Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama

Tonkatsu restaurant · Shibuya

Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama

Tonkatsu restaurant · Shibuya

1

4 Chome-8-5 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

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Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama by null

Highlights

Tender, crisp tonkatsu & delicious sauces, unlimited cabbage & rice  

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4 Chome-8-5 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan Get directions

mai-sen.com
@maisen_cook

¥1,000–2,000 · Menu

Reserve

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4 Chome-8-5 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan Get directions

+81 50 3188 5802
mai-sen.com
@maisen_cook
𝕏
@tokyowanderlust

¥1,000–2,000 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Aug 20, 2025

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@onthegrid

On the Grid : Maisen

"Tonkatsu is deep-fried breaded cutlet and Maisen does it the best around here. There are two main types: hire (fillet) and rosu (loin, more fatty). Both are very tender on the inside yet crisp (but not too oily) on the outside. The Omotesando restaurant, an old converted bathhouse, is their flagship store." - Misa Matsuda Maraun

https://onthegrid.city/tokyo/omotesando/maisen
View Postcard for Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama

Wilbur Lo

Google
I have visited Tonkatsu already the first time in 25 years ago when I visited Tokyo for business Since then I came here a few times In the raining and chilly days we came here again. Then it is the first time to sit on the bar? table to face the chef The one I ordered which is special special and very special of course expensive too is very delicious. The downside is very fatty probably it is unhealthy but once a while it is fine (we always say this to ourselves) The tonkatsu ordered by my wife is more normal with good price We enjoyed our dining experience in this Almost at the end there are couple, chatted Saudi Arabian living in Australia apparently they made the wrong decision to pick this restaurant- pork pork port which is religiously they can’t eat it. Then they got to find other restaurants… so hilarious The lady server from Myanmar is very helpful ! Awesome

Sagamihara

Google
I think this was the best meal we had in this trip. It’s just right behind Harajuku Bape. We were immediately, zero waiting time. But there was a long queue when we left. The Tonkatsu were juicy and crispy. Totally recommended. 4 pax - ¥11,980

Lavender Lemon

Google
10/10 service! We lined up before opening and were seated right away. Unlimited cabbage and rice! The Katsu basically melts in your mouth and goes soooo well with the fluffy rice and fresh cabbage and dressing. They have different sauces for the katsu based on what part of the meat you are eating. The inside is super spacious and clean as well.

Andromeda T

Google
June 23, 2025 Came at 19:00 on a Monday and it was not busy. You can choose to sit at the counter right at the front of the restaurant, or sit at a table at way back. The room with tables had a high ceiling and old western interior. Tonkatsu sets starting from 1,800y onwards to ~3,000-4,000y. I got a classic pork loin set and was reasonably satisfied, so perhaps more expensive sets would be even juicier. Not the best I've ever had and a bit expensive for what it was but it was not bad. Salad dressings were sesame and shiso, and tonkatsu sauces were sweet amaguchi and spicy karaguchi flavors. Service was quite prompt. Bills can't be split even between 2 people so you must pay together.

Keith Clarson

Google
If super crispy, super crunchy, super yummy deep fried tonkatsu is getting you all hot, then you MUST come here! Consistently super high quality food at a decent price. We always bring friends visiting us here in Tokyo to this restaurant, simply because it's the best tonkatsu you will probably ever eat! They have many items on the menu, and pretty sure you'll love everything they have. Oh -Also you get endless rice and cabbage for you hungry folks :) Suggest you make reservations as this place can get crowded. Enjoy!

Arnaud Devred

Google
It is used to be the tonkatsu (fried pork) temple. The food is still incredible, but everything else has lost its atmosphere. Overhelmed by tourists. The waiters and waitresses look exhausted and do not care whether you like it or not. It feels like going to 7-11. Not sure I would come back any time soon.

Michael Bugelli

Google
An institution. The pork is tender, the crumb perfectly crisp, you can ask for more complimentary cabbage. Everyone has their role down to a science; it’s a well-oiled machine and a joy to watch in action. Chef kiss 🤌🏼

Abbey

Google
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama serves up delicious tonkatsu. It's a must-visit for me every time I'm in Tokyo. I love that the rice, soup, and salad are all-you-can-eat, and the friendly service always makes for an enjoyable meal.
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Kelly K.

Yelp
Maisen has many locations. Maisen Aoyama is supposed to be the best. After grabbing a coffee nearby we lined up in the queue 10 minutes prior to opening. Because the restaurant is quite large, we were seated quickly. Based on a friend recommendation, we ordered to Berkshire Pork (5/5) and special set (4.5/5 and only 5 made each day). Personally I liked the Berkshire better because it was softer and more juicy. And it comes with a special Apple tonkatsu sauce. But the special set was very good and the accompanying soup was chock full of thinly sliced pork. The two standard tonkatsu sauces (sweet and spicy) were also good. But my personal preference is the special apple tonkatsu sauces. The tonkatsu were perfectly cooked and crispy (not oily). Service is efficient. Staff walks around to refill tea, water, and thinly sliced cabbage. Prices are reasonable given the volume of food and quality. Outside is a to-go counter where you can get tonkatsu sandwiches and deep fried oysters. Maisen Aoyama serves a perfect tonkatsu. I highly recommend visiting this specific location! LOCATION: 5/5 FOOD: 5/5 SERVICE: 4/5 VALUE: 5/5 AMBIANCE: 4/5 CLEANLINESS: 5/5
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James H.

Yelp
I got suckered into the hype again. I got in line at 11 am on a Thursday and the line was long already. But quickly everyone was let in and was a part of the first seating. The dining room is spacious with many tables. They have counter bar seating in the front part of restaurant. The service was good and speak English. The tonkatsu was aright but for $20 for 2 meals can't complain. Still think the tonkatsu in Honolulu is better and trying to find a place that is close to that. The breading was a little crunchy but a tad on the dry side. Free refills on the cabbage
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June S.

Yelp
When we arrived, they had a long line that went around ropes like at a popular ride at Disneyland. They had the very realistic wax food in the glass case, so that you can see what their food would look like. Once we got inside, the line for the table continued inside, along the wall. They have counter seats and another room in the back with lots of table seating. Once we settled in at our seats, we received a small cup with Daikon Radish Soup. It was nice to warm up the body and soul with such healthy sip! All the condiments for the pork cutlet was at the counter, and we got to have a great view of the kitchen. The staffs working inside the counter are the servers. Just flag down one of them and they will come over and take care of you. I ordered Wakaba-Zen Set. The amount of food you get for the price is amazing. No wonder they have a long line of customers waiting to get in... This set comes with Pork Cutlet (Katsu), Sushi, Chilled Soba Noodles with Chicken Dipping Sauce, and a Side Salad. The quality of sushi was amazing. The salad was fresh. The soba noodles were cooked just right. The dipping sauce for the soba noodles were nice and hot, and had large pieces of chicken and some veggies. They were so good! Katsu was delicious! The batter was thing and crisp, lightly fried, the meat was tender and juicy, with a nice crunch with each bite! Most katsu dish come with a mountain of shredded cabbage, to cut the fat. They had sesame dressing which was great! My husband ordered Aoyama Saika Variety Bento Box. This one was beautiful and impressive as well. It comes with Pork Cutled (Katsu) Kyoto-Style Grilled Sablefish, Two kinds of Sashimi, Side Salad, Pickles, and Miso Soup. The sashimi was very fresh and delicious. The sablefish was so delicate, flaky yet juicy, packed with flavor. Japanese egg omelet pieces were flavorful. Still, the pork cutlet took the spotlight. It was delightful! Since everything was so delicious, my hubby couldn't resist getting a couple of side items. We added Deep-Fried Prawn and Cream Prawn Croquette. They were both sooooo good! The batter was again and crisp. Loved every bite! We had such great dinner here. No wonder they have long line of people waiting to dine here. Everything we had was delicious and satisfying.

Zhang Z.

Yelp
東京で美味しいとんかつを楽しむなら絶対におすすめの店です!店内は落ち着いた雰囲気で、清潔感もあり、居心地がとても良いです。お店のスタッフもフレンドリーで、親切に接客してくれます。 この店の名物は、特製ロースかつ定食。カリッとした衣に包まれたジューシーな豚肉が口の中でとろけるような美味しさです。肉の旨味がしっかり感じられ、脂身も適度で非常にバランスが良いです。付け合わせのキャベツや味噌汁も、とんかつとの相性が抜群で、完璧な定食です。 また、こちらの特徴的なのは、ご飯のおかわり自由という点。お腹いっぱい食べられるのが嬉しいポイントです。お米はふっくらとしていて、ついついおかわりしてしまうほど美味しいです。
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Sharon S.

Yelp
Here we go again ! It's time to eat pork tonkatsu at Maisen's. I am totally hooked with their irresistibly juicy pork cutlets when in Tokyo. What a great place for a meal after power shopping in the harajuku area. lol
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Stacy S.

Yelp
Our travel agent recommended this restaurant as we told her that we like tonkatsu, so she made reservations a month in advance. I thought that was a bit overkill at the time, but when we arrived on the day of our reservation, there was already a very long line out the door! This restaurant is in Shibuya on a side street (not off a main road), and it seemed to have a lot of locals as opposed to visitors. That's when you know it's good! Apparently if you make reservations in advance, then you have to commit to a 6-course menu. We weren't aware of that until we got there. We wish we could've ordered whatever we wanted, as we would've gotten the kurobuta pork. However the 6-course meal provided us with a little taste of everything, so we weren't mad about it. We started with a bunch of appetizers, then a chicken sando, sashimi, oden, pork tonkatsu & green tea ice cream. Everything was delicious. I especially liked the sashimi! The tonkatsu breading was light and crispy. Even though it wasn't the kurobuta pork, it was still very tender and tasty. Service was hit or miss, thus the 4 stars. Several times we had to wave the servers down. We weren't sure if they were just giving us space out of respect or if they were inattentive. The restaurant is big with two sections and a bar-like table. There's also a long line, so you can either make reservations and get the 6-course meal or get there early in hopes of getting a seat. By early I mean 1 hour in advance. Either way, it's worth a visit... at least once!
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Jenny K.

Yelp
The Tonkatsu varieties were super crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It came with lots of cabbage and miso soup. The pan fried pork slices have a limited quantity and were not available at dinner time. Service was decent. Interior is great! They have coat racks and expansive interior.
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Rika C.

Yelp
Misen is popular for a reason! The pork is incredibly soft and smooth, and all of the sides are delicious. Typically there is a huge line!! I came in at around 3pm, an odd time, and was seated without a line. When you sit you'll be given a cup of delicious black tea and a cup of soup. For tourists, please note that you'll have to ask for a cup of water. I ordered the kurobuta tonkatsu with fried oysters, and substituted the miso soup for tonjiru (pork soup) for ¥140 extra. So good!! The kurobuta filet is smaller than expected but soft and delicious, and the oysters are fresh and plump. There is a set of sauces in front of your seat, including a sweet sauce, a savory sauce, a chili sauce, and a sesame sauce. If you order the fried oysters they come with a sweeter tartar sauce. I highly recommend the savory sauce and the sesame sauce. The tonjiru was amazing as well! You can order refills of cabbage and rice as many times as you'd like. You can also order refills of the soup, but if you order tonjiru you can only get refills of the miso soup. However the miso soup is delicious and full of seaweed, so it's definitely worth getting to try both.
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Arrielle S.

Yelp
This tonkatsu place was incredible and I consider the best meal I had in Tokyo. There was a bit of a wait but the line moved very quickly. You could tell this was place locals loved and came to on their lunch breaks. The tonkatsu was a crispiness I have never experienced before and I will dream about for years to come. The pork cutlet itself was juicy and melted in my mouth. The sauce they give you to go on top of it was a perfect pairing. The cabbage was delicious and fresh and they offered you more if you wanted it. The dressing to go on it as well was so tasty. The rice was perfection and nice and sticky and the miso soup was also perfect. I cannot recommend this place enough. It will go down as one of my top places that I ate while in Japan. If you're considering this place, consider no more and go when in Tokyo.
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Krystal L.

Yelp
While going to a hair salon, I asked the hairdresser what restuarant she recommended, and she mentioned this restaurant! They are known for their tonkotsu, and they have so many options. They have regular tonkotsu, curry, sashimi, shabu, expensive cuts of tonkotsu options, and more options. For tonkotsu, they also ask if you want the loin or fillet. I got the curry tonkotsu twice, and the tonkotsu is one of the best I ever had. It's super crispy and tender and pairs well with the curry. You can also see them making them when you walk in. There is a wait though, but even when the line looks long during lunch hour, the longest I have waited was 25 minutes. They also have a small stand for takeout if you do not want to wait! Overall, I definitely recommend this place if you are in Shibuya; it is one of the best tonkotsu I ever had!
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Cassel M.

Yelp
Amazing! The cabbage slaw is to die for! Delicious Tonkatsu and lovely restaurant. Lots of people in line but it moved quickly!
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Diane L.

Yelp
The kastu here is amazing! Their premium cuts get sold out quickly, but I got their pork loin cutlet set. Super tender meat for sure. It also comes with salad and miso which is unlimited. Ended up ordering a sushi nigiri set as well since I was also craving sushi. I would recommend solely eating the katsu only here though. There is a bit of a wait probably 30 minutes and they take your order once you get to the front of the line and seat you afterwards.
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Ray C.

Yelp
My first time having Japanese tonkatsu and this place blew my mind! There was a line we had to wait in which was very common in Japan for a lot of places but this line moved fairly fast. We talked to some locals in line and they said a lot of locals come here which excited us more. The tonkatsu was juicy at the same time very light with a awesome crust. They have sauce for you to put over the tonkatsu which complimented it even further! I highly recommend for anyone in Tokyo looking for a delicious tonkatsu place!
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Darylynn D.

Yelp
I came at an odd time, late lunch/early dinner so there was no wait. Pork filet set - was very filling. The filet was good so well and the meat was tender. Green Tea highball - this was tasty. It had an even amount of alcohol and green tea. 3 piece tonkatsu sandwich - such a simple dish, but still so tasty. The service was really good. It was one of my more expensive meals during my visit, but very well worth it.
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Bry R.

Yelp
So so good. Went twice to the Harajuku location. And there is always a line out the door at peak lunchtime. They give you the menu beforehand while in line so you can drool at the options. Got the Kurobuta pork tonkatsu and don't regret a bite at all. It's basically the wagyu of pork. It's so juicy and perfectly crunchy and melts in your mouth!! The sauce they give they the kurobuta is a perfect match also. You also get unlimited cabbage and sesame sauce which goes well with the katsu. There are lots of other options if you aren't into pork or beef. Definitely will go back when in Harajuku!
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Sharon T.

Yelp
FOOD: - Chamiton Loin Pork Cutlet Set: Best cutlet I've ever had! It's sooo juicy and not too oily. Everything that came with the dish also complemented the cutlet really well. 5/5. - Wakaba-Zen Set (Fillet pork cutlet, nigiri sushi, chilled soba noodles with chicken dipping sauce, side dish): Also really good. My friend enjoyed everything in her set and it's also one of the best cutlets she has had! 5/5. SERVICE: Amazing service! One of the waiters was very attentive since we didn't know Japanese, so he made sure to check in on us and told us what sauces belonged to what dish. There was a wait, but it wasn't extremely long and they had seats as you go down the line. Regardless, it's definitely worth the wait even if it was long. CUTLET: The loin is a lot juicer and fattier than the fillet. Overall, my friend and I both liked the loin better. However, sometimes the fattiness of the meat can be a lot, so the fillet may be a better choice for those who prefer their cutlet to be juicy, but not super juicy!
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Yukihiro I.

Yelp
This is my favorite restaurant. I live nearby and quite frequently eat here. This place is also popular among tourists.
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T O.

Yelp
We came across this place while exploring the area and so glad we found it. Enjoyed the Tonkatsu and it was some of the best I've had.
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Delorean T.

Yelp
There was a bit of a wait for a table, because we came in a large group however we were not deterred. One thing to note about coming from the us is that when you're ready to order you have to wave to let them know, otherwise they may never come lol. Now the real question is how is the food? Amazing. The tonkotsu is so delicious and tender. The breading isn't thick like American breading, and the addition of fresh cabbage and plain white rice adds a layer of depth the pork would otherwise not have on its own.
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Dave S.

Yelp
If you love tonkatsu, don't eat tonkatsu at Maisen! You won't want to eat tonkatsu anywhere else. Really. Maisen tonkatsu is so so tender, almost melt in your mouth. I order the cheapest, basic cut of meat. Still very good and tender. Their own brand tonkatsu sauce, especially the thick sweet one, is so so good. I live in Colorado USA so I figured out how to prepare my own tonkatsu and sauce which is close enough to Maisen's tenderness and sweet sauce. At least until I get back to Tokyo in a few years. My recipe is simple: 1) Brine the pork for at least 6 hours. (1-2 days better). Brine just means soak tonkatsu thickness pork meat in a clean plastic bag with enough cold water to cover the meat. Mix in 1 teaspoon each of sugar and salt. This softens the meat. 2) Cook the meat the normal tonkatsu way: rinse meat, salt / pepper meat, then cover w flour, then dip in egg, then panko, then deep dry. I fry in about half inch of oil, preheated to medium. Adjust heat as needed. Turn the meat over half way. About 3 minutes per side. Till each side is golden brown. 2) For sweet delicious tonkatsu sauce, buy Kikkoman Brand Tonkatsu Sauce. Must use KIKKOMAN brand. Available on Ebay and Amazon. Now you know my secret to eating Maisen tonkatsu even when there's not one around! Happy eating!
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L J.

Yelp
A famous tonkatsu joint Aoyama (Omotesando) chikaku. Started out with some tasty crab and cucumber salad and potato salad. The tonkatsu sand was niiice. Great sauce. The karage was also exceptional. ...especially with some of their yuzu sauce. Nice little stop on the way to some Cafe and desert here in Aoyama...

Joel M.

Yelp
The best pork Katsu in all variations and styles in Tokyo. The service and flavors never disappoint at Maisen and the pilgrimage to the main restaurant is totally worth the effort. If there's Tonkatsu or Katsudon in Heaven then I'm sure it's from Maisen Tonkatsu Aoyama Honten!
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Mad O.

Yelp
Definitely one of my favorite tonkatsu spots in Tokyo, because of the history and the food and the consistency....Usually a wait but it's well worth it and just recently I came in to visit Tokyo and I made a stop for lunch and waited about 20 minutes outside and sat at the counter and I ordered the Kurobuta tonkatsu and the two piece fried oyster combination for ¥2500.00... I was perfect and it's always perfect and I enjoyed every bite of my dish so if you're in Tokyo, this one is the original location in omotesando so definitely give it a try because it is a homerun...arigato
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David Y.

Yelp
A bit of a wait for decent katsu but at least the katsu was decent. Should I have had to wait ~45m to 1h, I don't think the meal would be worth it. But thankfully we didn't have to exercise too much patience because the line moved relatively quickly and there is a large seating area indoors. The pork katsu is obviously a must-get, as it is the flagship item so to speak, and it doesn't disappoint.
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Hsin-Yi W.

Yelp
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama Honten is one of the most famous chain restaurants for Tonkatsu in Japan. We were impressed by their fried pork chop sandwich which was a collaboration with Family Mart a few years ago. The restaurant was located away from the main streets and we even got lost while looking for it. The decor was modern with an open kitchen set up and the ambience was elegant. Their service was really authentic Japanese, polite and considerate. The options on the menu were various and we had a hard time making up our decisions. We ordered a classic pork chop set and a sashimi & pork chop combination. Their fried pork chop was super juicy inside with crispy & chunky layer. The best way to enjoy is dipping in the special sauce with white radish purée. The sashimi was okay but not special so we highly recommend to have their signature fried pork chop set.
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Jay R.

Yelp
I came here in 2015 and remember loving the tonkatsu here. Fast forward to the present and we were looking for a place that had delicious pork katsu and so I decided to try it out again. Typically this place can have a long wait, but we lucked out as we only had to wait ~10 mins given it was late on a weekday. I went with the filet katsu curry, my girlfriend went with the kurobota pork filet, and we shared some fried shrimp. Everything was delicious here and the fried ebi was some of the best we've ever had. Definitely come here if you want some quality tonkatsu!
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Sandra S.

Yelp
One of the best pork katsu I have ever eaten in Tokyo is at this location. I come eat here every time I visit Tokyo which is quite often. Service is fast and the staff are always friendly. Food is always on par and super delicious! They also have lunch specials. Not very expensive especially for the quality. I love this place & wish they opened one in NYC!
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Kristie C.

Yelp
Decently affordable tonkatsu and options for non pork eaters like myself! Why come? The panko crumb at this place is AahhHmazzing. Touristy and not your typical hole in wall, but worth making a stop for if you want the diverse menu options The food; - SO enjoyed tonkatsu - salt salmon and shrimp tonkatsu are great for seafood lovers - Pass on cucumber crab salad - doused in mayo, not flavorful TLDR: authentic but not ultra local kind of authentic. Good for non pork eaters
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James M.

Yelp
After walking around Omotesando for a while, we needed to find a spot for dinner and Tonkatsu came to mind. We landed at Maisen, which is a famous Tonkatsu chain in Japan. Definitely the most PREMIUM Tonkatsu I've ever had the pleasure of sinking my teeth into! Kurobuta (Black Pig) Loin Pork Cutlet Set 3,100¥ We also tried the to-go shop on the way out. 1 set (~600¥) comes with 3 pieces. Pretty tasty but doesn't compare to the real deal we just devoured.
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Ashley Y.

Yelp
The tonkatsu here is perfectly fried. Just the right level of thickness, not too greasy, and the meat was not dry at all. I'm usually not the biggest fan of tonkatsu but I would go back to this place in a heartbeat! The seating area inside is HUGE. When you first walk in it looks like it's just a super small space with counter seating only. But it keeps going lol once you reach the end of the counter it opens up into a huge room with lots of tables. So even if the line is long it should move pretty quickly!
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Eric L.

Yelp
Oh my goodness, this is a must try. Absolutely the best, most tender, most crispy, most flavorful tonkatsu I've ever had. Truly recommend this for anyone who visits Tokyo. It is on the pricier side especially for getting the premium kurobuta pork but it is so worth it.
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Corissa L.

Yelp
The best tonkatsu that I have had in my life! This was an awesome reward after 24+ hour journey to get to Japan. There are options of different types of pork, which if your a connoisseur or pork aficionado, you would definitely appreciate. The menu is in English, but the waitstaff's English is limited, so you probably won't get too many explanations beyond what is in the menu. I got curry sauce with my pork, and it was delicious. Writing this review and thinking about this meal is actually causing me to drool. A must hit spot, if you're looking for tonkatsu.
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Doriee L.

Yelp
This was our first meal in Tokyo and it was delicious! Don't be intimidated by the line because it moves relatively fast. We had five people in our party and it wasn't a long wait at all! We got to sit upstairs on the tatami mats too -- getting the whole traditional feel. But some of my friends, who were taller, had some issues sitting for a long period of time. So if you're someone who can't sit on the ground to eat then ask for a table instead. My husband and I shared a benibuto tonkatsu dish and their specialty, the tonkatsu sandwich! Both were so delicious! The sandwich had their special sauce in it and it was perfection. The bread was soft and the tonkatsu was so juicy! The price isn't bad either! Definitely a place to try if you want some tonkatsu. They are popular for a reason! :)
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Toni R.

Yelp
Omg, this place was so good we ate here 4 times during our 12 days in Japan! Luckily this place is a chain so we we're able to vary it up a bit by eating at different locations. Lol. So far, my favorite location is the one at Omotesando. The atmosphere is much more fancy compared to the Shibuya train station and the Osaka location. Also, the Omotesando location was the only place that served unlimited COLD tea. The other locations only gave hot tea. Other than that, the taste was exactly the same. The kids and I ordered the tonkatsu plate with curry. I have never had tonkatsu that light, crispy, moist and tender before. Nothing else compares to this place. My husband had the Tonkatsu Don. That was good too. I ordered that during one of our visits. The rice, shredded cabbage and soup is all you can eat. If you are in Japan and are craving Tonkatsu you have to give this place a try.
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Mahesh P.

Yelp
This, my friends, is the definitive Tonkatsu! The pork is flavorful - in the way that only Japanese pork is, and the crust, oh, the crust, is so, *so* light, crunchy, and texturally perfect. The "sets" come w/ unlimited rice and cabbage - something that you might not think you'll need, but something that ends up being useful once you figure out that a (small) bite of pork goes really well with a (large) bite or rice! You can use any of the sauces on the pork, but, in my opinion, you're best off with just a light sprinkling of salt. Incidentally, if you want any of the *special* pork (Tokyo-X, etc.), you need to get there *early*, as in, right when they open. They have only a limited amount, and they usually run out immediately. Anyhow, get thee to this place - it's *stellar*!

Edmund V.

Yelp
Great food and friendly staff. Love it and definitely tecommend this wonderful restaurant.
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Ann S.

Yelp
This is my favorite katsu place to go to whenever I am in Tokyo. This is one of the best pork katsu I have eaten so far. Food is always consistently delicious & they have very good lunch specials. Service is always fast and exceptional & staff are always so friendly. Highly recommended!
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Shirley T.

Yelp
Signs from Omotesando's Apple Store lead you to the restaurant. From the entrance you wouldn't have guessed there is a large hall inside.it gives off an old beer hall feel We were spoiled for choice with an extensive menu for cutlets. Each was crispy on the outside yet tender and soft on the inside. Cabbage and rice are free flowing.
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Tommy T.

Yelp
Overall score 5/5 This review is based on my experience with Tonkatsu in the States...I can't speak to how this place is compared to others in Japan. Based on some reviews and research my friend and I wanted to try this spot out and ohhhhh boy was it well worth it. The panko outside was super light and crisp. Unreal outer shell compared to any Tonkatsu I've ever had. The sauces they provided us at the table were all super good. I can't tell you which is which unfortunately. My meal was fantastic and I wish I had ordered more and different types of meats to try them out. I will be back for sure. Pro tip for my stateside friends: pay at the front counter and not at the table
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Fanny W.

Yelp
03/23/2017 - Got here at 10:45AM, no line yet except one old man. Food was good, price was high, service was there. Pros: + Quality pork cutlet + Spacious restaurant (wow!) + Generous portions + Specializes in pork cutlet, menu teaches you all about pigs and different cuts + Cute sauce containers Cons: - All you late birdies can expect a wait My Order: + Kurobuta Pig (best little piggy out there) + Filet cut (for more fat, opt for loin or others) + Comes with rice, special sauce for my pig, cabbage, soup Recommendations: + Get here before it opens to avoid lines + Share with friends so you can try more Total: ~$30 for my cutlet My Japanese friend was shocked we had heard of and eaten here already. This place is possibly one of the premier tonkatsu places in Tokyo. After all, they do specialize in tonkatsu. I wanted to come here again and try more cuts, but my schedule didn't allow for it. I'd go with more fat next time, maybe the loin or fattier.
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Pauline M.

Yelp
Maisen has one of the best tonkatsus ever. Ever. The batter is light and crisp, the pork is so very tender. If you're here you might as well splurge on the black hog kurobata tonkatsu. It is definitely fattier but is worth it because it melts in your mouth. They sell out of cuts so be sure to get there early. And yes, you can survive and order on a limited Japanese vocabulary. We tell all of our friends that visit tokyo to hit up maisen while there, and so far nobody has been disappointed. Some even said it was life changing.
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Mohini R.

Yelp
The main restaurant is under reconstruction. Currently you sit in a older, still charming, setting. It is a bit tight, but you'll be happy with the food. As it says on the can, they do many kinds of Tonkatsu. They have a number of sauces to use, sweet, spicy and, one enigmatically called, special. The taste all around is delicious. For vegetarians there is a Zaru Soba you can order, with super fresh wasabi. Even the large one is small, but an opportunity for you to have a late night snack somewhere. The service is attentive, prompt. You'll be fine even if you only speak English.
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Elena N.

Yelp
TONKATSU MAISEN AOYAMA HONTEN Last time we went to Japan, the tonkatsu at Maisen was one of my favorite meals. Of course, I had to go back! We got here on Wednesday, April 13th around 11:30am, a little after they opened. There was no wait for our party of five, but they said they could only seat us if we were done in a hour. I thought, no problem. It's just lunch after all! I got the Okita-Kurobuta Fillet Pork Cutlet Set (3,960 yen for 130 grams). The set comes with a bowl of pork soup, rice and two desserts. The soup was sooo good! Savory, delicious and full of flavor. The tonkatsu was so tender and crispy. The breading very light. I loved the assortment of sauces you get. Definitely try the hot mustard and the spicy sauce. My set came with a special apple tonkatsu sauce, but I didn't like it as it was too sweet. All sets come with unlimited cabbage, so if you want more, they come around and refill it for you. I'm not much of a dessert person, but they gave us a small scoop of sorbet/ice cream and another dessert with a smooth milk jello topped with fruit. Both were nice and refreshing. If you like tonkatsu, Maisen is must as they have some of the best katsu I've ever tasted! Note: There was a lone when we left, so make sure to get there early if you don't want to wait!
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Alice L.

Yelp
We happened to be shopping in the area and stopped by here as I had MANY places bookmarked. This restaurant is HUGE and will hold a lot of people. On a Wednesday night at 6 PM, we walked in easily and got seated in the back. The menu is really detailed, even in English, and explains all the pig breeds, their diet and the cut of the meat. We decided to order the cheapest breed, Chamiton at $17, and the mid-range, Kurobata, $30 set. I was really intrigued with Chamiton, because it mentioned that their diet included food that had a lot of green tea properties. The sets arrived quickly, and the tonkatsu was breaded perfectly. Out of the 2 sets, I enjoyed my Chamiton more because I prefer the less fatty taste. You can see the darker meat of the Kurobata, and it comes with it's own special sauce that's slightly sweet. The rice and the cabbage is unlimited, which I took advantage of because the dressing for the cabbage was SO ADDICTIVE. I ignored the rice, and got 3 refills of the cabbage because it was so good with the dressing and the tonkatsu. Definitely a great spot for dinner or lunch!
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Anchisa P.

Yelp
4.5 stars. One of Tokyo's most famous tonkatsu restaurants with several branches throughout the country / internationally. We tried the flagship store in Harajuku which did not disappoint. I had the Kurobuta tonkatsu, the pork is very tender but not overly fatty and the fried breadcrumbs perfectly cooked / not too oily. They gave us three sauces to go with the Kurobuta - all are quite good and depends on preference. The tonkatsu set is a big portion and leaves you quite full. Tonkatsu Maisen offers a variety of tonkatsu dishes based on different cuts / sources of pork. Their signature one is however limited to only a few dishes a day so unless you go right in the morning when the restaurant opens, you won't get to try that... Nonetheless, the normal / Kurobuta options are still very good. Rice / cabbage / tea can be refilled for free. Nice ambience / good service - overall makes for a good meal. We didn't make a reservation and managed to get seated right away since the restaurant is very big. They also sell Tonkatsu sandwiches for you to buy back and enjoy later as breakfast / easy lunch.
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Stephanie C.

Yelp
This was one of the first places we had to eat in Japan. I had never had Tonkatsu before so this was a special experience for me. They had a long line when we arrived but it went by relatively fast. They were consistently helping us with the line to make sure that it moved most efficiently. We had a group of five and they had offered us to sit on their traditional style mats upstairs. This being our first time in Japan we were excited to try this style of eating. All of the food here was relatively cheap but unfortunately for us a lot of their more popular meals were already sold out by the time we got there. Make sure if you have something you have your eye on to be there early! We were all served tea and I shared a meal with my boyfriend. The meal was delicious!! The meat was juicy and flavorful and the crunch was a nice addition. I also enjoyed their miso soup that had mushroom. A very good addition to the meal. The service was attentive and fast. Our drinks were constantly checked and refilled. They also have unlimited rice and cabbage that they will refill for free. Great meal and experience. Ill make sure to come back here and maybe next time opt for the regular chairs and table as it wasn't that comfortable for me. Guess I'm too old for that now! I will also make sure to get here early to try their more premium cuts of meat. NOTE** They have menus in English!
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Shaila S.

Yelp
I came back here a 2nd time within a year and my opinion hasn't changed. - The pork is so perfectly breaded and cooked, crispy on the outside and moist meat on the inside. You can't go wrong with this. Dress it up with a little tonkatsu sauce and worchestersire sauce and bam! - The set comes with unlimited cabbage. Just keep downing it and asking or more...its so fresh and good. - Miso soup is fresh. - Endless roasted green tea as well. - Service is perfect as most places in Japan. Maisen is still one of my top meals in Tokyo. Definitely coming back here again
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Ken S.

Yelp
KenScale: 8.0/10 I recently took a vacation to visit my family in Korea (where, unfortunately, Yelp doesn't exist so I don't get to post my reviews of various Korean restaurant establishments I have visited during my recent trip), and decided to make a quick detour to Tokyo to explore the culinary scene there. I've always been a fan of Japanese cuisine, and Tokyo is certainly one of the best foodie cities in the world so I was super excited to check out some restaurants that I've been meaning to visit for a long time. My first stop in Tokyo was a popular tonkatsu (Japanese pork cutlet) chain called Maisen. My friend pointed me to this establishment before I started my vacation, and I wanted to see if all the hype surrounding this place was worth it. I'm pleased to say that this place does have a legit tonkatsu. I didn't even know there are variations of tonkatsu dishes, but Maisen has a ton, some only served in very small number on a daily basis. I went with one of the limited options that's served 10 dishes a day (slightly over 3,000 yen). While I don't remember the exact name of the dish, it was a very good one, juicy and tender meat that wasn't greasy at all. Normally, tonkatsu dishes that I've had a bit of solid texture, but the one at Maisen was absolutely soft, making me wonder whether this is really a pork. Dip some sauce that's placed on the side and sip some aromatic miso soup, and your delightful lunch is complete. The restaurant doesn't take reservations, so make sure you get there early if you want to minimize your wait time. One thing that struck me about Tokyo dining scene is how people line up and don't look antsy at all, patiently waiting their turn. Fortunately, the turnover at the restaurant is quick so I didn't have to wait too long even though I arrived at the peak lunch time. If you want to have a casual yet satisfying meal with tonkatsu in Tokyo, Maisen is probably the best place to start.
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Cory L.

Yelp
As one of those famous restaurants that everyone raves about, there were a lot of tourists eating here, not surprisingly. Luckily, the restaurant is huge and although the staff had limited English, the menu was pretty detailed and the staff were sweet because they pulled out their Google translate to help us along. The hojicha (tea) they gave us was delicious! I could drink gallons and as weird as it sounds, it was my favorite part - although, I may have been super dehydrated, too. The tonkatsu was cooked and breaded perfectly. No complaints at all, although just to note - the karubuta pork cutlet is very fatty so it was a bit much for me after awhile. The unseasoned cabbage on the side was probably there to cut through the grease, but my uncultured self didn't really get it (sorry). My husband ordered the aoyama saika variety bento box, which was much lighter and a delight to eat! Overall, beautiful restaurant, staff and neighborhood. Just make sure your party is there expecting fried foods since the menu has limited options otherwise.