If you like wagyu beet and you like crumbed schnitzel, gyukatsu will be like your match made in heaven! Gyukatsu is a deep-fried cutlet of wagyu, lightly crispy on the outside and rare on the inside. It's served to your table in a huge set including barley-infused rice and side dishes of grated yam (tororo), miso soup, cabbage salad, pollack roe (mentaiko) and wasabi mochi. You also have a small stone hot plate placed in front of you where you finish off the beef. Some might prefer it rare. Me? I don't mind a medium or a medium-rare here, just to render the marbled fats inside the beet pieces a bit more. An extra 30 seconds on the hot plate give or take will give you extra crusting and extra melt-in-mouthness. I love the variety of ways you can cat your gyukatsu. lake your first piece and dip it into the horseradish and onion sauce. lake your next piece and add some wasabi, then dip it into shoyu (soy sauce). lake your third piece, dip it into the shoyu and then cook it on the hot plate so the meat cooks with the shoyu. Sec what I mean? The grated yam thing was quite interesting to me at first, but I did quite like it by the end. It doesn't have much flavour to it, but as you can imagine it changes the texture of the rice. Did I mention there's unlimited rice refills?
Gyukatsu's great, and you can find this particular group of stores Gyukatsu Motomura in many major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Fukuoka. And if you can't, I'm sure there are other places that serve it too. It's just fun to try so...
Read moreCrispy, Juicy, and Irresistible: A Beef Cutlet Set Adventure in Japan
My recent trip to Japan led me to a culinary delight I hadn't anticipated - the beef cutlet set. Intrigued by its unique presentation and rave reviews, I decided to give it a try. And boy, am I glad I did!
The set arrived on a sizzling hot plate, the centerpiece being a beautifully breaded beef cutlet. As I lifted the crispy exterior, the aroma of sizzling meat filled the air. The cutlet was cooked to perfection, with a perfectly balanced pink center and a golden-brown crust.
The first bite was pure bliss. The contrast between the tender, juicy meat and the crunchy breading was simply amazing. Each bite was a symphony of flavors, enhanced by the various dipping sauces provided. The wasabi soy sauce added a spicy kick, while the salt highlighted the natural sweetness of the beef.
The set also included a bowl of rice, miso soup, and a side salad. The rice was fluffy and perfectly complemented the rich flavors of the cutlet. The miso soup was warm and comforting, while the salad provided a refreshing palate cleanser.
If you're ever in Japan and looking for a unique and delicious dining experience, I highly recommend trying a beef cutlet set. It's a truly unforgettable culinary adventure that will leave you...
Read moreGreat beef katsu, worth the wait. Being able to grill your own beef on a stone plate adds to the experience. The 3 included sides are a nice way for the restaurant to introduce customers to Japanese cuisine. Being a fan of warabimochi, I especially appreciated that side dish. (Though I prefer softer warabimochi, this one was decent.)
The beef katsu itself is very tender. It may look thin/small, but the meat is rich and filling.
The menu is quite simple - choose from 3 portion sizes of beef katsu, then choose your drink (none, soft drink +600 yen, beer +800 yen, or highball +700 yen). The drinks are a bit overpriced. You will be served cold tea even if you don't order any drinks.
In terms of logistics, the line starts in front of the restaurant but cuts off in order not to block other restaurants. It continues just outside the sliding doors to the left. It's not the most obvious thing, but the staff can point you in the right direction.
While in queue, one of the staff will ask for the number of people in your group. Later, they will give you a menu so that you can place your order prior to being seated. You will receive your food shortly after being seated. Other than the identification of the queuing location, the overall process is...
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