Servings
Font
Back
Crispy Japanese Pork Katsu with Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce
4.8 from 18 votes

Crispy Japanese Pork Katsu with Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce

Tender pork cutlets with a perfectly crispy panko crust served with tangy homemade tonkatsu sauce. An authentic Japanese comfort food that's surprisingly simple to make at home.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 602 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese

Ingredients

Pork
  • 1 pound pork loin cut into thin slices
  • salt
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 egg beaten
  • 1½ tablespoons water
  • 3 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • vegetable oil for cooking
Tonkatsu Sauce
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon mirin
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon ginger freshly grated
  • 1 teaspoon garlic finely minced

Instructions

Tonkatsu Sauce
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a small bowl combine ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, Worcestershire sauce, ginger, and finely minced garlic. Stir to combine. It is best if you let the sauce rest at least 30 minutes before serving.
Katsu Pork Preparation
  1. Cut the pork loin into thin slices.
  2. Place each pork loin slice between some plastic wrap and gently pound out the slice. You want it to be about ¼ inch thick.
  3. Sprinkle salt on the pork slices, cover, and place them in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. This will help the pork break down and become super juicy. You could omit this step, but the pork will come out better if you let the pork rest.
  4. Set up a breading station with three bowls.
  5. Place the all-purpose flour into one bowl.
  6. Beat the eggs and 1 1/2 tablespoons of water together very well, and pour into a second bowl.
  7. Place panko breadcrumbs into the third bowl.
  8. Place the pork slices in the flour and coat the entire surface then shake off any excess.
  9. Dip them into the egg wash, coat well, then shake off any excess.
  10. Dredge them in panko breadcrumbs.
  11. Place the coated pork slices on a wire rack.
  12. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
  13. Add enough vegetable oil to coat the bottom ½ inch of either an iron skillet or a stainless steel pan and heat to 350 degrees. Your pan should be large enough not to overcrowd the pork.
  14. Add the pork to the pan and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, just until the crust sets. Flip over and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Continue cooking the pork and flipping it over until it is golden brown on both sides.
  15. Remove the cooked pork slices from the pan and place them on a clean wire rack, to drain off excess oil.
  16. Then place them into the preheated oven to finish cooking. The pork is still rare at this point, so you should place it into the oven for 8 to 10 minutes so it finishes cooking.
  17. When the pork is fully cooked, cut it into thin strips that you can pick up with chopsticks.
  18. Serve with rice, tonkatsu sauce, or your favorite brown sauce.

Notes

  • The true secret to perfect katsu lies in temperature control. If your oil is too hot, you'll burn the coating before the pork cooks through. Too cool, and the breading will absorb too much oil and become greasy. A cooking thermometer is invaluable here, but if you don't have one, test by dropping a few panko crumbs in the oil. They should sizzle immediately but not burn quickly.
  • For maximum crispiness, never stack freshly fried katsu cutlets. Always place them on a wire rack so air can circulate underneath, preventing steam from softening the bottom coating.

Nutrition Information

Calories 602kcal (30%) Carbohydrates 81g (27%) Protein 42g (84%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 194mg (65%) Sodium 1271mg (53%) Potassium 751mg (16%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 13g (26%) Vitamin A 335IU (7%) Vitamin C 2mg (2%) Calcium 127mg (13%) Iron 6mg (33%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 602

% Daily Value*

Calories 602kcal 30%
Carbohydrates 81g 27%
Protein 42g 84%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 194mg 65%
Sodium 1271mg 53%
Potassium 751mg 16%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 13g 26%
Vitamin A 335IU 7%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 127mg 13%
Iron 6mg 33%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.