It was a rainy Wednesday, the kind of day that led us straight to Red House Davao for dinner. It had been raining almost every day around that time, thanks to localized thunderstorms and the enhanced southwest monsoon, or habagat as we call it here. The kind of weather that makes you want to stay in, eat something warm, and just slow down for a bit. Which was honestly the perfect mood for the shabu-shabu night I want to tell you about. It wasn’t a fancy night out. It was simple, a little rainy, and exactly what we needed. But before I get into the food, let me share a small update first.

A Little Update First

I mentioned in my previous post that my mother-in-law was rushed to Davao Doctors Hospital right after our Samal Island hopping trip. She has been discharged last Wednesday and is finally home. She just started dialysis, and from now on she’s scheduled twice a week. It’s a big adjustment for all of us, but we’re just grateful she’s home and doing okay.

My husband and I also had a meeting that day, something I really want to talk about here soon. I’ll share more once everything is finalized, so please bear with me a little longer.

Why We Ate Here

We originally planned to eat somewhere else that day, but it was raining and the restaurant we wanted turned out to be closed. Since Red House was close to our meeting place, we decided to eat there instead. It actually worked out perfectly. The weather was cold, my husband hadn’t been feeling well since the week before, and he really wanted something warm and soupy. So hot pot night it was.

Getting to Know Red House Davao

Red House Taiwan Sha-Bu Sha-Bu has been around since 2014, and it’s very close to our home. Honestly, I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve eaten here. Even with so many new unlimited shabu-shabu places popping up around Davao, this is still the one we keep coming back to. We usually just call it Red House Davao for short.

You’ll find it at Autoville Compound, F. Torres Street, Davao City. It’s open daily from 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM.

What We Ordered

Since it was just the two of us, we got the Red House Combination B, good for 2 to 3 persons, priced at ₱1,800. We always order a set slightly bigger than what we need because we like bringing home leftovers for the rest of the household, including my mother-in-law.

We also added a few of our personal favorites on the side:

• 4 pieces Fortune Pouch, ₱160
• 4 pieces Cheese Masi, ₱160
• 6 pieces Taiwan Mantou, ₱130

These fried buns with condensed milk on the side are honestly a must-order for us every single time.

What’s Inside the Set

For anyone curious what comes with the Combination B set, here’s the breakdown:

Everything gets cooked in the broth of your choice, and we always end up with two pots going, one light and clear, and the other turning rich and almost porridge-like by the end. This is especially true once the rice vermicelli soaks up all the flavor.

The Verdict

Honestly, everything was as good as always, especially our usual sides. The Fortune Pouch and Cheese Masi never get old for us, crispy outside, soft with cheese or egg inside, and even better once dipped into the broth. The Taiwan Mantou is the same story, simple, but the warm bread and condensed milk make it real comfort food for us.

One of my favorite things about Red House is their mixed balls. They’re really good, probably one of the reasons I keep coming back. I also love the individual soup setup since everyone gets their own broth, their own pace, and cooks their food the way they like it. It feels more personal and less messy than sharing one big pot.

The only downside for me is that it can feel a bit pricey, especially now that there are already a lot of unlimited hotpot and shabu-shabu places in Davao, some even with unlimited grill. Value for money-wise, Red House may feel a little more expensive than those unli places depending on how much you order. Honestly though, I don’t really mind. There’s lobster in it 🙂

Still, I think it remains a reliable spot for a simple, clean, and comforting shabu-shabu meal. It may not be the most budget-friendly option, but it’s cozy, familiar, and satisfying, especially on a rainy day.

Will I come back again? It’s not even a question 🙂

That night was simple. Rain outside, warm broth inside, and good news about my mother-in-law. Sometimes that’s really all we need.

A Peek at Our Hot Pot Night