Tonkatsu
Tonkatsu
Tonkatsu, a thick pork loin or fillet breaded in panko and deep-fried until golden and crispy, is one of the most beloved dishes in Japan's yōshoku tradition, the Japanese take on Western-influenced cooking that flourished in the Meiji and Taisho eras. Unlike European schnitzel, tonkatsu uses panko breadcrumbs, which are coarser and produce a distinctively crunchy, airy crust that holds up well even after resting. It is served with finely shredded raw cabbage, rice and a thick, fruity tonkatsu sauce, and it is deeply satisfying in a way that few dishes match.
Making excellent tonkatsu at home requires a few key pieces of equipment. The first is a pot or pan with sufficient depth to fry a thick cutlet without the oil overflowing when the meat is added, typically at least eight centimetres of oil depth is needed. The second is a reliable thermometer to maintain the oil at around 170 to 180 degrees Celsius throughout the frying process. Too cold and the crust absorbs oil; too hot and the outside browns before the pork is cooked through.
A meat tenderiser or the back of a knife is useful for flattening and tenderising the cutlet before breading, which improves both texture and cooking speed. A draining rack placed over a tray allows the finished cutlet to rest without steaming the underside, preserving the crunch. The cabbage shredder, a specialised tool that produces the uniform, ultra-fine shreds that accompany tonkatsu in every restaurant in Japan, is also included in this collection and makes preparing the garnish significantly faster.
The condiments matter too: a bottle of Bulldog tonkatsu sauce, which is the standard in Japan, is as important as the cooking tools.
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Showing 22 products
AVAILABILITY: In stock (10 items)
The Damascus Kitchen Knife, Japanese blade featuring a multi-layered Damascus steel pattern with a VG-10 core for exceptional sharpness. Each knife displays a unique flowing grain pattern. Blade Typology Multi-Functional Sushi, Sashimi, and Everyday Prep Knife Master Bladesmith KAI Corporation...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (0 items)
Japanese Karashi Paste, pungent, spicy mustard condiment with sharper, more intense heat than Western mustard. Essential for oden, natto, tonkatsu, and gyoza dipping sauces. Includes 2 tubes × 43g Origin Made in Japan 🇯🇵 Browse also: tonkatsu tools, oden tools,...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (2 items)
Asabashi Plates are Japanese ceramic plates with the classic Asabashi morning chopstick pattern, a subtle geometric design in blue and white that references the clean, orderly aesthetic of traditional Japanese tableware. Artisan Pottery Style Authentic Mino Ware (Mino-yaki / 美濃焼)...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (499 items)
Nami Plates are Japanese ceramic plates with the flowing wave Nami pattern in classic blue and white. Timeless and versatile, they suit everyday Japanese dining as well as more formal table presentations. Artisan Pottery Style Authentic Mino Ware (Mino-yaki /...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (499 items)
Kujira Plates (set of 2), ceramic plates from the coordinated Kujira whale collection. Perfect for main dishes and sharing plates in a cohesive ocean-themed Japanese table setting. Collection Line "Kujira" (Traditional Hand-Painted Whale Motif) Vessel Profile Deep Rimmed Pasta, Rice,...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (-1 items)
The Fryer Skimmer (Kasuage), Japanese wire-mesh skimmer for lifting and draining fried foods, and removing tempura batter bits from hot oil to keep frying oil clean between batches. Product Typology Kasuage / Aku-tori (かす揚げ: Culinary Micro-Mesh Skimmer & Oil Refiner)...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (0 items)
The Tempura Fryer Pot, Japanese deep-frying pot with a draining rack and thermometer for consistent, clean tempura frying at home. Compact design suits small Japanese kitchen hobs. Artisan Manufacturer Yoshikawa Cookware (Est. 1946) Vessel Typology Agemono Nabe (Specialized Japanese Deep...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (500 items)
The PRO Tempura Pot Fryer, professional-grade Japanese deep-frying pot with a thermometer and draining rack. Thick stainless steel base maintains stable oil temperatures for consistently perfect tempura. Vessel Typology Traditional Japanese Tempura Fryer (天ぷら錈 - Tenpura Nabe) Special Functionality Integrated...
AVAILABILITY: Out of Stock
Bulldog Tonkatsu Sauce, Japan's most popular fruit-and-vegetable-based brown sauce. Tangy, slightly sweet, as iconic in Japan as ketchup is in the West. Brand Bulldog Type Tonkatsu sauce (Japanese brown sauce) Origin Japan Japan's number-one tonkatsu sauce brand Essential for tonkatsu,...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (0 items)
The Stainless Tempura Vat Set includes a deep pot and draining rack for frying perfect tempura at home. The rack keeps earlier batches crisp above the oil as you cook. Includes 3-piece set (lids + trays) Dimensions 22.2 × 16.8...