Summary of delicious Tonkatsu restaurants in Osaka recommended by locals!

A national food of Japan loved by both locals of Osaka and foreigners is “Tonkatsu”.

Recently “Tonkatsu” is also popular among foreigners, and a number of Asian tourists and repeaters who come to Japan for Tonkatsu is increasing. It is heavy and filling, and it is very popular among office workers and children in Japan.

It must be interesting to compare each taste of various shops, since taste is all different, depending on the brand of pork and how it is deep-fried. It is usually eaten with sauce, and the taste of sauce also differs from one shop to another. Besides sauce, there are different ways to enjoy it, such as with oroshi-ponzu (or ponzu vinegar mixed with grated daikon radish) or salt.

Here, I present five tonkatsu restaurants, favorably visited by office workers in Osaka and families and having good access from main stations.

Tonkatsu Ganko

You must happen to see the signboards of “Ganko” in Osaka. It is a famous company in Kansai region, having chain restaurants specialized in Japanese food mainly in Osaka. One type of their restaurant chains is “Tonkatsu Ganko.”

Since they lay in their original pork from the contract farm, so, you cannot eat the same one at any other places. Not only pork, but a wide range of menu also includes seafood such as ebi-furai (deep-fried breaded prawns) and kaki-furai (deep-fried breaded oysters) as well. So, it is no problem if there is someone in your family who cannot eat meat.

Since menus in English and Chinese are available and staff has gotton used to foreign customers, you can order smoothly. It is recommended for those who would like to eat deep-fried dishes including tonkatsu reasonably.

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Kimukatsu

With millefeuille-style Tonkatsu, “Kimukatsu,” a restaurant specialized in Tonkatsu, gained much popularity. “Millefeuille katsu” is made with very thin slices of pork layered and deep-fried.

It is a new wave Tonkatsu with its taste totally different from the usual ones made with block meat such as tenderloin and loin. Even those who are not fond of tender block of pork and fat can eat this, and is favored mainly among ladies and children.

One of the pleasure of eating this is that you can choose a flavor among several kinds, that is, yuzu and pepper, cheese, black pepper, negi-shio (or green onion and salt), garlic, and ume-shiso (plum and perilla) as well as plain.

Since the company has advanced in Asia including Taiwan and Southeast Asia, it is familiar to foreigners.

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Tonkatsu KYK Namba

Being specialized in Tonkatsu, KYK has expanded their restaurant business in Kansai. You can find them inside the station buildings, underground arcades, department stores or shopping malls as well as in Namba, Umeda and Tennoji.

Tonkatsu made with various brands of pork including Kurobuta (or Berkshire pork), a product of Kagoshima as well as Hokkaido and Okinawa products are served. The restaurant is frequently used for lunch among Japanese office workers and has long been a firm favorite.

A popular item there is hire(tenderloin)-Tonkatsu-zen. It is the original of KYK with pork tenderloin rolled with a thin ribs of pork slice. An extra work on normal Tonkatsu makes it juicier. Freshly deep-fried Tonkatsu is crisp and aromatic, and it sharpen your appetite more.

The restaurant offers some events on the 10th of every month as “Tonkatsu Day.”

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Nadai Katsukura Umeda Chayamachi shop

With consideration for the best season of ingredients and health, “Nadai Katsukura” is a popular Tonkatsu specialty restaurant where you can enjoy the taste of the season. Their restaurants are found in Kansai area including Kyoto, and the one recommended in Osaka is “Umeda Chayamachi Shop.” Close to Osaka station, the restaurant has a relaxing atmosphere.

A recommendation on their Tonkatsu menu is Iwanama pork-katsu, using an Iwate product of pork. Among many “Nadai Katsukura” restaurants, only Umeda Chayamachi Shop serves Iwanaka pork.

With the features of appropriate amount of fat and tender texture, Iwanaka pork is rich in vitamin E and has high anti-oxidation action. It is considered good for beauty and anti-aging. Katsukura’s original sauce made with abundant red wine promotes delicious taste of Tonkatsu.

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New Bourbon

“New Bourbon” is close to JR Tamatsukuri station not far from Osaka castle. Since their pork aged in bourbon is unique and delicious, it is popular and supported by locals of Osaka.

Please enjoy tender and delicious “Here-teishoku (or tenderloin set meal), which is popular among many people regardless of age or gender, with salt and their original sauce.

“Spicy katsu-curry” is a dish of rice and hot curry served with juicy Tonkatsu.

The most popular menu is “Tamatsukuri katsu-don” which has an exquisite combination of soup stock and eggs. Thick and runny eggs and sweet stock permeate into Tonkatsu.

Since there are various ways to enjoy “Tonkatsu” here, you feel like visiting again and again. Their English menu makes foreign tourists feel easy to visit.

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*The information herein is as of January 2020.