Can you say "Shabu Shabu" ?

From Wikipedias description; Shabu Shabu (also spelled syabu-syabu) is a Japanese variant of hot pot which also means steamboat for us locals in Malaysia. I've heard friends keep mentioning about this Shabu Shabu phenomenon for a year or so now but I've yet to test it out. Since Apple recommends that Puchong has one of the best Shabu Shabu restaurant; I am obliged to try it out.

We reached the restaurant about 8.30pm and I was shocked to see the queue! Frankly speaking, I know queuing is very common in KL for popular food joints but for a Japanese steamboat? What's more shocking is that we have to wait for 30 minutes for a table for 2 person?? o.O

During the long wait, I just glance around and found that the restaurant comprise of 4 storeys which includes the Ground Floor where they have a tea house. The above 3 floors are for Shabu Shabu business! WOW! 3 whole floors and yet still have to wait? When it's our turn, we have to pay upfront; each person costs RM26.50! Did I mentioned it's buffet style?

Anyways we took the lift up to the 3rd floor and to my surprise, the place looks like a canteen! Seriously, I did not expect it to be so but how else would they serve buffet style efficiently and fast without the assistance of a conveyor belt just like a sushi restaurant? It seems everyone is seated with their own hot pot whereby you have a control panel to increase or decrease the heat of your pot with just a push of a button.

I feel that it's not suitable for a group food gathering joint as it really feels like you're eating alone all the while! I mean you have your own pot with your own food and that all of the patrons are sitting in 1 straight line...how do you even have a decent conversation right?

Well for RM26.50, they do serve quite a number of varieties of food but I would not advise on the seafood as it's not fresh during my patronage there. The best dish is their famous thinly sliced pork which is quite tasty. It's recommended by most of my friends or colleagues who have visited the place and I do agree. As for the rest of the dishes, it's nothing to shout about at all.

My Rating for this place (based on my own personal opinion ONLY):-

-Ambience : 2 out of 5

-Food : 3 out of 5

-Price : 3 out of 5 (if you can eat a lot)

By the way, please take note do not simply take as much dish as you want; as they will charge customers on wastage of food which is in a way good to prevent patrons wasting the food!

If you're interested to visit the restaurant, it's just behind Giant Hypermarket at Bandar Puteri Puchong; one of those 4 storey shophouses with a big Shabu Shabu signage. Apologies as I've forgotten to grab their card :P