Tonkatsu Tonki

Ronnyeats0ut★★★★★★★★★★3.04 months ago

4/2/26 - 3 stars Can't remember where I heard about this place and for some reason I had in my mind that this was meant to be one of best tonkatsu in Tokyo. Unfortunately, I was left a little disappointed. Notably, there is no line outside and there are quite a few foreigners. Tonkatsu Flavour: S, 8/10. It's ok, but, not particularly juicy or umami. Texture: A, 7/10. Just alright. Value: B, 6/10. ¥2500 set. Loin and fillet were not noticeably different either. Definitely have had better tonkatsu in Japan and probably even Sydney.

patthamon s★★★★★★★★★★5.07 months ago

Tonki is a classic tonkatsu spot with a unique batter that is different from any other place. The seating is arranged around the open kitchen, so you can watch every step of the cooking process, which is really fun to see. It can get quite busy, so you might have to wait a little before getting a seat. The food is crispy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The only downside is that the place gets smoky, so your clothes might smell like oil afterward. Probably not the best idea to go somewhere fancy right after, but it is absolutely worth the visit.

Alvin Dizon★★★★★★★★★★2.03 months ago

I went here last November 2025 at the recommendation of my teacher. Firstly, the atmosphere was quite intimidating—the first floor consists of a wide area where the staff prepare the food and a counter surrounding the area. The second floor I believe is for groups. I tried to order in Japanese but misread the menu so I was immediately handed over an English menu😅 I ordered hirekatsu, which in retrospect was a mistake. While waiting for the food, I observed how the staff moved with practiced motions in preparing the meals. I can tell that this is an efficient operation. It was just a bit weird that the guests are being watched by who seemed to be the boss, I'm not sure, which honestly felt like an exam proctor watching students😅 My food came soon enough and I was disappointed that the meat was not juicy and was dry. It was also not flavorful. The soup was very tasty though. Since the meal is quite expensive, I made sure I got my money's worth by ordering refills for the rice and soup. As for the service, it seemed quite cold. I wouldn't say the staff were rude, but it was a place that didn't feel welcoming.

Akiko Sen★★★★★★★★★★5.06 months ago

Awesome food with lots of seats available (there's second floor too). Miso soup and cabbage is free flow, te aand ice water are also free flow. 💕 The owner uncle gave me 2 sweets to end of this wonderful dinner 😊

Jordan Shapiro★★★★★★★★★★5.010 months ago

I'm told Tonki is a Meguro institution. It's been here forever and one local friend said, "I don't even consider it tonkatsu, it's just Tonki." You can feel it as soon as you walk in. The giant wraparound counter is full and people are sitting at the bench around the outside waiting. I ate upstairs, which is apparently not the best way to experience this place. Everyone tells me to sit downstairs so you can watch the incredible clockwork operation. We ordered the loin and the filet. Both were fantastic. What really stood out was the exceptionally crispy exterior. It stayed crisp, even after it began to cool. This is not the kind of tonkatsu with buttery panko bread crumbs with deep marbled and juicy pork. It's something different. So, if you've had lots of tonkatsu in Japan, and you're expecting more of the same, change your expectations. Here, you get great service and a filling meal, in a very authentic Japanese atmosphere. You'll almost certainly have to wait in line. But the line moves quickly and they'll take your order before you get a table. There are only three things on the menu, they're all good in exactly the same way. The set meal pickles are a perfect accompaniment to the greasy fried pork. The miso soup, with little chunks of fatty pork, was delicious. The cabbage could use some dressing, but I like that they also give you a tomato. The tonkatsu sauce is great. The mustard is hot. I understand why Tonki is a Meguro classic.