2026.01.11#Takadanobaba

🐖 Takadanobaba Isn't Just About Tonkatsu | Decoding the Town of Pork Through Kakuni

🏙 Introduction｜Why Takadanobaba is such a "pork powerhouse town"

When people hear Takadanobaba,
what most people imagine is tonkatsu (pork cutlet)。

That is by no means an exaggeration,
Takadanobaba is genuinely one of Japan's top battlegrounds and sacred places for tonkatsu .

However, if you broaden your perspective a bit,
the essence of this town can be rephrased as:

👉 "Takadanobaba is a town serious about handling pork."

This time,
following the flow of
tonkatsu → kakuni (braised pork belly) → dongpo rou,

we will deep-dive into Takadanobaba's "pork culture."

🏆 1｜Takadanobaba is an "abnormal zone" for tonkatsu

🍽 A town concentrated with Tabelog 100 Best Restaurants

Around Takadanobaba,
Tonta
Tonkatsu Hinata

Tonkyu

And...

👑 The nation's #1 renowned restaurant "Narikura" was also once in Takadanobaba
"Narikura" cannot be left out when talking about the tonkatsu world.

Tabelog "Tonkatsu" Rating #1 in Japan
A legendary restaurant that changed the concept of tonkatsu
Though it has now relocated,its origins are in Takadanobaba.

Such
regular contenders on the Tabelog "Tonkatsu 100 Best Restaurants" list are dotted around the area.

Every single shop is unquestionably delicious.
Meat quality, frying technique, and fat crispness are all at a high level.

💸 However, to be completely honest...

Several thousand yen is standard
Long queues are a given
It's hard to casually say, "Let's go grab tonkatsu today"

With rising prices continuing today,
it is also true that it has a slightly high hurdle for everyday use.

❤️ 2｜Not a 100 Best Restaurant. But locals love "Ichiyoshi"

Here,
there is a shop we dare to introduce.

🥢 Tonkatsu Ichiyoshi

Under 1,000 yen
Hearty volume
An ally to hungry students and office workers

Unfortunately, it is not a 100 Best Restaurant.
However,
"Tonkatsu as part of everyday life" has supported the local scene.

The so-called「"This is exactly what you want."©Goro Inogashira」-style ultimate perfection.

Takadanobaba's tonkatsu culture
not only by famous legendary shops,
is made possible precisely because such neighborhood spots exist.

🤔 3 | Tonkatsu or Kakuni: Which do you choose?

Let's change perspective for a moment.

🔥 Tonkatsu

Freshly fried
Crispy breading texture
Explosive maximum flavor

🍖 Kakuni (Braised Pork Belly)

Slow-simmered
Melt-in-your-mouth fat
Richness and lingering finish created by time

It's not about which one is better.

On days you want to pump yourself up: "Tonkatsu"
On days you want to take it slow and drink: "Kakuni"

A town where you can choose accordingly is none other than Takadanobaba.

🔥 4 | The world is now entering a "Kakuni Mode"

The symbol of this is right here.

📰 Yoshinoya "Thick-Cut Pork Kakuni Set Meal" Limited-Time Comeback(Available for a limited time starting 1/6)

Thick-cut
High-calorie
An adventurous flavor kicked up with black pepper

Last year it sparked mixed reviews on social media,
but the fact that it came back means it has strong support. which means that.

Right now,
kakuni is entering a re-evaluation phase. is included in.

🍺 5 | If you're going to talk about kakuni, it has to be Baba Rock's "Dongpo肉 (Tongpooro)"

Now that chain restaurants are making buzz about kakuni,
kakuni from a local neighborhood restaurant carries real meaning.

🍖 Baba Rock's Dongpooro (Served with Chinese Steamed Buns)

So tender it falls apart with chopsticks
Deep, sweet-and-savory sauce
The bliss of sandwiching it in a steamed bun

This isn't just a set meal,
it's a "complete dish" that makes the drinks flow.。

🔁 A pork dish bar-hop like this is also an option

Lunch: Tonkatsu at Ichiyoshi
Night: Enjoying tonpo-ro and a drink at Baba Rock

Easy on the wallet, maximum satisfaction.

Only possible in Takadanobaba,
a realistic yet luxurious choice.

🏮 6｜In Takadanobaba, the town of tonkatsu, ending the day with kakuni

It is great to eat tonkatsu at a famous restaurant.
But at the end of the day,

robatayaki (charcoal grill)
kakuni (braised pork belly)
hot sake (hato-kan)

A town where you can Pork dishes served at just the right temperature hit the spot.

📩 Reservations & Inquiries

Please feel free to contact us for anything from spontaneous visits asking "Is there still tonpo-ro left?" to dates, drinking parties, girls' night out, welcome/farewell parties, and solo drinking.