Fried cutlet lovers can’t miss this out — top 5 must-try stores across Taiwan

By MOOK Scenic Spots, compiled and reported

 

Japanese-style tonkatsu, a popular dish in Japan, has made its way to Taiwan in recent years, with more and more Japanese tonkatsu specialty shops opening up, so foodies in Taiwan no longer need to fly to Japan to enjoy it. Here we introduce five great tonkatsu restaurants across Taiwan, including two newly opened Japanese tonkatsu flagship stores that debuted in May this year. Tonkatsu fans, add these to your must-visit list now！

1. Gyukatsu Motomura

“Gyukatsu Motomura,” a must-eat in Japan, has officially launched its first store in Taiwan and opened on May 1st at Mitsui Outlet Park Linkou. The cutlet is coated with carefully selected, finer breadcrumbs, and is served medium-rare. A heated stone plate is provided on the side so you can cook the tonkatsu to your preferred doneness. Before digging in, be sure to dip it in the shop’s signature wasabi sauce and rock salt to enhance the flavor.

2. Kyoto Shogyu

“Kyoto Shogyu,” which already has branches in Taipei and Hsinchu, is another highly popular Japanese restaurant known for its long queues, loved not only by tourists but also locals. Their tonkatsu is only fried for 60 seconds and uses less breadcrumbs to avoid being greasy, and is paired with a variety of specially made dipping sauces for an elevated taste. Recently, Kyoto Shogyu opened its third store in Taiwan at Taipei Main Station, offering limited-time promotions for the first seven days after opening. Taipei tonkatsu fans, hurry on over！

3. Zha Niu Fried Cutlet Specialty Shop
“Zha Niu” is one of the brands under the Din Tai Fung Group. Even after all these years in business, it remains a go-to choice for many tonkatsu enthusiasts, often requiring diners to wait in line during peak meal times. The restaurant also provides a stone grill with each meal, and suggests searing both sides of the cutlet for about 5 seconds each to bring out the meat’s aroma and enhance the flavor.

4. Tiger Day Japanese BBQ and Fried Cutlet Specialty Shop

This popular fried cutlet shop from Kaohsiung, “Tiger Day Japanese BBQ and Fried Cutlet Specialty Shop,” offers not only fried cutlets but also grilled meats, and uniquely serves “fried black tuna,” featuring a crispy breadcrumb coating and tender black tuna inside, best enjoyed with the shop’s homemade sauce for a truly delightful texture.