The Place With multiple outlets across Tokyo, Maisen is almost synonymous with Tonkatsu, or Fried Pork Cutlet. This is by far the best Tonkatsu in Tokyo I have tried. The original outlet is located at Omotesando area, just a few minutes walk from Omotesando station. There are a few dining sections in the restauarnt, with the main hall retaining the old bathhouse setting the building used to be decades ago, while level two has a Japanese tatami-style setting. If you are lucky, you will be able to get a table in the main hall, which I attribute to luck as there is usually a long queue during peak dining hours. The old bathhouse setting is reminiscent of the old Japanese times, which feels slightly nostalgic to me and that certainly adds to the charm of the dining ambience.

The Food There are many cuts of pork on the menu, including porks from various regions across Japan such as the Chamiton Pork and Kurobuta from Kagoshima or Okinawan Pork. My recommendation is the Kurobuta Loin Pork Cutlet Set (¥3,100) if you fancy the fattier cut of the pork. The best part of the Tonkatsu is invariably the bread crumbs, so soft and crispy that it simply melts-in-the-mouth with the ultra-tender pork. I heard that the pork is prepared freshly in a factory beside the restaurant daily to ensure its high quality.

Each set comes with rice, pickles, miso soup and a refreshing ice-cream at the end of the meal.

Rants If any, the lack of reservations policy means be prepared to wait in line patiently.

Will I Return Again? Maisen is one restaurant which I return repeatedly whenever I am in Tokyo. Until I find a better Tonkatsu in Tokyo, it will remain on my gourmet trail for long.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 4.5/5
Hole in the pocket: 3.5/5
Ambience: 4.5/5
Overall Experience: 4.5/5

Maisen Tonkatsu Tokyo
Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, 神宮前4−8−5
Tel: +81 120-428-485

Opening Hours
Daily: 11am to 10.45pm

Ranted by The Ranter