Sumptuous Sundays: Saboten


Japan's original Tonkatsu resto, Saboten, has finally opened a franchise in the Philippines-it was brought here by Raintree Restaurants. I ate here yesterday after my Barre3 class-I figured that it would be the perfect way to end my Saturday.

PRICE RANGE: P250.00-P800.00

From what I've gathered, Saboten has been serving good ol' Tonkatsu since 1966. They have branches around the world, from Asia to the USA.

Of course I had to order Tonkatsu because I wanted to know if it's any better than Yabu, my go- to restaurants for the said dish.

For the Tonkatsu dish, they have various cuts and sizes: They have Loin and Tenderloin that come in small, medium, and large portions. The Tonkatsu comes as a set meal: You get cabbage, soup, pickles and raddish, and plain rice. Just like Yabu, everything's refillable. (except their Iced Tea!)



 
Unlike Yabu's style wherein they serve everything all at once, Saboten serves you the appetizers plus the cabbage bowl before the rice and Tonkatsu. I was really hungry that time so I appreciated it so much. Notice the small bowl filled with sesame seeds? Yes, you're right-you're supposed to pound them and pour Tonkatsu sauce onto it, just like Yabu. As for their salad dressings, they have sesame mayo and a balsamic- like sauce. Saboten's mayo dressing ain't a far cry from Yabu's. I like Saboten's second dressing though.

Now here comes the main event. What I got was Tenderloin cut, medium portion.

They use Bonito flakes as breading, and it made the entire thing very crunchy. The Tonkatsu stayed crunchy for a long time, and they use real pork cuts-not pounded pork formed into steak cuts.

Overall, their Tonkatsu tastes good, but it's not any better than Yabu. If I may recall, both restaurants don't differ significantly-from the food selections, preparation style and all-except that Yabu's a lil' cheaper. It's just sad that there's no Yabu restaurant near my area, and I'm happy that there's Saboten for those moments when I'm craving for Tonkatsu.

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6 Comments

  1. I don't know what Tonkatsu is (or at least haven't tried it), but it sure looks yummy! :D Thanks for sharing Ms. Martha! :)

    -okay now I'm hungry and I have to be up 'till late at night.Good luck to me then!LOL

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  2. it looks like Yabu, but I might try this just to compare with Yabu..hehe

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  3. I've never tried Yabu nor Saboten but I want to eat at either resto already. Thanks for the review Ms M!

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  4. i have first known tonkatsu from Tokyo Tokyo =) i wonder if they tastes the same =)

    yung japanese bosses namin kasi di gusto yung food sa tokyo tokyo hee hee mas gusto nila yung chicken ng jollibee =) weird no?

    kagutom mga food post mo ms m.

    have a wonderful monday ahead!
    rhain

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  5. Ay grabe I always look forward to your Sumptuous Sunady posts. Nakakagutom!

    I have not tried Yabu before, but I'm curious and will definitely go there on the next payday nang magkaalaman na. Haha

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  6. There's a Yabu in SM Aura. :)

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