Yabu has been hyper in its advertising efforts in the recent months. Word-of-mouth marketing plus social media, I think, are working at best as this Japanese restaurant also known as “the House of Katsu” is gaining popularity in fast track. Katsu translates to “cutlet” in English, a piece of meat that is deep-fried and breaded. Yabu serves a variety of food in this ordeal, and according to the first page of its menu, the restaurant aims to “elevate beautiful dishes to a high level of culinary art.”
Last January 12, Louie and I treated four of our friends to Yabu’s branch in Robinsons Magnolia. It was a super delayed birthday treat! (We did not find common free times from our busy schedules since June of last year.) It was also a great time to catch up with these good friends and for the first time try out what Yabu offers.
Review of Yabu: House of Katsu (Robinsons Magnolia)
Ambiance: β β β β β
Yabu does not exactly give a traditional Japanese vibe but is the stark opposite. This restaurant has a completely modern appeal and a comforting vibe. Look around and you’ll see packs of diners who look like they’re really enjoying their meals. Impression from outside was good as much as the inside. The atmosphere was just chill with warm brown tones. The walls were decorated with huge anime pictures, and everything in the dining floor was organized appropriately.
Service: β β β β β
Service attendants were efficient. Food came out relatively fast. While waiting for our orders and amidst our conversations, the waitress guided us on how to smash the black sesame seeds and mix them with the special Yabu sauce (thick black dip) to add more flavor to our food. Pictures were gladly taken. Also, because our friends were hinting that it was Louie’s birthday, one of the waiters took notice and gave him a slice of hot chocolate cake with a small scoop of chocolate ice cream for free!
Food: β ββββ
I wished I could tell you about the same positive feedback other bloggers are exclaiming on Yabu’s tonkatsu. But from the word “ton” (pork) itself, that plainly would not be possible because I’m just not favorable of eating this dish. Neither did the rest in the group.
I had the healthy choice (Vegetable Mixed Set, PHp 290) and met the most disagreeable fried vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes and Japanese silken tofu with crispy bread crumbs. Given the pedigree of ingredients, you can probably figure out the one major drawback here. Yup, it’s the grease. The vegetables were so soaked in oil that the strainer became a very useful tool in getting the excess oil out.
The katsu set came with a salad made up of sliced cabbages we can ask the waitress to refill. We could add either vinaigrette and/or sesame dressing to it. I did add both but they tasted not so fine still. Another disappointment was the hot miso soup, which was even lucky to have been sipped through for three spoonful.
Opposite me was Jeatte who ordered the soft shell crab set (PHp 480) coated with fresh panko. I thought the food presentation looked nice so I tasted it as well. I swallowed my bite slowly, realizing that it’s not only me whose food has gone wrong. There was also something in the soft shell crab that I didn’t like, and I was left unsure if it was mostly just the texture of the crab’s insides or all ot it.
Louie ordered the Menchi Katsu Set (PHp 350), served also with unlimited Japanese rice, cabbages, miso soup and a bowl of fruit. The highlight of this dish was the superior ground beef and pork minced together with Yabu’s special spices and stuffed with cream cheese. The picture on the menu may seduce your taste buds, but the actual thing was not at par.
Price for Value: β ββββ
Compared to other Japanese restaurants, in my experience, everything has been condescending except the food. And if food is what I pay for, then I’m sorry to report that it’s not worth the price. If you have not been to Yabu, I’m not discouraging you to try their entrees. Somehow this elegant place is worth visiting once in your lifetime.
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
The food didn’t turn out right for you, maybe I will just avoid this place.
That’s just my experience and I’m completely honest about it, maybe even if the food is sponsored. Of course I also intended to save people from some unwanted calories from Yabu’s food.
I love how you review this restaurant. Not biased and very honest! That’s how reviews should be presented… showing the strengths and weaknesses. But I agree, this restaurant still deserves a visit.
Thanks. That’s the way food bloggers should express their opinions, anyway. π
Nothing compares to Yabu! The appetizers, the katsu, the rice, the cabbage and the sesame dressing… OH SO DIVINE!
Really? Oh maybe I just have to try those appetizers to have a change of heart.
I love Japanese food and I’ve heard so many great reviews of Yabu. But based on your feedback, I might not eat there anytime soon. Paying for something and not getting the full worth of things in return, isn’t all worth it. Have you tried Yaku in Podium (Japanese resto as well)? You should! That I can definitely vouch for. π They have good food, friendly staff and affordable prices. π
Yaku in Podium? I have not heard of it until now. Hmm okay I’ll drop by that restaurant soon! Thanks for suggesting. π
I haven’t tried any tonkatsu before, even though I love Japanese food.. I am limited to ramen and maki haha
and I haven’t tried Yabu din.. limited lang sa RaiRai at Yoshi ang Jap cuisine experience ko haha
I haven’t even tried Yoshi. Rai Rai Ken–only once. There are more and more Japanese ramen restaurants opening these days. I want to try Wrong Ramen.
I haven’t tried Yabu yet. I don’t like greasy foods also but I guess will try some of what they offer. Great review!
Maybe you should try their house specialty, the katsu which is said to be really crispy on the outside and soft inside. I don’t know how that would taste like because I don’t really want to eat pork.
I have never tried Yabu yet but I do want to try it.. their food serving looks big but still quite pricey compared to other Japanese restos.. π
Yes. But you should give it a try soon. The Yabu Katsu craze is all over the city especially when this restaurant first opened. ^_^
A very honestreview. At least food lovers knew something about this reastaurant. Sana ayusin pa ng management ang pagluluto nila.
Yeah. I have not read bad reviews about Yabu though – or I was not searching enough β So maybe I’m only this picky eater who has a harder time learning to chew or who refuses textured food – or fitting in greasy food to my diet. π
I also don’t like eating vegetables and pancit that has full of grease. But with pork and beef hmmm I can’t avoid this foods LOL
Haha most people can’t as well. Cooking and serving greasy food by fast food nowadays utterly lack in rules and regulations or even regionalisms. Despite its vast and unwieldy plethora of options, nobody has to ask what constitutes as “good” anymore.
The price of the foods is not reasonable for I know the preparation is not as good as what you expect. It is good that you’re honest to express of your dissatisfaction.
Thanks for understanding. It’s just that now I know my taste buds can’t agree to what many foodies are saying. I won’t pay a premium price for the House of Yabu’s “high-end” food.
The food is tempting, but with your review if 1 over 5..
I can’t reiterate it that much, we have a whole lot of other options in the metro.
Yes. I’d rather find myself a peanut butter sandwich for a meal than eat in this restaurant. This classic sandwich can maybe own a better combination of salty and sweet between two slices of soft bread than grease and bread crumbs between meat offered in Yabu. π―
I love greasy Japanese food hehe so I will surely love this place. Sarap ng food kaya lang you mentioned na disappointing pala sila? sayang. Anyway, I also like the Japanese manga cartoons π
Haha yes. Mashado lang siguro akong health-conscious. π It’s not that I’m a certified dietician or anything close, but I should be aware of everything I put into my body.
[…] Come try Kimukatsu’s flavored katsu for yourself and you probably won’t be satisfied with pork cutlets from other outlets again. Yup, be warned, this is a katsu crack. (They also have chicken katsu, scallop fry, ebi fry, seafood fry and vegetable fry sets.) If you’re not a fan of katsu, I also recommend you give Kimukatsu a try. It might just change your mind. Tip: Theirs are way better than Yabu’s. […]
OMG! Yabu! I really wish I could here someday π
There are many branches of Yabu especially in Metro Manila. Go check out one place and try their signature dishes.
[…] on its menu. So, do they have the most amazing katsu cut ever? I’ll just say that Yabu and Kimukatsu (two katsu restaurants I’ve tried) have some serious competition over here. […]