Stage mom Lorna Merioles at Yabu Makati

Yabu: House of Pork Things and More

Pork Things!

Kudos to Yabu, a local Japanese restaurant for marketing itself as the purveyor of authentic Japanese cuisine in the Philippines.

IIRC, when Yabu first opened its doors to the Filipino public back in 2011, celebrities (online and IRL) couldn’t stop themselves from ooh-ing and aah-ing about the place. The restaurant had been the talk of the town for months.

And who wouldn’t be impressed by the manga panels hanging on the walls, the zen-like wooden interior, the beautiful food presentation and the ceremonial-like seed-grinding gimmick? The place was clearly working its magic towards the average Filipino, whose love for novelty and things Japanese knows no bounds.

Stage mom Lorna Merioles at Yabu Makati

My mom is impressed.

Yabu Makati House Tea and Sesame Seeds

Like a Japanese ceremony: Japanese tea, a mortar and pestle for grinding freshly roasted sesame seeds and a glass of warm water.

My family and I have gone to Yabu a few times before, and during those times we preferred ordering the usual (i.e. hire katsu sets, etc.) because we tend to be cautious eaters like that.

Thankfully, we got to try out two of Yabu’s newer items on the menu: The Oroshi Katsu Set and Chilled Chicken Salad.

Yabu-Makati-Condiments

Condiments from left to right: katsu sauce, bottles of dressing, salt and chili and pepper shakers.

Chilled Chicken Salad

Chicken Salad with Iidako Salad Duo Appetizer

Appetizer Duo: For Php195, you get two appetizers.

The Chilled Chicken Salad (pictured above, right) is composed of lots of julienned cabbage and carrots, shredded chicken, and finely sliced crispy wonton. The wasabi dressing provides a spicy, creamy texture to the salad. Overall, the dish tastes clean and refreshing.

Iidako Salad

Iidako is Japanese for Baby Octopus, and this salad has spicy-sweet bits of it in abundance. The crunchy cucumber slices had a clean taste that made a stark contrast to the spicy-sweet flavor of the salad dressing. IMO the salad dressing somewhat overpowered the mild flavor of the octopus, and the finely sliced cucumber slices fared just as poorly. But of course, this is me talking, and most people might much prefer the existing combination.

Yabu’s Oroshi Katsu Set

In typical Yabu set fashion, the Oroshi Katsu Set comes with unlimited rice (Japanese or organic brown), miso soup, Japanese pickles, julienned cabbage and sliced fruits.

For the curious, the Oroshi Katsu is basically crispy fried meat cutlet topped with finely grated daikon (as in, daikon oroshi). Grated daikon is a common Japanese condiment usually added to tempura dipping sauce. Purportedly, daikon contains diastase, an enzyme that helps the body digest carbohydrates.

Yabu-Kurobuta-Pork

Premium Kurobuta Pork from black Berkshire pigs

My mom and I were advised to try the “Wagyu Pork”, which is more properly known as Kurobuta (Php595). It’s the most expensive meat being offered, and the most tender IMO. While I’ve liked Hire (Php420), the tender and lean katsu; and Rosu (Php390) the fatty, marbled katsu; in the past, I would have probably chosen Chicken (Php370) if we were there on any other day. The lady insisted we try the best cutlet, though, and I’m happy that we relented.

Yabu Makati Kurobuta Oroshi with Grapefruit

Squeezing out the sweet grapefruit juice.

To fully enjoy the Oroshi Katsu, Yabu suggests that you squeeze the grapefruit over the katsu before pouring the citrus-y sweet ponzu sauce. I didn’t know how to put grapefruit juice on the katsu itself with the grated radish and spring onions in the way, so I just went ahead and squeezed the surprisingly sweet grapefruit on the daikon.

Yabu Makati Kurobuta with Ponzu Sauce

Yabu Makati Kurobuta Pork Oroshi Set

Yummy!

I love ponzu. Let’s get to that fact straight up. The first time I had this tarty sweet sauce was back in college, and it was such a great tasting sauce that perfectly enhanced the flavor of the tonkatsu I was having for lunch. Although not quite as tart as the one I first had many years ago, Yabu’s ponzu is citrusy and delicious enough.

The grated daikon diluted the ponzu’s strong tart flavor, and the sweet grapefruit juice added a new dimension to the overall flavor. Not only do the ingredients form a harmony of colors on the plate, but their flavors all blend well together.

Yabu Makati Oroshi Kurobuta

Tender and lean Kurobuta

The Oroshi Katsu is a filling and delicious meal that highlights the wonderful blend of summer’s citrus flavors. Since the oroshi topping tends to ruin the crisp katsu breading, Yabu allows customers to request for the oroshi topping to be served in a bowl instead.

VERDICT

Tonkatsu is one of my favorite Japanese dishes, and I’m happy to note that Yabu’s is great. I really can’t say if theirs is the best, though, but it’s definitely up there on the list.

Yabu House of Katsu Makati

Address: 2F Glorietta 5
Service: 4 out of 5
Food: 4 out of 5
Price: Php300 to 600 per person
Rating: 4 out of 5

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