Seryna Seasonal Shabu-Shabu – Roppongi, Tokyo

The main draw at Serina is Kobe beef prepared for shabu-shabu. Its fine fat melts quickly in hot broth, giving you a tender, full-flavored bite without the heaviness some diners associate with richer beef. Traditional sesame sauce and house-made dips add another layer of flavor.

I like two things here: the restaurant has been choosing quality ingredients since 1961, and it offers several set-menu prices, from a relatively accessible lunch to lavish dinner options. Its Roppongi location is also easy to reach from two subway exits. One consideration: the listed menus vary widely in price, and the full meal contents can change, so check the exact package before booking.

Key points to know before you book

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• Kobe beef is the signature: Serina is a registered store of the Kobe Beef Distribution Promotion Council and says its appraisers select the beef to meet high standards.
• The dipping sauce matters: Traditional sesame sauce and homemade dips are intended to complement the beef, not just cover it.
• The lowest listed price is for lunch: The Standard Japanese Cuisine Lunch starts at $69.85. Other lunch and dinner packages cost more.
• Menus can include more than shabu-shabu: The referenced meal contents include appetizers, sashimi, crab, abalone, fruit, shabu-shabu, and dessert, but the restaurant may vary what it serves.
• Roppongi access is simple: It is a three-minute walk from Exit 3 of the Hibiya Line station or one minute from Exit 5 of the Oedo Line station.
• Plan carefully if bringing children: Children 12 and older pay the adult rate. Children under 3 must use a private room, with an additional room fee.

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Kobe beef is the reason to come

Shabu-shabu is a simple preparation with little room to hide the quality of the meat. You swish thin slices through hot broth, then eat them with dipping sauce. Serina’s focus on carefully selected Kobe beef makes this a meal for people who want to taste the beef itself, rather than a long list of elaborate techniques.

The restaurant highlights the beef’s fine fat and low melting point. In practical terms, that means the meat is meant to feel tender and light on the tongue, with a concentrated, savory taste. The point is not to cook each slice for a long time. Take your time at the pot and avoid treating the meat like a thick steak. The specific cooking instructions are not provided, so ask the staff if you want guidance.

Serina also recommends the beef for sukiyaki and grilled preparations. Your booked meal, however, should be understood as a set-menu experience, not a choice of cooking styles unless your selected package says otherwise. If shabu-shabu is the reason you are booking, confirm that it is part of the particular menu you choose.

Sesame sauce, seasonal dishes, and the wider meal

The appeal is not limited to beef. Serina’s traditional sesame sauce and homemade dipping sauces give you a chance to taste the meat in more than one way. Sesame sauce brings a deeper, nutty note; the house dips offer other contrasts. The exact sauces and serving details are not specified, so expect the restaurant to provide its own version rather than a fixed set of condiments you can plan around.

The referenced meal contents suggest a broader Japanese course than a pot of broth and beef alone. They include appetizers and sashimi, along with crab, abalone, fruit, shabu-shabu, and dessert. These items are examples, not a guaranteed menu. The restaurant may change the contents, which is worth keeping in mind if you have a particular dish in mind or are comparing the package with another meal.

That range can make the meal appealing for a special occasion: you get a sequence of tastes and textures, with the beef as the center of attention. Crab and abalone add seafood to the picture, while fruit and dessert can provide a lighter finish. But do not use the reference list as a promise that every item will appear on your table. If a specific ingredient matters to you, ask before reserving.

Serina also serves crab dishes and seasonal Japanese cuisine more broadly. That fits a restaurant whose stated approach is to focus on ingredient selection. It does not mean every set includes all of those specialties. The package name and current menu are the best guides to what you will actually eat.

A long-running Roppongi restaurant with different room styles

Serina Honten has been in business since 1961. That span matters less as a claim of age than as a clue to the kind of meal this is: a dedicated restaurant that places emphasis on ingredients and hospitality, rather than a quick, casual stop for a bowl of noodles.

The restaurant has tables and private rooms in different styles on each floor. That gives it some flexibility for a meal with family, friends, or an important companion. The information does not specify the room layouts, atmosphere, or room sizes, so contact the restaurant if you need a particular arrangement. Private rooms also come with a potential extra cost for families with very young children.

A single diner’s account describes the service as especially strong and praises both the beef and wine. That is useful as a hint about the meal’s tone: you might find the attentive service and drinks part of the occasion, not just the food. Wine is not listed as included, however, so budget for it separately if you want a glass or bottle.

Choosing between lunch and dinner prices

The entry price is $69.85 for the Standard Japanese Cuisine Lunch. That is the most approachable way to try Serina, especially if you want the restaurant experience without choosing one of the higher-priced menus. Keep in mind that the package information provided for this option does not fully define every dish or portion, and meal contents can vary.

Other lunch choices include the Classic Japanese Cuisine Lunch at $89.79 and the Premium Japanese Cuisine Lunch at $179.75. The price gap between the standard and premium lunch is substantial. I would not assume that a higher price automatically means more Kobe beef or a specific premium ingredient; the package details supplied do not spell out those differences. Compare the menu descriptions at booking, or ask what changes between tiers.

Dinner options begin at $159.55 for the Classic Japanese Cuisine Set Meal, rise to $209.45 for the Premium Japanese Cuisine Set Menu, and reach $498.99 for the Luxury Japanese Cuisine Set Meal. The luxury price is a major commitment, best suited to a planned celebration or a meal where cost is secondary to the occasion. The descriptions do not state exactly what distinguishes each dinner level, so you should check the current menu before paying for the top tier.

The advertised price includes the set meal, restaurant service fee, Japanese consumption tax, and reservation fee. Personal expenses are extra. This makes the listed price more useful for budgeting than a menu price that adds service and tax later, but it does not cover drinks or other purchases.

Getting to the restaurant in Roppongi

The address is 3-12-2 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0032. The nearest approach depends on your subway line: it is a three-minute walk from Exit 3 of Roppongi Station on the Hibiya Line, or a one-minute walk from Exit 5 on the Oedo Line.

That difference is handy if you are coordinating with someone arriving on another line. Pick the exit that matches your route, and use the address or map to find the restaurant. The directions do not include a street-by-street route, so allow a little time to locate the entrance, especially if you are meeting someone at a set reservation time.

The booking is valid only for the date and time specified. Confirmation is expected within 48 hours; if no confirmation email arrives, contact customer support. Cancellations made at least 72 hours before the activity date, using destination local time, qualify for a full refund. Outside food and drinks are not allowed.

Bringing children and planning your table

Children aged 12 and older are charged the adult rate. Children from birth through age 11 can share meals with adults without an extra meal charge, but you still need to include them in the reservation count so the restaurant knows how many people are coming.

If you want a separate meal set for a child under 12, the information says to purchase an adult set. For children under 3, a private room is required, and a room fee applies. The maximum reservation for this youngest age group is four people. If that affects your plans, confirm the room fee and availability before booking rather than assuming a standard table will work.

The restaurant has private rooms for different occasions, but not every detail about room types or fees is provided. Families and groups who need a particular setup should clarify it in advance.

Who should book Serina

I would put Serina on your list if you want to make Kobe beef the centerpiece of a proper Japanese meal and value attentive service as part of the occasion. The restaurant’s long focus on selecting ingredients, its sesame sauce, and its central Roppongi location all support that kind of dinner or lunch.

The Standard lunch is the sensible starting point for budget-conscious diners. It gives you the lowest listed price, while higher-priced lunch menus and dinner sets offer alternatives for those planning a more costly meal. Just compare the actual package details before deciding, since the listed prices alone do not explain precisely what changes from one tier to the next.

This is not the best pick if you need a fully fixed menu in advance or want a casual, inexpensive meal. The stated meal contents may vary, and the dinner packages can become expensive quickly. If you are comfortable with that trade-off, Serina offers a focused way to try carefully selected Kobe beef in shabu-shabu, with seasonal dishes and formal hospitality around it.

FAQ

Where is Serina Honten?

It is at 3-12-2 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan.

How do I get to the restaurant by subway?

It is a three-minute walk from Exit 3 of Roppongi Station on the Hibiya Line and a one-minute walk from Exit 5 of Roppongi Station on the Oedo Line.

What is the least expensive package?

The Standard Japanese Cuisine Lunch is the least expensive listed option, starting at $69.85.

Are meal contents guaranteed to be the same each time?

No. The stated meal contents are for reference, and the restaurant may provide different items.

Can children share food with an adult?

Children aged 0 to 11 can share meals with adults at no extra meal charge. Include them in the reservation count. Children aged 12 and older pay the adult rate.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 72 hours before the activity date, based on destination local time.