Katsuyoshi Nihonbashi Ningyocho

Tucked away in a back alley of the “Doll Town” of Tokyo’s Nihonbashi district, the tonkatsu at Katsuyoshi Nihonbashi Ningyocho is as traditional as they come. The restaurant is set in a former kominka, or traditional Japanese house — but from the exterior, guests would likely be unable to tell, thanks to the modern-looking facade. The abundance of dark wood in the interior instantly gives the restaurant a more traditional feel, as though it would not be out of place in the 1970s. Behind the counter is where the magic happens: guests can watch the chefs fry up thick, juicy cuts of perfectly battered pork in sizzling pots of oil. Oysters and aji (horse mackerel) are popular additions too, as are the huge, delightfully crunchy kuruma-ebi (Japanese tiger prawn). A regular inclusion in the Michelin Guide Tokyo, Katsuyoshi received its first Bib Gourmand award in 2021, and has remained the go-to place for tonkatsu fans in the Nihonbashi locality. Michelin Guide: 2021 - Bib Gourmand