Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama Honten is the main branch of the Maisen restaurant chain. It is located in the back alleys of Omotesando.
Maisen first opened in 1965 in the basement of Mitsui Building in Yurakucho. Back then, the floor area was 10 tsubo (approximately 33 square meters) with only counter seating. Chiyoko Koide, an entrepreneurial housewife, was the founder. In 1978, construction of the main Maisen branch building in Aoyama was completed. In 1983, the main building was connected to the adjacent public bathhouse and reopened after renovation. The large dining hall, as well as the outside chimney, are reminiscent of the original public bathhouse.
The restaurant offers various types of branded pork cutlet from all over Japan; not least of which is Okita Kurobuta (black pork) from Kagoshima Prefecture. The bread crumbs are crispy and the pork is juicy and tender. A special tonkatsu sauce with the addition of grated fruit is served only when you order Kurobuta. Amai Yuwaku, another specialty branded pork, is also available but in limited quantity and with a higher price. The restaurant not only offers tonkatsu but also other Japanese dishes such as sushi, soba, and curry rice.
For Japanese, the first thing that comes to mind when they hear the phrase “Tonkatsu Maisen” is the fillet katsu sandwich. It is now widely recognized as an appealing souvenir or lunch box specialty. There are many places selling these types of sandwiches, but nowhere are they as soft as Maisen’s. This tenderness is due to the fact that the pork is finely minced. After mincing the pork into small pieces, the meat is reformed and fried to make a delicious sandwich. It is a must try if you still have appetite or want a take-out treat for later.
元銭湯だった天井の高い空間が気持ち良い。黒豚のとんかつは安定した美味しさ。ここのカツサンドも好き。 Quote from Google Map Review
Photographers: 1009.yo kaoru.lanikaiencinitas
