Manna Shabu - Carrollton

This place is definitely one of the top spots in the Carrollton Hmart Shopping Center! It's perfect for hosting a gathering. I appreciate their wide selection of proteins, vegetables, and sauce options. The prices are reasonable too. Hot pot is always a great choice, especially on a windy, chilly day or when I'm in the mood for soup! The restaurant is very clean, so don’t forget to wear your gloves and masks while choosing your own toppings for the hot pot!

I had Sunday lunch for $25 with an all-you-can-eat option. I tried the house broth, which was a bit too mild for my taste; however, the flavor really depends on how well you choose your ingredients, as the broth changes as you cook them. The same goes for the sauces you select—it's really up to you to make your meal delicious. I added a generous amount of kimchi to my soup, and it made a significant difference, especially when paired with noodles. The variety of ingredients is impressive; they offer shrimp, baby octopus, lamb, pork belly, and more.

The sauce bar was a letdown at every turn. The soybean paste tasted terrible, the sesame paste was off, and the chili oil somehow lacked heat. Even mixing various sauces didn’t improve the situation. This was particularly frustrating because a great sauce can elevate mid-tier food, but despite the station being well-maintained, it simply didn't deliver. The meat selection was mediocre, with only one lamb option and a couple of pork choices, all of which were average in quality. There was a self-serve area for veggies, mushrooms, noodles, and seafood/fishballs. I didn't try the seafood, but I heard that the squid and octopus were decent, while the shrimp left much to be desired. The vegetable selection was also somewhat limited compared to other hotpot places. Overall, it wasn't a terrible experience, but I certainly wouldn't choose to return.

All-you-can-eat shabu! We made a reservation for a large group and were seated in a spacious room at the back. Each table comes with six pots. You can choose a broth and select three types of meat at a time. There's also a buffet section where you can grab veggies, noodles, sauces, and seafood!

This is a fantastic spot for any occasion! It feels more like an activity than just dining. We only consume halal and kosher meats, but there were plenty of other appealing options available. The soup was delicious and the overall experience was enjoyable. It is a bit on the pricey side, but I believe everyone should try a hot pot restaurant at least once!