I went to try the pork cutlet that a celebrity said was “the best in my life” and it was amazing | Tonkatsu [Hinata] @ Takadanobaba

2025年5月9日

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Oh no, my daily work stress is reaching its max.

I’m going to have to eat something really delicious.

It was at the office in the afternoon (I was working, by the way).

It’s not like I decided to go because Mr. Ariyoshi said that Tonkatsu Hinata was “the best in my life.”

Let’s go.

They have an interesting course here, “Comparison Course (6 cuts) 3,900 yen.”

The comparison course is by reservation only and is not offered on holidays.

This is probably possible because they buy the whole pig, but this is also the secret to their popularity.

The place is about a 5-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station.

I walked. I’ve walked for about 20 minutes now.

Oh? Did I get lost again?

It’s strange, I should have been there by now, but walking in this cold weather is making the frostbite on my big toe worse. Oh, it’s itchy.

I tried to ask Google, but my hands were numb and it didn’t work properly.

I was looking here and there and I was getting a little tired.

What’s wrong with me? I’m lost again! Give me a break, you old man!

In the end, the shop was halfway down the road after I turned left from the main road.

Phew, I finally got there. It was so close.

There’s a line of people in front of the shop, so it’s easy to get a rough idea of where it is.

I always use the crowds as a landmark. When there’s no crowd and I accidentally pass by, it’s usually a holiday.

It seems like the ratio of Japanese to foreigners is about 50% each. Tonkatsu could be said to be a global food.

Clapton loves tonkatsu too

After all, when Eric Clapton comes to Japan, he goes straight to his favorite tonkatsu restaurant in Harajuku

The store is small

A regular customer is having a friendly conversation with the staff

But even regulars have to line up. This place is built on equality

A store that is particular about its customers

While waiting, I examine the menu at the store

Menu at the store

I always order pork loin. I’ve almost never ordered fillet

The loin cutlet set meal is ¥1,300, but

I’m at an age where I’m quite interested in the ¥1,850 rump cutlet set meal

If it’s okay this time, I’d like to try the rump set meal next time

After waiting for about 20 minutes, I was called inside the store.

The turnover is surprisingly fast. Maybe it was just by chance?

When you enter the store, the entire surface is a counter.

I guess I’ll have to wait.

Finally I enter the restaurant.

The counter is quite high, so I can see the kitchen. It’s a nice view.

The staff are all foreign, from Chinese to Vietnamese.

While I’m waiting, the pork cutlet set meal arrives.

The bowl is here!

Amazing.
The pork cutlet is also amazing, but I secretly liked the plate it was served on.

It seems to suit my taste.

The beautiful pink meat and sizzle of Miyoko are

proof that it’s cooked to perfection.

The seasoning is varied, and I wait at the table for the starting lineup to be announced.
The batter is crispy. This looks delicious.

The players are waiting on the table to announce the starting lineup, so everything is in perfect condition.

By the way, Amami salt has a little sweetness lol.

Inca salt is a little salty.

Ever since I went to the tonkatsu restaurant [Tonta] in Takadanobaba, I’ve become a fan of salt instead of sauce.

High-class tonkatsu = salt

Regular tonkatsu = sauce

I use them like this.

For the first bite of chicken, I chose sweet salt and mixed it with mustard.

Of course, it goes without saying that the olive oil is exquisitely blended.

Look at this juicy texture!
The fact that you can get one free refill of rice and cabbage is a nice surprise.

The number one tonkatsu in the game.

Chop it up.

Mmmmm! It’s so good.

The ensemble of the batter, fat, sweet salt, and pork’s natural ingredients evoked emotions that surpassed even the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.

It’s no wonder that Ariyoshi declared it to be the “lifetime best.”

I decided to copy that and say it’s the “current best” (I don’t get it).

Anyway, it’s that good. Until now, Ton-ta was No. 1, but this one is hard to choose.

However, if you consider the price and the fact that you can eat interesting cuts, it’s not surprising that Hinata wins overall.

Isn’t this the best value for money?

Today’s review

When paying, I had a problem with not understanding the language the foreign staff was speaking, but I was able to solve it with body language since I speak a worldwide language (what about the language?)

If I can eat this much tonkatsu, I’m sure Hinata will have such overwhelming quality that it will make the 20 minutes I lost by getting lost, the 20 minutes I waited in the cold, and the worsening of my chilblains all seem meaningless.

It was a day that made me understand why Takadanobaba is called a hotbed of tonkatsu and a holy place, and it even evoked emotions.

However, I had no idea at the time that I would get fed up with the itchiness of my chilblains when I got home.

Oh my God!!