We were looking for good Katsu on our first night in Tokyo and we found it! English menu was helpful. The pork was great and the prawns were amazing! As much rice and canbage salad as you want! The pork dumplings were melt-in-your-mouth! Complimentary sorbet at the end was cleansing. Took us a while to find, on the 9th floor of the Tokyo building right near the Shibuya station. But it was so worth it! Lovely staff and quiet, serene atmosphere. We’ll be coming back for sure.
Wang T.
Classificação do local: 5 San Juan Capistrano, CA
After much research into the best tonkatsu in Tokyo, Maisen seemed to fit the bill(also recommended by my go-to Tokyo foodie website ). This location on the 9th floor of Tokyu department store was easy to find adjacent to the Shibuya train station. Dined with my family, including 9 and 11 year old kids. Very short line at 6pm on a weekday. Waited for 10 min. The staff was very accommodating and welcoming. They have many options on the breed and cut of pork. I went with the Berkshire filet. Very soft, homogenous texture with really no bite at all, perfect rich crunchy coating. They have two types of sauce, a dark and light. My son ordered the curry tonkatsu on rice. really delicious. Overall an impressive dinner. A little pricey but definitely outstanding compared to what we can get in SoCal. Also, don’t miss the Shibuya crossing outside of the train station!
Rachel I.
Classificação do local: 5 Honolulu, HI
Best Tonkatsu I’ve ever had! I was too lazy to walk in the windy cold rain to the main Maisen branch so I visited this location in the 9th floor of the Tokyu building(literally next to Shibuya station). I went here TWICE for lunch because they have lunch specials(as does many restaurants in Tokyo). The meal set that normally cost 1700+ yen is only 990 yen!!! You get several sides(menu changes daily) such as vegetables, tofu and grilled fish along with your tonkatsu and free refillable rice and miso. The hot tea is also delicious! There is ponzu sauce for the cabbage and both spicy and sweet tonkatsu sauce. The tonkatsu pieces are large and very filling for lunch. It is perfectly crispy yet moist! Better than any tonkatsu I’ve ever had — even better than Kimukatsu in Waikiki, Hawaii! They have an English menu, just ask for it. When you’re finished, take your paper slip to the cashier to pay. Maisen is a MUST when in Tokyo!
Nick W.
Classificação do local: 5 San Francisco, CA
Tales of this life changing tonkatsu were regaled to me in the form of countless google docs, shared itineraries, food blogging heroes, and excited whispers. I now know that I’ve lead a life of ignorance eating flattened pancakes or pork meat haphazardly coated in batter and intentionally drenched in sauce, but this farce was quickly shattered as I gorged upon fluffy cuts of amazing kurobuta pork, sinking my chompers through perfectly fried breading and tasting the zing of an amazingly crafted sauce. Consider my life altered, Maisen. Arigato gosaimasu! TL;DR gold standard of all tonkatsu can be found on the 9th floor… try all three cuts/types if you can. My favorite was the loin.
Kyle H.
Classificação do local: 5 Honolulu, HI
Located on the 9th floor of the Tokyu department store(adjacent to Shibuya station and Hatchi statue), it seems this Tonkatsu spot is no secret! Where you see a line, there is bound to be amazing food. Don’t be put-off though, they seem to be used to lines so it is run very efficiently! Food is served swiftly and soon you’ll be enjoying your perfectly crisp and tender tonkatsu with some of the most amazing sauce — truly, the pork is just a vehicle for the sauce, right? I don’t think there was any competition, this is the best tonkatsu I’ve ever had. I was advised to get a sandwich to go, I was too full to heed that advice but a few hours later, I regretted not following instructions! So — make sure no matter how full you are, to purchase a sandwich for later!