The call
Start with meat and vegetable hot pot selections or tofu, and check the restaurant’s current menu before you go.
What to order
- Meat and vegetable hot pot selections
- Tofu
Best for
- An authentic hot pot night worth the wait
Chinese · Mongolian
Shabu Works
A Clairemont hot pot chain outpost, now Shabu Works under the same owner and known to Roger from Hong Kong locations, that he rated 4 stars for an authentic experience worth the roughly two-hour wait on all-you-can-eat Tuesday, with prompt service and a predominantly Chinese crowd signaling authenticity.
From Roger’s camera roll
More photos from Shabu Works
Posted 2021-11-09 
Posted 2021-11-09 
Posted 2023-07-15 
Posted 2023-07-15
Source-backed notes
Visit history
Checked in 20 times on Yelp and Swarm, most recently Jul 13, 2023. See the check-in log
2008-05-15day precision · source explicit
“The 2 hour+ wait is definitely worth it and we got our moneys worth”
Arrived at 6pm on all-you-can-eat Tuesday to a line of 100+ people and a quoted 1.5-2 hour wait; filled out the order sheet ahead of time to speed things up once seated. Ordered 2-3 dishes of every meat plus assorted vegetables, tofu, seafood and noodles; total bill for two came to about $42-43. Soup and drinks were refilled frequently.
Stay in the neighborhood
More in Clairemont.
Roger’s pick$$
Clairemont
M.O.M Kitchen
ChineseHong Kong-style
Comforting Hong Kong-style cooking in Clairemont, with the kind of unfussy menu that makes repeat visits easy.
- From the order notes
- Baked pork chop rice · Wontons with chili oil
- Go for
- Comfort food · Casual weeknight dinner
Latest recorded visit2026-01 · approx.
Roger’s pick$
Clairemont
TP Tea — San Diego
Taiwanese
A tea-first boba shop that stands out for brewing with real leaves instead of leaning on powder and artificial flavoring.
- From the order notes
- Classic milk tea · Seasonal tea drinks
- Go for
- Serious tea flavor · Boba without the gimmicks
Latest recorded visit2025
RecommendedPrice varies
Clairemont
Okan Diner
Japanese
Roger rated this 4 stars, ordering udon, Kama-meshi, monkfish liver, and herring with a pitcher of beer, noting the $90 tab put it on the pricey side.
- From the order notes
- Udon · Kama-meshi · Monkfish liver · Herring
- Go for
- Izakaya night · Drinks and small plates
Latest recorded visit2017-03-24
Keep exploring
More like this.
Browse the Chinese page, or continue to another place with a matching cuisine.
ClosedPrice varies
Convoy
Guest Kabob
ChineseSkewers
A Northern Chinese skewer spot Roger found overpriced for tiny portions, with slow vegetable dishes and a check-in discount it refused to honor.
- From the order notes
- Fried mantou with condensed milk
- Go for
- Nothing Roger would return for
Latest recorded visit2019 · approx.
ClosedPrice varies
Monterey Park
Hot Pot, Hot Pot!
ChineseHotpot
Decent late-night hotpot with a last call of 12:45 a.m.; Roger’s order was half spicy, half rejuvenation broth.
- From the order notes
- Half spicy, half rejuvenation soup base · Lamb and fatty beef · Cold plum juice
- Go for
- A late-night hotpot fix
Latest recorded visit2017