きんのぶた
(Kinnobuta)
■Franchise / Shabu-Shabu / Price per Person: ¥4,000-¥8,000
※Prices are based on my visit and may vary by location or time.
Kansai (関西) is a region located in western Japan, including Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Shiga, Wakayama, and Hyogo. It is a popular travel destination where traditional culture and modern cities coexist.
I don’t usually go to all-you-can-eat restaurants, but there is one place I visit regularly: Kinnobuta, a shabu-shabu buffet restaurant.
“Kinnobuta” (金の豚) literally means “Golden Pig.”
Unfortunately, there isn’t a location near Osaka’s major tourist areas like Namba or Umeda, but if you go just a little further out, you’ll find branches where you can enjoy unlimited shabu-shabu along with a variety of other dishes.
“Two hours of happiness in life.”
At Kinnobuta, an all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu restaurant, you can enjoy unlimited servings of all items included in your selected course. However, the dining time is limited to 2 hours, and the last order must be placed at least 30 minutes before the end.
Why is it called Shabu-Shabu?
The name “shabu-shabu” actually comes from an onomatopoeia.
This dish was first created in the 1950s at a sukiyaki restaurant in Osaka called Suehiro. The name describes the motion of swishing thinly sliced meat in hot water or broth with chopsticks. The sound and movement resembled “shabu-shabu,” and the name stuck.
Today, it has become one of Japan’s most iconic dishes, perfectly representing a cooking style that highlights the natural flavors of fresh ingredients.
Kinnobuta Unlimited Shabu-Shabu: 3 All-You-Can-Eat Course Options
As of the date of writing, Kinnobuta offers three all-you-can-eat course options, with the following prices for standard adults. Discounts are available for seniors (60 and over) and children of elementary school age or younger. Additionally, a 10% consumption tax is applied when dining inside restaurants in Japan.
●Pork all-you-can-eat course: ¥3,880 (tax not included)
●Beef and Kushiage (deep-fried skewers) course: ¥5,180 (tax not included)
●Black Wagyu beef, beef tongue, and Kushiage course: ¥6,800 (tax not included)
At first, a staff member will ask what you would like to order. After that, you can place additional orders using the touchscreen tablet.
The tablet allows you to select a language—either Japanese or English.
Kinnobuta Unlimited Shabu-Shabu: Course Highlights
When you choose a course menu, the basic items included in that course are served first. After that, you can place additional orders according to your preferences, allowing you to enjoy a wide variety of dishes at your own pace.
It is also possible to skip the all-you-can-eat courses and order only the individual dishes you want. However, since Kinnobuta is best known for its unlimited shabu-shabu, most customers choose one of the courses. During my visit, I noticed that many guests came in groups of friends or families, making it a lively place that is well-suited for group dining and casual gatherings.
One of my personal favorites, and something I strongly recommend, is the finely shredded vegetables. When eaten together with the meat, they taste absolutely delicious and add a refreshing balance to each bite.
Even for those who normally don’t eat many vegetables, shabu-shabu makes it easy to enjoy more of them. The texture is light and crisp, and when briefly cooked in the broth, the vegetables complement the richness of the meat, helping you enjoy the meal until the very end without feeling heavy.
Another highlight of the all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu restaurant Kinnobuta is that you can choose up to three different broths for your hot pot. Depending on your mood or taste, you can enjoy a variety of flavors, and sometimes limited-time broths are also available.
My personal recommendation is the yuzu salt broth. Whenever I choose my three options, I always make sure to include this one. Its clean and refreshing flavor pairs perfectly with both the meat and vegetables in shabu-shabu.
Once the broth begins to boil, you simply add the vegetables and meat, and enjoy them once they are cooked to your liking. One of the charms of shabu-shabu is its simplicity and the way it allows you to savor the natural flavors of fresh ingredients.
At Kinnobuta, you can choose up to three different broths, and each person is provided with three small bowls. By dividing the different broths into separate bowls, you can enjoy comparing the flavors throughout the meal. Even when using the same cut of meat, the taste changes depending on the broth, making it feel as though you are experiencing several different dishes in one sitting.
At the all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu restaurant Kinnobuta, you can also enjoy a variety of desserts, including limited-time parfaits. Having sweet options after a hearty meal makes the experience even more satisfying.
One of the highlights is the “dessert cart” option. When you choose this, a staff member brings a cart filled with assorted desserts and lets you pick two items. From cakes to traditional Japanese wagashi (Japanese traditional sweets) and even seasonal specialties, the selection is diverse and fun. Not only do you get to enjoy the taste, but also the excitement of choosing, which makes the end of the meal feel extra special.
■Kinnobuta
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