Eclectic Kim Review: Tabu Shabu

I always love catching up with Janisse. Our conversations about art, ceramics, and life are always inspiring and upbeat. After seeing her final MFA show at CSUN, I wanted to pick a dinner spot where we could celebrate her incredible achievement and dive into good conversation. When I came across Tabu Shabu, I suggested it and she was in.

From the moment I walked in, I was pleasantly surprised. My last few shabu-shabu experiences were a bit much, so I was ready for something more modern, relaxed, and fun. I didn’t need the robot servers of X Pot in Las Vegas again. I just wanted someplace to relax and enjoy.

I absolutely loved the STEAMED EDAMAME (truffle & sea salt) and the CUCUMBER SALAD (spicy style w/ pickled serranos).

For the main course, I ordered the TONKOTSU BROTH (creamy ramen pork bone broth), with WHITE RICE and UDON NOODLES (thick wheat flour noodle).

As we dipped, cooked, and swirled meats and vegetables into our bubbling broths, Janisse and I found ourselves in conversation. Everything from art to life and back again. I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the chain of events that led me to take ceramics classes at Green and Bisque, which ultimately sparked our friendship.

It’s wild how sometimes just saying, “Hi, you’re fun and I enjoy talking to you. Want to grab lunch?” can open the door to something meaningful.

But, I still can’t really hand build ceramics worth a shit.

However, I’m great on a pottery wheel.