So, I was really happy when Yabu, a Japanese Katsu Restaurant, invited me for lunch at their restaurant.
I told you guys already that I am no food blogger, right? Just a random girl who likes food! lol. So, here's my experience at...
YABU : The House of Katsu!
Yabu is a Japanese restaurant and it is also the first and only authentic Katsu restaurant here in the Philippines! Yabu prepares its signature Tonkatsu dish so differently from
any other local restaurants katsu dish that you immediately notice the
difference upon first sight and first bite!
Store locations:
- SM Megamall (2nd floor, Mega Atrium)
- Robinson's Magnolia (Lower Ground Floor)
Since I live in Cubao, it was such a breeze to go to Yabu in Robinson's Magnolia. The mall opened in August and Yabu's branch there also just launched around the same time. They will also open another branch soon at the SM Mall of Asia!
We got there at around 1:30 in the afternoon and left the place past 4! lol. Yes, we ate for that loooong time. What's good at Yabu is although they have a lot of customers, they don't make you feel that you need to leave right after eating, unlike some fast food chains and restaurants. Everyone is so warm and the crew are so polite so you could enjoy your sumptuous meal.
Yabu is a really cozy place to dine! It is modernly decorated and the ambiance of the place will make you feel at home. And where do you have those delicious meals? Of course, at home! I also like the yellow light of the restaurant, there's really something about it that makes a place look cozy and relaxing.
Sake bottles arranged as counter decoration.
Anime lovers! You will love this! Can you see the 4 big posters hanging on the wall?
So many people eating considering it wasn't peek hour when we went there! But whats so good is that the place can accommodate so many people. There wasn't any line que because there's enough space for everyone :)
And of course, me! :)
So, let's start eating!! :)
Time to order! Yabu is so techy, their waiters take your orders using an iPad! Yes, with an iPad! And they don't have just 1 iPad, they have a lot! How cool! :)
First off, appetizer!
We ordered:
Superior Potato & Egg Salad (left) and Wakame Seaweed salad topped with ebiko (right)
Price:
Php 195 (per set of 2 appetizers)
I love potato salad! think I can even call myself a potato salad master (lol, you know I'm kidding, right?) I really liked their Potato salad because the slices are not so big and not so tiny so each slice fits perfectly in the mouth. The seaweed salad was just heaven! Crispy, sweet and not too oily! Just perfect to start off a great meal!
Time for the main course!
I asked our attendant for Yabu's best seller, he told me I should try their Premium Tonkatsu Set.
I ordered: Yabu's Premium Tonkatsu Set
is served with unlimited Japanese rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles, unlimited cabbage with sesame dressing and a bowl of fruit!
Ahh, just looking at the photo while blogging makes me so hungry again!
Price:
Kurobuta Pork Set 120g - P575
This pork katsu is really fine! You see the goodness from outside and taste the goodness once you bite! The meat is so tender and juicy, and it is not greasy and I like how it is crunchy and juicy at the same time.
I came with my parents so here's what they ate:
Mom
Mom ordered : Mixed Katsu Set - Seafood Katsu Set 1
Served with unlimited Japanese rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles, unlimited cabbage with sesame dressing and a bowl of fruit
The katsu set consists of Salmon, Black Tiger Prawn, Crab and Oyster
Price : Php 515
Of course, I tried mom's food, too! harhar! The katsus were all crunchy outside and juicy inside! The servings are big to satisfy your seafood katsu craving! I liked the Salmon Katsu the most, so soft and tender! Yum!
Dad
Dad ordered : Original Katsudon - Chicken
Served with miso soup, Japanese pickles, unlimited cabbage with sesame dressing and a bowl of fruit
Price : Php315
Yabu's original katsudon is delicious cutlets dipped in egg and dredged in fresh panko, served over a bowl of steamed Japanese rice and all covered in mouth-watering sauce and eggs! Ahhhh, just the description makes you hungry now, yes?
A picture of us before eating our delicious lunch!
Can you see how full our table was? All the yummy goodness and beautiful presentation on our table about to be enjoyed by our happy stomach.
Attack!!!
Time for refill! Unlimited rice, cabbage and iced-tea! What do you mean we're famished?? (Yes, we are!)
And this is how my plate looked after eating! Happy stomach! :)
My friend, Nica, is a flight attendant. She didn't have anyone to leave her pretty daughter that day, so she left her with us. While eating, his dad dropped her off at Robinson's. The manager saw her and gave her ice cream! Yummy!
Of course, I also tried it! lol! Even their dessert is so good! The ice cream is a creamy chocolate that sits on top of a chocolate brownie! So good!
The Katsu was sooo good! We want it this big, please! ^_^
Yabu is a blogger-friendly restaurant. Bloggers, check this out! They have a wall with posters of different bloggers and their experience at Yabu! I wish to have my own poster there too! Someday... :)
Even top fashion bloggers have dined at Yabu! :)
Yabu's staff and crew were all so kind and very very polite! That is REALLY one thing I always consider when I go to a salon, boutique or restaurant. Because really, it's not just buying the clothes or eating the food, it's also how the people served you with joy that makes the experience extra fun and memorable!
A picture of us before eating our delicious lunch!
Can you see how full our table was? All the yummy goodness and beautiful presentation on our table about to be enjoyed by our happy stomach.
Attack!!!
Time for refill! Unlimited rice, cabbage and iced-tea! What do you mean we're famished?? (Yes, we are!)
And this is how my plate looked after eating! Happy stomach! :)
My friend, Nica, is a flight attendant. She didn't have anyone to leave her pretty daughter that day, so she left her with us. While eating, his dad dropped her off at Robinson's. The manager saw her and gave her ice cream! Yummy!
Pretty baby Jasmine, enjoying her chocolate ice cream!
The Katsu was sooo good! We want it this big, please! ^_^
Yabu is a blogger-friendly restaurant. Bloggers, check this out! They have a wall with posters of different bloggers and their experience at Yabu! I wish to have my own poster there too! Someday... :)
Even top fashion bloggers have dined at Yabu! :)
Yabu's staff and crew were all so kind and very very polite! That is REALLY one thing I always consider when I go to a salon, boutique or restaurant. Because really, it's not just buying the clothes or eating the food, it's also how the people served you with joy that makes the experience extra fun and memorable!
No, this is not even half of all their employees. My mom even pointed out that Yabu has so many workers. I say it's good! Our food was served in just a SHORT TIME! We didn't even wait for 10 minutes. We ordered, I snapped some photos and next thing, our food was served on our table! Thumbs up for polite, friendly and fast service, Yabu!
My scores for Yabu:
(★ ★ ★ ★ ★ being the highest)
Food (Taste / Quality) : ★ ★ ★ ★
Price (Affordability / Value) : ★ ★ ★
Place (Ambiance / Interiors) : ★ ★ ★
Service (Speed / Friendliness) : ★ ★ ★ ★
I really enjoyed dining at Yabu! The food was great and the service size was big! The service was impressive as the food was served quickly, perfect for people who are starving. The staff were all polite and friendly. And You get the value for you money.
It was a delightful lunch at Yabu! I enjoyed everything from the Katsu, to the cabbage and to the crew! Definitely reccomending this to my friends and I will surely come back for more appetizing katsu!
♥
Kristine