Tonkatsu Hajime Nihonbashi

Passed by their secondary shop, but they only take reservations, so please reserve. I was a little upset until pretty waitress ran out and asked us to walk 2 mins to their main shop. There we waited 20mins but then to find out at 6:30pm Rib Eye sold out already. I had almost zero expectations then to find out the best Katsu of all time. My GF ordered the 2 type of loin and we ended up with trying three different flavors. Definitely will come back and see if what they are famous for is as great.

Amazing dining experience, food freshly made upon arriving to our seats. Chef explained which sauces was for which menu item, including the types of salt available to try. Friendly service with a smile. Though a small store highly recommend coming down early.

Came here on Christmas Day ~11:30 AM and luckily had no wait, but the line grew outside shortly after we got seated. Ordered the Christmas Special Set and it was divine. Best katsu I've had. The staff was super friendly as well

Waited in line for 30 minutes. Waitress came out to us in line and made sure we had a menu to look at beforehand as to speed up the process. Great customer service! She spoke perfect English, as I unfortunately do not speak Japanese. After 30, sat down and received the food in < 5 minutes, and the food was hot and fresh. I believe this restaurant is a chain restaurant, however, this place was great. Would 100% come back again.

If you’re looking for an authentic, perfectly executed tonkatsu experience, Tonkatsu Hajime is a must-visit. The pork cutlet here is fried to absolute perfection, crispy, golden panko crust on the outside, and unbelievably tender and juicy meat on the inside. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients and the care put into every detail, from the freshly shredded cabbage to the flavorful miso soup that comes alongside. What makes Hajime special is not just the food, but also the atmosphere. The restaurant feels intimate and welcoming, with staff who are attentive without being intrusive. It’s clear they take pride in what they serve. Whether you go for the classic rosu katsu (loin) or the leaner hire katsu (fillet), you can’t go wrong. Pair it with their house sauce and a bowl of rice, and you’ve got comfort food elevated to another level. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Highly recommend for anyone who loves Japanese food, or simply wants to taste tonkatsu done right.

Competent tonkatsu place, though if you ask me it is not worth the 30-40 minute wait that is customary for this place. Service was excellent; some staff speak fluent English and proactively offer suggestions around flavor profile and portion sizes. Food was competent, as good as you can expect with any high end tonkatsu place, though nothing more. Will come more often if the queue isn’t that bad.

Suffering from heatstroke, I knew I had to get some food down, and this place did not disappoint. I’d seen it all over social media and was hoping it wasn’t just another overhyped spot — thankfully, it lived up to the reputation. The meal was definitely on the fatty side, but with tonkatsu that’s expected, and here it worked perfectly. I ordered the recommended thick cut from the waiter (who gave fantastic service — super attentive and welcoming), and it was absolutely the right call. The cutlet itself was outstanding — thick, juicy, and almost wagyu-like in texture. Each bite was buttery soft with no stringy or chewy bits. The rice was cooked perfectly and paired beautifully with the meat, while the egg complemented the whole dish and tied it all together. This isn’t your average tonkatsu — it’s their specialty, and it shows. Heavy, rich, and indulgent, but so worth it.

*English menu available Arrived at around 20:20pm and waited for 20 minutes to get in. Shop provides only bar area and staff would take your order prior to your entering in order to save time preparing. Nice portions and presentation. Each set comes with rice, vegetable and a miso soup (with meat). The tonkatsu was served hot and crispy, seasoned and paired well with the 3 types of salt provided by shop. My personal favourite was the wasabi salt.