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10 Best Tonkatsu Restaurant in Tokyo

10 Best Tonkatsu Restaurant in Tokyo

Sep 01, 2024

The OMAKASE editorial team, an official partner of Michelin, presents the top 10 restaurants in Tokyo where you can enjoy exquisite Tonkatsu.

What is tonkatsu?

Tonkatsu with chopsticks

Tonkatsu and tonkotsu are completely different dishes.

In English, tonkatsu and tonkotsu differ by just one letter, so they are often mistaken for the same food. However, they are entirely different types of cuisine. Tonkotsu is a milky white broth made by simmering pork bones for a long time. Tonkatsu, on the other hand, is a dish made by breading and deep-frying pork cutlets.

A popular dish made by breading and deep-frying pork

Tonkatsu typically uses thick cuts of pork tenderloin or loin which is similar to a cutlet. It is often enjoyed with a sauce that has a mildly sweet flavor with subtle acidity and spiciness or with salt. It is commonly served as a set meal with cabbage, miso soup, and rice.

There are many reasonably priced Bib Gourmand Tonkatsu restaurants.

At casual tonkatsu spots, you can enjoy a meal for around 1,000 to 2,000 yen. Additionally, more restaurants are offering special tonkatsu made with premium brand pork.

Restaurants listed in the Japanese Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand section tend to be more expensive than those in other countries, often requiring a budget of around 10,000 yen. However, many tonkatsu restaurants in this category offer casual dining experiences for around 4,000 yen, making it a must-try during your trip to Japan. Since walk-in customers often face long lines, it's recommended to choose restaurants that allow online reservations for easier scheduling.

10 Tonkatsu Restaurants in Tokyo

1. Fry-ya (Fry家) / Shinjuku

New selection
Michelin Guide, 2024
Tonkatsu

Fry-ya is a deep-fry specialty restaurant featured in the Michelin Guide. The chef, who has earned Michelin stars in both Switzerland and Japan, offers a range of deep-fried dishes, including tonkatsu. The restaurant is known for its prix fixe course, where you can sample a variety of deep-fried items such as pork loin, tenderloin, vegetables, and seafood, with the option to add your favorite à la carte dishes to complete your meal. The frying method is customized for each ingredient, allowing you to experience the unique texture of each item.

Interior of Fry-ya
Fry-ya's Information
Operation hours
Lunch:11:00 - 14:30(L.O. 14:00)
Dinner:17:30 - 22:00(L.O. 21:30)
Last Entry Time21:00
(Long course last registration at 19:45)
Regular holiday
Irregular holidays
Price range
Lunch: USD 18.64 - USD 34.94
Dinner: USD 62.13 - USD 62.13
Address
Ozawa Building B1F, 1-32-11, Takadanobaba , Shinjuku‐ku, Tokyo
Nearest station
Takadanobaba Station
Directions from station
3 minutes walk fromTakadanobaba Station
Payment methods
Credit card available
Seats
16 Seats
Awards
Michelin
New selection
Available Seats at Fry-ya

2. Kurobuta Tonkatsu Horiichi (黒豚とんかつ ほり壱) / Ginza,Nihonbashi

Bib Gourmand
Michelin Guide, 2024
Tonkatsu with vegetable

This Bib Gourmand-approved tonkatsu spot uses Kagoshima Berkshire pork, renowned for its rich flavor and sweet fat. Enjoy crispy tonkatsu alongside fluffy shredded cabbage, served with two types of sauce: a homemade tonkatsu sauce made from 18 ingredients and a miso sauce that combines this homemade sauce with Hatcho miso. In addition to the exceptional tonkatsu, the menu features a delightful pork soup where the sweetness of the vegetables and pork blend perfectly, as well as refreshing pickles to cleanse your palate.

Tonkatsu with vegetable
Kurobuta Tonkatsu Horiichi's Information
Operation hours
Lunch: 11:10 AM - 3:00 PM
Dinner: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM (Last Entry Time: 7:30 PM)
Regular holiday
Mondays, Tuesdays, Sundays, Irregular Holidays
Price range
Lunch: USD 15.53 - USD 22.93
Dinner: USD 15.53 - USD 26.63
Address
B1F, Le Glacier BLDG, , Minato-ku, Tokyo
Nearest station
Shimbashi Station, Uchisaiwaicho Station
Directions from station
4 minutes walk from Shimbashi Station
6 minutes walk from Uchisaiwaicho Station
Payment methods
Credit card available
Seats
12 seats
Awards
Michelin
bib gourmand
Awards
  • Eric
    5.0
    Posted on :10/02/2024
  • Ori besen
    5.0
    Posted on :10/02/2024
  • Chi Chan
    5.0
    Posted on :06/07/2024
Available Seats at Kurobuta Tonkatsu Horiichi

3. Ponta Honke (ぽん多 本家) / Asakusa, Ueno

Bib Gourmand
Michelin Guide, 2024
Tonkatsu with vegetable

This restaurant is a venerable spot for deep-fried food with over a century of tradition and has earned a Bib Gourmand. Their cutlets are meticulously deep-fried for over 10 minutes in homemade lard at a low temperature, pairing perfectly with their house-made spicy Worcestershire sauce. They also offer a variety of seafood fritters, including conger eel, whiting, squid, and tiger prawn.

The drink menu is extensive, featuring beers, sake, and a fine selection of wines and whiskeys that complement Western dishes. The restaurant's cozy and welcoming atmosphere makes you feel like you're dining with family.

fried shrimp with vegetable
Ponta Honke's Information
Operation hours
[Tue-Sat and the day before Public Holidays]
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Last Order 1:45 PM)
4:30 PM - 8:20 PM (Last Order 7:45 PM)
[Sun and Public Holidays]
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Last Order 1:45 PM)
4:00 PM - 8:20 PM (Last Order 7:45 PM)
Regular holiday
Mondays (If Monday is a Public Holiday will be open and closed the following day)
Price range
Lunch: USD 24.41 - USD 24.41
Dinner: USD 24.41 - USD 24.41
Address
23-3, Ueno 3-chome, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Nearest station
Ueno-Hirokoji station, Ueno-okachimachi station, Naka-Okachimachi station, Okachimachi station
Directions from station
1 minute walk from Ueno-hirokoji Station
3 minutes walk from Ueno-okachimachi Station
4 minutes walk from Naka-Okachimachi Station
2 minutes walk from Okachimachi Station
Payment methods
Cash, Credit card
Seats
33 Seats
Awards
Michelin
bib gourmand
Awards
  • Beresin
    5.0
    Posted on :04/07/2024
  • Titichai
    4.4
    Posted on :12/28/2023
Available Seats at Ponta Honke

4. Sugita (すぎ田) / Asakusa, Ueno

Bib Gourmand
Michelin Guide, 2024
Tonkatsu with vegetable

Sugita is a renowned Tonkatsu restaurant with over 40 years of experience and a Bib Gourmand award. They use pork from Chiba Prefecture for their Tonkatsu, selecting high-quality ingredients based on their current condition rather than adhering to a specific source. This approach results in a lighter, more delicate Tonkatsu due to the meticulous removal of excess fat. The restaurant is also popular for its Western-style dishes, such as oversized shrimp fritters and omelet rice, which consistently receive enthusiastic praise.

Interior of Sugita
Sugita's Information
Operation hours
Lunch: 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM (Last Order at 1:30 PM)
Dinner: 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM (Last Order at 8:00 PM)
Regular holiday
Thursdays, Irregular Holidays
Price range
Lunch: USD 22.19 - USD 22.19
Dinner: USD 22.19 - USD 22.19
Address
3-8-3, Kotobuki, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Nearest station
Kuramae Station
Directions from station
3 minutes walk from Kuramae Station
Payment methods
Cash, Credit card
Seats
20 seats (with floor-heated sunken kotatsu seats (4 tables and 4 tatami mats), counter seats available)
The private room is a raised tatami-floored area.
Awards
Michelin
bib gourmand
Awards
  • J.A
    5.0
    Posted on :03/04/2024
Available Seats at Sugita

5. Tonkatsu Narikura (とんかつ 成蔵) / Minami-Asagaya

  1. MICHELIN (2017 - 24): Bib Gourmand

This Bib Gourmand restaurant is renowned among Tonkatsu lovers for its distinctive "white Tonkatsu." Made with low-sugar breadcrumbs and deep-fried at a low temperature, the Tonkatsu has minimal color change and a thin, delicate coating, making it light and easy to enjoy in generous portions. The meat used is from the cut equivalent to Chateaubriand in beef, with options to sample other cuts such as loin and rib roast. While the restaurant operates on a reservation-only basis, it offers a casual and inviting atmosphere.

Make a Reservation

6. Ginza Katsukami (ぎんざ かつかみ) / Ginza

  1. MICHELIN (2023,24): Bib Gourmand

Ginza Katsukami is Japan's first restaurant specializing in course-based tonkatsu and has earned a Bib Gourmand award. Their signature pork, Maeda Biton, is prized for its finely marbled fat, resulting in an exceptionally juicy and flavorful cutlet. The menu also features courses showcasing other top-tier pork varieties. Each dish is accompanied by Himalayan rock salt and two types of sauces. They use a unique rice called Tsuranuki, cultivated from Hokkaido's Yumepirika rice using a special method. For dinner, they also offer a distinctive balsamic vinegar-based sauce that perfectly complements their dishes and pairs well with drinks.

View restaurant details

7. Tonkatsu Hinata (とんかつ ひなた) / Takadanobaba

  1. MICHELIN (2018 - 24): Bib Gourmand

Recognized as a Bib Gourmand restaurant, Tonkatsu Hinata opened its doors in 2017 in Takadanobaba, a neighborhood renowned for its fierce tonkatsu competition. With a sleek, sushi-bar-like interior, the restaurant offers a popular lunch special featuring a premium loin cutlet set. The meat is encased in a delicate, thin crust that perfectly balances fat and lean, resulting in a tender, flavorful cut with a beautifully pale pink center.

After 3 PM, Hinata offers a reservation-only tasting course for groups of four or more. By purchasing whole pigs, the restaurant allows guests to sample and compare a variety of pork cuts, including rib loin, loin, tenderloin, eye of round, neck, and rump, ranging from classic to rare selections, all served in small portions. A curated selection of sake is also available to enhance the meat's flavor.

View restaurant details

8. Tonkatsu Nanaido (とんかつ 七井戸) / Aoyama

  1. MICHELIN (2020 - 24): Bib Gourmand

This Bib Gourmand-listed restaurant offers a selection of premium pork varieties. The menu features classic dishes such as thick-cut fillet cutlet sets, along with regular, premium, and special loin cutlet sets. The owner, who originally specialized in grilled chicken skewers known as yakitori, also serves a popular chicken cutlet. The subtle fat in the meat provides a perfect balance of sweetness and umami. The pairing of tonkatsu with rice cooked in an earthenware pot is exceptional. The restaurant's interior is stylish and relaxed, with a café-like atmosphere that creates a welcoming space for everyone.

View restaurant details

9. Sharikimon Chawambu (車力門 ちゃわんぶ) / Yotsuya

  1. MICHELIN (2021 - 24): Bib Gourmand

This renowned restaurant, featured in the Bib Gourmand and highly rated across various review sites, is a must-visit. They use rice bran oil for deep-frying, which gives the pork a light and crispy coating. The combination of the crispy pork and the hot, sweet sauce is simply outstanding. Their signature dish is the special pork loin cutlet set, where you can choose between thick or thin cuts of pork. The restaurant’s elegant interior adds a touch of luxury, making it the perfect place to enjoy tonkatsu in a special atmosphere.

View restaurant details

10. maisen (まい泉) / Chain Restaurant

Maisen is a renowned tonkatsu restaurant franchise with over 50 years of history. Known for its sit-down dining and convenient takeout options available at department stores and station buildings, it is celebrated for its "tonkatsu so tender you can cut it with chopsticks." The restaurant uses tender pork from around the world, coated in unique breadcrumbs, and deep-fried to a perfect crisp in specially ordered oil. Maisen also offers four original sauces: sweet, spicy, sandwich, and black pork. The main branch is located in Aoyama, Tokyo, where you can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere while savoring their delicious pork dishes.

View restaurant details

About the author

Koyanagi
Koyanagi

A Tokyo-based foodie, she spends nearly all of her earnings on culinary explorations throughout Japan, from street food to fine dining. Her passion for food has become a career, contributing to gourmet magazines and collaborating with TV shows. She also handles the creation of articles for OMAKASE. When dining out, she makes it a point to properly understand the chefs' and restaurateurs' backgrounds and philosophies.