DOUBLE UP WITH YABU'S NEW KATSU PAIRS & TOFU DISHES

                If you're a reader of my blog, then I'm pretty sure you all know by now all about my love affair with Yabu: The House of Katsu. From the very first time I got a taste of these gloriously deep fried cutlets, I was a goner. My biggest problem with the menu, however was that I wanted to try every single item on the menu in one sitting, however I didn't have the funding nor the stomach space to do so. 

             Which is why I was ecstatic to find out that Yabu now has new Katsu Pair Platters that makes it easier for you to enjoy the wonderful variety of Katsu's they have! I still may not be able to eat everything in one sitting like I wanted to, but this helps me get awfully close! 

THE NEW MENCHI KATSU BURGER FROM YABU!

       A few months back, Yabu released two dishes that Chef Lee Jose has been teasing me about for quite some time now.. Their Katsu Burgers. So being a huge fan of Yabu and Burgers, it was a no brainer that I trooped to the nearest Yabu to try the Hire Katsu Burger, which I ended up loving. The gorgeous flavor of Katsu that Yabu has become famous for was still highly evident in the Katsu "Patty",  and the toppings, such as Onion Jam and Tonkatsu Sauce ensure that it still had a distinct Japanese Flavor.

          I absolutely loved it and annihilated my burger within minutes. But regardless of how much I enjoyed it, I couldn't help but wonder how delicious it would be if they used the Cheese-infused Menchi Katsu instead.

         Well guess what? Wonder no more, because Yabu has finally answered my prayers (I think my hundreds of emails finally drove them crazy), and you can now get the Menchi Katsu Burger!!

YABU'S LATEST HIT: GYUDON!!

          Everyone's favorite Katsu House has added a new dish, and guess what? It isn't a Katsu Dish this time! Continuing the expansion of their menu with the unleashing of the "Dons", Yabu recently unveiled the latest addition to their menu... and it's the one I've been waiting for!! 

          THE GYUDON!!!  

              

THE DAWN OF DONS: YABU'S MASTER CLASS CREATIONS

(2015 version)

      I will forever be a fan of Yabu. Any restaurant that puts my picture near their toilet will always hold a special place in my heart. What I like about Yabu is how they never feel they should rest on the laurels of their success. Their kitchen is always coming up with new dishes that keeps their menu fresh, leaving their customers curious with what they might come up with next. 

     As the first quarter 2015 comes to a close, Yabu has unleashed two items that belong in their all new Premium line, that they have dubbed their "Master Class Creations". 

    Behold, the Dawn of the Dons is upon us. 

    And it is awesome :) 

YABU'S MENCHI KATSU WITH BABE FOR FOOD!

          Friends, meet the lovely Justinne, also known as the Blogger from Cebu, "Babe For Food". I "Cyber-met" Justinne in 2012 when I was searching the net for restaurants to visit in Cebu, and came across her blog. I really felt it was a great read, because it was insightful and fun at the same time. I sent her a comment on her blog page, asking for recommendations on restaurants to visit, and her reply would have put Looloo to shame.

        Since then, our friendship consisted of Facebook messages, Instagram comments, and Tweets. We would often tag one another in facebook posts, particularly when it comes to food that we feel that other would enjoy. 

        It wasn't until December of 2013 that we finally got to meet each other face to face for the very first time, when some of my blogger friends and I visited Movenpick Cebu. Since she was such an amazing hostess when we were there in Cebu, I told her that when she goes to Manila, I would take her to some of my favorite dining spots. 

        On top of that list? 

         Yabu: The House of Katsu.

VISITING YABU AT SM AURA

          Be honest.. Before Yabu existed, was there anyone that ever stopped for a second and said, "Hey, I'm craving for some Katsu!". Back in the day, it was always just usually, "Dude, let's go for some sushi", or "I want some tempura!", or even the generic, "Let's get some Japanese food!". 

         Let's face it.. Yabu: The House Of Katsu elevated Japanese Katsu to a new level of dining, to the point where different franchises from all around the globe scrambled to set up shop in the Philippines, just to get a piece of the action. I haven't tasted all the other Katsu places that have opened just yet, but in my opinion, Yabu's place in the market that it created in this country is safely perched at the very top. 

         Whenever they have a new addition to their menu, I always feel compelled to stop whatever it is I'm doing just to give it a try (I've gotten in trouble at work cuz of that mentality... My boss was waiting on the other line.. Long story..). Which is why I was surprised even myself that I waited longer than usual to give their newest dishes a try. 

       Now I'm kicking myself for not having gone to Yabu's Aura Branch sooner.

THE YABU GC WINNER IS...

            Thank you to everyone that participated in the Yabu GC giveaway. The Giveaway was held in honor of the Third Year Anniversary of The Pickiest Eater Blog, as well as the birthday celebration of my wife Rina's birthday!

THIRD ANNIVERSARY/ RINA'S BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY: YABU THE HOUSE OF KATSU!!

                      Greetings dearest friends! Our humble little Pickiest Eater In The World Blog will turn Three years old on June 25, and I have decided to begin the festivities early by holding the first of my giveaways a bit earlier.. to coincide with my wife's birthday, which is today, May 22! 

              I'm starting out by giving away P1,500 worth of GC's from Yabu: The House of Katsu to one lucky reader! 

YABU: THE HOUSE OF KATSU PART IV - THE NEW DISHES

This was taken at 2pm on a Saturday. The line was still ridiculous!

        Yabu: The House Of Katsu is easily among the most popular restaurant in the metro today. Even if you try to visit them during off hours, expect that in all likelihood, you'll still be in for a wait. Given their success, one would think that the people behind Yabu would take a few moments to relax and rest on their laurels.. WRONG. 

        Yabu knows that it isn't enough to just be on top.. Its staying on top that truly matters. They further innovated their menu, as well as continued to expand, with a total of Four branches and counting! 

       After missing out on the launch of their Mall of Asia Branch late last year, I was absolutely heartbroken, because it also coincided with the release of their new dishes.. Which I got a glimpse of (but not yet a taste) from Chef Lee during the opening of Yabu's Robinsons' Magnolia Branch. 

      This time I was determined to finally get a taste of the three newest Items on the menu of Yabu that have eluded me long enough.

YABU: THE HOUSE OF KATSU AT ROBINSONS MAGNOLIA

 

          Whilst my Yabu GC Giveaway was on going, I came across a picture on their facebook page of their Katsu Curry dish. I must express to everyone that joined, especially eventual winner of the GC's, Elinor Semira, how extremely fortunate you all are that I started the giveaway before I saw the picture. Because had I seen it first, there's a very good chance that the P2,000 GC's up for grabs might have downgraded to P1,000.. Possibly even P500.. Or I wouldn't have had a giveaway at all! 

       Seriously though, I promised Rina that I'd be taking her back to try the Seafood Katsu, so during the recent Four day weekend, I thought it would be a good time to go. So one Fine Saturday morning, I took Rina and Baby Rain to the Megamall branch, knowing full well that I'll be getting my katsu on a again a few days later, when their second branch opened in Robinsons Magnolia.

      What can I say? Anytime is Katsu time! 

YABU: KATSU FOR 25 ? YES, PLEASE!

       A couple of months back, I wrote about my enjoyable experience at Yabu: the House of Katsu, which became one of my more popular posts. The booth we were sitting at had a picture on the wall of an anime boy foodgasming to a bowl of yummy Katsu. Rina thought it would be funny if i copied the pose of the boy. Me, being the obedient (not to mention) guillible husband i am, gamely did the pose.. not knowing months later, that picture would come back to haunt me..

     I was invited by the good people behind Yabu: House of Katsu to their event entitled "Katsu for 25: An Exclusive Dinner for the most influential Bloggers, Personalities and Tastemakers". When I got the email from Denise, Yabu's Brand Manager, I thought it was a wrong send. When I realized it wasn't a fluke, I was deeply flattered that my blog would be mentioned in the same breath as some of most prominent names in the blogging world.