Sharmila on Food

Maisen, Tokyo

So, as promised, another example of our honeymoon gluttony.  This time, the evidence being the amazing special black pig tonkatsu at Maisen.  Another Jamie recommendation, another winner.  I’m not sure what makes those black pigs so special, but they do taste damn good.

This was our first meal on the honeymoon, but even through our jetlagged fug, this tasted damn good.  This place has been around for years and expanded, but the quality is still high.  There was little need to look at the menu.  We had been instructed to get the special black pig tonkatsu set, and that is what we had.  You have a choice of fillet or loin, the loin being slightly fattier, the fillet denser.  Obviously I went for the loin.

I can safely say those portions were generous.  Yes, that is a giant mountain of shredded cabbage in the picture above.  Yes, that piece of tonkatsu is quite large.  Alongside, really well cooked rice, some gorgeous pickles and miso soup.  We were also presented with the “special” tonkatsu sauce that appears to be reserved for the special tonkatsu.  I’m not sure what is in that special sauce (crack, maybe?) but I could have quite easily just eaten it out of the container.  Intensely savoury, slightly sweet, it matched perfectly with the tonkatsu?

And what about that tonkatsu?  Well, it was just gorgeous.  I’ve never been that into tonkatsu or katsu curry (that will probably endure - I hate that type of curry sauce), with most I’ve eaten conjuring up memories of Bernard Matthews.  The meat was moist, flavoursome, and the breadcrumbs (surely panko) were greaseless and extremely crunchy.  Yes, I know I’m talking about a breaded pork cutlet, but this in the premier league of breaded pork cutlets.

If you find yourself near Harajuku or Omotesando station in Tokyo and are hankering after some porcine goodness, you really wouldn’t go far wrong coming here.  I just wish it was on my doorstep.

Details:

Maisen

4-8-5 Jingumae

Shibuya city

Nearest transport: Omotesando station

Price: getting up to mid-range with the current exchange rate