Food

This Solo Shabu Spot at Hillion Mall Might Be Singapore’s Most Underrated Comfort Meal

Written by Jon Phay

In Japan, doing things alone is not unusual. Solo dining, solo karaoke, even solo hotpot are part of everyday life. Personal shabu has quietly become a norm there, built around the idea of slowing down and enjoying a meal on your own.

Now, that mindset might be making its way to Singapore.

At Hillion Mall, Shabu Days, a Japanese-style solo shabu concept, is built for one.

Each diner gets their own pot, their own set, and their own pace. The experience feels calm, unhurried, and designed for solo dining.

The Right Way to Eat Shabu

There is a natural flow to the meal. You start by adding vegetables into the simmering broth, take a sip of the soup, then cook your meat and eat at your own pace.

Each set comes with your choice of meat or seafood, a choice of broth, vegetables, carbs like rice or noodles, and a few sides.

Broth options include:

  • Bonito kombu, light and umami
  • Sukiyaki with egg, slightly sweet and savoury
  • Spicy umami, richer and more robust
  • Herbal angelica, mild and comforting
  • Tangy tomato, light with a slight acidity

The broths lean clean rather than heavy, which makes this the kind of place you could return to without getting tired of it.

The most memorable part comes at the end. You can turn the remaining broth into a simple egg rice dish by adding rice and a pasteurised egg. It is warm, slightly messy, and surprisingly comforting.

Shabu Days

17 Petir Road, #02-15 to 20, Hillion Mall, Singapore 678278
Daily 10am to 10pm, last order 9pm
From S$14.90