FAQ
Frequently Asked QuestionsAnswers to the questions our guests ask most often.
Q01
Where are your restaurants?
We have four restaurants in Tokyo. [Ginza Main] Ginza Suga Building 3F, 8-3-12 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo [Shinjuku] Ecle Shinjuku 3F, 3-11-6 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo [Shibuya] Shibusen Building 3F, 2-9-2 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo [Ikebukuro] Natori Building 5F, 1-40-5 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Q02
What kind of meat is lamb?
It is the meat of a young sheep. We use only lambs under one year old. Mutton, by contrast, is the meat of an adult sheep.
Q03
Does lamb have a strong smell?
Our lamb is of the highest grade, the same quality as that served at imperial banquets, so it has virtually no gaminess at all. It overturns what people expect of lamb, and everyone is surprised.
Q04
How should I eat lamb shabu-shabu?
Once the pot comes to the boil, add the vegetables. When it returns to the boil, add the lamb a few slices at a time (three or four is ideal) and cook it through until the colour of the meat has changed, then dip it in our house-made sauce. Condiments are provided, so add them to the sauce as you like. When you have finished the meat, before adding the egg noodles, ladle some of the broth into your bowl and enjoy the soup first. Then add the noodles to the pot, bring it back to the boil, and season the sauce with salt and pepper to eat them like dipping noodles.
Q05
Why is the lamb sliced into rounds and served frozen?
So that you can enjoy the texture of ruibe, a Hokkaido regional dish, while also appreciating the artistry our in-house craftsmen bring to the meat. Please enjoy lamb shabu-shabu with both your palate and your eyes.
Q06
Do you use dashi in the pot?
We do not. So that you can taste the meat and vegetables exactly as they are, we add no kombu, bonito or other stock.
Q07
How many kinds of dipping sauce are there?
Three in total. Our house-made sauce comes with every course. Sesame sauce and ponzu sauce are available for an additional charge.
Q08
Which course do you recommend?
Lamb is lighter than you might expect — lighter than beef — so almost all of our guests order extra meat and vegetables. If you would like to eat your fill, we recommend the all-you-can-eat plan; if you will have two or more drinks, we suggest adding the all-you-can-drink plan as well. If you would rather take your time with à la carte dishes alongside the shabu-shabu, the standard set is a good choice. Please see our course menu.
Q09
What can I drink on the all-you-can-drink plan, and is there a time limit?
Please see our course menu. The all-you-can-drink plan runs for two hours, with last orders 30 minutes before the end.
Q10
Do you have private rooms?
[Ginza Main] Yes. It seats five to eight guests, with no additional charge. Private-room reservations start from five guests. [Shinjuku] Yes. There is one fully private room (capacity four), three semi-private rooms A (three to six / four / three guests, which can be joined for up to twelve) and one semi-private room B. [Shibuya and Ikebukuro] We have seating that offers a sense of privacy. Please contact the restaurant for details.
Q11
Do I need a reservation?
On some days of the week we may not be able to seat you, so we recommend booking early. Mondays and after 9pm are generally easier to reserve.
Q12
By when should I let you know if I need to cancel?
Counting back from the date of your reservation: Seven guests or more: cancellation in full and changes to the number of guests are free up to seven days before. Seven guests or more: cancellation in full or changes between two and six days before incur 50% of the food and drink charge. Seven guests or more: cancellation in full or changes one day before incur 70% (free up to one day before for six guests or fewer). Any number of guests: cancellation on the day incurs 100% of the food and drink charge. If you booked one day before (the previous day), cancellation is free until 3pm on the day; after 3pm, cancellation or changes to the number of guests incur 100%. For private hire or cancellation in full for 30 guests or more, the deadline and the date from which charges apply may be brought forward by the restaurant.
Q13
Are there any rules for the all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink plans?
Yes, the following rules apply. (1) For all courses, the two hours run from your reservation time if you have booked, or from the time you are seated if you have not. (2) Last orders are 30 minutes before the end. Table use is also limited to two hours from being seated. (3) On the all-you-can-drink plan, each guest may not order two or more drinks at once. To order your next drink, please exchange your empty glass. (4) Please note that an additional charge may apply if a large amount of food or drink is left uneaten.