Many people in Austin might think of the Tatsu-Ya Group as offering lively and laid-back dining experiences. While this image is accurate, the group’s more sophisticated restaurants are also gaining attention with some exciting updates, especially at Dipdipdip Tatsu-Ya. Known for its shabu-shabu hot pot, DipDipDip is broadening its menu and making high-end dining more approachable.
Dipdipdip Tatsu-Ya’s menu has been updated to offer a more diverse and accessible dining experience. While traditionally known for shabu-shabu Japanese hot pot allowing guests to dip thin slices of raw meat into a simmering broth, the restaurant now features a variety of appetizers and nabemono dishes. Nabemono is another type of hot pot that allows the meat to cook in the broth, providing a more relaxed dining experience.
Dipdipdip maintains its upscale ambiance and adds more budget-friendly appetizers, making it more welcoming for diners. The omakase menu is priced at $125 with a $50 beverage pairing, but now you can also enjoy a $7 plate of gyoza, two $12 cocktails, for a delightful evening out.
Their new appetizers include:
- Crunchy lotus chips with aerated buttermilk onion dip, and you can add smoked trout roe if you’re feeling fancy.
- Homemade yuba curds with imported soy milk and a hint of wasabi.
- Japanese-style shrimp cocktail with prawns.
- Pork sui gyoza with kosho ponzu.
We also ordered from the “Dips and Slices” section offering specialty add-ons such as duck, strip loin, A5 wagyu, and charred bone marrow paired with beef tongue or cold-smoked brisket. You can go for curated pots with recommended flavor combinations or pick à la carte for a totally customizable dining experience.
When we managed to catch a few minutes to chat with Chef-owner Tatsu Aikawa, we could see his geninue excitement about offering guests a wider range of Japanese dining styles. “We’re adding more variety to our nabemono styles and including familiar elements to enhance the experience.” The new hot pots feature shaved vegetables to boost the flavors as the meats cook.
Shabu-shabu involves swishing ingredients in a mild-flavored stock that becomes more flavorful over time, and is served with dipping sauces. On the other hand, nabemono features richer, more cohesive flavors with all the ingredients simmering together in the broth.
The nabemono menu includes:
- A chicken-based dashi with yuzu, chicken thigh, meatballs, cabbage, mushrooms, tofu, shirataki (rice noodles), ponzu for dipping, and rice.
- A tomato-based dashi with prawns, crab, clams, and a chili dipping sauce.
- A beef dashi with loin or A5 wagyu, truffle rice, and a raw egg to boil in the broth.
Visit Dipdipdip Tatsu-Ya
Reservations at Dipdipdip Tatsu-Ya (7301 Burnet Rd., Ste. 101) are available via Resy. Whether you’re in the mood for shabu-shabu or nabemono, the expanded menu ensures a memorable dining experience. Dive into the new offerings and discover the exciting changes that make Dipdipdip Tatsu-Ya a must-visit destination.