Kanda Ponchiken
With special attention to meat-breadcrumb balance and original oil blends and seasonings, Ponchiken serves some of the best tonkatsu sets in Tokyo.
Restaurant Details
※ Kanda Ponchiken only takes reservations for dinner. Diners at lunch are admitted only on a walk-in basis.
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Among Japan’s many well-known foods, tonkatsu — deep-fried breaded pork cutlet — is by far the meatiest and heartiest offering. And for the meatiest and heartiest experience among tonkatsu, look no further than Ponchiken.
Ponchiken is located in Kanda Ogawamachi, a town historically known as a fiercely-contested battleground for the best tonkatsu. No official winner has ever been named in this silent conflict, but as a restaurant consistently awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand every year since 2015, the answer seems obvious.
Ponchiken’s tonkatsu is a Kanda legend, expertly balancing the thickness of each cut of meat with the thickness of the breadcrumb coating for the perfect bite. Each cutlet is then immersed in the restaurant’s special corn-sesame oil blend, emerging from the hot oil to be further slathered with a healthy amount of yuzu-kosho seasoning.
The restaurant’s signature tonkatsu sets, which include a hefty serving of cabbage salad, miso soup, and rice, allow for a choice between beef or pork. Flip a coin, or better yet — have one at lunch, and try the other when it comes time for dinner.
Michelin Guide:
2015 - Bib Gourmand
Kanda Ponchiken Access Info
Kanda Ponchiken is about a 4-minute walk from Ogawamachi Station.
Kanda Ponchiken Phone Number
Kanda Ponchiken Business Days
Kanda Ponchiken Address
Ougi Building, 1F, 2-chome-8 Kanda Ogawamachi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo, 101-0052
Kanda Ponchiken Cancellation Policy
Cancel your reservation at least 2 days before the dining start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.
Restaurant location
Over 14 million residents call Tokyo home. Functioning as Japan's economic and cultural center, it's no surprise the metropolis often appears at the top of travelers' bucket lists. Here, you can find everything from traditional tea houses to futuristic skyscrapers.
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10 meals
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