We have a specialty in Japan known as Tonkatsu (とんかつ, 豚かつ) or deep-fried pork cutlet. This western-inspired dish has been enjoyed for over 120 years, with the recipe remaining mostly unchanged since then. So, what makes Tonkatsu special, and how can we make this popular dish at home? Believe it or not, making Japanese pork cutlet at home is easier than you think and should take no more than 30 minutes!
What is Tonkatsu?
For those of you who are new to this Japanese dish, tonkatsu consists of tender pork loin (or fillet) that has been breaded and deep-fried to crunchy perfection. The word Ton (豚) comes from “pork” and Katsu (カツ) is an abbreviation of Katsuretu (カツレツ), derived from the English word “cutlet.” Like many other popular foods in Japan (think ramen, tempura, soba, etc.), there are tonkatsu restaurants that exclusively serve this juicy pork cutlet as their specialty. And no plate of tonkatsu is ever complete without a mound of freshly shredded cabbage and a healthy drizzle of tonkatsu sauce.
A Brief History
Before tonkatsu exploded in popularity as a pork dish in the early 20th century, it was mainly made with beef. When the recipe first appeared around the 1870s, it was already considered a Yoshoku meal (i.e., a Japanese dish inspired by western cuisine). It wasn’t until a couple of decades later that pork would be substituted for beef, becoming the beloved food we enjoy today. Tonkatsu is said to be inspired by the French dish, côtelette de veau, which is essentially breaded veal cutlet pan-fried in butter. One Tokyo restaurant called Rengatei 煉瓦亭 (still open today!) took this concept and made a few changes to appeal to the Japanese palette, and in 1899, Tonkatsu made its debut.
What Makes Tonkatsu Different from Other Cutlets?
By the looks and sounds of it, Tonkatsu seems a lot like other popular fried cutlet dishes such as German schnitzel, Polish kotlet schabowy, and Italian piccata. What makes the Japanese pork cutlet different?
Breading – Rather than using finely ground, stale breadcrumbs, Tonkatsu requires panko (パン粉), a Japanese-style breadcrumb made from soft white bread without the crust. Panko flakes are larger than standard breadcrumbs and absorb less oil when fried. This results in an airy, crispy coating (like tempura) that doesn’t feel too heavy.
Deep-frying – Instead of pan-frying which can results in tougher and greasy meat, deep frying gives the pork a crispy outside and juicy center that is now a key characteristic of the dish.
Sauce – You can’t enjoy Tonkatsu without sweet and tangy Tonkatsu Sauce drizzled on top! You may know this from the popular Bulldog brand that can be found in most Asian grocery stores. If you’d like to try a homemade version, I have a recipe for you.
Cabbage – Why is Tonkatsu (and other Japanese deep-fried foods) almost always served next to a heaping pile of raw, finely shredded cabbage? My mom often says we need to eat twice as much vegetables as meat for a balanced meal. I find fresh cabbage in between bites of crispy Tonkatsu to be refreshing while still providing that satisfying crunch! I like to enjoy it with a little bit of sesame dressing.
How to Make Best Tonkatsu at Home
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Pork – There are two cuts of meat we typically use for this dish: pork loin (ロース rōsu) or tenderloin/fillet (ヒレ hire). Both cuts are fairly lean, but pork loin has a layer of fat that gives the Tonkatsu an extra tender bite when cooked properly (And as with most recipes, the quality of the meat makes all the difference.). Salt and pepperFlour EggPanko – Please get a Japanese brand of panko as non-Japanese brand of panko seem a bit different.Neutral flavored oil for deep frying Tonkatsu sauceSesame seeds (optional)
5 Important Tips to Remember
Tonkatsu is actually one of the quickest and simplest meals you can make at home. You just need to know a few tricks to make the perfect Tonkatsu.
Tip #1: Moisten panko
This is a trick I learned over a decade ago. In Japan, you can purchase a type of panko called Nama Panko (生パン粉; fresh panko), which is basically panko that has a little more moisture (think of it as the white, fluffy parts of bread). To re-create this type of panko, I spray a little water—not pour!—to moisten the panko first (more on this in the recipe).
Tip #2: Make slits on the connective tissue of the pork
Make several slits on the connective tissue (white area) between the meat and fat. The reason why you do this is that red meat and fat have different elasticities, and when they are cooked, they will shrink and expand at different rates. This will allow Tonkatsu to stay nice and flat when deep frying and prevent it from curling up.
Tip #3: Pound pound pound
Getting high-quality ingredients for a recipe that only requires a few things is very important. For this Tonkatsu recipe, you can also improve the texture of the meat and make it extra tender by pounding it first (If you don’t own a meat pounder, just use the back of your knife! That’s what I did in my college days).
Tip #4: Double fry
The key to great Tonkatsu is to double fry the pork and not to overcook the meat. After deep-frying the pork once, let it sit to continue cooking on the inside with remaining heat. After a few minutes, deep fry it a second time to get that perfectly crispy, golden cutlet. If you’re new to deep-frying, I have The Ultimate Guide: How to Deep Fry Foods at Home that will walk you through all the steps with helpful tools.
Tip #5: Clean the oil between batches
Scoop up fried crumbs in the oil with a fine-mesh strainer. It’s very important to keep the oil clean (crumbs free) so it does not turn dark and affect the results of the crust.
How to Dispose of the Cooking Oil
I often get questions about how to deal with used cooking oil after deep-frying, and I have a few solutions: First of all, never pour it down the drain. Not only is it destructive to the environment, but it can also solidify and cause blockages in the pipes. The quick and easy solution is to buy the oil-solidifying powder that you can find at Japanese grocery stores, Asian grocery stores, or online. The powder allows you to dispose of the used oil easily in the trash (Directions for this below). If you can’t find the powder for any reason, then allow the oil to fully cool, and pour it into an empty receptacle (bottle, milk carton, etc.), and toss it in the trash. Be sure to follow your local trash disposal and recycling procedures before disposing of the cooking oil, as this information varies from place to place. In my neighborhood, the local recycling facility accepts used cooking oil, so we bring the used oil there in a bottle and pour it into the designated container.
Don’t Like Deep Frying? Make My Baked Tonkatsu!
For those of you who still prefer a lighter version of Tonkatsu and don’t want to deep fry in your kitchen, you can check out my Baked Tonkatsu recipe. It’s wildly popular and JOC fans simply love it!
More Delicious Tonkatsu Recipes
Baked Tonkatsu Chicken KatsuKatsudonKatsu CurryKatsu SandoMiso KatsuGluten-free Chicken Katsu
Also, check out my list of 17 Best Katsu & Furai Recipes. Wish to learn more about Japanese cooking? Sign up for our free newsletter to receive cooking tips & recipe updates! And stay in touch with me on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram. Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on July 12, 2011. The post has been updated with new images, new content, and a new video in August 2021.
