I can definitely see why this place has mixed reviews. I’m not in the position to invalidate their mastery in tonkatsu but here are my thoughts: 1. I came here knowing the batter would be different — something I haven’t tried before. They didn’t use panko as far as I can tell and it is on the thinner side. The pork loin is more on the leaner side (I probably only had two fatty cuts) I wish the cabbage came with a dressing! But it is refillable as well as the rice. 2. I was lucky to be seated at the counter right away where the chefs prepare the food in an open kitchen. That said, the scent of deepfrying can linger on your clothes and hair. My order took 20-25 minutes to come out. They served everybody else first before I got mine. Maybe just the timing since I got in 20 minutes after they opened for dinner. The diners beside me got theirs much quicker. 3. The set came out to $15 USD. It was filling and still good, just not my preference when it comes to the batter. Also, the open kitchen layout made me kind of conscious haha the other staff who were free for a while were just facing the customers directly and just standing there. Not a tourist trap though. There were many locals eating as well.

A must try in Tokyo. Absolutely not a tourist trap, so make sure you get to Meguro for this meal. We'll priced and super tasty. The pork itself was super flavourful and was not at all fatty or oily. We didn't get to sit at the bar so they lost a point there but everything else was spot on. Would recommend.

I went here last November 2025 at the recommendation of my teacher. Firstly, the atmosphere was quite intimidating—the first floor consists of a wide area where the staff prepare the food and a counter surrounding the area. The second floor I believe is for groups. I tried to order in Japanese but misread the menu so I was immediately handed over an English menu😅 I ordered hirekatsu, which in retrospect was a mistake. While waiting for the food, I observed how the staff moved with practiced motions in preparing the meals. I can tell that this is an efficient operation. It was just a bit weird that the guests are being watched by who seemed to be the boss, I'm not sure, which honestly felt like an exam proctor watching students😅 My food came soon enough and I was disappointed that the meat was not juicy and was dry. It was also not flavorful. The soup was very tasty though. Since the meal is quite expensive, I made sure I got my money's worth by ordering refills for the rice and soup. As for the service, it seemed quite cold. I wouldn't say the staff were rude, but it was a place that didn't feel welcoming.

4/2/26 - 3 stars Can't remember where I heard about this place and for some reason I had in my mind that this was meant to be one of best tonkatsu in Tokyo. Unfortunately, I was left a little disappointed. Notably, there is no line outside and there are quite a few foreigners. Tonkatsu Flavour: S, 8/10. It's ok, but, not particularly juicy or umami. Texture: A, 7/10. Just alright. Value: B, 6/10. ¥2500 set. Loin and fillet were not noticeably different either. Definitely have had better tonkatsu in Japan and probably even Sydney.

+3

Tonki is a classic tonkatsu spot with a unique batter that is different from any other place. The seating is arranged around the open kitchen, so you can watch every step of the cooking process, which is really fun to see. It can get quite busy, so you might have to wait a little before getting a seat. The food is crispy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The only downside is that the place gets smoky, so your clothes might smell like oil afterward. Probably not the best idea to go somewhere fancy right after, but it is absolutely worth the visit.

+3