Shabu Shabu by Birthright

"Shabu Shabu" is said to be the swishing sound of things being swished, as heard by Japanese people. As a food dish, it is vegetables and very thin-sliced meat cooked in a broth created by magic: dried seaweed, anchovies, bonita, peppers, and other things with ancient names.

Years ago, decades ago, half a century ago, when both the world and I were young, when I lived across the Bay from San Francisco, Margaret and I went several times to a "country" Japanese restaurant where we were served food from a pot on the floor with a fire underneath and a chimney up through the middle. It was Shabu Shabu.

Recently, Stan and Becky invited us to dinner, and it was Shabu Shabu! It was as close to a resurrection as I am ever going to get!

And now Mari and I have a Shabu Shabu pot. It isn't necessary to have a special pot, but if you like theater, it is grand.

I have to report that everybody else's Shabu Shabu tasted better than mine, but I think I know how to fix that: be born Japanese.

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