Last updated on September 14th, 2024
Katsukura, a Kyoto-based restaurant, specializes in tonkatsu (pork cutlets) and prides itself on high-quality ingredients. The restaurant is incredibly popular in Kyoto and throughout Japan.
Katsukura (かつくら) is a tonkatsu restaurant based in Kyoto that is popular among locals and tourists. The restaurant takes pride in serving healthy and high-quality tonkatsu, which is a breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet. Katsukura has several branches in Kyoto and throughout Japan.
I have eaten tonkatsu many times and would like to try Katsukura during one of my visits to Kyoto. This place was a perfect find. If you’re looking for a delicious dinner after a long day of sightseeing, I highly recommend going to Katsukura for a satisfying tonkatsu meal. Here is my food review to Katsukura in Kyoto Station.
Our Food Visit to Katsukura Kyoto
During this trip, we stayed at Hotel Keihan Grande Kyoto, which is conveniently located within 3 minutes from Kyoto Station. There are plenty of dining options to choose from. We decided to try out Katsukura in Kyoto Station due to its many positive reviews.
Katsukura can be found on the 11th floor of the Kyoto Station Building in the Cube. We stopped by for an early dinner. Despite it being early, the restaurant was popular among both locals and tourists. No reservation is accepted and we had to wait for about 40 minutes. However, the wait was definitely worth it.
The interior of Katsukura was bright and welcoming. Diners can choose to sit at the beautiful large wooden communal table for solo or small parties, or opt for traditional tables for family dinners.
What To Order at Katsukura
While waiting in line, we were provided with a menu to choose our food from. The menu was in English and also included instructions on how to eat the dishes.
Katsukura offers set menus with different courses as well as a la carte options. Meat portions come in three sizes of 80g, 120g (optimum), 180g. Even if you’re not a fan of pork, there are other non-pork options available here, such as crab cream croquettes, fried shrimp, and even seasonal special set.
I opted for the popular pork tenderloin with prawn cutlet and my friend choose the pork cutlet set menu. The set meal includes the main meal, and free refill of rice, cabbage salad, and miso soup. The time from ordering to delivery was about 12 minutes after we seated.
Tonkatsu Cutlet Souces
Special mention must be made of the tonkatsu sauce here. There were two dipping sauces for the cutlets: Katsukura Original Sauce and Spicy Sauce. All the sauces are made in-house with an original blend of red wine and fruit chutney. Make sure you try all the sauces!
What’s also unique here is that you can blend your dipping sauce at the table.
Here’s what to do if you’re eating tonkatsu for the first time:
Firstly, grind the sesame seeds and add the sauce of your choice. As you grind the seeds, they will release their oils and aromas, which is intoxicating. My vote goes for the Katsukura original sauce. Then, stir in your sauce(s) of choice and adjust the dipping sauce to your liking. You can even add some mustard if you wish!
Additionally, there is a Yuzu Salad Dressing for the cabbage salad. We enjoyed the way the cabbage salad was enhanced by the strong yuzu flavor. The tantalizing and aromatic yuzu perfectly complements the richness of the meal.
Katsukura Kyoto: The Food
Take a look at our tempting pork cutlet set!
For set menu, you’ll also got the free flow of rice, soup, and cabbage salad. While the barley rice was simple, I enjoyed how hearty the miso soup was, especially on a cold night. The soup included an assortment of vegetables, such as sliced carrots, mushrooms, onions, lotus root, bamboo shoots, and seaweed. It was flavorful, light, and delicious, which complemented the rich tonkatsu.
The flavor of the pickled vegetables was interesting, with a sweet, salty, and citrusy taste. Some of the cabbage were soft, while some pieces were crunchy.
Next, for the main star of the Katsukura. The pork was thick and meaty. The portion size was quite generous for the amount that we ordered (you can choose your portion).
The deep-fried cutlet was perfect with the meat still moist. It wasn’t as dry as I was expecting and it tasted great. I highly recommend going for the highest quality pork – you won’t regret it. I am happy with the tonkatsu given the price paid.
Overall: Katsukura Food Review
All in all, we highly recommend Katsukura in Kyoto. The food may not be traditional Kyoto cuisine, but it is truly delicious and simply incredible. Considering the quality of the ingredients, the prices are also reasonable. If you’re ever near Kyoto Station, why not stop by and try Katsukura? Just be prepared to wait in line.
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Lastly, if you’re heading to Kyoto, feel free to also check out my Kyoto travel stories:
- 15 Things To Do and Eat for 3 Days in Kyoto
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- Half Day Trip To Arashiyama
- Ride On Arashiyama Sagano Scenic Railway
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine: A Complete Travel Guide
- Trip To Kinkakuji, Golden Pavilion
- Kiyomizudera Itinerary with Walking Guide
- Nishiki Market Travel Guide: What To Eat and Buy
