Tonkatsu Juroku — Restaurant in Tokyo

Best tonkatsu place ever (after consuming countless tonkatsu for the past 3+ decades)!

WAITING TIME (15-20 mins)

Went here around lunchtime in January on a Sunday. There was one person in line, so just waited between 15-20 minutes. There is a menu outside with english translations and none inside (but maybe they have one if you ask), so if you can't read Japanese I suggest making a decision while waiting in line. Otherwise they have a chalkboard menu and a table menu written in Japanese inside.

ATMOSPHERE (Clean and Welcoming)

The place is small (can seat probably around 10 people), but looks clean and welcoming. The chef and server, which seemed like husband and wife who own the place, were very friendly.

FOOD (AMAZING)

Miso

They prepare their miso soup just as you sit down, so you may have to wait for it about 5 minutes or so. That's a good sign because it's fresh for every customer. All I can say is, it was one the best miso soups I've tried ever! It was rich but not too salty and has a generous amount of tofu.

Filet & Loin Katsu

We ordered the Filet Katsu Set and the Loin Katsu Set. Both sets have miso soup (mentioned above), cabbage, and rice. Both were cooked to perfection! The filet was a bit more juicy, and the loin had a bit more crunch. None were dry at all (which is a problem I've experienced in other restaurants). The sauce was a little sweet and a little salty. I prefer a bit more salty, but it was delicious nonetheless. This place actually has better tonkatsu than the other popular places where you have to wait 40 minutes or longer.

PRICE (WORTH IT)

We paid ¥2,600 per set, and it was completely worth it! Everything was made from scratch and it clearly shows how much passion they put on the plates. This is my new favorite tonkatsu place! Would definitely...

Entered at 11:35am Thursday morning, no wait at all.

OVERALL: 5 stars

FOOD: 5 stars We both ordered the ロース pork loin, and I added a massive Ebi Fry which came with house tartar sauce. The pork was thick and amazing and comes from a farm in Ibaraki Prefecture. Incredible quality of pork. Could cut it with a fork.

The side dishes including the tomatoes with jelly (peeled), komatsuna, and boiled eggplant were delicious. Housemade tonkatsu sauces (2) a spicy one and a more orthodox dark, ketchup/tomato-based one, housemade sesame dressing, sea salt from Kamikamakari-shima 上蒲刈島, Yuzu Kosho, and mustard. Rice refills are free, but I was too full to try; miso soup is on par. The handmade sauces are a nice touch.

SERVICE: 5 stars Okami-san was very cordial and kind. Filled up our ice water frequently on a hot day and made conversation. Chef was also kind.

ATMOSPHERE: 4 stars Counter and one table. Very compact and narrow. That pork was amazing!

One of the better tonkatsu I have tasted in Tokyo. In particular, I preferred the tomato based tonkatsu sauce. I will return for sure!!

Please try. You won’t be...

Absolutely phenomenal restaurant. To turn such simple and affordable ingredients into something this delicious is truly masterful. Came here twice on during my three weeks in Japan during the golden route. Don’t bother wasting time eating at the other tonkatsu place around the block. Although this place is smaller and more intimate, the quality and taste of the meals here were far superior. Everything was made to order and even the rice was made in small batches in “hagamas” instead of a modern rice cooker. The result was impressive. The texture and flavor of the rice was truly superb. This was by far one of the best meals I had in Japan. Highly recommend the soy based tonkatsu sauce-something I was not aware was an option prior to this restaurant, despite trying other tonkatsu spots. Service was attentive and phenomenal as well. Although we lucked out and did not have to wait both times as walk ins, I urge potential patrons to wait if needed to try this meal. Also please be mindful if there’s a line and you’re done eating. Could not recommend...