The name “tonkatsu” combines the “ton” from the on’yomi reading of “豚” (pig) and the English pronunciation of “côtelettes,” a term for cutlet in French cuisine. The resonant sound of “katsu” also conveys the meaning of “winning,” suggesting its consumption before competitions.
As for the history of tonkatsu, it traces back to 1899 when Renga-tei in Ginza introduced a lighter, thinly sliced pork côtelettes (cutlet in English) as compared to the traditional veal côtelettes.
While Western cuisine typically pairs warm vegetables with meat or fish, Renga-tei ingeniously served shredded raw cabbage alongside, to cope with labour shortages at the time.
As Japanese people of the time were used to lighter food, pork côtelettes with raw cabbages were well accepted and became very popular.
In 1929, the method of deep-frying thick slices of pork, similar to modern tonkatsu, emerged at the Western-style restaurant “Ponchiken.” While cutlets were traditionally eaten with a knife and fork, Ponchiken pioneered the concept of “tonkatsu you can eat with chopsticks,” introducing a set meal style with miso soup and rice.
Subsequently, various menu items like the impromptu “tonkatsu sandwich” and the “katsu curry” further enriched the culinary landscape.
Not only Renga-tei, who introduced “pork cutlet” to Japan as a pioneer, but also Isen, who became immensely popular by whimsically sandwiching “tonkatsu” as a sandwich filling in 1935, and Grill Swiss, who served “Katsu Curry” to a famous baseball player as per his request wishing for the victory in a baseball tournament in 1948 all still run their long-established restaurants in Tokyo.
Enjoy authentic Tonkatsu dishes during your stay in Tokyo.
Renga-tei (The Originator of Tonkatsu)
Established in 1895 and recognized as the first Western-style restaurant in Japan
Address: 3-5-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: Mon-Sat, Holidays Lunch 11:15-15:00 (Last Order 14:00) Dinner 17:30-21:00 (LO 20:00)
Closed on Sundays. Also closed during the summer and year-end holidays.
Isen (The Originator of Katsu Sandwich)
Established in 1930 in Ueno, Isen continues to convey the taste and atmosphere of the past with its original “soft tonkatsu that can be eaten with chopsticks.”
Address: 3-40-3 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0034
Business Hours: Thursday-Tuesday 11:30-20:10 (Last Order 19:45)
※ Open on Wednesdays if it is a holiday.
Ginza Swiss (The Originator of Katsu Curry)
Amidst the chaos of the post-war period, Grill Swiss was opened in 1947 with the philosophy of “let more people enjoy Western cuisine,” mainly targeting the sons who returned from overseas.
Address: 2F Okura Annex, 3-4-4 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Business Hours: 11:00-21:00 (Last Order 20:30)
Closed during the year-end and New Year holidays.
