Shabu, a slang term for the drug methamphetamine used in Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. Ya ba, also called shabu (Philippines), is a pill with a mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine that is prevalent throughout Asia. Shabu-shabu, a well-known Japanese nabe stew, is a dish that can be shared with friends and family. Traditionally, it is made in a sharing pot placed in the center of a table and is enjoyed both in homes and in restaurants.
Shabu-shabu contains ingredients such as thinly sliced wagyu beef, pork, tofu and fresh vegetables that cook quickly in a simmered soup. The different dipping sauces add flavor to the ingredients. As for Japanese food, shabu-shabu is a fairly recent addition. While ordinary pots have been cropping up on tables in Asia for longer than anyone can remember, the distinctly Japanese configuration known as shabu-shabu began in the 1950s in Osaka.
It seems that a certain restaurateur tried a bit of reverse engineering, creating a minimalist, homemade dining experience in which customers would gather around a steaming pot and cook their own bite-sized bites at will. The name “shabu-shabu” is an onomatopoeia, which imitates the sound while gently shaking the meat from side to side to cook it. With its focus on quality ingredients and its intimate, practical cooking style, shabu-shabu remains a favorite in restaurants and homes across the country. What is Shabu-shabu? Simply put, this mysteriously named dish is a popular style of nabemono, or Japanese hot pot, which includes thin slices such as tender meat paper and fresh vegetables cooked together in a large, open pot.
Unlike other types of hot pots, where ingredients are cooked together before serving, shabu-shabu ingredients are served raw and cooked next to the table during the meal, similar to fondue.
