Koharuken: Tokyo’s Timeless Culinary Legacy Since 1912 – A Journey Through Katsudon’s Unique Tradition and Assorted Fries Delight
Koharuken, a historic Western-style restaurant located in Tokyo’s Ningyocho district, has held its esteemed status since its establishment in 1912 by the personal chef of Japan’s former Prime Minister, Yamagata Aritomo, and his wife, Haru. The restaurant gained renown for its signature dish, the Katsudon, which diverges from tradition by incorporating sunny-side-up eggs instead of the conventional egg coating.
The Katsudon preparation entails a base of assorted vegetables, including precisely diced potatoes, carrots, onions, and bell peppers, simmered in a demi-glace sauce-infused broth for approximately 10 minutes. The dish originated during a time when eggs were considered a luxury, prompting the use of a whole sunny-side-up egg instead of the customary beaten egg.
The pork cutlet, a freshly fried pork loin, is delicately immersed in the simmering broth for a 5-minute infusion, maintaining its crispiness. Lard serves as the chosen frying medium, with precise calculations ensuring the synchronized completion of all components. The final presentation involves layering steamed rice with bite-sized cutlets, half-cooked sunny-side-up eggs, and vegetables simmered in the broth, resulting in a well-defined flavor that aligns with the restaurant’s principle of savoring deliciousness without pretension.
In addition to the renowned Katsudon, Koharuken tantalizes taste buds with an enticing dish called “Assorted Fries with Shrimp.” This delectable offering features a variety of specialty fries, including succulent and flavorful shrimp fry, petite-sized croquette, fried fish for added variety, and lightly fried kakiage.
- Name: Koharuken
- Address: 1-7-9 Nihonbashi Ningyocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
- Phone: +81-(0)3-3661-8830
- Hours: Monday through Friday 11:00 – 14:00 & 17:00 – 20:00 / Saturday 11:00 – 14:00
- Closed On: Sundays and National Holidays
- Number of Seats: 18
- Budget: – JPY1,500
- Payment Options: Cash Only
