9 Recommended Tonkatsu Restaurants in Ginza

Enjoying Tonkatsu in Ginza

Tonkatsu: A Classic Japanese Delight

Tonkatsu is a classic Japanese dish that originated in the 1890s. The name 'katsu' comes from 'cutlet,' derived from the English pronunciation of the French word 'côtelette,' which refers to a breaded and pan-fried meat cutlet. In Japan, they adapted this dish by using pork instead of beef and deep-frying it after coating it in breadcrumbs. Since the Japanese word for 'pork' (buta) can also be read as 'ton,' this pork cutlet dish became known as 'tonkatsu.

Tonkatsu is a popular dish in many Japanese households, often served for lunch or dinner. It is enjoyed both as a home-cooked meal and when dining out, typically as a "tonkatsu set meal" that includes white rice and miso soup. The meat used is usually pork loin or tenderloin, and the average price for a set meal at a tonkatsu specialty restaurant ranges from 1,500 to 3,000 yen. Recently, many high-end tonkatsu restaurants that use premium branded pork have opened, gaining popularity among Japanese food enthusiasts.

Tonkatsu in the Ginza Area

Ginza is Japan's largest entertainment district, boasting a vibrancy that rivals New York's Times Square. The streets are lined with famous brand stores, providing access to some of the world's finest products. It’s often said that Ginza is a culinary hub where the best food from around the globe comes together. In addition to Japanese cuisine, you'll find renowned restaurants serving a variety of international dishes, many of which have earned Michelin stars. For Japanese people, shopping and dining in Ginza carry a certain status.

While Ginza is known for its upscale dining options, you can enjoy tonkatsu at a relatively affordable price, even in high-end restaurants. Some places offer elaborate, multi-course tonkatsu meals at a premium, but if you prefer a single serving, you can savor tonkatsu made from premium pork for about 5,000 yen.

9 Recommended Tonkatsu Restaurants in Ginza

1. Kurobuta Tonkatsu Horiichi (黒豚とんかつ ほり壱)

Kurobuta Tonkatsu Horiichi is a new tonkatsu restaurant that opened in 2021. Despite being relatively new, it has earned the prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition for two consecutive years starting in 2023. In 2024, it was also named one of the top 100 tonkatsu restaurants on a major Japanese gourmet review site. The restaurant is the brainchild of Chef Hironobu Horiuchi, who comes from Kagoshima, renowned for its Kurobuta pork. Driven by a passion to share the exquisite taste of Kurobuta, Chef Horiuchi carefully selects various types of pork each season. The tonkatsu is prepared with a unique blend of frying oil that features high-quality rice oil, giving it a light and crisp finish. Reservations are welcome for both lunch and dinner.

2. Ginza Katsukami (銀座かつかみ)

1. Michelin (2023, 24): Bib Gourmand
2. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (19, 21, 22, 24)

This upscale tonkatsu restaurant has earned Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition for two consecutive years since 2023 and has also been named one of the Best 100 Tonkatsu restaurants by a prominent Japanese gourmet review site. The restaurant prides itself on being the first in Japan to serve tonkatsu in a course format, which can also be seen as a global first. Although the menu consists exclusively of courses, diners can choose from several options tailored to their budget and appetite. The restaurant features only counter seating, where carefully selected premium pork is fried right in front of the guests, ensuring they enjoy it at the optimal moment as envisioned by the chef. It’s a celebrated spot where diners can discover a whole new world of tonkatsu.

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3. Tonkatsu Hasegawa Higashiginza (とんかつ はせ川 東銀座店)

1. Michelin: Bib Gourmand (2018 - 23)
2. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2024)

This renowned restaurant has earned the Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction for six consecutive years since 2018 and was recognized as one of the Best 100 Tonkatsu restaurants by a leading Japanese gourmet review site in 2024. Established in 1967, Tonkatsu Hasegawa is dedicated to using the acclaimed Hirata Farm’s premium "Hiraboku Sangen Pork." The restaurant focuses on cooking methods that enhance the flavors of this carefully raised pork, resulting in exquisite tonkatsu that is served medium-rare. With a variety of creatively prepared tonkatsu options, guests can choose according to their tastes. Each tonkatsu dish comes with miso soup and rice.

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4. Nishmura (にし邑)

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2017, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24)

Located in the upscale Ginza district, Nishimura is a popular restaurant that serves delicious tonkatsu at reasonable prices. It has even been recognized as one of the top 100 tonkatsu spots by a major Japanese gourmet review site. The restaurant features counter seating, allowing diners to watch their tonkatsu being prepared right before their eyes, ensuring they enjoy perfectly cooked pieces. Along with the tasty tonkatsu, the owner takes great pride in the rice and tonjiru (pork miso soup) served alongside it. The tonjiru, made with pork and a variety of vegetables, has its own loyal following of regulars who come specifically for it.

5. Imakatsu Ginza (イマカツ 銀座店)

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2017, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24)

This is the Ginza branch of a restaurant that has its main location in Roppongi. In 2015, it earned a Bib Gourmand designation from Michelin and has also been listed among the Top 100 Tonkatsu restaurants on a major Japanese gourmet review site. The restaurant uses the popular Yamato Pork and prepares a unique blend of frying oil that perfectly complements the meat. Another standout dish is the "Sasami Katsu," made from chicken tenderloin sourced from Iwate. This dish challenges the typical bland perception of chicken tenderloin with its rich umami flavor, and it's recommended to enjoy it alongside tonkatsu. There are also set meal options that include "Sasami Katsu," making it an easy choice.

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6. Tonkatsu Aoki Ginza 8 Chome (とんかつ檍 銀座8丁目店)

1. Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2018, 19, 21, 22, 24)

This acclaimed restaurant has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Tonkatsu establishments on Japan's leading gourmet review site. With ten locations primarily in Tokyo and Kanagawa, several of these branches are also featured in the Top 100 Tonkatsu list. The restaurant is not only popular but also known for its exceptional quality.

Their pride lies in the Hayashi SPF (Specific Pathogen Free) pork. This pork is produced by delivering piglets through cesarean section to prevent them from inheriting any bacteria carried by the mother pigs. The piglets are raised on specially formulated feed with minimal antibiotic use. As a result, SPF pork offers an extraordinary richness in flavor, making it exquisite when prepared as tonkatsu. The restaurant's excellent medium-rare frying technique truly enhances the deliciousness of the SPF pork.

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7. Nagoya Meibutsu Misokatsu Yabaton Tokyo Ginza (名古屋名物 みそかつ 矢場とん)

Nagoya Meibutsu Misokatsu Yabaton Tokyo Ginza is a restaurant that specializes in “Miso Katsu,” a local delicacy from Nagoya, Aichi. Miso Katsu features freshly fried, piping hot tonkatsu generously topped with a miso-based sauce that is unique to the Nagoya region. This sauce, known as "miso-dare," enhances the rich flavor of the miso and has been specially crafted to complement the tonkatsu. Its sweet yet slightly bitter taste captivates diners, resulting in a loyal following of repeat customers.

While there are several locations primarily in Aichi, the original restaurant in Nagoya has earned recognition with a Michelin Plate. The menu offers a variety of miso katsu options, including the luxurious "Premium Rib Teppanyaki Tonkatsu," served on a sizzling plate, and the lighter "Fillet Miso Katsu," allowing customers to choose according to their preferences.

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8. Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin (銀座 梅林)

Founded in 1927, Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin is the first tonkatsu restaurant in Ginza and has branches in Hawaii and Korea. It proudly serves dishes that embody the prestigious status of being a “long-established Ginza institution.” The restaurant uses carefully selected pork, which is lightly fried in cottonseed oil, evoking the technique used in traditional Japanese tempura. The original tonkatsu sauce, created when the restaurant first opened, amplifies the rich flavors of the tonkatsu. Another popular dish among Japanese food lovers is the Katsu-don, which features tonkatsu topped with beaten eggs and served over a bowl of rice, delivering an exceptionally delicious experience.

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9. Ginza Tonkatsu Saito (銀座 とんかつ 斉藤)

Opened in March 2024, Ginza Tonkatsu Saito is a new tonkatsu restaurant that has quickly gained popularity. The menu features courses designed for customers to enjoy freshly fried dishes, with various cuts of meat served in small portions. The pork is sourced from Kumamoto and carefully selected by the owner. Each cut is deep-fried in portions of about 60 grams, sliced in half, and served as part of the course. In addition to the courses, customers can also order individual cuts of meat. The cooking method involves frying at low temperatures, allowing diners to savor high-quality tonkatsu while enjoying a relaxed dining experience.