Hokkaido Lamb Shabu-shabu
Lamb shabu-shabu cooks paper-thin lamb slices in gently simmering broth and serves them with dipping sauce. Unlike grilled jingisukan, it lets excess fat move into the broth while preserving...
At a glance
| Name | Hokkaido Lamb Shabu-shabu (Ramu Shabu) |
|---|---|
| Prefecture | Hokkaido |
| Region | Hokkaido & Tohoku |
| Type | Thin lamb slices cooked in hot broth |
What is it?
Lamb shabu-shabu cooks paper-thin lamb slices in gently simmering broth and serves them with dipping sauce. Unlike grilled jingisukan, it lets excess fat move into the broth while preserving tender meat and a mild sheep aroma.
The familiar round slices often come from a frozen rolled cut. The dish name does not guarantee Hokkaido-raised meat; many restaurants and sets use imported lamb, so check origin if that distinction matters.
History and local context
This is a modern Hokkaido specialty linked to the island's broader sheep-meat culture rather than an ancient ritual dish. Sapporo specialist Hokkai Shabu-shabu presents a history of more than half a century, and the style now appears in restaurants, homes, and mail-order sets.
Lamb generally means meat from sheep under one year old and is milder than mutton, but breed, cut, thickness, freezing, and feeding all change flavor.
How to enjoy it
Keep the broth at a gentle simmer, separate each slice, and cook it fully according to the product label. Eat it with scallion, onion, mushrooms, and soy- or sesame-based sauce.
Use separate utensils for raw meat and eating, thaw only in the refrigerator as directed, and do not leave raw lamb at room temperature. Noodles can finish the broth after all meat is fully cooked.
Availability varies by maker, season, and destination.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Where is Hokkaido Lamb Shabu-shabu from?
It is associated with Hokkaido, in the Hokkaido & Tohoku region of Japan.
What kind of food is Hokkaido Lamb Shabu-shabu?
This guide classifies it as thin lamb slices cooked in hot broth. See the overview for its defining ingredients and texture.
Can I order Hokkaido Lamb Shabu-shabu online?
Use the Rakuten Japan search link on this page. Confirm the maker, ingredients, storage requirements, and international shipping before ordering.
Order from Japan
Search Rakuten Japan using the original Japanese food name. Search results and product pages may be available only in Japanese.
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