Tonkatsu – Fried Pork Cutlet
Tonkatsu is a “When Japan” favourite and there are many specialist restarants in Japan that only serve set meals of a fried main dish, usually pork cutlet of two qualities, “rosu”, the standard cut, and the higher quality, less fatty “hire” (pronounced he ray). You will pay a premium for the “hire”, which will always go over ¥1000 and can reach ¥2000 for the finer cuts. Also on offer is shrimp and combinations of shrimp and pork, as well as cream-filled croquette and occasionally oyster.
The quality of the meat can vary between places. Sometimes they will over cook the cutlet and it can dry out. This is a danger with the higher quality cuts due to the lower fat content. Low quality cuts will have a lot of fat around the edges which can be a bit much if you are not used to it. Use Google Maps reviews and aim for something over 4 stars that specializes in Tonkatsu only.
“When Japan” recommends Tonkatsu Usaku in Shinjuku, which serves up superb Tonkatsu, although the price will start to get quite high when moving into higher quality cuts of pork. The room is quite dingy and the tables a bit sticky, but the food is first rate. Head up the stairs to the 2nd floor, past the underwear store (low quality for the price so don’t buy anything from there). Opposite it also a fairly good Sushi place that has a proper atmosphere and serves up good Sushi for the price.
