The best tonkatsu in Tokyo in 2026 is at Tonki in Meguro, a counter that has fried pork cutlets since 1939, Butagumi in Nishi-Azabu for heritage pork breeds, Maisen in a converted bathhouse in Omotesando and Marugo in Akihabara. Imakatsu in Roppongi is known for its juicy chicken katsu.
Tonkatsu is a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet served with shredded cabbage, rice and miso soup. Choose rosu (loin, with a rim of fat) or hire (tenderloin, leaner). Most places refill cabbage and rice for free.
A tonkatsu counter frying since 1939.
Tonki is a large open kitchen near Meguro Station where cooks in white fry pork cutlets with clockwork precision. The rosu (loin) set is the classic.
Watching the team work is part of the experience.
Good to know: Give your order while you wait in line; it is closed on Tuesdays.
1-1-2 Shimomeguro, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0064
Choose your pork breed in an old house.
Butagumi serves tonkatsu in a traditional house, with a menu that lets you pick between pork breeds and cuts from around Japan.
It is the connoisseur's choice.
Good to know: Book ahead and ask staff to recommend a breed.
2-24-9 Nishiazabu, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0031
Tonkatsu in a converted public bathhouse.
Maisen's main restaurant occupies a former sento (public bath) in Omotesando, serving tonkatsu sets and its famous katsu sandwiches.
The high ceilings of the old bathhouse remain.
Good to know: Buy katsu sandos to take on the train.
4-8-5 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001
Akihabara's long-queue tonkatsu.
Marugo is a popular tonkatsu shop near Akihabara Station known for thick, juicy cutlets with a light crust.
Queues form at lunch.
Good to know: Go before opening to avoid the queue.
1-8-14 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0021
Pink-centered pork and famous chicken katsu.
Imakatsu fries its cutlets at low temperature so the pork stays rosy, and its chicken katsu (sasami) has a cult following.
Set meals include free refills of rice and cabbage.
Good to know: Order the sasami katsu.
4-12-2 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0032
Kyoto-born tonkatsu with grind-your-own sesame.
Katsukura, from Kyoto, serves tonkatsu with sesame seeds you grind yourself for the sauce. The Shinjuku branch is in Takashimaya Times Square.
It is reliable and easy to find.
Good to know: Grind the sesame before adding sauce.
Takashimaya Times Square 14F, 5-24-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0051
Tonki in Meguro is a classic; Butagumi is known for letting you choose between pork breeds.
Rosu (loin) is juicier and richer; hire (tenderloin) is leaner and softer. Order rosu if it's your first time.
Most set meals cost ¥1,500 to ¥4,000; premium pork costs more.
Yes for the setting, a former bathhouse in Omotesando, and its reliable cutlets and katsu sandwiches.
Most popular places are walk-in with queues; Butagumi takes bookings.