Almost 300k for hot pot. Is Letasu, Shaburi's premium upgrade, really worth it?
qponx
2026-01-24
Curious about Letasu, the premium upgrade to the beloved Shaburi? This review dives into whether the nearly IDR 300k price tag is justified. Discover the highlights, from the beautifully marbled Kata Beef and the recommended Konbu & Chicken Collagen soup to an extensive 70+ item buffet bar. While the quality is high, the article also weighs the cost and potential for slow service during peak times. Find out if this upgraded hot pot experience is truly worth the splurge.
Honestly, long-time fans know I'm a die-hard fan of Shaburi, but the other day I passed by Neo Soho and found it had transformed into Letasu, supposedly an upgraded version?[1] My heart skipped a beat. Is this just the same old thing in a new package, or is it truly Mantap? I had to test the waters for my girls.
The moment I walked in, the environment felt quite familiar, clean and comfortable, just that standard Japanese family hot pot restaurant vibe, without any flashy decorations. The main point, of course, is the food! I went straight for the buffet bar, and wow, with over 70 options[2], I almost had analysis paralysis. The vegetables were so fresh you could squeeze water out of them, and all the meatballs and cooked foods were arranged neatly.
But that's not the main event, the main event is the meat! When my order of Kata Beef[3] was served, that snowy marbling, Anjay! It was so beautiful my phone had to eat first for three minutes. It cooks in just a few seconds, and it's truly tender, smooth, and juicy in your mouth. The meaty flavor just explodes. For the soup base, I chose the online recommendation: Konbu and Chicken Collagen Pot[4], one is light and sweet to enhance flavors, the other is rich and nourishing, and everything tastes delicious when cooked in them. Finally, you have to save room for the dessert section! Their Taiyaki and Waffles[5] are made to order, and you can tell from the aroma of the batter that they use quality ingredients. The ice cream is delicious too, a perfect ending.
Of course, as is my style, I can't just sing its praises. To be honest, the regular set menu, including tax, costs around IDR 285,000[6] per person, which will definitely make your wallet hurt a little. The taste is good, but if you ask me if it was so amazing that I felt it was a super great value, it feels like it's missing that little something. Also, I've heard that when they're short-staffed during holidays, the serving speed can be so slow it makes you question your life choices[7], so impatient people should choose with caution.
Editor's Highlights (Get your notebooks ready)
- Go-to Broth Choice: Don't hesitate, just go for the Konbu + Chicken Collagen[8] combo, one is light and sweet, the other is rich, a perfect match!
- Top Choice for Birthdays: If you or a friend is celebrating a birthday, you have to come here! The staff will enthusiastically sing you the birthday song and they'll also give you a free sparkling fruit juice[9], an extrovert's dream! The experience is top-notch.
- Kudos to the Service: Their servers are all super nice, especially a guy named Yaya[10], who provided service with a smile the whole time, answered questions patiently, and deserves a special shout-out!
- Avoid Peak Hours: If you want to properly Nongkrong and enjoy your meal, try to avoid public holidays, otherwise, don't say I didn't warn you when you're waiting for your meat until the end of time
- Must-order Kata Beef [1]! Marbling's photo-ready. Tender, juicy, flavor-packed – meat lover's paradise!
- Friend's birthday? Big surprise! Staff sing, free sparkling juice [2]. Experience is 10/10, social butterflies rejoice!
- Blindly pick Konbu + Chicken Collagen [3] hotpot base. Light & fresh meets rich & nourishing. Everything tastes bomb, an irresistible combo!
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