We decided to have Tonkatsu for dinner on our last night in Japan. I found a highly-rated place, just a 15-minute walk from our hotel, boasting a 4.7-star rating. It seemed promising, so we decided to give it a try. When we arrived, there was no line. However, we waited for at least 30 minutes to get in. The seating was quite limited, and while we waited, we noticed something surprising—no one left the restaurant in the 20 minutes after we arrived. It made us wonder why diners were taking so long to finish their meals.

Eventually, we were seated at a table for four, even though only two of us were there. The restaurant also had a small bar with about six seats. I ordered their most recommended dish: the Special 3 Kinds of Tonkatsu Course Set Menu. This included three different cuts of pork: the special tenderloin, the special loin, and the day’s cut. The set came with rice, cabbage, miso soup, a small side dish, and a small curry.

The cabbage, side dish, and miso soup arrived first. Each was delicious, but I particularly enjoyed the miso soup—it was unique compared to the ones I’d had elsewhere in Japan. Soon after, the first cut of pork arrived, and the staff explained how best to enjoy it—with options like salt, soy sauce, wasabi, or their homemade Tonkatsu sauce. Each cut of pork had its own recommended pairing, but I loved combining the pork with wasabi and the pink salt they provided.

Each cut of Tonkatsu had a distinct texture and flavour, but they were all incredibly tender and juicy. Pairing the pork with homemade curry and rice was also fantastic. The attention to detail in the preparation and presentation of each cut made the experience feel like a Tonkatsu degustation menu, showcasing how different cuts of pork could shine in this cooking style.

By the end of our meal, we understood why it took diners so long to leave the restaurant. Each cut of pork is cooked to order, and the process takes around 40 minutes before you even begin eating. Between the care taken in the preparation and the time spent savouring the meal, the experience was leisurely and unhurried.

Overall, I highly recommend this restaurant, especially if you want to experience a variety of Tonkatsu styles in one sitting. As expected in Japan, the service was excellent, and the dining experience was truly memorable.

Instagram: Ginza Tonkatsu Hashikatsu

Address: Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 7 Chome−14−14 Ginza7ビル B1