A 4.8-star 'god-tier' Japanese spot on Google? Here's what to order and what you must AVOID
qponx
2026-03-06
Curious about a Japanese restaurant with a near-perfect 4.8-star rating? This review puts Shabu Kitchen to the test! Discover the must-order dishes, like the incredible Tomyum Soup Suki and a surprisingly delicious Rice Beef Bowl. But not everything is a winner—find out which popular dish you should absolutely avoid. Learn how to make the most of their huge portions and get tips for a better, more affordable dining experience at this popular spot.
Wandering around Boemi Kedaton Mall in Lampung over the weekend, I was starving. I did a quick search and found this place, Shabu Kitchen. Get this, it has over 2500+ reviews on Google with a surprisingly high score of 4.8[1]! In Indonesia, a score like that basically means it's a legendary spot. But I'm a bit of a skeptic, so today I'm here to play food critic and see if it's genuinely Mantap or if the score is just inflated by fake reviews.
The place was pretty packed when I walked in. As expected during weekend meal times, it was crowded[2], with lots of families having a meal together[3], so it seems to be really popular with the locals. As for the ambiance, it's your standard clean and comfy Japanese restaurant setup you'd find in a mall, with soft booth seating. But, I have to say, the AC in the hot pot area wasn't very strong, and it got a bit hot towards the end of the meal[4].
Enough talk, let's get to the food!
We ordered the signature Tomyum Soup Suki[5], and I have to give this one a thumbs up! The soup base was perfectly sour and spicy, not the kind made from cheap seasoning powder. Everything cooked in it tasted delicious. My friend's Rice Beef Bowl[6] was also surprisingly good. The meat was tender and juicy, and mixing it with the rice was just so comforting.
But! Here comes the disappointment. Another friend wanted to try their Chicken Collagen Ramen[7] and was sorely disappointed. The broth was very bland, completely lacking that rich, thick feeling of collagen. My friend complained that the spicy version tasted like someone just sprinkled a pack of Boncabe into plain water, Anjay... The quality control seems a bit inconsistent.
My Brutally Honest Take
Overall, this place is the type with very clear pros and cons. The hot pot and rice bowls are genuinely well-made and worth the mid-to-high-end pricing. But some dishes (I'm looking at you, ramen!) really need improvement. The biggest highlight is the portion size. We ordered the so-called "set for two," but the two of us adults and one child couldn't even finish it. It felt like it was enough for four girls to share[8], so they're very generous in that regard!
How to Avoid Disappointments & Save Money (Get your notebooks ready!)
- 1. Ordering Guide: For hot pot, go for the Tomyum soup base[9]. For rice dishes, you can't go wrong with the Rice Beef Bowl[10]. I'd suggest holding off on the ramen series for now to avoid disappointment[11].
- 2. Money-Saving Secret: Ordering Ocha (Japanese tea) gets you free refills[12], which is super refreshing! If you're in a group, don't order per person. Their set menus have huge portions, so start with a set for two to test the waters and add more if you need it[13]!
- 3. Visiting Tips: It gets crowded on weekends, so go early if you don't want to wait in line. Also, a heads-up for my Muslim friends, the restaurant is in the process of getting its Halal certification but hasn't received it yet[14].
- Shabu Kitchen has a 4.8 on Google, a god-tier score here. Let's see if it's the real deal.
- The Tom Yum Hot Pot broth is authentic—perfectly sour & spicy, not from cheap powder. Makes everything delicious. Absolutely Mantap [1]!
- The set for two is massive. Two adults & a kid couldn't finish it—easily feeds four girls. Talk about generous portions [2]
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