Where to get Tonkatsu in Singapore?

How can you fault Tonkatsu? A piece of pork- breaded with panko crumbs and deep-fried till golden brown. If done right, you'll sink your teeth into the tender pork cutlet while crunching into the million pieces of tiny crumbs. Usually, either the pork fillet (hire) or pork loin (rosu) is used and both have individually gathered their own following.

I am by no means an expert on pork but from my experience, the fillets are usually thicker and meatier with minimal amount of fat. On the other hand, the loins are slightly thinner and have a layer of succulent pork fat (like siew yoke). Personally, I prefer the fillets due to the meaty texture and 'porkiness' but I wouldn't mind settling for the other!

The Japanese food industry in Singapore has been breeding and multiplying for quite some time. There are outstanding ones and there are disappointing ones. During this trip, I took the chance to seek out the best Tonkatsu offered in the island of Singapore.


Curry House CoCo Ichibanya 

 My first stop was CoCo Ichibanya- specialising in Japanese Curry. When ordering, you'd first pick the your preferred toppings (eg. seafood, meat, vegetables, etc.). Then, the amount of rice and finally, the level of spiciness of the curry. I'm a picky eater so, I enjoyed personalizing my meal!  

And to add the extra oomph, why not sprinkle some hot spice onto your curry and rice!

Tonkatsu with Level 3 Curry

Sticking with my tonkatsu mission, I chose the deep-fried breaded pork cutlet as my topping with 100g of rice and level 3 out of 5 curry. Pork loin was used but I found the meat to be tough and really chewy. The breadcrumb coating wasn't clinging on to the meat and fell apart without difficulty. However, the curry was a completely different story! It was zesty, well-seasoned and neither dense nor dilute. If I was looking for the best Japanese curry, this would definitely end up on my favourite list but not the tonkatsu.

313, Somerset

Orchard Road

http://www.ichibanya.co.jp/english/index.html

Tonkichi

After a slow start, I decided to head over to a place that specialises in tonkatsu in Ngee Ann City. Most of the items in the menu revolves around the deep-fried pork but for those who aren't a fan can choose from chicken or a variety of seafood.

Before our meal, we were given a bowl of sesame seeds and a pestle. I contentedly 'played' with my food by grinding the seeds and adding the provided tonkatsu sauce. A great way to pass time while waiting for my meal!

Hire Tonkatsu

I would have order the rosu tonkatsu for a comparison but the hire cut was their specialty so, I couldn't say no! The meat was tender, thick and chewy without being tough or dry. The coating really felt like a million tiny crumbs holding on to the meat for their dear life! So crispy and every bite started with a brilliant crunch. Could it be the best?

Katsudon

The almost flawless crumbed pork topped with loosely set eggs and sauteed onions on a bed of warm rice slightly drenched in sauce. One of the best I've ever had and seriously good! But for those who enjoy and love the crunch on the tonkatsu, this is probably not for you.

Level 4, Ngee Ann City,
Orchard Road
http://www.pokkafood.com.sg/tonkichi/


Tampopo Restaurant

If my stay in Singapore was longer, I'd probably try all the tonkatsu I could get my hands on. But sadly, I only managed three. But it's the journey and not the destination that counts right?

Tampopo's menu offers a wide variety of dishes, including ramen, bento boxes, donburi, fried rice, etc. Everyone would probably find something in here to satisfy their hunger! But I'm here to try one thing...

Tonkatsu Ramen

I've had rice with my tonkatsu during my previous meals so this time, I went with noodles. The menu boasted this as one of their specialty so I wouldn't want to miss it! It was a spicy & tangy broth that came with a side of tonkatsu. Not the best I've had but good enough.

Hire Tonkatsu

The pork that came with the noodles was easily identifiable by the layer of fat and thinness- the pork loin cut. It was marvelously succulent & tender and well-coated with the crisp breadcrumb coating. However, I did find it slightly too greasy for my liking but it's purely preference-based!

Layers of thinly sliced pork 'cutlet'

Because the cutlet was made out of layers of sliced pork, it was soft and tender. For those who like a little bit of fat on their meat would adore this! But for those, like me, who prefer chunkier pieces of meat should still give this a try- probably the ones with cheese in between!

We ended the night with a sweet note by ordering a slice of their cheese chiffon cake. It was incredibly light with a hint of cheese. Perfect for those who aren't a fan of dense and strong cheese cakes!

B2, Ngee Ann City,

Orchard Road

So, what do I think?

If I have to, I'd place my vote with Tonkichi. However, my partner-in-eating-crime (my aunt) went with Tampopo instead.

If you're looking for a menu with greater variety, I'd recommend Tampopo. It would more suitable for those in large groups with many taste preferences to satisfy. However, if you're sure that you'll be ordering tonkatsu, give Tonkichi a try!