Foodies Asia (en)For "foodies" who are particular about food.

Matsumoto city, although known for specialties like soba and eel, is also home to many delicious tonkatsu restaurants.

From well-established classics that represent Japan’s tonkatsu heritage to popular places known for their high-quality dining experience and even Ina Valley-style jumbo sauce tonkatsu bowls, we’ve picked out some noteworthy places for you to explore.

Recommended Tonkatsu restaurants (3)

Minami-matsumoto “Sakuramori (櫻守)” 

Ave. Budget: Lunch 1,000-2,000 JPY, Dinner 1,000-2,000 JPY

This is the first restaurant that comes to mind when you ask about delicious tonkatsu in Matsumoto.

While it may not be the most conveniently located, being a 25-minute walk from Minami-Matsumoto Station, it’s definitely worth the trip.

They serve thick-cut tonkatsu that’s surprisingly tender and refined.

Not just their outstanding tonkatsu, but their various other fried dishes and hamburg steaks, showcasing their strong fundamental cooking skills, make this a hidden gem in the world of dining in Matsumoto.

Foodies Asia (en)

2023.05.03

"Sakuramori (櫻守)" Tonkatsu in Matsumoto, Nagano

https://foodies-asia.com/en/nagano-matsumoto-sakuramori

 An elegant tonkatsu that is thick but soft.It is a hidden famous restaurant that represents Matsumoto.Ave. Budget: Lunch 1,000-2,000 JPY, Dinner 1,000-2,000 JPYView information on Tabelog   Restaurant featuresIf you're looking for delicious tonkatsu in Matsumoto, this is the first place I'd recommend. (Although "Fumotoan Katsugen" is also a great option considering the atmosphere.)It's not the most conveniently located, about a 25-minute walk from Mina...

＜Restaurant Information＞
Business Hours: Lunch 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM (Last order around 1:00 PM), Dinner 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Closed on Tuesdays
Phone Number: 0263-27-0639
Address: 2-18-1 Namiki, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0825, Japan

Shimauchi “Fumotoan Katsugen (麓庵 かつ玄)“

Ave. Budget: Lunch 2,000-3,000 JPY, Dinner 2,000-3,000 JPY

Originally, it’s a charming old farmhouse that was renovated from a farmhouse built during the late Edo period.

Inside this space where you can feel the history of Shinshu (Nagano Prefecture), you can enjoy high-quality tonkatsu along with local regional dishes.

Once you’re seated, there are already four small side dishes on the table.

On the day of the visit, these included pickled cucumbers, daikon radish, carrots, bean sprout namul, wild vegetables, Shinshu miso, and fresh cucumbers.

The main dish, the loin tonkatsu, has a relatively low fat content, but it’s tender and juicy, possibly due to careful preparation.

It strikes a well-behaved balance, leaning slightly towards the loin side, making it appealing to those who enjoy both loin and fattier cuts of pork.

＜Restaurant Information＞
Business Hours: Lunch 12:00 – Last Order 14:00, Dinner 17:00 – Last Order 20:00
Closed on Tuesdays
Phone Number: 0263-33-1129
Address: 7717 Shimanai, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0851, Japan
Official Website (Japanese)

Minami-matsumoto “Tonkatsu Meguro (めぐろ)” 

Ave. Budget: Lunch 1,000-2,000 JPY, Dinner 1,000-2,000 JPY

A tonkatsu restaurant visited based on its high reputation.

Contrary to the expectation that the owner might be Mr. Meguro due to the restaurant’s name, it turned out to be someone else.

However, any doubts were quickly dispelled when the tonkatsu arrived.

Upon seeing the unique style of the breading, I thought I had seen it somewhere before, and indeed, it was reminiscent of the renowned “Tonki” in Meguro, Tokyo.

So, that’s why it’s called “Meguro.”

In any case, this is a valuable restaurant in Matsumoto where you can savor that tonkatsu heritage, which is considered a treasure in Japan.

＜Restaurant Information＞
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30 AM – 2:15 PM (Last Order), Dinner 5:00 PM – 8:50 PM (Last Order)
Closed on Thursdays
Phone Number: 0263-25-4268
Address: 1-2 Yoshino, Matsumoto, Nagano 399-0002, Japa

Recommended restaurants for sauce katsudon (1)

Samizo “Gazan（我山）“

Ave. Budget: Lunch 1,000-2,000 JPY,

You can enjoy the Ina Valley-style sauce katsudon in Matsumoto as well.

The highlight is the katsudon with a traditional pork cutlet, carefully fried to perfection and coated in a sweet and savory sauce, featuring a cutlet weighing over 300 grams.

When you take a bite, you’ll experience a satisfyingly crispy and tender texture.

It’s in the lineage of modern sauce katsudon from renowned restaurants like “Takeda” and “Matsukubo,” known for their incredibly hearty katsudon.

Additionally, their beef bowl made with 100% black wagyu beef is also quite popular.

＜Restaurant Information＞
Business Hours: Lunch <Weekdays> 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, <Weekends & Holidays> 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Regular Holiday: Tuesday and Wednesday (Open on public holidays)
Phone Number: 0263-58-2929
Address: 983-1 Kamibayashi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-1243, Japan