Top 20 Tonkatsu Restaurants in Tokyo (March 2025 Edition)

Here’s a ranking of Tokyo’s best tonkatsu restaurants based on Tabelog ratings. On Tabelog, Japan’s most influential restaurant review site, establishments with scores above 3.2 are considered excellent, while those above 3.5 are highly satisfying. This ranking is based on Tabelog’s rigorous evaluation system, which gives more weight to reviews from influential users, making it a highly reliable guide.

This article is updated regularly to reflect the latest ratings and information.

No.1:Japan’s Undisputed No.1 Tonkatsu: Narikura (Rating: 4.24)

Michelin-Listed for Nine Consecutive Years

Narikura is Tokyo’s premier tonkatsu restaurant, one of only two in Japan (along with Osaka’s Mange at 4.20) to score above 4.0 in Tabelog’s tonkatsu category. It has been featured in the Michelin Guide Tokyo’s Bib Gourmand for nine consecutive years from 2017 to 2025. The restaurant is known for serving tonkatsu as part of set courses, elevating this traditionally casual dish to gourmet status.

Reservations are available through the Omakase site, with a ¥390 booking fee: https://omakase.in/en/r/qw473765?appsule=97. According to reviews, the staff at Narikura speak reasonable English.

The basic menu offers two options: the “2-piece tonkatsu set” for ¥6,500 (tax included) and the “3-piece tonkatsu set” for ¥8,000 (tax included), where guests can choose from six different types of tonkatsu.

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No.2: Tonkatsu Keita Nishiogikubo Ekimae Store (Rating: 3.90)

Premium Reservation-Only Restaurant Right at the Station

Located right in front of Nishiogikubo Station, this reservation-only restaurant has been frequently selected for Michelin’s Bib Gourmand and Tabelog’s top 100 restaurants. Their popular dishes include the premium fillet set made with Kagoshima black pork châteaubriand for ¥3,690 and the superior fillet set for ¥3,190. They also put great effort into their menchi-katsu (minced meat cutlets).

English reservation site is available here: https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/tonkatsukeita/reserve

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No.3: Katsu Pri-Por (プリポー / Pretty Pork) (Rating: 3.88)

High-End Restaurant Using Only Select Branded Pork

A high-end restaurant serving exceptional tonkatsu made exclusively with select branded pork. Tonkatsu prices range from ¥4,800 to ¥11,000, which is quite expensive for tonkatsu restaurants. They also put equal emphasis on shabu-shabu and samgyeopsal (Korean pork belly). The restaurant has won the Top 100 Restaurant Award in 2022 and 2024.

Reservations can be made through the English reservation site, though most text is in Japanese: https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/harajuku-pretty-pork-factory/reserve The English Tabelog site may be easier to use for reservations: https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1306/A130601/13295369/

For lunch, the recommended dish is the Melty Pork Premium Fillet/Kagoshima (3 pieces) for ¥4,800. The pork is fed with an original feed that contains more wheat than standard feed, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

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No.4: Tonta (Rating: 3.87)

Famous for Light Breading and Perfect Temperature Control

Known for tonkatsu with light breading and perfectly controlled cooking temperature, especially praised for its loin cutlets. The restaurant offers a wide selection of side dishes and miso soup options and is always busy with lines of customers. Their popular menu item is the Special Rosu (Loin) Katsu Set for ¥2,300, featuring premium loin meat that’s irresistible for those who love fatty cuts.

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No.5: Tonkatsu Nanaido (Rating: 3.85)

Famous for Exceptional Chicken Katsu Near Harajuku

While their tonkatsu is excellent, this restaurant is also particularly known for its chicken katsu. The chef is also the master of the neighboring yakitori restaurant. Located near Harajuku’s popular Takeshita Street, it’s popular with foreign tourists. Note that they only operate during lunch hours and typically have lines.

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No.6: Sharikimon Chawanbu (Rating: 3.80)

Tokyo’s Second Most Expensive Tonkatsu Restaurant

A high-end establishment offering Premium Fillet Katsu Set for ¥5,400, Premium Rib Loin Set for ¥4,800, and more. It’s the second most expensive tonkatsu restaurant in Tokyo after Narikura. Free refills of cabbage and rice are available.The restaurant is known for its meticulous attention to detail, from the selection of premium pork to the precise breadcrumb texture and frying techniques. Each piece is cooked to perfection, resulting in exceptionally juicy meat encased in a delicate, crispy coating that many consider to be among the most refined in Tokyo.

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No.7: Marugo (Rating: 3.76)

Popular Spot Near Akihabara with Reasonable Prices

Offering Premium Loin Katsu Set for ¥2,700 and Premium Fillet Katsu Set for ¥2,950, the prices are relatively reasonable compared to other high-end establishments. They use Yamagata-bred three-way crossbred pork.

Being close to Akihabara Station, the restaurant attracts many foreign customers and can have lines of up to 50 people during lunch hours. It has been featured in the Bib Gourmand and has won the Top 100 Restaurant Award six times from 2017 to 2024. Dinner time usually has shorter lines and is a good opportunity to visit.

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No.8: Tonkatsu Enraku (Rating: 3.76)

A Restaurant with Rich Heritage

A restaurant in the tradition of Enraku in Onarimon, sharing lineage with Enraku in Chidoricho and Kashiwa, as well as Narikura. They offer Loin Katsu Set for ¥2,600 (200g) and Fillet Katsu Set for ¥2,600 (200g). Using Yamagata-bred three-way crossbred pork, meals include rice, cabbage, pickles, pork soup, and homemade potato salad.

The restaurant has won the Top 100 Restaurant Award six times from 2017 to 2024 and has been selected for the Bib Gourmand. It’s conveniently located just a 1-2 minute walk from Ikegami Station.

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No.9: Maruichi (Rating: 3.75)

Famous Restaurant in Tokyo’s Tonkatsu Battleground

A famous restaurant in Ota Ward, one of Tokyo’s tonkatsu battlegrounds. They serve Premium Loin Katsu Set for ¥2,600, Superior Loin Katsu Set for ¥2,300, Loin Katsu Set for ¥1,400, and more. Half-rice refills are free.

Although not in a tourist area, expect a decent line during lunch. The atmosphere is that of a traditional local eatery with many regular customers. The restaurant has won the Top 100 Restaurant Award six times from 2017 to 2024.

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No.10: Agezuki (Rating: 3.74)

Popular Restaurant in Kagurazaka’s Fine Dining District

A popular restaurant located in Kagurazaka, Shinjuku, an area known for its fine cuisine. Lunch prices range from ¥1,000 to ¥2,000, which is relatively reasonable, and they offer various high-grade branded pork from Miyazaki, Okinawa, Matsusaka, and more. Some premium cuts can cost up to ¥4,000.

Since they deep-fry each order carefully, the waiting time tends to be longer, but rice and cabbage can be refilled once for free. The restaurant has won the Top 100 Restaurant Award six times from 2017 to 2024.

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No.11: Katsuyoshi (Rating: 3.74)

Hidden Gem in a Back Alley

Selected for the Bib Gourmand from 2022 to 2025 and a regular on the Top 100 list. Their Loin Katsu is ¥1,705 for 110g, with rice and pickles for an additional ¥330, and miso soup for ¥275. Prices increase with size: 150g for ¥2,145, 200g for ¥3,025, and special grade 250g+ starting at ¥4,015.

Hidden in a back alley and somewhat difficult to find, the restaurant offers a traditional Japanese atmosphere reminiscent of an old folk house. Many 夜のcustomers start with beer and appetizers like croquettes before ordering tonkatsu.

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No.12: Tonkatsu Hinata (Rating: 3.73)

Great Value in a University District

A renowned restaurant in a university district. Despite the nationwide price hike wave that necessitated a price revision in January 2025, it still offers relatively good value compared to other ranked establishments. All tonkatsu dishes use Miyagi-produced medicinal herb-fed pork.

Menu options include Loin Katsu Set (130g) for ¥1,300, Superior Loin Katsu Set (190g) for ¥1,850, and more. Cabbage and rice can be refilled once for free. In the evening, they offer dinner courses featuring rare cuts (¥3,900+). The restaurant has won the Top 100 Restaurant Award five times from 2018 to 2024 and has been selected for the Bib Gourmand.

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No.13: Tonkatsu Yamaichi (Rating: 3.73)

Skilled Establishment with Reasonable Prices

A skilled establishment that has won the Top 100 Restaurant Award six times from 2017 to 2024. Premium Fillet Set for ¥2,200, Premium Loin Set for ¥2,100, and Loin Set for ¥1,550 are offered at slightly lower prices compared to other ranked restaurants. Their Katsudon for ¥1,700 is also popular.

Unlike its rival shop Marugo nearby, this restaurant doesn’t typically have long lines, but note that dinner service is only available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Their oyster fry set is also well-regarded and recommended during oyster season.

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No.14: Tonkatsu Aoki Ginza 8-chome Store (Rating: 3.73)

Popular Restaurant with Excellent Value

A popular restaurant that has won the Top 100 Restaurant Award five times from 2018 to 2024. Premium Loin for ¥2,200 (300g) and Superior Loin for ¥1,700 (200g) offer excellent value. Their unique Half & Half (Fillet and Loin) for ¥2,200 (250g) is also popular.

The restaurant attracts many foreign customers and is conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from Shimbashi Station. Rice refills cost ¥200 per bowl, but their Lunch Loin Katsu Set (170g) is reasonably priced at ¥1,300 (tax included). Their menchi-katsu is also well-regarded and can be added as a topping for ¥400.

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No.15: Hasegawa (Rating: 3.72)

Popular Evening Spot Near Ryogoku Sumo Arena

A popular restaurant that has won the Top 100 Restaurant Award six times from 2017 to 2024. Located near the Ryogoku Kokugikan, famous for sumo wrestling. Open until 10:30 PM and serving various alcoholic beverages, it attracts many drinking customers in the evening.

They use Yamagata-bred three-way crossbred pork. Consider trying the unique Plum-Shiso Fillet Katsu Set (¥2,500). For lunch, Loin Katsu Set for ¥1,800 and Katsu Curry for ¥1,700 are popular choices. Rice and cabbage can be refilled once for free.

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No.16: Ponchi-ken (Rating: 3.72)

Tonkatsu and Shabu-Shabu Specialist by a Western Cuisine Chef

A restaurant selected for the Michelin Guide Tokyo’s Bib Gourmand for 10 consecutive years (2015-2024) and has won the Top 100 Restaurant Award six times from 2017 to 2024. Opened in 2012 by a Western cuisine chef, it specializes in tonkatsu and pork shabu-shabu.

For lunch, they offer Superior Loin Pork Katsu for ¥1,940, Premium Loin Pork Katsu for ¥2,740, and more. In the evening, in addition to these dishes, they serve menu items to enjoy with alcohol, such as pork shabu-shabu and a whole premium Okinawan pork fillet (about 500g).

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No.17: Ginza Katsukami (Rating: 3.72)

Gourmet Tonkatsu Course Dining Experience

A restaurant that has won the Bib Gourmand for three consecutive years from 2023 to 2025. Katsukami offers tonkatsu as part of a course menu at the counter, allowing guests to enjoy different cuts freshly fried one by one.This high-end restaurant offers a full-course tonkatsu dining experience at the counter. Each cut of pork is freshly fried in front of you, one by one, allowing you to enjoy the subtle differences between various cuts and preparations.

English reservation site is available here: https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/katsukami/reserve

Both lunch and dinner are primarily course-based, so budget around ¥5,000 for lunch and over ¥10,000 for dinner. Reservations are essential. Guests can enjoy a full-course meal from appetizers to main dishes and dessert. The restaurant has won the Top 100 Restaurant Award four times from 2019 to 2024.

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No.18: Kurobuta Tonkatsu Horiichi (Rating: 3.72)

Award-Winning New Restaurant Specializing in Kagoshima Black Pork

A reservation-based tonkatsu restaurant with fixed time slots that opened in April 2021. Within two years of opening, it was awarded the Bib Gourmand in 2023 and again in 2024. It was also selected for the Top 100 Tonkatsu Restaurants 2024.

English reservation site is available here: https://omakaseje.com/restaurants/hx875620

The chef, originally from Kirishima City in Kagoshima Prefecture, specializes in tonkatsu made primarily with Kagoshima black pork. Menu items include Black Pork Loin Katsu Set (130g) for ¥1,900, Black Pork Fillet Katsu Set for ¥2,800, and more, offering good value for the quality and portion size.

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No.19: Tonkatsu Masamune (Rating: 3.71)

Traditional Japanese-Style Tonkatsu in Akasaka

A popular tonkatsu and curry restaurant in the Akasaka area. In a purely Japanese-style setting, they serve thick-cut Waton Mochibuta pork that’s juicy inside with a crispy coating. It’s recommended to squeeze lemon on top and eat with soy sauce or rock salt.

Popular menu items include Loin Katsu Set for ¥1,550, Fillet Katsu Set for ¥1,650, Superior Loin Katsu Set for ¥2,100, and Katsu Curry for ¥1,550. During lunch, each item is ¥200 cheaper. The restaurant has won the Top 100 Restaurant Award six times from 2017 to 2024 and has been selected for the Bib Gourmand.

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No.20: Tonkatsu Tetsu (Rating: 3.71)

Relaxing Jazz Ambiance with Quality Hayashi SPF Pork

A tonkatsu restaurant located in a semi-basement of an apartment building, a 5-10 minute walk from JR Omori Station. Popular for its tonkatsu made with the Chiba Prefecture brand “Hayashi SPF pork.” The interior has a calm atmosphere with jazz playing in the background, featuring counter and table seating suitable for solo diners, families, and groups.

Menu items include Superior Loin Katsu Set for ¥1,500, Premium Superior Loin Katsu Set for ¥2,000, and more at reasonable prices. Rice and cabbage can be refilled once for free. The restaurant also offers izakaya-style menu items like nuta, board wasa, and more, attracting customers who enjoy drinking in the evening.

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