Saboten + Cupcakes by Sonja

August 17, 2013. Saturday.

We have been looking forward to try Saboten since it opened its doors more than a couple of months back. We wanted to see how an authentic Japanese tonkatsu chain compared to Yabu, since we are unabashed fans of the local chain.

The interiors of Saboten has a very zen feel to it with Japanese artwork, stone paths and plants adorning the place. It looks very traditional compared to the hip vibe that Yabu exudes. I love that it is very will lit and very conducive for conversation.

Same with Yabu and other tonkatsu chains that have been opening up around the Metro, Saboten offers unlimited cabbage and rice with their meals and you get to mix in your own sauce! Wanting to sample a little bit of everything that they have, we opted to order their Special Sharing Set.

 

  

Special Sharing Set. 995php.

The Special Sharing Set is good for 2 persons and is filled with a nice combination of different items from their menu. It has 2 shrimps, a loin cutlet, 2 crab cream croquettes, and 2 rolled cutlets. For the rolled cutlets we chose cheese, but you can have asparagus or plum for it if you'd like.

Everything was prepared expertly. The shrimps were deep fried perfectly, with the outer a golden crisp while maintaining a nice moist inside. The loin which is the fattier cut of meat that they serve was a little chewy and tough. The crab cream croquette was a little too rich for Kim's liking since the cream was too overwhelming that it overpowered the crab. Our surprising favorite from the set was the rolled cheese cutlet! It was really flavorful. I really didn't expect it to go well with the tonkatsu sauce.

Overall, it was a very satisfying meal at Saboten. It's priced the same way Yabu is and you get expertly prepared food and efficient service with it. For those who want to try an authentic Japanese tonkatsu brand, you can't go wrong with Saboten. It didn't win us over from Yabu, but we also weren't disappointed with it. Some people might love one brand more than the other, but at the end of the day you can't go wrong with either.

 

Saboten
G/F Serendra,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
https://www.facebook.com/raintreesaboten
http://www.saboten.ph/

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After dinner, we had dessert at Cupcakes by Sonja. We got the Death by Chocolate and Strawberry Cheesecake.

Both cupcakes were a little expensive, but once you take a bite out of it then you'd understand why each cupcake was packed and filled, and were actually heavy for their size. It's unlike other cupcakes that are airy in the middle. Both were also very rich in flavor -- a sure hit for those with a sweet tooth!

Cupcakes by Sonja
G/F Serendra,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
https://www.facebook.com/CupcakesBySonjaOfficial

Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen

August 10, 2013. Saturday.

Aside from the recent influx of Katsu places in the country, Ramen restaurants have also been popping up left and right. Kim and I have always made plans to try one but has never gotten to doing it (until this entry). It's ironic that it took us this long since we're practically around Eastwood all the time and there's a Ramen Bar there.

We only recently explored SM Aura, and we love how uncrowded it is! We've been there 2 weekends straight. The first time we ate at Yabu and the next time.. yup, you guessed it right, we ate at a Ramen place (the title is kinda a dead giveaway)! Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen to be exact.

Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen is a mouthful to say and a lot to type, so we'll just refer to it as IFR from this point on. IFR in SM Aura is the Japanese import's 2nd branch in the country; the first is in Shangri- la. We saw how long the lines were during dinner time the previous time we passed by it, so we made it a point to get early dinner. Well, we were early but no tables were vacant  and we ended up sitting at the bar instead. Not a big deal though, it adds to the experience I guess. We could say we ate ramen at a bar, but not at Ramen Bar. Haha.

We first ordered Gyoza.

Gyoza. 150php.

Gyoza is basically a dumpling. The fillings usually vary from restaurant to restaurant but its usually a combination of some ground meat and vegetables. We liked this one because it was lightly toasted and crisp on the outside. It came with some sort of soy- vinegar sauce which was slightly sweet.

Kim ordered the Ajitama Tonkotsu.

Ajitama Tonkotsu. 330php.

The Ajitama Tonkotsu is IFR's best selling ramen. It comes with chashu (pork), ajitama (slow boiled egg), green onion, bamboo shoots, wood ear, and dried seaweed. Tonkotsu is made from boiling pork over a long period of time. It is usually fatty and creamy. IFR's Ajitama Tonkotsu was creamy but not as creamy as we expected it to be. But aside from that, it was great and really filling!

I went for their Black Garlic Tonkotsu.

Black Garlic Tonkotsu. 380php.

This had a really strong garlic aroma and flavor.. which I really loved! It's almost the same as Kim's order except without the egg and it had that special garlic oil in it.

Most Filipinos would still prefer their rice meals for their dinner (Kim and I included). But if you're feeling a bit adventurous, a bowl of ramen is just as filling and just as good. It's not that cheap especially when you think that you're just getting a slice of pork, noodles and broth, but once you've considered the way it's been cooked (slow boiling, hand pulled noodles) then it's all worth it. We definitely enjoyed eating at Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen, and would consider trying out their other ramens as well.

On a sidenote, you get to choose how to get your noodles done. We had both our orders hard for that al dente firmness.

Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen
Level 2, SM Aura Premier
McKinley Parkway, Taguig

Mr. Kurosawa

December 19, 2012. Wednesday.

We don't really find the food in Mr. Kurosawa all that special, and to a certain extent we are actually weirded out by  some of the menu items (but then again, this is a fusion Euro- Japanese restaurant). But we are fond of the place just because we had our first date there. HAHA. So we have decided that we would only eat at Mr. Kurosawa once a year, just to commemorate our first date.

We've always liked the interiors of Mr. Kurosawa. From the faux brick walls, to the red curtain draped over the glass walls, and even the weird painting/ lights on the ceilings. It just makes the place that livelier and more fun to eat in.

 

We really weren't that hungry, so we just ordered the following:

Salmon Sashimi

Salmon Sashimi. 228php.

Kim is really not a fan of raw fish, so I ended up eating most of this plate. I'm no sashimi connoisseur, but I really like eating them. The sashimi was good together with the lemon and dipped in soy sauce. I just can't say it's really better than most sashimi's I've tried before.

Chicken Teriyaki

Chicken Teriyaki. 298php.

We ordered safe since we really didn't want to be disappointed during that one time in the year that we would eat here. I don't think any self respecting Japanese restaurant can ruin a dish as common as chicken teriyaki. Safe order, but it was good nonetheless. The chicken was tender, and the teriyaki sauce was just sweet enough.

Ebi Tempura

Ebi Tempura. 368php.

Another safe order for us. The breading was fried perfectly. It was crispy and soft enough at the same time to hold the prawn inside, but not too crispy as it would be too hard to bite. The prawn was just the right size. You get a bit of the prawn and the breading with each bite. Perfect partner to steamed rice.

If you are looking for Japanese food, Mr. Kurosawa has you covered. It might not be that special Japanese meal you are looking for, but it is well prepared and well cooked food served on your table. We have never tried to order any of their fusion items, so I guess that's one thing we should take note off when we come back next year. Maybe the fusion items are what makes this place tick, until we try them out then we will never know.

Mr. Kurosawa

Ground Floor, Eastwood Mall,

Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City

(02) 901 - 0825

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mr-Kurosawa-Euro-Japanese/177631448941095

Yabu: The House of Katsu

October 12, 2012. Friday.

After reading so many great reviews about Yabu, we just had to try it for ourselves. We both haven't been to Megamall in awhile, so it took a good minute for me to get by bearings on right to navigate the 2nd largest mall in the country.

Yabu is supposed to be the first and only authentic Katsu restaurant in the country, or so they claim. I am not sure if that account is true, but that's what it says inside their informative menu. For those who are not familiar what katsu is, to quote from their menu, "The word katsu is an abbreviation of the word "katsuretsu," which means cutlet. It generally refers to a sliced piece of meat that is breaded and deep fried." So if you are overly health conscious, this place is not for you 'cause almost everything is beautifully deep fried in here. Anyway, if you want to learn more about Yabu and katsu, their menu is very helpful.

When we finally found the place, we were ushered into our tables which had comfortable leather seats. Yabu has 2 dining areas, separated by a divider adorned with manga depicting the cooking of katsu. There's probably no difference between the 2 areas, it's probably just divided to avoid monotony. The restaurant is well lit with a golden color scheme. Made me feel like royalty.

Since it was our first time to eat at Yabu, so we thought we would need to ask the waiters to help us out in ordering. But upon being handed the menu, we found out that it was not needed. Everything you wanted to know was in the menu! So we proceeded to order. But before that, we have to show you how to make your very own katsu sauce!

First, you grind the sesame seeds. The waiter advised us to grind about 50% of it to preserve the taste of the sesame seeds.

Second, you add 2-3 scoops of the tonkatsu sauce. The more you add, the more sour it gets.

Third, mix them together. And enjoy dipping your katsu in it!

I ordered the Rosu Tonkatsu Set.

Rosu - Pork Loin Set 120g. 355php.

At first I wanted to order the Premium Kurobata Pork Set, but I wasn't really sure if I wanted to spend 575php on something I'm not certain of the taste. So to play it safe and still satisfy my love for pork, I got the cheaper Rosu - Pork Loin. It is a juicy 3/4 inch thick pork cutlet with a very generous trimming of fat. Each katsu set is served with unlimited Japanese rice, unlimited cabbage, miso soup, Japanese pickles, and a bowl of fruit. The pork was really juicy and tender with the fat separating immediately from the meat once you go through it. And the breading of panko flakes was very thin unlike the ones you get from fast food chains. It is deep fried in Canola oil which has 0 trans fat thereby eliminating the overwhelming greasy feeling which is common in deep fried food. I'm sure that the pork was well prepared, but I found it a bit bland for my taste. Good thing the katsu sauce made up for it. I'm thinking maybe the pork from the Black Berkshire pig of the more expensive Kurobata Set would taste better, I have to come back and try that one.

Kim got the Chicken Katsu Set.

Chicken Katsu Set 120g. 325php.

When our orders came in, we really couldn't tell the difference between the two. The chicken looked like pork and vice versa. Well at least the chicken tasted like chicken, and the pork tasted like pork. Similar to the pork loin, although the tenderness is commendable, the chicken katsu is tasteless alone. But over-all, the combination of the whole set, with the DIY katsu sauce, makes a one-of-a-kind katsu experience. Every element goes well together, but a variety of condiments is readily available on each table for more preferences. The condiments include Japanese spices, sesame dressing and vinaigrette sauce for the cabbage and salads, and Himalayan salt if you need to add flavor to your food.

Condiments. Tonkatsu sauce, Japanese spices, Sesame dressing, vinaigrette suace, and Himalayan salt inside the pig- looking container.

To wash it all down, we ordered Ripe Mango Shake and a can of Coke which was for 100php and 70php respectively.

We'll probably be coming back here again as I wasn't totally blown away by it. But since it has received a lot of good reviews, then maybe I really have to experience it again and order something different. Other than my complaint of my order tasting a bit underseasoned, everything was great in this place. Service was really fast, and everyone was very courteous from ushering us to our seats, to offering us extra orders. The ambiance and overall look of the place was nice, with the quote riddled walls of the restroom standing out the most. With all that being said, expect us back in Yabu again soon.

Yabu: The House of Katsu
2/F Mega Atirum, SM Megamall,
1552 Manila, Philippines
https://www.facebook.com/yabuhouseofkatsu
http://www.yabuhouseofkatsu.com/index2.php#/home/

Crazy Katsu

Special Note: For this blog entry, KiMiguel are joined by Migs' friends Brent, JT, and Joseph as they were out hunting folding bikes in Makati :)

August 19, 2012. Sunday.

We were in Makati getting a couple of folding bikes and parts, and it was already past 12 noon! We couldn't decide where to eat in Makati so the best and most logical thing to do is.. to travel to Concepcion, Marikina to have late lunch. That's how crazy we are. At around a little past 1PM, we finally made it to our destination which is Crazy Katsu.

Photo from chadsenga.com, since we didn't take a pic of the signage :|

Yes, there is a Crazy Katsu in Maginhawa Street in Teacher's Village. And yes, this is the same Crazy Katsu.

Crazy Katsu is a simple Japanese restaurant with a one pager for a menu. Its interiors are very minimalist, from the walls, to the tables and chairs. But I like it. It has a very zen- feel to it. It is owned by Shinji Tanaka (the drummer of local indie band, Gaijin), so CD's of some indie artists are available for sale on the counter. And don't be surprised to see some local musicians pop up from time to time. We saw Raimund Marasigan during our visit, 'di lang kami nakapagpapicture, tagal niya kumain eh, haha. Now on to our orders!

Joseph and JT ordered the Katsu Curry.

Katsu Curry. 190php.

Joseph said it wasn't really that spicy, that's why he was pouring Japanese spice powder all over it. And that was their only comment on it.. 'not spicy enough.'

I ordered the Chicken Katsu, which the wait staff said is their best seller. Brent ordered this too.

Chicken Katsu. 145php. This comes with rice, too.

For the Chicken Katsu, you can have it sweet or spicy or a combination of both, sweet- spicy. We had it made in sweet- spicy. The chicken was really tender and it was fried just right. I love spicy food, but I found the dish to be swimming in too much red chili's that it sometimes overwhelmed the taste of the chicken. If it's any consolation, it's served on top of shredded lettuce to temper the sweetness or spiciness of the dish.

Kim played it safe and ordered Katsudon.

Katsudon. 150php. Photo from spot.ph.

Katsudon is one of those dishes you order when you really have not preference,. It's a dish you order when you just want a sure-fire good meal. I haven't really come across a bad Katsudon, and this one was no exception. The pork cutlets were tender, the rice moist enough, the egg runny enough and the glaze (soy sauce, mirin, sugar, etc.) sweet enough.

We also got 4 orders of Gyoza, one each for the guys and one for KiMiguel.

Gyoza. 120php.

For the longest time, I've wanted to try Crazy Katsu because of all the good reviews. I must admit, the experience is a little underwhelming. While the food was good, there's really nothing special and different about it. On some days, good food is more than enough to fill an empty stomach. But if you came a long way just to try something new, you expect something more than good enough. With that said, Crazy Katsu serves good food for good prices. I just don't think we'd be coming back here except if it's the most convenient place available to eat at.

Crazy Katsu
#48 Lilac St. Hacienda Heights,
Concepcion Ⅱ, Marikina City
https://www.facebook.com/crazykatsu
http://www.crazykatsu.com/