Tonkatsu Hinata

Tonkatsu Hinata is located in the Tokyo neighborhood of Takadanobaba, a university town known for its cheap eats geared towards the students that attend one of the many schools nearby. This eatery is no exception to the wallet-friendly prices, but katsu is taken to a whole different level — and its Bib Gourmand recognition is proof of this. Tonkatsu Hinata's distinction lies in its ability to infuse creativity into the well-trodden tonkatsu experience. Due to its unique advantage of sourcing whole pigs, Hinata’s evening set menu offers an opportunity to taste and compare a diverse range of cuts, from the standard sirloin to the exquisitely soft tenderloin, to even lesser-known selections. While most tonkatsu restaurants offer the standard trinity of salt, soy sauce and tonkatsu sauce (a thick, sweet sauce that resembles Worcestershire), Hinata goes a step further by letting guests dress their pork with condiments such as extra virgin olive oil and truffle salt. This injects some sophistication into a classic soul food, introducing a new dimension of flavor impossible to find at another tonkatsu restaurant. But that’s not the final delight of a meal at Hinata: around the last one-third of their meal, patrons are offered the option of dousing their remaining rice and pork cutlet with a serving of curry, turning their meal into a different type of Japanese soul food, katsu curry. At easy access from Takadanobaba Station, it's no wonder that Tonkatsu Hinata is frequently crowded — people come from all over Tokyo just to try the multi-course tasting menus. Reservations may not be available for lunch, but that doesn't stop the line of diners patiently waiting outside. Michelin Guide: 2017 - Bib Gourmand ※ Tonkatsu Hinata does not take reservations for lunch. Guests wanting to dine there for lunch may do so on a walk-in basis. The minimum party size for reservations is 3.