Tonkatsu Ultimate Guide: Discovering Japan's Best Breaded Pork Cutlets
One of the dishes you absolutely must try when you come to Japan is tonkatsu. Since I was a child, I often went to tonkatsu restaurants with my family. I loved the moment when you cut through the crispy breading and the juicy umami of the meat spreads.
Even now, I sometimes crave tonkatsu on my way home from work, and just yesterday, my dinner was a tonkatsu set meal.
Tonkatsu comes in various types, including loin, tenderloin, Japanese-style, and cheese tonkatsu. There are also various ways to arrange it, such as making it into a katsudon.
I recommend trying tonkatsu chain restaurants all over Japan. You can enjoy the individuality of each store, from the long-established "Wako" to the volume-packed "Katsuya" and the particular "Katsukura."
In this article, I'll share plenty of tips for fully enjoying tonkatsu, from the basics to delicious eating methods and information on popular stores. I hope you'll feel the charm of Japanese soul food through tonkatsu!
What is Tonkatsu?
Tonkatsu is one of Japan's representative dishes, made by coating pork with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs in that order, then deep-frying it.
Generally, pork loin or tenderloin 2-3 cm thick is used. The ideal is to make the breading crispy and the inside juicy.
In fact, tonkatsu is said to have been born in Japan over 100 years ago under the influence of Western food culture. After World War II, tonkatsu specialty stores increased, and it became widely established as a common meal. Now it has become an indispensable part of Japanese food culture.
I've been captivated by tonkatsu since I was a child. On weekends, I looked forward to going to tonkatsu restaurants with my father.
I still vividly remember the moment when freshly fried tonkatsu was served over the counter. That fragrant smell and the crispiness of the breading are irresistible!
Why Japanese People Love Tonkatsu
There are delicious tonkatsu chain restaurants all over Japan. Many Japanese people have been familiar with these stores since childhood.
Also, Japanese people love dishes that are "cheap and filling." Tonkatsu fits perfectly with this Japanese tendency.
Tonkatsu is often served as a "set meal" that typically includes rice, miso soup, and shredded cabbage. This set meal style is a long-standing form of meal in Japan. One of the reasons why tonkatsu is loved by Japanese people is that it can be eaten in this familiar way.
During my student days, I often went to eat tonkatsu set meals between classes. Eating a hearty tonkatsu and finishing with refills of miso soup and cabbage. I still can't forget that feeling of satisfaction.
Tonkatsu, which is cheap, delicious, and filling, is a dish that suits Japanese tastes.
Types of Tonkatsu
There are various types of tonkatsu, using different parts of pork or with different ways of eating. Here, I'll introduce representative tonkatsu dishes.
Rosu Katsu (Loin Cutlet)
Rosu katsu is tonkatsu made with pork loin. It's characterized by its high fat content and juicy taste. It can be said to be the standard among standards of tonkatsu.
I like rosu katsu the best after all. The umami of the fat and the tenderness of the meat are irresistible. It's a blissful moment to eat freshly fried rosu katsu with plenty of tonkatsu sauce. The sensation of the fat melting in my mouth is just indescribable.
Hire Katsu (Tenderloin Cutlet)
Hire katsu is tonkatsu made with pork tenderloin. It has a lighter taste compared to rosu katsu and is popular among health-conscious people.
Indeed, hire katsu has less fat and is lighter. But you can still clearly taste the umami of the meat.
The delicate texture unique to tenderloin is also attractive. I think the good thing about hire katsu is that you can enjoy a different deliciousness from rosu katsu.
Cheese Katsu
Cheese katsu is made by sandwiching cheese in the cutlet before frying. The melting cheese further enhances the deliciousness of the tonkatsu.
For a cheese lover like me, cheese katsu is like a dream dish. When you cut into the katsu, you see the melted cheese oozing out. The richness of the cheese perfectly matches the umami of the katsu, and once you eat it, you're sure to get hooked.
Japanese-style Tonkatsu
Tonkatsu served with Japanese-style sauce like ponzu is called Japanese-style tonkatsu. It's also known as "oroshi tonkatsu."
The charm of Japanese-style tonkatsu is its light taste. The acidity of the ponzu reduces the oiliness of the tonkatsu. If you add plenty of grated daikon radish, you can eat it even more lightly. It's nice that you can enjoy a Japanese taste different from Western-style sauce.
Katsudon
Katsudon is a dish where tonkatsu is cooked with eggs and placed on top of a bowl of rice. It's very filling. This is often eaten as a single dish rather than as a set meal.
When I want to eat my fill easily, katsudon is the best choice.
How to Eat Delicious Tonkatsu
Tonkatsu is often served in a "set meal" style with rice, shredded cabbage, and miso soup. The key to eating it deliciously is to first taste the crispiness of the breading and the umami of the meat without adding sauce. This allows you to enjoy the original taste of tonkatsu.
If you like, adding a small amount of mustard can be delicious as the spiciness becomes an accent, so many Japanese people use mustard.
However, Japanese mustard can be quite strong, so for foreigners, I recommend tonkatsu sauce. The most popular way to eat is to pour tonkatsu sauce, which has a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
The shredded cabbage served with tonkatsu also plays a surprisingly important role. Its light taste helps to reduce the oiliness of the tonkatsu. The key to eating deliciously is to alternate between tonkatsu and cabbage.
Tonkatsu Chain Restaurants in Japan
Let me introduce chain restaurants where you can casually enjoy tonkatsu all over Japan.
Wako
Source: Tabelog by monemei
Wako is a long-established tonkatsu chain with over 50 years of history. They pride themselves on high-quality ingredients and careful work. They stick to 100% domestic pork, maximizing the umami of the meat.
The interior has a high-class, calm atmosphere, and the customer service is also well-regarded. You can eat a delicious tonkatsu set meal for 1,500-2,000 yen, and it's nice that rice, miso soup, and cabbage are free for refills.
Website: https://wako-group.co.jp/
Katsuya
Source: Tabelog by giants2002
"Katsuya" is attractive for its reasonable prices and volume-packed menus.
They have a wide variety beyond the standard rosu katsu. They also feature a rich selection of set menus, and katsudon, where katsu is placed on rice, is also popular.
With many menu items under 1,000 yen, it's affordable, so I recommend Katsuya when you want to casually enjoy tonkatsu.
Website: https://www.arclandservice.co.jp/katsuya/
Matsunoya
Source: Tabelog by jun_chin
Matsunoya is a chain restaurant where you can casually enjoy tonkatsu in a casual atmosphere. They have a wide variety of set meal menus, so you're sure to find your favorite combination.
It's also attractive that they offer limited-time tonkatsu menus incorporating regional gourmet from all over Japan. Most menu items are under 1,000 yen, which is very reasonable. It makes me nostalgic for my student days when I often went there.
Website: https://www.matsuyafoods.co.jp/matsunoya/
Meidai Tonkatsu Katsukura
Source: Tabelog by kenji752177
Meidai Tonkatsu Katsukura, a tonkatsu chain restaurant originating from Kyoto, is a casual restaurant where you can enter without a reservation, although it has a slightly upscale atmosphere.
They are particular about the quality of the meat and the frying method, achieving a crispy texture and the umami of the meat. It's recommended for those who want to try high-quality tonkatsu casually. A budget of about 3,000 yen should be enough.
Website: https://www.katsukura.jp/en/
In this article, I've introduced you to "tonkatsu," a common Japanese dish.
Rosu katsu, hire katsu, cheese katsu, Japanese-style tonkatsu, katsudon. There are many varieties, each with a different deliciousness.
Tonkatsu is also affordable and easy to eat casually while traveling. When you come to Japan, please use this guide and try authentic tonkatsu!