A new culinary trend has been sweeping Japan in recent years: gyukatsu, or deep-fried beef cutlets. Best known for its crispy exterior and juicy medium-rare pink interior, the dish’s visual appeal and delicious taste had made it popular on social media. If you’re a foodie searching for a great way to enjoy Japanese beef during your stay in Japan, you can’t go wrong with gyukatsu!

What is Gyukatsu, the Japanese Style Deep-Fried Beef Cutlets?

When it comes to 'katsu' in Japan, most people might first think of tonkatsu—the Japanese-style breaded and deep-fried pork cutlets. While gyukatsu is the beef version of the dish, the differences don’t stop there. Tonkatsu is usually cooked thoroughly, resulting in a firmer texture, and served with a bold sauce, thick curry, or simmered with eggs. Gyukatsu, on the other hand, is often cooked rare or medium-rare to retain its tenderness and juiciness.

Although gyukatsu and tonkatsu are both popular Japanese dishes that involve breaded meat, they differ significantly in terms of batter composition. Whereas tonkatsu uses a heavy batter made from a mixture of flour and roughly ground panko breadcrumbs, the batter for gyukatsu is lighter, forming just a thin layer over the meat. Additionally, gyukatsu is usually served with minimal accompaniments, such as wasabi, rock salt, and soy sauce, to enhance the natural flavors of the beef.

Discover the Ultimate Gyukatsu Experience at Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu

In Tokyo, several popular gyukatsu chain restaurants offer unique dining experiences centered around this delicious dish. One tourist-friendly and easily accessible option is Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu.

Originating from Kyoto in 2014, Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu specializes in gyukatsu with a focus on high-quality cuts of beef. The chain is known for its premium ingredients and offers a variety of carefully prepared wagyu beef cuts, including tenderloin, sirloin, and tongue. Customers can enjoy their gyukatsu cooked to medium-rare perfection, providing a juicy and flavorful experience. You can even try surf-and-turf combos or seafood options!

Stores are located near major train stations and terminals such as Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, and Shibuya, while the Yodobashi Akiba branch in Akihabara is the closest one to HOTEL TAVINOS Asakusa, just a 15-minute train ride away via Tokyo Metro.

Secrets to Beef Cutlets and Must-try Menu at Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu

One of Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu’s secrets to delicious gyukatsu is how they fry it. The beef cutlets are fried in super-hot oil for just 60 to 120 seconds, achieving a juicy medium-rare interior while the outside becomes golden and crispy. Getting the batter to stay on the beef during the deep-frying process is no easy task. Still, Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu has perfected the ratio of flour, eggs, and fine breadcrumbs, ensuring that all those delicious beef juices are sealed in, leaving you with a crispy, tender cutlet.

One of the hardest decisions you’ll make is choosing which cut of beef to order. Their menu briefly explains each cut’s texture and flavor, offering various options from sirloin to chuck flap. If you want to go all out for the wagyu experience, I recommend the premium wagyu sirloin—it’s the melt-in-your-mouth kind of beef with perfect marbling. But if you’re after something a bit leaner, the tenderloin is also an excellent choice.

Feeling adventurous? Give cow tongue a try. It might sound a bit unusual if you’re not used to it, but tongue is incredibly tender and juicy and is considered a delicacy in Japan! It has more of a steak-like flavor and none of the iron taste that people sometimes associate with organ meats. Served with a sweet-spicy chili miso sauce, it’s just perfect. (You can also order a side of this great condiment if you want to try it!)

Tips on How to Enjoy Your Gyukatsu Cuts

Kyoto Gyukatsu Katsugyu’s attention to detail doesn’t stop at the beef—they’ve also curated a selection of condiments and sauces to help you explore all the flavors gyukatsu has to offer. They even have a recommended tasting order on the menu so you can get the most out of your gyukatsu experience.

First, they suggest starting with a bit of wasabi on your cut, dipped in dashijoyu (a mix of soy sauce and dashi broth). The chain uses Kyoto-style dashi, which has a slightly sweet finish. Next, try dipping a piece in sansho, a Japanese pepper that gives your tongue a cool, tingling sensation. After that, move on to their special gyukatsu sauce. It’s much lighter than typical tonkatsu sauce, so it won’t overpower the beef.

💡Pro tip: If you prefer your beef to be more well-done, no worries! Each table has a small hot plate so you can adjust the doneness exactly to your liking. Depending on the sauce or condiment you’re using, they might even suggest searing the edges of your meat for extra flavor before dipping it in.

Gyukatsu also Makes a Perfect Match with Curry Rice or Onsen Egg!

There’s even more to enjoy! If you want an extra boost of flavor, try making a gyukatsu curry rice bowl by layering your beef over the rice and pouring the curry on top. Or, mix the egg and pour it over your rice to make tamago kake gohan, a beloved Japanese comfort dish consisting of cooked rice topped or mixed with a raw egg and soy sauce.

Served in dashijoyu with green onions, you can mix the onsen egg all together and dip your beef in. Eating raw or lightly cooked eggs like this might not be something you’re familiar with, but it’s a common (and delicious!) practice in Japan. If you're unsure, just give your gyukatsu a quick sear on the hot plate before dipping it. The last condiment is mizore ponzu, grated daikon radish topped with a yuzu citrus-flavored soy sauce. It’s very refreshing and pairs especially well with the fattier cuts of beef, cutting through the richness with a burst of brightness.

Enjoyed the Beef? Next, Try Some Seafood

Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu’s menu doesn’t stop at beef. It also features some seafood options, including seasonal sets, fried salmon belly, and fried shrimp on their regular menu. Having seafood choices is great if you happen to be traveling with someone who doesn’t eat beef. And honestly, the seafood is so delicious on its own that you might just have to come back again to try it!

Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu Akihabara Store

Address: 1-1 Yodobashi Akiba 8F, Kanda Hanaoka-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00-22:00 (LO 21:30)
Website: https://en.gyukatsu-kyotokatsugyu.com/

Rachael Aoki
Originally from the East Coast of the United States, Rachael has called Japan home for over a decade. She enjoys discovering destinations that are popular with locals from quaint cafes to hole-in-the-wall eateries and sharing that information with visitors from overseas. She also loves taking trips to onsen and is always up for a trip to Hakone, Kanagawa.