In most cases, beef for sukiyaki is sliced thicker than that for shabu-shabu (a dish of thinly sliced beef boiled with vegetables,) which is sliced so thinly that it can be eaten after being dipped only once in boiling water.
しゃぶしゃぶの薄切り肉は熱湯にくぐらせるだけで食べられるほど薄いが、すき焼きの薄切り肉はしゃぶしゃぶに用いる肉よりも厚いことが多い。