Japanese Shabu-Shabu Lunch and Traditional Anmitsu in Tokyo

Last Updated on December 28, 2025

Picking Up My Custom Ring

The other day, I enjoyed a Japanese shabu-shabu lunch in Yurakucho, Tokyo.
I originally went there to pick up a ring I had ordered in my size, and I decided to have lunch while I was in the area. Since it was a Saturday, I arrived a bit earlier than usual to avoid the crowds.

Yurakucho sits right next to Ginza, but nowadays many younger working professionals prefer to spend time here. Compared to places like Shibuya or Harajuku, the neighborhood offers a much calmer atmosphere. At the same time, the area is home to many old-fashioned bars, and plenty of people visit at night to enjoy that nostalgic atmosphere.

Ginza Shabutsu Marronnier Gate

When I arrived at the restaurant, two groups were already waiting ahead of me. Because I didn’t have any other plans, I chose to wait my turn. Due to recent staff shortages, the staff took some time to call my name, even after other diners left.

Since guests without a reservation can choose a slightly cheaper course, I went without booking myself. But if you’re visiting while traveling, I recommend making a reservation. It ensures you’re seated on time and lets you enjoy a higher-grade cut of meat. Google Maps offers multiple booking options, but I recommend TableCheck because it’s easy and allows you to make a reservation in English.

Shabu-Shabu Lunch

Since you cook shabu-shabu at the table, the restaurant serves the dishes fairly quickly after you order. Shabu-shabu is a type of Japanese hot pot, but instead of simmering the meat, you briefly swish thin slices in hot water one bite at a time before eating. Since vegetables take longer to cook, I added them to the pot first.

Along with the vegetables, I was served rice, two kinds of meat, and two dipping sauces. One was a light soy-based sauce with a refreshing citrus taste (called ponzu), while the other was a rich sesame sauce. Ponzu is a standard sauce for hot pot and is hard to go without. When handling raw meat, be sure to use the dedicated tongs.

The sesame sauce came with a small bowl of whole sesame seeds. I ground them myself and added them to the sauce, which felt healthy and made it especially flavorful. Having both the tangy soy-based sauce and the creamy sesame sauce allows you to enjoy the meal to the very end without getting bored.

With a variety of vegetables included, it made for a well-balanced meal. At the end, a small cup containing salt and pepper was brought over. I poured some of the broth from the pot into the cup, turning it into a flavorful soup enriched with the juices from the vegetables and meat.

And the ring I picked up that day is shown in this post!

Okame

On another day in Yurakucho, I went to enjoy some traditional anmitsu, so let me also share that experience. This dessert features a kanten jelly base, served with sweet red bean paste, fruit, and often a scoop of ice cream. Kanten is made from seaweed and is considered a healthy food. It’s also common to drizzle kuromitsu, a dark sugar syrup, over the top.

Okame is a traditional Japanese sweets shop. There’s another location in Yurakucho, but it’s newer and always has a long line.

At Japanese sweets shops like this, you can often find light meals in addition to the desserts. This shop also serves dishes like oden, which is flavored with a savory broth, and sometimes the aroma inside the store is quite appetizing.

I’d really love to try it, but if I order both on my own, I don’t think I could finish everything—so I always end up choosing anmitsu.

Cream Anmitsu

Now, here is the Cream Anmitsu I ordered. The combination of sweet red bean paste, ice cream, and springy kanten jelly may seem a bit unusual to Western palates, but it’s perfect when you want to enjoy a traditional Japanese dessert. Toppings can range from simple to more elaborate, but I like to try a variety of flavors, so I usually choose one with plenty of ingredients.

The shop sits in the basement of a building, but inside, they display plenty of wood and traditional Japanese crafts. I enjoyed a relaxing moment here during my stroll through the city center.

Restaurant Info

Shabutsu Marronnier Gate

Price:
Lunch – 8.7 USD / 7.41 EUR
(approximate conversion from JPY)
Access:
260 m / 853 ft from Yurakucho Station

Okame Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan

Price:
Cream Anmitsu – 6.63 USD / 5.66 EUR
(approximate conversion from JPY)
Access:
130 m / 427 ft from Yurakucho Station

All info is current as of my visit.