaizen sushi) offers an almost identical menu to Shabu Zen, although they do like rounding up their prices to the whole dollar. There was a pot for every 4 of us, which worked out well. It was a little tough figuring out how and what to order for such a big group, but the split definitely made it easier. Many people at other pots decided it'd be easier to just order their own entree, which comes with a full plate of vegetables and a choice between rice and a selection of noodles. But I was glad the three people I was with didn't know what the hell they were doing and put me in charge. Now I'm all about getting full for cheap. So we shared the Meat Combo #2 with beef and lamb for $12 and the Seafood Deluxe for $17 in the original soup base at no charge, and it was plenty of food. I know if we had gotten four separate entrees, there would have been so much wasted food, which I hate, hate, hate. All of us put in an extra 4 bucks to cover tax, tip, and Birthday Boy's dinner, and I ended up paying just $11 for everything. Now that's pretty grand.
(5)So S.
This place is pretty good if you have never had shabu shabu before. However, on a scale of this type of cusine, Shabu Zen (down the street) is waaayy better. Their broth is much tastier and its just better. However, Kaze has more variety . I like their fried oyster appetizers. But they do have a nice decor for those who are beginners in the world of shabu shabu. 3.5 for the taste and 4 for the decor.
(4)t.T c.
Don't get me wrong, I love the food here, and the price is decent compare to Shabu-Zen. The only thing that keeps me from going there more often than I do is the service. This is by far the worst service I've had encountered, and I've had different waiter/waitress every time. Our teas didn't get refill, we didn't even get any water to start with (nor did they ask), our broth wasn't refill when it was almost completely dry...etc. The waiters/waitresses are always hover around in a crowd speaking and laughing loudly. Last time I was there, I saw my waitress 2 times (once when we ordered, and once when we got the check) My friend lost her credit card there one time, and we called, but they said they didn't find anything, and we're almost positive that's where she lost it. This is the only place where the service is consistently bad. The only good thing about this is the food and prices. Both decent and the kimchi broth is a must try if you can withstand their service. kazeshabushabu.com/menu.…
(3)Stefanie K.
I love shabu-shabu in general, and I think this place is particularly good (I like it just a little bit more than Shabu-Zen, which is where I had my first shabu-shabu experience). Kaze has two floors and plenty of space; it would be good for a big group. The broths are really excellent here, and my favorite is probably the tom yum, and I highly recommend a lychee shake for dessert. The staff is all extremely nice, and last time I went my friend and I ordered a shake to share (that's how full we were!), and the waiter divided it into two little glasses (without us even having to ask). I will definitely be spending a lot of time there this winter, hovering over steamy vats of broth.
(5)Ben L.
mmmm shabu shabu. There is a very important thing to be aware of with Kaze Shabu Shabu. It is not a place that you should just randomly take people to. You must trust the people enough to know that they will be friends for quite some time. Why do I say this? Because people don't really stop eating here. If you don't go for too long there will be an empty feeling from your taste sensors that can only be filled with more shabu shabu. This means that people that end up at odds will end up in a bitter custody battle over who gets to go on what days. It isn't worth it, only invite the worthy. That said their lunch is a great deal. you can have a fantastic lunch and still keep it under $20. Even if you don't want to experiment with your broth you can still mix up your apps or noodles. Also share freely with your friends. I have discovered some great broth combinations, and don't forget to muddle your soy sauce. The straight-great hot pot What's good-solid service, varied options and very good atmosphere The slap-experience isn't the same if you go stag....bring a friend
(5)IK L.
I eat here religiously. My boyfriend and I come here at least every other week. We're from LA, so any chance we get of a wonderful chinese meal that reminds us of home is fantastic. The meat quality is great; it's even better than the ones in Los Angeles. In fact, before I ate here, I had never seen meet so well cut; it makes it so much easier to eat! (well duh) I've tried shabu-zen, and to be honest, it's really not worth the 2+ hours of wait coupled with sitting right next to strange people. I don't quite understand the loyalty to shabuzen when kaze is so much better. I have never had to wait at kaze, because even when they're busy they also have an upstairs so pretty much you never have to wait. They're clean, very willing to explain to you what some of the things on the menu are, and open till really late at night when you have those random cravings. I think they close at 1am on weekdays and 2 on weeknights or something. They have a great bar, good smoothies, and all in all my favorite restaurant in boston.
(5)Hong L.
clean, great prices. delicious broths. perfect for cold winter evenings. the place was also very spacious and we were quickly served, albeit, it was thanksgiving evening.
(5)Dhruv S.
Went with a large group for lunch expecting something different. hell yeah it was completely new experience and I loved it. we had a long talk about whether KSS was Japanese / Chinese, but it really doesn't matter. I had ordered the 'extra' spicy schezuan spicy soup and honestly i couldn't feel the spiciness there. i guess being from India, i have had more spicy food, but i need to mention the insane amount of whole black peppers that were in the soup. along with soup came the large dish with vegetables, then udon noodles (excellent) and then another large dish with meat(s) and then another plate and a soup bowl. seriously, we all were really short of space. then all the mess started. i am no pro with chopsticks but i tried my best and it was quite an effort. at one point my Taiwanese friend was helping me gather the noodles from the soup coz i was almost at the verge of losing control. but all in all, the food was excellent (after all u r making it yourself). be sure to order 2 or more different meats since its the same price as ordering one meat. i should mention that the waitresses (yeah abt 10 of them were at our table) were very sweet and courteous. i am definitely headin there again for a heavy lunch.
(4)Leon T.
Kaze is definitely my favorite place to eat in Chinatown. The place always seems a little quite and empty, but I love that relaxing atmosphere. It's probably most likely due to the fact that it's in the outskirts of Chinatown. Most people probably go to Shabu-Zen because it's in the heart of all the commotion. Little do they know that there's a place with food that's on the same level for a lower price.
(4)Virginia F.
I loved this place! We had a group of 8 people and all of us had great food and lots of fun. Our server was very personable and attentive. Go and enjoy Shabu Shabu!
(5)Angie T.
portions are big..this place is similar to any hot pot restaurants around the area like shabu zen, BUT the only difference..this place has a way better service!
(5)M C.
I really like Kaze, considering I was so turned off by the Shabu Zen exeperience. It's much quieter and relaxed, and the dessert was yummy. The portions are also a lot more generous.
(4)Christine M.
a friend of mine from hong kong showed me this place about 3 years ago, and i've been coming here about once a month since. when i first started coming here i'd laugh to myself about usually being the only white girl in the whole place. i definitely stuck out like a sore thumb, but once the staff realized that i am proficient with chopsticks and wasn't totally baffled by the menu (which most westerners seem too be), i seemed to become accepted as a regular.
(4)sam c.
kaze.. wow i heard you guys are a family of Fugakyu.. interesting cus fugakyu is awesome but i didnt like kaze too much.. the server that was serving us spoke broken english and i had trouble understandin what she was sayin. but she was pretty quick.. alil too quick.. i didnt start my app until the entree came out.. but the good was good and fresh. i really liked shabu ya in harvard square but thats jus my opinon and my gf and her friends.. lol.. overall i did enjoy the food, could of been better but decent i guess lol..
(2)Erick H.
Thanks to a troublesome MSG allergy, I rarely eat any Asian-style food out of both an abundance of caution and complete unfamiliarity. In light of this, I cannot speak highly enough about the staff at Kaze. I dined here recently with three other people, one of whom is also allergic to MSG, and the consideration exhibited by the waitstaff was impressive. As we reviewed the menu, our waitress stood by, ready to caution us against any item that could contain MSG while also offering suitable alternatives. Even after we'd ordered, the frequent-yet-unobtrusive attention from the waitstaff continued throughout the two hours we spent at Kaze. As for the food itself, I greatly enjoyed and was quite impressed with my first shabu experience. I ordered the prime rib paired the with the meat bouillon soup and was presented with a plate of beautifully-marbled, thinly-sliced beef and a generous side of vegetables including spinach, cabbage, watercress, and taro. Kaze's entrees also include a choice of either noodles (Udon or vermicelli) or rice that round out a very filling meal. The contrasting flavors, augmented by the various sauces shared around the table, provided for a diverse and ever-changing flavor experience that will undoubtedly have me returning in the future. The shabu process itself also heightened the dining experience by engaging everyone in the meal's preparation; there is something to be said for doing more than simply ordering and consuming the food one chooses.
(4)Derek S.
I'd never tried shabu before and this was a great experience. Great, healthy food, and they were willing to deal with beginners.
(4)Kevin W.
Love this place! As an Asian food snob, this really does bring me back to Taiwan and Hong Kong hot pot styles! The staff are friendly and remember customers! Managers also remember faces and are very nice! They even allow me to use the bathroom in dire times when I am walking around Chinatown!
(5)Eric F.
Would've given Kaze 4 stars as the meat quality is a notch higher than Shabu-Zen and their soup base selection is more extensive, but the service is def on the shoddier side as some other Yelpers have noted. It took almost 15 min to get a refill on my tea and it was difficult enough to flag a waiter over in the first place. A solid spot as a healthier dinner option in Chinatown, but I'd personally go with Shabu-Zen for their better service & interior, and slightly lower prices.
(3)nguyet l.
I like this place a lot because it is great for hot pot. the seats allow for intimate conversations and allows you to control the tempt of pot. It also allows you to share the hot pot as hotpot was meant to be. the sake is a bit over priced, but they had a nice selection. meat quality is ok, its not the best that i had. but the customer service was wonderful so 4 stars ^^
(4)I-Chun C.
I went to Kaze last night to meet up with a couple of friends. We were planning on going to Shabu Zen at first, but there was a 40 minute wait. I suggested Kaze since I had walked past it and it looked a lot less busy. We were seated in about five minutes, so that was good. The food is really delicious. We got one side plain broth, and one side Malaysian Satay. The Malaysian Satay was really tasty, and just a little bit spicy (I put a LOT of chili in my dipping sauce). We got three different meat entrees and a few extra veggie side orders (hot pot is not complete for me without enoki!). Nearing the end of the meal, my friend and I couldn't stop scooping up more broth even though we were really full -- the broths just absorb all the flavors and it's irresistible!!! The only reason I'm giving 4 stars is that the service left a lot to be desired. The waitstaff looked somewhat confused, and some looked downright pissy the entire time. The only person who smiled at us was one man who cleared our dishes. Good thing we were too busy stuffing our faces to worry about it. For two hungry girls and one guy, the total was $60, which is definitely reasonable for the amount of food we got. Definitely want to go back!
(4)Don W.
Okay, this was amazing. Four of us went to Kaze because Yelpers said it was the place to go, and they were right. I don't know if it's better than Shabu-Zen but it's so good that I'll probably never find out. We all had some kind of combo plate, we all went with the standard broth, we split a bottle of wine and then finished with some tea. The bill came to $100 plus a $20 tip. We were all happy and full after a great meal on a Saturday night in Boston and we did it for $30 each. They also have wagyu beef for more money, but when it's sliced this thin and cooked in broth, the beef doesn't have to be the expensive stuff. Service was very good. The server was always there to see if we needed anything and the manager dropped by as well. The only thing that would have made us happier would be a surf & turf combo that had a higher ratio of meat to fish, but that's not a complaint because it was amazing just the way it was. So thanks to Yelp for helping me find this amazing restaurant. I'll definitely be back for more.
(5)Alyssa H.
I never had hot pot before so I was quite lost when I sat down. The waitress was very helpful and was very helpful giving recommendations and explained what to cook first, etc. Great portion for the price and loved the variety of broths. Went with my boo, but it'd be more fun to go in a larger group. If you've never tried it, don't be intimidated. Go! :)
(3)Jimmy H.
What this shabu shabu joint stands out of other shabu shabu joints is that they have wider variety on choice of soup base. They have a few choices of each Asian country- Thai, Korean, Chinese and Japanese. My favorite is Tonkotsu soup base that is pork soup base. This soup base is very popular for ramen noodle in Japan. And I thought it was quite interesting to use it in shabu shabu. I was skeptical at first but it tasted great and now I am addicted to it. Only complaint I have is that meat slice is a little too thin. I think Shabuzen 's is a little thicker than Kaze's. But Shabuzen doesn't have as much soup base choice as Kaze.
(4)Lisa S.
LOVE THIS PLACE. Easy to find (by driving or taking the T). Validated parking around the corner for $6 (Beach St. Garage) and another lot right next to the restaurant (don't know if that one is validated?). Their prices are very affordable. I'm sure it's easy to spend a pretty penny in here if you like seafood or the more expensive cuts of beef but i just stick to the Pick 2 meats combo and get chicken and beef. Each entree comes with a plate of very thinly sliced raw meat (or seafood or tofu if you're vegetarian). You also each get an entire plate of raw greens and veggies. And lastly you get to pick from a few different types of noodles or white rice. Ok now, I could probably write an epic review but I'm going to cut to the chase. Picking a soup base you like is KEY to enjoying your meal. I've tried a few different kinds and the only one i really enjoy (and by really, i mean REALLY) is the Japanese Curry. Normally that wouldn't appeal to me as I'm a wimp when it comes to spicy foods but this is definitely on the milder side. However, it is super flavorful and comes with a bunch of chopped veggies(carrots, onions...maybe something else?) and the other soup bases i've tried don't seem to come with the extra vegetables. I am probably unhealthily obsessed with their dipping sauce, a korean BBQ sauce i believe? Nothing like the american BBQ sauce we know. Mix in some freshly chopped garlic and scallions and I've died and gone to heaven. I think I gross out my dinner companions out when I end of eating the sauce straight on some rice. Yeah, it's a problem :-\ Anywho. Kaze is open really late. Great on a cold night when you can warm up with a belly full of warm goodness. Doesn't hurt the wallet and the staff are very friendly.
(5)Amit A.
This was our first hot pot experience and I must say I wouldnt mind doing this again. It was definitely a great experience. You do need to be a chopstick expert, if you arent you or the person with you will be wearing the broth. We ordered the Japanese curry and kimchi curry base, with a vegetable plate and a lamb/chicken plate.
(4)Jennifer R.
Holy Moly! If you like shabu shabu try this place out! It offers various options in meats, soup bases, seafood, veggies. On weekends it does get packed in the evening so be sure to make a reservation. Everything is flavorful and the service varies from night to night. But, I've never had a horrific experience and vow to never come back. It's the food that lures me in. I usually get the 3 meat combo with Tonkatsu or Miso soup base. The prices are reasonable, after all it is in Chinatown. They have 2 floors to accommodate the masses of hungry patrons wanting their shabu. I have been to Shabu Zen which is another shabu restaurant in Chinatown, but it didn't leave a lasting impression on me. It's a lot smaller than Kaze but it gets crowded there as well. Kaze is another MUST VISIT on my list whenever I'm back in town :)
(4)Simone C.
We LOVE this place. Delicious, relatively inexpensive, fast, healthy food served by kind people. What more could you want? Easy to be veg or gluten free.
(5)George L.
Not a bad place. I think it would be closer to a 3.5 but you know i'm feeling generous =p. So i havent been to Boston in 8 years and I was excited to try the types of food they had in boston. A little bird told me that Kaze had amazing Shabu Shabu. I'm a big fan of shabu shabu so I had to see what the big deal was. It was 1:30 on a friday afternoon and the place was empty except for like 4 other people. THe service was quick and the atmosphere was pleasant. I ordered the lamb and beef combo. It was great! What I loved most was the amount of food and broth they gave you. I feel like I giped in some places in manhattan (looking at you k-town!). I also got it with the tonkatsu broth. It was amazing. They had a ton a choices with broth. At most shabu shabu places you get a nice assortment of meat but it's usually one type of soup so this was amazing. The food was great and especially the lamb (i never saw lamb offered at a shabu shabu place before) it was GLORIOUS!!! I love lamb and I just discovered a new way to eat it!!! So to say the least i was pleased. Stay away from the watermelon slushy or whatever that was. That was just bad... But overall the place is good at providing amazing shabu shabu at a great price.
(4)Derek T.
15 degree weather....where else to eat but at Kaze!! Kaze and I have a lot of history. Again, I've never been a fan of shabu shabu, and being from California you think I eat this stuff all the time, but it was at Kaze that I had my first shabu shabu experience three years ago and where I reunited with one of my best friend I had a falling out with so this place has a special place in my heart. Til today my east coast trip is not complete unless I get to dine here. This past weekend, I got the chance to eat at Kaze with some of my closest college friends. Freezing cold weather (literally), great friends, and delicious food....you can't beat eating at Kaze. The waitress who undoubtedly has a crush on my bff gave us superb service and free ice cream. For three people, the meal cost around $120. We ordered every single meat on the menu including the kobe beef. Kobe was good but for a few slices totally not worth the price. I rather order more prime rib eye.
(4)Sara S.
In comparison to Shabu Zen, Kaze is the winner. Kaze's service is great, atmosphere is fun, place is larger, not as crowded, and seems to have a wider variety of choices. At least 8 different types of broth and six different kinds of noodles. The quality of vegetables and meat was outstanding, and the selection of broth was awesome. I was appreciate that the waitress was able to articulately tell me which broths were the best for me based on my dietary needs (vegetarian-ish) and spice. My vegetarian selection came with SO may different vegetables: corn, taro, spinach, three different kinds of greens, mushrooms, tomatoes, at least three different kinds of tofu, and even vegetable dumplings! The only thing "wrong" thing with the meal is the $3 extra charge if you don't go with the standard broth. I wouldn't go back to Shabu Zen, but I'll be back here. At Kaze, I'm OK with paying for food I need to cook myself!
(4)Nick M.
This review is for first time Japanese hot pot readers. It is not a comparison of Shabu Zen. We went during off-peak hours on Saturday. Almost nobody in the place which means we had the entire upstairs to ourselves. We ordered up the creamed corn croquettes and shrimp tempura for appetizers and both were yummy. Boy, were the apps cheap too! Onto the broth: I did a rather traditional Japanese Tonkotsu soup base, while the girlfriend did a spicy Thai tomyum broth. I found hers a bit too spicy for Japanese cuisine, while mine wasn't too bland after I started cooking down a few ingredients. The broth wasn't out of this world good, it tasted canned but was certainly good in itself. For the platters, I ended up with a Surf and Turf No.1 Shrimp, Scallop, Salmon, White Fish, Squid, Clam, Fried Fish Cake & Prime Rib Eye. Also included was the vegetables. My girlfriend did the Meat combo which was steak and chicken. I found my seafood to be very fresh and complimented the soup broth very well. The steak was very good as well, sliced razor thin and beautifully marbled. There wasn't anything I didn't enjoy. My favorite probably was the fish cake. Next time I'll order the Oden assorted fish cake platter, as this is what Shabu Shabu is all about. I ordered the potato noodles while she ordered the thicker udon noodles. We put our noodles into a separate soup bowl and poured hot broth onto them to soften them up a bit. At the table was minced garlic, satay sauce, scallion and chili sauce. I'd say these ingredients were the weakest of everything. The garlic was from a jar, the satay sauce was OK, the scallions could have been fresher and the "fresh chilis" were substituted with a mild sriracha-like sauce. Didn't end up doing dessert and didn't need to. We were so full from everything else! One platter and two apps would easily leave us two people full. The highlight of the style of Shabu Shabu is that your meal is truly unique each and every time. You chose your combinations of food, how to season your broth, your own melody of vegetables and meats. If you're looking to get in and out in 30min, grab a burger. Kaze took us a few hours to enjoy our meal and we savored every bite. Next time I go back I'll get the Oden Fish cakes and won't ask them to top off the broth. It dilutes the flavors too much!
(4)Thanh L.
This is my second time going to this location. The hot pot was not bad for the price. The cost was reasonable for the portion that we received. The service was bad due to the language barrier. we didn't receive everything we ordered, but we also didn't get charged for it too. The bill was about $240 for 8 people
(3)Jane S.
After visiting both Kaze Shabu and Shabu Zen I had to write a review. Kaze Shabu is by far the better bet for your money, for the food and for the experience. We walked into Kaze Shabu and were seated right away. Our waiter was very helpful and explained all of the choices to us. The surf and turf came with tons of food and it was all fresh and delicious. The broth options were all really interesting and tasty too. It was a great dinner start to finish and we'll definitely be coming back. The biggest different between Kaze and Shabu Zen has got to be the atmosphere. In Kaze you get a table (even for just 2 people) and lots of room to breathe. At Shabu Zen you'll be cramped at a bar in a humid steamy room (and the food isn't any better there). Just be warned that when they say spicy.... they mean SPICY! Still delicious though!
(5)Jo-Anna L.
I just went to Kaze Shabu Shabu and was impressed. Just got the basic $12.00 Beef with bouillon broth and was satisfied. Next time, though I think I'll splurge on their $3.00 flavored broths, as the bouillon was a bit bland... which is to be expected. Our first waiter was very attentive and helpful, but he must have gone on break because a new waitress came on and kept walking by as if she were ready to clear the table while we were still eating! Then she cleared away our sauces when we had just ordered some extra spicy sauce. It was like she was rushing us out the door even though there were only 4 or 5 groups in the restaurant. I hope my tip went to our first waiter. Anyway, good food, but splurge and get the good broth as you might be disappointed with the free bouillon.
(4)Wei W.
Kaze is an alternative to Shabu Zen on busy nights, since they have a much bigger space to work with. It's great for groups and the servings are pretty good. The pricing is reasonable as well, although I think Shabu Zen is slightly cheaper than Kaze. They have an assortment of broths to choose from, from Chinese herbal to Japanese tonkatsu (more spicy). They also offer ostrich (something that Shabu Zen doesn't offer, I believe), which is a pretty interesting choice of meat. I enjoy their smoothies as well, and they make it to order (if you want pearls in it, they'll add them for you). Overall, it's a good place to go on a Saturday night with a group of friends, with moderate prices and great food.
(4)Erica D.
Yum Yum Yum, I love this place. Food is great, service is good. Just keep in mind that chilled sake (which apparently is better quality than hot sake) is much more expensive. I accidentally ordered a $17 bottle of chilled sake -- still good.
(4)Erin C.
A great shabu experience, but Shabu Zen still holds first place in my book. Pros: -Great prices -A decent looking drink menu -Huge place so little to no wait time even when it was busy Cons: -Its missing those fun mushroom balls that Shabu Zen has -The Thai TomYum broth wasn't nearly as spicy as it was other places -Service was a bit slow Overall, a great dinner. I would go back, but only if Shabu Zen was too crowded.
(3)Helen L.
I came here for Chinese New Year with a group of friends and it worked out really well. There were 6 of us, and we got there at 6pm and was seated right away because we had reservations. So first of all, it was great they took reservations! Like any hot pot place, you order what meat/veggie/combo you want, and they bring it to you raw and you cook it in the boiling pot of broth in front of you. In terms of distinguishing one hot pot place from another, well, food wise, it's pretty much the same exact thing. The nice thing about Kaze is that they don't charge you for the "regular" broth. Some places make you pick a broth but charge you $3 no matter what kind. This place has a zero charge broth and other options. Atmosphere was good and service was average. The price was about $13-20 for anything you order, meat or combo wise. I got the surf and turf combo (seafood and meat) and that was a LOT of food, so your money is well spent if you got this combo. I feel like if you just got a meat, it might not be quite enough. All around good time!
(4)Jenny N.
For the uninitiated, shabu shabu may seem like a whole lot of work for dining out. I mean, you are basically paying for raw ingredients and a soup base, so you can cook your own food in the middle of the table, right? But if you give it a chance, you might just fall in love with the whole idea. Kind of like a strange cross between dipping fondue and Mongolian grill, shabu shabu allows you to build your own meal from a whole mess of fresh vegetables, thinly sliced meats, seafood and your choice of rice or noodles. All the raw ingredients get thrown into the pot of broth and you fish them out with your personal ladle and chopsticks. Trust me, it's pretty fun! I love that Kaze gives you the options of many types of broth, and you can "split the pot" by getting two different broths for variety. This is such a great, healthy dining option as there is no oil added (other than whatever is in the soup broth). My friends and I had a blast, and it was so cheap too! Between the 3 of us, we had the beef and chicken entrees with udon and vermicelli for about $10 each. How can you beat that? We left completely full but not in the gross and bloated way. Upon recommendation by the waiter, we chose the tomato beef broth as well as the miso. The sides of veggies were plentiful and a great accompaniment to the meat. I was totally impressed by the presentation too. One other side note-- I really had trouble keeping my dining area clean...You gotta be careful not to splash the hot soup everywhere while getting food to bowl. It's tricky! Prior to dining at Kaze, I had only experienced homemade Chinese hotpot (it's quite similar). I had always loved the experience of cooking your own food at the table, but the soups I'd had were never that impressive. Kaze definitely takes it to another level and I'm so glad there is finally good shabu shabu in Boston!
(5)Will N.
This is a very good hot pot place; the best one I've been to though there are some caveats. You're guaranteed a ton of great food and it won't even break the bank. The Surf and Turf No. 2 is an excellent option as well as the Kimchi soup base but you really can't go wrong anywhere here. The food is undoubtedly top notch. The only gripe here is the service; it's definitely not perfect. We waited about 20 minutes once for a water refill (much needed with spicy food!) and had to signal the waitress several times. However I wouldn't say the service is bad, it's just not completely solid at all times. Another time our waiter was nothing short of perfect and I guess it all depends on who you get. If you can handle a little spotty service and want great food, Kaze Shabu Shabu is a great place to go.
(4)Lisa W.
It was convenient to my work, so I decided to give it a shot. A friend and I shared the beef lover's meal with an extra order of rice, which was more than enough. We got the Meat Bouillon and the Malaysian Satay broth. The meat bouillon was plain, but what do you expect for free? The malaysian satay was excellent, though. The service was prompt and our cups were never empty, but our waiter took so long to pick up our check that we just brought it to the register. Overall, it was a pleasant experience.
(4)Norina N.
My dad usually makes this meal at home for my family to enjoy whenever I ask him to. My favorite soup base from him is hot and sour in his own ways, it was excellent that I thought none of the hot pot place could beat it. So when reading good reviews from here, i decided to give it a try. I went last weekend with my bf, we ordered Miso and tomyum soup base, seafood deluxe, and a few side orders, caro, watercress, oyster, baby clams and mandarin tea with honey. I wasn't surprised with whatever they brough out, 'cause i had it many times before at home. The miso soup base was ok, tomyum soup was good (but my dad' version is still the best). Baby clams were so fresh and sweet, therefore I had 2 orders of it. The decoration was very nice & modern. One thing that I wasnt happy on that day was we waited for 15 minutes before the waitress came and get our orders, she appologized that we sat in the corner, that's why she didnt see us. ummm didnt they get inform by the hostess beforehand? So during the waiting time for service to come by, I was upset, so i got my phone out and told my bf that i would for 5 more minutes, if they still wouldnt come, we'd leave....I was counting on the minute, and there she came 3 minutes after. After the meal that I totally forgot that I was mad earlier, 'cause I'm satisfied with their food.
(4)Purvi R.
"Mmmmmm. MMMMM!!! Ohmygaw. SoGood." That's most of what you would have heard if you were sitting anywhere near me during my first in-restaurant Shabu Shabu experience (I had had it once before at a friend's place). I have had this on my list of things to try for a while, and when my Friday night date turned into a dinner-movie thing, I thought we'd give it a shot since it's right near the Tremont St. AMC. Walked in to see the bf already seated at the bar, where we ended up staying the entire time as they had little personal-pan sized hot plates. I was already impressed with the place - at 6pm there was already a sizable crowd, and a lovely smell wafted throughout. We both knew the drill, and the waitress explained a bit about the different dishes so we knew what was in them etc. I was just geeked that we'd have separate pots since I'm a veggie and the bf most definitely was not planning on going veggie. :) I'm glad I read the yelp reviews and knew to order one of the broths you pay $3 extra for - it was well worth it! We both got the kimchee broth; I got the veggie/tofu plate and the bf got beef and pork (I think?). I got udon noodles which I highly highly recommend - so delish! After we got our pots and plates, it was Shabutime. We had so much fun just popping in whatever we pleased and throwing a bunch of sauces on after the food was cooked. The kimchee combined with all the chilis I put in my soy sauce ended up being quite a bit of heat, so my sinuses were going a bit wild! But soooo good. The waitress kept checking up on us throughout, making sure we had drinks, that we knew what we were doing, and that our broth was at the right temperature and filled. She was great and aside from one lost-in-translation moment the service was fantastic and prompt. The bill with a beer apiece ended up in the $50 range incl tip, which I thought was well worth it and pretty reasonable at that. The bf noted it was probably a bit pricey for the area, but given that this place was very clean, decor was nice, and the shadiness factor was at a minimum, he agreed that it probably made sense that it cost a bit more.
(5)Karina M.
I have been cursed with picky roommates. Finding a place where everyone could getsomething they enjoyed would have been difficult. But shabu shabu saved the day! I've always eyed this place during my trips to Chinatown, so I decided to go there for my birthday. Let me tell you, best decision of my life! Everyone basically makes their own food and picks out what they do or do not like. And it's fun. Good for cold weather and sooo delicious. Definitely going back for more!
(5)Nicole R.
I have been here with my boyfriend 3 times so far, it has become our Boston day-trip staple! We love the uniqueness of this restaurant. I love cook-for-yourself restaurants and this lets you choose your own broth, meat, and pasta to cook on your table. Not only is everything extremely fresh, lightweight and healthy, but it fills you up (and it takes longer to prepare and eat so you don't over stuff yourself!) Very clean and helpful staff who aren't too overbearing.
(5)Stephanie L.
A very solid four stars. The food was delicious; the portions are generous and the food tasted fresh and super-yummy. I was happy to see the appetizer special was on when we were there (Saturday for lunch), so we ordered two appetizers for half-price. Neither disappointed us: we got edamame (a very generous portion) and seaweed salad (standard, and a fair portion). As a fair warning, I made the mistake of ordering Szechuan Spicy broth. Let me tell you - I'm the girl who practically eats Sriracha sauce from the bottle (not really, but you get my point. I can handle spicy). This is the second dish I've had in my entire life that I really couldn't handle - it's that spicy! Luckily with Shabu Shabu you don't have to drink the broth, and I ended up trying to "rinse" my cooked items in borrowed broth from my boyfriend's side. It loses one star for two reasons: 1) the $3 broth charge. Maybe this is some way to price discriminate, but honestly, extra broth shouldn't be that much more expensive. 2) The atmosphere. It wasn't awful, but the peeling Lucky Star Bus poster on the window didn't allow the place to be very conducive to feeling ... restaurant-y. I'll be back when I can, though! The food was delicious!
(4)Aretha B.
My friend and I came in here after having passed by it countless times en route to chau chow city. I didn't know what to expect, but soon learned that this was no typical asian eatery. What they do is hand you a menu and basically you choose a broth, you choose a meat platter... and then they put down condiments in front of you. A platter of raw veggies comes your way, and then they lay the fresh raw slices of meat down. There is a heating element in the middle of the table and they put a bowl down that was bisected so two separate broths cooked at once. I got the japanese curry broth and he got the kimchee. BOTH WERE FANTASTIC. What you do is you dip the meat into the broth and cook it to your preference... we both ordered udon noodles and you ladle broth over the noodles, and then eat the meat and vegetables along with it, making several batches and trying out both broths. IT WAS SO DELICIOUS, flavorful, clean, healthy, and filling. Definitely a new chinatown favorite!!!! And if you bring someone there for their first time you'll look like a PIMP because it's so cool. Nice ambiance, great service, DELICIOUS FOOD.
(5)sylvia k.
I love the shabu here! Meats, seafood and veggies are very fresh. Portions are larger than shabu zen's. scorpion bowls are a must try! Great, fast service.
(5)Colleen B.
The food is still great and amazingly fresh. I swear the seafood portions double every time I come in! I did some homework about the soup bases prior to my visit and HIGHLY recommend the tonkotsu which roughly translates "pork bone". This broth has a smooth pork flavor. This time I had a lot more trouble communicating with the servers. Service overall was inconsistent They almost seemed new or in training, hence the drop in star. I did try the steamed shumai and it was succulent and shrimpy. My dining guest also swore by the creamed corn croquettes.
(4)Cassie B.
(Technical 4.49, I'm a pessimist, i round down) Creamcorn Croquette App= Fabu. Schezuan, and Soy & spinach broth=both delightful! Had a meat combo of beef and lamb, very tasty. And a seafood combo, which some things were tasty, others not so much. Chicken and woodear dumplings=super yum in BOTH broths Array of condiments? AWE-wait for it-SOME Scorpion bowl, kinda weak, but apparently the smoothies are where its at...damn Service was quick, he didn't really do too much. Very clean and spacious spot. Overall, fun experience, looking forward to some more shabu shabu in my future!
(4)Julie T.
My favorite place in Boston to eat Hot Pot ! Unlike it's competition a few blocks down (Shabu-Zen), Kaze has fried tentacles! Doesn't sound as tasty as it actually is, but don't knock it before you try it! I love the atmosphere and it's a great place to eat with your friends and have a lovely chat. The service is alright, I've had some not so friendly waitresses before but the food makes up for it. Huzzah for Kaze!
(4)Jackie C.
If you want shabu shabu and you're in Chinatown, skip Shabu-Zen and head over here instead! The place is roomier with a more welcoming atmosphere and the menu selection also has a bigger variety you can choose from- my favorite being the oden set (japanese fish cakes are awesome). The sets come in pretty decent sizes since they also include a carb (noodles or rice) and veggies. (I've come to realize that not all shabu places actually include veggies in their price... weird, i know) This is one of the go-to places my friend and I tend to go to whenever we meet up in chinatown for a bite to eat. The service is pretty good and its great to be able to take your time to eat and talk. Since its a larger establishment with two floors, its also a great place to have a birthday dinner or whatever special occasion. Parking is a bit of a hassle, but when is parking in chinatown not a hassle.
(4)Andrea M.
Not too impressed with my first visit, but I'd try it again, since it was edible. Based on the high-star reviews, I felt comfortable inviting a friend to Kaze for her first shabu experience despite the fact that I hadn't been there before. But, I was disappointed with my visit. - Bitter herbal broth, too many herbs at too high a heat. And, they waited until the broth was almost burning the bottom of the pot to refill us, despite the small lunch crowd. - As another reviewer said, it's true: watercress watercress watercress watercress. With some spinach, cabbage, and a side of watercress, all with wilty wet spots. I felt loved that they added a little piece of corn cob, taro, and radish. - Scallops and clams in my surf & turf harbored bits of sand. - Beef was a little on the fatty side for my taste. - Tea refill came after we got our check. On the up side, if you're new to shabu, they offer a little primer on the first few pages of the menu, complete with average cooking times for most shabu plate items. I was impressed that a standard surf & turf plate included clams. So yeah, 2 stars because genuinely, meh, I've had better, but it wasn't a disaster for the first timer. I will give it one more go, try the house broth, and hope for fresher veggies.
(2)Chase S.
Went last night, and we were seated at a 2 seater table. The problem was that we were sandwiched by two other tables close enough to be considered inside my personal space. I am ALL about making new friends, but if I'm paying $40 a meal I'm going to reserve the right to my own unshared airspace. On top of that, one of the seats at my table was a bench which was shared with our neighbors. Anytime any one of the three got up, the entire bench cushion would earthquake. The veggies were the same quality compared to other places, but they do have vegetarian dumplings and a huge mushroom that other places do not offer. Their beef slices were a larger portion, thicker cut and higher quality than other places. So the food was good, but the atmosphere wasn't as relaxed as other places.
(3)Roni E.
I've been back several times and the food is consistently good. It's definitely my go to spot if I'm in Chinatown or within the Boston area, since it's such a hike for me and parking is an everlasting battle. But if there's ever an event and want to grab a bite to eat, to Kaze we go. The veggies have changed a lil bit, but who doesn't like a lil change up, right? It's not the same as it used to be, but the size hasn't gotten any smaller like the Zen has. The portions are still very good as are their prices and taste. The service once again is still good despite a one time incident where they were rude to Becki. I had actually considered lowering their stars, but that is in the past. It was a one time thing. Maybe the host was having a bad day that day. While I still favor Shabu Restaurant over Kaze, they both are 5 stars in my eyes. They're like your children, you just gotta love 'em both unconditionally and can't really favor one over the other, esp. since they're both about the same distance for me. Although, it IS easier to park in Quincy. P.S. Be sure to get their Scorpion Bowls!
(5)Joyce K.
Torn between here and Shabu-Zen but ultimately, it's difficult to compare the two because they seem to strive for two completely different scenes. Shabu-Zen reminds of me of a hectic Chinatown eatery...very clean and local, filled with young people and grounded in delivering simple, delicious, and filling meals. Kaze has the same great shabu shabu spread but being owned by the same people who are behind Fugakyu, it also delivers an added bonus of a calming ambience. The doors are beautiful, the menus are daintily pretty, and everything in the restrooms are automated. They offer the same things as Shabu-Zen for the same prices but also offer ostrich. They don't offer two levels of the seafood platter like Shabu-Zen so I ordered it with the prawns and clams, etc. for $17. What's useful is the shabu shabu guide at the front of the menu because it was then that I realized that I had been undercooking my mushrooms and corn which I deeply regret because it tasted to much better after learning how to cook it properly. We opted for the kimchee flavored broth ($3) and it was AWESOME! Kaze also offers more noodle options so we tried the mungbean noodles (clear, chewy, flat ribbons of noodles) and Japanese potato starch noodles (thicker vermicelli). I liked that the cooking pot was above the horizon of the table because at Shabu-Zen with the pot built in the table, I kept losing things and dipping my hair in all the food as I bent over trying to cook. Also the pot is split in two so that you and your dining partner can share one pot making it more fun as you can dip between two different soup bases. My seafood platter was way too big. I finished it but man, was I terribly full...that's a serious bargain considering the amount of fresh seafood you get. The clams opened easily and I didn't like eating the fish raw because the platter was prepared prior to ordering and chilled. The fish was definitely better off cooked whereas at Shabu-Zen, the fish didn't taste very good cooked...I liked it better raw. The staff was unbelievably helpful and attentive. The service was flawless. One of the managers stuck around the table being terribly apologetic that the satellites were blocked so they couldn't get NESN - The Red Sox on their flat screens and even shared the scores with my friend. Another bonus is that they offer taro and daikon as part of the veggie platter that comes with the entree. Instead, there's no tofu or tofu skin which I don't particularly care for since I LOVE taro. The complimentary red bean dessert at the end of the meal was very thick and gooey which is how it's supposed to be. At Shabu-zen, it was pretty watery but still refreshing and delicious. I feel like Shabu-Zen is a great place if I'm in the mood for seafood since I really like that they offer a smaller platter for $12 and the seafood is fresh enough (according to my taste buds) to eat raw (yeah, I could die). For red meat and poultry and dinner, I would recommend Kaze. It's like stepping out of Chinatown into a serene dining atmosphere for the same low prices that Shabu-Zen offers.
(5)William T.
Been here many times and last nights experience was the same as all the others. The foods always fresh, the broths arent greasy and the service is attentative and pleasant. Always fun to cook your own food and a great way to keep a child occupied through a whole meal.
(4)Jane B.
So many options here. And it's all good. From the food to the service, they are great! For two to groups, every time I've come the nail it. Plus, unlike some other Shabu places in Chinatown, they allow you to split your pot, so you can try different broths. Definitely give it a try.
(5)Nikol K.
I go here about once a week. Here's why it's so good: 1. My kids love the udon noodles (they are 2 and 4 years old), Japanese fish cake, edamame, and Strawberry smoothie. 2. My husband and I always get the Prime Rib combo - it's only $19 and it comes with all the sides. The beef is really flavorful and tender. The dipping sauce is just right. The hot pot soup (we get the Kim Chi flavor) is spicy but not overwhelming. 3. It's clean. 4. Service is good. 5. There's hardly ever a wait (we've been to Shabu Zen a few times and there's much more of a wait there) How Kaze compares to Shabu Zen: food is pretty equal in terms of taste portions are bigger at Kaze much more space at Kaze (there are 2 floors) and you don't need to worry about elbowing a fellow diner.
(4)Victoria L.
I should start off by saying that I have a very unhealthy obsession with hot pot, and I come to Kaze so frequently that I owe them a review. I've been to a good variety of places for hot pot, but I always come back to Kaze. They have a great variety of broths, veggies, and noodles, but the tonkotsu broth and the mung bean noodles are the things that keep me coming back. On top of that, they make delicious drinks!!
(5)Jen H.
I am a fan... big one. After my first shabu experience at Shabu Restaurant in Quincy, I was excited to try Kaze after the Yelp PBR cruise event. We came here late night, and were basically the only patrons in the place at such a late hour... sweet... it was like our own personal dining experience! I opted for the Spicy Szechwan since when I had it in Quincy we got the plain broth which needed more spice, and the SS in Quincy it wasn't overly spicy... but it was here! Too spicy for my taste, but I'm a wimp. I ended up using my neighbor's broth the whole time... I think it was Thai Tomyum, and it was good. I always end up getting something on me when I shabu, so obviously I haven't gotten the technique down... so I will have to frequent Kaze more and practice.
(4)Lydia C.
mMmMmMm!!!! only reason i dont give 5 stars is cause im not liberal with them! (but its like a solid 4 1/2) Kaze is amazing, the decor is trendy clean but not too uppidy. The food has always been fresh the times i have been there (good date place! esp. if she's never been to hot pot! ;) All the times i have been there i used to free broth and never changed it cause has always been good. Big fan of all the meats esp. the lamb!! One of the things i love to do is mix all the sides together (garlic, pepper, scallions, and bean sauce) into one big sauce and dip the meats into it. My next time back i will most definitely try the other broths!! The green tea smoothie is also mmmmmaaazing. There IS one pretty rude waitress there which i ran into twice. However, all my experiences with the other waiters and waitresses have been quite pleasant.
(4)Melissa A.
I only went here once. The veggies and what not were tasty, but THEY HAVE NO VEGGIE BROTH. Be forewarned, fellow vegetarians, that their only veggie broth option is a pot of boiling water... I had to get extra garlic, scallions, etc to add to my broth (I mean water) to make it somewhat flavorful. Even with that, it just didn't compare to other places that actually offer a veggie option. Alas, I will not be returning.
(2)Brady B.
Tonight I had my first Shabu experience with two friends on the fly (don't hate me Roni!) and I must say, new drug. Our waitress was the cutest thing ever and the food....oh the food. Plentiful for starters. We each ordered meat combo #1 which was amazing and two different broths, one being a Japanese curry broth and the other a nice, spicy brown broth that I can't recall the name of. Honestly folks, I don't think I could have had a better Shabu deflowering than this. Everything in my opinion was perfect. Delicious meat, delicious veggies and delicious broth. I was so full when I left, but not the weighed down full....the "God I ate so much healthy food" full. And yes, you will need need a change of under garment in your bag for Kaze. You're welcome.
(5)Carl P.
My favorite place for a wintry day! Definitely get the short rib dinner and add the chinese traditional broth. Awesome Spicyness!!! Also good for an after-bar place!
(5)Jen L.
I love eating shabu shabu. It is one of my favorite types of food to have. Kaze is quickly becoming a favorite for several reasons: 1. good variety of broths (YAY Chinese spicy and Malaysian satay) 2. Generous meat portions 3. GOOD seafood options (faves are the whitefish, prawn, and salmon) 4. Lots of fresh veggies This place edges out Shabu Zen by a little for the better variety and slighty spicier (mmmm...burnination)Chinese spicy broth. The service has always been good and attentive and one time the manager, who always comes by to our table to see how everything is, gave me a coupon for a free appetizer. Parking is interesting, but there are several lots around chinatown that one can park in if you do not feel like being aggressive about driving around and trying to find a spot.
(4)Shannon R.
This is my favorite resturant in Boston. It is open late, the servers are all very nice and remember my face, the food comes out VERY fast, and it is delicious. The Black Angus is delicious, as well as the salmon, and I am obsessed with the oyster mushrooms and dikon radish. They have some good little apitizers, but I say skip them and order some more side items for your shabu shabu bowl- My favorite soup base is the Japanese miso and I also like the Japanese soy sauce and seaweed- but I have tried almost every base now and I like them all. For a special treat, order one of their fun mixed drinks (I like godzilla) and get the Moochi for dessert if you have room! It's a delicious ice cream treat!
(5)ash l.
I think I'm going to like Shabu shabu. I love the fact that you have multiple soups you can choose from with which to cook your meats, veggies, and noodles. They also have a great selection of ice smoothies, and I went with the watermelon and strawberry flavors to cool off the hot soup burning up my tummy.... (really didn't want to sweat into my own soup). I went with the prime rib slices and udon noodles, over a split soup combo of curry and miso. The miso was a nice neutral flavor, which let me use the soy sauce concoction I made with their ingredients (lots of raw chopped garlic, onion, and some other black mush stuff). The curry, at first, was a bit bland, in my opinion, but about 15 minutes into cooking all the meats and vegetables in it, I noted that the soup, like a fine wine, tasted better with time. The more stuff I added in to cook it, the better it got, until all I wanted was my curry soup. I'll definately come again!
(4)Diane H.
No lines on Saturday at 6! Yummy hot pot! I will come back, staff is pleasant and checked on us many times. Beef soo good!! LLove the soup too. Very nice atmosphere!
(4)Jennifer D.
I have eaten here *so* many times.. why? It's open late, the food's great, the ambiance rocks, and the prices aren't half bad either. Just make sure you come hungry!
(5)M Z.
taste is so so, very bad service. My friend and I went to Kaze in the Winter. We went to upstair. Waitress gave two menu to us. Suddenly, one fat female(she is one of managers), wore glasses took my menu go away and gave it to behind table (all american). I asked her what are you doing? She told me she will give me another one in shortly. I think it's weird and rude. took my menu give other customers. Remember that and be smart!! Asian people love hot pot than American people do. I and my friends won't go Kaze Shabu again. Bad service and attitude .....
(1)Jamie S.
Apparently this is supposed to be one of the nicer places to Shabu Shabu. Given this was my first experience, I don't have a hot pot to compare it to. Shabu Shabu is very interactive and makes for a great date activity. I'll spare my readership the details of what Shabu Shabu is, because other reviews cover this in good detail. Kaze is special in part because they provide split bowls, so you and your dining companion can huddle over a shared pot-- fluids of your choice heating up and percolating. The thing I learned about Shabu Shabu, is that the more you add, the better it tastes. Throw in the watercress, the other veggies, dashes of special seasonings... but keep an eye on anything soft because it could quickly become part of the soupy ether. Overall it was fun and tasted great. When I dine out I typically subscribe to the "You should not have to pay to cook for yourself" camp. But because this is something I wouldn't make at home, I fully support and approve of this dining experience.
(3)Beth G.
I work nearby and have enjoyed the meals I have had here. I am always pleased w/the freshness of the seafood and the method to my seasoning changes everytime, so I get a whole new experience at each visit. It's usually the most fun with a group. I do really like Kaze, but I am giving it 3 stars for the following reasons: 1. The service is... well, iffy at best. During one of my (brief) visits the waiter tried pouring me soy sauce after 3 times saying that I didn't want it. I had to put my hand up to stop him. Then he walked away and didn't come back for some time. A couple was seated next to me and he took their orders first. I got up and left. 2. On another visit where I sat at the bar downstairs, there was a cockroach crawling by. I know the location is in an area heavily populated w/restaurants, but that's not acceptable. 3. It's not explained until you get your bill that if you choose any broth other than the regular broth, you will be charged for each refill. So while the soup really hits the spot on cold days, just know what you are getting into.
(3)Emily S.
This is my new favorite lunch spot. The great: The food is tasty and fun to cook. The dipping sauce must have some narcotic in it - I'm addicted! The staff are friendly and helpful The place is spotless! I mean seriously, it's always a good sign when you're in a restaurant, and you look up to see an air vent that is not only clean, but has clearly been polished to a shine. The bad: Sometimes the waitstaff forgets to come and turn down the heat at the table, nearly causing a boilover - no biggie, just a minor annoyance. Lunchtime prices are cheap, dinner, not so much. Overall: YUMMY!
(5)J F.
Went here for lunch on a Saturday. I really enjoyed this place for the food and service. The staff is great, they are always smiling and they are very helpful... we went around 2pm so it was not crowded at all.. There were half price appetizers on Saturday which was a plus so we got a few. The spicy chicken nuggets were basically that. They were ok. The dumplings were ok as well -- nothing special. However, the reason we came was for the shabu shabu and they did not disappoint. We got the meat lovers combo which had a large portion of beef, the szechuan broth and the udon noodles. Our waitress warned us that even she couldn't handle the spicy szechuan broth.. she wasn't kidding it was really spicy but thats how i like it.. overall the food from the kobe beef to the plate of veggies were all fresh and delicious.. a great satisfying meal.. the appetizers aren't very good, but they are extremlely cheap on saturdays.. oh and they have $1 pabsts.. if you want a fresh healthy casual meal with incredible service, definitely come here.. parking is a b**ch but there is a parking lot next door for $15 flat rate all day price.. so if you are lazy like me and don't want to look for a parking spot there's that option.
(4)Luke A.
I went to Kaze with no expectations, because to have any is unfair and already limits your experience to those standards you hold against them. The interior is nice, the waitstaff was all dressed up in some funny costumes, and the ambiance gave the impression of a very fancy place (sorta). When I went it with my girlfriend, we came at a time when it wasn't busy at all, and we were seated upstairs next to a window seat. The waitress was a very friendly, older woman, who graciously took her time to explain some things on the menu and what came with what. I ordered the spicy fried octopus tentacles appetizer and OH MY GOD, I would solely come back just to order 5 more of those. . .they were soooooo gooooooddd, crunchy, spicy, it was perfect. The broth's weren't so tasty however, we got Curry and Tom Yum. I was disappointed, and the Curry broth made my girlfriend sick. I ordered the Surf and turf with prime meat. . .and boy did i feel like i got ripped off. I hardly got any seafood, i got like 4 pieces of meat that were thinner than paper, and the vegetables barely covered the plate itself. My girlfriend got the Tofu platter, and as much as i like tofu, i can't see how they can charge more than 10 bucks for a platter of bean curd (it had like 10-14 pieces). Also got beef tripe, which was fine, considering its tripe and the soup is what gives it flavor. . .but again, i must have gotten the wrong soups, since they weren't the most pleasing. For what i got and for what it cost (two people, 70 bucks?!, not including tip!) and the fact that i went to McDonald's around the corner after, because i was still hungry, prevents this from being any higher than 3 stars. It was a subpar experience and i would only go again if someone else was treating me. . .or if i really get a craving for those friend tentacles. . .
(3)David D.
I'll admit it...I started going to Kaze solely because it was such a PITA to get a seat at Shabu-Zen, which is where I first got my shabu-shabu on. Funny thing happened though - Kaze soon became the number one choice for us when we went out. I've been going there for a couple of years now, and I've honestly never really been disappointed. I will say this though - level of service is definitely dictated by how much you order. Nevertheless, service is never _bad_ and it's always a solid good meal. What you get depends on your appetite and the appetite of your date/guests. I've gone on dates where we've literally split just one plate of seafood. Been out on other dates where we feasted until I felt like a stuffed tofu pouch. Generally, a plate (i.e., seafood plate, chicken/beef plate) per person tends to get the job done. Keep in mind that you'll also be served a tractor full of vegetation on the side. Don't let that stop you from getting a side of taro, though. Never had dessert here...usually because I'm so full after the main meal. Not a bad place to take a date; the concept of shabu-shabu is definitely an interesting topic for conversation. Bit on the louder side, and you won't have any mood lighting. (Apparently, they use the same lighting company that Fenway Park uses.) Still highly recommended for dates or for taking family or friends out.
(4)Jillian Y.
Okay, so at first I was like...waaiiiit a minute here, I have to cook my own food? At these prices? But then I ordered the surf and turf (not bad, $15 or so) and was in HEAVEN when it arrived all huge - thinly sliced beef, salmon, clams, calamari, and so much more...all raw, just waiting to be tossed into the boiling broth in front of me. Plus, they give you an enormous plate of veggies to go with. I don't think it gets much better than this. And my nickname at work? Shabu.
(5)Christian R.
I've been frequenting Kaze since summer, 2006, have brought dozens of friends along for the experience, and have always gotten really positive feedback from them. I became good friends with one of the managers and she would often give me and my friends free appetizers to try or a free round of drinks. 6 months ago she left for another endeavor and the staff hasn't quite been the same. Even still, for its price (esp at lunch) Kaze is a great deal for quality shabu shabu. The watermelon smoothies (and other flavors, I've heard, although I only get the watermelon) are fire (read awesome) and the cream-corn croquettes so delicious my mom ended up getting 3 orders worth for herself when I brought her by. Dessert's a little overpriced for what it is, but it's good nonetheless. And as for the food - there's an extremely wide variety of high quality food. I've never been disappointed and neither have my guests. Definitely one of the restaurants worth checking out in Boston, especially if you've never done shabu shabu before. Kaze will bring you back time and time again.
(5)Andrew B.
This is a great place to go with a small group. I went with my girlfriend and another couple and we had a great time. Its extremely easy to get to, has good drinks, and give you a ton of food for an extremely good price considering you're in Boston. The wait staff was a little slow, but we were catching dinner on a friday night at 10pm. They were very pleasant and helpful, as it was our first time dining at a "hot pot" restaurant. If you haven't tried it yet, you have to. Its a lot of fun and its a sort of interactive dinner. I actually found out about this place on yelp, and decided to give it a try since there are no Hibachi places in Boston. Anyways, its a great time, and especially attractive if you're on a budget.
(4)Jaime K.
I wanted to do something fun and different with a few friends for my birthday. This was the perfect choice. And it was my first time ever doing hot pot. It was a Wednesday night so it wasn't too crowded and we got seated in the corner area all to ourselves (which was really nice. Of course started of with the HUGE scorpion bowls which were pretty good. Then decided to go with a seafood platter, beef platter and a side or own individual side or two. (I like some of the crazy stuff they had on the menu as I will try anything and everything) And also, we got a huge crab which was yummy and a lot of fun. We had two pots split down the middle with the miso (mild) and then a spicier soup. The food can seem to be a little bland with the miso soup but the spicier soups did have a great little kick!! It ended up taking us 2 1/2 hours to eat everything and our tummys were very satisfied. Overall, it was such a fun experience and I definitely recommend it if you're looking for something to do with a group!
(4)Ryan V.
I would love to give this place 5 stars but somehow it loses a star due to reservation complications. I called 3 days in advance since I was expecting to have a party of 6 during peak dinner time. When I arrived and told them I had made reservation for this particular day and time, they could not find my name. I was very upset because I wanted to avoid the long wait and wanted to be seated immediately. Luckly, they decided to honor my reservation even though they could not find my reservation. I only had to wait 10 minutes for them to set my table while I wait for my party. NOTE: You should not call 3 days in advance. Try calling 12 hours in advance so that they won't lose your reservation. Everything on the menus is a bit pricey since you are eating in the city. There was a variety of broths, a la carte items, fresh seafood and combo platters. We order the miso broth and the spicy szechuan broth and was not disappointed. The broth was hot and hearty. The shrimp and lobster was fresh. Vegetables seemed a bit aged but still nice and crisp. Even though this place is located in Chinatown and has a Japanese name, don't assume the employees are Japanese. I tried to speak to them in Japanese but got a weird look as if I had 3 heads. In the end, I was still left unfulfilled. The meat, veggies, and all the a la carte items may look good doesn't mean it will leave you full. The portion size were relatively small. You may need to order two of everything if you have a party of 6 or more. Prepare yourself by bringing a little snack as you will still be hungry!! I definately come back but with a bigger wallet and my stomach half full.
(4)Anne D.
This place is wonderful! Its super clean, the waitstaff is friendly and knowledgeable and the food is amazing. I've brought my 70-year old parents and my 7-year old cousins and they all love it. Its a great place for a groups and is really easy to get to. The meats and tofus are always fresh and delicious and the vegetables are always clean and nicely prepared. The staff is awesome about explaining things, brining substitutions and keeping your broth bowls hot. I think its the best shabu shabu in town - try it!
(5)Jasmine C.
Good place to hang out with a few friends for a casual dinner. The food is good, but really, its Nabe (hot pot) and you do your own cooking, so what else can go wrong right? Price is a little on the high side and I would say more expensive compared to Shabu Zen (also in Chinatown). I usually come here instead of Shabu Zen as there is a shorter wait and bigger and roomier tables, which is great if you want to eat slow and just enjoy chatting and eating over dinner. Overally it has always been a pleasant experience, service is good and fairly clean, which is pretty important.
(4)Lys W.
Legions of Vegans! I have been hearing all kinds of wonderful things about Kaze Shabu Shabu. The we had a vegetarian/vegan night here, and quite a few people showed up. I have never tried hot pot before, and I found it similar to the fondue that I remember from home. A nice soup base (Miso, in my case) and the vegetarian platter hit the spot. I shared a pot with Tyler, and we kept getting our noodles and tofu mixed up, but it was all good! I think the tofu and the greens were my favourite. Make sure you ask them what is veg, because a lot of their bases are not. Another note, the waiter we had was super nice and super knowledgeable. If I could remember his name, I would recommend him!
(4)Trish F.
My favorite shabu-shabu place in Boston (out of the 3 that I've tried). Lucky for me I came here with several Yelpers for Kenny's "See ya later" dinner. I really like the set up of the tables. For our large group (10-12), they put us in a semi-private table that was separated by half walls. Great for Yelpers because our conversations can go from zero to dirty in negative five seconds flat. I think that you get the most bang for your buck here. It seems like for the same dishes at each place, Kaze gives you more veggies. Hoorah! The service was great and I didn't hear our server say anything under his breath when I complained that my pot wasn't boiling as fast as the other pots. Allix commented on something about how the watched pot never gets hot or something.. so I distracted myself with the always lively Yelper convo. Another note on the service.. Kenny, Allix and I showed up before everyone else and they sat us without giving us ish. We actually didn't order until 30+ minutes after our reservation. That's not usually how I roll, but I really appreciate them accommodating us like that. Can't tell ya about the bathroom, but I hear the water is cold... sayeth many lady Yelpers. And I didn't get a chance to try out their smoothies (if they had any), but as of now, Shabu Zen in Allston has a one up on Kaze because of their lychee smoothies. But no worries, I'll be back on the regular so I can try everything on the menu. YUM!
(5)Nina S.
I much prefer shabu Zen to this place. The broth at shabu Zen is more tasty. Here I got the original and Sichuan. Neither were worth drinking in copious amounts. The meats were aight. Got the lamb as part of the surf and turf combo#2. It was nice but the seafood was very rubbery. Next time if i come back it'll just be for the meat no seafood. Also ordered fishballs with Chinese sausage which to me just didn't go together even though it sounded good. Also got the crispy squid tentacles which was disappointing in flavor, texture and size. It cost $6 and was such a small portion.
(2)Jennifer W.
Dragon bowl was strong but it tastes like juice! Huge plus for me as it was easy and pleasant to drink. Hotpot was standard as far as selection and quality. Great portions and your typical sides. Not the most upscale hot pot place but the prices reflect that which is why I don't mind. Would return for another "pre-game dinner meal and drink."
(4)Amanda P.
I wish I could rave about the service!! This place has the worst service ever our waitress didn't check up on us whatsoever!! The atmosphere is laid-back and super comfortable. The food was decent, they weren't stingy with their proportions either so I guess that's a plus.
(3)Le T.
long overdue review of this place. I used to come here often during my undergrad with my roommate because they used to have the BOGO deal in those college coupon books. Sad to say, they no longer have the deal. But I still come here from time to time. I think they still have "happy hours" where apps are half off. We used to go all out. The best addition to our hotpot was the salmon fish head for a buck 99. I would say, it was my roommate who really got me hooked on their tomato and beef broth. I blame you! and oh... god.. their mung bean noodles.. you cannot find it anywhere. it's that damn good, try it!
(5)Ying X.
Kaze is one of three hot pot places that I frequent whenever I'm in Boston. It's a bit further out of the way than Q (my other non-shabu-shabu hot pot joint), so I sometimes get too lazy to walk the few extra blocks, but I do think that Kaze has a better selection of food items. Their store area is also much bigger, so you won't have to spend over an hour waiting just to get a table. You can order either a meat combination (which comes with veggies), or get things a la carte. We usually order the Prime Rib Eye combo with Lamb, and then get a few seafood and vegetable side orders (i.e. fish filet, watercress, spinach, tofu). I also like to get their fish or beef balls with pork filling. I don't think many other hot pot places offer these, but something about having an umami filling to your meatball just really adds to the overall enjoyment. As for soup bases, we've had the Chinese Herbal, Chinese Cilantro with Preserved Egg, Szechuan Spicy (which really wasn't that spicy), and Malaysian Satay. All of them are pretty good, and I'd recommend one of the first two if you're in the mood for something lighter, but none of these were really that heavy. Service can be a bit hit or miss depending on who you get, but as long as they bring out all your orders, the rest is pretty self-paced. I've never had to wait too long for my soup, meat, or veggies to be brought out, but they're sometimes a bit slow about refilling the pot.
(4)Morgan J.
I struggle to find the appeal in this place. This was towards the end of my trip and Chinatown was the one place we hadn't checked out. We stopped in, based on the strong reviews from other Yelpers. The decor is beautiful. The color scheme was lovely and matched the Japanese culture. Light colors, calming, soothing. I liked that part a lot. However, the setup is a little awkward. There are about four or five booths and in the middle is a long table. We sat down at one part of the table and a couple sat down next to us. I think they were miffed at their seating location (because really, you have absolutely no privacy to have a conversation) and they decided to move. Okay then. It was a little too claustrophobic for me. The service was okay, not great. It took the waiter about ten minutes to come around to finally get our drink order. I had a good sense of what I wanted, but it just took way too long to get the ball rolling, know what I mean? Anyway, I ordered a strawberry banana smoothie which was absolutely delicious. They knew how to make it there, that's for sure. The food was decent. I've never had hotpot before. It was a unique experience, and something that I wasn't quite use to, because I forgot I had things boiling in the pot. The chicken was good. I also ordered vegetable rolls which turned out pretty good as well. Overall, okay. I think I'd find another place in Chinatown to eat next time, though.
(3)Dedania M.
Arrived around late 9pm on a Sunday. Service here wasn't great. The hostess seemed confused when we arrived and our waiter was no where to be found after sending out our food. Kind of a typical thing at Chinatown so I'm not that surprised or offended but home girl was thirsty and needed a refill. Trying to get the bill took some time too; going at night is something to consider if you want better service OR be assertive with what you want. Regardless of service, food isn't as pricy as shabu-zen and not so sure about Q restaurant. Kimchi broth wasn't really strong like it is at shabu, sadly. We ordered lamb, beef, seafood, fish balls, udon, beef tongue, and gyozas. My favorite was probably the lamb or beef tongue. I didn't notice any problem with the noodles?? They looked like udon noodles to me haha, just very chewy. It's also nice that they're open as late as hot pot buffet!
(3)Theodore T.
My second favorite hot pot place in the area, after Q. I like getting a booth upstairs, I think the restaurant used to be a night club or something. My usual order includes boneless short rib, angus ribeye, udon, rice, and two broths -- Japanese curry and tomato beef. The spicy chicken nugget appetizer is good as well. I don't recommend their dessert. All in all a nice place, and the wait is usually less than Q.
(4)Ria S.
I say 4.5 because drinks on that random occasion are not that great. But when the right bartender is on, they are fantastic. Hot pot is always a treat and depending on the lines, I really enjoy coming here with friends. It's hard to stray away from those bright neon pink lights... *_*
(4)Bonnie C.
Updating my review because everything changed drastically after writing my previous 5-star review. The quality of the meat is so inconsistent. I always order the prime rib eye when I come here. The prime rib eye is suppose to melt in your mouth after cooking it for several seconds. However, the past couple times I came here, the meat has been very "old" and not fresh. The meat is tough and very hard to eat. BUT the reason why I am giving this place one star is because of the staff there. The service isn't the best; it's awkward and you feel like you're not taken care of. I don't expect much because it's Chinatown. However, I came here last night with my friends after a long meeting. The only place opened was Kaze (we were craving for hot pot), so we decided to come here. It was 12:15AM and we were still working on our food. The restaurant CLOSES at 1:00AM. 12:30AM came and I heard the boss by the bar saying something about the check. He was very rude about it. Promptly, we asked for the check because we felt RUSHED and UNWELCOMED. We left around 12:45, and as we walked away, I noticed that the guy manager ROLLED HIS EYES at us, as if saying "finally they are leaving". He didn't even do a good job of hiding it. You have no idea how unwelcomed I felt. No offense, but when your restaurant close at 1:00AM, it means customers can stay till 1:00AM. It doesn't mean that YOU get to leave at 1:00AM. If you want to leave earlier, why don't you make the business hours close early so you can leave early? Of course that isn't smart for business, so why don't YOU (yes, you the manager and the staff) stop being so selfish and focus on satisfying YOUR CUSTOMERS and not YOURSELF. I want to say that I will never be back, but unfortunately this is the only hot pot restaurant that's opened late. Shabu Zen, please change your business hours so I can start giving you business. To think I always tip the waitress at least 20% due to generosity. Never again.
(1)Samantha L.
Kaze Shabu is located in Chinatown on 1 Harrison Avenue. The restaurant has two floors for hot pot. They provide the soy sauce and four condiments (scallion, minced garlic, shrimp paste, and spicy sauce) to create your customized sauce. For drinks, we got a Mai Tai which consisted of Light Rum, Dark Rum, Orange Curaçao, Almond Syrups, and Tropical Juices (which was light and fruity) and Bahama Mama which consisted of Malibu Coconut Rum, Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum, White and Dark Rum, and Tropical Juice (which was strong). We ordered the Oden platter which consisted of assorted fish cake and tofu as well as the Beef Lover platter which consisted of Kobe, Prime Rib Eye, Black Angus Rib Eye, Boneless Short Rib, and Beef. We got the Japanese Miso Broth and Meat Bouillon. We got the vermicelli and Japanese potato noodles. Each entree came with a vegetable platter that consisted of tomato, watercress, napa cabbage, spinach, corn, mushroom, taro, and turnip. It was a delicious meal!
(4)April K.
We started off with a bottle of wine at the bar, and the owner/manager treated us like royalty. Also, who can say no to a $23 bottle of Sauv Blanc? The meat boullion based soup was pretty tasty. I ordered the beef plate. They served it with a side of vermicelli and a generous platter of veggies (bok choy, watercress, mushroom, cabbage, and taro). Only gripe is no tofu or enoki unless you get it as extra. They aren't stingy with the sauces, but they do charge for cilantro. Overall had a great dinner experience here and it may be my new favorite shabu place.
(4)Don M.
Came here on a Monday night and there were barely people in the restaurant. The server was nice but service was a bit slow. Prices were a bit higher than I expected but then again, it's Boston and an American city. I'm used to Taiwan where it was grab all you can eat for a fixed price. Here, it's more like pay as you go for whatever you want. Broth was complementary as it should be. If you have a peanut allergy, beware of the sauces they give you since one of them has peanuts! The broths themselves were pretty good but a bit salty. We got the beef, chicken, taro, radish, and veggies. All were good quality but just pricey. Overall, I'd try other places around but would end up coming back at some point.
(3)Angelica O.
The ambiance is great very clean and modern. The set up and layout of the dishes are beautiful. However, the soup can be a bit bland at times and the BBQ dipping sauce seems to be pre- refrigerated which takes away from the flavor a little. The hotpot also seems to take forever to come out even if it's not so busy. The staff is attentive at times and the mix drinks are pretty amazing. The main critic I have for this resturaunt is simply the cleanliness of the bathroom. It is gross and it's downstairs if your dining in the dining room. The upstairs bathroom of kaze is much much better but only has one stall. I recommend asking for seating upstairs so you can avoid the downstairs bathroom.
(3)Justin K.
Super good hot pot! Lots of space too so you can bring big groups - just be sure to make a reservation. I came here with a large group (12 people) after finding out the wait at shabu zen was too long. The wait time here was only 20-30 mins, so we decided to try it out. My favorite broth is definitely the kimchi - spicy and flavorful, really good! The meat is all high quality and fresh as well. We also asked about sake bombs, and while they told us to try and keep it down, they didn't really mind :) the main guy at the front (possibly the owner?) was super friendly and really enthusiastic about our sake bombing haha. The rest of the staff was friendly as well. It was a great time!
(5)Catherine H.
I love hot pot. There is nothing better than sitting in front of a steaming pot of warm delicious broth on a freezing cold day. The broth is flavorful without overpowering the meats, veggies, and noodles. I like that this spot is more more of a Chinese hot pot style restaurant than Japanese shabu shabu. Kaze has so many broth options, which is really fun. If you have a large group you can try a little bit of everything, which again makes the meal all that much more enjoyable. I recommend the Korean kimchi and the Japanese miso. The Japanese curry is alright as is the tomato with beef. As far as meat is concerned get the Kobe. You won't regret it. I tend to stay away from raw pork and chicken at hot pot places, for germ related reasons (however, I hear they are good too). As far as noodles are concerned get the udon. Just remember to come hungry!
(4)Margorie G.
If there was a way to give 0 stars I would. If I wasn't starving I would have gotten up and left. This is the most uncoopperative establishment I've ever been to. I was on vacation so that means I'm adventurous and happy to try all the city has to offer. It was cold and we were hungry and Boston has a Chinatown what could be better right?? wrong! We walked in and its a hybrid of a pho/fondue with a broth of your choice and you cook the protein and vegetables and noodles etc of your choice. We arrived within 10 minutes of their time to stop serving lunch and when I tried to order it they refused. When I asked our waiter if she could ask her manager she said no. We ordered the meat bouillon base with the meat combo #3 which had beef and pork and the vermicelli noodles. This came with veggies like corn, taro, bok choi, tomatoes, etc... They bring this pot that they put in the middle of the table that has a burner they turn on. The concept is to put in the veggies and protein etc to cook in the broth and then eat. The food itself was very good and I lived the concept but the lack of customer service and assistance is unacceptable. Everything we requested or any question we had seemed to be a bother. I would never eat here again, there are so many other restaurants in that area do yourself a favor a choose one of those.
(1)Jen K.
I've gone here many times but this time I'm super disappointed! I ordered the kimchi broth and when I asked him to make it spicy he said he would have to charge me more.... That makes no sense cause i already pay 3 dollars to get the spicy kimchi broth... I talked to the manager and he said that he has to charge double... HOW DOES THAT MAKE SENSE! So I would pay 6 dollars for broth???............. Manager was super unhelpful. They also didn't have sesame sauce or even sesame oil. Also 20 minutes into dinner service they told me that fish stuffed meatball was sold out.... Of course he couldn't tell me before .... Will not be going back sadly. I've tried a ton of Shabu places in Boston and this one definitely cares more about making money then customers coming back! WOMP
(1)Tony S.
Wow.... have I really not reviewed this place? I've only been here 20 times.... last week (I keed, I keed!). No but seriously folks, I've been here at least that many times over the last 4-5 years. This is my go-to shabu place in Boston. I consider it one of the top 3 places to go in terms of quality, service (you'd be surprised how shitty service is in some of these places), and menu variety. Situated on the corner of a parking lot in Chinatown, the place is airy, and has two levels. They make their own soybean sauce (kinda like peanut sauce), which I mix with the standard Chinese bbq sauce and sriracha to make a Southeast Asian tasting dipping sauce. This is one of the few shabu places that has kobe beef, so if you're up for splurging, this is the place to do it. Personally, once I discovered the direct correlation of beef fat, my bank account deficit, and growing waistline, I nowadays opt for the angus beef, which you can't go wrong with. While the jury is still out for the top shabu place in the city, nobody can argue that his is a top-3 contender.
(4)Dang P.
My wife and I are regulars here and we never had a bad meal. The hot pot broths are very flavorful. My favorite is the Kimchi broth. The meat and vegetables are always fresh. They are spacious, so we never waited for more than 10 mins for a table. The staff is very nice. I look forward to coming back in the near future.
(5)Elisha T.
Just like another reviewer said, this is definitely a Chinese hot pot restaurant and not quite an authentic Japanese shabu shabu. Nevertheless all the items we tried tasted pretty good. We had two large hot pot with a divider in between making total of 4 different flavors of soup. We also ordered different kinds of meat and vegetables to dip in. My favorite of all the meat was beef here, and porks were second best. Seafoods (e.g. mini octopus) were also interesting to eat as shabu shabu and I personally liked it. This is definitely a good place to come in a group so you can enjoy variety of items. They have a lot of tables so wait is not going to be much of an issue. After eating and drinking, it came around $135 for our six people group.
(4)Gloria C.
This place definitely gives Shabu zen and all the other hotpot places a run for their money. However, I find that it isn't very sanitary! They stack the foods and pots before bringing it out to customers. I don't know about you but I don't trust that the bottoms of their plates are all that clean. The scary part is they aren't even afraid of customers seeing! That means that they either don't care or don't think that they are doing anything wrong--which is horrendous to me! They have a super extensive broth selection!!! Some of them are pretty hefty in price though. I think up to $5. I'm personally really sensitive to MSG and having told that to my waiter, they still managed to sneak some into my food somewhere. I got really sick after eating there. If you do want to give it a shot, go during lunch! You get the same portions except for a few bucks off. Beware though, they have a spending minimum!! Something in the low teens. One thing I do love is their large variety of noodles/rice. You can get green bean and potato noodles here which is pretty rare at other Shabu places. They have a large variety of appetizers in addition to their hotpot offerings. There's also a specials menu with I think eight items on there. I've ordered many of them multiple times but they're always out of half of the stuff. Also, whenever I go, I'm never greeted by a host at their super formal and established host stand. So what's the point of having that there? Both of the waiters I had were super attentive though, very swift, and super friendly.
(3)Oki P.
Out of all the hotpot places in Boston i have visited, i would not visit Kaze again. Unattentive service and i did not like all the broths. I have tried all of them from japanese curry to sze chuan spicy and they were not comparable to other places. The broth tastes MSG laden and i felt like i was drinking instant noodle broth which really kills it for me. Also, the pink lights in the restaurant is irritating. Overall, the location is huge and bigger than the other hot pot restaurants but other options such as Q hotpot or Shabu Shabu are much more worth the wait.
(2)Elleen P.
Came here with my friend one snowy night in Boston, and man... I don't think I could give ANY shabu shabu place less than 5 stars when I feel that cold and it warms me up that much. lol. I think this is a karaoke place too (or maybe the foursquare location is wrong) but the food was definitely restaurant quality. We were able to order a lot of food (not knowing the portions) because we thought that since it was cheap, it was going to be small amounts.. . but they were quite generous with what they gave. We ended up ordering way too much meat for just two people but somehow still ate it all. We're fatties. Oh well. Need the blubber for insulation hahaha. In California, this place would probably get a B just because it's not that clean, but we're in Massachusetts aka land of no food safety ratings (to my knowledge) so they're still getting a 5 stars. :)
(5)Mike A.
The guy who poured our water was named Tank. That is a legitimately masculine name. I can dig that. Unfortunately, he just poured our water. Then he disappeared. Which is generally hard for a tank to do, I think. There was nothing overly special about this place but I do see that it has good Yelp reviews. My only guess is that people's expectations of shabu shabu are lower in Boston than they are where I live. Or maybe I am just some high and mighty shabu shabu critic. Or neither. Lunch specials were a decent price. House hot sake was pretty good. I probably wouldn't go back but I wouldn't discourage anyone from going here either. It's good enough.
(3)Angela C.
The best part about this place right now is the fact that it's currently closed. If I can give negative stars, I will. I honestly cannot comprehend how anyone can give more than 3 stars for this place. The food was terrible. My bf has zero expectations for hotpot...he loves them all, but somehow Kaze manages to disappoint him. The quality of meat was bad, and the soup base tasted weird. The staff was horrible. The hostess that was downstairs did not look happy to see us, and was completely grumpy the entire way to our table. I understand that people can have their bad days, but when the restaurant is empty and your only job is to really greet your customers, maybe you should just suck it up for the 3 minutes it'll take to get us to our tables. Our waitress was friendly enough, but was inattentive. The whole atmosphere was weird and uncomfortable. tl;dr - THIS PLACE SUCKS.
(1)Chau H.
Holy cow... I just saw their kitchen worker came out of the bathroom and did not wash her hands. I brought it up to the waitress and her response was maybe she will wash it when she gets to the kitchen. Huh? How is that a normal response?! I used to go to this place years ago when I was in college and am back visiting my sister. I'm docking them for hygiene. The shabu is ok.
(2)Calvin L.
I'm used to doing hot pot at home where I would be able to have a variety of food served, so I'm a bit biased here. Each table has one burner for a split pot. 2 people share a pot. For the pot, you choose the type of soup base you want to flavor whatever you want to eat, be it veggies, seafood, or meat. Each person gets some veggies, sauces, and a choice of rice or noodles to accompany the main course. I choose the seafood combo, which included salmon, squid, clams, scallops, 2 types of fish cake, and shrimp. Despite their small size, they were easy to cook, which allows for near instant gratification. Personally, home is where I would do hot pot. I can pick out what I want to eat rather be limited to the offerings of a restaurant. However, if you are unwilling to handle a portable stove and gas can or don't have the time to prepare it, then this place would do.
(3)Tiffany D.
This place is one of my absolute favorites! Every time I visit Boston, I always make sure to stop here for hot pot! For starters, this place can get very packed, so come early or come extra late so you aren't waiting in line for a table! I ALWAYS get two broths: Thai tomyum (super spicy and I'd recommend straining the broth before pouring onto your noodles so you don't chew on chunky peppercorns and chilis) and the Japanese tonkotsu, which is perfect for balancing out the spiciness of the tomyum! The broths at Kaze are so flavorful, it beats out all other broths I've tried that basically taste like plain water. For the meats, there are so many options, and they're very generous with the portions too! I usually get the beef lover (includes fatty Kobe beef.. Mmm), lamb, veal tongue, assorted meatballs, and tripe. This is definitely more than enough food for a small group, but hey, you might as well get everything you want when you don't come often! Make sure you stop by this place on your next trip through Chinatown. You will not be disappointed!
(5)Mickey G.
Kaze is by far my favorite shabu shabu place in the Boston area. They consistently deliver a high quality meal at an affordable price point. I usually get a lamb combo with a side of short rib bones. The bones are inexpensive and have a decent amount of meat on them. My favorite soup bases are the Japanese curry and the Tom Yum soup base. My only complaint is that they no longer have their creamed corn croquettes, which were delicious. Note: If you are a CrossFitter or follow the paleo diet, you can very easily make a clean meal out of a visit here by skipping the soy sauce, taro, and the rice/noodle offerings. The sweet potato noodles are delicious are are technically paleo-approved, but my understanding is that they way they process the noodles, they take all of the fiber/nutrients out of the sweet potato, which defeats the purpose of such a substitution.
(5)Vic G.
Decent place. I live in Quincy which really has the best Shabu places around. So 3 stars for Boston is really good. But this place is slightly over priced for the fact that there isn't much competition other than Shabu zen who I would rate 3 as well. What makes this place slightly better than Shabu Zen is that it has more options for broths depending on flavors you like and heat levels. Also - I have never had sushi or anything else but hot pot here because I am very specific about my sushi and once when I was at the bar looking how sushi was being made, I knew I would be having hot pot only. Hot pot is good especially the hot spicy broths. Decent service and they don't try to rush you. That's the good part.
(4)Julia C.
I'm sorry to say that during my 8 years in Boston, I've only just discovered Kaze, as it's the best shabu place around here! Reasons why Kaze is awesome: -It's marginally cheaper than Shabu Zen, Q, or Swish Shabu -The portions are the most generous of them all. They also don't skimp on the fixings for the dipping sauce. -The house broth here is the best one out of all three places listed above. -I also love that their super tasty fish paste isn't brimming with cilantro and that it's self-serve - in most shabu places, waitresses do the fish paste for you and drop huge pieces into the broth all at once, resulting in them never cooking through. One thing I found odd was that gratuity (about 18%) was already included in the bill, even though I was having dinner by myself. But the credit card bill sheet had a tip line as well as suggested gratuity amounts. So just be on the lookout for that.
(5)Lily Z.
I used to like it here until i went to the bathroom and saw a chef use the bathroom and take a shit then not wash her hands. AND TO MAKE IT WORSE (as if it could get any worse...) There were 3!!!!!!!! dead and alive cockroaches downstairs on the floor OH MY GOD. Just stay away...
(1)Emily L.
Never (almost never) have to wait for a table and waitstaff are attentive to your needs. I"m not sure why people choose shabu zen over this restaurant. The food is equally good and this restaurant is much bigger. I like getting a side order of the fish paste along with the meat combo meal.
(4)Lusi J.
Have you tried their watermelon smoothie? TRY IT!!!! lol The hotpot here is great but is a bit pricey for dinner considering the portion is the same as lunch. Thats the only downside to this place, otherwise, everything is fantastic
(5)Lillian C.
My friend was visiting and wanted some shabu like we used to have back home so I just yelped and found this place. We didn't make reservations and got here around 8:30 on a Sat night. We didn't really have to wait since this place has two floors and plenty of tables. We sat down and was helped quickly. We ordered surf and turf #1, a side order of lamb, king oyster mushrooms, tofu, with one traditional soup base and one Japanese soy sauce with seaweed. The food came and I quickly realized we ordered wayyyy too much food. The side order of lamb meat was huge... It felt like it was as much as a regular order. The surf and turf was great and there were a lot of good seafood in it. You can tell they use quality ingredients. I also ordered a lychee martini and that was delicious. My friend ordered a smoothie and it was rich and milky. The only downsides I would say are 1) they ran out of peanut sauce... how does that happen for a shabu place? 2) we ordered mochi ice cream for dessert and it was hard... clearly something wrong with the container or freezer. They took it back and gave us just ice cream. My friend said the red bean ice cream was weird... I got green tea ice cream and thought it was ok. 3) I felt like it was a little pricey... or maybe I'm just used to LA quantity, quality, and price...
(3)Leah G.
We love this place! There are so many broth flavors to choose from. The meat and veggies are always fresh and portions are very generous. The spicy broths are extremely spicy, so beware! My favorite is the Tonkatsu broth with boneless short ribs. I do find that the "generic" beef isn't as good, so I upgrade The kimchi broth is also great and very flavorful, but very spicy. The tomato and beef broth is another good non-spicy broth choice. The food comes out quickly, so there's barely any waiting involved. There is a lot of seating, though most times they seat you upstairs. There are quite a few stairs and they're very steep, so be careful!! For drinks, their house scorpion-bowl-like drink is so yummy (can't remember the exact drink name)!! The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The prices for hot pot are generally pretty high, and this place is up there. On two hot pot meals alone, expect to spend at least $50, but it's worth it. One of the best hot pot places I've been to in the area. Would definitely recommend!!
(5)Becca P.
I always go to Shabu Zen but my friend suggested that we go to this place so I figured WHY NOT? I wish I didn't but now I know. The SERVICE was okay. I had to flag down the waiter and other waiters a few times since my waiter didn't check on us after he served us. For food, we got the angus rib eye and short rib combos to split. I got the assorted veggies as is and my friend removed the cabbage and added more spinach for her plate. I don't understand why the waiter made the substitutions such a fuss. "Let me ask my manager." But they sub'd it out anyways. The assorted veggies comprised of watercress, spinach, napa cabbage, one black mushroom, corn and a tomato. It was underwhelming. I tried Spinach noodles for the first time. Not a fan. Just go with the Udon. The first angus rib eye was good. The short rib was cut really thin and just didn't satisfy. We were still hungry so we ordered another angus rib eye. The second plate was more fresh because the cut looked better and tasted much better. Our broth was the house broth and the cilantro and duck egg. House broth was quite bland as well as the cilantro one but I still enjoyed the duck eggs. Altogether, thumbs down. I would not come back. They are WAY OVERPRICED for what they offer. I'll go to Shabu Zen or the Shabu in Quincy.
(2)Bradley B.
Really great selection and food, came for a birthday party and will definitely be back. There are so many combinations to try: although the prime rib was so good I don't think I can order anything else.
(4)Mike F.
Stumbled into this restaurant unknowing of what I was getting myself into. Little did I know my world and taste buds were about to be rocked into space. The food was quality and the dipping soup broths are extremely tasty. Once you're out of food you will be left dipping anything you can find in the broth to soak up the goodness. i recommend a classic face first slurp approach.
(4)Thanh H.
Great place, but only if you're not in a hurry. For those new to the concept of hotpot, it was really designed for eating with a group of people. You put the food in, let it cook as you chat with you friends. I was never a fan growing up since I didn't really eat out much, let alone eating out with a group. After I met my wife and her group of friends, I started liking hotpot a lot. Not just because of the food, but that fact that we're all together enjoying each other's company. Of course, having great foods around doesn't hurt. I really like the Chicken Wings and the Spicy Tentacles here. The Chicken Wings are juicy and flavorful, and the sauce that comes with it only sweetens the deal. The Spicy Tentacles had a slight hint of spice so even if you don't really eat spicy foods, you might find this to be in your comfort zone. There is a large selection of broths to choose from. Most places will offer maybe four or five types of broth, Kaze offers about a dozen. Their broth range from tamed Japanese Miso to aromatic Chinese Herbal to face-burning Malaysian. Each has their own unique taste so it's not uncommon for a group of friends to order several broths (each pot can hold two broths) and share. I, personally, like the Malaysian and the Szechuan. I like my foods with a kick. For the main course, a tip given to me by a friend of mine, Paul Le, who goes here at LEAST 4 days out of the week, is to order from the "Sides" section of the menu. That way you get exactly what you want. Rib eye, shortrib, chicken, beef balls, water cress, and udon noodles. If this is what I want, there's no reason to order meat combo and assorted vegetables. The food here is of better quality than that is at Hot Pot Buffet, but the quantity is not even close. So I guess you might say you come here to dine and hang out, and you go to the buffet down the street if you're just planning on stuffing yourself. The service is great here. Never had a problem and was always attended to. I've been here more than I can count in one hand...so probably around 7 or 8 times. Most of the time, the waiter has been Ross. He is fantastic. The moment water in in my glass is half way, BAM! There he was, filling it. When Coke (soda) is low, BAM! He's there asking if you need another one. The establishment is always clean and properly lit. Tables are cleaned promptly have customers get up to ensure the next customers are seated quickly. They also offer alcohol and desserts. What's dinner with friends without some adult beverages? Well, unless you're underage. They offer beer and wines to hard liquor such as Jack Daniels and Hennessy. For those feeling a might be adventurous they offer giant scorpion bowls for your party. I'm disappointed to say, I've never actually tried the desserts here so I can't really comment on that. Perhaps an update in the future is in order.
(5)Holly H.
First hot pot experience ever and I loved it. Sat at the bar, drinks were never empty. Food came out quick (not much preparation) and was delicious. Will definitely be back.
(4)Mary T.
Prepare to have garlic breath, if you eat here!! I had dinner here. This is similar to a lot of the other shabu restaurants nearby. I came here on a Sunday night and it wasn't really busy. We were seated upstairs. My friend and I got the lamb and beef combo. I usually get the mala soup base, but I was warned by my sister that it is super spicy, I mean there is 3 chili signs next to it, so it must be spicy. I asked the server to make it with half the spice. I also got basic broth. The broth is not that flavorful and it was bland. They give you a lot of veggies, I wish they had tofu. It was a little weird that they had tomatoes. They have several dipping sauces for the meat--sriracha, satay, and soy sauce. You can add garlic, and scallions to your soy sauce. I was pretty full from the lamb combo I got. The server was quick to serve the food, but when we ask for more sauces, they never got it for us. The prices here are fair and it is a good place to go to if Q is pack.
(3)Chris C.
Our dinner group went here on a January Friday night. RATINGS: Food: 4 Service: 4 Decor: 3 Overall: 4 SUMMARY: First Friday attendees found the food to be " fresh and plentiful," and that the "Thai Tomyum and Japanese Miso broths I had were a good compliment to one another." However, one attendee found the lamb to be "fattier than I remember." Service ranged from "fine" to "good," with one review stating he wished "there was more explanation from the waitstaff." Reviewers also found Shabu Shabu to be "a lot nicer than most shabu places." Multiple respondents said they would return for "a relaxed and casual dinner" or that they would return with "people from out of town." INDIVIDUAL DINER COMMENTS: Nice atmosphere, reasonable food. No really big surprises, good or bad. I'd come back again and since it's different, it's a nice activity to do with people visiting from out of town, etc. -- I've been to Shabu Shabu many times and was excited to return. Though I definitely had to work for my dinner (finally got into the rhythm by the end of the meal), the ingredients were fresh and plentiful and the Thai Tomyum broth has become a new favorite. Service was fine. The lamb was fattier than I remembered from previous visits but the beef was excellent so I'd stick with that. Overall, I would definitely return for a relaxed and casual dinner. Mmmmm I'm hungry just thinking about it.... -- The Thai Tomyum and Japanese Miso broths I had were a good compliment to one another, offering a spicy and tasty way to eat my meal. I found the meat just a little too fatty, had to leave a few pieces floating in the broth, doomed to shabu hell. It took me a little bit to get in the flow of cooking and conversing, but it did not detract from the experience in anyway. I enjoyed Shabu Shabu's aesthetic, service, and overall experience to Shabu Zen, a most welcomed change to the evening. -- Tthis was a fun first friday. The food was fresh, plentiful and affordable, and the service was good, and helpful, and the interior was spacious and a lot nicer than many shabu places, i thoroughly enjoyed it!! -- Definitely an enjoyable change of pace from the normal restaurant experience, Shabu Shabu was a pleasant surprise. I found the food delicious and filling without being overwrought. They DIY-nature of the meal was quite fun. A little more explanation from the waitstaff about what different items were would have been helpful, but I also could have asked.
(4)Kestrel S.
Delicious! Fresh, good meat and produce. Nice miso broth. The Kaze Special Bowl is a fun drink--like alcoholic candy. Udon noodles and jumbo shrimp are great.
(4)Carolyn L.
I'd probably rate this place closer to 2.5 stars. It's just missing the wow factor. They really shouldn't advertise themselves as being a Japanese restaurant when it has a heavier Chinese influence. Their shabu uses Chinese sauces and they even serve Chinese rice. My Japanese friend was incredibly disappointed. I guess that's what you'd expect for Chinatown though? However, I will say I really liked the option of ordering different soup bases and enjoyed the tonkatsu broth. But other than that, prices are decent and the portions are average. I'll probably check out all the other shabu places before coming back.
(3)Jerry L.
Really like this place especially as a single traveler. One can eat here alone without feeling weird. Does that make sense? Plus the food is excellent. I really enjoy their Satay broth.....why can't I find this broth in Los Angeles?? $4 PBRs and a beef/seafood shabu with Satay broth pls. I stayed 3 days in Boston and ate here twice......it's worth a visit.
(5)Jessica B.
Good lord I love this place. This is my favorite restaurant in the Boston area. Full disclosure, I don't know anything about Shabu Shabu, what it's supposed to be like, what's authentic and what's not, etc. What I love about Kaze is that it's simply delicious. I usually get the vegetarian combo, which says a lot for me because I love meat [insert tasteless joke here]. My significant other always gets one of the lamb/beef combos and he loves it. You get a ridiculous portion of food, choice of two broths, and a starch (I still haven't found the rice/noodles I like, but it's so secondary to the main show that who cares). Then you get to play with your food and cook it, poke it with a little fork pokey thing, scoop it out with a personal little basket, and then dip it in your very own blend of soy sauce, garlic, hot sauce and scallions. Then you put it in your mouth and die of happiness. Seriously I have no substantive complaints about this place - the staff is friendly and attentive, prices are pretty affordable considering the amount of food you get, and because you're cooking everything in broth and not oil, it's relatively healthy. The two things I'd change if I could are 1) everything you're wearing will smell like Shabu Shabu until you wash it next, and 2) you can't take any leftovers home. Go here. As an aside it would be a great first date place because each random item you get with your meal could be its own conversation piece. A delicious, brothy conversation piece.
(5)Meg C.
This place is actually pretty good. I usually go to Shabu Zen for my hotpot but I wanted to try a different place out. The food is very good and plentiful. Definitely worth what you pay for. Best part about this place is how late it is open! On some nights they're open until 1:30am!
(4)Wilma O.
First, I would say my rating would be more on the side of 3.5 stars, and this is a solid, fun restaurant with friends. But, that being said, Boston these days is overrun with a ton of "shabu-shabu" places like this (Shabu-zen, Q, some rando place in Quincy I once went to, etc) and they don't deviate much from each other. While shabu-shabu is indeed a Japanese dish, these places all have a distinctive Chinese flavor and I would never classify them as Japanese food. (The broths in Japanese shabu-shabu are stronger with saltier flavors, and the meats are cut thinner and don't taste like they're out of the freezer, a different assortment of stuff is put in, and 4-6 people will share one pot). Kaze is decent - its meat is fresh enough, it has good atmosphere, and the food is very filling. I really enjoy kicking back here with my girl friends, and it's great having an interactive yet hearty meal. However, their broths are not incredibly strong (ex: I'm very sensitive to spice but the two-pepper kimchi broth was nothing), their vegetables that come with the meat are lacking compared to other places I've been (with more quantity, more varieties of mushrooms, fried tofu, eggs, etc). I'd say, overall, if you've never had Asian-style hot-pot, this is a fun and "safe" place to try.
(3)Tuyet V.
My favorite hot pot place, even when you're being stingy and cutting back on the meat, its all good though. I'll never leave you! Favorite broth is the beef and tomato. Where have you been all my life?
(5)Abby R.
Great hot pot, exceptionally friendly service. A bit empty when I went on a Monday night, but it wasn't really an issue for me. Our waiter joked around with us and made suggestions, and was happy to help us whenever we needed it. I got the spiciest broth, which was decently spicy, but not scorching, and very flavorful. It also looked like the lava level in the old Super Mario, which I count as a plus. The chicken and beef both seemed to be of nice quality and they tasted great with the flavor of the broth. The vegetables were so-so in selection and freshness, and some of them weren't cut small enough to be placed in the broth, necessitating ripping it up with my fingers, wondering if that's an ok thing to do. Hot sake was great too, and the prices were right for everything. Would hot pot here again.
(4)Ivy F.
Kaze has been my favorite for years. All the soup bases are good but my favorite is the Japanese Curry. Their watermelon shake, fried oysters and octopus tentacles are amazing too!
(5)Christina H.
Kaze Shabu Shabu has been around for as long as I could remember. I would walk by it all the time when I take the T to Chinatown. I actually ate Hot Pot Buffet (aka the Fat Cow), Q Restaurant and Shabu-Zen before ever stepping foot into Kaze. My friend brought me here one time for late-night hot pot and it forever changed my life. The portions are reasonable for the price and quality. The meat and veggies were all fresh. Friendly service. I recommend the Beef Lover or the Surf & Turf # 1. And hey, you have to get a drink today or a Kaze Special Bowl to share. Their cocktails are perfectly crafted. They are flavorful enough for you to enjoy and not overly sweet; their also nice and strong, so you know you are getting your money's worth. My friend at the end of the table gave the same drink critique (great minds think alike!)
(5)Alex A.
This place is great, but a little odd. In fact, even though it is ultimately designed with large groups in mind (hot pots are intended to be shared, after all), the best experiences I've had here were with small groups. Best place to come to Kaze is really around the 11 PM - midnight mark. There's a couple of reasons for that: first, the lot behind the restaurant usually tends to be unattended after 11, and second, even if it is, street parking becomes much more freely available. Also, as the place generally tends to be pretty slammed during on-hours, coming later will nearly always guarantee you an immediate seating arrangement. The place offers a number of excellent options for appetizers and main courses, as well as plenty of diverse and delicious broths and meat and vegetarian options for the shabu. They also have a fully stocked bar with wine, beer, and liquor options. Fair warning to people just getting into Japanese food: this is definitely expert-mode shit. Granted, the waiters are almost always kind enough to explain to newbies how shabu works, but you will definitely get the feeling that maybe you should've known this stuff before coming there. So, if you're new to Japanese cuisine, you may be a bit overwhelmed on your first time. After that, it'll be easy-peasy.
(4)Wayne T.
Service was good, no msg free option, prices reasonable, been several times, service friendly, overall good
(4)Mike T.
If shabuzen is busy this is my second go to shabu place. It's cheaper but I feel like the meat is not the greatest quality. Their vegetarian special is really good though and better than shabuzens. Their broth can be pretty spicy so be careful. You can pass on the apps.
(4)Kimberly Y.
Met up with friends for a late dinner. The wait was about 10 minutes. The service was good and quick. The soup bases tasted good and the veggies and meats all fresh. Of all the hot pot places around Chinatown, I think this one offered the freshest veggies and meats. Couple that with the attentive service we had a great dining experience and highly recommend!
(4)Frédéric A.
The best shabu in Massachusetts together with van shabu bar in Dorchester. I always get the Malaysian satay broth and ask for extra satay sauce. The vegetables, meat and fish are very fresh.and if you are thirsty, try one of these amazing watermelon shakes.
(5)Ravisara L.
I've been here a few times over the years and it consistently stayed at 3-3.5 stars for me. However, the past few visit leave me quite disappointed. Service: Horrible service. The staff wasn't attentive at all, we had to call her over to ask for more broth and water/tea. Also, they double charge my card but said that they cant cancel the transaction and my friend will have to give me cash. Food: The broth was tasteless.
(1)Jimmy B.
I'm having a heart-break on having to give this place a 4. I've adored this place since I was a child - as a huge fan of hot pot (or honestly, more for the dipping sauce... mmmm chinese BBQ sauce, I'd inhale you over oxygen any day), this place is on the top of my list. Back in the day, the meat was sososooooo fresh with heaps of sliced meat (I think I remembered counting 14+), a good assortment of veggies, flavorful soup bases and an awesome selection of noodles. Oh hey, and did I forget to mention you could order OSTRICH meat? Talk about something you'd hesitate to order, yet wouldn't be able to resist trying at least once. Fast forward 100+ meals of dining here (seriously.. I probably have the record for eating here, or at least I'd like to believe so) and after all the ups and downs, I'm settling on a four. Why? Didn't I say this was my top place for hot pot? Why yes sir I did, and I still hold to it. However, as with most restaurants, small things start to change, and typically not for the better. I've noticed that the meat quality has started to go down in quality (really sad - I'm sad to say that some of their competitors have better meat) as well as reduced quantity (10 slices for lunch, 12 or so for dinner). It's quite sad, especially after the slight increase in prices. (those $8 lunches were the BEST). Luckily, their soup bases still rock (Kimchi all the way!) and their noodles are also still amazing. Unlike some places, Shabu Kaze actually serves what I consider UDON noodles, not the tiny ass noodles some others places serve as udon. Although both are chewy, the size definitely changes the texture and taste - give me the big, chewy udon any day! Also, consider trying their other noodles like the japanese potato! That's my second favorite whenever I strangely am not craving udon. In summary, some slight declines to what used to make this place a shining 5. If they could focus a bit more on their meat, you'd get this missing star back Kaze. Until then, continue to give me all that extra BBQ sauce, and you'll have my patronage any day of the week.
(4)issy d.
I love you kaze I try to go to you once a week! I'll go to you today. Squid tentacles, watermelon shake, fried oysters, scorpion bowl and tonkatsu broth :) because I'm a frequent flyer I do return because I like my squid and I like my watermelon shake. If for some reason it comes out not as crispy or Broth is bland or my shake is melted.... They always fix it and I always stay happy. I loveeeee you kaze. I miss Ross doe
(5)Katie-Rose N.
I want to give this one four stars for the food (I ordered the vegetarian entree with a kimchi soup base), but I'm knocking one off because the service was lacking. It was extremely hard to flag down our waiter after our orders came out (although our food arrived quickly), and we were basically ignored until we finished our meal. However, the portions were large enough for two people, the food was yummy, and it was fairly cheap!
(3)Eunice E.
It took me a while to warm up (ha, ha) to this shabu place, but now that I have, I often try to find excuses to come here and have a nice hot pot of kimchi broth and beef. MmmmMmmmm. And that is my first recommendation -- if you like spicy (and especially if you like kimchi), opt for the kimchi broth. The original is OK (and we used to do half and half -- that is, half kimchi, half regular), but I love the tangy kick that can come only from this flavor. Word to the wise, though: even if you order ALL kimchi broth, they'll charge you for two soups, since, uh, well, they didn't have a very good explanation of why, besides there's a divider in the bowl that separates the bowl into "two." OK, that load of BS aside, the rest of your meal is sure to please. I like to add my hard-to-cook veggies first (the taro, the napa cabbage, etc) and the others as I go, since they cook fairly quickly, and then, just dunk and cook the meat as necessary. When the pot is hot enough, the meat will cook fast, so you can scoop it (and the veggies and the broth) into a separate little bowl and just ENJOY at your own pace. I like to save (and savor) my udon noodles for the very end, so I can end on a high (carb) note, but to each his own. Add your noodles (or eat with rice) however and whenever you want. It all tastes great. I'll admit that I was anti-Kaze for a while because I kept remembering my phenomenal, can't-touch-this experiences with "real" shabu shabu in Japan... but this has become a good Boston experience. I usually come post-movie screening down at the AMC Loews near the Common, so I now associate Kaze with seeing a good flick and talking about how to write my reviews over broth. But whatever the occasion may be for you, I think this is a great place to go to warm up and fill your belly with good soup, veggies, and meat. ("Fancier" upstairs than the more casual downstairs, but I believe only the downstairs is open past a certain hour during the week. Either way, you'll get yummy food.)
(4)Roger S.
This is the best hot pot I've ever done! Prime Rib in Tom Yom broth was absolutely amazing. I dream of returning here, and can't recommend it to enough people.
(5)Michael S.
I am so glad that I tried hot pot so many years ago. It is one of my favorite meals. Kaze does it very well. The atmosphere is suitable and the booths are comfortable. The drinks are great. I have gotten everything from scallops to veal tongue and everything has been fresh and tasted excellent. Not to mention, they are open until 1am on weekdays and 3 on weekends. My buddies and I ate here after my bachelor party! It gets one less star because the location is somewhat sketchy at night and parking is almost impossible (welcome to boston)
(4)Sir william W.
This place is so hit or miss. They're even spectacularly or downright awful and I mean this in ever respect. You'll come in one night and get amazing service and impeccable food or terrible service and a meal that you worry might give you food poisoning. So i really make this review rating their performance relative to their nearby competitor Q that really has their shit down in the hot pot department. Kaze used to be my go to hot pot joint, now its definitely Q.
(2)Barry R.
Great find! Yummy!
(5)Thuy L.
Oh my god. I was never a BIG fan of hot pot and I would rather have it occasionally but, I would actually come here once a week for their hotpot! So my husband and I came here on a rainy Tuesday night around 1030ish craving for hotpot. We were so glad that this place opens late , rather than closing at 11pm like shabu zen or little Q. It was dead of course, because who would come out at 1030 on a Tuesday night just to have hotpot? *raised hands* . Anyways. We started off with the beef tongue and the baby clams. My husband loved the tongue; it was chewy, didn't have a smell to it, and flavorful. The baby clams were not great because we thought it was in a blackbean sauce but instead , it was in a tangyish like sauce which wasn't what I expected. Our waiter was super friendly, I wanted something SIMPLE, not boring, but has some flavoring (not miso soup either) and he suggested the Japanese (something) seaweed soup. Man , I really wish I can remember the exact name for it! But I know it's the only broth with Japanese and seaweed together haha. I was kinda skeptical about it when he first suggested it, but I was like, "freak it! I'll try it". I was afraid that it might have a pungent "sea" taste/smell. When he brought out the half tom yum and the Japanese seaweed broth, I looked at it and i said to my husband "omg, why is it so.. Black?!" *shrug.* I waited for the soup to come to a boiled and I tasted it. Let me tell you, it was the BEST broth I've ever had! Throughout our meal, I could not stop complimenting on the broth. My husband tried it and he loved it as well! It reminded us of the "Chinese herbal blacken chicken" (if you guys ever had it) but it's slightly different. I don't think shabu zen or little Q can top this broth. I liked how there were plenty of wakame seaweed that was cooked in there as well! As for the meats, we ordered Prime Rib, rib eye and beef combo. Both the prime rib and rib eye was big! I would say the palm of my hands . It was slice to perfection; not too thin, not thick either. The combos came with veggies of course and we also ordered extra corns, enoki mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms. Asked for extra BBQ sauce as well. As for drinks, I ordered the honey chrysanthemum tea (stated in the menu), it came out in a bottle (the waiter also asked if I mind it from a bottle) and he brought out a cup of ice and poured the tea for me. When I took a sip of it, it didn't taste like what I expected! Why?! Because it was Honey chrysanthemum WITH Ginseng! The ginseng was TOO overpowering for my taste and I couldn't taste the tea at all :(. I wish they would've stated that in the menu . My husband got a orange soda and they also have a small selections of smoothie as well. But over all, everything costed under $100! Veryyy veryyyy filling! Everything tasted delicious! It beats shabu zen and other hotpot places in my book! Great service as well!
(4)Jay S.
What an experience! I have been here a few times all for special occasions and had a great time. I had the surf and turf with extra spicy broth. We had a bunch of scorpion bowls with extra long colorful straws. Our waitress was great. She was down to earth and her service was above expectation. The part that makes this place special is that you can cook and share a meal with friends and family.
(4)Jonah K.
Never had this stuff before, but my buddy is a regular, so I got the rundown. The restaurant was extremely cold due to it being freakishly cold that day and they seemed to be running the AC. The service was generally good with a decent number of goof ups. The food was great, got the steak and chicken combo with a bunch of veggies.
(3)John D.
Went here last night during the wonderful winds and rain of Massachusetts. Perfect weather of hot pot with a group of friends? Of course! Overall a lot better experience here than I had 2 weeks ago. Meat tasted swell, veggies were fresh, the table was roomy, and service was good! Tom yum broth isn't spicy enough for me and they forgot my fish balls ): + Seated upstairs in a booth, not secluded in a corner. + Although 1/2 of us were waiting for the rest of us to show up, service was really patient and wasn't giving us dirty looks as if we just wanted to sit there. - I had no clue the appetizers were so pricey because my friend ordered them. Not worth. Ordered chicken nuggets, shrimp tempura, and oysters. Nuggets were good. Tempura nothing special. Oysters were alright. - Ordered tom yum broth and bouillon. Still not spicy enough. Spicier than kim chi doe. + Orders a bunch of meat, received a bunch of meat. + Kobe beef still very good quality. Practically melts in your mouth. Pretty pricey doe. - Ordered fish balls, never got fish balls ): You don't understand. The fish balls with filling are amazing... Even though you only get 4 they are so worth. - Fish paste was alright. Really bland, not much flavor. + Veggies were fresh vegetables. + Sauce was good as well! Mixed in a bunch more ginger and the smelly stuff! + Service was fantastic! Came to check up on us quite a few times and were really friendly.
(4)Dessa R.
There are two kinds of people in this world: those who wear white with complete confidence, and then there's the rest of us, who have to make an ACTIVE effort not to look like a an 7 year-old spattered with random shmutz by the end of the day. I, being a member of the latter team (read: clumsy), did not do well here. In my defense, it was my first time. A little background first. Personal shortcoming- I suck at chopsticks. I can play piano, paint fine detail, french braid hair, write in fancy scripts, yet somehow I haven't mastered the ability to grasp rice with two sticks. Eating here at Kaze was like every embarrassing chopstick failure I've ever had, but amped up to the Nth degree. Basically, I found myself trying to skewer what appeared to me to be raw cold cuts, cooking it in boiling broth, losing the coldcut in the broth 3 or 4 times, overcooking it while frantically trying to fish it out, and quickly shoving it into my mouth, with broth gracefully running down my ladylike chin. Awesome. The payoff, in terms of tastiness, was not comparable to the effort it required, IMHO. My dining companion, who was attempting to explain protocol, was appalled. He had to remind me several times not to use the same utensil that I originally picked the raw cold cut up with. Okay, so I suck. I suck at chopsticks, I suck at Shabu Shabu, and I suck at life. Truth be told, I just wasn't into it. I don't see myself trying this again. *If you like this style though, I am told that this is one of the best Shabu spots in all of Boston!
(2)Sharon Z.
I'm kaze-ddicted. I've been coming here way, way, way too much. That being said, every experience is extremely positive. The consistency in the great quality of their ingredients is amazing and their appetizers (fried calamari is so good) and other cooked dishes are also exemplary. They definitely deserve this 5 star.
(5)Karen H.
Been here several times since it's so conveniently located next to/in Chinatown. Multiple times I tried to go to Q but the wait is always 30 + min so I give up and come here. :) There's nothing amazing to me about this place but they have relatively fresh food -- small portions and not the cheapest. Service is just OK and the waiters/waitresses aren't super friendly but aren't mean either. I guess this place is really just a "meh" place to me with nothing bad but nothing outstanding -- thus the 3 stars. I prefer the all-you-can eat Shabu place in Chinatown next to the main gate but that's 30$ and only worth it if you can eat a good amount. Anyways when I do decide to come here, I like to get the szechaun spicy malayasian broth but most my friends (who can't do spicy) like the house broth. The fatty beef is most tender and most delicious so I always ask for that and then their seafood platter is pretty good too. Only come here if you're really craving shabu, happen to be in Chinatown, and don't want to spend a fortune.
(3)Xiao Z.
I've only had their half-off appetizers after 10pm, and haven't tried their shabu. I think the appetizers are certainly a steal at half-off, but they feel generic and without pizzaz. Also, the services has always been lacking everytime I've visited here; it may be secondary to the late night shift and a wide variety of characters visiting this place, but it still doesn't excuse the lackluster service. Food: 2 stars Price: 4 stars Service: 2 stars
(2)Tamarleigh G.
"Adventures in Food with the Vegaquarian and the Meat-Eater" began at Kaze. This is the place where the Meat-Eater took me for our first date. He was trying to find somewhere to bring a non-meat-eater. This was a GREAT choice! It has ample options for vegetarians, vegaquarians, and meat-eaters. This place is GREAT for a first date! It is really clever and creative and gives you something to talk about on the date, even if you can't think of anything else to say to one another. In our case, we ended up having so much to say to one another that on the way to Cambridge - where we went to get drinks after Kaze - we missed our train connections not one, not two, but THREE separate times...and are still together (oh, the cuteness...). It would probably also be good for any lunch or dinner meeting with a stranger - for the same reason (gives you something to talk about) - but the hot pots in the middle of the table would mean it couldn't be the sort of meeting in which you are showing one another laptops or papers and using the table partly as a desk. I don't remember any issues with the service at all. We've been back nearly every year on the anniversary of that first date, and we always have a good time. Of course, perhaps we are just so dazzled with one another's company that we wouldn't even notice poor service... oh, wait, I shouldn't try to say such a thing, because if you've read any of my other reviews, you'll already know that I definitely DO notice poor service. :-D The service at Kaze is fine. Highly recommended!
(5)Ryuu L.
It's terrible that I have to write such a poor review, since I used to love coming here with family, friends and the boyfriend regularly. However the service has gone downhill so quickly that it's hardly worth making the trip into Boston. This used to be my favorite restaurant. Two visits ago, we had ordered our meals and had received what we asked for. However that's all we got. We were never checked in on for more sodas, soy sauce or napkins. It wasn't a busy night, so I'm not sure why our server left our plates and never came back. Finally we flagged down another server to get us the check. I had decided that I wanted to try their mango ice cream before getting the check. Big mistake. They went to get the ice cream but didn't return for almost 20 minutes (for just a few small scoops of icrcream!). When the ice cream finally arrived, it was green tea and not mango! We sent it back and they came back quickly with mango and the check. My last visit there though, was absolutely pitiful. We ordered the gyoza as an appetizer with our meals. Our beef platters and veggies came out, but no appetizer. We figured the gyoza was just taking a little longer to pan fry. So we waited and ate our beef instead. I accidentally spilt over my entire dish of soy sauce and desperately needed napkins, but no servers in sight. I grabbed napkins from nearby tables but it wasn't enough. My boyfriend went to find a server to ask for some basic attention, but found that the entire staff was just sitting at the bar, talking. He complained about not having the appetizer, soy sauce and napkins and he was snubbed. Finally our server arrives. He drops the plate on the table . We say thank you and he says nothing in response. Very uncomfortable, also did not return with soy sauce or napkins for our visibly still wet/sticky table. To add insult to injury, the gyoza was cold. Obviously left sitting out instead of coming to our table. It's very clear that the staff does not care about the customer and sees us only as an inconvenience to their social life downstairs at the bar. I wish I could continue to love the food here, but the service has been so horrendous that I will not be returning. It's time for me to find a new hot pot place to enjoy.
(2)Maddie C.
This place was fantastic. Highly recommend. They have a great deal of meat and broth selections. The combo we tried was Korean Kim Chi and Chinese Herbal. All the flavors were fantastic and the portions were generous. I got pork, with vermicelli as my side and an extra side of napa, which almost proved to be too much. Definitely going back to this place.
(5)Chong C.
Definitely satisfied with their Shabu! Bit more pricy cuz they literally charge for everything. Like broth (only basic is free, others 3.50~4.00), rice&noodles (2.50~3.50), and all. Since most other Shabu places have at least 3 selections for broth and charge an extra buck for special broth, and they have rice or noodles included in a meal, you'll end up paying like 5~6 dollars more here. Taste is absolutely great. Serving size is good, meat and veggie are fresh as they are, and broth has deep, delicious flavor to it. We had Chinese Herb and Malaysian something and both were pretty good. Little something extra, their Organic Sake (warm) is really good. I'm not a big fan of sake since most of sake I've had suck, but they had the best sake I've had thus far!
(4)Ambrose C.
It is a dismal 4 degrees Celsius outside, maybe even significantly lower, and you want something really warm to eat as a light dinner. Where should you go? This place should have your answer. I have been here several times, and after my most recent visit, it was significantly better than before. My previous visits were really mediocre, and most of the time, I usually make hot pot dinner at home or with some people that I know for Chinese New Year. Here's what happened that made my experience better: I ordered just the ordinary broth, with udon noodles and as for the meat, I ordered the prime rib beef with lamb. I also mixed some scallions with garlic into a small cup filled with soy sauce. I learned this method from my sister. After doing this, I quickly cooked the meat in the broth, then after that, I dipped the beef and lamb in the sauce. Adding the watercress and spinach into the broth also made it a really good meal. I really enjoyed the rich flavor of the meats, especially when it was mixed with the broth, the noodles, and the sauce my sister and I created. I also cooked the taro in the broth for a while, possibly for a few minutes. After that, I mashed the taro a few times with my chopsticks, mixed it a little with the udon noodles and the beef, and I also enjoyed my light dinner even more. I did not detect any monosodium glutamate in the broth, so that should be a good thing. The service was somewhat decent, not really stellar. Prices are a little high, expect to have up to $25 in cash ready. Overall, this is not a bad choice to get some hot pot for a light dinner, and I think it has a lot of potential to get better. My most recent visit at this place was significantly better than my previous visits, so this is why I am giving this place a much higher mark.
(4)Shirley Y.
Been here twice before. First time with a fly in the soup base...decided to give it another shot yesterday and the waitress gave me the wrong bill. Staff aren't very friendly either :/
(1)Colby B.
This place is great. Its huge, you don't have to sit at a weird bar if there are only two of you, and the broths are great. I have had the spicy Chinese (Szechuan? I don't remember) broth as well as the miso and kimchi, and the miso is by far my favorite. It sounds a little boring - miso at a shabu shabu place when there are so many more exciting flavors - which is why it took me a few visits to order it...I wish I had been ordering it the whole time. It was really good! As was the kimchi, but...miso wins. Other than that, the service is really good and its a great power lunch. Next time I am in town I will probably get here as soon as possible!
(5)Katie B.
Swish Shabu by Fenway is my favorite place to get hot pot. However, if you're in Chinatown (especially if you're a college student) Kaze is a good choice. It's a spacious restaurant with pretty good service. And the best part is, in the collegiate coupon book you can get a Buy-1-Get-1-Free deal for lunch combos!! Saves a lot of money. The quality of the meats, vegetables and soup are all solid. If you're in the area, check it out. And bring your coupon book!!!
(4)Cammy C.
I came here for lunch with my bf a couple weeks ago, I let him pick the place and I told him to "surprise me." And boy, was I surprised! The place doesn't look like much from the outside, but once you get inside it's actually quite clean and spacious. They sat us upstairs at a nice big booth. This was my first time trying Japanese Shabu Shabu so I had a lot of questions. Our server was helpful in helping me decide which kind of broth and noodles I wanted. The service was fast and friendly (my favorite combo!) We went with the meat bouillon (free) and the kimchi broth (an extra $3), which had just the right amount of flavor and spiciness! I loved all the different kinds of tofu and fishcakes they gave us, sometimes I didn't know what I was eating but everything was delicious! We were afraid there wasn't going to be enough food when we ordered, but it was actually plenty, all the extra veggies and noodles were more filling than I'd thought. When we got our check we were blown away by how inexpensive everything was, I think it was about $20 total! My bf made sure to tell me, "You better give this place 5 stars!" I came in on a particularly rainy day, and my socks and shoes were soggy, my hair was dripping and I couldn't feel my finger tips! But Kaze's Shabu Shabu completely hit the spot and turned my day around!
(5)Nick N.
Food: 5/5 Service: 4/5 Cleanliness: 4/5 Decor & Style: 4/5 I haven't been to many shabu restaurants, but the meat and sauce here is the best i've ever had! MUST TRY NOW. Pretty cool Decor. The pink neon lights are weird.
(5)Kai L.
I was here with my friends for lunch. I ordered Meat Combo #2 which came with four slices of short rib and four slices of rib eye. Both types of meat was cooked very quickly. A veggie platter is included with each lunch set. Overall, not bad. My friends and I literally sat there for close to 2.5 hours. We were not rushed, but at the end of the lunch rush, it was difficult to get the waiter's attention for the check. Good if you are taking your time with friends. Bathroom is clean and well lit.
(3)CK K.
This is my favorite restaurant in Boston. Great soup, meat, and good price. Stop by here for lunch on saturdays.
(5)Lynn S.
I would give 0 star if there's a way to do so. Worst waitress I've ever got! Hot-pot tastes very much the same at different restaurants.
(1)Eric C.
Great place to go if you're with a party of people. Prices were not bad for the quality and quantity of the food. Fun atmosphere and my waitress was great at explaining how everything works. I would recommend this to anyone. You won't regret it. It's pretty yummy and no matter how much you eat, you don't leave feeling disgusting! all of the ingredients are fresh and tasty. you cook it right at the table so it's an activity as well as a meal and you can be a control freak about your ingredients! staff are great about ensuring you don't hurt yourself on the table burners.
(4)herp d.
I've been here twice, once for a bachelorette party, and once just for drinks/snacks. As far as dinner hot-pot goes, this place is great. There was five of us, and I believe we got miso, herbal, Szechuan pepper, and tom yum broth. The herbal was hands-down the best, but the Szechuan was also good (Though I wound up being the only person eating it, since it was too spicy for everyone else, suckers!). The amount of food was just about perfect, and everything was very tasty. What a bill though, oof. If you're going just for drinks and snacks though...The experience is a little different. The same group of friends and I wanted to go back and get their Godzilla drink, which was just too good. Turns out they don't have it on the menu anymore, and nobody seemed to remember it either. Oh well. We were seated at a hot-pot table, and had to awkwardly mention that we just wanted drinks and maybe appetizers (We'd just eaten and didn't know if we wanted munchies or not). After a few minutes they booted us down to the bar, which was fine initially, but it's a little hard for five people to converse at a bar. So, I went and asked if we could move to an empty non-hot-pot table, mentioning that we'd be ordering some food as well (I only asked because the place was nearly empty). I felt so bad for the girl I asked; I clearly put her in an uncomfortable position of having to ask her manager, but she was very nice about the whole thing. The manager was clearly pissed at us, and scowled at us at every opportunity. He was generally pretty rude, even though we kept quiet, ordered food, and weren't even taking up precious space that other customers would need. He was obviously happy to see us go, and his attitude and service left a bad taste in my mouth. Also, their downstairs bathroom is disgusting.
(3)Ben L.
cant really say this place is bad, but as a really big eater, i am not satisfied of the portions, but it's not towards for the efforts of the restaurant workers. this is actually my first time eating hot pot that's not a buffet because i was forced here. everything was fresh and I actually really liked the flavor of the broth so perhaps this place wins so far on the quantity over quality. They also gave you good assortment of vegetables which is really good to give a try to everything and I loved it. I would of gave this 5 stars if prices were a little lower... but thats every hot pot place in general to me if it's not all you can eat because well, i personally think you're better off going to all you can eat places. I paid about $15 dollars for a meat combo with veggies and it doesnt hit the spot for my appetite. at hot pot buffet you probably pay around $18 for testing yourself on your appetite. i still dont mind this place, they provided good service and everything and me and my group of friends stayed for nearly 4 hours just talking and they didnt seem to scuff or anything. id come back only on lunch time though, i looked at the prices which are pretty good
(4)Woonwoon W.
I would call this place pan-Asian hotpot. It offers a lot more options than Japanese shabu such as kimchi, satay, and Szechuan soup base, beef ball, fish ball and Chinese noodles. Service is super friendly I am used to Cafe Mum in San Francisco where you get excellent all you can eat shabu for under $30, so this place is a little expensive. But I am thousands of miles away from home so I am totally satisfied with this place.
(4)David S.
This place was probably one of the best surprises I came across in Boston. Having explored the North end and survived a near death experience with tainted fish, soup was something I was looking forward to. We came in on a Sunday night around 7 PM and were seated almost immediately. The first thing that caught my eye was the huge selection of soups and meats. No one at our table had a good idea of what portions were like or what would work. The server was extremely helpful in explaining all of the options and giving us a general idea of what is common. Between the 4 of us, we were able to order 3 different dishes and walk out very full. It is also not nearly as expensive as other places in Boston. The meat was great, the soup was well prepared and all of the suggestions from the server turned out great. I think I will visit this place many more times before I move away!
(4)Sally B.
I recently took a group here for a bachelorette party. It was fun, delicious, and inexpensive. What it wasn't was on time. Basically, the idea of taking reservations is more or less a lie. We got there 10 minutes before ours and had to wait until 45 minutes after it was due to start before we got to sit down. They had sat someone at "our" table and they just weren't leaving. I get that there's not a ton you can do at that point, but if they knew we were coming, why didn't they just tell the people that they would have to leave at a certain point? I've had that done to me a dozen times - it's a trade off for getting to sit immediately, that you have a bit of a time limit on your experience. Given that this was the sole reason I chose this place, I was pissed that they didn't care about keeping our reservation on time. That being said, the food was delicious - it was great to have a variety of broth. We had a few people in our party with seafood allergies and they felt very safe with the knowledge that their food wouldn't be contaminated and it all worked out fine. The prime rib was pretty much the best thing I've ever eaten, and the tofu variety was interesting, if not all equally delicious (skip the iced tofu). We all ate until we were completely stuffed and still paid only $20 each. Delicious food, just don't come in a rush... or with a group, even if you think you have a reservation.
(4)Leanne C.
Want to look cultured, clever and fun on a date? Go. to. this. place. With a downtown dining price of only $15-$25/person, I can't think of a better place to bring your dinner chatter, open-minded munchitude and appetite. They give you a variety of sauces, rather hefty proportions and a wide variety of foods to hot pot it up. Being the veg I am, I got the Vegetarian Delight (typical Asian fare name for "vegetables... with or without sauce!") and this was the first time I was delighted. My date copied suit and we ordered the curry base with rice noodles on the side. So many veggies: a few types of tofu, some cabbage, mushrooms, taro, daikon, spinach, watercrest and a couple others. I barely made it halfway into my portions when I tapped out from being too full. I'm in love with this place. The staff were completely understanding of my date's lack of timing (and almost burning) of some of the foodstuffs too. Solid place and I can't wait to come back.
(5)Idy T.
Can't stand the long wait at Q Restaurant? No worries! Just walk down the street and Kaze will be there to rescue! I love shabu shabu, especially during the cold Boston weather. Kaze offers a wide selection of meats for shabu. They have prime rib eye, boneless short ribs, black angus beef, lamb, chicken, shrimp, salmon. You name it, they will probably have it here! They have pretty good soup bases too. I like the Japanese miso. It is super flavorful and goes well with the meat and veggies. The Chinese herb is good too but for those who cannot stand the herbal flavor, this is not recommended. However, I am disappointed at the spicy mala soup base at kaze! It has big kick to it, almost impossible for me to eat it. When the soup boils it makes you cough and sneeze like crazy! It gets even worst after it has been boiling for awhile, when the flavors are even more concentrated. I am the type of person that can eat really spicy food and I would have to say this one is a killer. The portion is really big. Each order comes with a plate of meat, a plate of veggies, a choice of broth, and rice or noodles. The service is pretty good a little better than Q. They are really quick with your orders though so you can start shabu-ing away as soon as possible!
(4)Sakura V.
Before all the other hot pot places around Boston and Metro-Boston emerged, the original Shabu places were Kaze and Shabu Zen. Before I used to go to Shabu Zen religiously because that was the go to spot all my friends and family liked. Gradually I started to go to Kaze more because of their happy hour special (half off appetizers after 9 Mon-Thur) After going to Kaze so often, the few times I went back to Shabu Zen I started to realize it didn't hit the spot anymore. I realized Shabu Zen's taste was now lacking compared to Kaze. Also, although a little more pricier, Kaze definitely gives your moneys worth with bigger portions. Pros: Comfortable booths Good Portions Dessert appetizers Cons Some seating are too close together Have to ask for crushed chili peppers My Typical Hot Pot Meal for two: Beef short Rib meal with rice Side order of Pork Two smoothies ***Jumbo Spicy Tentacles (ordered extra spicy, but not really spicier, just tastier)
(4)Sonja F.
What an experience. We sat upstairs on a Friday night at 7 pm, only had to wait 5 minutes for a nice booth. Service was fast for the amount of people in the place. Edamame was perfect, and WOW the short rib was out of this world. Had the kim chi broth, which was a perfect spiciness. Went all out with a nice bottle of saki and we were one happy couple. The meat lovers plate was twice as expensive as the others, and wasn't noted on the menu, but I didn't mind because it was that good. Going back ASAP!
(5)Jackel J.
Today my girlfriend bring me here for the first time. it was look great designed all around upstairs and the pink lights look so good for relax with our hotpot .The food just great and fresh. Also the staff did a good job as well. cheers
(5)Alyssa W.
I havent gone out for hot pot in a really long time. so it was so good to come to a place that was decent! came with 8 people and we pigged out. Love that you can pick two kinds of soup so that you dont get bored. so we got tom yum and regular beef broth. so glad we got a non spicy soup to neutralize the tom yum. it was a good spicy, but my mouth was on fire. the portions of meat, seafood and vegetables are abundant, I didn't feel like I was getting ripped off at all. Service was good. only complaint, fix the booth chairs so that people who sit behind you, who decide to bounce off the chair..dont make me smash my face into my hot food...it got old quick. I think I would return to this place for hot pot. it was clean and an enjoyable environment and the food was great!
(4)Callan C.
Great spot on a cold or rainy day! Wonderful multi-level hot pot place with plenty of space to accommodate larger groups. Here's how it works: 1. Pick a soup base (I recommend one of the upgraded ones - they are much tastier!) 2. Select meat - I've had lamb and chicken and thought the lamb was much more flavorful 3. Select noodles - only tried Spinach but thought they went great with my lamb 4. Throw all your selections + veggies in boiling hot pot for a few minutes 5. Enjoy your masterpiece! I'm normally not a fan of food you have to work really hard for (fondue, shell-on lobster, etc) but this was really easy and fun. You'll drop between $15-$20 on the meal. The service is slow but they generally get the job done.
(4)Days G.
Absolutely love this place. Price is good and shabu is the best ive had so far. my kids love the chicken wings with j sauce!
(5)Ken Y.
Love going to places like these when it's cold out. Had the seafood/beef combo and the ribeye/lamb combo. The amount per plate is a bit less than Little Q, but it's also less expensive. One thing I didn't like about the seafood plate was the clam is frozen, so it's effectively dead; the waiter said they used to have fresh clams but they had a lot of sand and customers didn't like that. The Sichuan broth is *spicy*...probably at least twice as spicy as Little Q's spicy (not their ultra spicy one). It's a good spicy though :-)
(4)Jen P.
Randomly went here a few nights ago with friends and not only was the food amazing, but the whole experience of eating was so great. Our fantastic waitress Grace explained to us how everything worked and answered all of our admittedly basic questions (first hot pot experience!) and everything we got was delicious. We all ordered something different and shared, and the whole experience was very interactive, which we loved. Culinary highlights were the rib eye and the pork, and the spicy base we got was both flavorful and a great kick to our sinuses on a sleepy Sunday evening. Grab a group of friends and make the trip from wherever you are--totally worth the visit!!!!
(5)Olivia C.
So, we missed our bus at south station and set out into the snow to find a place to chill. It's super bowl Sunday and despite their normal business hours the two sportsbars we think to go to are conspicuously closed. We must head to Chinatown where some unofficial national holiday would never supercede making money!! We don't get far before coming across Kaze where the glow of the television invites us in. Turns out this place is a Chinese run shabu shabu joint. According to wiki, shabu shabu is a Japanese onamonapia for the boiling sound the food makes when you cook it in the boiling broth. Dang, it was goodddd. I've been on a red meat bender and this dose of thinly sliced prime rib just kicked my iron and protein high right back up. The salmon and white fish were also incredible. I'd dip it just to get it cooled on the outside and leave it raw inside. Perfect place to pass the time, warm up from the snow, and watch the commercials, I mean Ravens.
(5)Michelle P.
The food was delicious, but there were constant communication problems with the waitress. Also she disappeared for quite some time and never checked up on us. It took a solid 30 minutes just to get the check which was basically thrown at us by a clearly disgruntled employee. Had they actually checked up on us I would've shown then the coupon I had earlier, of course it took another 30 minutes to get the check again after that. We finished eating at 1:15 and it was after 2 by the time we got our check and I ended up having to find one of the employees to hand the check to and she rolled her eyes and sighed. Overall, I wouldn't go back there. The service was ridiculous. I suggest going to Shabu Zen or any other hot pot place. Also she was cleaning the take next to us (even though there were further tables away from the rest of us that needed cleaning) and it got into my friend's eyes.
(1)Ryan L.
I've been coming to this place with my friends since I started college in the Boston area, and it's become one of my favorites ever since. I've been to a lot of hot pot places in Boston, New York, and San Francisco, and honestly, Kaze is better than all of them. Some people prefer the nearby Hot Pot Buffet since it's cheaper and it's all you can eat, but I think the quality of food you get at Kaze makes the price worth it. The Prime Ribeye here is some of the best hot pot meat I've ever had, and even the regular beef here tastes better than the "prime ribeye" you get at Hot Pot Buffet. But what really distinguishes Kaze from the other hot pot places are the broths. The Tonkotsu (pork broth) soup base is amazing, and if you can stand the spicy, the Szechuan Spicy broth is also great. The house sauce that they give you is also great to dip your meat and veggies in. I think it's made of soy sauce and some sugar. Overall, this place is a bit more pricy than the other hot pot options around, but the difference in quality is definitely noticeable and well worth it.
(5)Adela N.
I've been here a lot of times. And, a lot of the workers that wear red clothing actually gossip about you. Theyre outside at the bar and stare and give you dirty looks while you eat. They even talked about my dad when they didnt know him that well. The hostesses dont even smile, and my family just walk ourselves in. The waiters, though, are excellent. My mom got expired food and they apologized so many times. They make great convos and are awesome. I just dont like the hostesses and kitchen ppl. Food: 7/10 Service: 9.5/10 Also, I went to have a "end of year" club dinner. After all 11 or 12 of us ate, the bill came, and we all paid our meal. BUT the tips were already put on the bill, and we had to pay 16% in tips more--which means we paid TWICE as much as tips. The waitress who gave it to us didnt even say anything. The club members and I were TRICKED by her.
(1)Jim D.
We were very pleased with the quality of food & service. The split service pot allowed us to have 2 very different meals at the same table - a spicy Tom Yum and a mild Miso stock. They had an adequate selection of sakes, generous tea service and we left thoroughly satisfied. We will definitely return.
(4)Le N.
My fiance and I often alternates between here and shabu. They both have good food and service isn't terrible. I alternate between the kimchee broth and the tomyum broth - both flavorful. I usually get the beef or the lamb, occasionally the pork. The fiance gets seafood. They provide the veggies and noodles (udon or japanese potato). I always leave full without breaking the bank. =)
(4)Jackies B.
This restaurant is great. I always come here when I wanna eat somethings feel hot. The price is good. I recommend japanese soy sauce with seaweed soup and kimji soup. When the weather is cold,think about Kaze
(5)Andrew H.
When I go to these communal pot/grill establishments I usually hope for an all-you-can eat option to prevent the ensuing guilt that usually follows devouring more than your share of the noodles or meat that goes into the pot. Kaze Shabu Shabu eradicated this problem by physically splitting the hot pot in two with a barrier straight down the middle of the pot and having a boiling station for every two people! I unfortunately did not reap the benefits of this system as we had a party of nine for an eight person table and was shocked to find thy charged $3 for each soup base and charged you for each side of the pot so choosing a spicy soup base for the entire pot would set you back six dollars. When the pot starts running low on fluid, they simply add more water, not flavored base. Each meat platter is relatively expensive at about $14a plate for maybe twelve rolls of thin meat. However, each comes with your choice of thin or udon noodles and a vegetable medley. Overall I did not find this place a good value but I do recognize the novelty value will likely make it a hit for first-time hot-potters. Come for birthdays but I would recommend poor people like me to shy away and save our money for a good Korean BBQ joint.
(3)Catie C.
I declare this as my top choice for shabu. Kaze has an extensive list for a good varietal. Most importantly, they use live seafood so this place is as close as it gets comparing to Asia. We ordered a lobster. My mom dumped the head into the broth and I can see it twitching. Is that inhumane? The service is pretty good, but could be more attentive. We had to ask for refills of condiments and broth, but at least they don't turn off the cooker before we were even done (something shabu zen is known for). They actually don't adjust the heat at all which I don't mind since I like to do it myself. The veggies are fresh and good selection in the combo meal. Daikon, Taro, Spinach, Watercrest, Napa, Tomato, Mushroom, Corn.
(5)ANGELA O.
Absolutely delicious. If it weren't for the rude waiter it would've probably gotten 5 stars, and the stairs are not people friendly, ridiculous, in this day in age all restaurants should be wheel chair friendly. The hot pot choices you can't go wrong! They would definately be awesome if they added sushi to their menu, after all it is a Japanese restaurant!
(4)Jeremy K.
I've had the pleasure of eating Shabu all over the place. Quincy, Cambridge, Brookline and now Boston. Hell, I've even had Shabu years ago during a short stint in Tokyo, long before the fad reached the United States and took it by storm. But I had never been to Kaze and after much discussion about possibly going there with Tony T., we proceeded to make it happen, and were joined by Nate Y. and Erick H. The place two floors and the staff is pretty friendly. After greeting us politely, we were escorted to a table upstairs; the very first one you see from the top of the stairs. Although not the best table, it happens to be the one closest to the kitchen. Two members of our group have terrible MSG allergies and the staff was very compliant, and was even telling them what to avoid ordering and offered alternatives that were MSG free. That in itself was pretty damn awesome - I had never seen that before at a Shabu place. After a brief glance at the menu, I decided to order what Tony T. told me to order since he had been here so many times. I went with the prime rib eye, which was beautifully marbled and sliced well, against the grain, as it should always be. Each slice had a fair amount of fat on it, and since Tony and I had ordered the same broth, the Malaysia Satay one, we decided to get our pot split so we could use one half to cook our meat, the other for the rest; that decision was made so that all of the fat from the meat would stay on one side. It was a good call because by the time we cooked our two plates-worth of the stuff, that side of the bowl looked like a heart-attack in a broth. On the other side, we cooked all kinds of vegetables: taro, corn, cabbage, shiitake mushrooms and enokitake mushroom, and I decided to pick some udon noodles over the vermicelli. The broth was light and tasted awesome although it was marked as a bit spicy and I felt no heat whatsoever. The service was great and the prices were good as well. This has to be the best Shabu spot in and around Boston I'd think.
(4)Steve K.
Stopped in after an early show at the Wilber Theater. This was my wife's first dhabi dhabi experience so we got the basic beef broth with prime rib and pork. It was very good and very quick.
(4)Sarah G.
The pink mood lighting is kinda funny here, but their menu is big enough to distract you from that. I wish our server told us that we really didn't need an appetizer when we asked her because a) those steamed gyoza were kind of flavorless and b) those fried oysters were just so so too. It was actually the appetizers that brought your rating down, because like many others have written your shabu shabu was actually pretty good! They bring you a ton of stuff, so if you ask them if one of their shabu shabu meals is enough for two people it probably is! It did make me sad that it was $3 extra to get a different type of broth--I think that is a little steep. But their combos come with both meat and seafood if you order right which I like a lot. I mean who doesn't like surf and turf? And it all is pretty fresh too. The service was good and got us out on time for the show we were making that night, I just really wish I hadn't gotten those appetizers!
(3)Shayna C.
I came here with a friend earlier this year, because Q Restaurant was booked and we would have waited around an hour for a table. This was just a short walk away, so we figured "why not?". We had a short wait, and were seated upstairs in a corner table. The waitress was very friendly and answered some menu questions for us before we placed our order. The food came out quickly as well after we ordered it. I will give them some stars because it was presented well, and the appetizer we ordered was delicious. The meat was of good quality, but I was a bit disappointed in the veggie selection they had. I forget the name of it, but we got some sort of assortment platter; it ended up coming with a variety of tofu and veggies that I wasn't ready to call home over. Maybe I'm spoiled from Q Restaurant, but I wish that the volume of a-la-carte items you can find there could be found here. The drink I got there was strong as well, and the waitress was attentive to our table. All and all, the food was okay, the service was really great, and I'd be willing to give it another shot if I was in the area again.
(3)David W.
I came here to celebrate a birthday, and I had a blast! It's so much fun if you have a large group of people. The place is really clean and you can be loud and rowdy, and just party it up! This is so perfect for the cold winters, and I love their assortments of broths and food.
(4)Sharon D.
I LOVE this place! I have been going for years and they never disappoint! I usually get the seafood and beef combination that comes with a vast amount of delicious vegetables and I am stuffed for days! Here is how it works...you pick your type of meat, your starch (rice or noodles) and the broth in which you ail cook your own food at your table in your own hot pot. There is something for everyone on the menu. Tomyun, miso and kimchi are all my favorites. The best part is that you decide how to cook your food since you do it yourself. During your first time, you'll do some experimenting but they have a suggested cooking time guide. The staff is amazing, friendly and very helpful. I highly recommend for a healthy and satisfying dining experience!
(5)Mike Z.
This has been my go-to place for hotpot in Boston for several reasons: 1) they make the best scorpion bowls and their other drinks are generally good 2) they make the best frozen watermelon shake 3) their meats and veggies are always fresh I've tried several other shabu joints and there really isn't much differentiating between the types of food that is offered, so as long as the standard fare is offered and fresh and reasonably priced, it's good. Don't get me wrong, shabu is expensive, so you're going to spend at least $25 per person! Another nice thing about Kaze is that they offer 50% off appetizers during weekdays after 10pm if I can remember correctly. I'm a fan of their chicken wings and fried octopus tentacles, so it'd be nice to take advantage of this offer sometime. The service is very efficient, but can be spotty at times when it gets busy. It's in Chinatown, afterall. The restaurant is cleaner and tidier than most other restaurants in Chinatown, so that's always a plus. Ambiance is very important for hotpot restaurants. Parking can be difficult, though.
(4)Jenn H.
4.5 stars. Kaze is my go-to hot pot place in Boston. Whenever my bf used to visit me in winter months (when I was still in school in Boston), we'd always come here--it's a tad pricey, but really good food. Anyways, the best parts about Kaze: great assortment of meats, veggies, oden, mushrooms, noodles (I love the potato noodles!). It's clean, spacious, and the service has always been great. what is there not to love? oh, right. the price per portion. I don't know if my bf and I are monsters, or if it's normal to eat 4 portions, but we always end up spending more money than we probably should. Who can resist those chewy little oden though?! I hear there's a new hot pot buffet place nearby--I haven't tried it, so I can't compare. I can say, however, that i'd take Kaze over Shabuzen any day--prices are about the same, and i like Kaze's atmosphere better--cleaner, less cramped, and a lot less noisy. Also, their veggies were much fresher than the ones I got from Shabu Zen. Anyways, if it's cold out, and you're willing to spend a few bucks, go forth and fill your tummy with some delicious hot pot ^^
(4)Lynn C.
It's been a while since I've last had hot pot. I've been craving the malaysian satay soup base and we had just the right number of people to share one big pot (unlike shabu-zen down the street, the hot pot here is not individual sized). The big pot generally comes with two types of soup, and each type of soup base is $3. Unfortunately, when we got there, the server who did not speak a lot of english, took a long time to explain to us that they were out of malaysian satay soup base for the day. We ended up trying his recommendations, which were tom yum and miso, both of which were awesome as well. The tom yum was surprisingly spicy considering it was only one star. It's definitely not as amazing as the satay, but it is definitely worthy of a 5 star rating regardless. I also loved the miso, even though it's not spicy and i like spicy. Four of us each got an entree, which comes with a dish of various vegetables, a combo of really fresh and good quality meat, and a starch of your choice. The price came out to be $20 each person after tax and tip. I ate a lot more than I really can handle. I love this place. But again, the best part is their soup base. I have yet to try one that's not good. next time I'm gonna try the kimchee and the curry. Can't wait!!
(4)Mikayla F.
Went here for my first time this week and ended up coming back two days later again since it was so good! This was my first hot pot experience so I can't compare it to others, but its definitely a unique dining experience!! The appetizer selection wasn't anything too special but the hot pot is enough to keep me coming back for more.
(4)Michelle K.
I went here recently for lunch. Amazing steak, amazing broth, amazing vegetables. The ambiance leaves something to be desired, but I would definitely go here again, especially for lunch where the prices are more reasonable.
(4)Nho H.
Best hot pot in Boston. The reason why this place does not get a 5 star from me is because they cheap out a little on the veggies and no tofu! But then again, I am always full after I eat my portion......Whatever, I'm just greedy when it comes to my hotpot. I want it ALLLLLLL. The regular broth is superb but I always get the Szechuan broth. It's so spicy that my stomach hates me for 2 days after but its so good that its worth it!!! GO HERE. Great lunch price :)
(4)Michael L.
this place is good. just come here The meat selection and combos are better than that of shabu zen's. you CANT go wrong with the Beef lover entree but I am a personal fan of the No.2 Black Angus Rib Eye & Boneless Short Rib combo. -The tomato with beef broth is tasty and kinda of sweet -the japanese miso soup is good -the szechuan spicy has these huge unground pepper balls in it. I found that very annoying. order this at your own risk
(5)Caitlin B.
Great, friendly service. Fresh vegetables (and meat). Awesome broths. Basically, as wonderful as hot pot can get!
(5)Guillermo M.
I really like the variety of food that this place has. You can have so many different types of hot pots with seafood, beef, vegetables and choose from several base soups. The smoothies are amazing, made from fresh fruit. Also their mochi for dessert was really good. Prices are decent based on what you get.
(4)Yisel F.
Saporo beer, musk broth, veggies, salmon, white rice, and noodles. Drove out to this place and was worth it. Very authentic tasting and good quality.
(5)Dan G.
I'm not always a fan of asian food but I think I would totally come here again. We didn't actually get to enjoy the hot pot because we were a little too drunk to understand but we did order some appetizers which were really good. Also, can I just say that it smelled so good inside too. Anyways, I thought we would be spending a hefty amount as many restaurants charge a lot for apps, but a bowl of edamame, a plate of chicken nuggets (SO GOOD), Shrimp tempura and spring rolls came to $10. I really wan to come back for the full experience because it looked and smelled so wonderful. Everyone was friendly and I felt really bad that we spent only $10, so next time lets multiply that by 10.
(4)Fan L.
In terms of portions, this restaurant is consistent about theirs and you can get a lot, especially their Oden special!!! (traditional Japanese fish cakes, tofu, and other delicious goodies) you get to choose rice or noodles, and I recommend getting the spinach noodles, or the udon (thick Japanese wheat white noodles). Also they have nice soup bases Though, for the absolute best soup bases, try the LIttle Q restaurant. They're a bit overpriced and their service sucks when they're flooded. Oh, and for those of you ppl scared of spicy food, please don't don't shy away from Kaze's Mala soup base, it's more savory than spicy
(4)Judy L.
It was a lot better than I expected! We had a group of about 12, and we shared 5 pots between us. With each pot, you get to pick 2 different broths. They have a surprisingly large array of choices! From kimchi to malaysian satay, from curry to tonkasu. For my pot, we picked 1/2 satay and 1/2 tonkatsu, which was a good contrast. We expected the satay to be hotter though, but it was still delicious nontheless. Other people recommended the curry broth as well. Between two of us sharing the one pot, we ordered the pork dinner combo, which comes with a plate of pork and a plate of vegetables, with a choice of udon, rice, or vermicelli. It wasn't enough for the two of us. . . .so we ordered another order of pork and an order of assorted tofu. The tofu was very tasty! They gave us 3 different kinds of tofu, though only 1 of each. . . . . I wish they could have given us more. Oo and the sauces! Yum. Each pot gets 4 different ingredients for you to mix your own sauce, including taiwanese satay, garlic, onion, and this soy sauce (tasted like ponsu sauce). Delicious! :) I want to go back already!!!!!
(4)Kat T.
I love this place. When mom came to visit from California (home of great Asian food, may I add) I took her here and SHE loved it as well. I've tried most of the soup bases and have to say that Tom Yum is the one for me. Between coughing from the spice of the Tom Yum seeped in my vegetables, dipping my meat in the delicious satay (or Chinese/Korean BBQ sauce as they call it in Amurica) sauce con garlic and scallions, and eating my soupy Tom Yum udon noodles I could not be any happier. Compared to Shabu Zen, I much prefer this family style pot over individual ones. Otherwise there's not much of a difference.
(5)J L.
Came here with some friends and the food was excellent. Portions are a good size so come hungry. Definitely would come back.
(4)Sze Yin Benjamin W.
Kaze Shabu Shabu is in a rather obscure location compared with other hotpot places in Chinatown. But it is by far the best in my opinion. I really enjoy the great selections of broth they provide. I highly recommend the curry and kimchi broth, they are just delicious! The quality and freshness of the ingredients are excellent, especially the meat. Make sure you order the fish paste in addition to your regular combo. You will not regret it. The portion is reasonable where you will feel satisfied and not suffer from eating too much as I almost guarantee I will over eat if it is a buffet. I do think the price is a little bit expensive, but the quality of the food is worth every single dime. Give it a try if you are getting sick of the mainstream hotpot buffet restaurants in Chinatown.
(4)David M.
I've been here a couple of times over the year: A bit touristy, yet slightly off the path. The food isn't super adventerous, but when was the last time your dinner came with instructions? Fun, unique, and a great place to bring people from out of town, or just to meet up with a big group of people. It can even be a great quirky date.
(4)Phillip Y.
Absolutely positively yummy and fun with making your own food. I had a wonderful lunch with udno noodles and soup. Here are some selections which are very good. Also, order green tea and some appetizers while you wait). APPETIZER SPECIAL 50% OFF- All day Sunday as well selected times during the week and Saturday. Lunch Menu * Deluxe Seafood (scallops, clams, salmon, fish ball, shrimp) * Surf and Turf with Sirloin Beef (same with some beef) Note that all of these meals comes with a tray of vegetables to add flavor to your soup. * Tomato Slices (two) * Chinese mushroom (really big and flavorful) * Taro root (like a potato but breaks apart in hot water) * Napa cabbage (good leafy veggie) * Spinach (good for your muscles like Popeye) * Small corn on cob (something to nibble on) * Snowpea stalks (very tender) Appetizers * Jumbo fried shrimp (really long and meaty too) * Jumbo fried tenticles (really chunky with suction cups)
(5)Camille R.
This is the first time since I was 8 or 9 years old that I've done shabu shabu and I'm always down for an interactive meal with good people. The service was whack and there is no good set up for large groups. Kaze offers many meat options and one seafood and one vegetarian/vegan option. I ordered the seafood, while a friend ordered the vegetarian. The vegetables were fresh/crisp, the broth flavorful, and you can concoct just about any wonderful flavor with the few spices/sauces they offer. We made reservations for somewhere betwene 8-10 people and when we got there our table hadn't been set up yet. Fortunately that on a Friday night, they weren't very busy. I had a real problem with the fact that between each table for two with two hotpots there is a table for two without a hotpot, so that means that because each of us wanted to shabu shabu we had to sit in every other seat. We asked if there was anything they could do - like do they have a portable hotpot thing or something, they said 'yes' and after waiting forever and asking again, they finally said they could do nothing. So, we made the best of it and anytime we wanted to talk to someone across the table there was an open seat next to them. I wonder why the setup is such because it can make for a really awkward time. Overall, I had a pleasant experience and I know for next time not to go large group.
(4)Jenn V.
Kaze shabu was my first east coast shabu experience. It's definitely different from west coast shabu but good none the less. I liked that they had a variety of broth for you to choose from and the seafood was really fresh. Service was really good. My real reason for wanting to review this place though, is to let everyone know that the fried oysters here are fantastic! It comes in an order of 4 and they are crunchy and light, not greasy at all, and then they melt in your mouth like butter. Man I miss these.
(4)Travis D.
This was my first hot pot experience, and I'm not sure why that sounds so dirty. Our waiter was very helpful with explaining everything. The food was delicious and the big Sapporos were a nice compliment. We arrived at 5:45 and were done by 6:45, which was just enough time to make it to a 7pm theater start. I would plan for more time on the weekends. The only reason that it didn't get 5 stars is for value. I thought it was just a little overpriced, but I would definitely go to Kaze Shabu Shabu again.
(4)S. O.
I had never been to a shabu shabu restaurant before and I had so much fun here. Service was fast, food was great. It was loud at 8pm on Saturday, but I think that might come with the territory. We ordered an edamame appetizer, miso soup and Szechuan broth (deliciously spicy!!), with raw seafood, beef, and vegetables, for three people. With some sodas and one sake, the bill was $65. awesome!!!
(4)Jeff J.
The ribeye was good and marbled, but the portion was a bit small for $15.50. I had to order 2 plates to feel satiated. Pleasant overall experience, though the sauce could have been a bit better considering that's the sole reason why I'd pay top dollar to go back to Shabu Shabu House in LA.
(3)Alicia J.
In short: - Too expensive. - Very good meats and vegetables. - Clean and nice atmosphere. Later on, I looked up what the difference between all the Japanese hot pots are. According to Wikipedia, Shabu Shabu is a variant of the Chinese shuan yang rou (which is a little curious because Shabu Shabu does not necessarily have any lamb meat in them), and it is more savory than sukiyaki with a ponzu (lemon sauce) or sesame dip. Curiously enough none of these are present here, and the broths are also not made with dashi. In most other aspects, Kaze Shabu Shabu also feels like a Chinese restaurant. The majority of the patrons are Chinese, the decor is of a somewhat Chinese esthetic and there are Chinese names for the dishes on the menu. That said, this a surprisingly nice, spacious restaurant with two floors where you can sit comfortably in large booths unless you come in a huge group. The waiting time was therefore also very short even though we had no reservation. We got the rib eye meat combo and the seafood deluxe platter, with the standard meat broth and the spicy Szechuan broth. With all the vegetables and noodles they served, this was luckily enough for three. My favorite were the nicely marbled rib eyes, thinly sliced and very flavorful. The vegetables were of good quality, and the udon were very thick and good. The meats went perfectly with the Szechuan broth, which was way too hot for the vegetables. Unlike what most reviews, I thought the service was good. Our waiter was constantly running and seemed very busy on that Saturday evening, but he did well. Finally, Kaze Shabu Shabu made me crave hot pots again. It reminded me of how much I used to love them as a small child, and I want to go back already!
(4)Edgar L.
Food was good/standard but service was incredibly slow. Took over an hour for the raw, uncooked food to come out. Someone at our table ordered a beer that came out very late. The uncooked noodles we ordered came out another 10+ minutes later. Perhaps for a smaller group (we had over ten people) it might have come out quicker but I can't vouch for that right now.
(2)Mike C.
It was my first time driving to Boston from NYC with my girlfriend and my friend suggested this hot pot place for meet up. On a cold winter night, this was the place to go as it warmed us up. Initially we waited approximately half an hour for seating for the three of us. The wait wasn't bad as I went back out to move my car. Be warned with parking in Chinatown... read the signs. Once we were seated, we were given menus to look view. The waitress did not pressure us to order food which was good since it was my first visit. For the soup base, we ordered the Tomato and Beef and Japanese Curry. As for the combo, we ordered a beef combo, a prime rib/chicken combo, and seafood deluxe. Overall, the quality of the food was superb. The cut of the beef was great, not very fatty. I would come to this place again on my next visit to Boston.
(4)Anita S.
I love, love, love shabu shabu and it is a must have whenever I visit Boston. Initially I was a devoted Shabu Zen fan, but one night, faced with a long wait, I tried Kaze and was pleasantly surprised by how fresh the meat tasted. Be warned, the tom yum broth packs a serious punch.
(5)Steve S.
What could be better on a 90 degree day than boiling hot soup? I really liked Shabu Shabu....Its two floors in Chinatown. Shabu(as I now will refer to it) is about soup. You have a choice of soup stock, vegetable, condiments, sauces and meats. Think of it as a salad bar, but only soup Then you cook it on a high speed burner at the table...Its pretty fantastic as the flavor improves with each morsel added. Its different, its social, its delicious Probably even better in the winter
(4)Tiffany J.
I really enjoyed the food at Kaze. The portions were large (I ordered the vegetarian entree) and had good variety (my plate included 3 different cruciferous greens, tofu, mung bean noodles, 3 vegetarian dumplings, and more... very impressive for vegetarian shabu). I was, however, a little bothered by two aspects of my experience at Kaze. First of all, the bathroom is in the basement next to the kitchen, and it was kind of cramped and dirty. To make matters worse, I saw an employee leave a bathroom stall, rinse her hands without soap, and then proceed to the kitchen next door, which also didn't look terribly clean. Ugh. I tried to put this out of my mind, but it definitely prevented me from enjoying my meal to the fullest possible extent. Secondly, their standard broth contains meat, and there is no free vegetarian alternative. You need to pay a few extra bucks to switch to the kimchi or miso broths, which, on top of the already pricey $13 you're paying for the vegetarian entree, feels like a lot... All in all: Good food that's pricey, and Kaze can really improve in its hygiene..
(3)Lan Z.
The waitresses were dare to tell me how much tips I should give and later I refused to give tips because of her rudeness she said " okay, no coming back then" what kind of waitress she is! It is horrible
(1)Ave H.
I LOVE Kaze! This is the go to place for me and a few of my girlfriends, and it's always a blast. They have multiple floors so seating is ample, however there is still often a wait. They do not have private parking but there are a few lots nearby that cost between $10-15. Beware - they do not take reservations for small groups (we were told once the minimum as 7 and another time 5) and they have virtually no waiting area (2 chairs uncomfortably crammed in front of the stairs). So if you have a party of 3 or 4 it can get kinda uncomfortable. So we usually wait outside, weather permitting. I always get the same thing - kimchi base, udon noodles, and beef. Yuuuuum! Shabu veggies are always delicious and look fresh. Service has been hit or miss for us. They are always prompt with taking our order and delivering our food and first round of drinks. However, we often are forgotten after this and go until the end of the meal without the ability to get drink refills. Despite the few flaws, we keep coming back for more. It is just so darn delicious that I can't say no.
(4)Cassy H.
How to shabu shabu: 1) Gather your group of friends; I think it's fun with more people.. especially with people who haven't done shabu shabu before. It's an interactive dining experience, so prepare to do some cooking! 2) Select your protein (ie., chicken, pork, beef, lamb, seafood, or a combination of the above). Whatever you select, it will come with a tray of veggies, so don't you worry. They got your fiber covered. 3) Select your soup base. As a tip, I think steps 2 and 3 are interchangeable.. as in, depending of what type of protein you get, you should think about what soup base will taste good with that protein. Or if you care more about your soup base, select soup base first and then decide on protein. My combination? Usually, pork plus tonkotsu soup base. Anyway, I am definitely a fan of this shabu shabu place! Compared to Shabu Zen, this place offers more soup base options and better quality meat. However, I think it's slightly more expensive, but I guess you get what you pay for.
(4)Savannah B.
When my friend and I decided to go out for dinner, he said "I know a place..." It's his favorite. I have only been to one other hotpot restaurant, and as a vegetarian, take my herbivore opinion for what it's worth. I went there for the second time today...and I think I could go for a third...fourth...fifth... The food is scrumptious. The vegetarian platter looks nearly identical to the other well-known hotpot place around the corner, but my friend's enthusiasm for this place over the other helped win me over. I agree that the staff is friendlier. Also, the other place never seemed to have miso broth, which I'd always wanted to try. The decor is nice. The staff is tremendously warm and helpful. If you are not sure of what you're doing, the staff will give you tips. If you really want, ask them to leave a menu, which features instructions on how long to cook what. I left my camera at the restaurant the first time... I did not realize I had done so until two days later. I had to remember what the last photo I'd taken was...my dinner plate at Kaze Shabu Shabu. I called, and once I had confirmed the description, they told me I could come pick it up. I just switched them from 4 to 5 stars because of that. There are good honest people out there - and they include the Kaze Shabu Shabu staff.
(5)Von T.
I should have walked out as soon as we'd stepped in. We walked in to three hostesses, none of whom greeted us. I had to say hi and request a table for two upstairs. They told me upstairs was full. That's fine. Then the hostess grabbed two menus, threw them on a table and walked away without so much as a bye. The waiter more than made up for the hostesses' lack of welcome. He was great, friendly, prompt. He was alarmed when he asked us what we'd like to drink and I told him we weren't given a drink menu. Going in, we knew it'd be pricey. The food was good, but the portions were a bit small. I'll be returning to Shabu-Zen two streets over from now on.
(2)Holly C.
This was a very unique experience! My husband and I both thought the quality of meat & seafood ingredients were top notch, very tasty. It was a bit messy, but fun. Service was not the greatest, but I would go back.
(4)Sandra C.
[Note: This is a straight up comparison of Kaze and Shabu] It's like Shabu-Zen (I refuse to write a review for that restaurant because I used to work there) except a little bit lower quality and stingier. I don't know, if you ask me, I'd just say this place is a major cop-off of Shabu-Zen. The good thing? The service is much faster. Of course, Shabuzen's service got a lot worse after I quit (I'm kidding. Okay not really...) Anyways, the vegetarian portions are much larger at Kaze, as well as the portions of rice, vermicelli, and udon. The beef tongue and sauteed clams got NOTHING on Shabuzen's though. I'm not gonna lie...after I get off this vegetarian phase, I'm gonna march right back into Kaze and order OSTRICH. Seriously, I'm so curious!
(4)Valerie C.
I'd never been to hot-pot before, and I was, therefore, apprehensive about coming here. I've always loved Asian cuisine and soups, so after my boyfriend and I saw a review of a hot-pot place on the Phantom Gourmet while channel-flipping one morning, we decided to try it. I was pleasantly surprised to find the staff completely willing to answer any of my questions about how exactly to hot-pot, and we had a great time. The food seems like a lot when you're looking at everything being brought out, though the meat is obviously very thinly sliced. It ended up being filling without being too much, which was wonderful since I tend to become overfull on heavier foods and then feel off all day. The way hot-pot forces you to eat a little more slowly also helps with that. Staff was friendly, prices were more than reasonable, and food was delicious. Can't really ask for much more than that in a restaurant!
(5)Shendi X.
This place does hot pot justice - incredible broth, with great variety/selection, and only the freshest ingredients - everything came together for a mouth-stuffingly delicious meal: my mouth waters just thinking about the experience! Certainly now my first choice for hot pot - come here!!
(5)Ingrid S.
This is the first Shabu Shabu place I've tried in Boston, and it surpassed my expectations. My husband and I have recently relocated from the Bay are in CA, so we were very used to good Asian cuisine (the only 2 Japan Towns in the US are in the Bay area). I got the short ribs and my husband go the the prime and both were delicious. Mine was not a fatty but still very flavorful. The veggies that come with the dinners were good, but I like mushrooms as well so we ordered a side of assorted mushrooms. My husband had the standard broth base and thought it was kind of bland, but I was pleased with my selection of the Miso broth (it was an extra $3). There were a LOT of additional selections, which was kind of overwhelming b/c typically Shabu only has 2 choices of broth. I might try something more exotic next time, but I'm just not sure about mixing my cuisines- like selecting kimchee broth, or curry broth. But if I'm feeling crazy I just might ;) Overall it was good and I will go back. I do agree with some of the other reviewers in that it was a bit over priced for Shabu- our check with 2 dinners, extra mushrooms, and a small bottle of Sake was $65 before the tip.
(4)Katie B.
This was my first shabu shabu experience and I LOVED IT! I love any type of Asian style soup, so I was pumped to try this. My friend brought me so she did all the ordering as she's a hot pot pro! We got Szechuan Spicy and Tom Yom as our two soup bases. Both were VERY tasty. The Szechuan had some serious heat behind it. We got udon and Spinach noodles to toss in. Both cooked up nice and were delicious. We got the meat (Kobe beef, pork, chicken) and a seafood (shrimp, scallops, white fish, clams, and salmon) combos. All the meat and seafood was very fresh! Everything was served with big plates of veggies to dump in as well! My green tea smoothie was amazing and sweet and my friends watermelon smoothie was light refreshing! We shared an awesome mango cake thing for desert! All of this totaled only about $20 a person, including tip! BONUS! I totally recommend this place to anyone looking for great shabu shabu, even if it's your first time!
(5)Mabel N.
I love how I get seated right away for hot pot. Unlike other places around the area you must wait at least 20-30mins for a table. Wait staff are very friendly and attentive. Your water glass will never be half empty when you dine here. I really love the service here. Came here with a party of 10 we order so much food. Everything is fresh and delicious. Try the squid paste - it's so different from fish paste. Especially love their kobe beef SO GOOD!!!!!!
(4)Sandro K.
This place is a very good location to experience hot pot in a group of about 8 people. It's not the cheapest place to have hot pot in Boston's Chinatown but the food is fresh and good. Try the beef lover plate. It's just awesome.
(4)CJ N.
Such a great date place! Especially if you're going to see a movie at the AMC in Copley close to Chinatown. Shabu style is cooking your own meats/veg in a hotpot at your table. I recommend the tom-yum broth for cooking. The plates come out fresh and are served extremely fast. This is a fun and delicious dining place. Enjoy!
(5)William G.
Great place for a nice casual shabu dinner. Not too loud, easy access, and the food is amazing! Friendly staff, and management. The prices are also not bad for this area of town. Tip: we ordered the curry stock shabu and it was so good!
(4)Steve K.
I've been to a lot of japanese restaurants, but so far this one takes the cake. This isn't your run of the mill hibachi or sushi Japanese establishment that you can find just about anywhere. If you've never had Shabu Shabu or "Hot Pot" before, I highly suggest you check this place out first. If you have, then get over here for your next trip. You will probably never go anywhere else. This was my first Shabu Shabu experience and I can say I was very impressed. I'm not generally into a "cook it yourself" restaurant. If I want to "cook it myself", I'll go to the store, buy the food and take it home. Why pay to cook your own food, right? This place on the other hand, definitely will take my "cook it yourself" business. First thing to remember... meal portions are big here! You don't need to go and order two plates for you and your significant other. You would find yourselves overwhelmed with food. Honestly, you don't even need appetizers, although I will be going back to try some of them. Second, it's not as expensive as it seems. Both the location (Chinatown right on the outskirts of the financial district) and the decor may be deceiving, but trust me... you can get away on the cheap here and feel pleasantly full and satisfied by the time you leave. My last meal for two here cost $45 after tip. $45? At this location? No way... Yes way! First we chose our broths - Japanese Soy Sauce w/ Seaweed (makes a great cooking broth as well as a soup) and Japanese Curry (best for cooking, didn't enjoy it as much as a soup). Keep in mind you also get free refills on the broths. They came in a split pot so there was no waiting for one or the other. Next on the order was the Meat Combo #2 w/ Black Angus Rib Eye & Boneless Short Rib. The short rib was my favorite of the two, but I do love rib eye, especially when it is Black Angus. The assorted veggies and noodles were also on this plate. Added to the veggies was the assorted tofu. A fair warning, tofu takes a LONG time to pick up flavor of the broths, so toss them in for a while. I recommend using the silk tofu for clear broths as it works better in a soup. Added to all this, a bottle of hot saki and two green teas were on the table. The saki was amazing and the green tea was good, but if you are more for a mild green tea, it may not be your "cup of tea" so to speak as it is a bit strong. Well, there you have it! $45.00 for all that! Kaze Shabu Shabu lets you head out for a night on the town after a nice quiet dinner for two, some green tea and hot saki. I can't think of a better dinner for two on that side of town.
(5)Melissa L.
There's a gazillion and a half reviews on this already, I know. But I just had to add this to my Boston list, since Kaze has had so much significance for me, and is definitely my favorite place for shabu in Boston. Which, having moved to New York, isn't saying much. But still, my favorite place in Boston. It's the only place where you can have a decent vegetarian platter with tons of stuff I like - spinach, daikon, bok choy, tofu, mushrooms. The short ribs platter is quite large, and the veggie side plate is a smaller version of the vegetarian platter, which is WAY better than Shabu Zen down the street, which has been trying to skimp on the veggies by replacing quality stuff with - oh, say - one piece of broccoli and one stick of carrot. I like that Kaze is huge, so you rarely have to wait for a seat, even in the busiest time of the week. Not only is it nice and spacious, it's clean, and has a nice big bar, with large flat screen TVs. Upstairs, there is even an enclosed area with a huge table so it can accommodate larger crowds. I've had shabu there as an after party with a theater cast of up to 18 people before. Lately, thought Kaze has been doing this thing where they've been replacing their Japanese sushi rice with a cheaper Chinese jasmine rice. Boo. It's irritating, and I wish they would change back to the rice I like better. Try the creamcorn croquette, and fried anchovies when you're there. Their appetizers are amazing.
(3)Liza C.
I love kaze shabu shabu wayyy better than shabu zen, which is so over-rated! kaze has many broths to choose from, japanese curry being my all-time favorite! we usually order one surf and turf and a side of meat and that fills my boyfriend and i up! the veggies are plentiful. i like the udon here more as well. and for a cold day, i love taking the long drive just to have me some hotpot to warm myself up. the fruit shakes are just ok.
(5)