Katsu Jin

A New Tonkatsu Restaurant Fries Up Glorious Deep-Fried Cutlets in South Pasadena | Eater LA

"A newish katsu spot has opened in a busy South Pasadena strip mall: Katsu Jin, launched by Kevin Piyarat on January 17, offers a focused menu of pork, chicken, and cheese katsu, a few types of ramen, and izakaya-style snacks. Piyarat—who ran the adjacent Patakan Thai for a decade and says he fell in love with katsu after eating a cold bento on a Shinkansen to Osaka—oversees nearly every dish during this opening phase and refined his technique through home cooking and online videos. The pork katsu comes in thick but tender slices with a gorgeous golden-brown crust, and everything is made in-house, including a tangerine-colored cabbage dressing and a tangy katsu dipping sauce; the miso soup is especially umami-rich from kombu soaked overnight and a special Japanese miso base. Minimalist presentation and decor underscore a dedication to tonkatsu, and a full set (cabbage salad, miso soup, pickles, silken tofu, steamed rice, and choice of katsu) is priced under $20. Ramen is also made on the premises after a minimum eight-hour boil, and Piyarat hopes to add more exotic cuts once he builds a team." - Matthew Kang