TON TON Katsuya — Restaurant in Spring Valley

Indulging in the culinary masterpiece that is Katsuya Ton Ton was nothing short of an exquisite journey into the heart of authentic Japanese Katsuya craftsmanship. This establishment, a true ode to the art of gastronomy, has successfully elevated the experience of savoring breaded, deep-fried pork cutlets and seafood to unparalleled excellence.

At the heart of Katsuya Ton Ton's success lies an unwavering commitment to authenticity and an uncompromising dedication to quality. Rice Bran oil, renowned for its ability to withstand high temperatures up to 490 degrees, sets the stage for a culinary experience that transcends the ordinary. In a world where compromise often finds its way into kitchens, Katsuya Ton Ton stands resolute, refusing to dilute the essence of its offerings.

The sourcing of pork and meats from Suntterra, a distinguished farm known for its commitment to ethical and sustainable practices, further attests to the restaurant's pursuit of excellence. Each bite tells a story of quality ingredients thoughtfully chosen to create a symphony of flavors that pays homage to the rich Japanese culinary heritage.

The crown jewel of Katsuya Ton Ton lies in its original sauces, a harmonious blend of fruits and various vegetables that dance on the palate, creating an orchestra of taste sensations. These meticulously crafted sauces add complexity to each dish, elevating them beyond mere culinary creations to actual works of art.

I had a fantastic dining experience: I tried the Pork Loin Katsu Touban-ni Set, which weighed 4.5 oz. The dish was definitely scrumptious in its own realm, with the perfect balance of flavors. However, as I looked around the restaurant, I couldn't help but notice the katsu sets being served to other customers. They were absolute works of art, with a perfect golden crust on the outside and juicy, tender meat on the inside. I couldn't help but feel I made a terrible mistake by not ordering one of those dishes. I was particularly drawn to the umami flavor I could see in every bite. Despite my regret, I'm not too worried as I plan on returning to try those dishes and savor their deliciousness.

The authenticity of Katsuya Ton Ton is further underscored by the use of "panko" breaded crust from Kyoei Foods in Japan, a company specializing in panko artistry. This commitment to importing the essence of Japanese culinary tradition showcases a dedication to providing patrons with the most authentic Japanese Katsuya experience outside Japan.

In the refined ambiance of Katsuya Ton Ton, every detail is a testament to the mastery of their craft. From the carefully sourced ingredients to the commitment to authenticity, this establishment has carved a niche for itself as the epitome of Japanese culinary excellence. As a connoisseur of fine dining, I am pleased to have indulged in the offerings of Katsuya Ton Ton, an establishment that not only meets but exceeds the highest standards of authenticity and sophistication. This is a culinary experience that transcends the ordinary, leaving a lasting impression of the true artistry that is...

I'm super happy that an authentic tonkatsu-ya opened so close to home! I really like Tonkatsu Kiyoshi but it definitely doesn't hurt that another great tonkatsu establishment opened in Vegas. It only raises a awareness of another popular Japanese food outside of sushi, curry, or ramen.

Tonkatsu is basically a breaded deep-fried pork cutlet - so it's a "safe" food (like ramen) that non-sushi/sashimi lovers can enjoy. If you go to a Japanese restaurant that serves tonkatsu, it's your basic pork cutlet but if you come to a restaurant that specializes in tonkatsu - like TON TON Katsuya - then you get to experience all the different types of tonkatsu there are.

TON TON has a great variety of tonkatsu: regular-cut pork loin, thick-cut pork loin, tenderloin, and kurobuta. Kurobuta "comes from Berkshire pigs. That does not mean that meat from all Berkshire pigs, though, qualifies as Kurobata grade. Kurobuta pork is darker than standard pork, with a richer taste, soft white fat, and good marbling throughout. It is never injected with brine water “seasoning”, as much pork is."

So all that to say if you're about the good stuff, then kurobuta is the way to go. So tonkatsu is fried pork - but just like any good state fair where they deep fry anything - you can select other meats. If I say Chicken Katsu, does that ring any bells? Yes, super popular Hawaiian food, right? Basically, tonkatsu but substituting the pork with chicken. So at TON TON, you can get fried jumbo shrimp, fried oysters (they just sold out so I couldn't try these ☹️), fried mackerel, fried crab, fried scallops, etc.

This is getting long so I'll skip to the ambience. I think what I loved as much (if not more) than the food is the atmosphere. It almost felt like a food place in Japan - lively conversations, wonderful/super-friendly staff, open food prep area, a little crammed in the seating area, and lots of "Irasshaimase!" and "Arigatou gozaimashita!" sprinkled in, haha. I'll definitely be coming back soon to try out the rest...

A quintessential Japanese katsu spot. The food is top quality but if you aren't in line before they open, be prepared to wait. It gets busy.

This place literally feels like it was lifted straight from Japan. Everything from the food to the small dining area feels very authentic and traditional. The seating area has been adjusted to accommodate Americans' more.....robust sizing. If they stuck true to Japan standards, they would probably be able to fit another 20 people in the restaurant. But the occupancy is capped at 40, which means if you weren't one of the first in the door by the time they open, be prepared for an hour wait.

The menu is petite, which means they can concentrate on making what they do offer as good as possible. Typical in authentic Japanese cuisine, TON TON uses high quality minimalist ingredients and expert technique that results in a product that is akin to good katsu found in Japan itself. We ordered the salmon, scallops, mussels, and the chicken katsu. There really isn't much to say in terms of katsu. If you had good katsu, this is no different. It's light and crispy, not oily, and tender moist/juicy inside. I don't think you can go wrong ordering anything on the menu. There's pork, shrimp, and vegetarian options as well. Also typical of good Japanese cuisine is they don't really do much to set themselves apart. Basically, "if it ain't broke don't fix it" sort of deal.

The experience at TON TON is holistically an authentic Japanese one. From the long wait/queue, the tiny interior dinning area, and masterfully crafted food, you would think you were transported to Japan for a meal. My only gripe is the price of food is at a premium. While not exactly affordable, the prices are reasonable. Normally it would cost around half this much to eat this type of food in Japan, but considering this place is in the middle of the desert,...