Americans have a habit perhaps all nations of the world do of generalizing entire cultures using simplified stereotypes.
Pat Buranasombati said Japan experiences culture condensing. While visiting his brother in Oklahoma City, he found that Japanese restaurants here are all the same.
Sushi and teppanyaki might be ubiquitous, but theres also a dearth of other Japanese options. Indeed, Tamashii Ramen House and upcoming Gor? Ramen + Izakaya serve ramen, but none offer shabu-shabu.
Until now.
Translated to swish swish, shabu-shabu is also known as Japanese hot pot. Thin slices of meat, usually beef or pork, are dragged briefly through a boiling-hot broth, cooking them almost instantly.
Previously, the closest place to find shabu-shabu was in Stillwater.
Thats an hour and a half away, Buranasombati said. An hour and a half to drive out there, then you eat, then you drive an hour and a half to get back. I figured, Why not open one here?
His answer is Muu Shabu, 1042 E. Second St., in Edmond.
The 31-seat restaurant mimics the plentiful shabu-shabu restaurants he visited when he lived in Los Angeles. A long, U-shaped bar holds bowls for broth. Behind the counter, electric cooktops are flipped on, bringing the vegetarian liquid to a boil.
Its a simple and healthy cuisine, he said, but its also an entertaining way to dine.
Unlike some other foods, shabu-shabu benefits from a primer. While the staff is always happy to answer questions, Buranasombati also directs diners to the restaurants Facebook page, where they can view a how-to video.
Prices range from $5.99 for a vegetarian assortment of vegetables, tofu and udon noodles with white or brown rice to $29.99 for the Muu Special with 28 pieces of rib-eye and all the accoutrements in the vegetarian assortment.
At first, I thought a 28-piece meal would be a funny thing, Buranasombati said. But every day, people come in and order it. Im amazed.
Oklahomans hunger for steak cant be overestimated. Regardless of what customers order, though, Buranasombati said he doesnt want anyone to leave hungry. There are always free refills on rice. He knows students are on a budget, so he aims to keep his prices low and options plentiful.
Along with rib-eye, the menu includes the more affordable eye round steak. And while beef and pork are the traditional shabu-shabu meats, he added shrimp, scallops and chicken to the selection.
People love chicken, he said.
For those who dont want meat, the restaurants setup gives every seat its own bowl for broth. People keeping vegetarian or vegan can avoid getting any meat or meat by-products in their meals. Those with shellfish allergies can avoid cross-contaminating with shrimp and scallops.
Even chili-heads, always searching for a better burn, can load up the broth with tons of heat without forcing their companions to endure a scorched tongue.
Its also a good option for a social meal or a solitary one. The open space is ideal for conversations, especially at the corners, but the arrangement also makes it easy for customers to come in on their own for a quick bite.
One of the tastiest additions on the menu is beaten egg for $1 more. Dipping the freshly cooked meat in the egg wash is a good way to add a fuller flavor and feel to each bite. Afterward, it can be added to the broth, almost like an egg drop soup.
Though it might seem like quite a production, Muu Shabu accommodates a number of University of Central Oklahoma staff and educators on a tight schedule.
It can be 15 minutes, or you can take two hours, he said. It depends on the time you have to enjoy your meal. And it depends on how fast they can eat.
The vegetable broth is cooked daily, and once the menu is more established, Buranasombati said he plans to add sukiyaki broth to the lineup, which is a darker, sweeter broth, as well as appetizers and desserts.
Hes also hoping to get a liquor license, at which point the restaurant will extend its current hours 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. daily for the late-night crowd. But getting more people in might not be a problem. After only a few weeks in business, Buranasombati said, Muu Shabu already has regulars. They visit from Norman, Yukon and Mustang.
People have come from all over the place. And they come back, he said.
Oklahomans are willing to learn and try something new, Buranasombati said.
Thats what I really want: for people to open up and have a new experience, he said.
Print headline: Swish hitter, Muu Shabu hits a home run with diners hungry for a different kind of Japanese cuisine.