Shabu-Tatsu East Village NYC

My favorite shabu-shabu restaurant in NYC is Shabu-Tatsu on 216 E 10th Street.  This restaurant has been consistently excellent for the last decade.  The meat, vegetables and sauces are all of very good quality.   The pricing is more than fair considering your meal includes a salad and ice cream.  You will never leave this restaurant hungry, that is for sure.  Tap Kirin is served super cold in a frosty mug.  Service is always friendly and efficient.  The only downside is that the awaits can be long on weekends and cold nights.  Always insist on a table upstairs, as the burners downstairs don't provide enough heat.

Bia Hoi in Vietnam

Bia hoi means fresh beer in Vietnamese.  It is brewed and delivered fresh daily.  The taste is very mild and it is served over ice.  It tastes a bit like water but is very refreshing in this hot climate during the summer months.  A liter of the stuff in a tourist bar cost me all of 60 US cents.