About
Nihonbashi Tonkatsu Hajime, nestled in the heart of Tokyo’s Chuo City, is a culinary haven for anyone seeking an authentic taste of Japan. This charming restaurant invites you to experience the art of tonkatsu, where perfectly fried and tender pork cutlets take center stage. With its location in the bustling Nihonbashimuromachi district, it provides a delightful escape from the city’s tourist traps, drawing in both locals and travelers alike.
The ambiance at Nihonbashi Tonkatsu Hajime is inviting and relaxed, enhanced by smooth jazz melodies that create a warm dining atmosphere. As you step inside, the aroma of freshly fried katsu fills the air, setting the stage for an unforgettable meal. The establishment’s friendly staff, proficient in English, ensures that even the most discerning international palate feels at home.
Customers rave about the set lunch menu, which has been described as “amazing” and a must-try. The experience begins right as you order, with a quick service that allows you to watch skilled chefs prepare your meal. The pork loin is often highlighted for its incredible juiciness, while the chateaubriand is praised for its rich flavor. One guest even mentioned feeling emotional over how delicious the food was—a testament to the genuine quality found at Nihonbashi Tonkatsu Hajime.
Nihonbashi Tonkatsu Hajime also surprises diners with its seafood options. The mix of freshly fried shrimp and eel is particularly noteworthy, showcasing the restaurant's versatility beyond traditional tonkatsu. Pair your meal with a refreshing salad drizzled with zesty yuzu dressing for a delightful contrast that elevates the entire dining experience.
Another aspect that sets this gem apart is the cost performance. Guests have found the value to be exceptional, enjoying a well-paced course meal that allows them to savor different types of fried delicacies—all for around 25 euros per person. It’s a fantastic deal for the quality and quantity of food offered.
In conclusion, if you find yourself in Tokyo, make a point to visit Nihonbashi Tonkatsu Hajime. It's not just a meal; it’s an experience filled with flavor, warmth, and culinary artistry that beckons you to return time and again. Your taste buds will thank you!
“ Truly a hidden gem. Booked a spot for their set lunch menu at it was amazing! Very foreigner-friendly and tasted absolutely lovely! A must if you want to have something different and need a break from popular touristy spots. It's 100 times better than all of them ”
“ Really surprisingly excellent katsu. We went for lunch when they accept walk-ins. You sit around and watch the chefs fry up you food, and then you nearly cry at how good it is. I recommend the pork (220g, takes 10 min to fry) and the seafood mix (the shrimp and eel were particularity excellent). There is yuzu salad dressing on the counter for the salad, and it pairs perfectly. Strongly recommended. ”
“ I went for katsudon (pork on egg on rice)at dinner time, but only set meal is available for dinner. However, it was surprisingly better than what I expected. For what you can get for less than 5000yen, I would say just go for it. ”
“ If you love your tonkatsu, they probably do the best one. And I'm telling you this after eating 4 tonkatsu over the past week, some Michelin starred, some super hidden in a mall somewhere. This is the best one we've found. Breading was perfect. Thin, crisp, and meat perfectly juicy and easy to bite into despite being lean meat. Wife and I ordered the seasonal to katsu and normal tonkatsu as they were more affordable, anyone recommends the rib eye cut but we weren't sure at that time of we're gonna go all in There's a good balance of meat to fat, 6:1 and it didn't feel too fatty like some others. Subarashi, thank you for this great experience ”
“ Cost performance is excellent. A well paced course meal allowing you to try different types of fried food. Tonkatsu was delicious, the fat was melty yet not too oily. Waitstaff were kind and patient towards tourists. ”
“ The best lunch menu I had in Tokyo. The chateaubriand and loin pork are amazing. The atmosphere is great with jazz tunes playing and waiters that speak really good English. It is plenty of food for around 25 euros per person. ”
“ Visited on a weekday (Wednesday) at 11:00 AM — only one group ahead, and the wait was under 20 minutes. You can order while in line, so food comes out fast. Both cuts of pork were tender, but the pork loin was especially juicy. The cutlet bowl with sweet-savory sauce was my favorite. Also, the large fried shrimp was way too good — crispy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. Totally 10/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ”
“ This place changed my mind about tonkatsu and katsudon, as I have eaten dry, fatty and oily katsu in my past experiences. I have only been to this location as I believe there are two, but I’ve lucked out with going here around the evening time with no wait! This place has about 12 counter seats with friendly chefs cooking your order right in front of you. They specialize is pork tonkatsu, seafood tempura, and katsu/seafood tempura dons which are over rice and eggs with a sweet soy glaze. If I had to choose one dish, it would be the ribeye pork katsudon, which are thick cuts of juicy katsu over a bed of rice and soft scrambled eggs. They put a good amount of their sweet soy sauce, which makes you never have a dry or flavorless bite. By itself, the pork is full of flavor and not too oily despite have a nice piece of fat in every slice. You have several condiments to change up each bite with different flavored salts and tonkatsu sauce. Their yuzu salad dressing to add to your sliced cabbage salad is refreshing. If you decide to go the seafood route, expect conger eel, tiger shrimp, crab, and a piece of fish. They take credit card, have an English menu, and great service. ”