Who can argue with tonkatsu made from pigs raised in the Hokkaido mountains? Certainly not us. Tonkatsu Ichiban is a 15-minute walk west of Kyoto Station, but it’s worth the short trek out there. The food is tasty and it’s good value for money.
Tonkatsu Ichiban – image © Chris Rowthorn
If you have any familiarity at all with Japanese restaurants, you know they take provenance seriously, even when it comes to seemingly pedestrian food like tonkatsu. Indeed, the breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet might be a cheap and cheerful staple of casual Japanese eating, but the quality of ingredients is still paramount. Tonkatsu Ichiban is proof of that!
Tonkatsu Ichiban, or “Number One Tonkatsu,” is located west of Kyoto Station, just northeast of Umekoji Park. They serve a number of Japanese-style Western dishes, such as omurice (omelette-coated rice), fried shrimp, and cream croquettes, but the real star of the show here is the tonkatsu.
They make the tonkatsu with Camborough pork from pigs raised in Hokkaido. It’s boldly flavoured, tender, and laced through with sweet, buttery fat – a perfect contrast with the crunchy coating outside. Rather unusually, it’s served with a homemade demi-glace sauce rather than the customary tonkatsu sauce. It’s a lovely change in our book.
Tonkatsu Ichiban is definitely worth the 15-minute walk west of Kyoto Station. The food is tasty and it’s good value for money. Don’t just take our word for it though; the proof is in the pudding – or the lunchtime queues, anyway! Have a stroll through nearby Umekoji Park afterwards to walk off the tonkatsu if you like.
For more Kyoto tonkatsu choices, see our Best Tonkatsu In Kyoto page.
Name in English:
Tonkatsu Ichiban
Name in Japanese:
とんかつ一番
English address:
403 Teppo-cho, Kuromon-dori-Kizuyabashi-agaru, Shimogyo-ku
Japanese address:
下京区黒門通木津屋橋上ル徹宝町403
Opening hours:
11:30am-2pm, 5pm-8:30pm
Closed 2nd, 4th and 5th Sunday
Price: Budget
Non-smoking area: Yes
Nearest Transport:
4min walk from Nanajo Omiya, Kyoto Suizokukan-mae Bus Stop, Kyoto City Bus 104 or 110 or 205 or 208 from Kyoto Station
Reservations:
Possible
Telephone: 371-0722
Website: Official Website (Japanese)
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Kyoto easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
