If you’re visiting Tokyo, katsu curry is a must-try. This iconic Japanese dish combines the satisfying crunch of a breaded pork cutlet with the comforting flavor of Japanese cury, making it a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to some of the very best katsu curry restaurants in Tokyo, each offering its own unique twist on this classic meal!
- Japan's most desired pork in katsu curry: Tonkyu Ueno
- A must-try popular soupy katsu curry in Shinjuku: Mon Snack
- Award-winning restaurant's katsu curry in Akihabara: Akihabara Caligari
- Luxury tonkatsu menu and saucy katsu curry in Tokyo: Tonkatsu Aoki
- Premium wagyu beef katsu curry in Akihabara: Nagasaki Toruko Rice Shokudo
Japan’s most desired pork in katsu curry: Tonkyu Ueno
Although it’s quite common to enjoy katsu curry as a comfort food, “Tonkyu Ueno,” a tonkatsu restaurant located adjacent to JR Ueno Station, is a restaurant that shows what a premium dish it can be as well. Tonkyu Ueno carefully selects the type of pork used in their katsu, one of which is the rare Kurobuta (black pork), which has a distinct sweetness, umami, and texture not found in just any pork!
“かつカレー定食（黒豚）,” Pork cutlet curry set meal 2,079 JPY (tax included)
At Tonkyu Ueno, the katsu curry is crafted so that this exquisite brand of pork stands out. The curry roux has a simple seasoning with black pepper providing a refreshing spice that doesn’t overpower the tonkatsu.
The meticulously prepared, appropriate amount of spice really complements the high-quality pork, allowing you to savor its exquisite natural flavor.
Tonkyu Ueno is a restaurant perfect for katsu curry fans looking to explore just how delicious the dish can be, and at a reasonable price as well!
A must-try popular soupy katsu curry in Shinjuku: Mon Snack
A beloved katsu curry institution in Shinjuku, “Mon Snack” serves up a unique take on the dish that has many customers coming back for more.
At Mon Snack, they use a particularly thin type of curry roux that resembles a soup. This provides a different but fun and delicious way to enjoy the dish, which is by soaking the large katsu in the curry, thanks to its soup-like consistency.
“カツカレー,” Katsu Curry 1,000 JPY (tax included)
Fruit chutney is added to the curry roux, giving it a tart sweetness distinct from spicier curries. The distinctly flavored curry is a big reason Mon Snack has been so popular for years.
The freshly fried pork cutlets have a thin batter with a crispy texture. Moreover, the pork chunks included in the curry make for a very satisfying meal!
Mon Snack in Shinjuku is a great place to enjoy delicious katsu curry with a rare but delightful texture!
Award-winning restaurant’s katsu curry in Akihabara: Akihabara Caligari
“Akihabara Caligari” is a name well-known to curry lovers in Japan, having won the competitive “Kanda Curry Grand Prix,” a competition amongst curry restaurants in the local area of Kanda (near Akihabara) in Tokyo. As you might expect, their katsu curry is a fan favorite, due in large part to the impressive size of the tonkatsu used in it!
“カツカレー,” Katsu Curry, lunch: 1,200 JPY (tax included) / dinner: 1,300 JPY (tax included)
This tonkatsu has a wonderfully crunchy breaded exterior, but the actual pork retains a succulent texture.
The curry itself is nicely balanced in flavor, with an initial sweetness that gives way to a pleasant spicy finish!
Katsu curry is a timeless classic in Japan, but Akihabara Caligari’s preparation of it shows just how delicious different iterations of the dish can be.
Luxury tonkatsu menu and saucy katsu curry in Tokyo: Tonkatsu Aoki
Those seeking some thick and luxurious tonkatsu with their curry can’t go wrong with “Tonkatsu Aoki Asakusabashi.” The restaurant uses Hayashi SPF Pork, a premium brand prized for its tender texture, rich flavor, and fatty sweetness.
This gives the restaurant’s “Roast Katsu Curry” a luxurious feel, with thick cuts that are sure to satisfy big appetites!
”ロースかつカレー,” Roast Katsu Curry 1,500 JPY (tax included)
The curry roux features a spicy kick from Garam masala, which is mellowed by the inclusion of a slowly-simmered broth made from root vegetables like carrots. This provides a delectable balance of sweetness and spiciness.
While it’s more than delicious enough on its own, we recommend using the restaurant’s special sauce made from simmering ingredients such as wine and karashi mustard. The special house sauce has a refreshing taste and fruity notes that really add another dimension to the flavor of the katsu curry!
With thick cuts of pork and an incredibly flavorful curry roux, it’s very easy to see why Tonkatsu Aoki Asakusabashi is a favorite of katsu curry lovers in Tokyo.
Premium wagyu beef katsu curry in Akihabara: Nagasaki Toruko Rice Shokudo
Akihabara’s “NAGASAKI TORUKO RICE SHOKUDO” is a restaurant that provides a tasty twist on katsu curry. The Nagasaki cuisine-themed restaurant is famous for their voluminous “Turkish rice” dishes, but their curries are not to be overlooked.
One of those impressive curries is their “Beef cutlet curry rice,” which substitutes luxurious Dejima Barairo branded wagyū beef in place of the pork for its katsu!
“長崎和牛のビーフカツカレー”, Beef cutlet curry rice 2,100 JPY (tax included)
This delicious wagyu is known for a fantastic balance of lean and fatty meat. Simply seasoned with salt, the natural umami and rich flavor of the beef is evident in each bite.
The rich wagyu katsu is complemented by a curry roux that’s made up of a blend of ten spices and onion, carrot, celery, garlic, and tomato purée. Pork and beef broth added to the roux makes for a curry with a delicious and rich aftertaste.
NAGASAKI TORUKO RICE SHOKUDO has a full menu of delicious katsu curry to enjoy, but their mouth-watering wagyu version shows just how lavish the dish can be!
Katsu curry is a huge crowd-pleaser for hungry travelers to Japan. While it has quickly become a favorite outside of Japan, there are so many different tasty variations to try in Tokyo. Hopefully this article will steer you towards a plate that’s just right for you.
