Tender, juicy, and coated in a crisp layer of deep-fried panko breadcrumbs — tonkatsu is one of the most popular Japanese dishes, and for good reason.
Often served with shredded cabbage and Japanese rice, this deceptively simple but hearty dish can take years to perfect. When done right, tonkatsu is one of the most satisfying meals one can have (and the thought of it alone is making me salivate).
If you’re looking to eat your fill of hearty tonkatsu, here are 10 places to visit, including budget-friendly options from S$9.80 onwards.
1. Gochi-So Shokudo
At Gochi-So Shokudo, you’ll find high-quality Iberico Pork dishes, including a delectable Bellota Loin Katsu and Cheese Roll Set (S$21.50).
Featuring a juicy, flavourful cut of Bellota grade Iberico Pork coated in a light and crispy layer of panko breadcrumbs, it’s everything you’d want from a good tonkatsu. It’s accompanied by Iberico Collar wrapped in cheese and deep-fried, a decadent side dish perfect for any cheese-lover.
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???? Multiple outlets across Singapore
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2. Tonkatsu by Ma Maison
Often regarded as one of the best tonkatsu restaurants in Singapore, you can’t go wrong with Tonkatsu by Ma Maison.
A definite highlight on their menu is the Tokusen Kurobuta Rosu Katsu Set (S$33.80+). The meat is aged for several days before it’s ready to be prepared and served, increasing its tenderness and ensuring that the tonkatsu is light and juicy. If you’re craving tonkatsu, this is, without a doubt, one of the best places in town to head to.
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???? Multiple outlets in Singapore
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3. Maruhachi Donburi & Curry
Authentic Japanese tonkatsu is great, but often, it’s also pricey. If you’re looking for a pocket-friendly option that’s of restaurant quality, check out Maruhachi Donburi & Curry.
This humble hawker chain was started by a former chef of the premium tonkatsu restaurant Ginza Bairin. The restaurant is no longer in Singapore, but the chef’s years of experience there lends itself to top-quality tonkatsu dishes, all at very affordable prices.
A Pork Katsu Don costs only S$9.80, while their signature Black Pig Pork Katsu Set — a juicy, tender kurobuta set served with shredded cabbage, Japanese rice, and miso soup — is priced at S$15.80.
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???? Multiple outlets across Singapore
???? 11am – 9pm (Mon to Sun)
4. Tonkichi
Opened in 1993, Tonkichi is the pioneering tonkatsu restaurant in Singapore, and it remains as true to Japanese tradition now as it did when it first opened so long ago.
They serve two types of tonkatsu meat — Rosu, the pork loin, and Hire, the pork fillet — and both are carefully selected and trimmed to ensure just the right balance of fat and texture. The meat is then dipped into special batter, and deep-fried until the crust is golden and crispy while the meat remains tender and succulent.
As with traditional tonkatsu, their dishes are served alongside a ridged bowl filled with sesame seeds and a pestle. You’ll get to grind the seeds by yourself to release the aroma, then add the tonkatsu sauce in to complete the dish.
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???? 391 Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City, #04-24, Takashimaya S.C., Singapore 238872
???? 11am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 9.30pm (Mon to Thu), 11am – 9.30pm (Fri to Sun)
???? 350 Orchard Road, Isetan Scotts, Level 4, Shaw House, Singapore 238868
???? 11am – 2.30pm and 5pm – 9.30pm (Mon to Thu), 11am – 9.30pm (Fri to Sat), 11am – 9pm (Sun)
5. Onkei Tonkatsu
If you’re looking to try something a little different, Onkei Tonkatsu puts their own spin on the traditional Japanese cutlet, dishing out a Cheese Tonkatsu Set (from S$21.90+), Mentaiko Tonkatsu Set (from S$21.90+), and Miso Tonkatsu Set (from S$22.90+).
The Cheese Tonkatsu Set, in particular, is a popular favourite. The tender pork cutlet oozes with stretchy, melted cheese — an indulgent and creative take on the tonkatsu.
All their set meals come with rice and refillable cabbage, green tea, and tonjiru soup. You can also opt for Hokkaido multi-grain rice instead of Japanese white rice at no extra charge.
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???? 60 Paya Lebar Rd, #01-85 Paya Lebar Square, Singapore 409051
???? 11am – 10pm (Mon to Sun)
???? 101 Thomson Rd, #01-12/13 United Square, Singapore 307591
???? 11am – 10pm (Mon to Sun)
6. Tampopo
Tampopo is one of those restaurants that’s established itself as a solid go-to place if you’re craving good tonkatsu.
What’s unique about the restaurant is that they offer both regular tonkatsu, as well as layered katsu. In a layered katsu, instead of frying the piece of pork as a whole, the cutlet is made of layers of thinly sliced pork, which results in a lighter and more tender piece of tonkatsu.
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???? Multiple outlets across Singapore
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7. Hajime Tonkatsu & Ramen
Hajime was started by the first tonkatsu chef in Singapore. Chef Tan-San mastered the art of making the perfect tonkatsu in Japan, returned to Singapore to lead popular restaurant Tonkichi, moved on to become the Pioneer Chef at Tampopo, before starting his own restaurant.
Try the Premium Pork Loin (S$20.50 for a la carte, S$24.90 for a set), air-flown Japanese pork chosen specifically for its juiciness and tenderness. With Chef Tan-San’s many years of experience, his tonkatsu is definitely something special.
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???? myVillage @ Serangoon Gardens, 1 Maju Avenue, #02-07/8/9, Singapore 556679
???? 11.30am – 3.15pm and 5pm to 9.30pm (Mon to Sun)
???? Thomson Plaza, 301 Upper Thomson Road, #01-110, Singapore 574408
???? 11.30am – 3.15pm and 5pm to 9.30pm (Mon to Sun)
8. Katsuya
Don’t overlook this hole-in-the-wall restaurant along East Coast Road — it’s known to serve some of the best tonkatsu you can find in Singapore.
Their ever-popular Rosu Tonkatsu Set (S$25) features a cutlet that is juicy, flavourful, and deep-fried to crisp perfection, served with refillable rice and cabbage. Plus, their extensive menu also includes other katsu items such as Kaki (Japanese oyster), Unagi (Eel), and Ebi (Prawn).
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???? 85 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428787
???? 6pm – 9.30pm (Wed to Fri), 12.30pm – 2.30pm and 6.30pm – 9.30pm (Sat to Sun)
9. Kimukatsu
You’ve probably heard of mille-feuille, the dessert, but have you ever heard of mille-feuille tonkatsu?
The term “mille-feuille” is French for “thousand sheets”, and that’s pretty much what you’ll find when you take a bite out of Kimukatsu’s tonkatsu. There, 25 layers of thinly sliced pork are stacked together, coated in fresh panko breadcrumbs, and deep-fried to create a light, juicy cutlet.
They even come in other flavours such as yuzu kosho, cheese, and black pepper, which makes Kimukatsu one of the more unique tonkatsu places you can find in Singapore.
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???? 391A Orchard Rd, B2 Food Hall Takashimaya, Singapore 238873
???? 10am – 9pm (Mon to Sun)
10. Imakatsu
The original Imakatsu outlet in Japan was featured in Tokyo’s Michelin Guide, but thankfully, we won’t have to fly all the way there to get a taste of it. The popular restaurant opened its first overseas store in Singapore back in 2014, and has certainly lived up to its reputation.
The restaurant is known for its carefully selected premium ingredients, as well as its special method of double-frying that helps to bring out the full flavour of the cutlet within its delicate, crispy crust.
Besides their tonkatsu, another popular item on their menu is the PIYOPIYO Minced Meat Cutlet (S$9.80), which is the restaurant’s unique take on the traditional British scotch egg.
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???? 1 Vista Exchange Green #01-17, The Star Vista, Singapore 138617
???? 11.30am – 3.30pm and 5.30pm – 10pm (Mon to Sat), 11am – 3.30pm and 5.30pm – 10pm (Sun)
???? 7 Wallich Street, #01-06,Tanjong Pagar Centre, Singapore 078884
???? 11.30am – 3pm and 5.30pm to 10pm (Mon to Sat)
So the next time you’re craving tonkatsu, remember to drop by any of these places for a crisp, tender pork cutlet that’s deep-fried to perfection.
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