Umamiya Shabu Shabu

Complimentary sets were provided for review purposes. 

Hawaii Restauranteur Peter Kim, who is most famous for his chain of Yummy Korean BBQ fast-food restaurants, The Signature steakhouse, and Liliha Bakery, has branched out into the hot pot scene with Umamiya Shabu Shabu, which opened earlier this year.  It's located on Nimitz Highway, right next door to his second Liliha Bakery location.  

The interior design is very modern, sleek, and spacious.

They even have four private rooms for larger groups (great if you have kids).

Right now they're running a Grand Opening Shabu Shabu special - your choice of U.S. Choice Rib Eye or Kurobuta Pork Belly dinner sets for $19.  They also have happy hour prices on appetizers and alcoholic beverages from 4:30-6:00. 

Since we were famished, we started off a few appetizers:

Seafood Pancake

Agedashi Tofu

Prime Beef Bites

I would definitely order the Prime Beef Bites and Seafood Pancake again, especially at those happy hour prices! 

Soon after our appetizers arrived, our broths were delivered to our table and poured into our hot pots. We each ordered a different broth off of the menu.

Top: miso broth | Bottom: house broth

Top: Spicy Miso | Bottom: Paitan broth

I opted for the U.S. Choice Rib Eye set.  

It came with a generous amount of colorful "umami rich" vegetables.

I like how they plate the beef on a separate plate.  You can tell the meat is high quality just by looking at it.

My hubby ordered the Kurobuta Pork Belly set. Same vegetables, but instead of beef, he got pork.

All sets come with rice, ponzu and goma dipping sauces, and your choice of zosui (sweet rice and egg) or udon. 

The shabu shabu set is both delicious and very filling! 

We ended our meal with their refreshing yuzu sorbet topped with sweet Azuki beans (the only item on the dessert menu).  

I must say, you can really taste the difference in the quality of ingredients between Umamiya Shabu Shabu and other hot pot places.  And the operation itself is classy and elegant - from the service, to the presentation, to the professionalism of the staff.  Sauces and beverages were promptly refilled and all of our needs were taken care of.  

If you are a fan of hot pot, you'll love Umamiya Shabu Shabu!

For reservations, go to OpenTable.com or call (808) 367-1388.  Open nightly 4:30 pm - 10:00 pm.

Umamiya Shabu Shabu

580 North Nimitz Highway

(808) 367-1388