Japanese Tonkatsu Deep Fried Pork Cutlets

Name: Japanese Tonkatsu Deep Fried Pork Cutlet
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 pieces Pork cutlets ((Pork chop/loin)); 2 Large Eggs; 1/2 cup All purpose flour; 1.5 cup Japanese style bread crumbs; 1 cup Vegetable oil; 1/8 teaspoon Salt (Sprinkle on the deep fried pork chop before cutting); 1/8 teaspoon Salt; 1/8 teaspoon Five spices

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Crispy and tasty tonkatsu (豚カツ), deep fried pork cutlets, is a classic and popular Japanese cuisine besides gyudon beef bowl and chicken teriyaki rice bowl. It is hard to stop eating after you try one! Also, this simple Japanese tonkatsu recipe has step by step photo instructions and a video. It is great to go with Japanese curry to make a curry tonkatsu dish. Besides, you can serve with miso soup, California rolls and crispy teriyaki tofu as a side. Let’s learn how to make crispy tonkatsu, pork katsu, at home for your meals.

Love Japanese food? Also, check out these red bean mochi, gyudon beef bowl, chicken teriyaki rice bowl, crispy teriyaki tofu, teriyaki sauce, chicken udon stir fry and miso soup recipes.

Crispy Japanese tonkatsu deep fried pork cutlets

What is tonkatsu (豚カツ)?

Tonkatsu (豚カツ) is a popular Japanese dish and originated from Japan which consists of a breaded deep fried pork cutlet. Ton (豚) means pig. Katsu (カツ) which is a short form of katsuretsu (カツレツ) means cutlet. It is a beloved dish in Japan and can be found in many restaurants serving it as bento box for lunch or dinner.

In order to make crispy and juicy tonkatsu, it involves several steps. A pork cutlet, typically made from filet or loin. First of all, the pork cutlet is tenderized by pounding it to an even thickness. Then, season the meat. Next, the pork cutlet is coated in a breading mixture. Usually, it consists of three layers: flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs.

Once breaded, the pork cutlet is ready for deep frying until golden brown and cooked through. The frying process results in a crispy exterior while keeping the meat inside tender and juicy. After frying the tonkatsu, it is usually drained on a wire rack or paper towels to remove or absorb excess oil.

What is Japanese tonkatsu served with?

Japanese tonkatsu is traditionally served on top of shredded cabbage. Some variations of side dishes such as rice, miso soup, Japanese curry, pickles or a small salad. Often, Japanese tonkatsu is served with tonkatsu sauce as a dipping sauce.

People love and enjoy tonkatsu because of the combination of the tender, juicy pork cutlet with the crispy breading. Also, the accompanying sauce and side dishes, it creates a satisfying and delicious meal. It is a comforting dish in Japanese cuisine.

What are panko breadcrumbs?

To make crispy, crunchy and juicy tonkatsu, the key ingredient is panko breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are a type of breadcrumb. The word "panko" means "bread-flour" in Japanese. It is commonly used in Japanese cuisine such as tonkatsu, tempura, fried shrimp, fish filets, and vegetables.

Unlike regular breadcrumbs they are made from dried and finely ground bread. Besides, panko breadcrumbs are made from white bread that has been processed into large, coarse flakes or crumbs. Therefore, the light and crisp texture of panko breadcrumbs adds a desirable crunch to dishes. You can find panko breadcrumbs at Asian grocery stores and some mainstream supermarkets.

What is tonkatsu sauce?

Tonkatsu sauce is a thick, tangy and slightly sweet sauce commonly served with tonkatsu, the Japanese breaded and deep fried pork cutlet. It is a staple condiment in Japanese cuisine. The flavor of tonkatsu sauce is a combination of savory, sweet and tangy.

The ingredients are worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, ketchup, sugar, vinegar, and sometimes fruits or vegetables like apples, onions, or carrots. These ingredients are blended together to create a well-balanced and flavorful sauce. You can make your own homemade tonkatsu sauce or buy it at the store. Also, you can use regular American BBQ sauce, Japanese mayo or sweet Thai chili sauce if you like sweet and spicy kick flavors.

How to prevent tonkatsu curling?

To prevent tonkatsu from curling during the cooking process, cut a slit into the fat, pound the meat gently with a meat mallet or placing it between plastic wrap and use a rolling pin to flatten it.

Tonkatsu vs Katsudon:

Both tonkatsu and katsudon are popular Japanese dishes that feature a breaded and deep fried pork cutlet. However, they differ in terms of their presentation and serving style.

Tonkatsu is served as a standalone dish where the breaded and deep fried pork cutlet is the main dish. It is typically presented as a whole cutlet or cut into strips on a plate or on top of a bed of shredded cabbage. Also, it is commonly served in a bento box with a bowl of rice, miso soup, pickles and tonkatsu sauce as condiments.

On the other hand, katsudon is a rice bowl dish consisting of a tonkatsu (breaded and deep fried pork cutlet) that is simmered in a sweet and savory sauce with onions and eggs. It is often garnished with green onions and sprinkled with shichimi togarashi, a Japanese seven-spice blend, for more flavor and spice.

What are the ingredients for Japanese deep fried pork cutlets?

In this Japanese crispy tonkatsu recipe, the main ingredients are pork cutlets, flour, eggs, Japanese bread crumbs, salt and five spice powder.

Cooking tips for how to make Japanese tonkatsu:

To marinate the meat at least 15 minutes before cooking and it turns out fine as well.
Personally I like to use Japanese style bread crumbs because it's more fluffy and crispy.
We like thin tonkatsu, so I like to use thin cut pork chop or cutlet and pound it with meat mallet.
If you want crispy tonkatsu, the trick is to double deep fried which means to deep fried pork chop again.

FAQs:

What is tonkatsu served with?

Often it is served with shredded cabbage, rice, miso soup, Japanese curry and tonkatsu sauce.

What do you use for the dipping sauce?

Normally, I use Japanese tonkatsu sauce which is like brown worcestershire sauce which is made from tomatoes, prunes, dates, apples, lemon juice, carrots, onions, and celery ingredients. You can also use regular American BBQ sauce or Japanese mayo.

What kind of bread crumbs do you use?

To make this Japanese tonkatsu deep fried pork cutlet, I like to use Japanese style bread crumbs. Personally, I like to use the blue package in the picture below because it's fluffy and crispy.

Can I use chicken instead of pork?

Yes, you can use chicken to make chicken katsu. It is similar to this tonkatsu recipe.

What is the temperature for crispy deep fried pork chops?

Heat up oil around 350F and deep fry the pork slightly golden. Take out the pork, increase the temperature at 375F and deep fry the pork again until it’s golden brown. Double deep fry makes tonkatsu even crispy.

Instructions for how to make tonkatsu:

pork cover with a plastic wrap pounded with a meat mallet

Preparation:

1. Wash or rinse 4 pieces of pork cutlet then dry them with paper towels. Then, put them on a chopping board, cover with a plastic wrap and pound them with a meat mallet.

2. After that, put the pork chops on a plate. Sprinkle ⅛ teaspoon of salt and ⅛ teaspoon of five spice powder. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes before cooking.

3. Pour ½ cup of flour on a plate, cover both sides of the pork cutlets with flour.

4. Beat 2 large eggs in a bowl.

pork cutlet covered with flour dip into egg mixture

5. Dip the pork cutlet into the egg mixture. Make sure both sides of the pork chop are covered with eggs.

pork breaded with Japanese bread crumbs on the plate

6. Pour 1.5 cups of Japanese style bread crumbs on a plate. Then, make sure both sides of the pork chop are covered with bread crumbs.

Cooking:

7. Heat up 1 cup of oil in a wok or pan, turn on fire to medium high and wait until oil gets around 350F (180C). If you don’t have a thermometer, use a wooden chopstick and dip into the oil. When you see tiny bubbles start to appear around the tip of the chopstick, it means the oil is hot enough for deep fry.

deep frying breaded pork tonkatsu in the oil

8. Gently put the breaded pork chop into the oil and turn the fire to medium low. Deep fry both sides until it turns a little brown.

Japanese tonkatsu deep fry pork cutlet until golden brown in the oil

9. Take out tonkatsu and put it on a plate. Turn the fire to medium and increase the temperature around 375F. Double deep fry cutlets which means deep fry them again until it turns golden brown.

Crispy Japanese tonkatsu deep fried pork cutlets cut up on kale top view

10. After that, put the tonkatsu deep fried pork chops on a plate with a paper towel to absorb excess oil. Sprinkle ⅛ teaspoon of salt on the deep fried cutlets and let it wait for a few minutes before cutting them.

Enjoy this crispy Japanese tonkatsu recipe! Also, check out these kimbap, curry fishball, pad Thai noodle, salt & pepper squid, lychee slush, pan fried buns, and hot and sour soup recipes.