Tonkatsu Toyama — Restaurant in Tokyo

FOREIGNERS BEWARE

TLDR: They gladly took our foreigner money, but kicked me & my sleeping infant to the curb as soon as they got our money. Called the cops on me for standing on the sidewalk with my now crying infant because taking a pic of their store was "obstruction of business."

We went around 4pm on a Friday. It was pretty empty. My 11mo son wasn't feeling well and was fussy so my mom sat outside with him (so he wouldn't bother other customers) and I switched out with her after. My son ended up running a fever and finally fell asleep in my arms. My parents went to go take a quick look at Sensoji Temple while I sat on the bench so that my son could rest a little more before we took the long subway back to Shibuya. My husband took a walk around the block so it was just me and son. Next thing I know, the employees (grumpy old lady and our server) came out to tell me to leave and that the bench was for customers only. I was confused as I was a customer. Nope, only for customers waiting for a table... but there were empty seats and tables and no one waiting. I asked if I could sit with my son who wasn't feeling well for just a little longer until they got fuller and needed the seats. "No, leave". They said our presence made it seem like there was a wait..... even though anyone could see there was plenty of space available. I then asked if I could scoot further down their bench away from their entrance... "No, leave." Annoyed, I got up and of course my son started wailing from the movement. Pissed, I stook on the sidewalk and took a picture of their store so that I could remember and write my review. Our server and the chef came out to tell me that I was obstructing their business because "I took a picture" of their store and that they would call the cops on me if I didn't leave. I told them to go ahead and they did. Pretty sure the chef came out because they thought I would be intimidated by a male. Cops were surprised when I had told them we WERE customers and not just random people trying to sit on their bench. One was nice and sympathetic while the other kept telling us other places we could sit... not the point, but okay. We left after talking to the cops because my parents had returned and we wanted to get my son back to the hotel.

Totally makes sense now after reading some of the other reviews. They just wanted the foreigners gone after we gave them our money. Wish I would've read reviews before going in. We just saw a tonkatsu shop that was empty and thought we'd try it. Didn't realize we would be patroning an anti-foreigner establishment.

Btw, this all happened in a span of maybe 20-30 minutes at most with...

I’ve been to no less than 30 tonkatsu restaurants across Japan but this one is certainly among the worst experiences I’ve had.

First off, there was a line when we came in, so a staff came out to hand us the menu and make us sit in line. She was an older lady and was bluntly rude. As soon as I started speaking in Japanese, she changed her attitude.

Now to the food part. I ordered 120g tonkatsu set meal. I had high hopes as I peaked over the other table and saw a pinkish slice of pork - so they must know what they’re doing. Apparently not. My pork came out so overcooked there’s not a slightest hue of pink in the meat. Perhaps because I ordered a thinner slice of meat so it’s not cooked as well as others - idk. Or is it just the lack of consistency in the way the chefs cook their meal? Rice was another huge disappointment. They use koshihikari rice, so it should have been fluffy and soft to the last grain. But it felt as if they didn’t add enough water so the rice was hard and chewy like rubber. Pickled dish (お新香) and miso soup were brilliant. I could certainly have more of that. But that’s basically the highlight of the meal, instead of the tonkatsu itself. Cabbage and dressing are just standard stuff you would get anywhere. Nothing special.

Finally, when we went to pay our bill we were charged a suspiciously high price. It turned out they mistakenly charged the bill of a different table. But given the context the person who came to pay was a senior Western tourist, I have my doubts if this was an honest mistake. If we hadn’t noticed they could have got away with it.

Price-wise, it was standard price even though it’s near the tourist area.

If you’re hungry and don’t care what you’re getting then this would be an acceptable option in Asakusa. But if you’re looking for a decent tonkatsu dining experience, I can’t really recommend...

I’ve traveled throughout Japan extensively and tonkatsu is specifically one of my favorite Japanese foods. That being said, this is the best tonkatsu I’ve ever eaten in Japan. When in Japan, I travel to Asakusa just to eat here. I’ve gone to fancier and more expensive tonkatsu restaurants, and none of them compare to Toyama’s 1100-yen hire (filet) katsu set. Tonkatsu is almost always soggy on the bottom, but Toyama is always crisp on all sides. It’s also the juiciest pork I’ve ever eaten - I’m not sure what his secret is. In addition to the pork, Toyama has the best tonjiro soup I’ve ever had, and some of the best rice I’ve eaten in Japan. His sesame dressing is amazing on the cabbage, and for the pork, please skip the tonkatsu sauce and instead use the “black salt” in the little jar to fully appreciate the flavor of the pork. Toyama’s mother recommended this to me on my first trip and it has always stuck with me. The chef/owner of this restaurant is truly a humble master of his craft. I’ll never forget when I visited my second time, it had been 2 years since my first and only visit and he still remembered me and where I lived in the US, though we only chatted for a few minutes years ago. I find it remarkable that a humble tonkatsu shop in Asakusa has become one of my most memorable places in Japan. Please visit if you’re in Tokyo at all, not...