Maisen (Tonkatsu)

Maisen is one of the most famous tonkatsu restaurants in Tokyo. Tonkatsu is breaded portk cutlet, typically eaten with shredded cabbage and a sweet, dark tangy sauce. Maisen has interesting architecture because the building used to be a bath house pre-WWII.

The restaurant is famous for its black pork, which supposedly comes from China and has a sweet, intense flavor. Interestingly enough, the waiter did not recommend that we order the black pork (it was more expensive), and instead just suggested that we get the normal pork set menu.

That still set us back $30 a person!

Our pork cutlets were delicious. tender, and juicy. These were perfectly fried and paired perfectly with the tangy dipping sauce. A high pile of perfectly shredded cabbage on the side completed the meal. Yum. Typically I don’t finish an entire chunk of meat, but I couldn’t stop eating this one, and I ate the whole thing.

This restaurant is definitely worth checking out. It is a bit hard to find (we wandered a bit), but it’s not too far from Harajuku. It’s actually off of a side street near Ometesando Hills, and the closest subway stop is the Ometesando Hills stop.