YABU: All Things Katsu

A colleague invited me and another one to lunch to try out this new Japanese restaurant in SM Megamall. Couldn't even remember the name that when the time came to meet-up, I had to send a sms one last time.

Upon reaching the place, I noticed that the interiors were minimalist in design but the golden glow made it seem friendly and cozy. One side had Japanese manga murals on the "art of katsu making" while the other side had wooden intersecting panels.

Yabu, The House of Katsu opened its first branch last November 11, 2011 (11-11-11) at the SM Megamall Atrium. Since then, the place was always packed with Katsu lovers, even on supposedly lean hours between lunch and dinner. In Japanese Yabu means a "perfect 10" for perfect katsu. Indeed, the katsus we ordered were perfect in size, taste and presentation. With the culinary knowledge and expertise of Chef Takuya Kazeda (head chef of Tomkatsu Takeshin, popular tonkatsu restaurant in Tokyo) passed on to the chefs of Yabu, a perfect and delicious katsu is guaranteed everyday.

I ordered the Fish Set (from the Seafood Katsu Sets) composed of 180g (PhP 335) of Cream Dory fish fillet (smaller portions available at 120g and 90g, at PhP 300 and PhP 275 respectively) served with Japanese rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles, unlimited shredded cabbage with sesame dressing and a bowl of sliced fruits. I thought this was a small meal good for one but when the food was served, I had a hard time finishing it as it can be actually be good enough for two. The fish katsu was golden brown in color, perfectly cooked -- crunchy on the outside while fish is soft and juicy on the inside. I love vegetables so I had a grand time munching on the cabbage with sesame dressing.

Fish Set: cream dory fish fillet, miso soup, rice, cabbage and fruits

Perfect golden brown fish fillet (180g) good for two

My companions both ordered the Katsudon Set which offered of a choice of Rosu (pork) Katsudon (PhP 265) or Chicken Katsudon (PhP 260), Japanese rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles, unlimited shredded cabbage with sesame dressing and a bowl of sliced fruits. Yabu's Katsudon is made with a two-egg omelet and special sweet sauce ladled over tender katsu served on top of steaming Japanese rice. And yes, this can be good enough for two people as well. So when ordering here at Yabu, the key word to remember if SHARE.

Rosu Katsudon Set: pork katsudon, served with miso soup, cabbage and fruits

Pork katsu topped with egg omelet, sweet sauce over rice

For dessert, we tried a scoop of Strawberry Ice Cream and Lava Ala Mode (chocolate brownie topped with vanilla ice cream) . Sounds ordinary, right? But wait till you try them because the ice creams were extra creamy and really delicious but sweetened just right.

Yabu's creamy Strawberry Ice Cream scoop

Lava Ala Mode

We cannot put our finger on the ice cream brand and so we asked the restaurant manager what brand they serve. All our guesses were wrong because they serve they own ice cream creations that are available in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and green tea flavors.

Filed under FLAVORS