On October 23, 2022, I decided to have lunch at the tonkatsu restaurant "Izumi Main Store" in Ueno, which is known for its tender tonkatsu that can be cut with chopsticks. The restaurant was crowded, and I had to wait for about 10 minutes before being seated at the counter. I ordered the Special Rosu Set for 2,450 yen, which is made from pork shoulder loin. This tonkatsu restaurant is also known as the birthplace of the katsu sandwich, and some customers were enjoying it in the restaurant. The katsu sandwich piqued my interest, but I decided to save it for next time as I consider it a takeout food. After a short wait, the Special Rosu Set was served. The pork shoulder loin tonkatsu looked delicious with its fatty meat. I took a photo of a slice before trying it with the sauce. The tonkatsu was indeed tender and flavorful, living up to its reputation of being cut with chopsticks. I enjoyed it with rice and repeated the cycle of tonkatsu and rice. The miso soup with pork was also delicious, and the pickles added a refreshing touch to the meal. The cabbage with sauce was sweet and crunchy, a perfect way to end the meal. Overall, it was a truly delicious dining experience, and I look forward to trying the katsu sandwich next time.

Ueno no Izumi main store. It was full, but we were able to sit in a tatami room soon after. Lucky. - Hire Katsu set meal (2,000 yen) was ready in 10 minutes. It was incredibly tender and delicious, just as advertised. The sauce goes well with the hire. The rice was very satisfying. The pork soup was also delicious with tender pork meat. - Katsu sandwich (1,000 yen) was ordered since this is the birthplace of the Katsu sandwich. It was soft and tasty! It was delicious.

It's been a while since my last visit. As expected, it was delicious. The main tonkatsu was excellent, along with the miso soup, cabbage, rice, and pickles - everything was delicious, just like always. I ordered the "special loin cutlet set meal" as usual, and enjoyed it with salt as always. I will definitely go back again.

It's been a while since I visited Izumi. Last time, I had their assorted set meal and it was delicious! I don't often have deep-fried shrimp and scallops when eating out, so it was a real treat. It's been about a year since my last visit, but I was happy to see that the price is still the same at 2,200 yen (tax included). The reason I like the fried dishes here is because the batter is soft. Among all the different types of fried foods, I prefer the gentle, soft batter here over the crispy ones. The specialty of this place is the tonkatsu that can be cut with chopsticks, so you can expect a lot of tenderness. And when you try the scallops, you'll see how they really make the most of keeping the flavor and aroma intact by wrapping them in batter. Mmm, it's still so delicious here. My senior colleagues used to love this place and come here often, and now I understand why. I'll definitely be back. Thank you for the meal!

It had been a while since I visited the same restaurant. The scorching heat has been relentless, but as I passed by nearby, my feet couldn't help but lead me there. I ordered a special loin cutlet and miso soup. It's a hot day, yet I was served hot tea, as the elderly say, "Hot things are best in hot weather." However, with the abnormal weather these days... Anyway, the special loin cutlet was fried in front of me in lard oil. And the miso soup had pork fat melting in it. Ah, I see, even fried rice tastes so good because it's fried in lard. By the way, this restaurant serves delicious tonkatsu, scallop and shrimp croquettes, and meatballs too. I was alone today and not very hungry due to the extreme heat, so I didn't order them.

We stopped by in Ueno on our day off for some errands and had the most delicious tonkatsu I've ever had. Not only the tonkatsu, but the miso soup was also really tasty.

I had the hirekatsu. I arrived at 2:30 PM and sat at the counter without waiting, at the raised table on the right side. I ordered a small portion of rice. The hot and crispy tonkatsu and miso soup arrived quickly, and they were very delicious. There were many foreigners there. The rice portion was large. The rice was also delicious, and I ended up finishing it all.

I ordered the Hirekatsu set meal and the Jokatsu donburi. The Hirekatsu was quite tender, but lacked juiciness. It may be suitable for those who don't enjoy a meaty texture. The Jokatsu donburi had a slightly strange smell that bothered me.

The main store of Izumi is located in Yushima, Ueno Hirokoji, and I decided to visit for the first time with my family due to the perfect timing. Established in 1930, this specialty store is housed in a historic traditional Japanese building. It has been selected as one of the "Top 100 Tonkatsu Restaurants" four times, with the catchphrase of "Tonkatsu that can be cut with chopsticks." In the past, it was favored by the geisha of the Shitaya Hanayagi district and artists in the Japanese painting world. It was also the setting for the talented director Yuzo Kawashima's film "Comedy: A Tale of Tonkatsu" in 1968, and is famous as the birthplace of the Katsu Sandwich. We arrived at 1:30 pm on a weekday and found the first floor almost full, but luckily a mini private room became available. My family and I shared two dishes: the Katsu Donburi with miso soup and pickles for 1,500 yen, and the famous Katsu Sandwich (9 pieces) for 1,500 yen as well. The Katsu Donburi had a dynamic egg-wrapped pork cutlet with green onions, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. The miso soup was rich in flavor, with pork, green onions, burdock, and carrots providing a delicious umami taste. The pickles were refreshing and served as a nice palate cleanser. My family declared it the best Katsu Donburi they had ever tasted. The Katsu Sandwich, a signature dish created to meet the demands of the geisha in the Shitaya Hanayagi district, was a perfect combination of tenderloin, pork loin, bread, and sauce. The fine texture of the pork loin provided a satisfying crunch, while the sweetness and tenderness of the tenderloin combined with the subtle sweet and savory sauce. I added extra sauce and Japanese mustard for an even more impactful flavor, and it was truly delicious. Although we were satisfied with the Katsu Donburi and Katsu Sandwich themselves, the mini private room on the first floor felt a bit stuffy. Next time, I would prefer to dine in the second-floor tatami room for a more comfortable experience. Overall, it was a great dining experience at Izumi.

It's been a while since I visited. I added miso soup to the "Special Roast Set Meal." The taste is still top-notch in my opinion. I haven't had much of an appetite due to the summer heat, but this meal really hit the spot. Plus, I didn't feel heavy at all in my stomach. Today, I was seated at a counter spot I've never sat in before, and I got to watch the chefs' brilliant work up close. Both the cooking and teamwork were truly impressive! I don't think there's any other place that can reach this level of excellence.

The original store said to be the birthplace of the katsu sandwich. Located in a narrow alley in Yushima, it retains the appearance of a tea house from the early Showa period. It is said to have been used for filming movies. Arriving 5 minutes before opening, there was already a line. However, the inside of the store has a large capacity, so everyone is quickly seated once it opens. I ordered the ¥2000 pork cutlet set at the counter. The pork meat is very tender, almost as if it's on the verge of being undercooked. This tonkatsu goes better with tonkatsu sauce than with salt. The cabbage is well drained of moisture, so it doesn't ruin the crispy texture of the cutlet. The miso soup uses parts of the pork that are not used in the cutlet, and the pickles seem to use the core of the cabbage, showing ingenious efforts to reduce food waste and costs. Behind the counter, you can see the expertly cut pork cutlet sandwiches being prepared for takeout. The cutting board used to cut the cutlets shows signs of heavy use, which is quite surprising.

The pork cutlet here really can be cut with chopsticks as advertised. It was true. They have tatami seating, so you can enjoy beer and tonkatsu, which is bad for your health but delicious. The tatami seating area is full of Edo atmosphere. We also shared the special fillet and extra-large shrimp cream croquette.

"I visited 'Izumi Main Store' for the third time, the origin of the katsu sandwich, a long-established restaurant. ① Assorted set meal (one bite-sized pork cutlet, shrimp fry, shrimp croquette, scallop) The shrimp is plump and juicy. The pork cutlet is tender, and the rare shrimp cream croquette is delicious. Most of all, the scallop is amazing! When you take a bite, your eyes will sparkle. The miso soup that comes with the set meal is also delicious. The thinly sliced green onions and tender pork are so good. It's piping hot, so be careful not to burn yourself and wait a bit before eating. ② Crab and cucumber salad This is a dish I order every time. It's delicious! I definitely want to try the sandwich next time. ③ Scallop fry When you look at the cross-section, it's so huge that you can't tell it apart from a bite-sized pork cutlet. And it's so tender! I come to Izumi just to eat this, so I might not be able to try the sandwich anytime soon. I always leave the restaurant feeling happy. Thank you for the meal!"

Established in 1930, this long-standing restaurant is famous for being the birthplace of the "katsu sandwich." It was beloved by geishas from the Hana Yagi world, and it's true that the tonkatsu is incredibly tender, almost melting in your mouth. Today, I ordered the pork tenderloin set meal for 2,000 yen. The tonkatsu is as tender as ever, and the quality of this restaurant goes beyond just the tonkatsu. The rice is firm and each grain is distinct, the miso soup is packed with ingredients, and sprinkling shichimi chili pepper enhances the flavor and aroma. The tonkatsu sauce is amazing, fruity and crisp, pairing perfectly with the crunchy cabbage. You can have unlimited refills, but be careful not to fill up on side dishes before finishing the tonkatsu. The pickles, tea, and overall quality of the set meal are truly exceptional. Despite the rising prices, this restaurant has managed to keep their prices almost the same as 20 years ago. I appreciate their efforts. Lastly, the appearance of this restaurant is a sight to behold. While Akihabara and Ueno have undergone major redevelopment in recent years, this restaurant has maintained its original charm from the Showa era. Photography inside the restaurant is prohibited, but I recommend experiencing the historical atmosphere with all your senses.

After a long time, probably decades, I visited Izumi, and the food here is still delicious. I wanted to have a beer, so my wife and I decided to come in during lunchtime. The place hasn't changed much, it has an elegant yet unpretentious atmosphere. I sat at the counter and ordered the pork loin set meal for 1,500 yen. I also got a bottle of Lager beer. It was refreshing and went down smoothly in the humid weather. The set meal arrived quickly, starting with a delicious pork miso soup. The meat was tender and the cutlet was soft and not too crispy. It was all so tasty. The rice portion was a bit small, but I left the restaurant feeling very satisfied. Thank you for the meal, I will definitely come back again.

*About a 1-minute walk from Ueno-hirokoji Station A4 exit* This is the origin of the "Katsu Sandwich" made with high-quality meat. No photography allowed other than the food. [Recommended for] Solo lunch, family dining, etc. [Busy hours] Visited around 1 pm on a weekday, the counter with about 10 seats was almost full. There are also table seats and tatami rooms for group visits. I recommend sitting at the counter as they prepare the food right in front of you. I tried the "Rosu Katsu Don" and the meat was incredibly tender with just the right amount of fat. It ranks very high among all the Katsu Don I've had before! (Possibly the best)

The hire cutlet set meal is 2000 yen, and the crab croquette is 500 yen. The hire cutlet is indeed tender, but the meat itself is just average, so I think it would be better to go to a cutlet shop that focuses on the type of meat used. The crab croquette was quite ordinary, with a slight crab flavor and a pale cream sauce. I already knew it was delicious, so I didn't really care. I feel like I want to eat the plum blossom croquette from Ume Shou soon. It's a shame when you eat something good and then want to eat it again.

I was strolling from Ueno towards Akihabara. Instead of walking along the main road, I turned right towards the drinking district in Ueno. There were many bars and shady-looking establishments, which made me a bit nervous. After crossing a major street, I stumbled upon this famous restaurant by chance. I knew about the place but had never thought about visiting. Feeling hungry, I decided to go in. Luckily, we were seated right away. The menu looked delicious, but I chose the mixed plate (pork cutlet, shrimp fry, scallop fry, cream croquette). My companion ordered the same. The dishes arrived promptly, with cabbage on the side, a hearty miso soup with plenty of leeks, pickles, and white rice. A classic combination. I started with the pork cutlet, and I regretted it. It was so tender and flavorful that I wished I had saved it for last. The scallop fry and cream croquette were equally delicious. The scallop was juicy, and the croquette was rich. Lastly, I had the shrimp fry, which had a mild tartar sauce. To enhance the flavor, I paired it with some sauce. The cabbage was also surprisingly tasty, with a good crunch. The only downside was the slightly clumpy white rice. After finishing my meal, I noticed the kitchen staff meticulously preparing the dishes, which was enjoyable to watch. Overall, I thought it was a great restaurant with excellent food, atmosphere, and price. I will definitely come back. Thank you for the meal.

After visiting the art museum in Ueno, I stopped by for a late lunch. It was around 2 PM on a holiday, and there were about 4 groups waiting outside. I waited for about 15 minutes before getting a seat inside. The interior was spacious with both a counter and tatami seating. I ordered the assorted set meal for the day. The fried dishes were all crispy and delicious, and the meat was tender. The miso soup was also very tasty! I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. Thank you. The pig mascot is cute.

I used it for lunch on Saturday. I arrived around 12 o'clock, but I was lucky with the timing and was able to enter right away. I ordered the top loin cutlet set. The freshly fried tonkatsu had just the right amount of fat and was delicious! The miso soup was also tasty, and you could get a refill of rice, so I was very satisfied!

The pork cutlet set meal at Iizumi Tonkatsu comes with a light and tender cutlet, attracting mainly older customers. The tonkatsu sauce is free. The miso soup is delicious. The rice is firm, and you can have unlimited refills of cabbage. Arriving around 11:40 on weekdays, the restaurant is about 80% full. The food was served at 11:51.