A Japanese-style tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet) specialty store from Japan

Reported by Huang Shiyuan / Taipei

With a crispy exterior and tender, juicy pork inside, drizzled with the shop’s signature sauce, this simple yet delicious Japanese-style pork cutlet has won the hearts of many. Shengbo Hall was one of the first Japanese chain-brand tonkatsu specialty stores introduced in Taiwan. Nowadays, there are also other tonkatsu shops such as Ginza Anko Tonkatsu, Shengzheng Tonkatsu, Shengshi Tonkatsu, and the recently arrived Gitto in Taiwan.

Shengbo Hall


▲ Shengbo Hall lean pork tonkatsu. (Photo / fromShengbo Hallofficial website)

Shengbo Hall was founded in 1966 in Nishi-Shinjuku, Tokyo, and is the largest Japanese-style tonkatsu chain in Japan, with nearly 400 outlets. It also has branches in Taiwan and South Korea. Currently, there are 27 stores in Taiwan, with plans for further expansion. Having been in Taiwan for 10 years, Shengbo Hall uses pork from pigs raised for 210 days, which is also aged to enhance flavor and texture. The sauce is made with onions, tomatoes, apples, carrots as the base, along with dozens of spices. Shengbo Hall uses fresh breadcrumbs that do not absorb oil during frying, resulting in a crispy pork cutlet.

Ginza Anko Tonkatsu


▲ TORO lean meat set meal. (Photo / provided by Grandpa and Little Wife)

Anko Tonkatsu was originally distributed by Murino Food Service (previously known as Bonno Food Service), and was called Kyushu Anko Tonkatsu at the time. Later, Hexagon International acquired the new distribution rights and officially named the brand “Ginza Anko Japanese Tonkatsu.” The pork used in Ginza Anko Japanese Tonkatsu is sourced from Taiwan’s fresh pork, which undergoes full quality control and aging at the ATOM (the parent company of Ginza Anko Tonkatsu) factory in Taiwan. Related sauces and recipes are also developed under the technical guidance of ATOM, allowing consumers in Taiwan to enjoy premium Japanese-style tonkatsu. There are currently 8 outlets across Taiwan.

Read more:Ginza Japanese Anko Tonkatsu with tender meat and a crispy crust

Shizuoka Shengzheng Japanese Tonkatsu

▲ Black pork lean meat tonkatsu set meal. (Photo / provided by Mi’er)

Murino Food Service, originally the agent for Kyushu Anko Tonkatsu, introduced Shizuoka Shengzheng Japanese Tonkatsu after losing the distribution rights. Shizuoka Shengzheng Japanese Tonkatsu is a well-established tonkatsu shop in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, with nearly 20 years of history. It uses exclusive slightly vacuum-aged pork for over 7 days to remove the porky smell while making the meat softer and juicier. To ensure the fried coating doesn’t peel off, specially imported soft breadcrumbs about 1 cm in length from Shizuoka, Japan, are used. There are currently 6 outlets across Taiwan.

Read more:Taiwan’s first “Shengzheng Tonkatsu” – juicy meat texture with an especially crispy coating

Iseji - Shengshi Japanese Tonkatsu


▲ Iseji - Shengshi Japanese Tonkatsu’s Extreme Black. Black pork lean meat tonkatsu. (Photo / provided by Viviyu)

In October 2014, Murino Food Service introduced its second popular Japanese tonkatsu shop, “Iseji - Shengshi Japanese Tonkatsu,” which sparked heated discussions with its “Extreme Black. Black Pork Lean Meat Tonkatsu,” and differentiated itself in the competitive tonkatsu market with a 40% seafood-fried set menu. Murino Food Service also hired the master of Japanese aged tonkatsu, “Hoshiwa Kazu,” as a consultant. They use over ten premium ingredients, including Taiwanese Ya Sheng black pork and San Yuan pork aged in a slight vacuum for over 7 days, Ohashi brand Koshihikari rice, highland Taiwanese cabbage, and specially imported fresh Japanese breadcrumbs.

Read more:Limited menu at Breeze Songgao！Black-as-gloss black pork lean meat tonkatsu
 

Gitto


▲ Lean meat tonkatsu set meal. (Photo / taken by Huang Shiyuan)

After expanding to Hong Kong, Korea, Thailand, and other regions, Japan’s largest affordable tonkatsu chain, “Gitto,” has announced its entry into Taiwan. Compared to Shengbo Hall, Ginza Anko Tonkatsu, and Shengzheng Japanese Tonkatsu, Gitto is positioned as an affordable tonkatsu specialty store, with different ingredient standards. “Fast, delicious, and affordable” are Gitto’s three pillars. As a result, the first Taiwan store not only introduced a globally unique automatic tonkatsu fryer — with oil kept at a constant 175°C by computer control — but also fries a piece of tonkatsu in just 3.5 minutes, and can serve a bowl of tonkatsu in just 5 minutes.<，同时店里所使用的面粉也是自日本空运来台，希望可以延续日本道地口味。价格部分，最便宜的吉豚猪排N<(梅)129元，最贵的是双层里肌猪排定食、猪排咖喱(松)、双层里肌猪排便当(里肌120公克x2)，都是249元。

Read more:Exclusive machine air-flown from Japan to Taiwan — Gitto fries a tonkatsu in just 3.5 minutes