Tonkatsu is such a delicious meal to pull together when I need a quick Japanese fix.
Since the pork used is so thin, it fries up in a flash! Even if you need to make your own sauce, you can have the whole dish done in 20 minutes. Which, let’s be honest, is “Buddha-sent” for weeknight meals!
A lot of Japanese markets carry a perfectly yummy bottled Tonkatsu sauce. But if you don’t have some on hand, it’s just as easy and delish to make. Though, I have been just as happy to dip the crispy cutlets into BBQ sauce 
I also should have sliced the pork before snapping the pic—as that’s the way Tonkatsu is traditional presented. But my tummy won over and I didn’t realize it until I had polished half of it off already! DOH!
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Tonkatsu (Japanese Pork Cutlet)
Serves 2
Ingredients:
Tonkatsu:
4 Pieces Pork Loin, ½ inch thin
1 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs
½ Cup Flour
2 Eggs
2 Tablespoons Milk
¼ Cup Vegetable Oil
Salt and Pepper
Tonkatsu Sauce:
2 Tablespoons Barbecue Sauce
2 Tablespoons Ketchup
½ Tablespoon Soy Sauce
1 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
1 Teaspoon Rice Wine Vinegar
½ Tablespoon Sugar
½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper
Prepare the sauce by mixing whisking all the ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside while preparing the pork.
Place breadcrumbs in a shallow dish and place the flour in another. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. Season the pork with salt and pepper. Working in batches, dredge a few pieces of the pork in the flour, then the egg mixture, and finally the breadcrumbs to coat, shaking off the excess between each step. Repeat with the remaining pork.
In a large skillet, heat the oil to medium high heat. Slide in 2 pieces of pork and fry until golden brown, approximately 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove from pan and drain the cutlets on paper towels. Repeat with remaining pork.
Serve Tonkatsu with rice, sauce, and a squeeze of lemon.
Nam, this Tonkatsu looks delicious! And you made your own Tonkatsu sauce. I’m impressed! It looks like you had a great dinner one night…
I gobbled it up! lol
Sounds delicious! I will absolutely be trying this this week!
Let me know how it goes!
That looks fabulous! Thanks!
Thanks!! I just saw your Black Bottom Cupcakes—YUM!
The picture makes you desperately wants to eat the pork cutlet! To me it looks like a simple dinner party dish to wow your friends.
I shall try it out – lovely!!
Nina
Thank You Nina! This would be a wonderfully yummy and easy dinner party entree!
Mmm tonkatsu, looks so good. When I was little my “job” was always to make the tonkatsu sauce. =)
Hi Lindsey!! Sounds like you had a yummy and important job!
Mmmm, it looks so crispy and tasty!!!
Hi Jun! Thanks for stopping by! Your site is LOVELY!
Looks delicious, I make my tonkatsu sauce slightly differently, may have to try out your version some day too. Click my site above to view, also shows japanese potato salad which is delicious.
Ooh! The potato salad would be wonderful with this!
Those pork cutlets are jumping off the page ! What stunning photos and a delicious sounding recipe !
Thank You Maja!
I love Tonkatsu! There’s a place here in nyc in the East Village that makes it sooo well, with a curry sauce on the side. Mmmm, now i’m hungry
Hi Amy! What’s the name of the place in the East Village? My brother lives in the Lower East Side but they’re always up for good recommendations
Oh man, I’ll have to go walk by it because I definitely only know how to get when I’m there, hehe. I’ll get back to you!
This looks so delicious! My husband frequently goes to a place in Los Angeles to have this dish for lunch, and if I could make it for him one night, I’m sure he would be so happy! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Georgia! I LOVE how you did the “his and her” cuppies on your site! Lovely colors!
yum!!! yum!!! give me some!!! (please)
Of course, seester……you just need to drive down to SD to get it!
Hi! I saw this recipe on the Tasty Kitchen website. I’m thinking of trying it. A couple of questions: 1) can you use pork chops or does it have to be cutlets? 2) Why do you have two different amounts of soy sauce listed in the sauce recipe? The Tasty Kitchen recipe also lists 1/2 cup instead of 1/2 Tbsp. Thanks!
Eeek! What an error! I made the adjustments on the site here (½ Tablespoon Soy Sauce). The adjustments will be reflected tomorrow on Tasty Kitchen. Thanks for catching that!
And yes! You can absolutely use pork chops. Just either use a mallet to pound it thin or cut them to the right size. Cheers!
Thanks! I made it last night and really enjoyed it. I had super thin chops anyway. I loved the sauce. The rest of the family enjoyed it (I think, all guys, they don’t say much).
So glad it worked out well for you! Thanks for reading and giving it a try!
soooo good… I’ll try for sure
have a great day ciao from Italy
Domenica
Thanks so much Domenica!
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Made this for dinner tonight – DELICIOUS. Definitely making again.