USA TODAY - 10 BEST

EXPERT TIPS BY: MARIA LISELLA

NEW YORK LOCAL EXPERT

Shabu-Shabu literally means swish swish, which is what you want to hear as you toss in ingredients that simmer before your eyes in your very own hot pot. Toss in dumplings, fishcakes and noodles to compliment the very generous portions of meat and seafood entrees Shabu-Shabu is a Japanese style hot pt, it is fun and a healthy interactive dining experience. The very clean, chrome, no nonsense look of the place allows the spotlight to zoom in on the food. Rows and rows of spectacularly colored veggies and then thinly sliced meat or assorted seafood, noodles are cooked in simmering broth in individual pots at the table. So swish away those winter time blues at Shabu-Shabu in the heart of Little Asia in Flushing, Queens.

• BUFFET: “Choose your base, your entree and let it rip with the sides you toss in creating a complex broth to your own taste. Dinners daily, $16.95, kids go for half price and those under 3.5 feet, eat free.”
  

• BEST FOR BUFFET BECAUSE: A trip to Spring Shabu-Shabu is like stepping into a world that encourages you to play with your food, heightening the delight of it.