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Yabu: The House of Katsu




I have been reading and hearing a lot of good things about Yabu, a Japanese Katsu restaurant. Being a newly-converted Japanese food fanatic, I dragged my friends here for dinner.

Yabu: The House of Katsu is the first and only authentic Katsuretsu (Japanese for "cutlet") restaurant in the country. Guided by the head chef of popular Katsu restaurant in Tokyo, Yabu assures each katsu is perfectly and deliciously-made.

pink salt container
The place is quite full by the time we arrived that we had to sit at the common table first, but the servers were gracious enough to let us transfer to another table as soon as it was vacated by the previous customers. The ambiance is Zen-inspired with good lighting. A wall was adorned with comic strips about Yabu. My friends and I just noticed that the chairs are quite low (hello, anthropometrics?)

My friends and I tried different katsu sets. Each set has Japanese pickles, miso soup, Japanese rice, a bowl of fruit, and unlimited cabbage. A server is moving around with a bowl of shredded cabbage that you can ask for a refill anytime.

House Tea


While waiting for our orders, we were given a mortar set with sesame seeds to grind, before pouring the tonkatsu sauce. It was really fun grinding the sesame seeds, though I'm not sure if it really made any difference with the tonkatsu sauce. You may also ask for a house tea while waiting for the dishes to arrive.

Japanese pickles

I ordered 100g Hire ("Pork Tenderloin") Tonkatsu Set (Php 295 + 12% VAT).

Hire Tonkatsu
Japanese rice
Hire Tonkatsu Set has 2 pieces of 3/4 inch thick and flaky pork with no fat. The tonkatsu was served already cut into pieces, so I already dug in.

My friends ordered 120g Chicken Katsu Set (Php 290 + 12% VAT) and Chicken Katsu Curry Set (Php 290 + 12% VAT).

Chicken Katsu
Chicken Katsu Curry Set
The Chicken Katsu Set has 3/4 inch crispy Chicken Breast Fillet. For the Curry Sets, you can choose the level of spiciness: mild, regular, or hot. Since my friend loves spicy food, she chose hot. Though I'm not into spicy food, I didn't find the curry hot enough. Or maybe it wasn't supposed to be very hot.


The bowl of fruit included in each katsu set has two slices of watermelon and two slices of pineapple. I'm not used to having fruits for dessert but I realized it was meant to break the umay.

Overall, Yabu is quite a learning experience for a new Japanese food fanatic like me. The service was superb that a server is always nearby if customers need anything, the dishes were served quickly and the staff is accommodating. The prices are a little above average but if you really want to experience the authentic katsu, this is the only place you should go.

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Yabu: The House of Katsu
2nd Floor
Mega Atrium
SM Megamall
EDSA corner Julia Vargas Avenue,
Mandaluyong City
Contact No.5763900
Email address: yabuphilippines@gmail.com
http://www.yabuhouseofkatsu.com

Comments

  1. Looks yummy! Ma-try nga yan pag napadpad sa MegaMall.

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  2. love the tonkatsu sauce and the sesame dressing for the unlimited cabbage :)

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    Replies
    1. Almost didn't touch my cabbage. It's a gassy veggie eh, my stomach wouldn't like it.

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  3. You should try their appetizers next time! :D We got to try wakame and potato salad and they were amazing! Love Yabu, though the service when we went was quite slow >.<

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    1. Will try the appetizers next time! :) Hmm, the service wasn't slow during my visit, but they "forgot" to do some "newbie" introduction that I have to keep on asking "what's this for?" :)

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    2. Haha.. Actually, now that you mentioned it, they didn't do a "newbie" introduction too. Good thing I've already read some blogs and knew what certain things were for.. :)

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  4. I've been reading so many glowing reviews of this place, I should try it some time. :)

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  5. I loved Yabu as well. I ordered the 120g Rosu Katsu and it was really delicious. It was certainly worth it. I also loved the ambiance of the place. Now I know why the place is full of people during lunch or dinner time. :)

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    1. Hi jase! Yes, I loved the ambiance too. :) It's best to call for reservations or be a little early because it's usually full during peak hours. :)

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  6. Yabu is really delicious. The staffs is great and the serving is just enough. :) Totally love it.

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  7. yummy tonkatsu!!!

    :))

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  8. Sumi ate here na. Buti na lang you tried it na rin as well.

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  9. Really good katsu at this place. The meat is soo juicy and soft. :)

    Taste's Intentions

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  10. I've actually lived in Tokyo for about a year, and, Yabu definitely captured authentic Japanese katsu. Despite the fact that meat from Japan is at an entirely different level of excellence, Yabu compensated. As for the prices, I think it is DEFINITELY reasonable! Considering it isn't a high-end restaurant, and neither is it a fastfood restaurant, the quality definitely justifies the price.

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    1. Wow! Thanks for the input! :) I'm glad I've tried Yabu. :)

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  11. Na curious ako sa curry nila. feel ko talaga di ko ma kakain yun

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    1. The curry's not that spicy. :) I think you can take it. :)

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  12. Yabu SM Southmall has one of the best staff. They will make your dining experience truly worth your visit :)

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  13. Nice blog about Yabu resto..looks tempting! :D

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