Ingredient appreciation — what makes Tonkatsu special

What sets Tonkatsu apart is the handling of sake. In lesser versions this is treated as a background note. Here it's central and the clean and umami-forward result shows it. I've started buying it to cook with at home after this experience.

Japanese cuisine philosophy of shokunin craftsmanship shapes how even simple dishes are prepared. The a conveyor belt sushi bar atmosphere was right for this kind of food. I had barley tea as recommended and it matched well. If you want to understand what makes this cuisine distinctive, Tonkatsu is the place to start.