A restaurant with a remarkable quantity of enthusiastic reviews always activates my inner sceptic. Shabu Le Wagyu in Taipei therefore began with a small burden of proof.
First came a larger burden of understanding the ordering system.
A brief induction, then dinner
Choose the meat, select the broth, work out the packages. Once that clicked, the evening became wonderfully straightforward: order meat by phone, collect vegetables, sauces, desserts and drinks from the buffet, and get on with enjoying yourself.
It is lively and efficient rather than ceremoniously served. That suits the concept.
I also liked the approach to food waste. Taking what you actually intend to eat seems a modest expectation, even on holiday. There is usually time for a second trip.
Check the current package details before ordering; inclusions may change. My memory is of a system that worked and a meal that delivered.
Five out of five from my visit.
The sceptic was satisfied. More importantly, so was everyone else involved in being me.
Edited and shortened from Batty’s original. Personal impressions reflect the visit described; details may change.