Best of 2000: Best Japanese-Style Fondue

Shabu Shabu Jin Sang
7614 Fay Avenue,
La Jolla
(858) 456-4545

Shabu Shabu is a soup-like dish that can be cooked in the kitchen or at your table. For the at-the-table version, burners are placed under the table and covered with a hot plate. After the preliminary courses, a pot is placed before you along with a tray of fresh vegetables and raw chicken, beef or seafood -- price or preference determine whether you pick one or all three. What makes this dish superior is the square of condensed herbs and spices placed at the bottom of the cooking bowl and the high quality of basic ingredients. You eat one item at a time, and at the end noodles are brought out. When the noodles are cooked you drink the broth and eat the noodles last. The dinner is low-calorie, low-fat, and you're assisted by a server every step of the way.