Initially, I thought Tonkatsu by Wa Kitchen is a sister company of Tonkatsu by Ma Maison since they offer similar menu at similar price. It was only after I found out that Wa Kitchen doesn't offer multi-grain rice did I felt like Wa Kitchen is a competitor and I start noticing the differences (note that I still don't know whether they are competitors. It was just my feeling at this point of writing).

The problem was, at that the time of ordering, I wanted the Ma Maison experience for their standard pork fillet tonkatsu. Did I get it at Wa Kitchen? The answer was no. Here's what I notice: Rice: Wa Kitchen didn't understand the significant of multi-grain rice. -1 Meat: Didn't experience much difference. Cabbage: Wa Kitchen cabbage looks and tasted dryer. Also, no salad dressing. Soup: Wa Kitchen soup is much clearer. Ma Maison tonjiru soup is richer. -1 Environment: Ma Maison has darker environment at its branch in in the same mall. The darker environment probably would make me eat more since I won't be as aware of my surrounding.

Eating experience: Normally, I would have one refill of multi-grain rice and cabbage with 2 refills of soup. At Wa Kitchen, I didn't even desired to refill anything.

Price: The price is similar but slightly more expensive for Wa Kitchen.

In the end of the day, these are luxury items. I don't spend RM30+ for a meal just to sate my hunger. The Ma Maison tonkatsu is an acquired taste. Whether Wa Kitchen can pass this bar and be included in my favorite list is not up to my logical senses. The requisite depends on its emotional appeal. So far, after two outings, I haven't bellow the unexpected urge to eat Wa Kitchen style of tokatsu yet.

By the way, Wa Kitchen is rewarding customer with free chawanmushi if they leave a review on Google Maps and show the review to the staff. This may explain the higher than usual 4 and 5 stars ratings (it would be awkward to show the staff 3 stars or below ratings to get the chawanmushi). Of course, I have to go back home to post my review.