I had a business trip to Kyoto on this day. I had been wanting to visit a tonkatsu restaurant near Kyoto Station for lunch if I had the chance. I arrived just after the opening at 11:30 and was seated at the counter for the last round. I ordered the famous tonkatsu rice set. The tonkatsu arrived in about 15 minutes. The breadcrumbs on the tonkatsu were just the right size and color, with a standard look. The meat had a strong sweetness from the fat, with a high fat content. The tonkatsu tasted better with the rich demi-glace sauce than with salt or tonkatsu sauce. The side dishes included lettuce and cabbage salad, potato salad, and spaghetti. The combination of demi-glace sauce and side dishes increased the Western-style feel. Especially the spaghetti with ketchup base was good. The restaurant had a retro Showa-era look with a warm atmosphere and friendly service. I think it's a place where you can enjoy tonkatsu in a nice atmosphere.
空岡 一世
3.70
Tonkatsu Ichiban KUMA Survey (Daily Use) (-80 ☆ Excellent: / -60 ◎ Excellent / -50 ◯ Pass / -40 △ Average) (Taste: 60%: Store Management 20%: Cost Performance 20%)
■ Overall evaluation 57/100 points (Taste: 70 points)
Representative tonkatsu restaurant in front of Kyoto Station!
■ Overview
Located about a 14-minute walk from the north exit of Kyoto Station, this tonkatsu restaurant is situated in the middle of a residential area typical of Kyoto. It is a popular restaurant in the neighborhood known for its secret demi-glace sauce. Despite its simple, traditional appearance, the restaurant has obtained a Michelin Bib Gourmand and attracts many foreign visitors. The tonkatsu preparation is quite ordinary, but it stands out for using high-quality pork and achieving a perfect frying level that leaves a slightly pink color. While it may not match up to the Lin SPF shops in the Kamata area of Tokyo, it is quite well done.
■ Ordered dishes / prices / taste / cost performance
◯ Supreme Tonkatsu ¥2200 (220g loin)
◯ Rice set ¥250
◯ Bottle of beer (Sapporo) ¥600
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Always a detailed critical evaluation
■ Usage scene 4 people ◯ / 2 people ◯ / 1 person ◯
■ Atmosphere and service of the restaurant 43/100 points 8 points (4 points pass, 5 points pass) Basic points 4 points
◇ Store 5/10 points: Clean, organized
◇ Service 4/10 points: Average
◇ Comfort 4/10 points: Average
- The restaurant is slightly old-fashioned but well maintained
- There is a TV that creates a cozy atmosphere
- It feels like the meat has been tenderized
- Many families and foreigners in the neighborhood
- English menu available
- Counter with 4 seats
- Babies are allowed, but their cries can be very loud
■ Detailed evaluation of dishes 70/100 points 42 points
◯ Tonkatsu: Tender with a crispy exterior and a slightly pink center, perfectly fried. Tenderized with a meat tenderizer, it has a soft texture. Being loin, it has some fat, but the demi-glace sauce is just right, allowing you to enjoy the essence of the "tonkatsu"
◯ Rice 40/100 points
Appearance: No gloss
Stickiness: Average
Taste: Average
Aroma: Decent
Hardness: Some dryness
◯ Nishikyo miso soup
■ Cost evaluation 35/100 points 7 points
The tonkatsu set lunch on weekdays is affordable at ¥800, but dinner with tonkatsu and rice for ¥1150 + ¥250 = ¥1400 is on the higher side. Since there is no mention of the brand, evaluating it as standard meat, the price is 18% higher. However, due to the excellent taste, 5 points are added.
35 points (base point) - 10 points (price) + 5 = 35 points
<Reference information>
Average retail price statistics ¥1186
もーええわ
3.50
Last night, I had a lot to drink and eat, so I didn't have anything for breakfast or lunch today. I wasn't even very hungry at dinner time, but I decided to have a light tonkatsu. The tonkatsu (1,150 yen) set with rice (250 yen) and one chicken wing (200 yen). The tonkatsu is made with thin meat and only weighs 130 grams, so it's quite easy to eat. It comes with demi-glace sauce instead of tonkatsu sauce (it's already served with sauce on top). Mixing some mustard into the mild sauce makes it very appetizing. The cabbage and spaghetti portions are small, so those who want a hearty meal might find it a bit lacking. They also have a variety of side dishes like cream croquettes and chicken karaage. I also tried one chicken wing for the first time this time. It was fried with a not too strong flavor and was very delicious. The miso soup (a blend of three types of miso) is so good that you might want to get a refill. I was satisfied. Thank you for the meal.
みみかきうさぎ
3.50
Garlic pork fillet 200g for 2550 yen, with a rice set for 250 yen. It was a bit funny to see a comic book of "Quiet Don" placed there. There were 5 customers waiting before 6 o'clock, forming a group. I thought I could get in quickly, but it took longer than expected, around 2.5 hours. I chatted with the foreigner behind me while waiting. According to reviews, the cream croquette seemed popular. I was planning to spend around 1000 yen, but I was drawn to the limited-time garlic pork. It's been a while, but it was delicious. The pork had a good thickness, about 1.5-2 cm. The richness of the fat was amazing, almost like KFC. It was my first time experiencing such a juicy pork cutlet. The demi-glace sauce was not that prominent, the salt or matcha salt was better. I think there were different types of salt available, like the house blend, rock salt, and matcha salt. Matcha salt surprisingly enhanced the flavor of the meat. I can't remember which was which, but one was a bit salty, while the other was really tasty. I would like to try the regular pork and cream croquette next time. I believe I could pay with d payment, which was convenient for a small restaurant. The QR code system was well-equipped, which was appreciated. Thank you for the meal.
junya0007
3.50
I was looking for a place where I could quickly eat lunch, and I came across Tonkatsu Ichiban. I ordered the Hire Katsu set with a cream croquette, and I must say, the Hire Katsu was incredibly tender. The prices were reasonable, and I felt that the tenderness of the meat provided good value for money. Although I had the tonkatsu this time, I would love to try the daily special if I have the chance. This is a recommended place for when you want a satisfying meal!
大パパ0776
3.40
Last time I made a mistake in ordering my dish, so this time I ordered the classic dish of tonkatsu. It took a bit of time, but what came out was a freshly fried, large tonkatsu. It was thick yet tender and delicious. I should have ordered this from the beginning. Thank you for the meal.
西武多摩湖線
3.00
I will have lunch at this restaurant for the last meal of this trip. I had known about this restaurant for a while and had been wanting to try their bento. I had passed by the restaurant before when I went to play at Umekoji Park, but it was closed at the time, so I had planned to visit next time. By the time I arrived around noon after sightseeing at Sanjusangendo, there was already someone waiting in front of the restaurant. I had to wait a bit before being seated. Since I was alone, I sat at the counter. When I looked at the menu, I was surprised by the variety of options, but unfortunately, the bento I was looking forward to was not available. It turned out that it required a reservation in advance and could only be ordered for a group of around 10 people. I decided to go for the set meal on the left. I ordered the tonkatsu set meal (1150 yen) with extra rice and miso soup for 150 yen. The interior of the restaurant had a nostalgic Showa era atmosphere, like a traditional tonkatsu restaurant I used to visit with my parents when I was young. There was no emphasis on the quality of the meat or sauce, or whether it should be eaten with salt, just a sense of nostalgia. The customers were mostly older regulars from the neighborhood. The kitchen was run by two older women and one man, who seemed experienced and calm, having repeated the same routine for many years. Finally, the food arrived. It was exactly as I had expected. The tonkatsu was accompanied by potato salad and spaghetti with meat sauce. The demi-glace sauce was sweet and brown in color, covering the tonkatsu. The taste was simple and familiar, reminding me of the traditional tonkatsu I used to eat with my parents. It was a nostalgic experience. When I entered, the restaurant was almost full, but by the time I left, there were only a couple of customers remaining. The solo diners had plenty of space at the table. It seemed like I had just missed the rush. This was a local tonkatsu restaurant for the residents.
object reading0821
3.60
Famous restaurant near Kyoto Station! Lately, I feel like I can't get motivated without eating katsu. Is this menopause?? So, I wandered around the streets of Kyoto in search of katsu. The access from Kyoto Station is good, but it's located in a slightly complicated area. However, when I arrived, there was a long line! Amazing!! The interior of the restaurant has a charming atmosphere. The katsu I had was the famous tonkatsu set with rice. The demiglace sauce was great! The meat was juicy!
魚山人44
4.00
I went on a trip to Kyoto. I found this place on Tabelog. Since it was just a one-day stay in Kyoto, I thought about trying Japanese cuisine, but honestly, I find specialty restaurants tastier than kaiseki cuisine. I was looking for sushi, chicken dishes, meat dishes, fugu restaurants, and eel restaurants, but I found this place. And, luckily, I was able to make a reservation in time! I ordered the fillet and loin, pork cutlet highball set. The recent trend of low-temperature frying was used, and while it may not be as far as white tonkatsu, it was very tender and juicy. The oil was also well-drained! Truly a specialty restaurant. It was the right choice. The sauce was not too sweet and matched the meat well. Thank you for the delicious meal.
denso246
3.80
I had the Extreme Loin Cutlet and Cream Croquette. Both were very delicious. At my age, I don't need the extreme level of cutlet, even the regular one is enough (lol). The photo of the cutlet is after I couldn't resist taking a bite. It was very filling, and you can have unlimited rice refills. The small piece of sirloin I tried was also very tasty. Next time, I'll try the sirloin instead. Thank you for the meal.
セイジョー
4.00
I visited the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand 2023 featured restaurant "Beloved Kyoto Cuisine" after reading about it in a manga. The tonkatsu with demi-glace sauce was delicious and unique. The side dishes like potato salad and miso soup were also great. Despite a small line, it was worth coming for lunch. It's a good idea to combine a visit to the Kyoto Aquarium with dining here. Thank you for the wonderful meal!
まろんボス
4.00
During the first day of my Kansai trip from March 2nd to 5th, I visited "Tonkatsu Ichiban" for the first time in 12 years. I made a reservation and ordered the tonkatsu without rice, along with a bottle of beer. I enjoyed the "Tonkatsu with demi-glace sauce" and the "Cream Croquette." It was popular among foreign tourists, and the restaurant was bustling with customers. #KyotoGourmet #KyotoTonkatsu #BibGourmand #Tonkatsu #CreamCroquette #KyotoTravel #SoloTravelKyoto
たけちゃんぱぱ1965
3.30
I visited a tonkatsu restaurant called "Tonkatsu Ichiban" located in a back alley near Ume-Koji Park in Kyoto. It is a tonkatsu restaurant in a traditional Kyoto townhouse, with a sign indicating that it is an established restaurant. Inside the restaurant, it had the atmosphere of a Showa-era diner. I decided to try the daily lunch special, which was the "Tonkatsu Set Meal." Although the tonkatsu portion was smaller and lacked the richness compared to the regular menu, it was still delicious, especially with the tasty demi-glace sauce. The miso soup, made with white miso, had a Kyoto-like flavor. I regret not choosing the tonkatsu from the regular menu, so I would like to visit again.
okapyon
3.50
Visited with 2 people on Saturday at 13:34. We were given the menu at the entrance and waited for about 5 minutes. We were seated at the table at the far back. Ordered a 150-gram pork cutlet, chicken rice, 1 chicken wing, and 2 highballs. The pork cutlet arrived at 13:51. The demi-glace sauce is good. The total bill was 3070 yen. You can use PayPay.
トニヒコ
4.00
I had tonkatsu at a nostalgic restaurant. The meat's sweetness and the aroma of lard, combined with the crispy coating and light demi-glace sauce, made for a delicious meal. The tender rice, red miso soup, and sides of red spaghetti and potato salad were all perfectly balanced. It was a very tasty lunch!
大パパ0776
3.00
I was attracted by the low price, so I chose the sauce cutlet bowl. You can choose the type of pork, so I chose the cheapest regular pork. I opted for the double portion mega size, but kept the rice portion normal. The double portion of cutlet was too much... it was a huge amount. The way it was fried was a bit oily, and the smell of the pork itself was noticeable. I should have chosen a higher quality pork and kept the portion normal. I regret my choice.
Nikushock
4.50
Tonkatsu Ichiban. This tonkatsu restaurant is located in a residential area about a 10-minute walk from JR Umekoji Kyoto Nishi Station in Kyoto. It is loved by the local community. Even on weekdays, this restaurant is often full, and it is a well-known long-established store that has been featured on television. The breading is crispy and fluffy, and really light! It's so light that you might feel like you could eat as many pieces as you want. I finished my meal in no time. I want to try out the other menu items as well.
KFC9620
3.50
130g of pork cutlet with rice set for 1,400 yen. Visited during off-peak hours, with a 3.48 rating on Tabelog. No parking lot available, but there is a coin parking nearby. Arrived before opening time to find a line of about 12-13 people. Managed to secure seats at the counter. The sight of the kitchen staff working efficiently was quite pleasant.
さくら 愛知グルメ
3.90
Hello! I went to Kyoto to see the autumn leaves! I was looking for a place to have lunch near Kyoto Station, and when I searched for highly rated restaurants on Tabelog, I found this place. It's located in a residential area down a narrow road. The interior of the restaurant has a retro feel, with both counter and table seating. I ordered the famous tonkatsu (180g), which was thick and covered in demi-glace sauce. The sauce was rich and flavorful, and it went well with the cabbage. The crispy coating on the tonkatsu, along with the potato salad, cabbage, and spaghetti that came with it, reminded me of the old days and I loved it! The miso soup seemed to use three types of Saikyo miso, and it was very delicious. There were many men dining alone. Thank you for the delicious tonkatsu experience!
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