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A close-up view of the crispy tonkatsu pork cutlet, golden brown and sliced, resting on a bed of soft egg and onions in the katsu bowl.

Japanese Katsu Bowl (Katsudon): The Ultimate Recipe

Learn to make an authentic Japanese Katsu Bowl (Katsudon) at home! This recipe features a perfectly crispy tonkatsu pork cutlet simmered in a savory-sweet sauce with egg and onions, served over rice. A perfect one-bowl meal.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Japanese
Calories: 780

Ingredients
  

For the Tonkatsu (Pork Cutlets)
  • 2 boneless pork chops about 1-inch thick
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup neutral oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
For the Sauce and Topping
  • 2/3 cup dashi stock
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp mirin
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 yellow onion thinly sliced
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
For Serving
  • 2 cups cooked short-grain Japanese rice hot
  • 1 tbsp scallions chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Small saucepan
  • 3 Shallow Dishes (for breading)

Instructions
 

  1. Pat the pork chops dry and season with salt and pepper. Pound them to an even ½-inch thickness. Set up three shallow dishes for breading: one with flour, one with the beaten egg, and one with panko.
  2. Dredge each pork cutlet in flour, shake off excess, then dip in the egg, and finally press firmly into the panko breadcrumbs until fully coated.
  3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place the breaded pork in the skillet and fry for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack to drain and rest.
  4. In a smaller skillet, combine dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened.
  5. Slice the cooked tonkatsu into ¾-inch strips. Arrange the strips over the simmering onions. Drizzle the lightly beaten eggs over the pork. Cover and cook for 1-2 minutes until the eggs are just set but still soft.
  6. Divide the hot cooked rice between two bowls. Gently slide the katsu and egg mixture from the skillet on top of the rice. Pour any remaining sauce over the top. Garnish with chopped scallions and serve immediately.

Notes

For the crispiest pork, use Japanese Panko breadcrumbs; they are lighter and create a better texture.
Ensure your oil is hot before frying to prevent the cutlets from becoming greasy.
Don't overcook the egg; it should be soft and slightly jammy to create a luscious sauce.
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