I was SO excited for Neko Yubu to finally open its first Austin location! It's located near UT, and I happened to visit on their grand opening day. The space has such a cute vibe, and everyone working was incredibly friendly and welcoming.
One thing to keep in mind is that there isn't really a parking lot, but there is a 15-minute pickup zone right in front of the shop. If you're driving, I'd definitely recommend ordering ahead online so you can quickly grab your food.
I ordered the 6-piece Yubu and went with fresh tuna, fresh salmon, Mentaiko, bulgogi, spicy pork, and tuna mayo. A couple of the flavors have a small additional charge, but honestly, I thought they were totally worth it. The 6 pieces were surprisingly filling and actually lasted me two meals!
Every Yubu I tried was delicious. The tofu skin had the perfect texture and wasn't overly sweet, which I really appreciated. The toppings were definitely the star of the show.
My favorite was easily the Mentaiko. I was actually a little hesitant to order it because Mentaiko can sometimes be too salty for my taste, but this one completely surprised me. It was so well balanced with the perfect combination of creaminess and umami.
The bulgogi and spicy pork had a nice smoky flavor without being overly sweet. The spicy pork wasn't super spicy, but it had just enough of a kick to make it interesting. The fresh salmon and tuna were both good, although they weren't as memorable for me compared to the other flavors.
Overall, I would definitely come back for these again! My top two were the Mentaiko and spicy pork. I'm already curious to see what new flavors they come out with in the future. Next time, I definitely want to try their drinks because I've heard they're just as good as the Yubus!
If you're in the UT/Austin area and looking for something quick, filling, and a little different, I'd definitely recommend giving Neko Yubu a try. read more