Tonkatsu is one of the popular dishes among foreign visitors to Japan.
It’s a simple dish where pork is coated with breadcrumbs, but the taste can really vary from one restaurant to another.
Located about a 10-minute walk from Akihabara Station, “Tonkatsu Aoki Asakusabashi” (hereinafter referred to as “Tonkatsu Aoki”) is a restaurant where you can enjoy exceptional tonkatsu. Their attention to detail in their tonkatsu includes the breed of pork used and the sauce served with it.
Savor incredibly thick and luxurious cuts of tonkatsu at Tonkatsu Aoki
Tonkatsu Aoki uses Hayashi SPF Pork, known for its tender meat texture. The thick-cut tonkatsu slices release succulent juices as you bite into them.
To bring out the sweetness of the pork and ensure a delicious taste, the restaurant pays special attention to every detail.
Firstly, they use domestically produced pure lard as the frying oil.
Domestic pure lard enhances the richness and sweetness of the pork. This allows you to really taste the characteristic sweetness of the Hayashi SPF Pork’s fatty meat without it becoming too overwhelming.
Secondly, they use large-grain fresh breadcrumbs, providing an enjoyable crispy texture.
The crispy breadcrumbs and tender pork create a distinctive texture you’ll be sure to find addictive. With the huge thickness of the pork, it offers a very satisfying eating experience!
At Tonkatsu Aoki, you can try tonkatsu seasoned with salt
Tonkatsu sauce and karashi mustard are two classic ingredients served tonkatsu. At Tonkatsu Aoki, they also provide rock salt in addition to these.
“ナマック岩塩,” Kala Namak Rock Salt (left)”ヒマラヤピンク,” Himalayan Pink (middle) “ヒマラヤホワイト,” Himalayan White (right)
The most popular and recommended by the restaurant is the “Kala Namak Rock Salt.” It has an aroma reminiscent of boiled eggs. Compared to regular rock salt, it has a mellow richness that really brings out the umami of the pork.
They also offer “Himalayan Pink” and “Himalaya White” rock salts, both with a more subdued fragrance than Kala Namak. You can try each type of rock salt to savor the variations in flavor!
Tonkatsu dipped into Kala Namak Rock Salt
Along with rock salt, it’s also recommended to enjoy the restaurant’s tonkatsu with the classic sauce.
Tonkatsu Aoki offers a special sauce made by simmering various ingredients, including wine and karashi mustard. It has a sweet and refreshing taste with fruity notes.
Due to the large portions, it’s a good chance to enjoy it in two ways by changing the flavor with rock salt and sauce.
Adding mustard midway adds a spicy kick, piquing your appetite.
You can also order additional toppings, and one highly recommended option is “Stem Wasabi.” With a crisp texture, it provides a refreshing flavor after the initial spiciness.
The most popular item on the menu is the “Top Loin Katsu Set,” known for its well-balanced combination of meat and fat. During the weekday lunchtime from 11:00 to 13:00, the restaurant can get particularly crowded, and there might be days when the set sells out.
“上ロースかつ定食,” Top Loin Katsu Set 1,500 JPY (tax included)
Despite the restaurant carefully selecting each ingredient, the Top Loin Katsu Set is reasonably priced at 1,500 JPY (including tax).
The dish offers not only high-quality tonkatsu but is also a great value for your money, one of the reason’s behind the popularity of Tonkatsu Aoki.
Tonkatsu Aoki’s curry is also a must-try!
When visiting Tonkatsu Aoki, be sure to try the katsu curry.
,”ロースかつカレー,” Roast Katsu Curry 1,500 JPY (tax included)
The curry roux has the distinctive mildly spicy flavor of Garam masala, a representative spice in Indian cuisine.
However, it doesn’t ever become overly spicy, thanks to the addition of broth made from root vegetables such as carrots. Amidst the spiciness, you can also sense a subtle sweetness.
The vegetable broth, simmered for about 6 hours, is a key element contributing to the deliciousness of the restaurant’s curry roux.
While enjoying the curry with white rice and tonkatsu is a great combination, we really recommend trying it with their special sauce.
The refreshing flavor of the special sauce adds a whole new layer of depth to the taste, making it even more delightful.
As of January 2024, Tonkatsu Aoki has not only its Asakusabashi location but also over 10 other stores scattered throughout Tokyo, all bustling with numerous customers.
We highly recommend trying out their meticulously crafted tonkatsu at any of their locations. It’s sure to make a big tonkatsu lover out of you!
Tonkatsu Aoki’s exterior
Information
| Store name | とんかつ檍 浅草橋店 Tonkatsu Aoki Asakusabashi |
|---|---|
| Address | CS Tower Building 107, 5-20-8 Asakusabashi, Taito-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Asakusabashi Station 9-minute walk from Asakusabashi Station West Exit
Akihabara Station（AKB） 11-minute walk from Akihabara Station Showa-dori Exit
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| Phone number | 03-5820-1011 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment |
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| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | Tues-Sat 11:0015:00, 17:00-20:00 Sun. 11:00-15:00 |
| Closed | Monday |
| Seating | 15 seats 11 counter seats, 4 table seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://tonkatsu-aoki.com/ |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of January 2024.
