When we heard of Tonshou Tonkatsu opening in Singapore, our interest peaked. This Busan-based tonkatsu restaurant was selling out 300 hundred seatings in 5 minutes and we wondered: how good could it be?
We fully understand the hype after our visit to the restaurant in Tanjong Pagar.
Classic Tonkatsu Restaurant Layout
The restaurant is small with about 15 seats, offering a full view of the chefs preparing every order.
The chefs hand-cut and weigh each cutlet before cooking and even make breadcrumbs fresh in-store!
It had only been open one day but Tonshou was full with a line forming outside. We recommend coming after 1.30 pm (if you can), or anticipate a 30-minute-ish wait.
Tonshou Tonkatsu Menu
Their menu offers different pork tonkatsu cuts. Every order is served in set meals with free-flow rice, cabbage and soup.
The signature item is the Hire Katsu Set ($26), tenderloin cutlets served pink in the middle!
They have special charcoal-grilled Rosu Katsu sets, featuring pork loin smoked over charcoal before serving. You can choose between the Berkshire Rosu Katsu ($32) or the Special Rosu Katsu ($31) with Hokkaido pork.
There are also sando options like Katsu Sando ($21) or Ebi Sando ($24).
Special Rosu Katsu Set
The Special Rosu Katsu Set ($31) featured a thick-cut Hokkaido Kurobuta loin. This cut has limited quantities daily, so it’s gone once it’s sold out!
It was a well-executed tonkatsu: tender with a clean and porky flavour. The coating wasn’t oily and had a nice crisp outside, created by a double-fry method.
We also liked the slight smokiness from the charcoal grill, adding depth and richness to the meat!
The sides of soup and curry sauce also had chunks of meat, which was a nice touch.
Hire Katsu Set
The Hire Katsu ($26) was an easy favourite for us. Don’t be alarmed by the pink centre in the meat – it’s fully cooked and safe to eat.
Each piece had a concentrated pork flavour with a tender and juicy centre. Despite having little fat, the flavour of the meat stood out more compared to the rosu cut.
There also wasn’t any funky, raw or blood taste either!
This was good on its own but we highly recommend it with a squeeze of lemon juice and Maldon salt to enhance the flavours.
Ebi Katsu Sando
We were also surprised by the Ebi Katsu Sando ($24), with four full shrimps in the sando.
The shrimp were sweet and bouncy, complemented by their housemade tartare sauce. It was a simple but satisfying sandwich!
Tonkatsu Restaurant In Tanjong Pagar
We know its a little funny that it’s a Korean restaurant serving tonkatsu, but Tonshou Tonkatsu has earned its reputation! Everything was well-executed and we think it’s worth a visit – we might even consider visiting the original Busan branch.
Check out more Korean restaurants in Tanjong Pagar:
- The House Chungdam: This Korean-Owned Restaurant in Tanjong Pagar Aims To Bring A Slice Of Gangnam to Singapore
- JANCHI: Vibey Korean Restaurant in Tanjong Pagar Serves Huge Marinated Raw Seafood Platter
- Hansik Dining Collective: Korean Restaurant In Tanjong Pagar With 6 Concepts Under One Roof, Open 24-Hours
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Tonshou Tonkatsu
51 Tras Street Singapore 078990
Open daily, 11am to 9pm
Reservations recommended online
*This article is based on a media-tasting event, but all opinions expressed about the food are entirely our own.
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