When you think of Shabu-Yo, the popular shabu-shabu chain, what usually comes to mind is their impressive array of fresh veggies and those high-value, all-you-can-eat meat platters. But a recent dining experience shared on Japanese X (formerly Twitter) has gone viral for a completely different reason: the meat slices served were so thin, they were practically see-through! 
Japanese netizen "Miåう゛@kujata (@MiamiaWaltz)" was dining at a Shabu-Yo branch recently and, as usual, ordered pork loin. But when the plate arrived, they couldn't help but burst out laughing. The photos they shared show pork so incredibly thin it's almost translucent, with the plate's pattern clearly visible underneath. The original poster couldn't help but exclaim that it was probably the thinnest meat they'd ever seen in their life.
The photos immediately drew a massive crowd of Japanese netizens, who flocked to comment with hilarious takes: "Is there such a thing as a translucent pig?" and "Whoa, that's wild! It's even thinner than the prosciutto you get at convenience stores!"
Some netizens, looking at it from a business perspective, wondered if it was a cost-cutting measure, even jokingly adding: "Cutting it that thin actually takes some serious skill, LOL! If they're that desperate to save money, maybe don't offer all-you-can-eat in the first place, haha!"
However, another netizen offered a completely different, more professional observation. Analyzing it from a technical and practical standpoint, they suggested this might not just be a simple cost-control issue! Pork loin, when overcooked, can easily become dry and tough. If the goal is for the meat to cook faster while retaining a desirable tender texture, slicing it thinner than usual isn't entirely illogical.
They further explained that while "thin slicing" has its merits, the thickness in the photos clearly goes beyond normal and is almost abnormal. Their reasonable guess is that this wasn't the restaurant's original intention, but rather the staff member responsible for slicing the meat might have misunderstood instructions and accidentally cut the slices extremely thin. Given this level of discrepancy, it's likely the manager would have to address and correct it later.
Whether it was a momentary slip-up by a staff member or an unexpected slicing mishap, this plate of almost-invisible pork loin has certainly left a lasting impression on many netizens. It also makes you wonder: have you ever encountered a similar situation when you went for an all-you-can-eat feast?