The origins of tonkatsu date back to the late 1800s during the Meiji Era when influences from the West poured into Japan. Rengatei, a restaurant dating back to 1895 and still in business in Ginza, served the traditional French dish côtelette de veau upon its opening, but soon found the lamb and butter didn’t appeal to Japanese tastes. With a few tweaks and substitutions, they created today’s well-known and loved tonkatsu, a pork cutlet deep-fried tempura style with a side of shredded cabbage and rice and often a red miso soup. So, where can you try it when you’re visiting Asakusa?
1. Danki（だんき）
Danki is a small establishment with around 15 seats and is often packed. When a shop in such a popular tourist spot is still patronized by the locals, you know you’ve found something special.
A small business, known for its tonkatsu served with slightly sweet cabbage, Danki is a great example of this Japanese staple. The average spending here is also quite low and makes for a good budget lunch.
| URL | https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g14134311-d3827583-Reviews-Tonkatsu_Kappou_Danki-Asakusa_Taito_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html?m=19905 |
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| Restaurant’s Name (Japanese) | だんき |
Business Hours | Monday, Thursday, & Friday Lunch 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM Dinner 5 PM- 9 PM Tuesday & Wednesday Closed Saturday & Sunday 11:30 AM – 8 PM |
| Category | TonKatsu Restaurant |
| Budget | ¥1,000 ~ 2,000 |
| TEL | +81 3-3843-8477 |
| Address | 1-14-4, Asakusa, Taito Tokyo Prefecture |
2. Tonkatsu Toyama（とんかつ とお山）
Tonkatsu Toyama is a clean, mid-sized, quiet location favored by locals. It offers an array of pork cuts as well as tonkatsu curry if you’re in the mood.
Something that sets them apart is a range of sauces and spices to dress your meal with including charcoal salt and a wasabi topping. Please be aware, they only accept cash payment.
| URL | https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1066461-d12870095-Reviews-Tonkatsu_Toyama-Taito_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html?m=19905 |
|---|---|
| Restaurant’s Name (Japanese) | とんかつ とお山 |
| Business Hours | Monday – Sunday 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM |
| Category | TonKatsu Restaurant |
| Budget | ¥980 – ¥4,200 |
| TEL | +81 3-5806-2929 |
| Address | 1-6-8 Hanakawado, Taito 111-0033 Tokyo Prefecture |
3. Tonkatsu Akiyama（あき山）
Tonkatsu Akiyama is a little more spacious than some of the restaurants in this article. They of course offer a delicious tonkatsu but also have a large menu for those who want something a little less oily. The menu also features pictures, so there is no wondering if you accidentally ordered something you had no intention of getting.
| URL | https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g14134311-d9887100-Reviews-Tonkatsu_Akiyama-Asakusa_Taito_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html |
|---|---|
| Restaurant’s Name (Japanese) | あき山 |
| Business Hours | Opening hours 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM Not open on Monday/Tuesday |
| Category | Opening hours 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM Not open on Monday/Tuesday |
| Budget | ¥1,000 ~ 2,000 |
| TEL | +81 3-3847-8441 |
| Address | 2-12-6 Marukane Bldg. 1F, Asakusa, Taito 111-0032 Tokyo Prefecture |
4. Tonkatsu Dining Yayoi（弥生）
This restaurant has been in business since the 1940s and has been in the family for 3 generations. With all that practice, it’s no wonder Tonkatsu Dining Yayoi is where you’ll encounter a pork cutlet that lives up to the pictures you’ve seen. Their mild sauce allows the natural sweetness of the pork to shine through and the portion sizes are generous. A variety of other fried foods fill out the menu.
The shop may be hard to spot for those who aren’t well-versed in kanji, so look for an outer wall of thin vertical wooden slats. The front door has a large board with the name in kanji over the door.
| URL | https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g14134311-d3829414-Reviews-Tonkatsu_Dining_Yayoi-Asakusa_Taito_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html |
|---|---|
| Restaurant’s Name (Japanese) | |
| Business Hours | Monday – Sunday 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Category | TonKatsu Restaurant |
| Budget | ¥1,000 – ¥2,000 |
| TEL | +81 3-3873-4743 |
| Address | 3-12-4, Asakusa, Taito Tokyo Prefecture |
5. Katsukichi（浅草 カツ吉）
Katsukichi, established in 1971, has over half a century of history. Their chefs have perfected the art of deep-fried pork and created their own twists on this Japanese classic. This restaurant proudly serves a miso tonkatsu set where miso sauce is ingeniously concealed within the crispy coating tonkatsu, setting it apart from the ordinary. For those with a more Western palate, the cheese tonkatsu is highly recommended.
| URL | https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g14134311-d1664112-Reviews-Katsukichi-Asakusa_Taito_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html |
|---|---|
| Restaurant’s Name (Japanese) | 浅草 カツ吉 |
| Business Hours | Monday – Sunday 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM |
| Category | TonKatsu Restaurant |
| Budget | ¥1,000 |
| TEL | 03-3841-2277 |
| Address | 1-21-12, Asakusa, Taito 111-0032 Tokyo Prefecture |
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