Food News: More Katsu Love with Yabu's New Miso Katsu

Yabu, The House of Katsu, offers something new again for Katsu fans...and more katsu love.

Tracing its origins to Nagoya, a region noted for its red miso, miso katsu is a regional variation of the traditional katsu with red miso paste as the sauce for the dish. The red miso paste has a noticeably sweeter and nutty flavor that works great with the crisp katsu cutlet. A cool twist on the usual katsu, definitely different. Good to know that Yabu continues to introduce new dishes, with even more options for diners.

The Miso Katsu is great as is, but if you want a spike in flavor, alternate with the traditional sesame seed katsu sauce. Besides, the ritual of grounding sesame seeds is quite fun, and completes your Yabu experience.

Yabu also has a new dressing for the unlimited shredded cabbage, a wasabi-based dressing that pairs well with the extensive katsu menu. Sharper flavors without the usual bite of wasabi, just right. Extra cabbage? Yes, please.

And a new appetizer. Yabu's new Spinach Salad with Goma Sauce (P 195 for two appetizers), chilled Japanese spinach with sesame seed dressing topped with bonito flakes; and the signature favorite, Wakame, seaweed salad topped with ebiko.

Rosu Miso Katsu Set (P 375), US Pork Katsu cutlet on sweet miso sauce, topped with spring onions and ground sesame seeds and served on a Japanese hot plate. The crisp katsu and thick miso sauce provide a different flavor combo, and giving each slice of katsu a good swirl on the miso adds a sweet, nutty layer that's new and refreshing. If you enjoy miso, you'll enjoy this. Halfway through, the bottom part of the cutlet absorbs the distinct flavor of the miso sauce, while the top part retains the familiar crunch.

Chicken and Seafood Mixed Katsu Set (P 475), with chicken, Black Tiger prawn, squid, oyster, eggplant and pepper, just the dish if you're after traditional katsu flavors but want more variety. And with extra rice (including organic brown rice), extra cabbage, and now, extra miso soup, you still end up with a pretty cool deal. The new items are worthy additions to an already extensive menu, and leave it to Yabu to continue to surprise their katsu fans with more new dishes.

Yabu, The House of Katsu, is located at the Lower Ground Floor, Robinsons Magnolia, New Manila, Quezon City or call 961-4975 for inquiries. You can also find Yabu, The House of Katsu, at SM Megamall, SM MOA, and SM South Mall. Check out their cool website at www.yabu.ph for more information.

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