Tonpei Review Summary

I was looking for a katsu restaurant but in typical fashion in Tokyo, so many pop up and a lot in tourist areas. I asked my hotel across the street where they recommend and said to come here. So good that I came twice and made sure it was my last meal of my Japan trip! Meat so tender! The chef was amazing and did his best to accommodate me even with the language barrier.

Food was amazing. The chef/owner(?) runs it all on his own. Small maybe 8 seat bar, felt like a real local vibe. There wasn’t a English menu but the owner tried his best to assist me with his few words of English and with a little bit of Google translate we made it work. He was very kind. Everything is made fresh to order right in front of you and the flavours and textures were unreal. Highly recommend!

This restaurant is a true gem. The pork is INSANELY DELICIOUS and truly melts in your mouth. The chef is very kind and made us feel very welcome. It's a one man operation, so patience is key, but if you have the time, you won't be disappointed. I would give it 10 stars if I could.

An unassuming storefront hiding an excellent meal. The only seating is a limited number of countertops - very nostalgic and intimate. Limited menu, but that's how you know it's good. No English menu, but you can Google Translate everything. Plus, the chef/owner also tries his best to explain the menu offerings. He also prepares everything in front of you.

15 minutes after ordering, you get a delicious, fulfilling meal. The pork fillet is melt-in-your-mouth soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. The shrimp is also very good, not rubbery and crispy on the outside. Well seasoned and prepared. Tonkatsu sauce, chili powder, hot green tea, and pickled veggies are provided. The service is wonderful, atmosphere of daily locals and not of tourists. Highly recommend and would visit again.

The owner was SUPER nice. Food is cooked fresh right in front of you. I had the pork fillet with the cabbage and pork miso soup. He provides green tea and a wash cloth as well. Very small space as others have said so you may need to wait and he does not do takeout, but the customer service and food is so worth it. Great experience. Glad I found it on Google maps because I would have never known to look for it otherwise.