Katsukura Kyoto Station Review: Is the Tonkatsu Worth It?

Katsukura is a Kyoto-born restaurant specializing in tonkatsu, a breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet. Since tonkatsu is one of my favorite Japanese dishes, I was curious to see whether Katsukura lived up to its reputation.

I originally planned to visit the Sanjo main shop, but after a long day visiting Himeji, I changed plans and ate at the Kyoto Station branch near my hotel in November 2018.

At my server’s recommendation, I ordered the Joshu Pork Loin Cutlet Zen Set with barley rice, miso soup, pickled vegetables, and shredded cabbage. The crisp breading, sesame dipping sauce, hearty soup, and attentive service were all highlights.

Unfortunately, the pork itself did not live up to my expectations. Although flavorful and tender in places, the cutlet contained too much tough, chewy fat for the price.

Inside Katsukura Kyoto Station

Despite being inside a shopping and dining area at Kyoto Station, Katsukura had a bright and inviting interior. I could not see much of a view from the 11th floor, although I visited at night.

The open dining room was smaller than I expected. A row of tables lined one side, while a large wooden communal table filled the other.

The design was simple, with light wood tones, white walls, and white ceilings. Near the kitchen was an interesting hand-painted mural by Kyoto artist Ki-Yan.

Soft Japanese music played in the background, adding to the relaxed atmosphere.

Katsukura Kyoto Station Menu and Prices

I returned to Katsukura Kyoto Station in November 2024 and photographed the updated menu, although I did not eat there during that visit.

The menu listed pork tenderloin and pork loin cutlet set meals in several sizes, along with premium Sangen pork, combination cutlets, seafood cutlets, rice bowls, and individual side dishes. English names and prices were printed alongside the Japanese descriptions.

The Joshu Pork Loin Cutlet Zen Set from my November 2018 meal was no longer listed. The closest premium option was the Sangen Pork Loin Cutlet Set Meal, although it was a different named pork offering.

Tonkatsu Sauces and Cabbage Dressing

Katsukura provided two dipping sauces for the tonkatsu, along with a yuzu dressing for the shredded cabbage.

Katsukura Original Sauce: This rich tonkatsu sauce was made with red wine, apples, and dates. It had a smoky, salty, and sweet flavor.

Spicy Sauce: This thick sauce was made with 11 spices, apples, and prunes. It was salty and sweet, but it did not have as much heat as I had hoped.

Yuzu Salad Dressing: I used this oil-free dressing on the shredded cabbage. It was much lighter than the tonkatsu sauces and had a distinct citrus flavor, possibly with garlic and ginger mixed in.

Grinding Sesame Seeds for the Tonkatsu Sauce

After I ordered, a mortar filled with sesame seeds and a pestle was placed on the table.

I used the pestle to grind the sesame seeds into a coarse paste. As the seeds broke down, they released their oils and a rich, nutty aroma.

I then mixed the ground sesame seeds with the tonkatsu sauce to make my dipping sauce. For extra heat, I could also add some spicy mustard.

Joshu Pork Loin Cutlet Zen Set

At my server’s recommendation, I ordered the Joshu Pork Loin Cutlet Zen Set. The set came with barley rice, miso soup, pickled vegetables, and shredded cabbage.

The menu presented Joshu pork from Gunma Prefecture as a premium option. Since it cost more than the other pork cutlets available during my November 2018 visit, my expectations were high.

At first glance, the pork looked overcooked. It lacked the glistening appearance and visible juices I usually associate with a well-prepared pork cutlet, so I hoped my first impression was wrong.

The 160-gram cutlet was thick, meaty, and generously portioned. The pork was more tender than it initially appeared and pulled apart easily when I picked it up with my chopsticks.

The meat was not as dry as I expected and tasted good, but I have had better, especially for the price.

I expected the fat to melt in my mouth, but the texture varied between pieces. Some thin sections were unbelievably rich and flavorful.

Other pieces of fat were tough and chewy. I expected some fattiness after ordering the loin instead of the tenderloin, but the ratio of fat to meat still felt unbalanced.

Overall, I expected more from a premium pork cutlet at this price.

The golden-brown panko crust, however, was prepared perfectly. It was crunchy and flaky while remaining firmly attached to the pork. The breading was rich but did not become noticeably greasy until the final bite.

November 2024 menu update: The Joshu Pork Loin Cutlet Zen Set I ordered in November 2018 was no longer listed on the menu I photographed in November 2024.

The closest premium option was the Sangen Pork Loin Cutlet Set Meal, priced at 2,080 yen for 120 grams, 2,480 yen for 160 grams, and 2,880 yen for 200 grams. Since I did not eat at Katsukura during my 2024 visit, these prices are included only as a menu update.

Refillable Sides

The barley rice was simple, but the miso soup was one of the highlights of the meal, especially on a cold night.

It was heartier than a typical miso soup and included sliced carrots, mushrooms, onions, lotus root, bamboo shoots, and seaweed.

Despite all of the vegetables, the soup still tasted light and flavorful, making it a good complement to the rich tonkatsu.

The pickled vegetables had an interesting combination of sweet, salty, and citrusy flavors. Some pieces were soft, while others remained crisp, and the sesame seeds added extra texture.

How to Get to Katsukura Kyoto Station

Katsukura is located in the restaurant area on the 11th floor of the Kyoto Station Building. When I visited in November 2018, this area was known as The Cube.

Finding the restaurant was a little tricky. I entered JR Kyoto Isetan and took an elevator to the 11th floor. From there, I continued into The Cube dining area and followed the passage to Katsukura.

The Cube and Kyoto Porta were combined under the Kyoto Porta name in 2023, but Katsukura remains in the same 11th-floor restaurant area. It is now officially listed as the Katsukura Kyoto Porta Shop in Porta Sky Dining.

Today, the clearest route is to follow signs for Kyoto Porta Sky Dining. From JR Kyoto Station, take the Station Building South Elevator directly to the 11th floor or use the escalators beside the Grand Stairway.

Service at Katsukura

Service at Katsukura was quick and attentive, even though I arrived about an hour before closing.

My meal arrived quickly and exactly as ordered. Whenever I needed something, a server was nearby and ready to help.

The attentive service was one of the highlights of my visit.

Conclusion

The Joshu pork loin cutlet was flavorful and more tender than it initially appeared, but it did not live up to my expectations. For the price, there was too much tough, chewy fat and not enough of the rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture I expected from a premium pork cutlet.

The meal still had several highlights. The panko breading was crisp and flaky, the vegetable-filled miso soup was hearty and flavorful, and grinding the sesame seeds made the dipping sauce more enjoyable. The service was also excellent.

Overall, I enjoyed Katsukura, but I would not order the same loin cutlet again. I would return for the convenience, sauces, sides, and service, but next time I would choose the tenderloin or try the Sanjo location instead.

Pros

• Crisp, golden-brown panko breading
• Hearty miso soup filled with vegetables
• Flavorful sesame seed dipping sauce
• Quick and attentive service

Cons

• Too much tough, chewy fat in the loin cutlet
• Disappointing quality for a premium-priced pork cutlet

Last Updated on July 19, 2026