Where can I try Katsu?

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Teriyaki term

Katsu カツ

Katsu is a breaded, deep-fried cutlet — pork (tonkatsu) or chicken (chicken katsu) — coated in airy panko crumbs and fried until shatteringly crisp outside and juicy within. It's one of Japan's great comfort foods.

Panko makes it

Japanese panko breadcrumbs are coarser and flakier than Western crumbs, which is why katsu has that distinctive light, craggy crust that stays crisp.

Beyond the cutlet

Katsu turns up everywhere: sliced over rice with egg and broth as katsudon, in a mild curry as katsu curry, and in a sandwich (katsu sando) that's become a cult favorite.

Insider tip. Grind the sesame seeds and stir in the tonkatsu sauce yourself — that ritual, and the fresh-ground aroma, is half the pleasure.