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Tonkatsu Takeichi @ Chofu City, Tokyo
A delicious long-established tonkatsu restaurant founded 44 years ago. I've been wanting to go, go, and go again, and finally, after a year and a half since my last visit on February 18, 2021, I made it back. This time, it was my first visit at night. From Shibasaki Station on the Keio Line, cross the Shibasaki Station entrance intersection on Koshu Kaido, go straight for about 100m, and you'll see a big tonkatsu sign. There's a free parking lot on the left just ahead, but due to the one-way street, if you're driving, you'll need to head north from the Kikunodai Koban-mae intersection towards Shinjuku and loop around. The exterior is a three-story building, with the restaurant on the first floor. When you open the sliding door, you'll see counter seats facing the kitchen. In the back, there's a sunken kotatsu-style seating area. Surprisingly, there are no chair table seats. During lunchtime from 11:30 to 13:30, there are various set meals such as rosukatsu, hirekatsu, and cheese katsu for 1,000 yen each, chicken katsu set for 850 yen, katsudon, kaki fry, pork belly ginger stir-fry, shrimp fry, and more. Additionally, there are premium menu items like upper hirekatsu set for 1,800 yen, shrimp fry set for 1,600 yen, and more. On the other hand, at night, there are options like rosukatsu for 1,300 yen, upper rosukatsu set for 1,800 yen, upper hirekatsu for 2,000 yen, shrimp fry for 1,800 yen, hire, shrimp, oyster assortment set for 1,800 yen, fish fry set for 1,300 yen, and more. You can also order items like hire bite-sized katsu, shrimp fry, kushikatsu, oyster fry, squid fry, scallop fry, and smelt fry a la carte. I was initially thinking of getting the pork sauté set for 1,800 yen, but I was told it only comes with grated radish and no sauce, so I should go for the tonkatsu instead. So, I ended up with rosukatsu. My companion had decided from the beginning that they wanted katsudon, but since katsudon is not originally a tonkatsu restaurant menu item but a soba restaurant item, they could make it but it's not recommended. Even so, they insisted on getting katsudon, and when they requested an upper rosu katsudon, they were promptly told that the katsu in katsudon is too big, so it wouldn't taste good, and it was refused. They ended up getting a tonkatsu donburi as recommended by the owner. So, tonight's choices were as follows:
- Upper rosukatsu set 1,800 yen
- Katsudon 1,400 yen
The set meal comes with miso soup, oshinko pickles, and rice, while the katsudon comes with salad. However, the salad had run out before closing time, so it was replaced with cabbage for tonkatsu. But this cabbage, thinly sliced and well-dressed, was incredibly delicious. The dressing was also tasty. I had it with the tonkatsu sauce recommended by the restaurant, which was slightly sweet, tangy, refreshing, and slightly thick like Worcestershire sauce. Delicious. The tonkatsu had a crispy coating and a good amount of tasty fat. The difference between upper and regular was the size. The cabbage side dish was plentiful. The miso soup was also delicious. Despite all the back and forth, the katsudon was also delicious. The conversation with the talkative and friendly owner was enjoyable, but he spoke quickly, so sometimes his wife's support was needed. As soon as we finished eating, the restaurant closed. Thank you for the meal. I noticed that PayPay was now accepted during my absence. Recommended ★★★★★
Parking: None, free parking lot diagonally across, CP next door
Visit Date: November 12, 2022, Night
Lunch Hours: Yes
Takeout: Unknown
Smoking: Completely non-smoking
Counter Seats: Yes
Credit Card: Unknown
Electronic Money: Not available, PayPay possible
Point Card: None
Free WiFi: No, own WiFi not available
Power Outlets at Seats: None
Possibility of Repeat Visit: High
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