Spread Some Awesome

Shabu-shabu is commonplace in Japan. Just like tempura, sushi, maki, ramen, udon, soba, katsu, (and the list goes on..) this dish is something you should not miss when visiting this country. With autumn kicking in, having shabu-shabu is second to perfect to a steaming bowl of ramen. The boiling soup on the hot pot shared with good friends make it awesome though.

Different soup base can be used for shabu-shabu. What we had that night is a creamy soup base (left) and basic herbed soup base (right).

Soup Base of Shabu-Shabu

Shabu-shabu normally comes with thinly sliced beef but through time, different types of meat and seafoods were also used. Our shabu-shabu came with thinly sliced beef and two types of pork – one similar to the meat used for pork chop dishes while the other looks like the meat used for bacon. The meat given to us are neatly cut and it is extremely thin that you can see right through them.

Thin Slices of Beef

Thin Slices of Pork

Thin Slices of Pork

Did I say it was an all-you-can-eat dinner? I’m sorry if I omitted that but it was unintentional. I am not sure though if the meat is also unlimited but we were already full with the first serving that we weren’t able to ask for another one. Aside from the thinly sliced meat, there is also a selection of veggies, noodles, tofu, and sausages that can be cooked on the hot pot.

At the Buffet Area with Susie

Excited for the Shabu-Shabu

Words are not enough to describe the beauty I witnessed in Minato Mirai. To try to give justice, I’m going to let the most of the photos talk.

The Stroll Begins.. The Cosmo Clock Ferris Wheel Afar

Towering Structures at Minato Mirai 21

Some of these structures are office buildings serving as workplaces to about 79,000 hard-working employees in this urban district. The walk from the train station, specifically Sakuragicho station, to these offices is not a simple walk in the park. With high foot traffic in a rush, it can get stressful if you are not used to it. However, a prize during spring is when the cherry blossoms (sakura) bloom and pave the walkways with lovely flowers. I think that kind’a changes the atmosphere.

A Clear Pedestrian Walk

An uncommon sight in Metro Manila, clear roads and pedestrian walkways is pretty ordinary in Japan. I think I can even lie down in the middle of the road and have a photo taken. But no because traffic enforcers might arrest me.

Structure on the Way

Susie and Me and the Cosmo Clock Ferris Wheel

Red Brick Warehouses

The walk was already tiring but we didn’t miss this. The circular structure lights up by biking continuously. So cool.

Bike and Light It Up

Balloon Pillars

The view of Minato Mirai 21 from Osanbashi Pier was truly mesmerizing. I forgot how tiring it was to walk from Sakuragicho station to the Red Brick Warehouses to Osanbashi Pier. And it also made the walk back the station bearable. I thought there is no beauty in urbanization but I was proven wrong by this wonderful spectacle. When done right, the end result of advancement is still pretty.

Minato Mirai 21 from Osanbashi Pier

Spread some awesome..ness..

Tags: illumination, japan, minato mirai 21, osanbashi pier, red brick warehouses, sakuragicho, shabu-shabu, yokohama