Talk about tonkatsu in Tokyo and everyone has their favourites. Some like it casual and fuss-free, some like it more elaborate with a myriad of cuts to choose from.

For us, a good tonkatsu meal can be both (depending on the amount of time we have for that day) but some memories stay in our hearts for always—that is a good meal at Butagumi. We’ve tried numerous tonkatsu restaurants in Tokyo and the experience at Butagumi is one that never fails, no matter which time of the year we visit.

It is also little wonder why this restaurant is often at the top of mind among both locals and visitors to Tokyo, for their dedication to tonkatsu is definitely a notch higher than your regular tonkatsu restaurants.

Set in a traditional Japanese house, Butagumi takes up a dual-storey unit in Roppongi. It is far off the main road, and inconspicuous even upon turning into the narrow lane, so you really have to look out for it. It is a really small space, so be sure to make a reservation to avoid being disappointed.

The menu will leave you mind-boggled. It has almost 30 kinds of Japanese premium pork and cuts (save for 3-4 Spanish options (such as Iberico), starting from the leanest to the fattiest—start reading from the top left downwards, then onto the next column on the right downwards, so on and so forth. It gets fattier and fattier as you go. You can expect pork from different regions of Japan.

To not confuse you, they have indications on the menu on the daily cuts available, and it usually narrows down to about 10 options or less.

If the Himuro-buta from Gunma is available, that’s a great entry-level option that’s tender and slightly fatty. The Pork Belly cut (¥3,200) from this range was quite a luxurious slab for its price.

The Golden Boar Pork from Hyogo (¥3,500) had a wonderful meat to fat ratio, and is best for those who are inclined to getting a fatty and juicy cut.

Every serving of tonkatsu comes with your pickles, Japanese rice, a bowl of rich and slightly smoky miso soup and shredded cabbage (which you should enjoy with the bottled house sauce on the side). The waiting time may be a bit longer than usual (on average, we always had to wait at least 20 minutes) but good things are well worth the wait, yes?

Butagumi is a tonkatsu institution in its own rights and one that exudes elegance and finesse amidst its traditional, humble setting. The next time you find yourselves in Tokyo, do make it a point to have a meal there!

Butagumi
2 Chome-24-9 Nishiazabu, Minato City
Tokyo 106-0031
Tel: +81 3-5466-6775

By luck, we stumbled upon Katsukichi Botaijyu Tonkatsu in Shibuya, and it turned out to be a gem!

The restaurant is located in the basement. The wooden stairs will lead you to a very traditional and cosy-looking space that will instantly give you a good feel about your meal.

In short, tonkatsu is a Japanese-style pork chop or cutlet and we are always up for a good tonkatsu meal. There are several outlets in Tokyo but here’s sharing our experience from the Shibuya one.

Katsukichi Bodaijyu’s menu specializes in tonkatsu (but of course) and while there were quite a variety, we went straight for the classic pork loin because we are always more inclined to the hire (loin) cut. There are two kinds: Extra Deluxe Deep-fried Pork 180g (¥3,000) and regular Deep-fried Pork Loin Cutlet Combo 150g (¥2,500). We got both, and it was indeed a memorable meal.

Katsukichi Botaijyu uses very fine panko (bread crumbs) to coat their pork loin, giving it a slightly different textural crunch from your usual tonkatsu. The crumbs are, however, not as fragrant but we can deal with that since the loins were perfectly fried and the meat remained tender and juicy.

The main difference between the extra deluxe and the regular pork loin is that the extra deluxe pork loin was slightly more tender though not very significant, and the fats were more evenly spread out throughout the cut. The regular was really good too, and the meat to fat ratio was palatable; it was an overall very good slab of pork loin that we would go back for.

All tonkatsu are served with a bowl of freshly-shredded cabbage, as well as a plater of 3 in-house sauces; we loved the leek sauce the best.

You can top up ¥300 for a set that comes with a miso soup, pickles and a bowl of rice (choose between plain and Shiso rice). Go for the Shiso Rice! The lovely fragrance left us lingering for more.

Katsukichi Bodaijyu
3 Chome-9-10 Shibuya
Shibuya City
Tokyo, 150-0002
Tel: +81 50-3134-5712

Torikatsu Chicken might just be your best find in Shibuya, Tokyo.

The nondescript katsu restaurant is our newest favourite katsu place in Tokyo, and it was by no means “stumbled upon”. It is one of those super hidden joint that wouldn’t simply “appear in front of you”. You have to know about it to find it, and finding it on its own is a challenge; we’d like to think of that as part of the experience.

Torikatsu Chicken redefines ‘hidden gem’ altogether, and its very affordable katsu sets—starting from ¥650 or S$8—make it all too appealing. We are so going back to Torikatsu Chicken every time we are in Tokyo.

Situated farther up from Shibuya’s famous 109 Shopping Mall is Torikatsu Chicken, a traditional katsu eatery tucked deep in a dodgy alley in Dogenzaka. The eatery is run by an old couple, who speaks English by the way. No problem on communication despite the hand-written menu being entirely in Japanese.

Its appeal and success is a simple formula: honest, good food at very humble prices. The katsu comes in a variety, and the basic sets are 2-pc at ¥650, 3-pc at ¥800, 4-pc at ¥1,000.

Take your pick from torikatsu (chicken), tonkatsu (pork), kani-furai (crab), aji-furai (mackerel), ika-furai (squid), kaki-furai (oyster), nasu (eggplant), tamanegi (onion and egg).

There are more, and they are mostly seasonal, but we say go straight for the torikatsu. We would never choose chicken over pork katsu, but if the shop’s name is Torikatsu Chicken, it is only right that you pick the tori over tonkatsu, yes? The logic works; the chicken was tender beyond imagination. It was easily the best torikatsu we’ve ever had.

And just in case you are wondering, the tonkatsu was slightly tough and dry. We would recommend to skip the tonkatsu and go for double portions of the torikatsu.

Unsurprisingly, we picked kaki-furai too; because, oysters. The mackerel was fresh and sweet too, and with the ika. Whatever you do, just remember that you are eating nothing but authentic and real good katsu that are freshly coated in panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) and deep-fried before your eyes.

Oh, yes. Did we mention it is an open kitchen? You get to see the chef at work, but you have been warned—your coats will stink from all that deep-frying.

Every katsu set comes with rice and shredded cabbage, and the lovely Japanese aunty will serve you free-flow roasted tea too.

We have nothing but praises for Torikatsu Chicken, and it was a very memorable dinner we had.

Torikatsu Chicken Shibuya
2-16-19 Dogenzaka
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 9pm
Sat: 11am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Shibuya

If you are heading to Tokyo and need more recommendations, read our Tokyo guides to find the best places in the city.

A good tonkatsu is one that is deep-fried to golden brown, and texturised with crumbs, with the layers of meat intricate yet not overly oily, and is so good on its own that you might have forgotten it has other accompanying sauces like mustard and the sweet tonkatsu sauce. The meal is completed with miso soup, pickles, a huge pile of cabbage, and hot steaming rice.

Besides tonkatsu, there are variations such as Katsudon, pork cutlet with egg and onions on rice; Katsu Sandon, a tonkatsu sandwich; and Katsu-Kare, tonkatsu drizzled with Japanese curry. No matter which version, tonkatsu ranks as one of Japan’s favourite comfort food.

Which is the best tonkatsu in Tokyo? This is a constant debate among travellers and locals as the city has no shortage of good tonkatsuya. When we were in Tokyo recently, we went on a quest to find our favourite tonkatsu, and this is a list of the best Tonkatsu Restaurants in Tokyo.

Butagumi

This tonkatsu specialist has one of the most comprehensive tonkatsu menus—with at least a dozen varieties of pork—but the daily offerings depend on the availability of the meat. The evergreen options are Ryuuka-ton (¥1,900) from Okinawa, and Nattouku-ton (¥2,300) from Gifu. You can also find other premium meats such as Golden Boar Pork (¥3,000) from Hyougo, Nakijin-agoo-buta (¥4,500) from Okinaa, and the famed Iberico Pork (¥4,800) from Spain.

While tonkatsu is the star at Butagumi, it is not the only reason why you should dine here. The feel of taking off your shoes, and stepping into a typical Japanese wooden booth, having a handbell to ring for service, a table lined with floral-printed China, and a fuss-free Japanese menu (with English option available)—all these little touches complete the experience of dining in a true blue ryotei.

2-24-9 Nishiazabu, Minato
Tokyo, Japan
Tel: +81 3 5466 6775
Tue to Sun: 11.30am – 2pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Roppongi

Katsukura

Katsukura is a tonkatsu restaurant chain from Kyoto, and besides pork cutlet, it also offers other options like fried prawns, chicken cutlet, and crab meat croquette.

Among the numerous tonkatsu restaurants in Tokyo, what sets Katsukura apart is their consistency. Even though It has many branches around the city, the tonkatsu is always consistently good and reliable. Most importantly, it is also the kind of place you can return to again and again because you do not have to spend a bomb to dine here. The standard Sirloin Cutlet starts from ¥1,350 for 90g, while the Fillet Cutlet is ¥1,480 for 90g.

Shibuya-ku, Sendagaya 5-24-2
Shinjuku Times Square Building 14th Floor
Tokyo, Japan
Tel: +81 3 5361 1878
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Shinjuku

Kimukatsu

Another tonkatsu restaurant in Tokyo that we really liked was Kimukatsu in Ebisu. The tonkatsu here, made up of many thin layers of pork, is really good – think of it as a pork mille-feuille. In addition to the original tonkatsu, they also have other flavours like cheese, black pepper, green onion, garlic, sour plum and yuzu pepper.

We ordered the cheese version, and it was super satisfying with cheese oozing out of the superbly fried tonkatsu. A tonkatsu set is ¥1,930. Alternatively, you can opt for the Kimukatsu Value Combo—choose any two tonkatsu flavours at ¥2,500 (for 1 pax), or three flavours at ¥3,980 (for 2 pax).

Tonkatsu is comfort food, and it is meant to be hearty and comforting. Our meal at Kimukatsu was exactly like that. It is not a fanciful place with a diverse menu, but what they do—they do very well. It is a place where locals go to for a good meal.

4-9-5, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo, Japan
Tel: +81 3 5420 2929
Mon to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Ebisu

Maisen Tonkatsu

There are many famous tonkatsu restaurants in Tokyo, but the place that everyone seems to agree is the best place to head to is Maisen Tonkatsu. They have many outlets in Tokyo, but go to the main shop in Aoyama – just a few blocks behind Omotesando Hills. The restaurant is located in a former World War II public bathhouse, which adds to the whole feel of dining there.

There are many options on the menu, but if you are there, you must go for the best—the famed Okita Kurobuta Fried Pork Loin meal (¥3,780).

The tonkatsu, like the reviews that we have read, was really good. In fact, it was one of the best we have ever had in my life. The pork cutlet was extremely juicy and crispy, yet not greasy at all. Topped with their special tonkatsu sauce, and served with a bowl of rice and a large stack of cabbage, it was unbeatable.

4-8-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo, Japan
Tel: +81 3 3470 0071
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Omotesando

Tonki

Tonki opens at 4pm every day, and such is the popularity of their tonkatsu, that the restaurant is almost filled even before dinner time.

Unlike some tonkatsu restaurants which offer all sorts of cuts and variations, Tonki is simple and straight to the point—either rosu or fillet, in other words, you choose the lean or the slightly fatty option. Both are priced at ¥1,800 for teishoku with rice, miso soup and pickles, or ¥1,250 for an ala carte portion.

Tonki’s version is very different from the usual tonkatsu that we are familiar with. It is not as crispy, nor is it crumbly. The slow-cooking process means that the meat inside is not as juicy or tender as the typical tonkatsu. It has a very real and unpretentious taste which is probably why regulars go back to this 70 years old house for a good and solid tonkatsu. Most of the customers at Tonki are in fact middle-aged Japanese, who most probably grew up eating the tonkatsu here.

1-1-2 Shimo-Meguro, Meguro-ku
Tokyo, Japan
Tel: +81 3 3491 9928
Daily (except Tue): 4pm – 10.45pm
Nearest Station: Meguro

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best tonkatsu in Singapore

It is no secret that I love tonkatsu. Sushi and sashimi are great, but if I had to choose, I would go for tonkatsu anytime. So when I was in Tokyo last year, I made it my mission to find the best tonkatsu in the city.

There are many famous tonkatsu restaurants in Tokyo, but the place that everyone seems to agree is the best place to head to is Maisen Tonkatsu. They have many outlets in Tokyo, but go to the main shop in Aoyama – just a few blocks behind Omotesando Hills. The restaurant is located in a former World War II public bathhouse, which adds to the whole feel of dining there.

There are many options on the menu, but if you are there, you must go for the best – its famed Okita Kurobuta Fried Pork Loin meal (3,780 Yen).

The tonkatsu, like the reviews that I have read, was really good. In fact, it was one of the best I have ever had in my life. The pork cutlet was extremely juicy and crispy, yet not greasy at all. Topped with their special tonkatsu sauce, and served with a bowl of rice and a large stack of cabbage, it was unbeatable. My only gripe was that the tonkatsu set costs 3,780 Yen or S$50 – which was quite painful on the wallet.

The Kurobuta Fried Pork Cutlet on rice set (1,580 Yen) was also worth a mention. The katsudon was lovely, and it made me wish that Maisen Tonkatsu would open a shop in Singapore so that I could have it on a regular basis.

If you are a tonkatsu fanatic like me, you would not want to miss this restaurant.

Maisen Tonkatsu
4-8-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo, Japan
Tel: +81 (0) 3 3470 0071