Yabu: House of Katsu SM Megamall
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Founded in Manila on 11-11-11, Yabu is a homegrown Katsu concept restaurant started by John Concepcion with the help of Michelin Bib Gourmand Chef Kasuya Takeda. John is also the CEO of Unilever RFM Ice Cream and he has taken Selecta to the top spot among local ice creams. He is also credited with the successful launching of Magnum. Yabu is part of the Standard Hospitality Group of John Concepcion, Gerry Santos and Irene Joven. They carry such brands as Yabu, Ippudo, Elephant Grounds and Kiwami. As of the moment, Yabu has 30 branches. We ate at the 2nd floor SM Megamall B branch. Recreating the Japanese Katsu experience of breaded kurobuta pork with locally sourced ones was the challenge for Yabu's Takeda and company. John's concept was to offer unlimited Japanese rice and shredded cabbage with his Katsu sets at a reasonable price point. They had to rely on science, procedure and technique. For dinner, we ordered the 180g Rosu Katsu set (P445), Gyudon Set (P515), Original Tonkatsu Set with Prawns and Dory (P425) and the Salmon Katsu Set (P545). I've eaten at Yabu for so long. I initially thought it was a Japanese franchise and used Kurobuta pork in all Katsu pork offerings. I was totally wrong and totally amazed at the work the team led by Takeda San has made to bring the Japanese Katsu experience here. They start off with warm miso soup to open up your appetite, cold cabbage salad paired best with their sesame dressing, the Katsu of your choice with Japanese rice and fresh fruits to remove the "umay." Of course, they also offer more premium sets with actual Kurobuta, the supposed Wagyu of pork. Now, real Japanese franchises offering Katsu like Saboten and Kimukatsu are in the Philippines but Concepcion's background and expertise in brand building and experience-creating have kept Yabu in the thick of the fight and winning. I had the Gyudon Set this time to check their other offerings besides Katsu (since it's a Katsu focused restaurant). I was glad they served it in a clay pot which added another dimension to the dish, the flavorful socarrat or tutong. They also provided a sauce containing beef drippings to add to the creamy egg which you break and mix with the rice. The tender delicious beef, Gyudon sauce in egg infused Japanese rice that forms flavor rich socarrat - an absolute delight! Yabu has never failed to fill me up with a satisfying meal made special by their well curated sets.
Chito MauleonChito Mauleon
10
Yabu is becoming to be a popular name in Japanese cuisine. The Katsu Sets are the best sellers. It comes with white rice and has refillable sides of miso soup, shredded cabbage, fruit slices and the special katsu sauce. We tried the Ruso and Hire Katsu sets, both are bestsellers. Both are pork cutlets breaded in fresh panko, fried until golden brown. The only difference is Hire is lean while Ruso has some trimmed fats. These goes well with the katsu sauce which is pretty interesting for first timers to make. While the customers wait, they are given a bowl of sesame seeds to crush to unlock the aroma and flavor then add 2 scoops of the specialty katsu sauce for a delightful flavor to enjoy. I also love the Traditional Oyakodon which comes with chicken katsu and an egg on top of the rice with yummy heavenly sauce. The friendly serving staffs goes around and willingly provides free refill. Dining area is not spacious enough but Ambiance is great, festive.
BernieBernie
10
It's OK, some people may find it quite on the pricy side of things, I do believe there are affordable options in the menu, I've always wanted to try out authentic Japanese food, and I believe this is as close as I can get right now, we ordered a Rosu Kurobuta w/ organic brown rice as what I've heard the employee said, the miso soup taste legit, but I don't know if I can say it's authentic because I've never tasted miso soup from Japan before, the rosu kurobuta itself with all it's sides has a good serving size, and eating a dessert at the same time we ordered a lava cake, which is really quite filling already especially for people who doesn't have a big appetite or isn't really or very hungry at the moment. Unfortunately as it is my first time in that kind of restaurant and the same goes for my companions we were kinda confused at first on the way to order, they gave us this sheet to check mark stuff and add the quantity at the same time there's a lot of options I was considering but I felt kinda pressured to make a decision quite quickly while also being confused at the same time on the way to order, a lack of clarity perhaps, I didn't see any guidelines in regards to that part. Something to read as guidelines towards taking orders. So I strongly suggest to make some kind of really easy to read or w/ images of directions that shows how to do a specific part to avoid such circumstances especially since as much as we can, limit human contact like in Japan, and as respect towards the ongoing pandemic. In terms of taste it's good other than the watermelon as we have asked for no sugar, taste really watered out, I'm not sure whether that would be from the watermelon itself or something but I've tasted a watermelon before. But I'm nitpicking things at this point. It's unfortunate we also had to experience someone coughing really loud which can really trigger some form of anxiety especially at this time, which in it's way can ruin an experience and the mood. Though the staff is nice and polite and tried to explain things and how it works, though one of them is talking too fast which we couldn't really understand and it seems she was hurrying for something, in terms of the culture inside it's much expected since it's really not Japan, you get people saying Japanese words but not to the extent of which an authentic Japanese person would rather be acting. And as unfortunate as it may. The Japanese experience, this isn't surely it.
ICharlesdesu haiICharlesdesu hai
10
- place is well sanitized, dining in is well processed by the employees. You get to be seated in line while waiting for seats to get vacant and well sanitized before getting seated. - They also allow you to order in advance while waiting - Kastu sets are really enjoyable as much as the refill for rice, miso, cabbage and extra stuff - Food servers are well attentive - Menu QR codes are available on each table but I do wish they are also made available while waiting outside. - A bit on the pricey side but I say, food quality and dine in is worth it. - Please leave a like if you find this review useful
Edmund CuraEdmund Cura
20
Their katsu curry was very good. The pork was high quality, and the miso soup was very tasty. The cabbage that came with the meal was fresh. The portions are also larger than average. The service was quite slow though, when the food came out it was already a bit cold. It was busy but the food should have been served once it was ready. The restaurant itself was ok, typical higher end mall food place. They also accept contactless card payments so you can use Apple Pay or Google, but they strangely do not accept GCash or PayMaya. Good food but I recommend going during weekdays when it is not busy.
Eric WEric W
20
Yabu has been consistent with serving good-tasting katsu dishes (best for me are rosu katsu, menchi katsu, kaysu curry, oyakodon). However, during my most recent visit, we saw 2 small cockroaches crawling at the back area of our seat (the one with foam). We hurriedly finished our meals to leave the resto -- cannot transfer seats due to full seating capacity. Also saw another Google review complaining about cockroach recently so management might want to check up on this. What a huge disappointment because in the past, they maintained high standard of sanitation & cleanliness.
Anne FernandoAnne Fernando
20
Nearby Attractions Of Yabu: House of Katsu SM Megamall
Robinsons Galleria Ortigas
Edsa Shangri-La, Manila
SM Megamall Fashion Hall
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
Ayala Malls The 30th
SM Megamall - Building B
Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria by IHG
Astoria Plaza
Astoria Vacation & Leisure Club, Incorporated
The Linden Suites

Robinsons Galleria Ortigas
4.3
(5.9K)Click for details

Edsa Shangri-La, Manila
4.6
(3.8K)Click for details

SM Megamall Fashion Hall
4.5
(2.7K)Click for details

Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
4.6
(2.3K)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Yabu: House of Katsu SM Megamall
Niu, The Podium
Vikings Luxury Buffet - SM Megamall
Sibyullee Unlimited Korean Barbecue (Ayala Malls The 30th, Meralco Avenue)
Tong Yang SM Megamall
Din Tai Fung - Megamall
Gerry's Grill SM Megamall
Jin Joo Korean Grill
Manam Cafe
Texas Roadhouse Shangri-La Plaza
Burnt Bean

Niu, The Podium
4.8
(2.6K)$$$
Click for details

Vikings Luxury Buffet - SM Megamall
4.8
(2.4K)Click for details

Sibyullee Unlimited Korean Barbecue (Ayala Malls The 30th, Meralco Avenue)
4.8
(1.7K)Click for details

Tong Yang SM Megamall
4.8
(1.3K)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
Bldg B, SM Mega Mall, 202 EDSA Cor. Dona Julia Vargas Ave. Ortigas Center, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong, 1550 Metro Manila, Philippines
Map
Phone
+63 2 8631 1192
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Reviews
Overview
4.5
(529 reviews)
Ratings & Description
attractions: Robinsons Galleria Ortigas, Edsa Shangri-La, Manila, SM Megamall Fashion Hall, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, Ayala Malls The 30th, SM Megamall - Building B, Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria by IHG, Astoria Plaza, Astoria Vacation & Leisure Club, Incorporated, The Linden Suites, restaurants: Niu, The Podium, Vikings Luxury Buffet - SM Megamall, Sibyullee Unlimited Korean Barbecue (Ayala Malls The 30th, Meralco Avenue), Tong Yang SM Megamall, Din Tai Fung - Megamall, Gerry's Grill SM Megamall, Jin Joo Korean Grill, Manam Cafe, Texas Roadhouse Shangri-La Plaza, Burnt Bean
