Kabukicho: Manila Pop Up x Yabu - Follow.The.Bulb.

photo from www.facebook.com/ManilaPopUp

So what is Manila Pop Up? 

Manila Pop Up is the brainchild of Erwan Heussaff, Mike Concepcion and Deejae Paeste, that specializes in an unconventional and one-of-a-kind marketing strategy to create an out-of-the-box experience for consumers. 

They go from conceptualizing and developing creative ideas all the way to implementing a unique but temporary event that would create a whole new level of brand awareness. 

photo from www.facebook.com/ManilaPopUp

An invite from Manila Pop Up got us travelling all the way to SM Southmall for their one day pop up event in collaboration with Yabu: House of Katsu. 

The concept was a Kabukicho Dive Bar that transforms Yabu into this intimate setting and transports you to a different environment. Guests were treated to tasty strong Japanese cocktails, Japanese street food, live music, art and culture.

Menu for the night:

Everyone was given an appetizer bento of Yabu’s Wakame Salad, Salmon Tartare, Vegetable Crudités with Edamame Dip, and my favorite among all appetizers, the Soft Shell Crab Maki. I wish Yabu makes it a regular on their menu. 

And what’s a dive bar without cocktails and drinks. Regular sodas, house blend iced teas and juices were offered, but everyone was all over the signature drinks that night. 

Umami- a concoction of Cucumber Juice, Oba Leaf, Sake Rose Syrup and Honey

Kitty Fizz- A mix of Passion Fruit, Cranberry, Ginger Syrup, Sochu and Ale

Edens Den- A blend of Mango Juice, Sochu, Yuzu Syrup and Black Tea

For other food selections, they reinvented our Yabu favorites into innovative katsu dishes such as Mini Katsudon, Mini Yabu Special, Kushi Menchi Katsu (Menchi Katsu on a stick) and Katsu Slider w/ Layu Aioli.

Aside from the food and drinks, live music was performed by up and coming indie soul band, Yolanda Moon, and a live Japanese style art was showcased by Sigmund Torre and Takako Sono. 

Curious and excited on what's popping up next? Follow.The.Bulb.

Manila Pop Up

Website: http://manilapopup.com/

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ManilaPopUp

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ManilaPopUp