Misokatsu Yabaton: Best pork cutlet in Nagoya, Japan

Waraji Tonkatsu Set, Misokatsu Yabaton, Nagoya, Japan

If you’re a fan of Japanese cuisine, you’re likely familiar with tonkatsu, a flavorful dish consisting of breaded and deep-fried pork loin or fillet. It is one of my favorite foods to eat on my trips to Japan. In Nagoya, you can find a unique variation of tonkatsu known as miso katsu. The local specialty consists of a deep-fried pork loin drenched in a rich and salty miso sauce. If you’re on the hunt for the best miso katsu in …

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Sekai no Yamachan: Nagoya’s Famous Tebasaki Chicken Wings

Maboroshi no Tebasaki (Chicken Wings), Sekai No Yamachan, Nagoya, Japan

During my recent trip to Japan, I had the opportunity to visit Nagoya for the first time. Despite reading and hearing that Nagoya was less impressive than Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto, I was excited to explore a new city. Whenever I travel somewhere new, one of the first things I do is research what to do and what to eat. And, through my research, I discovered Sekai no Yamachan. Sekai no Yamachan is a chain of popular izakaya restaurants that …

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Doña Eutimia: Paladar in Havana, Cuba

Masas de cerdo Doña Eutimia, Havana, Cuba

Doña Eutimia is a paladar, or small restaurant, situated in a tranquil alleyway near Cathedral Square (Plaza de la Catedral) in Havana, Cuba. Despite being situated in the center of Old Havana (Habana Vieja), a bustling and touristy area, the restaurant’s location seemed calm and peaceful. Paladar is a term used in Cuba to describe a small, family-owned restaurant that serves local cuisine. Although they were once illegal until the 1990s, today these privately owned establishments are a popular dining …

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Katsukura: Pork Tonkatsu at Kyoto Station

Joshu Pork Loin Cutlet Zen Set, Katsukura, Kyoto, Japan

When I read that Katsukura, located inside the Isetan Department Store at Kyoto Station, served the best tonkatsu in Kyoto, I had to try it. The chain, which originated in Kyoto, now has locations all across Japan. Katsukura specializes in tonkatsu, a breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet. I take tonkatsu very seriously as a foodie. It’s one of my favorite Japanese foods along with sushi, yakitori, and ramen. While I was planning on visiting their main location near Sanjo Station, …

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Tian Tian Li: Lu Rou Fan in Ximending neighborhood of Taipei, Taiwan

Lu Rou Fan, Taiwanese braised minced pork over a bowl of rice, Tian Tian Li, Taipei, Taiwan

If you’re visiting Taipei, you can’t leave without trying one of the most simple yet delicious Taiwanese comfort dishes, lu rou fan. This beloved dish is braised pork over rice. You can find the dish at restaurants and street food stalls all across Taipei and Taiwan. One of my favorite places to try lu rou fan is at Tian Tian Li, an affordable and local restaurant in the Ximending neighborhood of Taipei. Tian Tian Li was situated just off Hanzhong …

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Tonki: For 80 years, serving the best tonkatsu in Tokyo, Japan

Rohsu-Katsu Teishoku. 160g of perfectly fried loin cutlet at Tonki Tonkatsu in Tokyo, Japan

Whenever a friend visits Tokyo for the first time, I send them to Tonki, which serves one of the best tonkatsu in Tokyo. This popular dish consists of a pork cutlet breaded in Japanese-style panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried until crispy. It may be old-fashioned, but Tonki is an institution in Tokyo. Since 1939, Tonki has served tonkatsu to many die-hard fans of the traditional Japanese dish, including locals and tourists like myself. Many will debate whether Tonki or Maisen is …

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