Tonkatsu Narikura

Visited on March 31st, 2024 and October 4th, 2025. When it comes down to it, there really is no better Tonkatsu than at Tonkatsu Narikura. The meat, the batter, and the cook are perfect (or at least as perfect as I've ever had) - and the atmosphere is very cozy and intimate. Although a reservation isn't easy to get, and the price is high - it is absolutely worth spending the time and money to visit Tonkatsu Narikura if you're a fan on Tonkatsu. The Food: On two separate trips in 2024 and 2025, I had the opportunity to secure a reservation for my wife and I, and on both trips, the experiences were extremely comparable. I can confidently say that out of the dozens on Tonkatsu specialty restaurants I've visited - this restaurant uses the best meat of any of them. The natural flavor emitted from each piece of pork is heavenly - and unless you've tried it, you would never think that pork could taste so good on it's own. Because the pork is cooked slowly over a low temperature, the panko is very light. They also use larger flaked panko here, which when cooked this way, are very light and crispy without feeling too oily. The cook on each piece was perfect - with no item feeling over or undercooked, just perfectly specific to the cut so that you get the optimal balance of juiciness, tenderness, and flavor. The first time I went, I was able to select which cuts I wanted with more freedom, but on the second visit, it was more structured with less choice. I do wish I was able to select only receiving pork rather than given chicken and salmon which although also delicious - didn't really compare to the pork in my eyes. How amazing the Tonkatsu is here can't be understated - and if you're looking for the ultimate Tonkatsu, look no further. The atmosphere/service: Located on an unassuming street far from central Tokyo, Tonkatsu Narikura sits on the first floor of what looks like a house from the outside. The inside is both classy and simple - with the music and decor really feeling upscale. There are both counter and table seats - however if possible, I would recommend the counter. Because the kitchen is open, you can watch the chef prepare the food - and it really is a joy to observe. You can tell that he really cares about the craft of making Tonkatsu - as both times he was deeply concentrated from start to finish on what was in front of him. The servers were very kind and attentive to our needs - and paid close attention to when dishes needed to be cleared away or when we needed refills of water. Overall, Tonkatsu Narikura is a heavenly experience especially when it comes to the star of the show: their Tonkatsu. Although there are other Tonkatsu specialty restaurants that offer more unique or comprehensive set meals - Tonkatsu Narikura definitely stands out as having the best Tonkatsu overall that I've had the opportunity to try.

My friend consistently encouraged me to try this restaurant, despite the fact that securing a reservation felt as difficult as getting a concert ticket! However, the tonkatsu here is truly unique compared to other places, and it rightly earned the No.1 spot for tonkatsu in Japan on Tabelog. When making the reservation, we had to choose our menu in advance. The appetizer featured fresh vegetables with a distinctive, refreshing salad dressing that was light and not oily. For the main course, the pork had undergone a snow-aging process, which I believe made it exceptionally tender. My favorites were the loin and chateaubriand cuts, prized for their tenderness and aroma. The mille-feuille was also delicious, though fattier than the other two. We could enjoy the meat with either tonkatsu sauce or salt, but for me, it was flavorful enough without any dipping. The restaurant served a small bowl of rice, and additional rice was available for 200 yen. For dessert, we had a creative banana cake made using tonkatsu crumbs. Overall, this restaurant left a memorable impression with its innovative cooking style. I would love to visit again.

This tonkatsu is on another level. The pork basically melts in your mouth and the crust is super light and crispy. It’s easy to see why there’s always a line. Definitely a must-try if you love tonkatsu—or even if you don’t yet!

This was definitely an amazing tonkatsu prepared with utmost care and delicacy. It did miss a mark with a combination of a few odd missteps. Firstly, we never had our drink order taken, and felt out of place calling someone over to take it since no other patrons had any either. Secondly, a fruit fly was found in the soup, which soured the experience a little bit, but it was promptly replaced. For the money (around 8000yen pp) I think it's a once only experience that i'll find hard to return to.

The food is amazing. An experience you must try. It is important to be timely in your arrival as the chef carefully plans when the food will be ready. The white-style katsu takes much longer than the golden-style.

Best tonkatsu I’ve ever had. The pork was incredibly tender, juicy, and cooked to perfection with a light, crispy coating that wasn’t greasy at all. Every bite melted in my mouth. A must-visit for tonkatsu lovers. Be sure to book in advance—it gets packed!

The near-perfect tonkatsu place. To my complete surprise, I had one of the best lambs ever in this spot, cooked to perfection without relying on the fat tissue. Otherwise, pork loin is a must-try, belly and chateaubriand are also great. A minor criticism could be some differences in the oil content of the different cuts/meat, for example the shrimp tonkatsu was quite oily. This might also be due to the temperature change on the plate.

Tonkatsu Narikura has earned its reputation as one of Tokyo’s most sought-after katsu destinations, and while the pork lives up to high expectations, it’s the chicken katsu that truly steals the show. The pork katsu—juicy, well-fried, and paired with excellent rice and cabbage—feels on par with other high-end tonkatsu joints. It’s solid, but not necessarily a standout when compared to competitors like Maisen or Butagumi. Where Narikura distinguishes itself is in its chicken katsu, which is simply sublime. The texture is impossibly tender, the coating light and crisp, and the flavor rich without feeling greasy. It’s the kind of dish that redefines what chicken katsu can be—delicate, luxurious, and comforting all at once. It’s worth the trip for this alone. The space is minimalist and calm, letting the food take center stage. Service is efficient, and the pacing is thoughtful. However, getting in requires planning: reservations are difficult and fill up fast, so booking well in advance is essential. If you’re a fan of katsu and think you’ve tried it all, Tonkatsu Narikura’s chicken offering will surprise you. It’s a masterclass in simplicity and execution—easily the best chicken katsu I’ve ever had.