Best Tonkatsu Restaurants in Tokyo: Top 5 places not to miss

When thinking about Japanese cuisine, I believe Tonkatsu is one of the dishes you can think of. But can you choose the best Tonkatsu restaurants in Tokyo among thousands of options here?

Tonkatsu, also known as Japanese pork cutlet is a Japanese dish that consists of a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet. It involves coating slices of pork with panko, frying them in oil, and then serving with rice and shredded cabbage. There are different ways to enjoy tonkatsu but today, let’s try making the most basic tonkatsu.

Today, we would like to recommend the TOP 5 Tonkatsu Restaurants you must try visiting in Tokyo.

1. Narikura とんかつ成蔵

Narikura is very famous among Japanese too that long line was always expected before they started the reservation system. Like a light snowfall, the ultimate pork cutlet has a soft and crunchy texture.

The meat is fluffy and tender, and it’s fried in oil at a very low temperature with fresh breadcrumbs.

After being meticulously fried for 15 minutes, it is removed from the oil and left to finish cooking with residual heat, which is why the cutlet, which is considered one of the best in Tokyo, takes more than 20 minutes to prepare.

Although their prices are high compared to other Tonkatsu restaurants, Narikura ranking 1st in Tabelog will let you make the money worth spending.

Address: 4-33-9, Naritahigashi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo

Phone Number: 03-6882-5214

English Menu Availability: X

Business Hours: Lunch 11:00 am – 2:00 pm *Reservation Required/ Dinner 5:30 pm -8:00 pm *Reservation Required

Average Price: Dinner: 6,000 JPY / Lunch: 6,000 JPY


2. Tonta とん太

Tonta’s tonkatsu is cooked for a longer period of time in low-temperature oil, giving it a distinctive light brown surface and a light but crunchy texture.

The “Special Pork Loin Katsu Set (2160 yen)” is the most popular dish, fried to a gorgeous medium with a still rose-pink center. You can taste the mild sweetness of the high-quality pork if you sample the tonkatsu simply, without any further additions.

Address: 3-17-8 Takada, Toshima, Tokyo

Phone Number: 03-3989-0296

English Menu Availability: O

Business Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 18:00-20:30

Average Price: 2000-2990 JPY


3. Ponta Honke ぽん多本家

Founded in 1905 and also known as the origin of Japanese Katsukare, “Fontahonke”.  Streamlined, warmly decorated eatery offering traditional regional dishes for lunch & dinner.

Address:  3 Chome-23-3 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0005

Phone Number: 03-3831-2351

English Menu Available: O

Business hours:

[Sunday, holiday] Lunch 11:00-14:00 (Last order 13:45)

[Sunday, holiday] Dinner 16:00~20:00 (Last order 19:45)

[Tuesday-Saturday] Lunch 11:00~14:00 (Last order 13:45)

[Tuesday-Saturday] Dinner 16:30~20:00 (Last order 19:45)

Closed day: Monday

Average price: 4,000 yen for lunch / 4,000 yen for dinner.


4. Sugita すぎ田

Six minutes’ walk from Kuramae Station on the Asakusa Line. In Kuramae, there is a tonkatsu shop called Sugita. The store was founded 38 years ago and current store owner is the second generation of this store.

Recommended menu by the main chef is Ross Katsu- 2,100 yen and you could enjoy Tonkatsu much more by adding Tonjiru (Pork Soup).

Address: 3 Chome-8-3 Kotobuki, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0042

Phone Number: 03-3844-5529

English Menu Availability: O

Business hours:

Mon-Wed, Friday-Sunday, Holiday, and the day before holiday

Lunch 11:30-14:00 (Last Order 13:45)

Dinner 17:00-20:30 (Last order 20:15)

Closed days: Thursday

Average price: 3,000 yen for lunch / 3,000 yen for dinner.

5. Tonkatsu Wako 和幸

This place is known for its delectable tonkatsu (pork cutlets) that are fried till crisp to seal in the meat’s taste. Tonkatsu is offered in a variety of branded pork variants, including Oirase Garlic pork.

This restaurant is on the 12th floor of the Odakyu Department Store, which is readily accessible from the Shinjuku Station West Gate. You may enjoy a view of the Shinjuku cityscape while eating with an outstanding view from the windows.

Address: 12F, Odakyu Department Store, 1-1-3, Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Phone Number: 03-3343-4889

English Menu Availability: X

Business Hours:

11:00 am – 10:00 pm (Lunch L.O. 4:00 pm, Dinner L.O. 9:15 pm)

Average Price: Dinner: 2,000 JPY / Lunch: 1,500 JPY


If you do not have time to visit the restaurants, try making your own Tonkatsu at home by using our Tonkatsu recipe!

Tonkatsu Related FAQs

What is tonkatsu?

Tonkatsu is the Japanese name for fried pork cutlet. It is deep fried pork loins. Mostly served with rice, but sometimes served with curry as well. 

Where can I find tonkatsu?

Usually for fried cutlet, it is recommended to dine at a restaurant. This article has mentioned a few very popular tonkatsu restaurant in Tokyo, including Narikura とんかつ成蔵 and so on.

How to eat tonkatsu?

Tonkatsu is usually served with miso soup, rice, and salad with goma sauce. People enjoy this dish before exams or important competitions, because the sound of katsu also means winning in Japanese.

What does tonkatsu mean in Japanese?

Ton means pork and katsu means friend cutlet in Japanese. Together they mean fried pork cutlets. 

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