Katsuzen: Michelin Slow Food Tonkatsu

Sitting above Barneys New York in Ginza is a gem of a place for those who love Tonkatsu. Sure, it’s in a posh location but once you step inside this unassuming restaurant, you immediately feel right at home. I was welcomed by a friendly face, presumably the daughter of the owner said to be in charge of the front of house duties, and was asked to pick a place in the counter. I choose the spot nearest to the wall. Around two seats away were two old ladies chatting together. Since it was just before the lunch rush, the three of us pretty much had the place to ourselves. I read a few pages of my book but soon the food arrived. I finished off whatever was served to me but I eat slowly, savoring each bite. It’s true what they say that when the food is good, you forget everything else. So there was no reading in between, just staring into space while thinking about how they make even the appetizers appetizing to someone who doesn’t eat vegetables. And the tonkatsu is perfection, to think that everything is made from scratch including the bread crumbs. This has got to be the best tonkatsu Tokyo has to offer.