Yabu: House of Katsu

Just last week we were able to try out Yabu, the most talked about katsu restaurant in Manila for the past months.  We're actually settled on having lunch at a different restaurant beforehand but for some reason we ended up trying Yabu instead.  From the parking area, I remember walking inside the newly opened Robinson's Magnolia, passing by the food court, finding our way to the restaurant that we want to have lunch at, seeing Yabu from outside, looking from afar, was fascinated by the interior and lighting of the area, walked nearer, then before I knew it we're already seated inside and looking at their menu. Haha!

They have a wide selection of katsu dishes to choose from: pork, chicken, seafood, veggies, name it.  Being first timers, we didn't had a hard time choosing what we want.  Every detail about a particular dish is described in the menu that they give to guests. We ordered their chicken katsu set.  Every katsu set comes with a DIY katsu sauce:

"black and white sesame seeds that you have to crush  'til your hearts content"

The photo above is a cooler (and lighter) version of the mortar and pestle.  It comes with black and white sesame seeds that you have to crush 'til your hearts content.  After the seeds are crushed, it is now time to pour your desired amount of tonkatsu sauce.

I find it nice that they ask guests if it is their first time dining in their restaurant because they really give extra attention to you if you are.  Since it is our  first time, our food attendant familiarized us with the sauces and dressings on our table.  He informed us what each is used  for--which I already have forgotten.  Sorry :)

sauces,dressings and other condiments

Our food attendant, Jerry, is very accommodating to all our requests even if he had other guests to attend to.  Their manager took his time to go around and visit each table to ask if everything is okay as well.

After about 10-15 minutes our food arrived:

The visually appetizing Chicken Katsu Set

Each dish in their menu comes with miso soup, japanese pickles, shredded cabbage, and a  couple of fruit slices.  Their presentation is pretty nice that it made me not want to touch any of it.  But, hunger took over and before I knew it everything was gone! well, except for the plates :)

THE FOOD

I'm not really a fan of tonkatsu but I find their chicken katsu very good.  Its softness didn't gave me a  hard time biting into it.  The chewiness that I don't like in tonkatsus isn't present either.  Its melt in your mouth goodness is something that I want to go back for.

And did I mention that their rice and cabbage is unlimited? Yes, it is.  The moment I knew about it I actually thought of Mang Inasal and Chickboy in an instant.  They are the very sosy version, though :)

THE VERDICT

I'm actually planning to bring hubby here when he gets home. Robinson's Magnolia is too far from where we live but I hope that they have the same kind of service, and food for that matter, in their Megamall branch when we visit.

YABU: HOUSE OF KATSU

Lower Ground Floor, Robinson's Magnolia,

Aurora Blvd. cor. Dona M Hemady St.,

New Manila, Quezon City

Philippines