Tonpachi Tei

Order the pork loin cutlet set meal for a refined tonkatsu experience with a thin, delicate breading and juicy, slow-cooked pork.

In their own words: “This next stop is a tonkatsu restaurant near Okachimachi Station close enough to walk from Ueno. The tonkatsu place has been around since 1947. No surprise, this place has earned multiple Bib Gourmand awards from the Michelin Guide Tokyo, even landing that spot nine years in a row at one point. Their motto is all about treating each dish with care. They use high-quality pork and prepare it to bring out as much natural flavor as possible. I got the pork loin cutlet set meal for ¥2400/$16.48. It had that perfect pink center and looked absolutely spot-on. Compared to standard cutlets, the breading here is thinner and more delicate. Each slice is thick and juicy, cooked slowly in low-temperature lard to keep the texture soft and moist. Honestly, it felt like the ideal version of tonkatsu light, flavorful, and satisfying without being too much.”