Toronto is a vibrant metropolis that’s a true reflection of Canada. Toronto offers large green spaces from beautiful public parks to a fabulous zoo. It is one of the most multiculturally diverse cities on Earth making it a top destination for tourists looking for new adventures. Toronto’s food landscape is just as varied and when struck by a katsu craving you’re in the right town. Visitors can enjoy a great selection of traditional katsu, typically a panko-breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet, or katsu dishes with a modern twist. However you prefer your katsu, you must check out this list of restaurants with the best katsu dishes in Toronto.
1. Katsuya
Katsuya specializes in breaded cutlets with a contemporary flair. The katsu is homemade and patrons can choose from pork, fish, and even sweet potato cheese katsu dishes. Katsuya is known for their array of signature sauces that really kick the katsu plates up a notch. Try the creamy red carbonara that’s bursting with spicy goodness or the sweet chili katsu sauce made with an expert blend of house sauce, tomato, and chili. The breadcrumbs are baked daily so it’s assured all katsu plates are fresh and delectable.
Katsuya
Address: 66 Gerrard St, E Toronto, Canada
Website: Katsuya
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11:30am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 11pm
2. Sakawa
Sakawa provides genuine Japanese comfort food and boasts a large menu. Among the miso soup, donburi, and Japanese-style spaghetti are a few katsu dishes that are worth a taste. Sample the Katsudon, piles of pork cutlet in a large bowl with steamed rice, a fresh egg, and a savory sauce. For an out-of-this-world taste explosion order the chicken katsu. The pork katsu curry rice is a good option. Morning is also a choice time to eat at Sakawa with divine banana pancakes in light syrup or the scrumptious Japanese breakfast with salmon on the menu.
Sakawa
Address: 867 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4J 1L8, Canada
Website: Sakawa
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 11am - 9pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 9pm (closed on Mon)
3. Gyugyuya
Providing a friendly laid-back atmosphere, Gyugyuya is a well-regarded establishment offering top-quality meat and seafood curries with specialized toppings. Gyugyuya’s katsu dishes are nothing to overlook. Enjoy the flavorful katsudon served with fresh-cooked rice and a choice of deep-fried pork or chicken. For a nice mix of sweet and spicy order the chicken katsu curry. Gyugyuya’s chefs pride themselves on creating the best plates with the freshest ingredients and the results are yummy.
Gyugyuya
Address: 177 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5G 1C7, Canada
Website: Gyugyuya
Opening hours: Sun: 11am - 9pm; Mon - Sat: 11am - 10pm
4. Tokyo Grill
Tokyo Grill offers a section of the menu dedicated to katsu. The katsu curry rice - a meal comprised of curry rice and deep-fried pork - is one of Tokyo Grill’s most popular dishes. However, if you’re not in the mood for pork Tokyo Grill offers ample katsu options like chicken and seafood katsu such as deep-fried shrimp, mackerel, and oysters. The Japanese home-style curry rice is their signature dish and shouldn’t ever be dismissed.
Tokyo Grill
Address: 5175 Yonge Street North York, ON M2N 5P5 Canada
Website: Tokyo Grill
Opening hours: Sun: 11:30am - 12am; Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 3pm, 5pm - 12am; Fri: 11:30am - 3pm, 5pm - 2am; Sat:11:30am - 2am
5. Tokyo Kitchen
A charming bistro-style restaurant with eclectic decor, Tokyo Kitchen menu provides Japanese favorites such as sushi, teriyaki, donburi, and noodle fare. The katsudon is ample, tender, and superb if you’re wanting some nice comfort food on a chilly night. The katsukare is delightful: the tonkatsu skewers stay crispy and are very juicy. Patrons have a choice of chicken or pork katsu in a nicely prepared bento box that’s available for either lunch or dinner.
Tokyo Kitchen
Address: 20 Charles St E, Toronto, ON M4Y 1T1, Canada
Website: Tokyo Kitchen
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11:30am - 3pm, 5:30pm - 10:30pm; Fri: 11:30am - 3pm, 5:30pm - 11pm; Sat: 11:30am - 11pm; Sun: 11:30am - 9:30pm (closed on Mon)
6. Naniwa Taro
Naniwa Taro is an unassuming eatery that prepares everything fresh to order. While the katsu dishes are tasty, Naniwa Taro signature item is the takoyaki. Takoyaki is a Japanese street food the Osaka-born owners brought over from their ancestral land. These small ball-shaped tidbits are comprised of a wheat flour-based batter and usually stuffed with minced or diced octopus, pickled ginger, and green onion for a scrumptious snack. If you do go for the katsu make sure it’s the curry variety.
Naniwa Taro
Address: 17-5661 Steeles Avenue East Toronto, Ontario
Website: Naniwa Taro
Opening hours: 11:30am - 8:30pm (daily)
7. Imanishi Japanese Kitchen
Imanishi Japanese Kitchen is Tokyo homestyle cooking at its finest. Known as a go-to place for sushi and sake, Imanishi Japanese Kitchen is a Japanese-style pub offering a casual atmosphere. However, the chefs’ approach to cooking is a serious ritual. Every plate is fashioned to compliment either a glass of wine, a mug of beer, or a cup of sake. Highlights include sticky wings slathered with toasted sesame seeds, beef tataki, and of course a generous portion of delicious katsu curry.
Imanishi Japanese Kitchen
Address: 1330 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1Y1, Canada
Website: Imanishi Japanese Kitchen
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 5:30pm - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 5:30pm - 12am
8. Nakayoshi
Eat at Nakayoshi and you’ll think the entrees were plucked from a Tokyo neighborhood and replanted in Toronto. Enjoy a lovely dining experience filled with tasty traditional Japanese cuisine that uses only the freshest ingredients. All the katsu main staples are represented on the voluminous menu: pork and chicken katsu, katsu curry rice, and katsudon deep-fried pork with onion and egg on rice. There’s also a hearty katsu ramen that has ramen noodle in a soy sauce-flavored soup with deep-fried pork on the side.
Nakayoshi
Address: 812 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4J 1L2, Canada
Website: Nakayoshi
Opening hours: Sun: 5pm - 10pm; Mon - Sat: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 10pm
9. Kushimaru
A compact eatery with a bit of dramatic decor and a relaxed atmosphere, Kushimaru is Toronto’s first Osaka-style kushikatsu restaurant. Kushikatsu, or kushiage, is a Japanese plate of deep-fried meat and vegetables on skewers. Though Kushimaru is dedicated to offering a variety of meats, fish, and vegetables breaded, deep-fried, and skewered, customers with a craving for traditional katsu can easily have their desire satisfied. Kushimaru is a local favorite and their chicken wing karaage, cucumber with plum dressing, and miso soup are standouts.
Kushimaru
Address: 64 Edward St, Toronto, ON M5G 1C9, Canada
Website: Kushimaru
Opening hours: Sun: 12pm - 10:30pm; Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 3pm, 5pm - 10:30pm; Fri: 11:30am - 3pm, 5pm - 12am; Sat: 12pm - 12am
10. Mr Tonkatsu
Mr. Tonkatsu offers a variety of katsu from succulent pork loin to tasty fish. Mr. Tonkatsu even serves the unusual addition of ground beef katsu. These enticing plates offer homemade panko breading and are served with fresh shredded cabbage, hot miso soup, fluffy steamed rice, and a custom-made tonkatsu sauce. As an added bonus there are complimentary refills on cabbage, miso soup, and rice! You can also order the katsu plates curry style, for those wanting a layer of spice to their meal.
Mr. Tonkatsu
Address: 520 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1Y3, Canada
Website: Mr. Tonkatsu
Opening hours: Sun: 11:30am - 9pm; Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 4:30pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 10pm
Toronto's katsu comfort food
With Toronto’s eclectic population, it’s not surprising Japanese cuisine, particularly katsu is readily available. Whether you like it traditional or coated in curry, Toronto’s heavenly katsu dishes are sure to please and have you coming back for extra servings.
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