Katsu family lunch at Yabu, Robinsons Galleria

Weekend lunches used to be the time when the fam can go out malling and spend time together, after a whole week of going our own way.

While strolling around and running errands in Robinsons Galleria one Saturday, the fam decided to have lunch at Yabu: House of Katsu. While waiting for our meal, we munched on some tasty appetizers.

Mozzarella Katsu Sticks (Php285). Large sticks of crunchy, deep-fried panko-coated mozzarella cheese tossed in Yabu’s special blend of Furikake and served with a spicy aioli dip.

Furikake Fries (Php215). Steak fries tossed in Furikake herbs.

What we actually came here for are Yabu’s Katsu Sets. Yabu’s katsus are made with generous cuts (nothing less than 0.75in) of premium pork sourced from local farmers and delivered straight to Yabu’s kitchens. Each cut is freshly made upon order, coated with fresh panko and cooked at precisely 165 deg C to achieve a bright and golden appearance and a tender and juicy texture.

Rosu (Php390 for 120g | Php445 for 180g). Thick and juicy pork cutlet with a trimming of fat.

Hire (Php405 for 120g | Php485 for 180g). Thick and juicy cutlet with no fat.

Each katsu set is served with refillable Yabu staples which include white rice, miso soup, shredded cabbage and fruits.

Prior to our meal, we took part in the Yabu ritual of preparing our katsu dips. This consists of grinding toasted sesame seeds in a small bowl, pouring the salty-sweet and slightly tart katsu sauce into the bowl, and mixing both until we get our desired consistency. For me, the katsu dip is as essential to the katsu experience as the pork cutlets themselves. It goes so well with the katsus and adds another dimension of flavor to the dish.

Another part of the Yabu experience is the warm and friendly service from the wait staff, who were quick to accommodate our requests and anticipate our refill orders.

Ever since the community quarantine was implemented, I’ve been missing having that katsu experience. Imagine my delight when I discovered that it recently opened some of its branches for curbside or courier pickups, making it possible to have Yabu at Home. Here’s how:

• Send a message to a Yabu branch nearest you via Viber (+63 929 7426357 for Ayala Malls the 30th, SM Megamall, SM Aura and Powerplant Mall | +63 999 8871401 for Glorietta 2, Mall of Asia, Alabang Town Center and Robinsons Place Manila | +63 919 0744572 for UP Town Center, SM North EDSA and Robinsons Magnolia)
• Include the following details in your message: name, email address, birthday, date, time and store for pickup, orders and desired quantity
• After receiving billing confirmation, make your payments via GCash, BPI or BDO
• Send proof of payment via Viber
• Arrange for pickup

If you’ve been longing to have that Yabu experience, this is your best bet for the meantime.

This Yabu branch is located at Level 2, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Center, Quezon City.

Other branches are located at:

• Pasig: Ayala Malls the 30th, Ayala Malls Feliz
• Quezon City: UP Town Center, Robinsons Magnolia, Ayala Vertis North, SM North EDSA The Block
• Mandaluyong: SM Megamall
• Taguig: SM Aura Premier
• Makati: Powerplant Mall, Glorietta 2
• Manila: Robinsons Place Manila
• Muntinlupa: Alabang Town Center
• Las Pinas: SM Southmall
• Pasay: MOA Main Mall

Check out my reviews of other Japanese restaurants:

• Soru Izakaya, Maginhawa
• Soru Izakaya, Tomas Morato
• Ramen Len, Santa Lucia
• Marugame Udon, Fisher Mall
• Sigekiya Ramen, Estancia Mall
• Omakase, Greenhills
• Ramen Cool, Kapitolyo
• Fumizen, Tomas Morato
• Yabu, Ayala Malls Feliz
• Nanka Japanese Steakhouse, Paligsahan
• Hanako, Regis Katipunan
• KYUKYU Ramen 99, Tomas Morato
• Fukuruo Nihonryori, Cainta
• ICHO Japanese Restaurant, Greenhills
• Shizuka Cafe, Little Baguio
• Hodai, West Triangle
• Tori Chizu, UP Town Center
• Yabu, Robinsons Place Magnolia
• Sandaya Yakiniku, Fisher Mall
• Dads-Saisaki-Kamayan, SM Megamall
• Katsu Sora, Greenhills
• Cafe Shibuya, Glorietta
• Ariake, Tomas Morato
• Rai Rai Ken, SM Taytay
• Tokyo Bubble Tea, Tomas Morato
• Ramen Nagi, SM North
• Yoshinoya, SM City North EDSA
• Hiro, SM East Ortigas
• Ramen Nagi, Robinsons Galleria
• Katsu Sora, Trinoma
• Isaribi, Tomas Morato
• Zipang, Tomas Morato
• Omotenashi, Tomas Morato
• Saboten, BGC
• Osaka Takoyaki, SM East Ortigas
• Tenya Tempura Tendon, BGC
• Hanamaruken, Trinoma
• Teriyaki Boy, SM East Ortigas
• Ramen Kuroda, SM Marikina
• Don Bao, Kapitolyo
• Ramen Nagi, Greenbelt
• Menya Noodle & Bento Bar, Greenhills
• Kazoku, Tomas Morato
• Izakaya Flame, BGC
• Dohtonbori, SM Megamall
• Dohtonbori, Greenhills
• Sumo Sam, Gateway Mall
• Soru Izakaya, Ugong