Merino Shinjuku

Gather around the hot pot at Merino for a hands-on shabu-shabu dining experience. Specializing in lamb and gyutan (beef tongue) shabu-shabu, Merino’s motto is “Eat delicious food for beauty and health!” They cite the benefits of these sources of protein, like gyutan’s abundance of vitamin B1 and iron, which is especially essential for women’s health. Besides shabu shabu, jingisukan (grilled mutton), a local specialty of Hokkaido, is also available. But Merino’s most highly recommended course is the all-you-can-eat shabu shabu course with both lamb and beef tongue. A platter of thinly-shaved slices of lamb is served topped with a cloud of cotton candy, for a whimsical presentation that evokes the fluffy lambs themselves. Offering options for all-you-can-eat and free-flowing beverages, guests are sure to leave Merino satisfied. ——— ※ Merino's Guide on How to Eat Shabu-Shabu: 1. With the pot on the heat, dissolve the cotton candy into the broth. 2. Add all of the vegetables in the broth, starting with ingredients like mushrooms and daikon, which take longer to cook. 3. Prepare separate dishes of sauces for dipping your vegetables and meat after they have cooked. 4. Optionally, add condiments to the dipping sauce, like chopped onions, grated daikon, and spices. 5. Once the soup starts to reduce, add water from the pitcher on the table to adjust the broth to your liking. There is a skimming ladle available to remove any scum from the top of the soup. 6. Eat to your heart's content (appetizers and desserts excepted). 7. Lastly, add udon noodles to the pot and let them simmer. When they are soft, dip them into the sauce and enjoy.