Yabu: House of Katsu

Who doesn't know Yabu?  Yabu needs no introduction.  Ever since it opened last 2011, crowds have flocked to this Japanese restaurant to savor the katsu goodness.  Can you blame them?  Yabu is the first to serve authentic tonkatsu here in the Philippines.  Fans of Tonkichi, Saboten and Ginza Bairin from abroad will know what I'm talking about when I say that katsu, when cooked the right way, will haunt your dreams every single night after you try it.  And judging from the people who line up every single day in Yabu, I guess they agree with me.  Once you've tasted their katsu, you'll never go back to the old ones or your taste buds will hate you.  Trust me.

Those who order their tonkatsu will receive this.  We always joke that they make us work before they let us eat!  The black and white powdery stuff are sesame seeds, which you grind with the pestle.  Once crushed, you pour in the sauce and voila!  Tonkatsu sauce!

Wakame.  Seaweed salad topped with ebiko.

Sooo good.  At least for me.  If you're not a fan of anything slimy, then I suggest you skip this.  But I urge you to give it a try, you might like it.  It's healthy too!

Hire Pork Tenderloin Tonkatsu

There are two kinds of Tonkatsu.  The Rosu and the Hire.  Rosu gives you a bit of fat while the Hire has no fat.  I'd suggest Hire for everyone because after all, tonkatsu IS fried.  You won't want the additional oil, cholesterol or calories.

Menchi Curry Katsu

One of the new offerings in Yabu.  Minced meat with cheese filling in curry sauce.  This is one of my favorites.  Also one of the softest.  Best for people with no teeth.  I'm kidding!

Soft Shell Crab Katsu

I love softshell crab.  But in a tonkatsu restaurant, I like to stick to the classics = pork.

Hire Original Katsudon

For those who are afraid of oil, you might want to consider the katsudon.  Yes, it is still fried, but the addition of the katsudon sauce negates the oiliness of the pork so that you won't get that woozy feeling after.  Another one of my favorites in Yabu.

My Hire Katsudon Set

This is how the whole set looks like.  I like the fact that they serve unlimited rice and cabbage.  Well, actually, I don't really care much about the rice (but I know lots of people do!).  What I'm in love with is their unlimited servings of cabbage that you can drizzle with their signature sesame mayo dressing.  I swear I ate so much that day, I almost felt like a goat! Baaaaaaa!

Yabu:  House of Katsu is at SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia and Robinson's Magnolia. 

TeaTap Cafe

Once upon a time, amidst all the milk tea shops along Wilson St., another tea shop opens.  It's name?  TeaTap Cafe.  While this tea shop is unknown, soon people started hanging out there and in no time, it became the not-so-secret spot for all milk tea lovers.  What I specially love about TeaTap Cafe is their cozy interiors.  If you're one to frequent almost all the milk tea shops like me, then you will agree with me that most of them lack the interior factor.  This is where TeaTap Cafe veers away from the norm and looks inviting enough that you'll feel like staying longer.  Plus points that their place is very spacious and quiet.  Perfect whether you'd want to bring a book with you, or just to casually catch up with friends over a cup of yummy milk tea.  Oh and did I mention that they have food too?  Not just food, but good food.  Here let me show you:

Royal Black Milk Tea with Pearl

Ebiko Pasta

Takoyaki

Curry Hamburg Rice

Hungry now?  As you can see, they don't scrimp on ingredients.  Everything, and I mean everything tastes delicious.  I particularly love their Royal Milk Tea, because I think it's one of the strongest milk teas in the market.  So next time you find yourself in Wilson St. San Juan, whether you want to grab a quick drink or a quick bite, why not try out TeaTap Cafe?  You won't regret it.  

TeaTap Cafe is at G/F Ongpauco Sisters Bldg., P. Guevarra cor Wilson St. Greenhills, San Juan.