Tonkatsu specifically refers to a fried pork cutlet and is one of the most beloved fares in Japan.
Ethan Chlebowski
Ingredients
Fried pork cutlet
- pork chops, boneless2-41 lb
- flour50 g
- cornstarch25 g
- eggs2
- panko bread crumbs50 g
- neutral oilfor frying
- saltto taste
Ginger garlic slaw
- cabbage, sliced thin1/4
- kewpie mayo20 g
- soy sauce5 g
- sriracha5 g
- rice vinegar5 g
- carrots, peeled1/4
- fresh gingera small knob
- garlic1 clove
- lemon zest1/2 lemon
For serving
- tonkatsu sauce
- lemons, wedges
Method
Step 1: Make ginger garlic carrot slaw
Make the slaw dressing: Using a micro grater, grate the ginger, garlic and peeled carrot into a bowl. Zest the lemon and add the mayo, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and sriracha. Mix together and taste it, adjust seasoning as needed.
Toss with thinly sliced cabbage or save to spoon over the top. Set aside for serving.
Step 2: Prepare & bread pork cutlets
Pound or slice the boneless pork chops to roughly 3/4 (19 mm) thick. Sprinkle salt evenly over the exterior of both sides.
Place a wok over medium heat and add enough neutral oil for deep frying about 2 inches high in the pan.
Meanwhile, in three separate trays or plates add the cornstarch + flour into one tray, the beaten egg into the next, and the panko bread crumbs into the last.
Bread the pork cutlets by first coating the exterior in the flour/starch mixture, followed by the egg before finishing in the panko bread crumbs. Push down on the bread crumbs to ensure it sticks to their exterior.
Step 3: Fry and serve
Using a thermometer, verify the temp of the oil is 350° F/ 176° C. Slowly drop the pork cutlets into the oil until golden brown. In total, the pork for about 7 to 9 minutes, slightly agitating them throughout.
When to your liking, move to a paper towel on a wire rack, dab the excess oil, and move to the wire portion so it doesn't get soggy. Add a sprinkle of salt after frying.
To serve, slice the cutlets into pieces. Eat with tonkatsu sauce and the ginger carrot sauced cabbage. Enjoy.
FAQ
Also Appears In
Free Spice Guide
Join The Mouthful Newsletter to receive our essential spices list pdf.
Just subscribe to our weekly newsletter where 60,000+ readers get lifestyle protocols, recipe frameworks, Q&A from expert home cooks, and cooking trends explained.
We hate spam too. Unsubscribe anytime.