Basically, tonkatsu is pork cutlet wrapped in panko breadcrumbs and then deep fried. Sounds like your typical breaded pork chop, right? Wrong. There’s nothing typical about authentic tonkatsu.
First, you bite into crispy, golden panko crust revealing a succulent pork cutlet hiding inside, then you wonder how something deep-fried can be so juicy and not at all greasy. While deep in thought, your attention is caught by the sesame seeds that you have to pound with the accompanying mortar and pestle to release a nutty fragrance that adds another dimension to your tonkatsu. You’re caught up in that glorious moment so you forget about the sides of cabbage, rice, and miso soup.
True story.
Here are the best places to have tonkatsu in Tokyo.