The Thickest Tonkatsu in Japan, Tonkatsu Marushichi
Tonkatsu Marushichi is a tonkatsu specialty restaurant that started in Tokyo and has gained much love, known for having the thickest tonkatsu in Japan. The pork is cooked at low temperatures for a whole day, enhancing its umami flavor and tender texture, allowing you to enjoy a tonkatsu that is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Currently, they also offer a dinner menu from Thursday to Saturday, so you can visit for lunch as well as dinner.
The menu I tried that day included the signature Katsu Sando, the Weekday Lunch Special Mini Katsu Bento Box available only on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, and the Extra Rich Matcha Latte. With a range of representative dishes and lunch specials, it’s a great way for first-time visitors to fully experience the charm of this place.
The first dish I tasted, the Katsu Sando, is generously filled with thick tonkatsu, and the moment you take a bite, you experience a rich texture. It is crispy on the outside but surprisingly tender and moist on the inside, with the deep umami flavor of the pork that has been cooked at low temperatures for a whole day. The center has a slight pink hue, which comes from the long low-temperature cooking method, allowing you to enjoy it with peace of mind, and it actually enhances the moist texture and rich flavor. The combination of the bread, tonkatsu, and sauce makes it easy to understand why it is called a signature dish.
The Mini Katsu Bento Box is a limited menu item available only during weekday lunch hours, featuring a mini tonkatsu, Fresh Cabbage Salad, Macaroni Salad, and Pork & Vegetable Soup. It allows you to taste a variety of dishes at once, making it perfect for first-time visitors, and it’s a great way to enjoy a balanced meal without any burden. The accompanying Extra Rich Matcha Latte uses premium matcha, bringing out a deep and rich flavor, and with matcha ice cubes added, the taste remains intact over time, pairing well with the tonkatsu.
Tonkatsu Marushichi
Tonkatsu Marushichi is a place where you can directly confirm why it is known for having the thickest tonkatsu in Japan. The texture of the thick tonkatsu, along with the soft meat and deep flavor achieved through a day of low-temperature cooking, is impressive, providing satisfaction from the signature dishes to the weekday lunch specials. If you’re looking for authentic Japanese tonkatsu in Torrance, it’s definitely worth a visit.
