Gyukatsu Motomura Behind Shinjuku Alta Branch — Restaurant in Tokyo

I had the pleasure of dining at a Tonkatsu restaurant in Tokyo and it was definitely worth the visit. Despite hearing about the long wait times, I was pleasantly surprised to find a lot of empty seats when I arrived.

I opted for the one cutlet set meal with a beer, which was the perfect size for me. However, for those with a bigger appetite, I would recommend ordering the 1.5 cutlet or even 2 cutlets. The pork cutlet was perfectly crispy and juicy, and the accompanying Tonkatsu sauce added a nice flavor to the dish.

One of the highlights of the meal was the self-serve experience of cooking beef on a hot stone. The sizzling sound of the raw beef charcoal-grilling on the stone was incredibly satisfying, and it was a unique and interactive way to enjoy the meal. I especially enjoyed counting the seconds to determine the ideal doneness of the beef cutlet.

Additionally, I was pleasantly surprised by the option to add a layer of yam to the rice. This was something I had never tried before, but it was absolutely delicious and may have become my new favorite thing.

Overall, I highly recommend this Tonkatsu restaurant to anyone visiting Tokyo, even if they only have a short trip. While the wait times may be long at times, it is definitely worth the visit for the delicious food and unique...

As a British visitor in Japan, my wife and I were absolutely blown away by our experience at Gyukatsu Motomura. From the moment we walked in, the staff were outstanding — incredibly attentive, warm, and genuinely helpful. Navigating a foreign country can sometimes be intimidating, but the team here made us feel truly welcome and comfortable. Their kindness and care elevated the entire evening.

The beef katsu itself was extraordinary — something completely unique that we simply don’t have back home in London. Perfectly cooked on the outside, tender and flavourful within, it was an absolute treat to grill each piece to our preferred doneness at the table. The meat quality was exceptional, and the assortment of starters and sides complemented the main dish beautifully, making the entire meal feel both special and balanced.

A huge compliment to the kitchen team for their skill and to the serving staff for their impeccable service. This was more than just dinner; it was a memorable experience. We’ll be recommending Gyukatsu Motomura to anyone visiting Tokyo — and we can’t wait to come...

OVERLY HYPED. My overall experience was okay, but I personally think other places are better. They used a great cut of meat, but it was EXTREMELY OILY! I could not eat the whole thing.

The miso soup, pickles, rice and cold tea were great. The fried outer layer of the gyukatsu was not crispy due to the oil. The oil was too much. The experience was ruined a bit by the oil splashing at me from the grill. I also personally wished they offered other options for dressing for the cabbage.

The menu needs some work. They had a Japanese side and an English side. But the English menus did not have the same things offered. On the Japanese menu, you had a choice of changing the set to have ochazuke verses the three small sides, which were more like dips. I believe they need to change their menu.

For a restaurant that has lines out the door, they also should update some of their dishware. I'm sure they could afford to replace the plastic miso soup bowls. The color was chipping off.

Definitely go to a different gyukatsu place or spend your money on...