Evolving uniquely with a commitment to diversity! Top 5 'Tonkatsu' restaurants to try in Tokyo Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Reservation Guide-

Update-date: Dec 05 2024

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Evolving uniquely with a commitment to diversity! Top 5 'Tonkatsu' restaurants to try in Tokyo

Crispy breading with juicy pork, 'Tonkatsu' is a staple of Japanese cuisine, yet its flavors and styles are surprisingly diverse. From pork to breadcrumbs, oil, frying techniques, sauces, and side dishes, each restaurant competes with its own unique skills and dedication. Why not compare the Tonkatsu from restaurants boasting high originality in Tokyo, where famous establishments abound?

See full listings of Tonkatsu restaurants found in and around Tokyo.

TONKATSU KOKOMADEYARUKA　SURPASSING EXPECTATION

From the breed of pork, cooking methods, side dishes, to pairing, experience the ideal tonkatsu!

Located just a 5-minute walk from Gaiemmae Station, TONKATSU KOKOMADEYARUKA　SURPASSING EXPECTATION is a restaurant where guests can enjoy freshly fried tonkatsu in a relaxed counter seating environment. They can choose from a la carte, set meals, or courses according to their preference. The restaurant's pride, their tonkatsu, features a crispy coating and moist meat with a rosy center. Guests can also select from various breeds and cuts, including 'Kobe Pork' and Hokkaido's 'Dorobuta', adding to the appeal.

From casual to slightly upscale, here are five choices for sampling Japan's quintessential 'Tonkatsu' in Tokyo

The restaurant features a serene atmosphere reminiscent of a long-established Kappo cuisine restaurant, with a total of 12 seats at the counter and tables combined. A sister restaurant (an Italian restaurant) sommelier has carefully selected an extensive range of wines and champagnes, allowing guests to enjoy pairing with tonkatsu. A tonkatsu enthusiast producer has fulfilled all his desires in creating 'the ideal tonkatsu restaurant.' You are encouraged to experience it for yourself.

TONKATSU KOKOMADEYARUKA　SURPASSING EXPECTATION

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm), [Weekdays, Saturday, National Holidays, Day Before National Holidays] Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 7,999 JPY / [Lunch] 3,999 JPY
Access: 5 minutes walk from Exit 1 of Gaiemmae Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line / 12 minutes walk from Omotesando Station on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line
Address: Central Aoyama No6-BA, 3-2-4, Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
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Katsudon Kouei

Generous portions, delicious flavors of meat and sauce. Perfect for a quick energy recharge while exploring!

Located just a 10-minute walk from Tokyo Station, Katsudon Kouei is a restaurant famous for its "Katsudon Kiwami", which features an exceptionally thick tonkatsu (about 5cm thick or approximately 350g). The selected pork shoulder loin is slowly cooked at low temperatures, resulting in meat that is tender and thoroughly infused with flavor. Their proud tonkatsu is also recommended in another dish, "Tamago Toji Katsudon Kiwami", where it is gently wrapped in fluffy eggs.

From casual to slightly upscale, here are five choices for tasting 'Tonkatsu', a quintessential Japanese dish, in Tokyo

Located behind Showa Street in the Kyobashi area, this restaurant boasts a charming Japanese-style exterior. It is definitely a spot to visit while exploring Tokyo. The interior of the restaurant features 9 counter seats and a casual atmosphere. It offers a fast-food vibe where you can drop by casually and enjoy alone without any hesitation. The katsudon, hearty and still delicious even when cool, is also available for takeout.

Katsudon Kouei

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm)
Closed: Saturday,Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 2,500 JPY
Access: 10-minute walk from Tokyo Station on each line. 7-minute walk from Nihombashi Station on the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines.
Address: 1-17-3, Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
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Kimukatsu Ebisu Branch

A mille-feuille cutlet made by layering 25 thin slices of pork loin and deep-frying them

Tender and Juicy! A Mille-Feuille Cutlet made by layering 25 ultra-thin slices of pork loin and deep-frying them

Located just a 4-minute walk from Ebisu Station, Kimukatsu Ebisu Branch specializes in their original layered cutlet, "Kimukatsu." Made by thinly slicing pork loin and stacking it into 25 layers like a mille-feuille, then deep-frying it, the "Kimukatsu" offers a juicy and tender texture that is truly captivating. The restaurant also offers an assorted menu where guests can enjoy mille-feuille cutlets of beef, pork, and chicken all at once.

You can order the "Kimukatsu" along with a "rice set" or choose to order alcohol. A delightful point is that freshly cooked rice is always available. The restaurant has a calm atmosphere where guests can enjoy their meals at leisure. The spacious floor, with a capacity for 40 people, features side-by-side counter-style table seating, as well as private rooms.

Kimukatsu Ebisu Branch

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm) / [Monday - Saturday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm) / [Sunday, National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 4-minute walk from the East Exit of Ebisu Station
Address: 4-9-5, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
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Satsumaya Tonton Harajuku

The contrast between the impactful black breadcrumbs and the refined taste makes "Kuroton" a delightful experience.

Located just a 3-minute walk from Meiji-Jingumae Station, Satsumaya Tonton Harajuku has been a beloved restaurant specializing in Satsuma cuisine for over 20 years. In 2022, the restaurant underwent a renewal and revamped its menu. A new signature dish, "Kuroton", was introduced. This masterpiece tonkatsu features Kagoshima's Kurobuta pork 'Roppaku pork', known for its rich flavor and refined fat, coated in black breadcrumbs mixed with bamboo charcoal. Be sure to savor this exquisite dish.

From casual to slightly upscale, a comparison of five selected 'Tonkatsu' restaurants representing Japanese cuisine | Tokyo

The restaurant is located on the second floor of a building in a back alley, offering a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the city despite its proximity to the station. The interior is designed like an old folk house, providing a warm space where guests can relax and enjoy local cuisine. Why not savor the flavors of Kagoshima with a variety of shochu from Kagoshima in hand, dishes like "Kuroton" or the specialty pot "Black Pork and Vegetable Oil Shabu-Shabu" made with the same 'Roppaku pork'?

Satsumaya Tonton Harajuku

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday, National Holidays, Day Before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station / 3- minute walk from Tokyo Metro Meiji-jingumae Station / 7-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Omotesando Station
Address: 2F, Kakuta Bldg., 6-1-6, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

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Narikura

A renowned restaurant for its unconventional 'white tonkatsu', meticulously fried at a low temperature

Located just a 6-minute walk from Minami-Asagaya Station, Narikura is a reservation-only popular restaurant. Their signature 'White Tonkatsu' is prepared using a unique cooking method: the meat, coated with specially ordered soft breadcrumbs, is slowly fried in extremely low-temperature oil and then further cooked with residual heat. The coating is crispy and aromatic, while the meat retains its juiciness and tenderness. This dish offers a taste experience unlike any other.

From casual to slightly upscale, here are five choices for sampling Japan's iconic 'Tonkatsu' in Tokyo

The restaurant features a bright, open space. Facing the open kitchen, the counter seats offer a view of the cooking scene, providing an enjoyable experience. Previously a popular restaurant where lines formed daily, it has now relocated and switched to a reservation-only system, allowing guests to leisurely enjoy its renowned flavors. Be sure to try the set meals featuring Tokyo's regional specialty pork 'TOKYO X' and Niigata's snow-aged pork.

Narikura

Open: Lunch 11:00 am - 2:00 pm *Reservation Required/ Dinner 5:30 pm -8:00 pm *Reservation Required
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 6,000 JPY
Access: A 3-minute walk from Minami-Asagaya Station on Tokyo Mero Marunouchi Line
Address: 4-33-9, Naritahigashi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.