REVISIT: THE TONKATSU EXPERIENCE AT SABOTEN, MAKATI CITY
Saboten is the largest tonkatsu chain in Japan which now has
flourished in over 500 shops overseas, specifically in Korea, Taiwan, Thailand,
Singapore, Hongkong, Canada, China and now, the Philippines. A year ago when I was in Tokyo, the curry
loin set of Saboten has been a comfort food for me not to mention cheap due to
budget constraints. The food courts of
varied malls in Tokyo, Japan houses one or two Saboten stalls.
Meanwhile
in Metro Manila, Raintree Restaurants have brought the tonkatsu experience to the Filipinos thru the opening of two
restaurants – one in BGC, Taguig and the other in Makati City. Before I went to Japan, I had dinner at the
latter branch and now I am back again a year after with my travel buddies.
Saboten
in Japan and in the Philippines definitely vary in interior design, but it does
not make our version less authentic. The
small stalls who do not invest much on interiors of the restaurant are usually
those who serves the best dish in Tokyo apart from the highly commercialized
ones. Having said that, while housed in
a commercial space of a Japanese-inspired interior with wooden columns and
walls, the authentic tonkatsu experience
is a sure shot when dining at Saboten Philippines.
Japanese
people are alcohol lovers and I can truly attest to that. As an appetizer, the Chicken Salad with Bang Bang Ji Dressing (PhP250.00) is highly
recommended as it complements with tonkatsu
and alcohol. The Agedashi Tofu (PhP175.00) is likewise a
good addition to the must-try appetizers.
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| CHICKEN SALAD WITH BANG BANG JI DRESSING |
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| AGEDASHI TOFU |
Edamame (PhP99.00) is quite a surprise for me
as well since I don’t usually eat vegetables and the likes of beans. The first time I tasted edamame was in a yakiniku shop at Tokyo and I loved how the same tasted like peanuts. In Japan, so as with our dining experience
here, the beans are blanched with salt water and not served with salt. It is a good appetizer and blends well with
beer intake.
For
rice meals, everything is delectable I should say, yet I am biased for saying
that though I am not used to spicy (whatever the level) foods, the Curry Loin Set (PhP395.00) appears to
be my favorite dish due to acquired taste I suppose.
 |
| CURRY LOIN SET |
Tonkatsus come on varied versions. The group shared and feasted on: the Claypot chicken set (PhP395.00); Miso Katsu
Tenderloin Set (PhP425.00) (a Saboten original taste from Nagoya; Tonkatsu The Original, with a choice of
either the Tenderloin (PhP425.00 (L);
PhP395.00 (M) and PhP375.00(S)or the Loin Set (PhP395.00 (L); and PhP375.00 (M); The Oyster Set (PhP750.00); Sweet
and Sour Chicken Nanban Set (PhP475.00); Ginger Pork Shogayaki with Sweet
Radish Steak Set (PhP495.00) and the Shrimp
Fry Set (PhP450.00).
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| CLAYPOT CHICKEN SET |
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| MISO KATSU TENDERLOIN SET |
 |
| SHRIMP FRY SET |
 |
| SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN NANBAN SET |
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| GINGER PORK SHOGAYAKI WITH SWEET RADISH STEAK SET |
The
restaurant is not only about tonkatsu, as
it offers the best tasting desserts and parfaits. I particularly recommend the Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Cake
(PhP195.00). But equally good for
the sweet tooth is the Sesame Sansrival
Cake (PhP210.00) of their version.
 |
| SESAME SANSRIVAL CAKE |
 |
| CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT CREAM CAKE |
 |
| STRAWBERRY PARFAIT (PhP195.00) |
It
was getting late when we finished our dinner and the store was about to
close. More than the tonkatsu experience, dining at Saboten
was fun in the company of good friends.
And
I will surely be back more often.
SABOTEN
JAPANESE CUTLET
Glorietta
5, Ayala Center,
Makati
City
+632
625-0909
Saboten
is part of the innovative concepts of Raintree Restaurants.
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