The Katsu Sando (カツサンド) is a popular Japanese sandwich made with tonkatsu (breaded and deep-fried pork) placed between slices of shokupan (Japanese toast bread). Typically cut into triangles or rectangles, this sandwich has become a beloved staple across Japan, frequently found in bakeries and convenience stores. It’s a common choice for school or work lunches due to its convenience and satisfying taste.
Sauce katsu-don is a local delicacy of Fukui Prefecture, consisting of pork loin or fillet coated in panko breadcrumbs, deep-fried to crispy perfection, and served over steamed rice. Sauce Katsudon differs from regular Katsudon, which is Tonkatsu (deep-fried pork) and eggs cooked in a sweet and salty broth placed over rice. In Sauce Katsudon, the hot cutlet is dipped in a savory sauce and then served over a bowl of rice. The Worcestershire-based sauce flavor pairs so well with the steamed rice that this dish has been beloved by people in Fukui for over 100 years. Today, the fame of Sauce Katsudon has spread across the country, and it is enjoyed at many restaurants and homes in Japan.
Katsu curry is a popular Japanese dish that combines a deep-fried cutlet (Katsu) with a flavorful curry sauce. The dish features a yummy Tonkatsu pork cutlet (or sometimes chicken) that is breaded and deep-fried until crispy. This crispy cutlet is then served with Japanese curry sauce, a thick, mildly spiced curry usually made with a roux and various vegetables.
Tonkatsu (トンカツ) is one of the most beloved “western style” Japanese food in Japan. It is a pork chop breaded with flour, egg, and Panko (bread crumbs), then deep fried. It’s not the healthiest Japanese food, but it is rather a comfort food which everybody can’t get enough of.
Katsudon is Tonkatsu (deep-fried pork) and eggs cooked in a sweet and salty broth and placed over rice. Don (donburi) means a bowl, and Donburi dishes are a popular kind of casual rice dish in Japan. Because you have to prepare Tonkatsu first, it is a little bit of work involved since you cannot cook everything in one pan. Katsudon is a hearty dish compared to other Japanese food because Tonkatsu is breaded and deep-fried, but the taste is so good that you will not mind the extra calories from the oil. Besides, since deep-fried Tonkatsu is cooked in tasty broth and is crunchy yet juicy, you may not notice the grease at all (well, maybe, just maybe, calories might stay in, or near, your tummy).