This is a famous pork cutlet restaurant known for its catchphrase "Cut with chopsticks" and its popular pork cutlet sandwich. There are several branches of this restaurant, and the iconic logo can be seen in many places. This is the main store located slightly off the beaten path from Omotesando Station, with stylish and easy-to-read signs scattered around, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding it. The exterior is huge, like a gymnasium. It doesn't all fit in one photo. There is also a takeout corner for the pork cutlet sandwiches. In front of the store, there is a parking space with two security guards to guide you. It doesn't quite give off the vibe of a typical pork cutlet restaurant. I visited alone and was seated at the L-shaped counter on the first floor. The high ceiling gives it an open and airy feel. The restaurant's logo is prominently displayed all around, almost like subliminal messaging. I was torn between various brands of pork like Kurobuta and Akabuta, but I settled on the reasonably priced Chami Pork Loin Cutlet. Apparently, "Chami Pork" is pronounced as "Chami-ton." I couldn't have guessed that. While I was pondering over the menu, a waitress started explaining the menu in English to a restless foreign customer. I was surprised. Not many pork cutlet restaurants can offer that kind of service. After about 10 minutes, grated daikon with bonito flakes was served first. Soon after, the pork cutlet arrived. It was supposed to be 150g, but it looked even bigger than I remembered. Oh well, let's start with the Mai-Sen original salt. The crispy texture of the thick breading makes it satisfyingly crunchy to bite into. The meat is tender and easily cut, indeed making it possible to cut with chopsticks. The ratio of breading to meat is about 1:1, and the crispy breading pairs well with the tender meat. The salt enhances the crispy texture. There are both sweet sauce and Worcestershire sauce-like spicy sauce options. I tried both, but I preferred the spicy sauce. The thin sauce blends nicely with the thick breading. I liked this more than the salt. In between bites, eating the daikon radish and pickles resets the palate, allowing you to enjoy the distinct flavors of salt, sweet sauce, and spicy sauce. I didn't try it this time, but adding soy sauce to the grated daikon and eating it with the pork cutlet would probably be delicious. The rice and miso soup were also delicious. I ended up getting a rice refill. This restaurant offers free refills of cabbage and rice, which adds to the satisfaction of eating pork cutlet with rice. I finished it in no time. It truly lived up to its reputation. The total bill for today was 1680 yen. I would like to visit with a few friends next time and enjoy the second-floor seating. Thank you for the meal.

In the evening on a regular day, I walked from Harajuku Station to Omotesando. I was consciously looking out for it, but I didn't come across anyone in a suit. Zero encounters, amazing city. Well, I learned from Mairevi-san that there is a restaurant at "Mai Izumi" famous for its pork cutlet sandwiches. The Aoyama main store is a 3-minute walk from Omotesando Station. I visited for dinner. A friendly security guard guided me inside. The calm lighting and quiet atmosphere at the counter were to my liking. When I sat down, the recommended menu welcomed me. ✔︎ Black Pork Autumn Mix Fry Set for 2,600 yen. I had originally planned to order the mix fry, so I was happy that it was recommended. I decided right away. The dish arrived in just over 10 minutes. I prepared with a small beer I got from a coupon on Tabelog, and then I dug in. First, the cream croquettes with four types of mushrooms. The mushrooms melted into the hot bechamel sauce, a delicious taste of autumn. No need for extra sauce. Next, the oyster fry. The crispy batter and juicy oyster were perfectly balanced. I liked the tartar sauce, which had a strong taste of eggs and mayonnaise. The main dish was the black pork loin. It looked normal, but when I tasted it, the tender meat melted in my mouth. The sauce options included sweet, spicy, and a special sauce for the black pork, which had a high-quality sweetness from grated apples. Surprisingly delicious, a sauce worth trying. Lastly, the deep-fried prawn. A good size, enjoyable with both tartar sauce and black pork sauce. All the dishes on the autumn recommended menu were delicious. With attentive staff and a cozy atmosphere, it's the kind of place you'll want to visit regularly.

If you go before noon, you can eat without waiting in line! I always go for the "luxury lunch" when I go early because it's limited to 30 meals. It's really luxurious with sashimi and simmered dishes. This time, the appetizer "grated radish" was changed to "grated radish soup". It was really delicious with a great broth.

I had been wanting to go there for a while. I love tonkatsu. I have eaten Maishin's hirekatsu sandwich so many times that I have lost count, but I have never been to the main store (restaurant) before. On this day, I stopped by before the night game of the Hiroshima Carp at Jingu Stadium. It was a weekday, 3 pm, no reservation, no line. I was asked if I preferred a counter or a table, and since there were only a couple of empty seats near the entrance of the counter and it didn't seem very relaxing, I requested a table. But the table seats were like a cafeteria, a bit stuffy and felt like a group seat at a travel destination, haha. I had seen reviews saying that recently there were only foreign customers with an impact, and indeed, about 70% of the customers at the back table seats were foreigners. So, it felt like they were catering more to first-time visitors, lacking the expected old-fashioned charm, and having an atmosphere like a favorite cafeteria in a Showa era department store. They announced that the "oyster fry has started," so I chose the black pork loin cutlet and Hiroshima oyster fry set for 2500 yen, and I was torn between the hirekatsu, shrimp fry, and shrimp cream croquette set, and the "oyster fry set" for 2000 yen with an additional oyster fry for 300 yen. Rice, miso soup, and cabbage are free for refills. The oyster fry came on a separate plate with cabbage and lemon, so there was enough cabbage on two plates, and no need for a refill. The "oyster fry set" consisted of two pieces of hirekatsu, one shrimp fry, and two shrimp cream croquettes, and it was very satisfying for someone like me who eats a lot, and I couldn't even have a refill of my favorite rice because I was so full. The fries were crispy and well-fried, as expected! The shrimp fry costs 650 yen each, so the "oyster fry set" felt like a good deal. The tartar sauce had plenty of eggs and was to my liking with fewer pickles. The shrimp cream croquette was delicious, but the bechamel was heavy and didn't go well with rice. It might make a good side dish for white wine. Perhaps if you pour a lot of spicy sauce on it and eat it, it could become a rice accompaniment. The hirekatsu tasted just like the hirekatsu sandwich, not juicy meat. Many men ordered the pork loin cutlet. Women had a high rate of ordering the "oyster fry set." I also saw someone eating a tonkatsu set alone. I would like to try that someday too. A reliable deliciousness that everyone enjoys. I would like to visit again.

During the day, I had some sake lightly at Akatsuka's Uokin Sushi, then went home to clean up my nap room. I left around 6:30 PM and arrived at Mai Izumi Aoyama main store before 7 PM. I was seated by the window in the Western-style building and ordered a premium malt beer because it was all-you-can-drink. The appetizers were served in a two-tiered box with Mai Izumi's logo carved on the lid. The bottom tier had cold appetizers, so I ordered cold sake. The top tier had warm appetizers, so I ordered a highball with Jim Beam instead of the usual whiskey. The meal ended with pork cutlet, shrimp fry, rice, pickles, miso soup, and sherbet for dessert. Everything was delicious.

Since my student days, I have been going to Mai Izumi for work lunches. The interior of the restaurant hasn't changed much, but I was led to an expanded space in the back. It was already past 3 pm, so the lunch sets were almost sold out. I ended up getting the pork cutlet bowl and pork cutlet set. The cabbage, rice, and miso soup are refillable. In this day and age, an all-you-can-eat option in Aoyama for ¥1,400 is quite cheap. I was surprised by the amount of rice in the cutlet bowl - it was too much for me to finish. Younger people might be satisfied with just the rice and cabbage. There were conversations in Korean from behind, Chinese from the side, Vietnamese in front, and English and Italian as well - it was an international atmosphere. Back when I used to go there, it was mostly in Japanese with the occasional English, so it's interesting to see how things have changed over time.

I ordered a set meal with fried pork cutlet, cream croquette, and shrimp fry. The batter was crispy, and the shrimp was large and delicious! It also came with miso soup and pickles, which was much appreciated. It might be a bit too much for women, as I got really full from it!

During my student days, I first went to Tonkatsu Wako Hamaizumi, and I used to go there quite often when I was younger. This time, after a long time, I went there as an uncle. Around 11:50, there were already about 15 people waiting inside the restaurant, but since there were many seats, I was seated in about 10 minutes. I had the Wako Hamaizumi set meal. It comes with grilled fish, salad with vegetable sauce, pickles, and miso soup for 1,280 yen. Wako Hamaizumi, after a long time, was still delicious. I saw a comedian there. On the way back, there was a line outside the restaurant.

I always come here after going to the hair salon. It's a shop I visit regularly, about every 3-4 weeks, and this time was my 29th visit. I always order the limited 5-serving Sweet Temptation Special Loin Cutlet Set. It's a delicious tonkatsu with a sweet taste that can be cut with chopsticks! I used to like sauce when I was younger, but now I prefer to eat it with the spice salt on the table. By the way, I like my cabbage with plenty of sauce. I recommend it for a meal in Omotesando!! [Today's Order] - Premium Malt's Draft Beer Medium - Sweet Temptation Special Loin Cutlet Set Thank you for the meal! 🎵

Dinner on August 5, 2023 (Saturday) with my partner. We went to Omotesando to eat tonkatsu before heading to the Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium to watch the Japan vs Fiji Pacific Nations Series match. The restaurant we went to was ranked 34th in the country for tonkatsu, with a score of 3.47 out of 5 from 1035 reviews. We ordered the Chami pork loin and pork fillet tonkatsu set meals. Unfortunately, the tonkatsu didn't taste as good as expected. The breading was thick and had a strong taste, the meat was overcooked, and the egg flavor was too prominent. The bill came to 3700 yen. Later, we watched the match where Japan lost to Fiji 12-35, with concerns about Japan's performance. The attendance was 22,137 people.

We went with four people on Saturday evening at 17:30. We were able to get in smoothly without waiting, but all the limited quantity set meals were sold out. The atmosphere of the restaurant was also nice. I had the tonkatsu set meal for around 1800 yen, along with fried shrimp and a pork cutlet sandwich. The tonkatsu was delicious, and the shrimp was thick with a good texture. The cutlet sandwich was different from ones sold in stores, it was hot and fresh with tender meat and shredded cabbage inside. The bread was slightly thick-cut.

This is truly my favorite tonkatsu. It is sweet, tender, and has a strong meaty flavor. I am very satisfied. You can have unlimited refills of rice, miso soup, and cabbage, so it is recommended for those who want to eat a lot. I thoroughly enjoyed the wagyu beef.

To celebrate the release, if you order the black pork tonkatsu and the Nagasaki prefecture-produced true horse mackerel fry set at the eligible restaurant, you will receive a fillet cutlet sandwich with honey mustard sauce (3 slices) as a gift. Today is the last day to receive the LINE friend registration benefit. Despite knowing it was a sales promotion, I decided to visit after a long time. Even though it was right after opening, the counter was almost full. I was recommended to sit at the counter, but I requested a table seat. I was guided to a seat in the back, where elegant ladies were already seated. I thought, "I want to drink beer," and was delighted to see the lady at the opposite table drinking it. When I mentioned the LINE friend benefit to the still inexperienced staff, they said to show the coupon screen at the register when leaving. I toasted with a half of Premium Malt's beer and potato salad. A soup with grated radish as an appetizer was served to aid digestion. After waiting for about 15 minutes, the black pork tonkatsu (you can choose fillet or loin, I chose fillet) and the true horse mackerel fry arrived. I only ate the black pork tonkatsu at first without any sauce, then tried the special sauce, and finally added mustard. I had the horse mackerel with lemon juice and tartar sauce. I spent over 3,000 yen on lunch today, but I was completely satisfied as I only do this once a year. Thank you for a wonderful lunchtime.

I have visited this tonkatsu restaurant so many times that I've lost count (^ ^) The spacious interior, which used to be a public bathhouse, is filled with sunlight and has a bright, open atmosphere that I love! I always order the bite-sized pork cutlet set meal and drizzle it with plenty of sweet sauce before eating♪

Today, I visited Mai-Sen for business purposes, and decided to try the customer's shop before the meeting. It was my second time visiting, but the last time was three years ago so I only had a vague memory. I arrived at 11:40 and was immediately seated at the counter on the first floor. However, more and more foreign tourists started coming in, and in no time there was a long line. It's truly a famous restaurant. I ordered the recommended lunch set B for 1,400 yen, which includes a 130g rib loin cutlet, rice, miso soup, and pickles. You can get free refills of cabbage, rice, and miso soup. The cheapest lunch set with pork loin or pork loin was 1,100 yen. The price is comparable to other tonkatsu restaurants. They pride themselves on serving "tonkatsu that can be cut with chopsticks," and it's true. The meat is not only tender but also incredibly flavorful. Even the fatty parts that I like are delicious without being too greasy. Overall, I have no complaints and I would love to have a restaurant like this nearby.

The atmosphere of the restaurant gives off a feeling of a hot spring inn dining area, which feels a bit out of place. The tonkatsu is definitely delicious, but it can be difficult to get the attention of waitstaff when it's crowded, making it hard to get seconds. It might be better to sit at the counter instead of in the back room, but the waiting list is long, so it's still not very relaxing. There seems to be some issues with the interior design, and the number of seats compared to only two private female restrooms is quite challenging. Also, the noise level is high, possibly due to many foreign customers, so it would be nice if they could manage the noisy guests better. It's a shame that there are various disappointments despite the delicious food.

This is the main store of Mai Izumi. This time, we sat at the counter, but the dining area with tables looked very spacious, and even during busy hours, it seemed like we could get in without waiting. It was my first time, so I ordered the Okonomi Zen set, which allows you to enjoy various fried foods. The shrimp fry, crab cream croquette, and pork cutlet were all delicious with crispy coating!

Favorite hair salon where I've been 28 times. There are days when it's crowded and days when it's smooth to get in, but today was a smooth day. I wanted to indulge in sweet temptation, but it was sold out so I ordered the black pork loin cutlet set. I upgraded the miso soup to pork miso soup for an additional 140 yen. It was delicious and very satisfying today too!! [Today's Order] - Medium draft beer 680 yen - Black pork loin cutlet set 3,500 yen Thank you for the meal! ♬

Lunch set for 1,300 yen. Went to Maisen in Aoyama for tonkatsu. Had the hirekatsu, cream croquette, and menchikatsu set with rice and miso soup. The hire was high quality and delicious, with a crispy coating and juicy meat. The cream croquette had a rich white sauce and the spicy sauce complemented it well. The staff were attentive and made the dining experience enjoyable. Will definitely go back again.

The food is so delicious that I regularly visit this restaurant! I went to Maisen in Omotesando this time and tried the cheaper hirekatsu set. It was low in fat and just to my liking, I finished it all in no time! I visit here once a month, so thank you for the meal again next month! 😊

I happened to stop by here on my way back from the esthetic salon. It's definitely a plus, maybe even a big one. I only meant to go to the esthetic salon, so I'm dressed in my house clothes with no makeup. Thank you for the warm welcome. They asked if I preferred the counter or a table, but my skirt was a bit short so I felt bad choosing a table for just myself. Oh, wow, the back area is so spacious. The high ceilings give it an open feel. I couldn't imagine what the building looked like from the outside. It was late at night, so most of the main dishes were almost sold out, but they had a special set that caught my eye. It came with croquettes, cream croquettes, and black pork cutlets for 2,500 yen. I could choose between loin and fillet for the pork, so I chose fillet, considering I just came from the esthetic salon. The black pork came with apple sauce in addition to the sauce on the table. Oh my goodness, it was so delicious. The sauce was so good I wanted to lick it off. The fillet was so tender that I could almost chew it with just my lips, and the aroma of the pork was irresistible. The croquettes had edamame in them, maybe because of the season. It was absolutely amazing. The cream croquette was a knockout as well. And to top it off, the staff were all so attractive and attentive. They were all so well-dressed and noticed everything right away, making the experience very pleasant. I even got a stamp card.

Every 2-3 months, I visit this restaurant for dinner. I used to go for lunch as well, but due to the pandemic, dinner reservations are preferred. I start off with a Peroni to quench my thirst, as I don't usually drink beer except when I come to Izumi. The appetizers, including sashimi, are served on a platter. I pair it with chilled sake and enjoy the sashimi with pork belly stew. The highball is strong and goes well with the fried dishes like shrimp fry and pork cutlet. Everything is delicious. I finish off with green tea soba, feeling satisfied. Thank you for the wonderful meal.