Tonkatsu Tamafuji

Jyukusei (aged) pork loin katsu teishoku 300 grams

It’s been awhile since I have been to Tonkatsu Tamafuji and it is mainly because it’s difficult to get a reservation. They are often booked two months out on Table Check, but you can always walk in and put your name on the waiting list. Even if you have a reservation, be prepared to wait; especially if you have a large party.

Each teishoku comes with your choice of red or white miso soup; choice of rice: white, seasoned, or 5 grain; and all you can eat shredded cabbage. Most of our party opted for the Jyukusei (aged) pork loin katsu teishoku which comes in 4 different sizes. I had the pork loin katsu egg toji set which is cooked in katsuo dashi. As was expected, the tonkatsu was delicious. Even hours later, the leftovers of the tonakatsu remained crispy.

pork loin katsu egg toji set 

The restaurant is always busy which may explain why service was just okay overall. Something easily overlooked when you are in the mood for great tonkatsu. Validated parking is available in the Hee Hing Plaza.

Tonkatsu Tamafuji
449 Kapahulu Ave, Ste 203Honolulu, HI 96815 

Read More

Tonkatsu @Honolulu Now Open!

Dry Aged Pork Loin Katsu Set

Tonkatsu @Honolulu has officially opened this week at 1232 Waimanu Street. Executive
Chef Keita has perfected his tonkatsu recipe and I got to try first hand at a media
tasting. The restaurant features his Dry Aged Pork Loin and Tenderloin Katsu sets
that are served with rice, tonjiru (a pork-vegetable miso soup), shredded cabbage, three
kobachis (side dishes) and tsukemono (pickled vegetable) of the day.

You can also opt for A5 Miyazaki-gyu Tenderloin, Chicken Katsu, and Shrimp Katsu. My
favorites were the pork loin and A5 Miyazaki-gyu and I especially loved their homemade
panko and curry! Tonkatsu @Honolulu uses premium three-way crossbred pork and homemade panko breadcrumbs. 

A5 Miyazaki-gyu Tenderloin

Shrimp Katsu

Chicken Katsu

Pork Tenderloin Katsu

The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Thursday through Tuesday.
Reservations can be made on their Yelp page. Self-parking is available in the parking lot
adjacent to the restaurant, with entrance to the lot located along Waimanu Street. The
first hour is free by scanning the QR code inside the restaurant. 

Read More

Visit Osaka: Tonkatsu Kitcho

I was craving curry while in Osaka, and I had my fix at Tonkatsu Kitcho.  

Cutlet Curry

I got the Cutlet Curry.  It normally comes with tonkatsu, but I asked for chicken, and they said it was no problem.  It was so delicious - I ate nearly all of it (it was a huge serving)!  The chicken was cooked nicely - juicy and tender, and the curry was exactly what I was hoping for.  It satisfied my craving.  

Set meals come with miso soup and salad. 

Salad

Miso Soup

Fried Shrimp & Bite-Sized Pork Cutlet et

Pork Loin Cutlet Set

Tonkatsu with Demi-Glace

Hamburg Steak Set

The food was delicious and the service was great!

Tonkatsu Kitcho
Japan, 〒542-0073 Osaka, Chuo Ward

Nipponbashi, 2 Chome−8−16 日本橋レジデンス 2F
 

Read More

Tonkatsu Kuro

Tenderloin Katsu

Tonkatsu is a family favorite so I was happy to check out recently opened Tonkatsu Kuro located in Ward. The space is bright with tables lining the perimeter and a large communal table in the center of the restaurant.

The menu is somewhat limited and divided into katsu, soba, and combo. Since I’m not a big fan of cold soba, I went with the tenderloin tonkatsu, featuring Berkshire Kurobuta pork, a proprietary oil blend, and freshly ground panko. My friend ordered the Lemon Soba & Half Katsu combo that came with chilled buckwheat noodles in a house-made lemon- infused cold tsuyu broth with one piece each tenderloin and shrimp katsu. My set also came with rice, cabbage salad, and miso soup.

Dining Room

Robot server

Lemon Soba

Half Katsu

You enter your order using the touch screen menu at your table and the food arrives via robot, but is set at table by your server. Food was delicious and the service was attentive. People constantly use Tamafuji as a standard of comparison and my verdict is that Kuro is a welcomed alternative and you can easily make a reservation on Open Table. Currently it’s BYOB. I’m looking forward to returning!

Tonkatsu Kuro

1000 Auahi St Ste 134 Honolulu, HI 96814

Read More

Nana Ai Katsu

When Nana Ai Katsu first opened in Ohana Marketplace in 2020, they were an instant hit and you had to pre-order your katsu bentos a day in advance or you'd be out of luck. Fast forward to 2022, and the Ohana Marketplace has since closed its doors, but Nana Ai Katsu found a new home in Kaimuki Town. They are currently offering take-out only.

Their signature bento is the 100% Kurobuta Tonkatsu, which consists of 7 layers of 100% kurobuta pork katsu, served over cabbage. Each bento comes ith premium Koshihikari fluffy rice, potato salad, other side dishes, and tonkatsu sauce served on the side. 

I prefer this style of tonkatsu (thinly sliced pork) vs pork loin - it's much easier to eat and is more moist and tasty.  The panko breading has a nice crunch to it, without it being too thick or hard. 

When the husband walked in to pick up our order, he bought the Premium Spam Katsu Musubis on impulse. Turned out to be a good impulse purchase! Our son who loves spam really liked this musubi.

I was impressed by the thickness of the Spam!

I really wanted to try their Uzumaki Shiso Katsu Roll, but by the time I called the restaurant to place my take-out order, they were already sold out of it for the day. Next time I will call right when they open at 11 am, and hopefully there will be a "part 2" to this post with my thoughts on their Uzumaki Shiso Katsu Roll, and the Giga Ebi Katsu Burger!

For more information, visit their website: www.nanaaikatsu.com.

______________________

NANA AI KATSU
3585 WAIALAE AVENUE
808-772-0146

Read More

Rokkaku Hamakatsu

Rokkaku Hamakatsu has been in Ala Moana Center for years, but I never considered dining here before as I was always under the impression that it was a very pricey restaurant. What I didn't know is that they have tonkatsu lunch sets that are priced between $22-$26, which is actually quite reasonable for an upscale Japanese restaurant located in a large shopping mall.

You know you're at the right place for tonkatsu when they provide you with sesame seeds in a bowl with grooves along the side, and pestles so that you can grind your own sesame seeds for your tonkatsu sauce.

We started our lunch with the agedashi tofu appetizer. It was a perfect serving for two to share.

I ordered lunch set A, which comes with Berkshire Pork Loin Cutlet and Chicken Cutlet.  

Both the chicken and pork cutlet were super crispy on the outside, and moist on the inside. I really enjoyed the chicken - the meat was lean and tender. 

chicken cutlet

Berkshire pork loin cutlet

My friend requested the tonkatsu set with chicken only - next time I may do the same!

For more information, visit their website.

______________________

ROKKAKU HAMAKATSU
1450 Ala Moana Blvd. (Mall Level 2, Ewa Wing (facing mauka)
(808) 946-3355

Read More

Tonkatsu Tamafuji

 

Tonkatsu Tamafuji has been open since 2017, yet I had never tried to dine here, as I always heard stories of people waiting hours for a table.  But once the pandemic hit and restaurants were forced to shut down dine-in operations, restaurants like Tonkatsu Tamafuji started offering take-out, which presented the perfect opportunity for me to finally check out their tonkatsu.

So after spending a morning at nearby Waikiki Beach, we called in our order and enjoyed our bentos at home. The hubby and I split the Pork Tender Loin Katsu, and the twins shared the chicken katsu.

Pork Tender Loin Katsu

The Pork Tender Loin Katsu was amazing.  It exceeded my expectations, which were pretty high to begin with, after hearing my friends talk about how it's the best tonkatsu on the island. It was moist, tender, and surprisingly still crispy even after the 30 minute drive home.

Chicken Katsu

The twins liked the chicken katsu, although I don't think they appreciated the thick and crispy exterior.  But that's ok, because it meant there was more leftover for me to devour.

Each bento came with shredded cabbage and a bowl of miso soup (not pictured).

They have resumed dine-in operations (by reservation only), but for me, I'm perfectly happy getting take-out and enjoying my crispy tonkatsu at home!

_______________

Tonkatsu Tamafuji
449 Kapahulu Avenue
(808) 922-1212

Read More

Delicious Finds at the Kakaako Farmer's Market

After a couple of hours of social tennis with my BFFs on a Saturday morning, we all decided to head over to the Kakaako Farmers Market to get a bite to eat. 

It has been years since I've been to the Kakaako Farmers Market, and it sure has changed.  It is a lot larger than before, and there are A LOT of vendors selling prepared foods and artisan products. 

Our first stop was at Boba Bros, since we all love boba. I tried the creme tea which is made with organic black assam tea. I liked the drink itself - the boba was a bit on the hard side. 

Next we stopped at Rinka, where they fry the tempura right on the spot, always made-to-order. Two of my friends ordered tempura bowls to-go. I picked up some chicken karaage, which were already pre-made. 

As we made our way through the market towards the paved section, we came across the vendor that sells Korean food (I do not know the name of the vendor, but they are the only vendor there selling Korean food!). She was out of Jap Chae (which I really wanted!), but I got these chive pancakes which were delicious.

Last but not least, I finally got my hands on Katsu Sando 808's Tonkatsu sando.  This sando lives up to the hype, with its pillowy soft shokupan bread and crispy tonkatsu pork.  The next time I make it down to the market I'm going to try their Wagyu menchi katsu burger!

 

Read More