Tonkatsu @ Tonkatsu Nishinaka, Hakata, Fukuoka

 

While looking around what the area has to offer in a previous sojourn in getting that amazing yet surprisingly simple hot pot udon (click here), I found something I had not had for a long time. And that is tonkatsu! The infamous fried pork cutlet dish that most people have probably heard of when they think about Japanese food. And it has been a while since I had this, so during a recent lunch break, I too the effort to head out to Nishinaka. 

Rustic

It is a small and cozy establishment located within the residential area of the Hakata area. Which means that it is a bit far away from the usual hustle and bustle of the city center. Do not let this fool you though, this place packs a punch. 

Such beauty

Naturally being a deep fried pork joint, the only natural thing is to get some deep fried pork. The rosu katsu rice set stood at a slightly hefty 1650 yen. So this is something I might not usually get for my usual lunch. But boy this was worth it. The pork cutlet was just pure beauty. The golden exterior and the juicy and slightly pink inside were a sight for sore eyes.

Golden perfection

 And despite being simply breaded pork that is deep fried, this was incredibly delicious. The smell of the pork was actually pretty fragrant. You do not get that funky porky after taste where it shows that the pig might have seen better days. The outer crust was surprisingly flavourful. It had a nutty flavour and was slightly sweet, a sign of high quality panko crumbs being used. And with a dip of the zesty tonkatsu sauce, and you are guaranteed a good time. 

If you want something a bit more affordable, you can get the tonjiru set (pork soup). This was what I got during my second visit. It was hearty, full of vegetables and meat and was standing at a mere 1100 yen. The miso base soup really worked well with the root vegetables and pork belly trips tucked at the bottom. Salty, savoury and slightly sweet, this is a serious remedy when it is cold outside. This came with some fried menchi katsu, or minced cutlet which is a bit closer to a fried meat ball. The mince meat was very flavourful too and had a lot going on. Imagine an Ikea meatball but deep fried, but at the same time you can still feel the crumbs of the mince. This was pretty good. A great salve for the colder months. 

Front of the house

Sometimes I am still amazed as to the great food spaces this area has to offer. From the outside it looks like apartment blocks with a few factories. But there is more to the area than meets the eye. And Nishinaka really is a testament to that. So if you fancy some porky treats that are deep fried, then this is a top recommendation. The address is as follows:

4 Chome-11-28 Hakataekiminami, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 812-0016