きゃずち
I visited "Narukura," which is ranked number one in the tonkatsu genre nationwide and received the bronze award on Tabelog in 2023. This restaurant is famous for its "white tonkatsu," which is prepared using low-temperature cooking. I visited on a Sunday at 8:00 PM and made a reservation for omakase. The restaurant is located about a 6-minute walk from Minami-Asagaya Station on the Marunouchi Line, in a residential area. Despite the lack of other dining options nearby, the reputation of this famous restaurant was evident, and it seemed unaffected by its location in a residential area. Narukura operates on a strict reservation-only basis, and being late is strictly prohibited. If you are late, the number of tonkatsu dishes you can order may be reduced. The staff came out to explain the menu about 5 minutes before the scheduled start time. I decided to order the tonkatsu set meal for 3 at ¥6,800. There are a total of 6 types of tonkatsu available, including: • Belly tonkatsu • Special loin tonkatsu • Rib loin tonkatsu • Berkshire pork loin tonkatsu • Mille-feuille tonkatsu • Cheese mille-feuille tonkatsu I chose the special loin tonkatsu, Berkshire pork loin tonkatsu, and Mille-feuille tonkatsu. You can also order individual items like shrimp fry or braised pork belly. While waiting, several appetizers were served, including biscuit with tomato and pork, hijiki, pickles, salad, pork miso soup, and rice. The atmosphere of the restaurant was elegant, with sophisticated lighting and a beautiful interior that resembled a high-end Italian or French restaurant rather than a tonkatsu eatery. There were about 6 counter seats and 8 table seats. The tonkatsu were cooked quietly using low-temperature cooking, and the first to arrive was the special loin tonkatsu. It was thickly cut and had a white coating with a beautiful pink color inside. It was incredibly tender and juicy, bursting with flavor as soon as you took a bite. I recommend trying it with salt first to fully enjoy the pork's natural flavor. Next was the Berkshire pork loin tonkatsu, which had a rare appearance with a hint of redness. It was made from the most tender part of the fillet, which only yields 500g per pig. The Berkshire pork loin tonkatsu was incredibly tender, juicy, and had an indescribable melt-in-your-mouth quality. Lastly, the Mille-feuille tonkatsu was light and fluffy, with multiple layers that melted in your mouth instantly. The portion of rice was standard, so I ordered an extra serving for an additional ¥200. Overall, it was the best tonkatsu I have ever had, and I definitely want to visit Narukura again next year. The atmosphere of the restaurant, the attentive staff, and the delicious food made it a memorable dining experience.