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Pork Shabu Shabu

Get ready to experience the savory delight of my Pork Shabu Shabu! This recipe offers a simplified take on the classic Japanese hotpot, bringing all the flavors of traditional shabu shabu to your kitchen in only one pot without the need for special equipment. It’s a hassle-free way to enjoy a healthy and delicious meal right at home. So, let’s dive in and savor every bite of this pork-packed delight!

Japanese style pork hot pot shabu shabu with pork, napa, ginger, and bok choy in a white bowl.

Why I Love This Recipe

If you’re like me, always on the lookout for hassle-free, healthy, and delicious meals, then my Japanese Pork Shabu Shabu recipe is an absolute game-changer! What makes my recipe truly special is its ingenious adaptation, much like my Chicken Shabu Shabu and Chashu Pork Belly recipe, where I’ve transformed a traditional Japanese dish that typically requires special cookware into a convenient one-pot wonder, ensuring that everyone can enjoy it without any extra equipment!

To whip up this savory delight, I start by infusing the base pork broth from my flavorful Japanese Napa Cabbage Soup recipe, adding shabu shabu-style vegetables and pork, and serving it with my homemade ponzu-based shabu shabu sauce. Perfect for a satisfying main course, this dish features tender vegetables and pork dipped in a zesty ponzu-based sauce with a hint of sweetness. So, why wait? Dive into this delectable creation, transporting your taste buds to the heart of Japan, all from the comfort of your own kitchen!

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • Pork – thinly sliced pork butt/shoulder or pork belly. Can be found in most Japanese or Asian supermarkets. You can also substitute with thinly sliced beef, chicken or seafood.
  • Napa Cabbage – Chinese cabbage, found at Asian grocery stores.
  • Baby Bok Choy – Chinese cabbage with a leafy tip and broad stem, found at Asian grocery stores.
  • Ginger – freshly grated ginger.
  • Japanese Sake – typically will come in a large bottle labeled junmai sake. Can also substitute with dry sherry wine or Chinese cooking wine. 
  • Sweetener – use your preferred sweetener.
  • Ponzu – citrus-flavored soy sauce that comes in a bottle. Mizkan brand is preferred, which can be purchased at most Asian supermarkets.
  • Green Onion – freshly chopped green onion scallions.
  • Yuzu – concentrated juices from Yuzu fruit, found in Asian grocery stores. Can also substitute with lemon juice.

Additional Ins for Shabu Shabu

Enhance your shabu shabu with these flavorful add-ins! Shiitake Mushrooms offer depth, Enoki Mushrooms add delicate texture, Carrots bring sweetness, and Spinach adds freshness. For protein, try Tofu, and for noodles, choose Udon or Shiratake Noodles. These ingredients elevate your dish, providing a variety of flavors and textures to enjoy in your shabu shabu.

🥓 Pork Note

Consider using Shaved Pork, which is readily available at most grocery stores, as a substitute for shabu shabu pork.

Thinly sliced pork shoulder used for shabu shabu.

Directions

☑ Before Getting Started

Before starting the cooking process, ensure to use a Large Pot to allow ample space for the ingredients to cook evenly.

Step 1 Begin by preparing the sauce. Combine sweetener, ponzu, yuzu or lemon juice, grated garlic, ginger, and chopped green onions in a bowl.

Pork shabu shabu dipping sauce.

🥢 Dipping Sauce Pro Tip

For a Lighter Dipping Sauce, Incorporate Broth into the sauce according to your preference.

Step 2 Combine water, Japanese sake, and sliced ginger in a pot on the stovetop and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, add your preferred vegetables and cook them until they reach the desired tenderness. Then, add thinly sliced pork to the pot and cook for an additional 4-7 minutes until the pork is fully cooked.

Water with ginger and Japanese sake.

🍲 Cooking Pro Tip

When cooking pork slices, Avoid Overcooking, once they are browned, they are ready to eat.

Step 3 Transfer the contents from the pot, leaving the soup behind, and serve with the prepared dipping sauce.

Pork shabu shabu in a bowl.

Recipe Variations

Elevate your shabu shabu experience by swapping pork for different proteins like beef, chicken, or shrimp! Try Beef Shabu Shabu for rich flavors, Chicken Shabu Shabu for a lighter option, or Shrimp Shabu Shabu for seafood lovers. You even create new variations of shabu shabu by simply using different dipping sauces like my Miso Garlic Sauce or Japanese Sesame Dipping Sauce! Or if you are looking to sweeten things up, you can take the same preparation from this recipe and instead use a Sukiyaki Sauce to create my Pork Sukiyaki.

Pairing Recommendations

While shabu shabu is satisfying on its own, consider serving it with a side of Bean Sprouts and Pork Stir Fry or Sauteed Shiitake Mushrooms. These dishes complement the lightness of the shabu shabu broth, offering a variety of textures and flavors. Pair them with rice of your choice for a well-rounded and satisfying meal.

Japanese style pork hot pot shabu shabu with pork, napa, ginger, and bok choy in a white bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions

How thinly should I slice the pork for shabu shabu?

For shabu shabu, it's essential to slice the pork thinly to ensure quick cooking and tender texture. Aim for slices that are approximately 1/8 inch thick, similar in thickness to deli meat. This thin slicing allows the pork to cook rapidly in the hot broth, resulting in a deliciously tender and flavorful dish.

How long should I cook the ingredients in the hotpot?

The cooking time for ingredients in the hotpot varies depending on what you're cooking. Vegetables should be cooked until they reach your preferred level of tenderness, which usually takes around 3-7 minutes, depending on the vegetable. As for the meat, because it's sliced thinly, once it's browned, it's ready to eat.

What kind of broth is traditionally used in shabu shabu?

Traditionally, shabu shabu features a base broth made from dashi, a Japanese stock. Dashi is typically prepared using kombu seaweed and katsuobushi, which are shaved bonito flakes. This combination creates a flavorful and aromatic broth that enhances the taste of the ingredients cooked in the hotpot. Enjoy the authentic flavors of shabu shabu with this traditional broth!

 

Japanese style pork hot pot shabu shabu being dipped into dipping sauce.

Storage Tips

For optimal freshness, shabu shabu is best enjoyed immediately after preparation. However, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container and refrigerate promptly. Leftovers can be safely stored in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.

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Watch How To Make It

Japanese style pork hot pot shabu shabu with pork, napa, ginger, and bok choy in a white bowl.

Pork Shabu Shabu

Welcome to my delicious Pork Shabu Shabu recipe! Dive into the savory flavors of thinly sliced pork and fresh vegetables cooked in a flavorful broth. This traditional Japanese dish is perfect for a cozy night in or a gathering with friends. Discover how easy it is to create this flavorful meal at home!
4.91 from 10 votes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: pork shabu shabu
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 1
Print Recipe
Calories: 330kcal

Ingredients

Shabu

  • 1/2 lbs Pork thinly sliced
  • 4-6 Leaves Napa Chinese cabbage
  • 1-2 Head Baby Bok Choy small
  • 1/2 Inch Ginger
  • 4 Cups Water
  • 2 tbsp Japanese Sake can substitute with dry sherry wine or Chinese cooking wine
  • 1/2 tsp Salt

Sauce

  • 3 tbsp Ponzu
  • 1 tbsp Shabu Broth
  • 1 1/4 tsp Sweetener your preferred sweetener
  • 1 Clove Garlic
  • 1/4 Inch Ginger
  • 1/2 Stalk Green Onion
  • 1/2 tsp Yuzu can sub with lemon juice

Instructions

  • Gather all the ingredients.
    Ingredients for pork shabu shabu.
  • In a small mixing bowl, combine sweetener, ponzu and optional yuzu or lemon juice, grated ginger and grated garlic. Note - depending on the brand of ponzu, you may need to use less sweetener.
    Pork shabu shabu dipping sauce.
  • Take 1/2 inch of unpeeled ginger and finely slice. Add into a large stove top pot along with water, Japanese Sake, salt. Bring the pot to a soft boil.
    Water with ginger and Japanese sake.
  • Wash Chinese napa cabbage and bok choy and cut into ~2-inch sections as pictured below. Add in vegetables followed by thinly sliced pork. Cook for 4-7 minutes until vegetables and pork are done to liking and transfer to serving bowl served with dipping sauce.
    Pork shabu shabu cooking a pot.

Nutrition

Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 53g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 341mg | Potassium: 1165mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 461IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 2mg

*Values Based Per Serving

4.91 from 10 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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