Tokyo Tonkatsu — Restaurant in Eugene

This is somewhere I love to go if I want something to hug my soul. I like to think of myself of less of a “plain gal” and more of someone who loves the classics. That’s why I order the Katsu. The dish that started it all. It comes out crispy & hot. Bonus points for the little grate it comes on because nothing puts me off more than someone that’s crispy on top and soggy on the bottom. I love a restaurant that thinks of common problems and has simple (yet effective) solutions such as that! So aside from the Katsu always being crispy & crunchy chefs kiss I also enjoy the little cabbage salad they add as a side. It comes with a few sauces drizzled on top that together make a very flavorful dressing! I personally love having something refreshing (such as a salad of some sorts) when eating something fried because it can really complement the fattiness you get from fried foods (think celery w/fried wings).

Aside from the food I also enjoy that you can see the kitchen. Something I have come to appreciate is seeing how dedicated people are when it comes to cooking/serving their food. I frequently see the same people (possibly the owners) in the kitchen preparing the orders fresh and knowing my food isn’t pre-made gives me a sense of comfort. It’s like “I am worth a fresh Katsu thank you”! Validating!

The ONLY reason I have service 4/5 is because it seems that everyone does a little of everything so there aren’t defined roles. It makes it a little difficult to get refills and anything else you may need because the waitress is also cooking food and ringing people up but I can also appreciate an employee who dabbles in each role. So make sure to ask for what you need in advance or be patient with them if you do need any...

While visiting Eugene, my daughter and I were craving ramen. We had heard about a few places, but the online photos of Tokyo Tonkatsu had me hooked—I had to try it!

The restaurant is located downtown, and parking was easier than expected. While it wasn’t as fancy as I had imagined, I was immediately greeted with kindness by a server working in the open kitchen. Behind the counter, it looked like a family was preparing the meals, adding to the cozy, welcoming atmosphere.

Ordering was simple, with a counter displaying pictures of each dish, and I appreciated that each item was numbered—helpful for those who may not be familiar with the pronunciations. After reading reviews beforehand, I had already decided between the King Ramen and the Katsu Ramen. I ultimately chose the King Ramen with a miso base, which came loaded with kimchi, karaage, chashu, a soft-boiled egg, special spicy sauce, corn butter, bean sprouts, menma, wakame, green beans, and green onions, all topped with their house chicken.

After placing my order, I took a number and found a seat. In just about five minutes, my meal arrived—WOW! The portion was huge. The chicken was crispy on the outside, perfectly cooked on the inside, and seasoned to perfection. The broth was rich and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice. Every ingredient blended beautifully, making for an incredibly satisfying meal.

I only wish I could have finished all of it! Small mom-and-pop restaurants like this deserve our support, and if you’re looking for an amazing ramen spot in Eugene, this is a must-try.

Thank you,...

The broth didn't pack the punch you'd normally expect from a Tonkatsu. That said, it was not super heavy either. So my tummy wasn't angry after, which was nice. The chashu pork was perfect. I would have ordered more if I knew that it only came with one slice. The soft boiled egg is a bit underwhelming. The egg yolk was overdone, and it wasn't seasoned. The green onions were nice, but overpowering. I couldn't they their taste out of my mouth all day, even after brushing my teeth. More toppings in general would have been nice. There were hardly any ginger or bamboo shoots in the ramen. The noodles were very different! They were on the thicker side, and not uniform in shape, which probably means that they are fresh, hand-made noodles. It's worth asking about.

The Inari Is less sweet than most places. The salad dressing was a bit too thick for me. The boba was on point! And they let you customize your sweetness. I got the taro boba milk tea with 0% sweetener, and it was lovely.

You have to order everything at the counter beforehand. They have some images behind the register of their plates to help you choose what you want. They don't seem to sanitize their menus after they are touched, but there was hand sanitizer available next to the cashier.

We will definitely stop by again the next time we...