For my first Manna Shabu Lewisville review, I visited Manna Korean BBQ & Shabu to try its all you can eat shabu shabu experience instead of the Korean BBQ option.
I enjoy Korean BBQ, but I was in the mood for something different that day. What interested me about Manna was the ability to choose a soup base, order different meats, and add vegetables and noodles from the self-service bar.
I selected the spicy broth and mainly ordered beef belly and galbi. Both became my favorite meat choices because they worked well in the soup and offered different textures.
By the end of the meal, I felt that Manna’s biggest strength was flexibility. I could build the shabu shabu around my preferences rather than follow a fixed combination of ingredients.
There was also a dining limit of approximately two hours, which is worth considering before visiting. For me, that was enough time to enjoy the meal without feeling rushed.
First Impression of Manna Shabu Lewisville
One of the first decisions at Manna Korean BBQ & Shabu in Lewisville was whether to choose Korean BBQ or shabu shabu.
I liked having both options at the same restaurant, but I specifically wanted a hot pot meal during this visit.
Unlike Korean BBQ, where I usually focus on grilling different cuts of meat, shabu shabu lets me combine meat, vegetables, noodles, and broth in one pot.
That was exactly the type of meal I wanted. I also liked the idea of deciding which ingredients to add as I ate instead of receiving everything in one predetermined portion.
Once I chose shabu shabu, the next decision was the broth. There were approximately five soup base options available during my visit.
I went with the spicy broth because I generally prefer stronger flavors when eating meat and vegetables in soup.
Choosing the Spicy Shabu Shabu Broth
The spicy broth turned out to be a good choice for my taste.
It had enough flavor to make the ingredients enjoyable without requiring much additional seasoning. The spice level was also comfortable for me.
As I added beef and other ingredients, I continued to enjoy the flavor of the soup. I particularly liked how the broth worked with the thinly sliced meat.
For me, broth selection is important at a shabu shabu restaurant because almost everything I eat is cooked in it. If I do not enjoy the soup, even good meat and vegetables become less satisfying.
That was not a problem here. The spicy broth suited my preferences well enough that I would consider choosing it again on another visit.
How the All You Can Eat Shabu Shabu System Works
Manna’s all you can eat system allowed me to order additional meat while selecting vegetables, noodles, and other ingredients from the self-service area.
I appreciated that combination because I could continue ordering my favorite cuts without having to accept a fixed assortment of meat.
Instead of trying every available option, I concentrated on the beef belly and galbi that I enjoyed most.
Meanwhile, the self-service bar gave me the freedom to add other ingredients whenever I wanted to change the balance of the meal.
Another important detail was the approximately two-hour dining limit.
Personally, I had enough time to order meat, try ingredients from the salad bar, and finish my meal comfortably.
However, I would keep the time limit in mind when planning a visit with a large group, especially if everyone prefers to eat slowly and spend a long time talking after dinner.
For my usual dining pace, the limit did not noticeably reduce my enjoyment of the experience.
Salad Bar and Self-Service Shabu Shabu Ingredients
The self-service ingredient bar was one of the things I liked most about Manna.
There were vegetables, noodles, and other ingredients that I could choose and add to my pot.
I liked being able to decide exactly what went into the broth instead of receiving the same mixture with every order.
For example, I could focus on the beef during one part of the meal and then add more vegetables or noodles when I wanted a change.
That flexibility made the AYCE experience more interesting to me. I did not have to eat the same combination repeatedly, even though I was using the same spicy broth.
I also think this setup works well for people who have different preferences. Someone who prefers vegetables and noodles can build a different meal from someone who mainly wants meat.
For my own visit, the beef remained the priority. However, having the self-service selection available helped make the meal feel more complete.
What I Ordered at Manna Shabu Lewisville
Although Manna offered several meat choices, beef belly and galbi were the two cuts I enjoyed most during this visit.
I found myself ordering them repeatedly because they worked well with the spicy broth and provided different eating experiences.
I did not feel the need to try every meat option once I found two that suited my taste.
Beef Belly: Tender and Quick to Cook
Beef belly was one of my favorite meat choices at Manna Shabu Lewisville.
What I liked most was how quickly the thin slices cooked in the broth. I could add a few pieces, let them cook, and enjoy them without waiting long.
The beef belly had a tender texture that worked particularly well with shabu shabu.
I also enjoyed how the meat tasted after cooking in the spicy soup. Since the broth already provided plenty of flavor, I did not feel that the beef needed much additional seasoning.
That combination of tenderness, quick cooking, and flavorful broth made beef belly one of the cuts I continued ordering throughout the meal.
If I returned for shabu shabu, beef belly would almost certainly be part of my order again.
Galbi: Another Favorite Meat Choice
Galbi was the other meat option that stood out to me.
I enjoyed its flavor and texture when cooked in the spicy broth. It offered a different bite from the beef belly, which gave me a reason to alternate between the two.
That variety mattered because I wanted to enjoy several rounds of meat without feeling that I was eating exactly the same thing each time.
Rather than ordering every available cut, I was happy switching between beef belly and galbi for much of the meal.
For my personal taste, these were the two meats I would recommend starting with at Manna’s shabu shabu option.
Price and Portion Size at Manna Shabu Lewisville
One advantage of Manna’s AYCE shabu shabu is the ability to order additional meat instead of being limited to a single serving.
I appreciated that because I could concentrate on the cuts I enjoyed most rather than ordering a larger fixed combination that included items I might not want.
The self-service ingredients also gave me more control over how filling the meal became. I could choose vegetables and noodles based on my appetite.
For me, the overall value came from that flexibility and variety rather than expecting every meat option to have the quality of a premium specialty restaurant.
Considering how much I enjoyed the broth, beef belly, galbi, and ingredient bar, I felt satisfied with my choice of shabu shabu.
The approximately two-hour dining limit is an important part of the value calculation, particularly for people who prefer longer meals. It was enough time for me, but another diner might view it differently.
What I Liked and What to Consider
My favorite part of Manna Shabu was being able to create a meal around my preferences.
I could start with a spicy broth, order more beef belly and galbi, and add vegetables or noodles when I wanted something different.
I also liked that the restaurant offered Korean BBQ as an alternative. Although I did not try the BBQ option during this visit, it gave me another reason to consider returning.
However, there are two things I would consider before recommending Manna to someone else.
First, the approximately two-hour time limit may not suit everyone, particularly people planning a very long dinner with friends.
Second, I would approach Manna primarily as a restaurant for variety and a customizable AYCE experience rather than choosing it specifically for premium meat quality.
That is not necessarily a disadvantage. It simply reflects what I personally enjoyed most about this visit.
Overall Experience at Manna Shabu Lewisville
My first visit to Manna Korean BBQ & Shabu in Lewisville was a satisfying experience because I could customize nearly every part of the shabu shabu meal.
The spicy broth was flavorful, while beef belly and galbi became my preferred meat selections.
The self-service bar made it easy to add vegetables, noodles, and other ingredients without committing to a fixed combination.
I also appreciated being able to order more of the meat I enjoyed. That freedom is one of the main reasons the AYCE format worked for me.
The two-hour limit did not create a problem during my visit, although I understand why it might matter to someone who prefers a slower meal.
Overall, Manna gave me the type of shabu shabu experience I wanted: flavorful soup, enjoyable beef, and enough choices to adjust the meal to my taste.
My Final Verdict on Manna Shabu Lewisville
My first visit to Manna Shabu Lewisville left me with a positive impression, particularly because of the variety and flexibility of its all you can eat shabu shabu.
My broth choice: Spicy broth. It had enough flavor and heat to complement the beef and vegetables without overwhelming the meal.
Favorite meat choices: Beef belly and galbi. I enjoyed their different textures and repeatedly chose them during the meal.
Biggest advantage: The freedom to order additional meat and choose vegetables, noodles, and other ingredients from the self-service bar.
What to consider: There was an approximately two-hour dining limit, and I would recommend Manna primarily for its customizable AYCE experience rather than expecting a premium meat-focused restaurant.
Would I return? Yes. I would happily choose shabu shabu again, particularly when I want a spicy broth with different combinations of beef and vegetables.
I am also interested in trying the Korean BBQ option on a future visit to see how it compares with the shabu shabu experience.
If you are looking for all you can eat shabu shabu in Lewisville and enjoy choosing your own ingredients, Manna Korean BBQ & Shabu is worth considering based on my experience.
Location
📍 2405 S Stemmons Fwy #300, Lewisville, TX 75067
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