Beef Katsu – the evolution of meat
In Tokyo or basically in Japan the rule is if you see a line to a restaurant you should get into it because whatever they are cooking is going to be amazing. I was looking for this restaurant after searching for Katsu variation as I am absolutely obsessed with this dish.
Motomura is a tiny restaurant in Tokyo Shibuya and a little bit difficult to find if you have no google maps or internet connection. The map below should help stick to it and don’t try to ask for help.
You will probably have to wait in line for around 30-40 min but if you choose your arrival time a little bit out of the norm for example 15:00-16:00 the line should be shorter. And what is even more important is that you get your menu while you are waiting so your order is served within minutes after you sat down! Japanese efficiency! 🙂
I love restaurants that focus on one main dish and make it to perfection and this one here another star on the horizon. A world surrounding a breaded tender steak cutlet sliced into equal pieces. The beef is deep-fried for 60 seconds and then sliced into pieces which has the effect of a crisp outside and a rare inside. To sear my steak I was given a tiny fire powered stove which is first a wonderful interaction with my food and it gives it a distinctive grilled aroma. (Don’t leave it on too long!).
The taste is incredible, crisp but tender and even I want to say : fresh. Something you wouldn’t expect of deep-fried food.
Each set (there are different cuts) comes with cabbage, potato salad, rice, grated yam and miso soup, much like a standard tonkatsu set. Grated yam (totoro) is for you to pour over your rice. This Totoro is literally the only thing during my whole Japan trip that I ate and hated – from the consistency to the taste it is unbelievable that this is a Japanese favorite.
If you don’t know how to eat Katsu there is a fail safe illustration that you get before the meal.
The condiments served with the beef are rock salt (good), horseradish sauce (better) and wasabi with a bit of soy sauce (best).
It is without a doubt worth your time and afterwards if someone asks you if you had tonkatsu (classic pork cutlet) you can tell your story about Gyukatsu Motomura.
There is no additional link as the website is crap so be sure to check out their opening hours before you go.
