In Japan, egg sandwiches are quite popular.
Many egg sandwiches in Japan can be a bit more elaborate than you might be used to in your home country, often using half-boiled eggs, thick rolled eggs, or specialty eggs chosen from a specific region.
So for many visitors from overseas, the variety of egg sandwiches found in Japan can be very refreshing.
Steven, a member of the Umami bites editorial team who is from the United States, gave his impression of egg sandwiches overseas.
In America, egg sandwiches are usually regarded as a simple and inexpensive snack. On the other hand, I think Japanese egg sandwiches have a quality that makes them seem like gourmet cuisine!
The egg sandwiches at Kurokatsusan are hearty and filling
Kurokatsusan is a sandwich store located away from the hustle and bustle of Shinjuku.
In addition to katsu pork cutlet sandwiches which give the shop its namesake, their egg sandwiches are very popular, attracting not only Japanese customers but tourists from overseas as well.
“‘絶品’半熟たまごサンド,” Soft-Boiled Egg Sandwich 1,580 JPY (tax included)
Among the six types of egg sandwiches available at the shop, the Soft-Boiled Egg Sandwich and the Teriyaki Japanese Rolled Omelette Cutlet Sandwich are particularly popular.
The Soft-Boiled Egg Sandwich made with four eggs is known distinctly for its generous fillings, featuring plenty of gooey rich yolk.
The Soft-Boiled Egg Sandwich is made by sandwiching soft-boiled eggs with an egg filling
It was very satisfying to eat! The seasoning was just perfect and you could really savor the pure tasty flavor of the eggs!
As Steven discovered when he tried it, just as soon as you take a bite, the egg filling sandwiched in the bread overflows onto the plate.
The soft and creamy egg filling, slightly chunky thanks to the coarser egg whites, provides a really satisfying texture that you can savor.
Teriyaki Japanese Rolled Omelette Cutlet Sandwich made with deep-fried thick rolled eggs
The Teriyaki Japanese Rolled Omelette Cutlet Sandwich, which features deep-fried thick rolled eggs as its centerpiece, is quite the unique dish.
“テリヤキ厚焼き玉子カツサンド,” Teriyaki Japanese Rolled Omelette Cutlet Sandwich 1,580 JPY (tax included)
The thick rolled eggs filling this sandwich come from Japanese egg specialist shop Tamaei.
The rolled eggs have a balanced sweetness and are infused with flavors from bonito and kelp dashi, making them a perfect match for sandwiches. That’s why Kurokatsusan uses thick rolled eggs from Tamaei.
The Teriyaki Japanese Rolled Omelette Cutlet Sandwich is made by frying Tamaei’s thick rolled eggs
The crispy and fragrant surface of the thick rolled egg cutlet is slathered with teriyaki sauce, creating an outstanding combination of flavors from the broth and sauce. You can enjoy both the texture and taste, offering a duo of delicious qualities.
Furthermore, it seems that the Teriyaki Japanese Rolled Omelette Cutlet Sandwich is quite popular with overseas visitors to Japan thanks to the distinct flavor of Japanese teriyaki sauce.
The thick rolled egg with its fluffy texture is packed with rich flavor! The slightly sweet dashi is also delicious and gives it the feeling of a luxury treat.
The signature menu item at Kurokatsusan uses carefully selected pork
Using the finest quality black pork from Kagoshima Prefecture (which is known for having some of Japan’s most delicious pork), the katsu sandwich is Kurokatsusan’s signature sandwich.
As with Kurokatsusan’s egg sandwich selection, there’s a wide variety of katsu sandwiches available on the menu, including the “KUROBUTA” Pork Cutlet Sandwich and the “KUROBUTA” Pork Minced Meat Cutlet Sandwich, with a total of 7 katsu sandwiches.
This time, Steven tried out the “KUROBUTA” Pork Cutlet Sandwich, known for the sweetness and umami of its black pork.
“黒豚ロースカツサンド,” “KUROBUTA” Pork Cutlet Sandwich 1,780 JPY (tax included)
The cutlet is fried at a low temperature for 12 minutes, allowing it to maintain the natural tenderness of the black pork.
The fatty parts are pleasantly firm, and they don’t overpower the sweetness of the lean meat.
Additionally, the Japanese-style pickled cabbage sandwiched in the bread provide a refreshing and delightful accent.
Layered under the cutlet is Japanese-style pickled cabbage, which have a reduced acidity
Kurokatsusan offers a “morning service,” between 8:00 and 10:30 AM, during which a complimentary drink is included with your order.
Some customers even order the “KUROBUTA” Pork Cutlet Sandwich during the morning hours.
Perhaps the reason some people order it even for breakfast is that its exceptional pairing of the cutlet and refreshing pickled cabbage offers a perfectly balanced way to start the day.
A set that includes soup, two types of coleslaw, and fries
Taking your sandwich to go and enjoying it outdoors is also recommended
Kurokatsusan also has take-out and delivery, and is conveniently located near the lush Shinjuku Central Park.
On days with good weather, it’s a great idea to grab your sandwich to go and have a picnic in the park.
Additionally, due to its convenient proximity to hotels, many guests order take-out or delivery so they can enjoy their meal in their rooms.
Take-out orders can be made via reservation, and the restaurant also offer English support. The presence of so many international tourists might be related to the quality of such services.
All menus have English item names
Of course, eating in is also an option, and the interior of the restaurant has a simple and calming design.
The restaurant is particularly popular with younger women, and customers can enjoy their meal in a stylish setting.
If you plan to dine in, it’s good to note that Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 to 13:30 tend to be crowded, so you may want to visit at other times if you want to savor your sandwich leisurely.
Kurokatsusan’s interior
With its strong dedication to quality, Kurokatsusan might just open the door to a new world of sandwiches for you!
Information
| Store name | クロカツサン Kurokatsusan |
|---|---|
| Address | Phil Park Nishi-Shinjuku 2F, 4-18-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
|
| Access |
Nishi-Shinjuku-Gochōme Station 6-minute walk from Nishi-Shinjuku-Gochōme Station Exit A1
Tochōmae Station 7-minute walk from Tochōmae Station Exit A4
Shinjuku Station（SJK）14-minute walk from Shinjuku Station West Exit
|
| Phone number | 03-6383-3171 |
| Reservations | Accepted Phone, Tabelog, and SNS（Instagram）DMs |
| Payment |
|
| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | 8:00-18:30（last order 18:00） Morning service 8:00-10:30（last order 10:00） |
| Closed | No holidays Unscheduled holidays |
| Seating | 14 seats 4 counter seats, 10 table seats |
| Smokings | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://www.instagram.com/kurokatsusan_/ |
| Other information |
|
※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of September 2023.
