Tonkatsu is Japanese pork cutlet—the juicy pork breaded with crunchy panko served with the sweet and tangy sauce.
Sometimes, I suddenly get a craving for Tonkastu pork, usually midnight. Well, I don’t deep fry at midnight, so on the next day, I make a few extra Tonkatsu for the week. The good thing about Tonkatsu is that it is a highly versatile dish. With different sauces and application, Tonkatsu can be many different dishes such as katsu sandwich, miso-katsu rice bowl, katsu-don (pork cutlet and egg rice bowl), katsu curry, and more.
So you made extra or you have some left over? That’s fine. Turn the day old Tonkatsu into different dishes for your lunch in the week!
The tip is the double breading for extra crunchiness. After salt and pepper both sides of pork chops, Dredge them with AP flour and shake off excess flour. Dip them in egg wash and coat them with panko. Repeat egg wash and panko again.
Do not overcrowd the oil. Deep fry the each pork one at a time if you want use less oil.
Serve Tonkatsu with shredded cabbage and steamed rice!
Tonkatsu (Japanese Pork Cutlet)
Ingredients
- 2 ea boneless pork loin chop, about 1/2 inch thickness
- kosher salt & ground black pepper, to season
- peanut oil or canola oil, to deep fry
Tonkatsu sauce
- 4 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp brown suger
- 1 tbsp honey
Breading
- AP flour, some
- 2 ea whole eggs, beaten with 1 tbsp of water
- panko, some
To serve with
- 2 servings steamed Japanese rice
- 1/2 heads cabbage, shredded
- 1/2 ea lemon, cut into wedges
- 1-3 tsp dijon mustard
Instructions
- Sprinkle kosher salt and black pepper on both sides of the pork chops. In a small frying pan, pour the oil up to 1 inch deep over medium heat.
- Make Tonkatsu sauce. Put all the Tonkatsu sauce ingredients in another pot. Heat and simmer for about 3 minutes until thcikened. Set it aside.
- Bread pork chops. Dredge the pork with AP flour and shake off the excess flour. Dip in the egg wash and coat with panko. Repeat the egg wash and panko.
- Check the temperature of the oil. It should be kept around 350F. Deep fry each pork chop until they are cooked through about 3-4 minutes. Flip them occasionally. Drain on a rack.
- Cut the pork cutlets into 6 pieces. Serve them with shredded cabbage, lemon wedges, mustard, and steamed rice. Pour the Tonkatsu sauce over pork cutlets.
Tara says
Tonkatsu is a favorite of mine! Especially with curry. Yours looks incredible. Now I am having a craving for it.
Misa O'Donnell says
Thanks! Curry tonkatsu is my favorite too! That’s my tonight plan with left over tonkatsu!!
Renee Gardner says
I wish I had one of these for dinner!
Misa O'Donnell says
You should!! Thanks!
Luci's Morsels says
This looks absolutely delicious and I am having some serious dinner envy right now. I have tried something similar in a restaurant but knowing I can have this at home any time I want; yes please! Thanks for sharing! Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.
Misa O'Donnell says
Thank you! Yes! Tonkatsu is fairly easy, nice quick option for dinner!
Platter Talk says
I have a good friend who is Japanese. She makes something very similar to this and I’ve always have enjoyed it.
Misa O'Donnell says
Especially right after from deep frying is the BEST!
Alyssa says
I could drizzle that Tonkatsu sauce on everything! Great coloring.
Misa O'Donnell says
I agreee! Tonkatsu sauce on rice!!