Ganso Shabuway Review: The Best Shabu-Shabu in Manila, at Power Plant Mall for ₱1,200 a Head (7.5/10)

The short version: Ganso Shabuway at Power Plant Mall is my favorite shabu-shabu in Manila, and the place I kept going back to when I was in Rockwell. The American Wagyu is soft and tasty, the edamame is unlike any I’ve had, and the lively mall around it, especially at Christmas, is half the fun. The broth is saltier than traditional sukiyaki, the restaurant is small, and filling up gets expensive. The set for two with edamame, water and service charge comes to about ₱2,400, roughly ₱1,200 a person.

I’ve been to Ganso Shabuway at Power Plant many times, mostly when I was in Rockwell, and often on my own. I always order the same thing. I paid for everything myself, and the restaurant didn’t know I was writing about it.

Pros

• Soft, tasty American Wagyu
• Unique, flavorful edamame
• Unlimited rice, a raw egg dip and a good sesame sauce
• Thick udon and a good vegetable set
• A lively mall setting, especially at Christmas
• Service stays good even when it’s busy

Cons

• Very salty broth, and not traditional sukiyaki
• 180 grams of beef for two can feel light, and filling up gets expensive
• A small, open restaurant that gets packed
• Waits on weekends and at lunch and dinner

Getting there

Ganso Shabuway is in Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Makati. If you live in Rockwell, you can walk over through the underground connectors. Otherwise, take a Grab or have your driver drop you off; I recommend the drop-off on Amorsolo Drive. Inside, take the escalators down to the lower floor and keep walking. If you’re parking, take the escalators up one floor instead. Ganso also has branches in Greenbelt 5 and at MOA Square, but I’ve only been to this one.

The setting: 7.5 out of 10

Power Plant is usually lively, especially on weekends, and sometimes there’s live music. In the holiday months, which in the Philippines run from October into January, there are Christmas trees, lights everywhere and little fruit stands. It’s a really nice place to be.

The place feels lively, filled with locals out with friends, family and dates, and for a tourist it’s a nice way to see an affluent part of Manila. What holds it back is that the restaurant itself is small and open to the mall, with no door of its own, so it can feel packed.

The food: 8 out of 10

I always order the American Wagyu beef sukiyaki set for two (₱1,975), which comes with 180 grams of beef, vegetables, noodles and unlimited rice, plus the Ganso edamame (₱148) and a bottle of water (₱60).

American Wagyu beef: 8.5 out of 10. Soft and always very tasty. It’s the one to get.

Sukiyaki broth: 7.5 out of 10. Very tasty, especially if you like salty food, but they use a lot of sodium, so drink plenty of water. It isn’t really traditional sukiyaki either; they use a lot more broth. I used to go so often that I think I overdid it, so now I save it for nights out with friends.

Vegetables and noodles: 8 out of 10. All pretty good, and people who like vegetables seem to like the vegetable set. I like the corn, which is a good, easy-to-eat size, and the udon, which is nice and thick and goes very well with the broth.

Raw egg dip and sesame sauce: 7 out of 10. Both good, if not too memorable. I like that they give you the raw egg, which adds to the authenticity, and mine came with the yolk in the shape of a heart. The sesame sauce is quite tasty too.

Ganso edamame: 8 out of 10. Different from regular edamame: it’s not just salt, there’s a sauce too, so it’s more flavorful. It’s a little messy unless you use chopsticks.

I haven’t tried the mango drinks, but I imagine they’d go well with all that salt.

Service: 7.5 out of 10

Usually very good, even when it’s busy; they get to you fairly fast, and the servers remembered my order after a few visits. It can slip a little when the place is full.

What it cost

The set for two (₱1,975), the edamame (₱148) and a bottle of water (₱60) come to ₱2,183, plus a 10% service charge, for about ₱2,400 total, roughly ₱1,200 a person.

The 180 grams of beef is for the whole set, so 90 grams each. That’s fine for a date, but for two big beef eaters or a group, it’s worth adding another order of meat. With the vegetable set, I think the portions are fair.

Value: 7.5 out of 10

A pretty good value. There aren’t many higher-end shabu-shabu places in Manila, and this is one of the better ones, especially if you live in Rockwell or near another branch. It feels more like a special occasion than A1, and there’s little competition at that level. The catch is that if you want to really fill up, especially with a group, it gets expensive quickly. At Din Tai Fung you can easily get a lot of food for the money; here, every extra plate of beef adds up.

Vs. Healthy Shabu-Shabu and A1

Healthy Shabu-Shabu, right next door, has slightly better meat and food overall, and it’s healthier. Ganso has better portions, a slightly better value and a better setting, though its lines can be longer.

A1 Premium Shabu Shabu has more choice of meats and is a little less upscale. There’s no A1 in Rockwell; the closest is in Greenbelt. On value it’s about a toss-up. For the beef, the service and a slightly more special outing, I’d pick Ganso.

Who it’s for

Friends, first of all; it’s very good for a group. It also makes a nice date night or small occasion, especially if you live in Rockwell, and it works on your own. I often went alone when I was in Rockwell.

Tips if you go

• Get dropped off on Amorsolo Drive, then take the escalators down.
• Expect a wait on weekends and at lunch and dinner.
• Order the American Wagyu, the edamame and the vegetable set.
• Drink plenty of water; the broth is salty.
• If you really like beef, add another order of meat.
• Use chopsticks for the edamame.
• Walk around Rockwell afterward, especially during the holidays, when the buildings are lit up.

Verdict: 7.5 out of 10

My favorite shabu-shabu in Manila: a lively spot in Rockwell with excellent food. It’s high in sodium, and eating a lot gets expensive, but go in knowing that and it’s a great date night, dinner with friends, or meal on your own. This restaurant is in my Where to Eat in Manila guide, with all fourteen ranked and matched to occasions.

FAQ

Where is Ganso Shabuway in Rockwell?

On the lower floor of Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Makati. The easiest drop-off is on Amorsolo Drive.

How much does Ganso Shabuway cost?

The American Wagyu sukiyaki set for two is ₱1,975. With edamame, water and the 10% service charge, it’s about ₱2,400, roughly ₱1,200 a person.

Does Ganso Shabuway have other branches?

Yes, including Greenbelt 5 in Makati and MOA Square in Pasay. This review is of the Power Plant branch, the only one I’ve tried.

Is there a wait at Ganso Shabuway?

At peak times, yes: weekends, lunch and dinner. The restaurant is small.

What should I order at Ganso Shabuway?

The American Wagyu sukiyaki set, the Ganso edamame and the vegetable set.

Is Ganso Shabuway healthy?

Not especially; the broth is very salty. Healthy Shabu-Shabu next door is the lighter option.