Crispy and juicy tonkatsu pork is a staple of Japanese delicacies. This well-known dish is produced from pork cutlets deep-fried in panko crumbs and served with a signature sauce. With its crispy exterior and tender inside, tonkatsu gives an irresistible mixture of flavors and textures. There are lots of Tonkatsu speciality eating places in Japan nevertheless it’s additionally a traditional Japanese residence cooked dish and positively worthwhile studying the right way to make tonkatsu at residence. Making pork katsu at residence means that you can get pleasure from this scrumptious meal everytime you crave it. With this step-by-step information, you possibly can simply recreate the standard flavours of tonkatsu in your personal kitchen!
What’s Tonkatsu?
Tonkatsu is a well-liked Japanese dish that consists of panko bread crumbs and deep-fried pork cutlets. The phrase “tonkatsu” is derived from the Japanese phrases “ton” that means pork, and “katsu” from the English phrase “cutlets”. The usage of panko breadcrumbs offers tonkatsu its signature gentle and ethereal but completely crispy texture. The cutlets are then deep fried till golden brown and sometimes served with Tonkatsu sauce and shredded inexperienced cabbage.
This traditional consolation dish originated in Japan in the course of the late nineteenth century because of Western affect on Japanese delicacies ( referred to as ‘yoshoku‘). It was launched by early European settlers who introduced with them their love for breaded meat dishes like schnitzel. Nevertheless, over time, tonkatsu has developed into a novel specialty of Japanese cooking with a number of variations on this scrumptious meal.
Scrumptious Variations of Tonkatsu
Traditional tonkatsu is easy and scrumptious however there are numerous extra methods to eat it with every area in Japan placing its personal distinctive twist to it. A preferred variation, and my private favorite, is Miso Katsu coming from the Nagoya are of Japan. Miso katsu provides a wealthy, savory, and umami twist to the standard tonkatsu by incorporating miso paste into the sauce.
Whereas the standard pork tonkatsu recipe options simply the panko crumbed pork cutlet with tonkatsu sauce and cabbage, there are variations that incorporate further components. One variation is Katsudon, which mixes tonkatsu and donburi. This fashionable donburi (rice bowl) dish makes use of tonkatsu and additional components to create a flavourful and comforting dish. Also referred to as “pork cutlet bowl”, Katsudon combines the crispy tonkatsu with eggs, onions, and a savory broth sauce all simmered collectively then poured over rice.
One other variation is Katsu curry. This fusion dish is produced from Japanese curry and tonkatsu— actually a match made in culinary heaven! This variation combines Japanese curry with the crispy breaded pork cutlet to create one very scrumptious meal.
For many who don’t eat pork or just wish to discover totally different flavours, there’s an equally tasty different generally known as hen katsu. Hen katsu is made precisely the identical as tonkatsu however with hen breast (or thigh) as a substitute of pork.
Components for Tonkatsu
Pork: Pork loin, or sirloin or pork chops, is the first lower of meat utilized in Tonkatsu. This specific lower is chosen for its tenderness and gentle flavour and talent to retain juiciness whereas frying.
Fillets (tenderloin) are additionally used for making Tonkatsu. When the fillet a part of pork is used, it’s referred to as “Hirekatsu“.
Panko Breadcrumbs: Not like common breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs are produced from Japanese white ‘Shokupan’ bread with out the crusts. This makes it lighter and with bigger flakes so it’s extra ethereal and crispy with out turning into greasy or heavy.
Different Components for the Batter:
- Eggs
- Mayonnaise – this makes it extra crispy and retains the meat juicy.
- Flour
Accompaniments:
- Tonkatsu sauce
- Shredded inexperienced cabbage
Step-by-step information on the right way to make conventional Tonkatsu at residence
1: Put together the Pork loin chops. Begin by chopping slits alongside the sting to keep away from the pork curling up when cooking. Flatten the pork whether it is too thick. Season with salt and black pepper on either side.
2: Put together the batter. Mix crushed eggs, water, and mayonnaise in a mixing bowl. Add all-purpose flour to the egg combination bowl and blend briefly with chopsticks. Watch out to not over combine it.
3: Dip a chunk of pork into the batter and coat properly with batter. Take away extra batter and transfer it to the tray of panko crumbs. Coat the pork with panko breadcrumbs on either side properly by urgent down to stick and likewise be sure that all sides of the pork are lined.
4: Warmth the vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or deep fryer (like I did) to 170 levels celsius (338F). On the similar time line some paper towels on a wire rack on a tray.
5: When the oil reaches the temperature, gently put one pork in. Prepare dinner one after the other.
6. Deep fry the pork for a couple of minutes with out transferring it round, when the sting turns into golden brown, flip it over gently and punctiliously with chopsticks and warmth as much as 190 diploma celsius (374F) to prepare dinner for an additional 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
7: Place the deep fried pork on the paper towel-lined wire rack to empty any extra oil. Prepare dinner the remainder of the pork in the identical means.
8. Slice the deep fried pork into 1.5cm (0.59 inch) strips and transfer all items in a single go by putting the knife beneath the lower pork. *4
Serve with finely shredded cabbage, shiso leaves, tomato, and tonkatsu sauce.
Finely Shredded Cabbage “Kyabetsu no sengiri”
Tonkatsu will be loved by itself or served alongside rice, shredded cabbage, miso soup, and tonkatsu sauce for an entire meal.
When you have been to Japan or native Japanese restaurant you’d have seen that finely shredded cabbage ALWAYS accompanies Tonkatsu. We Japanese folks can’t have tonkatsu or some other deep fried panko crumbed meals with out this finely shredded cabbage! It provides a recent and crunchy aid. You should use a vegetable shredder to shred it actually finely (watch out to not shred your finger like I’ve earlier than). Or you possibly can take away the cabbage leaves one after the other, lower it in half and take away the laborious stem half then roll 2-3 leaves collectively and slice it with a pointy knife about 1mm (0.04 inch) thick. Once more, watch out to not lower your fingers.
Tonkatsu sauce
Tonkatsu is usually served with a tangy sauce referred to as tonkatsu sauce. It’s just like Worcestershire sauce however has a sweeter style. This savory-sweet sauce completely enhances tonkatsu.
Tonkatsu sauce may be very simple to seek out in Japan. Like many different Japanese folks, I’m an enormous fan of “Bulldog” model tonkatsu sauce (I’m not sponsored or receiving any type of fee). It’s a fruity and umami packed thick sauce that provides such a well-matched flavour to the tonkatsu. Identical to we can’t have Tonkatsu with out shredded cabbage, we additionally can’t eat it with out tonkatsu sauce. In the event you don’t have any Asian/Japanese supermarkets close to you then you possibly can strive both on-line or make your personal.
Deep-frying Trick
Often, the best way folks deep-fry is by coating with flour, then dipping in egg, then coating with bread crumbs. However here’s a hack to avoid wasting time, dishes, and energy with out compromising on flavour and style. My primary hack is so as to add Japanese mayonnaise and blend egg, water, and flour all collectively to make a batter. Dip the ready pork into the combination then straight to panko crumbs.
Ideas for Making Juicy and Crispy Tonkatsu
- Put together the pork – rating the fats and connecting tissues at 2cm (0.78 inch) intervals in order that the meat doesn’t curl up when it’s deep fried. The pork I purchased was about 2cm (0.78 inch) thick loin so I wanted to make use of a meat hammer to flatten it out to about 1 cm (0.39inch).
- Use mayonnaise within the batter – I’ve mentioned it many instances earlier than why to make use of Japanese mayonnaise, so I cannot go in a lot element right here however principally it makes it further crispy and retains the within juicy. For extra data try different posts reminiscent of Potato Croquette or Hirekatsu.
- The deep frying temperature is essential. The tonkatsu meat is normally fairly thick. In the event you add it to essentially sizzling oil, it should brown the surface shortly with out cooking the within correctly. However for those who deep fry in low warmth, you’ll find yourself with soggy and oily crumbed pork. To keep away from these issues, begin to deep fry in 160-170 diploma celsius (320-338 F) for about 3 minutes then warmth as much as 180 or 190 diploma celsius (356-374 F) and deep fry for just a few extra minutes. It ought to be evenly golden brown on the surface. Whenever you carry it up out of oil with chopsticks, you possibly can really feel vibration or tremor by way of the chopsticks.
Right here is my recipe for Tonkatsu and In the event you preferred it, please price it and go away a remark under. Additionally, don’t overlook to comply with me on Youtube, Pinterest, Fb , Twitter and Instagram to maintain updated with all the most recent happenings on Chopstick Chronicles. Don’t overlook to make use of the hashtag #ChopstickChronicles so I can see your fantastic creations!
Directions
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Put together the pork. Make small cuts at 2cm(0.78inch) intervals alongside the sting of the pork with the intention to keep away from the pork curling up when its fried.
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Utilizing a meat mullet, bash the meat to flatten to about 1cm(0.39 inch) thick.
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Season the pork with salt and pepper
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Put together the batter. Mix egg, water and mayonnaise in a mixing bowl.
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Add plain flour to the egg combination bowl and blend them briefly with chopsticks. Watch out to not over combine it.
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Put together the batter bowl, a tray of panko crumbs, and one other tray to position the coated pork.
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Dip a chunk of pork into the batter and coat properly with batter. Take away extra batter and transfer it to the tray of panko crumbs.
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Coat the pork with panko crumbs on either side properly by urgent down to stick and likewise be sure that all sides of the pork are lined.
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Place the panko crumbed pork to the final tray and repeat the method for the remainder of the pork.
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Warmth the deep frying oil in a deep frying pan or deep fryer (like I did) to 170 diploma celsius(338F). On the similar time line kitchen paper on a wire rack on a tray.
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When the oil reaches the temperature, gently put one pork in. Prepare dinner one after the other.
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Deep fry the pork for a couple of minutes with out transferring it round, when the sting turns into golden brown, flip it over gently and punctiliously with chopsticks and warmth as much as 190 diploma celsius (374F) to prepare dinner for an additional 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
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Drain the deep fried pork on the kitchen paper-lined wire rack. Prepare dinner the remainder of crumbed pork in the identical means.
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Slice the deep fried pork into 1.5cm(0.59 inch) strips and transfer all items in a single go by putting the knife beneath the lower pork. *4
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Serve with finely shredded cabbage, shiso leaves and tomato.
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Pore the tonkatsu sauce over the pork.
Notes
*2 If you’re unable to seek out Japanese Panko crumb, you may make your personal. Pulse white crusty bread in a meals processor and unfold them onto a tray. Permit them to dry till crisp.
*3 50g oil was absorbed, however you’ll need about 500g or extra relying on the dimensions of your deep frying pan.
*4 Japanese folks use chopsticks so any giant meat or meals is normally lower into smaller sizes in order that its simple to make use of chopsticks.
*5 If you’re unable to entry to Tonkatsu sauce. Make your personal. Mix 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp of tomato ketchup and 1 tsp of mirin.
*6 Tonkatsu will be dressed with miso sauce which known as Miso Katsu.
Diet
Energy: 646kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 42g | Fats: 27g | Saturated Fats: 3g | Ldl cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 572mg | Potassium: 857mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 310IU | Vitamin C: 32.2mg | Calcium: 155mg | Iron: 5.2mg
