Tonkatsu - Japanese Deep Fried Pork

Japanese food has a wide range of deep fried food. Tempura (vegetables or seafood battered and briefly deep fried), kushi-katsu (deep fried vegetables or meat on a skewer) and tonkatsu, which is my personal favorite as a pork lover.

 

Tonkatsu is popular in Hong Kong that even local fast food franchise like Fairwood serves it. I would compare several tonkatsu specialized restaurants available in Hong Kong in the following.

Romankan Yokohama. We ordered a basic tonkatsu set. The pork was crispy when first served, but, after a while, it became soaky especially on the side touching the metal net above the plate. Though free refill of rice and cabbage was available, the serving of local rice had weakened the entire experience. 


Price: $150 per person with free refill of rice and cabbage

ICHIGO. Tender pork and deep fried pork roll with cheese were ordered. The pork was crispy and tender and the cheese in the pork roll is creamy. A special kind of Japanese rice known as "Isakagi rice " (石川米) Koshihikari rice was served but no free refill was available and an extra bowl of rice was expensive ($18). 


Price: $180 per person free refill of cabbage.

  

Saboten. We ordered two sets of deep fried pork, served with radish paste and miso sauce respectively. The radish balanced the greasiness of the pork and rendered the later a delight. The miso sauce over-ridered the pork and would be a choice for people who like strong favors. 


Price: $ 130 per person with free refill of Japanese rice and cabbage

Tonkatsu with radish sauce

Tonkatsu with miso sauce

Ootoya. Though not a tonkatsu specialized shop, Ootoya does serve one of the best tonkatsu in town at a fairly reasonable price. Definitely a choice for first-timers.


Price: Less than $80 with free refill of one bowl of rice

Standard Tonkatsu meal in Ootoya