Shin Sen Gumi Yakitori & Shabu Shabu (Monterey Park)

[ps99472]

http://www.yelp.com/biz/shin-sen-gumi-yakitori-and-shabu-shabu-monterey-park

Kinda strange I never been to a Shin Sen Gumi before... this type of food is right up my alley

Beef bowl

Chicken Karaage (it still has skin on!) best dish so far

Stewed pork belly, didn't get to taste it, too slow on my part so it must be good

Sukiyaki with Japanese beef from Australia?  confused..

Dragon roll (I didn't order this, hey at least it wasn't california roll or a chicken teriyaki bowl)

Japanese pork sausage (really good, tasted porky, kinda like a german sausage almost)

Yellowtail collar, not a big fan, don't like to work to get my grub on

Herb infused grilled calamari (nice, but expensive small bites)

Grilled rice ball with anchovy (this didn't work for me, only dish of the night)

Grilled prawns

Yakitori, about the same as Honda-ya's

Spicy chicken wing (again, didn't like to work for bits of meat, so not for me)

Tomatoes grilled with bacon and also chicken gizzard (not for everyone, I prefer Honda-ya's, less gamy)

Quail egg and salted short rib (not bad, wish Honda-ya has short rib)

Short rib with sauce

Green tea creme brulee

Service was typical Japanese friendly, waiters can improve English skills but that's part of the fun.  Wish they were closer..

 

[momopi]

For Yakitori you can try Honda-Ya in Tustin, and Kappo Honda or Shinsengumi Yakitori in Fountain Valley.  All 3 are closer than MP.

Honda-Ya is opening a new restaurant by CSU Fullerton, and the Honda-Ya in City of Industry off Azusa has different specials (i.e. Jigoku Tofu) than the Tustin location.

I don't recommend ordering sushi in Yakitori restaurants.

 

[ps99472]

They have AYCE yakitori!  Good quality too!  Never tried buffet here until recently.  $20 lunch on weekends and you get some decent food.  We didn't have high expectations walking in being its AYCE, but were surprised by what you get for the money.  The shabu shabu was decent, with just beef, veggies, udon.  Sushi was good as well even though its not their specialty.  Yakitori is on par with its normal a la carte selection.  It's chef's choice so you get what he cooks.  Got some chicken meatballs, thigh meat, liver, heart, bacon wrapped mushroom, pork belly, etc.  Get a seat near the yakitori serving station as people tend to grab all of the 10 sticks he puts out every 10 minutes.  Other selection under the warming lamp includes chicken karaage, salads, octopus balls, etc.  Sushi selection does rotate, so if you missed the sweet shrimp, it's gone forever.  Waits can be long, but you can make reservations at 11:30 am.  Good eats!