Have you ever savoured the bliss of biting into Japanese tonkatsu? I mean, who can resist the allure of crispy, juicy meats enveloped in breadcrumbs, then paired with delectable sauces? With an empty belly and a raging appetite, I ventured to Itacho Tonkatsu, a newly-opened tonkatsu spot at basement 1 of Raffles City Shopping Centre to explore their diverse offerings.
At Itacho Tonkatsu, each cutlet undergoes a meticulous process— it’s dredged in flour, drenched in egg, and then coated with breadcrumbs specially sourced from the Land of the Rising Sun.
2 separate deep-fryers are utilised, ensuring a clear distinction between meat items such as chicken, beef, and pork, and seafood items like prawns and oysters. Each type of tonkatsu undergoes a precise deep-frying timing, guaranteeing a golden brown exterior and juicy, perfect insides for every piece.
Itacho Tonkatsu only uses selected premium ingredients from Japan, Australia and New Zealand and offers over 10 types of tonkatsu in the menu.
As an opening promotion, Itacho Tonkatsu is offering 1 free plate of Hokkaido Scallop Sashimi (worth S$9) with every purchase of a tonkatsu set (while stocks last).
What I tried at Itacho Tonkatsu
We kickstarted our afternoon lunch with the Beef Katsu Set (S$19.80). The New Zealand-imported beef comes with pickles, miso soup as well as free-flow Japanese rice and cabbage salad.
We were told that there were a few ways of enjoying tonkatsu. And with that, we began by drizzling the brown tonkatsu sauce directly over the beef.
The layer of breadcrumbs coating the piece of beef was delightfully crispy yet light at the same time. The beef itself was tender with a slightly pink centre, retaining a rich and beefy flavour. The sauce was savoury, sweet and tangy all-at-once, making it the perfect condiment to the meat.
The set also came with sea salt in case you require a tad more seasoning for your fried cutlets.
The dish of pickles had me baffled by its enchanting flavours. The slices of pumpkin, radish, and carrot struck the perfect balance of sweet and sour, enhanced by finely-shredded yuzu rinds that infused a mellow citrusy aroma— I couldn’t get enough of it.
It also served as a palate cleanser between the tonkatsu pieces, effectively cutting down on the richness of the fried cutlets.
My dining partner even declared that if they offered the pickles bottled and for sale, she would definitely purchase one to take home. The miso soup, simmered with salmon and fish bones, was delicious with bits of tofu and seaweed embedded within.
We then moved on to the Jumbo Prawn & Oyster w/ Scallop Katsu Set (S$25.80) which had one huge prawn, 2 scallops and 1 oyster katsu. It was served with the exact same condiments as the set we enjoyed earlier.
Before devouring the seafood, we showered it with drops of lemon for a burst of freshness.
The prawn katsu was almost as long as my pair of chopsticks; it was fresh and addictively crispy without being oily.
I took the wooden mortar and began crushing the toasted sesame seeds to release its aroma. You can choose to drizzle the tonkatsu sauce but I poured the sesame sauce instead.
The result? A double nutty impact from the sesame sauce and seeds, adding a savoury touch instead of the usual sweet and tangy tonkatsu dip.
The oyster was perfectly cooked— it was briny, creamy, and maintained a plump, juicy mouthfeel, complementing the crispy breading exceptionally well.
Scallops, known for their sensitivity to overcooking, are prone to dry and tough meat. However, the rendition here maintained a perfect texture, featuring moist and juicy flesh.
There are a few pork katsu options in the menu like the Pork Loin Set (S$13.80) and Pork Fillet Set (S$18.80). We decided to go for the Japanese Pork Loin Set (S$26.80) which utilises premium white pork from Japan— really top quality, indeed!
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The hefty chunk of pork loin looked meaty at first glance, but chewing it was effortless as it was tender. A creamy layer of fat contributed to a delicious aftertaste.
I helped myself to the dollop of hot yellow mustard by the side and slathered it on my piece of pork cutlet before dunking it into the tonkatsu sauce. This combination started with a wave of sweet and tangy notes of the tonkatsu gravy before transitioning to a slightly-spicy sensation from the mustard, similar to wasabi.
The clean flavour of the sliced cabbage salad on the side provided a cool contrast to the richness of the juicy pork, allowing me to have more of the fried pork cutlet without feeling jelak. You can also choose to add some sesame sauce onto the salad to enhance its taste.
If you’re heading to Itacho Tonkatsu with a large party of friends, the menu also serves a variety of à la carte items which are perfect for sharing.
For sushi lovers, get the Spicy Salmon w/ Tenkasu Roll (S$15.20) featuring a spicy salmon and egg roll wrapped with torched salmon lying on a bed of tenkasu (crispy flakes).
Indulge in the Pork Katsu Sando (S$9.80), featuring thick, crispy slices of pork cutlet sandwiched between fluffy bread with lettuce, all generously lined with tonkatsu sauce.
The Chicken Oyako Don (S$12) comes in a cute little rectangular bento box with chunks of chicken, shiitake mushrooms, scrambled egg and onions over a bed of rice.
For oyster enthusiasts, you can enjoy a plate of Oyster Katsu (S$11.80) which has 3 pieces that come with a homemade tartar sauce with tonkatsu sauce dip.
Mochi fans, reserve some stomach space for dessert and try the Strawberry Green Tea Daifuku w/ Red Bean & Cream (S$3.80) as well as the Strawberry Cream Daifuku w/ Red Bean & Cream (S$3.80).
For the Strawberry Green Tea Daifuku w/ Red Bean & Cream, the sweet and refreshing strawberry at the top gives way to an aromatic green tea filling with red bean bits, subtly tinged with bitterness from the tea’s tannins. An additional layer of soft whipped cream is also present which makes the overall texture more luscious and creamy.
On the other hand, the Strawberry Cream Daifuku w/ Red Bean & Cream has nutty and subtle sweet notes coming from the red beans with whipped cream for a smooth finish.
Final thoughts
Itacho Tonkatsu offers a range of sets at various price points, catering to different preferences. Choose from affordable options under S$20 or indulge in premium sets for those seeking a more luxurious experience.
If you’re craving tonkatsu, why not drop by Raffles City Shopping Centre and give them a try; you’ll be amazed!
Expected damage: S$12 – S$25 per pax
* This post was brought to you in partnership with Itacho Tonkatsu.
Price: $ $
Itacho Tonkatsu
252 North Bridge Road, Raffles City Shopping Centre, #B1-63/64 , Singapore 179103
Itacho Tonkatsu
252 North Bridge Road, Raffles City Shopping Centre, #B1-63/64 , Singapore 179103
