Tonkatsu Kawakin - Senzoku

A long-standing tonkatsu (pork cutlet) restaurant nestled in an alley just off Senzoku-dori Avenue in Asakusa 5-chome, about a 15-minute walk from Asakusa Station (Tobu Skytree / Tokyo Metro Ginza lines) or a 10-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Tsukuba Express line. Founded in 1914 as a food stall, it is widely recognized as one of the pioneers and originators of Japanese katsu curry.

The signature dish is the "Kawakin-don," featuring a bowl of rice topped with shredded cabbage and a freshly fried, crispy pork cutlet, all generously smothered in a secret-recipe curry sauce.

The curry boasts a nostalgic, traditional yellowish hue, offering a deeply comforting yet rich flavor into which the natural sweetness of pork and onions has thoroughly melted. The thin, juicy cutlet is fragrantly fried in lard, allowing the savory meat, spicy and thick curry roux, crisp cabbage, and fluffy white rice to harmonize beautifully in every bite. Drizzling a bit of Worcestershire sauce over the top to add an extra layer of richness and tanginess is a classic way to enjoy this historic dish.