sm megamall – Jellybeans in the City

A flavorful family experience at Yabu House of Katsu, SM Megamall

Every Sunday is Family Day. Part of my family’s Sunday routine is to have lunch together after attending mass. We usually opt for either old favorites or new restaurants we want to try. For this instance, we opted for Yabu House of Katsu since we already know that we love the food there.

Yabu’s Unique Katsu Experience

Yabu House of Katsu stands out among other restaurants for several reasons, making it a unique and beloved destination for katsu enthusiasts. The first thing that struck us was their commitment to authenticity. Yabu prides itself on offering an authentic Japanese katsu experience. They adhere to traditional Japanese cooking techniques and use high-quality ingredients to ensure the utmost authenticity in their dishes. From the breading to the frying method, Yabu pays attention to every detail to create a truly authentic katsu. One ritual that we particularly enjoyed was preparing the katsu sauce by grinding the toasted sesame seeds in a textured bowl before pouring and mixing in the prepared katsu sauce.

Customization and variety are also key features of Yabu’s menu. They offer a wide range of katsu options to cater to various tastes. Whether you prefer pork, chicken, seafood, or even vegetarian katsu, Yabu has got you covered. This level of customization allows diners to enjoy their favorite type of katsu in their preferred style. The attention to detail is evident in the little extras they provide, such as unlimited servings of cabbage salad and various dipping sauces to complement the katsu. The miso soup is carefully crafted, and the rice is perfectly cooked, further enhancing the overall meal.

Delicious Katsu Selections at Yabu

We know that we couldn’t go wrong with the katsu sets, which consist of a special cut of katsu served with refillable soup, rice, cabbage, and fruit. I opted for the Rosu (Pork Loin) Set (P390/80g | P430/120g | P490/180g) since the fat trimming adds a lot of flavor to the meat.

My husband and daughter, both more fitness-conscious, opted for the Hire (Pork Tenderloin) Set (P415/80g | P450/120g), which has no fat.

My son, being a cheese-lover, went for the Menchi Katsu Set (P430) made with a mixture of minced beef and pork mixed together with Yabu’s special spices and stuffed with creamy cheese.

Of course, the kids insisted on an order of Mozzarella Katsu Sticks (P320), sticks of mozzarella coated in golden panko tossed with Yabu’s special furikake blend and served with spicy aioli dip.

Meanwhile, my husband wanted to munch on an order of Agedashi Tofu (P265), panko-crusted Japanese tofu topped with shredded bonito flakes and grated radish, and served on a bed of soy-dashi sauce, while waiting for our katsu sets.

The pricing of these items is just right for a weekend family meal. It feels like something special and tasty that we can look forward to without breaking the bank.

Inviting Ambiance at Yabu SM Megamall

The ambiance at the SM Megamall branch of Yabu is inviting and comfortable, creating a pleasant dining experience for guests. The modern and stylish decor with sleek lines and contemporary furniture adds a touch of sophistication to the restaurant’s overall atmosphere. The warm lighting, with its soft and warm-toned lights, sets a relaxed and intimate mood, making it a perfect place to enjoy a meal with family and loved ones.

The seating arrangements at Yabu SM Megamall are thoughtfully designed to accommodate both small and large groups comfortably. Whether you’re dining as a couple or with a larger party, you’ll find seating arrangements that cater to your needs. The staff at Yabu SM Megamall are very welcoming and attentive, and quite prompt when we needed rice and cabbage refills. From the moment we entered the restaurant, we were greeted with a warm welcome and provided with any assistance or guidance we needed throughout our dining experience.

The vibrant and energetic atmosphere of the SM Megamall branch adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the overall dining experience. The restaurant is often bustling with activity, creating a lively ambiance that makes it a great place for friends and families to gather and enjoy a meal together.

I can say that Yabu House of Katsu does deserve its position as one of the fam’s favorite restaurants

This Yabu branch is located at Bldg B, SM Mega Mall, 202 EDSA corner Dona Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City, open daily from 10am to 9pm.

Other Yabu branches are located at:

Las Pinas: SM Southmall
Makati: Glorietta 2, Rockwell Powerplant
Manila: Robinsons Place Manila
Muntinlupa: Alabang Town Center
Pasay: SM Mall of Asia
Pasig: Ayala Malls the 30th, Ayala Malls Feliz
Quezon City: UP Town Center, SM North EDSA, Robinsons Magnolia, Ayala Vertis North, Robinsons Galleria
Taguig: SM Aura

Yabu House of Katsu also delivers via GrabFood.

Know more about its menu and offers by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts about Yabu House of Katsu:

Katsu adventure in Yabu, Ayala Vertis North

Katsu Indulgence at Yabu, Robinsons Place Magnolia

Return to my katsu love at Yabu, Ayala Malls Feliz

Katsu family lunch at Yabu, Robinsons Galleria

Chinese family meal at Luk Yuen, SM Megamall

For many of us Filipinos, Chinese food has become one of our go-to cuisines when dining out.

Not only has Chinese culinary influences permeated our own cuisine, its sheer variety and rich traditions have made fans of all sorts of food lovers.

The same is true with my family. Most of the time, when craving for a break from our usual lutong-bahay, we would hie ourselves to our local Chinese restaurant.

Since my childhood, Luk Yuen has been a family favorite. After attending Mass at SM Megamall, my parents usually took my brothers and me to dinner at the Luk Yuen outlet at the basement.

Now that I have a family of my own, with each of us having our own individual preferences when it comes to food. I’m happy to rediscover my faves at the same Luk Yuen outlet that my parents used to take me to, and that, despite our widely disparate gastronomic preferences, my husbands, kids and I can all happily enjoy a meal at this restaurant.

We started our meal with complimentary Hot Chinese Tea, traditionally used by Chinese diners to help ease digestion, boost metabolism and prevent overeating, among other health benefits.

We can’t have a meal at a Chinese restaurant without ordering a platter of Yang Chow Fried Rice (Php265). This dish consists of cooked rice sauteed in a wok together with bits or char siu pork, cooked shrimp, scrambled egg yolks, along with chopped scallions, carrots and peas. While flavorful as it is, it goes so well with other Chinese dishes.

Another staple of Chinese cuisine is dim sum, and my family members are all fans of the Steamed Shrimp Dumpling (Php210). Also known as hakaw, it is made of plump shrimp and cooked pork wrapped together with aromatics in a transparent wrapper with its signature pleats. Its Cantonese name

Deep-fried Bean Curd (Php175). A tasty appetizer also known as Crispy Tofu, it is made with cubes of soybean curd, deep fried and tossed in salt, pepper and chilis.

Birthday Noodles (Php465). Also known as Long-Life Noodles, this dish is the forebear of our own pancit and is traditionally served during one’s birthday with noodles consumed without breaking to signify a wish for a long life.

Boneless Chicken in Lemon Sauce (Php345). Marinated chicken thigh fillets, breaded and deep-fried, then drizzled with a tangy lemon sauce.

Peppercorn Spareribs (Php395). Bite-sized pork spare-ribs deep-fried to crispy juiciness and topped with garlic and served with chilled vinegar.

With these dishes, the fam’s combined appetites were sated and we were able to revisit some of my favorite dishes from my childhood visits at Luk Yuen.

All the dishes were flavorful, satisfying and affordable, certainly a great choice for a family meal during a bout of shopping.

This Luk Yuen branch is located at the Lower Ground Floor, SM Megamall Building B, EDSA corner Doña Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 86334396 or +63 956 7366816.

Other branches are located at Cash & Carry, Alabang, Greenhills, Glorietta and Capitol Commons.

Tong Yang Shabu Shabu Express, SM Megamall

If you think that treating your fam to a delicious shabu-shabu meal would be a costly and difficult endeavor, think again.

Especially as we are now in the midst of rainy season, a steaming bowl of soup can be quite a source of comfort.

The good news is that y’all can enjoy a tasty hotpot meal, quick and easy at Tong Yang Shabu Shabu Express at SM Megamall’s Eatogether Food Hall.

Choosing from these tasty selections, family members can build their own shabu-shabu experience:

Meats (120g): chicken fillet (Php140), pork belly (Php150), beef karubi (Php150), beef chuck eye (Php180), Australian lamb (Php250), striploin (Php250), Angus beef (Php420), Wagyu Beef (Php520)
Seafood (100g): squidflower (Php60), half-shell mussel (Php60), shrimp (Php120), cream dory (Php60)
Shabu-shabu balls: fish ball (Php80), fish cake (Php80), squid ball (Php80), crabsticks (Php80), mushroom ball (Php85), lobster ball (Php110), cheese ball (Php120)
Vegetables (50g): native pechay (Php25), Taiwan pechay (Php50), cabbage (Php25), corn (Php40), enoki mushroom (Php120)
Soup bases: chicken and pork (Php50), spicy mala (Php60), sinigang (Php55), laksa (Php60)m sate (Php60), pickled vegetable (Php50), Chinese herb (Php60)

Or they can select from the affordably priced individual sets the one that best suits their shabu-shabu preference:

dumpling set (Php200 solo | Php320 regular)
vegetarian set (Php190 solo | Php300 regular)
pork set (Php200 solo | Php340 regular)
chicken set (Php220 solo | Php350 regular)
beef karubi set (Php230 solo | Php350 regular)
seafood set (Php250 solo | Php590 regular)
beef chuck eye set (Php420)
lamb set (Php480)
beef striploin set (Php480)
Angus beef set (Php650)
Wagyu set (Php800)

But for a hassle-free group meal, a hotpot for sharing option would be the fam’s best bet:

Couple Sets:

mixed seafood and beef (Php350 solo| Php750 regular)
mixed seafood and pork (Php350 solo| Php750 regular)
premium meats (Php1,390)

Family Sets:

seafood feast (Php1,590)
premium meats for 4 (Php1,620)
combination set (Php2,150)

We opted for a premium meats for 4 set where each family member got a personal soup pot (with our individual choice of soup base – mine was laksa, Hubby’s was spicy mala and the kids opted for chicken and pork), a sizeable selection of premium meats, seafood, vegetables and shabu-shabu balls, as well as a conduction stove in which to cook their own hotpot, we each basically had full control of our delicious and very filling shabu-shabu experience.

If you’re looking for a reasonably priced shabu-shabu meal for the fam, Tong Yang Express is a great choice.

This Tong Yang Shabu Shabu Express branch is located at Eatogether Food Hall, Second Floor, SM Megamall Building A, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.

Other branches are located at:

SM Center Pasig, Frontera Drive, Eulogio Rodriguez Jr. Avenue corner Doña Julia Vargas Ave, Ortigas Center, Pasig
SM Light Mall, EDSA corner Madison Street, Mandaluyong
SM Cherry Shaw, 514 Shaw Blvd, Pleasant Hills, Mandaluyong
The Rise Makati, 7248 Malugay Street, Makati
Eatogether Food Hall, 2/F Unimart at Capitol Commons, Meralco Avenue corner Shaw Boulevard, Pasig

Check out my previous posts about Eatogether Food Hall in SM Megamall:

Great finds to #TreatYourself with at SM Markets

And just like that, we’re already in the BER months…

Can you already feel the difference?

In contrast to the general mood for the past two-and-a-half years wherein temperance and abstinence were the order of the day, we are now entering a period where we can feel right in rewarding ourselves for having pulled through.

Now is a time for a little bit of self-love, wouldn’t you agree?

That’s what SM Markets, specifically SM Supermarket and Savemore, brings to you through its Treat Yourself activations. There are different ways to treat yourself – such as indulging in delicious food, engaging in calming or creative hobbies such as cooking or baking or pampering yourself with bath and body products to nourish your body and build confidence.

These are embodied by SM Markets Ambassadors who graced SM’s Treat Yourself Day held last August 20 at SM Megamall with their presence, raffled off some items from their own collections, as well as shared their stories on how they treat themselves:

Travel vlogger Angel Dei splurges on hair care products
Food influencer Hazel Cheffy likes grocery shopping, even when she has already restocked her pantry
Star volleyball athlete Rachel Daquis makes sure to nourish her body with recovery food, especially after a hard day of games and practices

The event also showcased practical and budget-friendly food items from Australian supermarket brand Coles. (More deets on Coles products here.)

The event also featured exciting bundles that bring freebies or savings from participating brands that visitors could avail of using their SM Advantage Card. These included:

You can look forward to similar fun activities and awesome bundles in upcoming mall activations and road shows:

Sep 3-4: SM Fairview mall activation
Sep 9-23: roadshow stores in SM Supermarket Sta. Mesa, Manila, Southmall, Novaliches, & Savemore Angono2
Sep 17-18: SM San Lazaro mall activation

So go ahead and #TreatYourselfInSM to enjoy all these awesome deals and reward yourself for all you’ve been through and accomplished for the past years.

Check out my previous posts about SM Markets:

Why not, ChocNut? Check out the limited edition #SMChocNutTuron

Australian brand Coles now available exclusively at SM Markets

Winner winner, chicken dinner at Bad Bird, SM Megamall

Just when you thought fried chicken is already “gasgas” (tired) as a food concept, here comes Bad Bird with its own bold statement: the umami fried chicken.

While many restos would tout the absence of MSG (monosodium glutamate) in their dishes, Bad Bird goes all out with it, using this ingredient in its natural and processed forms: dashi, mushroom powder, furikake, miso, and more!

Through trial and error, it has developed its proprietary fried chicken seasoning, the one that produces that umami taste, the inherent savoriness of fried chicken brought about to tickle and delight our taste buds.

On our way to another food adventure, fellow foodies Jen of SandUnderMyFeet, Nix of IEatAndIWander and I decided to sate our hunger at Bad Bird by pooling our GCs (the currency of the blogger microeconomy, hehehe). Our winning repast included:

Torched Corn & Cheese Chicken Plate (Php375). A huge piece of Bad Bird’s badass umami fried chicken – all crispy and juicy ready for our tummies – with our new favorite side dish, the torched corn kernels in cream cheese.

We added Bad Bird’s refreshing citrusy Homebrew Iced Tea to this meal set for just Php69 and upgraded the set’s original steamed rice to Dirty Rice (fried rice with bits of bacon, kimchi, liver and tamago) for just Php89.

Mango Rice Milk (Php170). A sweet and slightly tart shake made with fresh mango and Korean rice milk.

Garlic and Butter Crispy 2-Fry Wings (Php275). Six pieces of chicken wings tossed in the fragrant and flavorful garlic and butter sauce.

Rich Pork Noodles (Php265). One of Bad Bird’s filling noodle dishes where every noodle is bursting with umami.

By introducing new flavors to the classic fried chicken, Bad Bird has certainly revived the dish and remade it into something new to enjoy.

Did you know that if you and a friend ordered two drinks at Bad Bird, you can get the same two drinks free when you unlock your Zomato Gold privilege?

Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 (Buy 1 Get 1) deals on food and 2+2 (Buy 2 Get 2) deals on drinks. All you have to do is sign up for a Zomato Gold membership here. Use the code VOLT0979 to get 10% off the membership fee.

This Bad Bird branch is located at Third Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City, open daily from 11am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 77539729.

Other branches may be found at:

Ground Floor, Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Hole in the Wall, Fourth Floor, Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City
Ground Floor, Pedro Gil Wing, Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila