Shabu-shabu is one of those meals that feels like a special occasion even on a Tuesday night — communal, interactive, and deeply satisfying in a way that heavy, sauce-laden dishes rarely are. The broth here is built from bone broth and kombu steeped with fresh ginger and scallion, creating a clean, aromatic base that lets every ingredient shine without relying on processed condiments or additives. That matters a lot when you're navigating labels, because conventional dipping sauces and store-bought broths are notorious for sneaking in preservatives and synthetic flavor enhancers that have no business being in your bowl. The dipping sauce sidesteps all of that entirely — coconut aminos, fresh citrus juice, grated ginger, and apple cider vinegar come together into something bright and umami-rich with nothing hidden inside. Paper-thin ribeye swished through simmering broth for barely thirty seconds stays impossibly tender, while napa cabbage, carrots, zucchini, shiitake, and enoki mushrooms round out the pot with color and texture. Everything is fresh, whole, and traceable, which is exactly the kind of cooking that makes eating well feel effortless rather than exhausting. Set the pot at the center of the table and let everyone cook at their own pace — this one is as fun to make as it is to eat.
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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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