After receiving plenty of submissions in COOK SNAP WIN 2018 competition and many months of anticipation, it was finally time for us to start our adventure in Tokyo. The food scene in the hustling, bustling capital city of Japan is one of the most renowned in the world and we were so keen to eat our way through it. None of us could wait to try out different local delicacies and learn more about Japanese cuisine along the way.
After landing in Tokyo and taking some time to settle in, we were ready to kick-off our Tokyo food adventure. Our first stop was Tonkatsu Maisen in Omotesando. Their reputation for making a mean tonkatsu precedes them, so this restaurant was high up on our to-do list.
We arrived at Tonkatsu Maisen, and we sat on tatami mats to enjoy a true authentic Japanese dining experience. This was also the first meal we shared as a group, so the casual yet traditional setting was great for facilitating conversations, as we got to know each other over some great Japanese food.
Offering a range of tonkatsu in several varieties of high-grade specialty pork, we weren’t sure what to pick from their menu. In the end, we ordered a range of different tonkatsu, which was served with cabbage, rice and sauces, along with sushi and soba noodles. The Kurobuta (Berkshire Pork) tonkatsu was a highlight; it was so crispy on the outside, while the meat was so tender on the inside, which was perfectly paired with Worcestershire sauce. We also had the chance to try out two other types of pork that Tonkatsu Maisen only offer in limited amounts per day—the Amai-Yuwaku (their exclusive brand of pork) and Tokyo-X, which was so juicy and tender because of its marbled meat. It’s safe to say that our first meal in Tokyo was nothing short of amazing.
After a great start to our food adventure, we had the rest of the day free to wander about and adjust to our surroundings before the next three big days that were to follow. Of course, it was just our luck that it started raining after lunch, but with Japan’s signature transparent umbrellas to help us stay dry, we went our separate ways to explore some more of Tokyo and relax before the next three action packed days.
Recipe Highlight:
Tonkatsu (Japanese Pork Cutlets)
Ingredients
- 150g x 4 pork loin or tenderloin
- 25g flour
- 2 egg (beaten lightly)
- 100g panko breadcrumbs
- Oil (for deep-frying)
Dipping Sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato sauce
- ½ tbsp soy sauce
- ½ tbsp sherry wine
- 1 tsp mustard
Instructions
- Pound the pork to make ‘schnitzels’. Dip into the flour, then the egg and finally the breadcrumbs.
- Fry in a pan until golden, then drain on paper towel and serve with the sauce.
- Mix together dipping sauce ingredients, adding more tomato sauce if you prefer a sweeter sauce.
