徒も楽
Mid-April on a weekday night. After enjoying some craft beer, I wandered around the Asakusa area looking for a place to have dinner. It can be challenging to choose a restaurant when you're not drinking... haha. Just like when I visited in March, there are many small restaurants lined up all around, making it hard to go wrong with any choice. In the midst of it all, I decided to go to the classic restaurant, "Tonkatsu Yutaka."
Address: 1-15-9 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Business hours: 11:30-14:00, 17:00-20:00
Closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays
I don't usually rely on ratings, but if it's a well-known restaurant, it's probably a safe bet... I thought to myself. The restaurant is located in a narrow alley called "Shokudo Street" one street north of Kaminarimon Street. It's tucked away in a back alley, which adds to its charm.
I was seated at a table in the back of the first floor. Next to me, there was a young couple with a large suitcase (seemed like they were from overseas) having their meal. On the other side, there was a local family seated further back.
- Beer
Just to wet my throat a bit after walking around. Compared to craft beer, it's not the same, but I'm grateful for something tasty to drink.
- Crab croquette
- Rosu Katsu set meal
I could've just gone with the set meal, but I couldn't resist adding an extra dish... Even though the price made me hesitate a bit, I went for it at 800 yen! The dishes arrived in about 12-13 minutes.
The crab croquette had a traditional flavor. It wasn't creamy inside, but more on the solid side. There was a good amount of crab meat in it.
The restaurant's specialties include:
- Rice cooked over direct flame
- Breadcrumbs made from 100% domestic wheat
- Hand-cut cabbage (no machines used)
While these may seem like common practices, they give off a nostalgic vibe. There's something about old-school establishments that stick to traditional methods without feeling outdated.
Now, onto the main dish, the Rosu Katsu. It may not look very thick at around 2cm, but it's surprisingly delicious just as it is. It's crispy but juicy, without being greasy. Adding some salt enhances the sweetness of the pork fat. The sauce and mustard naturally complement it.
At this point, I couldn't resist digging into the rice. The rice had a nice texture, and it was surprisingly delicious. It's rare to find such tasty rice in Tokyo.
I also enjoyed munching on the cabbage as a palate cleanser. Despite not being finely shredded, it was soft and didn't have any rough edges.
The subtle efforts and hard work put into every detail by the restaurant staff are what make the flavors stand out. It's no wonder that they've become well-known and have a loyal local following.
The character "た" in the restaurant name "Yutaka" is an old character form, giving it a traditional and nostalgic feel, like a kimono shop or a soba restaurant... It seems like Asakusa is home to many long-standing establishments.
Feeling satisfied, I decided to head towards Azumabashi Bridge to see the illuminated tower. The brightness was quite surprising.
Overall, it was a delightful dining experience at Tonkatsu Yutaka.