Don’t venture into a popular buffet outlet on a Sunday. Chances are you won’t get a table or you’ll be asked to wait for at least an hour and a half to get seated. You will end up hungry, so you will skip the line and scout around for a less crowded place.
This diner did skip the line to look for another place, and subsequently got a satisfying meal in a Japanese restaurant at SM Southmall in Las Piñas. The experience was very good, indeed.
Yabu, House of Katsu
G/L, SM Southmall, Alabang, Zapote Road, Almanza Uno, Las Piñas; tel no. 5513511
Our group came upon the resto while tables were still available, but by midday the place got filled up with shoppers and diners.
The word katsu came from the term “Katsuretsu,” which means cutlet. It evolved as a classic Japanese meal offering from the 19th century during the Meiji Dynasty.
Dining area—High-ceiling interiors are done in brown and black. Tables have natural finish, chairs in black upholstery. It is bright and does not have that peculiar smell of a Japanese restaurant.
Service—Set meals are the basic offerings and therefore kitchen is fast. However, there are items that need some waiting, a second call (for attention) was required.
Staff—Apparently trained in the gracious manner of the Japanese, the wait staff are considerably courteous and accommodating. They wear three types of uniforms—a Karate jacket in white, a dark suit for the lady we presumed was the supervisor, and black tees for the rest.
Suggested orders—Outside of the appetizers which this diner and company skipped, there are two types of main courses to choose from—the tonkatsu and the katsudon. The former is the classic dish which is done with pork, chicken or seafood. The meat is perfectly brown and is in the prescribed thickness. The latter is a rice bowl dish, of cutlets dipped in eggs and dredged in panko (breadcrumbs). This is more like the Italian Risotto and the seafood are similar to those cooked tempura-style.
This diner preferred the Ebi and Fish Katsudon, which has a single prawn and a sizable chunk of white meat fish. Flavorful enough without being dipped in the sauce. On the table is a tray of the katsu sauce, salad dressings of peanut, sesame and vinaigrette.
Upon being seated, each diner is given a small bowl that contains sesame seeds. One pounds these with the provided wooden pestle and then mixes them with the katsu sauce, where the cutlet is dipped.
The set meal is served like a bento—in a tray where a little cup of hot soup (chawan mushi) soothes the hungry tummy; shredded cabbage for the salad and two small slices of watermelon to cap the meal. House tea is served.
Service and government charges are added to the bill. Senior cards are honored.
Rating – 2 Spoons
