Shabu-shabu is one of those communal meals that feels both special and surprisingly effortless — a pot of fragrant, simmering broth at the center of the table and everyone cooking their own bites to order. The broth here gets its depth from kombu, fresh ginger, and good bone broth, building a clean, savory base that makes every swish of paper-thin ribeye taste like something from a proper Japanese restaurant. The dipping sauce is where things really sing: coconut aminos stand in for soy sauce and bring a naturally sweet, umami-rich punch without any grain-derived ingredients, making it a smart swap that doesn't feel like a compromise at all. Traditional shabu-shabu dipping sauces often rely on ponzu or soy-based condiments that can quietly contain barley or wheat derivatives, so building your own from coconut aminos, citrus, and apple cider vinegar keeps everything clean and completely in your control. The vegetable spread — napa cabbage, shiitake and enoki mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, and watercress — adds color, texture, and nutrition without weighing the dish down. Because the beef cooks in seconds and the vegetables follow in just a few minutes, this is a recipe that rewards patience at the table rather than hours in the kitchen. It's the kind of dinner that slows everyone down in the best possible way.
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2 scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces (green tops only for lower fodmap; white parts fine for aip)
1 tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
For the hot pot
1 ½ lb beef ribeye or sirloin, sliced paper-thin (about 1/16 inch; ask your butcher or partially freeze and slice yourself)
½ small napa cabbage (about 4 cups), cut into 2-inch pieces
2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced on the diagonal, ¼ inch thick
1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced ¼ inch thick
4 oz shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps sliced
4 oz enoki mushrooms, root end trimmed, separated into small clusters
1 bunch watercress or baby bok choy, trimmed
For the dipping sauce
¼ cup coconut aminos
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp fresh orange juice
1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
For serving
1 scallion, green top only, thinly sliced (optional)
1 tbsp fresh cilantro or parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
1
Combine the bone broth, water, kombu, sliced ginger, and scallion pieces in a large pot. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce to low and steep for 15 minutes, until the broth is fragrant and lightly savory.
2
Use a fine-mesh strainer to remove and discard the kombu, ginger, and scallion pieces. Season the broth with 1 tsp fine sea salt, taste, and adjust. Transfer the pot to a portable burner set at the table, or keep it on the stovetop over low heat — the broth should stay at a gentle simmer throughout the meal.
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