One of my new discoveries lately is Yabu: House of Katsu in the Megamall Atrium. It’s this new Katsu place in Manila but what separates this not another Japanese joint is that 1) they specialize in Katsu, 2) it’s unbelievably SOFT and TENDER Katsu, and 3) it’s authentic yet affordable.
Lotsa sake. But we didn’t drink any. Will definitely try when I get back.
Potato salad and Wakame salad. We were served a couple of appetizers. The potato salad in Japanese mayo has that soft starchy taste in perfect medley with the tangy Japanese mayo. The Wakame (seaweed) salad is addicting. I can’t explain its taste but it’s savory.
Steamed Japanese string beans and Silken Tofu. Not their real menu names, I somehow deleted my note in my BB with the list of what I ate. But what I do remember is that the silken tofu is so soft in the tongue, unlike the common tofu we have in the local market.
Sesame sauce. This part of the dining experience is my second favorite (next to diving my teeth into the tender Kurobota tonkatsu!) They let us do our own sauce which starts with grinding the sesame seeds in a bowl. After grinding we pour the sweet sauce (which I didn’t have a photo of.) I love smelling the sesame seeds while grinding it.
And the main show — I ordered the Kurobota Tonkatsu or the Premium Meat Set. The set comes with the tonkatsu, a generous helping of salad with sesame sauce (which you can ask for more), a bowl of rice, miso soup and fruits. They claim you can slice the meat using your chopsticks – and yes, it’s true!
One thing I love most about this place is how they do the meat. I settled for non less than Kurobota – the meat is darker, fattier and more tender, and for me, JUST FOR ME, it’s better without the sauce. Toff, who’s my seatmate that night, even called me a meat purist – which is partly true. There are certain dishes that I love with a sauce, and there are those I don’t want any. Just meat and my teeth into it.
With Jim, Cacai, Miko, Kaye, and Toff
Thanks to Yabu Manager, Mr. Mon for accommodating us
We were served a dessert called Lava a la Mode. Not really my favorite, but it was okay. I was in Katsu hangover when I started digging this. Haha!
Cacai, Jim, Moi, Pao, Kaye, Miko, Yabu brand manager, Verge, Lawryeng, and Toff
Stereotyped tee, Adidas Ateneo jacket, F&H distressed denims, Punchdrunk Panda Negatives plimsolls.
Was really tamad to dress up, but I think this one worked out just as fine. It was a blue day, I guess. But my tummy ain’t blue :P
Yabu: House of Katsu
Megamall Atrium 2/F
(02) 576 3900
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