This time, I would like to introduce a new tonkatsu (pork cutlet) restaurant that opened in Higashi-Ginza on March 15. The location is about a 5-6 minute walk from Higashi-Ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line and Toei Asakusa Line, and a 7-8 minute walk from Tsukiji Market Station on the Toei Oedo Line. The hours of operation are as follows: Monday to Friday from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM (last order at 2:30 PM) and 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM (last food order at 9:00 PM, last drink order at 9:30 PM). On holidays, they are open from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM (last order at 2:30 PM). They are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. They will also be closed on April 8, which falls on a Monday, but they will be open on Saturday, April 6. I visited the restaurant around 1 PM on the day after its opening. The seating options include a counter, semi-private rooms, and tatami seating. I was seated at the counter. Since it was the day after their grand opening, they offered a special commemorative tonkatsu course meal weighing 180 grams, which included six pieces of tonkatsu, cabbage, miso soup, and rice (made with Koshihikari rice from Ibaraki Prefecture), plus a finishing touch of curry. Normally priced at 3,300 yen (tax included), it was offered for 2,000 yen (tax included). Additionally, they had a limited offering of 30 portions of their “Ultimate Pork Cutlet Curry” at 2,200 yen (tax included), which was available for 1,500 yen. I decided to order the 180-gram tonkatsu course meal. First, I received the cabbage—fresh and crispy, with unlimited refills! The egg soy sauce dressing was also quite tasty, and I refilled it once. The types of tonkatsu served were shoulder loin, rib loin, and tenderloin, all of which were delicious! Each cut had a satisfying heft, and the batter was great along with the sauce, making the rice disappear quickly. My favorite was definitely the rib loin, which had a nice balance of fat—not too greasy—and a tender texture with rich flavor, perfectly complementing the batter and sauce. For the finishing touch, they served a curry that was elegantly light, making it easy to enjoy with the rice. The curry paired well with the cutlet and batter, creating a fantastic finale to the meal. Everything—the cabbage, miso soup, rice, tonkatsu, and the special curry—was exceptional. I later learned that Chef Saito is from a highly acclaimed tonkatsu restaurant in Nishiazabu, which has consistently won awards as one of the top hundred tonkatsu spots. You could definitely tell the difference! The service was also outstanding. Thank you for the wonderful meal! I will definitely come back again.

I had some errands to run in Ginza, so I made a reservation to enjoy some tonkatsu and visited this place. It's a little bit of a walk from the bustling nightlife in Ginza. The restaurant is located underground, and upon entering, I was shown to a counter seat. There were also private rooms, and it was busy with visitors from abroad. I ordered the special set with three types of katsu. First, the cabbage was served. It was fluffy and the special dressing, which I initially thought was a sesame sauce, turned out to be a carrot French dressing or something similar, and it was very delicious! I was offered a refill, so I asked for more. The tonkatsu took quite a while to prepare, and I found myself wondering if it was mine each time someone walked by. I learned that the pork was a rare breed from Kumamoto Prefecture, but I wasn't able to get the specific brand name. All three types were delicious, but the first one—a lean cut or fillet—was particularly tasty, and I enjoyed it mostly with salt. The longer piece of meat was dipped in sauce with mustard. The one-bite curry was also lightly spiced and delicious! I even made a small katsu curry to enjoy. The staff were very pleasant, and if you’re looking for tonkatsu in Ginza, this might be the place to go! I would definitely want to come back. However, it was a bit noisy with foreigners chatting loudly, which made it less relaxing. The counter seats were quite close to each other as well. Thank you for the meal!

Last month, I searched for "Ginza Tonkatsu Saito" and planned to visit, but I prioritized a closer option and ended up going to a tonkatsu restaurant in Yurakucho. I read that the owner comes from a famous tonkatsu shop that was chosen as one of the "Top 100 Tonkatsu Restaurants" on Tabelog, which piqued my interest. I called to check for availability but found the place fully booked, so I decided to wait outside. There was one group ahead of me on the stairs, so I lined up behind them. The restaurant had clearly been designed to attract inbound tourists, as the menu was available in several languages. I didn’t have to wait long before getting a seat at the counter. The most popular dish was the Premium Tonkatsu Trio Course for 3,500 yen, but I ordered the Today's Lean Meat Tonkatsu Trio Course for 3,000 yen, which included one white meat tonkatsu. They served small bowls, pickles, and shredded cabbage with dressing, as well as rice and miso soup. I thought it would take about 20 minutes to fry the tonkatsu, but considering the time I spent ordering outside, that seemed about right—it actually came out surprisingly quickly. They placed the tonkatsu on the counter in front of me, and I noticed a rack on my plate where it was first rested. Today, the options were outside thigh, loin, and fillet. I could order unlimited refills of cabbage and rice, so I asked for more. The tonkatsu was unlike any tonkatsu I had ever tasted. There was no greasiness in the meat, and the coating was light and crisp. It wasn’t masculine in flavor but rather ultra-refined. The low-temperature-cooked tonkatsu felt like a different dish altogether. Since I ate it without sauce, just with salt and wasabi, it emphasized the unique experience of trying a new kind of tonkatsu. The tenderness and the absence of any meat odor were remarkable. The presentation was different too, with the meat’s surface facing up, clearly setting it apart from the typical tonkatsu I usually eat. While I was enjoying this new type of tonkatsu, I found it difficult to distinguish between the different cuts of meat. When I asked for another serving of rice, they brought out curry. I poured all of it over the rice, and it had a mild spiciness. The combination of flavors felt refreshing after the initial taste, creating a nice spice blend. It was definitely a luxurious experience.

I made a reservation for Monday at 2 PM and visited the restaurant. It seems they are fully booked today, accepting only reservations. More than half of the previous customers appear to be inbound tourists, as the staff was explaining things in English. I really enjoy delicious pork cutlet with good fat, so I ordered the premium pork cutlet three-item course set meal and an extra minced cutlet. First, cabbage was served, and after finishing it with sesame dressing, the pork cutlet didn’t arrive right away. There was a note explaining that due to low-temperature cooking, it would take about 20 minutes, and indeed, after 20 minutes, my rice, miso soup, and the first cut, the rib roast, were served. The fat was sweet, juicy, and delicious. Following that, I was served the zabuton (lean meat), minced cutlet, and upper fillet (lean meat). All were quite tasty, but I preferred the cutlets with more fat. It would have been nice to have a white meat three-item course set or, if possible, just the rib roast set (laughs). The curry served at the end completely overshadowed the deliciousness of the pork cutlet, so I think it was unnecessary. They may be trying to create a sense of luxury and specialness by offering a course-style service, but a bit more creativity might be needed. It might be appealing to inbound customers, though.

The two kinds of tonkatsu course was delicious. The atmosphere of the restaurant was great, and the staff were very pleasant. Both the tonkatsu and the menchi-katsu were, of course, delicious, but the dressing on the shredded cabbage was unbelievably good. I wish they sold that dressing! The meal also came with miso soup and pickles, which was nice. I will definitely go again.

In Higashi-Ginza, there's a charming restaurant! ^_^ Today, I indulged in the special omakase course! I quench my thirst with beer and enjoy some cabbage. The dressing is delicious! Starting with the loin, since it's at the counter, each freshly fried piece comes out one by one, which is great. The minced meat is juicy, and the eggplant and baby corn are also good. The main dish, the filet, is tender and has a perfect amount of fat! The fact that there's a curry to finish off is just delightful... lol. The rice is delicious too, I’m completely satisfied! Thank you for the meal (*☻-☻*) I will definitely come back again.

Saito-san, which opened in March in Higashi-Ginza, offers a variety of freshly fried pork cutlet pieces in smaller portions at the counter. I chose the premium three types of tonkatsu, and the top-quality fillet was incredibly tender, with the freshly fried cut releasing its juices as soon as it was sliced. It was delicious! The curry that comes with the set meal was also tasty, and I ended up overeating on rice, leaving me quite stuffed. It's a bit of a walk from the station, but I would definitely visit again.

The prices are a bit high, but I don't think you'll regret trying it!!! I had a set for 3,500 yen, and the tempura was crispy, with a lot of juicy meat coming out, making it really delicious. The service from the restaurant staff was also very good. I would like to go back again if I get the chance!

The pork cutlet, which is fried at low temperatures and double-fried, has a crispy coating that is close to white in color, with each part cooked to perfection and the meat's flavor locked in. When you take a bite, the rich taste of the meat fills your mouth, and it melts away. I enjoyed the thigh, top loin, ribeye, and tenderloin. Finally, a spicy curry sauce was served, and I had the idea to place the tenderloin on top of rice to make a pork curry dish. This idea was thoroughly enjoyable. Additionally, the minced cutlet I ordered was full of flavor, with juices overflowing; it was satisfying even without any condiments. Adding a bit of sauce also provided a nice change in flavor. It was my first experience pairing ribeye with wasabi and salt, and I highly recommend it. The high-quality fat of the ribeye mellowed the spiciness of the wasabi, allowing the meat's deliciousness to shine through. A brand-new pork cutlet specialty restaurant has now opened, and I highly recommend it!

I really love tonkatsu. I've come to realize this once again. It's usually just a common dish that I eat casually, but it's actually a very special category. The taste varies greatly from restaurant to restaurant, and many establishments live up to my expectations. Of course, there are those that don’t, but this place seems to be quite skilled. After all, it’s Saito-san. Recently, "Saito" has become a bit of a sensitive word, but it’s still Saito-san. For lunch on a weekday, the loin cutlet set costs 1500 yen, and there’s a limit of just 10 portions. A mismatched line starts forming before opening, hoping to get their hands on one. If I arrive at 11:30, it’s almost a guarantee that I’ll miss out. However, I made a reservation. This new strategy of reserving for lunch meant that I arrived on time and easily ordered the limited dish. The fat seeps out from the meat. The soft and flavorful pork comes from Kumamoto Prefecture. I’m not sure what makes it so great, but it’s definitely impressive. That’s because it tastes incredibly delicious. Returning to the initial point, I can genuinely think, "Ah, I really love tonkatsu," which speaks to the trust I have in this dish. It truly showcases the essence of tonkatsu. This is what serious loin cutlet is all about. Even the batter is different—it's unbelievably crispy. The meat is juicy. Whether I eat it with wasabi, salt, or sauce, this incredible loin cutlet is delicious in every way. I can get a free refill of rice up to one bowl. I ordered a mini curry roux with my second bowl and turned it into a katsukare (pork cutlet curry) show. It’s quite spicy, but it’s also very tasty. The cabbage with sesame dressing is my favorite dressing I've ever had. Everything is just incredible at Saito-san’s! --------------------------------------------------- Loin cutlet set: 1500 yen (limited to 10 portions on weekdays) Mini curry roux: 200 yen Ginza Tonkatsu Saito Monday to Friday: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM / 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM Public Holidays: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM Closed: Saturday and Sunday ---------------------------------------------------

I went for lunch and found out that the limited 10 servings of the breaded pork cutlet set meal was sold out, so I opted for the three types of red meat pork cutlet course set instead. While waiting for my food, I could occasionally hear the delightful sound of the meat tenderizer coming from the kitchen. The three types of cutlets, which were deep-fried slowly at a low temperature, had a crispy coating and juicy meat, and they paired perfectly with salt and wasabi! Additionally, a spicy curry sauce was served on the side, allowing me to enjoy it as a pork cutlet curry dish as well.

First visit. It was around 1 PM on a weekday, but the seats were quite full, and there seemed to be a relatively high number of international customers. This time, I ordered the premium pork cutlet set meal, which included top tenderloin, ribeye, and today’s selection of either red or white meat. It appears that the daily selection cannot be chosen, and on this day it was white meat, specifically loin. About 20 minutes later, the first loin cutlet was served. It was juicy but surprisingly light in flavor. Both the umami and sweetness were moderate. Next came the ribeye. This was also juicy, and I could feel the tenderness of the meat, but again, it had a moderate flavor profile. Lastly, the top tenderloin was presented. This too was similar in taste. The light batter meant the meat flavor was emphasized, yet I still couldn’t really perceive much umami or sweetness overall. The combined weight of the three types was probably around 200 grams. This pork cutlet is easy to eat due to its mild taste, but considering the price, I wished for a bit more impact in flavor.

I enjoyed the three types of white meat pork cutlet course set meal along with a draft beer! The restaurant is a 5-minute walk from Higashi-Ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro. I visited on a weekday at 6 PM without a reservation, but I was lucky to find one seat available. I recommend making a reservation, as it can get busy at times. In the evening, the course meals are the main offerings. On this occasion, I had the three types of pork cutlet course, which included shoulder loin, loin, and belly meat. The meal also came with rice, miso soup, a small side dish, and a curry for the finish. Rice and cabbage can be refilled once for free, and I opted for a second serving of cabbage. The dressing was especially delicious. The meat was great too, and I particularly enjoyed the shoulder loin seasoned with salt. Notably, about 70% of the customers were Asian foreigners, which gave me the impression that the pricing targets that demographic. The service was polite, and the atmosphere was comfortable.

I arrived without a reservation at 11:30 and managed to get in just in time for the first round. About half of the customers seemed to be from abroad. The turnover was slow, so it seems wise to make a reservation even for a weekday lunch. I ordered the weekday lunch special, a pork cutlet set meal for 1500 yen, and a draft beer for 800 yen. The beer was served right away, but I should have asked for the cutlet to come at the same time because it took about 20 minutes to arrive. The cutlet, recommended with salt, was indeed delicious! The pink rock salt paired perfectly with the tender cutlet, which wasn’t heavy at all. I enjoyed trying various condiments like soy sauce, sauce, wasabi, and mustard. I was curious about the round cutlet and discovered it was a minced meat cutlet, which was fantastic with the sauce and mustard. The shredded cabbage came with sesame dressing on the side. The miso soup had a pork broth with just green onions, giving it a taste similar to tonjiru. The pickles had just the right amount of saltiness, and the rice was tasty as well. Overall, it was a satisfying lunch with great cost performance. When I left, there were about 5 to 6 people waiting in line.

Recently, I visited a restaurant for lunch despite being hungover, as I had made a reservation. The place is popular on Instagram, and as a dedicated tonkatsu lover, I felt it was a mission I had to undertake (laughs). I had a reservation for 1 PM and was smoothly seated at the counter. I ordered the deluxe tonkatsu three-course set for ¥3500. First, the cabbage was served, cut onsite with a slicer, which made for a nice texture. I started with the loin, which was cooked perfectly with a pleasant pink hue, retaining its moisture and was delicious. Next, I had the rib meat, but it had quite a bit of fat and I found the sinew a bit bothersome. Lastly, the tenderloin was soft, but I wished it had a bit more moisture. The mini curry served as a side was easy to eat and had a mass-appeal flavor. Overall, it wasn’t bad, but I hope to see some more creativity and improvements in operations and quality. Also, I think it would be great if they fried the tonkatsu in front of us at the counter, instead of in the back, to enhance the live cooking experience. Thank you for the meal!

I visited for lunch and had made a reservation in advance. **Key Points:** - A popular tonkatsu restaurant among foreign visitors to Japan. - Enjoy a variety of tonkatsu while experiencing different flavors. - The pork is tender and easy to eat, with a subtle flavor. **Operations:** - Staffed by multiple people. - Predominantly foreign clientele. - Credit card payments accepted. - No charge or service fee. - Online reservations available, suitable for solo diners. - Open for lunch. - Table for one is possible. - You won’t feel too full after one meal. - Stay duration: just under 1.5 hours. - Google rating: 4.7 - Difference between Tabelog rating and reality: 3.51 (none). **Restaurant Overview:** This tonkatsu restaurant accepts online reservations and is located deep in Ginza, towards Tsukiji. It attracts a significant number of foreign visitors, possibly popular within their community. There were people waiting without reservations, so making a reservation is advisable. The unique feature of the restaurant is that they fry the rare pork from Kumamoto Prefecture at low temperatures. Closed on weekends, but open on holidays. It’s a bit of a walk from the station and can also be accessed from Tsukiji Market. **Atmosphere and Service:** There are counter and table seats available, as well as tatami rooms on the second floor. I was seated at the counter, where the spacing between seats was a bit tight. There were moments when the scent of perfume was noticeable. The operation seems to not strictly separate the kitchen from the dining area, with multiple staff members working together. It seemed like there was only one person frying at the back. The menu indicated that it may take up to 20 minutes for food to be served, but during busy times, it can take longer than that. **Order Details and Cost Performance:** I ordered the 3,000 yen lean tonkatsu course which included three types of tonkatsu, cabbage, rice, miso soup, a small side dish, and a mini curry. Cabbage and rice can be refilled once for free. I thought the cost performance was reasonable. **Personal Impressions:** The tonkatsu included loin, shoulder loin, and fillet, with the loin being served first. However, on that day, they said the loin was mixed in. The seasoning options—salt, soy sauce, wasabi, mustard, and sauce—allowed for some flavor exploration. First, the dressing for the cabbage was delicious; it had a garlic miso-like flavor that made the cabbage enticing. About 30 minutes later, the first loin arrived. Surprisingly, it wasn’t too heavy with fat, and was great when paired with salt and wasabi. Overall, the meat's umami and flavor were somewhat mild, and although it was tender, I would prefer a more robust flavor and aroma. The coating on the tonkatsu wasn’t particularly noteworthy. Next was the shoulder loin, which was lighter in fat. This one was recommended with soy sauce and wasabi, and it indeed paired well. The highly anticipated fillet was even more tender. I swapped some of my dish with a companion who ordered the special fillet course, but I didn’t notice much difference in the meat quality. It was suggested to try it with salt and soy sauce, which was enjoyable. Towards the end, I put the tonkatsu on top of the rice and topped it with the mini curry that was served earlier. This Japanese-style curry was rich and delicious. There were various ways to enjoy the meal, with three types of meat to savor. Overall, the volume was substantial, and for 3,000 yen, it didn’t feel very expensive. Compared to a well-known restaurant in Suginami that charges around 6,000 yen and is harder to access, I felt this restaurant was a better choice for me.

I made a reservation at this restaurant that I had been curious about and visited for lunch. There was a small line even before opening, so it seemed safer to have a reservation. This time, I opted for the special three-course set for 3,500 yen. Today’s featured cuts included Shin-tama, which was surprisingly tender with a lightly rare cook. I first enjoyed it with salt, and then with wasabi and salt. It was delicious! Next, I had the shoulder ribeye, which had a strong fat content but delivered a robust flavor with sweetness and meaty umami. Finally, I tried the upper filet, also cooked rare, which was light and tender. Overall, the meat was cooked a bit rare, making it especially appealing for those who prefer it that way. The lean cuts had a milder taste but were very fresh. I’m thinking of trying the three lean cuts course next time. Although it was presented as a course meal, the next dish came out quickly before I finished the previous one, so it didn’t quite feel like a traditional course meal, which made it more casual and easier to visit regularly compared to Katsu-kami. While the air conditioning had a slight musty smell, the overall experience was of a high standard. I’d love to make another reservation for an after-work visit. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

I visited the restaurant right when it opened. When asked, "Do you have a reservation?" I realized that even for a weekday lunch, a reservation is needed—what a failure in my research! However, I was seated with a promise to leave within 40 minutes. I ordered the limited 10 servings of the Roast Pork Cutlet Set for 1,500 yen. Since it's fried at a low temperature, it takes about 20 minutes to prepare, but in the meantime, a vegetable salad was served, and the dressing was fantastic. The roast pork cutlet was tender and flavorful, but I was flanked by inbound customers on both sides at the counter, watching them order premium cuts like the special fillet and ribeye, which made me think I’d like to indulge next time too (laughs). The restaurant was very clean, the staff was friendly, and I highly recommend it!

I had the limited-time lunch special of a pork loin cutlet set meal. I tried it with salt, sauce, and mustard, but the restaurant's recommended salt was the most delicious. I definitely want to come back. Next, I’d like to try the ultimate pork loin cutlet curry.

I visited for a weekday lunch right when the restaurant opened. Since I had a reservation, I arrived just in time, but there were already four people in line, and soon after, a group of six came in, quickly filling up the place. It seemed like everyone was aiming for the limited weekday offer of 10 orders of the loin cutlet set, which was sold out in no time. I ordered the deluxe pork cutlet course with three types. Unfortunately, the cabbage wasn't as crisp as I would have liked. It seems they had pre-prepared it and stored it in the fridge, so I wish I could have had some freshly cut cabbage. Also, while the staff explained the dressing to the customers next to me, I didn't receive any such explanation, which was a bit disappointing. The rice was excellent, fluffy, and perfectly cooked. The three types of cutlet were loin, rib loin, and fillet. I enjoyed all of them, but my favorite was the rib loin. The meal was worth the price I paid, but considering the many fantastic tonkatsu restaurants in the Ginza area, I still felt a bit unsatisfied. I considered ordering a drink, but in the end, I didn't. Overall, I felt there was a lack of attention and information provided to my side, which left me wanting more from the course in various ways. It might be better to aim for the limited set meal and have a quick bite before heading out.

I recently visited a newly opened pork cutlet restaurant called "Ginza Tonkatsu Saito" that I spotted. When I arrived just as they opened, there was already a line. After the first seating filled up, I had to wait about 30 minutes (some groups couldn’t even get in). It’s extremely popular! I ordered the "Two-Types Tonkatsu Course Set Meal." There was a slightly cheaper lunch option with limited servings, but I was drawn to the idea of having two types of meat plus a minced cutlet. As the pork was carefully low-temperature fried, I enjoyed the cabbage first. The cabbage was incredibly crunchy, and the sesame-flavored dressing enhanced its taste. I particularly liked that the cabbage was served separately from the meat. First up was the minced cutlet. As I inserted my chopsticks, juices burst out, and the meat had a satisfying, tender bite while still being firm. The restaurant offered various sauces like tonkatsu sauce, soy sauce, wasabi, mustard, and rock salt, and the staff recommended pairings, but of course, you can mix as you like. I found that salt and sauce paired nicely with the minced cutlet. Next, I tried the loin cutlet, followed by the fillet. Both had beautiful cuts that made my mouth water, and when I bit into them, the rich flavors of the meat flooded my mouth—pure happiness! While both were excellent, I definitely preferred the loin. One small thing I noticed was that the fillet’s batter seemed a bit too moist, even though it was low-temperature fried. The rice and cabbage could be refilled once, and of course, I took advantage of this. The rice was cooked to perfection, matching the meal beautifully, so I asked for a large second serving. For me, two large bowls were just the right amount. To finish, I had a mini curry. It was a delightful pork cutlet experience that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I made a reservation and arrived at 11:30, managing to order the weekday limited special of 10 meals. It's great that even one person can make a reservation online. There is a discreet staircase along Showa Street, and as soon as you go down to the underground level, you'll find the entrance right there. I ordered the Pork Cutlet Set Meal (weekday limited 10 meals) for 1,500 yen. After ordering, a salad was served first, and about 15 minutes later, the pork cutlet arrived. The meat was thick, the fat was sweet, and it was absolutely delicious! It was a blissful experience. The restaurant appeared to have many inbound customers, and I was impressed by how the staff handled the service with ease. After I was seated, numerous walk-in customers arrived and were turned away, so I highly recommend making a reservation! The table next to me ordered the lunch course with three types of dishes, which looked tempting… I’d love to come back when I have more time and a relaxed mindset. Thank you for the delicious meal!