Yabu:House of Katsu

I'm not a fan of anything breaded and fried (except for a shrimp tempura of an authentic Japanese restaurant). But when I found out about Yabu and its good reviews, I got curious and tried what an authentic katsu is like.

Kurobuta (P515) And then...it only took a bite to taste the difference? It has a nice crunch and the meat seem to be softer than regular meat. The katsu is served on top of a wire mesh placed on a plate which I think to prevent it from getting soggy.

They will give you a suribachi mortar with sesame seeds wherein you will grind the seeds there and afterwards you will pour the tonkatsu sauce. This will be the dip for the katsu.

Katsu is served with shredded cabbage which is unlimited. You have a choice of soy vinaigrette (black bottle) or sesame (white bottle) as dressing.

To complete the set is miso soup, yellow pickled radish and cucumber and slices of pineapple and watermelon. Kurobuta deserves a 5/5 rating.

Hiyayakko Tofu and Wakame (P195) Hiyayakko Tofu (left) is a cold silken tofu served with ponzu sauce and topped with bonito flakes and spring onion. Wakame is seaweed served in vinaigrette topped with ebiko. Both are good but if I should choose between the two, I'll choose wakame. I'll give Hiyayakko Tofu 4/5 and Wakame 5/5.

Rosu (P315) Pork tonkatsu set served with unlimited shredded cabbage, rice, miso soup, pickled radish and slices of watermelon and pineapple. It's pretty much the same as the Kurobuta set. It also deserves a 5/5 rating.

Rosu Katsu Curry (P330) Pork tonkatsu served with curry sauce and the usual shredded cabbage, rice, miso soup, pickled radish and slices of watermelon and pineapple. The curry sauce is so good and a must try. It is a 5/5 for me.

Seafood Katsu Set 2 (P515) This set is composed of salmon, black tiger prawn, oyster and crab and the usual unlimited shredded cabbage, rice, miso soup, pickled radish and slices of watermelon and pineapple. What do you expect... its also good! But the most memorable bite is that of the oyster. It's so unique. Maybe its because of the contrasting texture of the very soft oyster and the crunch from the breading. Another must try. Again, and for the last time, it deserves a 5/5 rating.

I think its very much obvious that I definitely recommend this place! Its fairly new when we first went here (the sole branch then which is in Megamall). During our second visit, their area is much bigger (occupying 2 store spaces already). And now, according to their facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/yabuhouseofkatsu) they have branches in Robinsons Magnolia and soon in SM Mall of Asia.

Lutong Bahay ni Inay (JIJF)

Lutong Bahay ni Inay is known for its crispy pata for residents of the Quezon province, particularly the town of Candelaria. We usually eat here whenever we go to Lucena to visit my in-laws. They offer crispy pata, liver steak, sinigang the hipon and ensaladang mangga.

Crispy Pata (P395) Deep fried pork knuckles. They serve their crispy pata with two sauces - soy sauce and vinegar (yes, they serve it separately as opposed to what we're used to in Manila where it is a combination of vinegar and soy sauce). Lutong Bahay ni Inay's crispy pata has received several recognitions already as these were posted in their place. The skin is really crispy and the meat is tender but I think it still needs a bit more of seasoning or flavor. Anyway, maybe it's the job of the dipping sauce already :) When it comes to the price, I'm just expecting it to be cheaper because their price is the same with Manila prices. It's a 4/5 for me.

Liver steak (P200) Its liver marinated in soy sauce and calamansi then sauteed with onions. This dish is sooo good that I tried to make it at home. The liver is tender and the sauce is a balance of salty, sour and sweet and I love to pour it over rice. Its a bit oily though. This is a 5/5 for me.

The place we visited is the one inside San Antonio Village. They still have another branch. Just call 042-5857486 if you need more details and directions.

Nihonbashitei

I've discovered this gem through my officemates. Since then, it has been my "go to" place whenever I feel like eating something simple and light but filling and reasonably priced.

Seafood Salad (P200) Its an assortment of raw seafood like salmon, tuna, mackerel, shrimp, crabstick and others served with a slice of tomato, shredded radish, wasabi and a dressing which is somewhat like a mixture of brewed soy sauce, rice vinegar and others. It's very much refreshing to eat this salad. Real simple and straightforward. Its a 5/5 for me.

Tofu Salad (P200) The salad has thinly sliced cabbage, tomatoes and tofu with sesame dressing. The star of this salad is the sesame dressing. I've been dying to find out how to make such dressing but I could not get the exact taste. This salad is a 5/5 for me.

Hiyashi Chuka (P250) is a cold noodle soup using ramen noodles which is topped with seaweed, crabstick, sliced cucumber, sliced tamago, tomatoes, sliced pork, shrimp and quail egg with karashi (spicy japanese mustard) on the side. This is my favorite cold noodle soup. Again, it has a sweet and sour soup similar to that of the seafood salad. At first, I was ignoring the karashi thinking it might be too spicy. But then, curiosity came and so I tasted a small amount. Spiciness is tolerable. So I took some and mixed it with the noodles and soup and then....woah! Its good! If only my nose doesn't feel like smoking, I will do it again and again. This is a 5/5 for me.

Toro Spicy Maki (P200) Toro is tuna. Its a maki filled and topped with chopped tuna mixed with Japanese mayonnaise, spring onion, tempura flakes and whatever that is that made it spicy. We just wanted to try something new during that visit because we have already tried all their salads then. And to our delight, it was so good and we have been ordering it again and again. This is a 5/5 for me.

Wakame Soba (P180) It is a hot noodle soup which uses soba noodles on a dashi stock broth (I guess) with wakame seaweed and chopped scallions. A very simple but delicious and healthy dish. A 5/5 for me.

Salmon Sashimi (P280) Raw salmon served with shredded radish. I know we devour raw salmon in buffets but this is better than those offered in buffets. An all-time favorite, 5/5 for me.

Asari Miso Soup (P70) Miso soup with clams, wakame seaweed and scallions. A very good and healthy soup. It's a 5/5 for me.

We have also tried their tsupagetti and omelette but their not really good. Just stick with the authentic Japanese dishes and I think you won't get disappointed. Japanese nationals also frequent the place so its a sign that they serve good and authentic Japanese food.

Nihonbashitei is located along Arnaiz Ave in Makati. They are right beside Don Bosco.

Ganso Shabuway

We ordered a set menu for two which includes beef, vegetable platter, dipping sauces and rice. 


First they will serve you the dipping sauces - sesame (the brown one) and ponzu sauce (the black one).

These sauces comes with a set of condiments - spring onion, garlic and spicy radish. The garlic goes with the sesame sauce and the spring onion and spicy radish with the ponzu sauce.

Then, the raw vegetables will follow which include carrots, squash, enoki mushrooms, shimeji mushrooms, napa cabbage, tofu, asparagus, spinach, brocolli and pechay.

The meyer angus beef followed. I chose meyer over kobe beef simply because its cheaper. The beef is thinly sliced and looks fresh and bright pink in color. 

Lastly, they will serve the broth in a bowl with a divider because I chose to have both broths which are miso (the brown one) and traditional seaweed (the clear one).

The miso broth is ok but the traditional seaweed tastes like water only. I don't think they even salted it. I really doubt if authentic Japanese shabu shabu has this kind of broth. I think it should be a dashi stock instead. As to the beef, I didn't taste anything special about it. But it really looks good and fresh though. As to the dipping sauces, I'm undecided as to which one is better but I dipped in the sesame sauce more often. Anyway you will always be served with two sauces. Overall, its a 3/5 for me.


Ganso Shabuway
Powerplant mall

Nomama

I have read about Chef Him Uy de Baron in Food magazine’s June 2011 issue. It was mentioned there that he will be opening his very own ramen bar soon. I was looking forward to it because I’m very fond of ramen. Its filling but not as heavy and it seems to be healthier than most of the restaurant dishes. I would love to have another go to place whenever I feel like eating something lighter aside from Nihonbashitei (which is faaaaaaaaar from our place). So after finding out that his place already opened, I’ve researched other blogs to find out which dishes to try and below are my choices.

Soft shell crab salad (P275) Crisp soft shell crab, dairy buttermilk dressing, tomato, cucumber and greens. Its okay and the buttermilk dressing is something new to me. I’ll give this 3/5.

Fresh tuna spring rolls (P290) Fresh tuna with alfalfa sprouts wrapped in rice paper.  The plate scattered with dots of chili dressing, mayonnaise, mango, edamame and arugula. Anyone will feel delighted looking at this plate. Its good but quite scanty for its price. I’ll give this 3/5.

Nomama ramen (P295) House pork stock in a special miso-sesame blend, chashu, tamago and soft boiled egg. I think the broth is a bit bland, maybe it just lacks some salting that day but I think this would be a good dish. I’ll give this 4/5.

Spicy ox tongue dry noodle (P345) Its noodles topped with blanched, skinned tomato which is filled with the very soft cubed ox tongue.  What I enjoyed about this dish is the experience. I hope every restaurant has that. At first you have to convince yourself that what’s on top is a tomato. Then, you’ll curiously slice through it and the cubed ox tongue will come out to your surprise. Even if its pricey, I wouldn’t mind. I’ll give this 4\5.  

Apple gyoza (P275) Its a fried dumpling with apple pie filling inside served with caramel miso and yogurt foam. I love everything about this dessert except for the fried dumpling. I just dont know if it was just overcooked or the dumpling is dry. I really want to have more of the filling. The caramel miso is surprisingly good together and the yogurt foam is addictive. If only I can order this without the dumpling. Or I hope they change it into a cobbler instead. Ok, just remove the fried dumpling and this will be a 5/5 for me.

For drinks, we had Lemon grass iced tea (P70) and lemon ale (P115). The lemongrass iced tea is good (5/5) but I didn’t like the lemon ale (4/5). Or should I  say, its just not my type. Maybe others would appreciate it better than me. Its a brewed drink, a Bundaberg brand. I have read that Bundaberg’s most famous is the ginger beer. 

In general, I find their servings small and their pricing expensive.  Nevertheless, I would still recommend for you to try this place.

Nomama
G/F FSS Bldg 2, Scout Tuason cor Scout Castor St., Quezon City, Philippines
0917-5228272
02-5422558