Pork Tonkatsu is a delicious super crispy Japanese Pork Cutlet served with cabbage and a delicious deep flavored dipping sauce.
Why you are going to love our recipe for Pork Tonkatsu
Pork Tonkatsu is super crispy and the pork is melt in your mouth tender. Once you plunge a cutlet into the dipping sauce, you will be forever hooked. Our family loves this recipe and hope yours will too.
Do you ever get Homesick?
Not homesick for my home town in Michigan, but for my second home- JAPAN. This week please take a moment to reflect and send some positive energies to those that are still suffering in Japan after the one year anniversary of the tragic tsunami and Fukushima nuclear incident. Japan you are still in our thoughts and prayers.
We lived in Yokohama, Japan for a period of time and these were some of the happiest and bizarre moments of my life. We lived in Nakaodai and it has some of the narrowest roads in the whole world.
Nuances of Living in Japan
There are streets in which you wonder is this a pedestrian walkway or and actual road? The roads are so narrow that you have to rotate your side view mirrors in to avoid them from from hitting the cement walls around the turns.
I drove in Japan once, for about 100 meters, then promptly got out of the car, handed the keys to my hubby and never took our car out of the underground bat cave carpark again. From that day forward, we named our car, "The Costco Car" as we only used this car to go on big grocery hauls to and from this bulk foods store. So now my life revolved around trains and walking everywhere.
Walking is a lovely way to get to know Yokohama
It gives you a different perspective on the feel for the life of the people. Unlike driving in a car, you can get the chance to look up and see the many stores and restaurants in the levels above the ground level. There is one restaurant that comes to mind but I do not know if it is there any more. However, after you get off the Ishikawacho Eki (train station) you turn right, go through a back alley and there is little 3 table mom and pop restaurant. Great home cooked Japanese Fare and the best Pork Tonkatsu I have ever had.
Hanging on the side of the restaurant all neat and orderly is everyone's Kasa's (umbrellas). I do not even know if this restaurant has a sign in English but once you see the umbrellas you know you are there. Japan is an amazing place. If you can't visit, then at least you can try this super easy recipe for pork tonkatsu.
While living in Japan, I used to participate in cooking classes and enjoyed them immensely. Without further delay, here is my version of pork tonkatsu that my teenage boys just love.
More Delicious Japanese Recipes
Pepper Lunch Steak and Rice Sizzle
Negima Yakitori with Grilled Portobella
Hungry For More? Subscribe to our Newsletter and follow along on Facebook, You Tube, Instagram, and Pinterest for all the latest updates.
Pork Tonkatsu
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork chops
or 4 boneless pork chops. Thin to medium cut. - salt and pepper to taste
- 2 eggs
beaten - ½ cup flour gluten-free if desired
- ¾ cups panko breadcrumbs
gluten-free if desired - oil for frying - depends on the size of pan (about ½ inch of oil for a shallow fry)
- 4 cups cabbage sliced finely shredded and soaked in water
- tonkatsu sauce
Bulldog Brand and make your own (homemade tonkatsu sauce recipe in the notes below) - optional - cooked rice
for serving - optional - 2 tablespoon green onions
garnish - optional
Instructions
- Remove fat from pork chops and pound flat.
- Salt and pepper pork chops
- Dip pork chops in egg and then into the flour mixture, remove excess flour.
- Dip the floured pork chop back into the egg and then into the panko bread crumbs until well coated. Set aside
- Heat a large skillet with about ½ inch of oil until hot. Lay 1 or 2 cutlets in the hot oil. Fry until golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes, turning them once or twice. Drain the cutlets on paper towels and cut the pork into bite-size strips. (Alternatively you can cut down the fat: Heat about 1- 2 tablespoons oil in frying pan and cook on medium heat on each side until golden brown.) In addition, this would be a delicious recipe to try in your air fryer, if you have one.
- Drain cabbage and dry. (traditionally the cabbage is served plain on the side however if you wish you can drizzle a little sesame oil, rice vinegar, dash of sugar, dash of salt and some white pepper and mix it together, its delicious)
- Serve pork tonkatsu with cabbage, rice and drizzled with tonkatsu sauce on top.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Update: I just received news from one of my friends on that just a bit ago today that Japan was hit with another 6.8 earthquake. Please keep them in your prayers.
Shumaila says
Love the Japanese for all the resilience they have shown over the years. A lot is to be learnt from them!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Dear Shumaila, I think many countries could learn from Japan's ability to adapt and stay strong in difficult natural disaster situations. I know if this happened anywhere else it would have been absolute mania but they kept it together, helped each other, and moved on the best they could. Very strong beautiful people.
Purely.. Kay says
I simply love a great pork dish and this pork dish is one I would actually love to try. Thanks for sharing this recipe with us
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Kay, it is super crispy with the panko bread crumbs.
promenadeplantings says
thank you for sharing a some special memories and lovely photos. It's heard to think it was only a year ago.
the recipe sounds delicious, and I like the sound of the sauce, I haven't heard of it before, so thank you I've learned something new, and I will make it one day soon
Healthy World Cuisine says
Please give this recipe a try, its so easy and even the kids will love it. That gets all my votes on a recipe that hits the regular menu in our home. Take Care, BAM
Choc Chip Uru says
Japan needs as many positive vibes as possible. The beautiful nation does not deserve all this. Keeping them in my thoughts my friend, stay strong.
Choc Chip Uru
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Choc Chip Uru! Some positive vibes and some chocolate goodness from your kitchen is all anyone needs for recovery.
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Bam, thank you for this wonderful post for "our" country. I didn't know you live near 石川町 sta. I used to go to that area a lot for swimming lesson in YMCA (near the stadium). I lived near Mitsuzawa Shimocho sta.(subway) that time. Now my home is in Center Minami (same subway). It's hard to believe 1 year has passed...I'm going there next month (although worrying about still-going-on earthquakes) as my last trip which was scheduled in April got cancelled right after tsunami/earthquake. Your tonkatsu look really delicious! Hope the restaurant is still there. "The costco car" made me laugh. 🙂 Thank you also for the kind mention. You are so sweet! 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Dear Nami-san,
Do Itshimashita. It is a very small world. Actually this street is just around the corner from where I lived, near Negeishi Shirin Koen. My closest station was 山手 Eki. I know exactly where your area was near YMCA as my son went to school near the Kannai eki.
I hope that things settle down again in Japan soon as you have heard that they have been having some earthquakes this week. However, everyone is okay. Safe travels and take care. Ja Mata, BAM
Sydney Jones says
I have never tried Pork Tonkatsu. Looks amazing, I have to try it!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Its a super easy dish that you can have on the table in less than 30 minutes and kids love it. Thanks for stopping by. BAM
Joanne says
Japan is a great place, and I love pork tonkatsu! I need to make it soon, I've never actually made it myself.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Joanne, you should give Tonkatsu a try in less than 30 minutes or less, from start to finish, its on the table. Great weeknight quick after work meal. Take care, BAM
Baking with Sibella says
Great story! My prayers go out to the people of Japan!
This looks absolutely delicious and makes me super hungry and I have more than an hour till lunch! 😀
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Sibella and thanks for sending prayers over to Japan. Take care, BAM
Jasline says
I absolutely adore Tonkatsu. Bobbi you are so amazing, always whipping up food of various cuisines! Love it!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Jasline for your kind words. I hope you are doing well. Take Care, BAM
filingawaycupcakes says
Walking does give you a sense of place that driving does not. I never drive when I am out of the US, I guess I am used to huge slow moving roads. Your food looks lovely and I love your kind sentiment.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you. In regards to driving, I am the same way. Actually about a couple of years ago in the winter, we went back to Michigan for a visit and I opted to walk somewhere instead of drive. During my 10 minute walk to the market, 4 people stopped to ask if my car broke down and if I needed a lift. I felt like a foreigner in my own home country. Why don't people walk to the market? LOL Take Care, BAM
filingawaycupcakes says
I don't know why people don't walk more. We all need to, that's for sure. On a side note, people in Michigan sound real nice!
Tandy says
What a lovely recipe! The narrowest streets I've ever seen have been in Assisi 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Tandy. I will keep Assisi in mind if ever traveling and be sure not to rent a car. Take care, BAM
zestybeandog says
Looks so tasty! I'm a huge fan of dishes like this! I'm praying for your friend!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Jen. Tonkatsu is a great 30 minutes or less weekday dish! I have checked in on my dear friends in Japan and everyone is okay but a bit shaken, no pun intended, after this last quake this week.
Karen says
It is hard to imagine what the people of Japan are going through. I chuckled about your driving experience. When we were in Europe there were many times the mirrors had to be folded in and the garage parking spaces are a real challenge. Sometimes they are so tight, it is impossible to get out of the car. I'm happy to have the sauce recipe as we panfry pork chops like you do.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Oh Karen, I am so glad to hear that I am not the only one to fear the driving in certain places. In Japan, we had one of those "car elevator parking spots" where you had to push a button and the floor would raise up and you needed to back your car very squarely into the spot and then push the button again and the car would go back down into the "bat cave" One inch one way or the other and it was perilous 3 story drop. ( Oh the horror of it all)
The pan sauce is pretty similar to the bulldog tonkatsu sauce. I know it is difficult to find Asian products everywhere so this is a good alternative. Take Care, BAM
thecompletecookbook says
Sending lots of love and positive energy.
🙂 Mandy
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Mandy, they need all the positive thoughts and support they can get. Did you hear they just had another pretty big quake just this week almost on the anniversary of the last big one? Take Care, BAM
thecompletecookbook says
I haden't heard Bam - scary stuff! Have a lovely weekend. 🙂
{Main St. Cuisine} says
Firstly, this pork dish sounds just wonderful and if your teenage sons enjoy it, I bet my younger boys will love it as well. I think I'll take your recommendation on the cabbage and seasoning with the the sesame oil, etc...that sounds really good.
It sounds like your time living with Japan was not only interesting, but truly life-changing. I will be sending the positive energy to those still suffering. My sister-in-law is from Japan and she, my brother and nephew were there in December checking in on her family and the family home which had been partially destroyed. I know she will be headed there again this summer.
Thanks for the recipe and the great photos too!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks for stopping by. Kids love tonkatsu cut up into the thin slices, easy for dipping in the special sauce and eating.
Japan has been through so much. However, what is astounding is how the people hold it all together, remain calm and work together. I hope your family and their homestead is okay. I know this has been a difficult time for many. Take care, BAM