Crispy Old-Fashioned Tonkatsu (with Special Sauce)
How to Make Authentic Old-Fashioned Tonkatsu at Home – Revealing the Secret to Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce!
Here’s a secret recipe for making old-fashioned tonkatsu easily at home. I’ll guide you through the process of frying crispy on the outside and tender on the inside tonkatsu, along with a detailed recipe for a rich and flavorful special tonkatsu sauce. Make your special occasions, or even ordinary days, extraordinary with delicious homemade tonkatsu!
Tonkatsu Ingredients- Pork loin for Tonkatsu, 1 ‘geun’ (approx. 600g / 1.3 lbs)
- All-purpose flour (for coating), generously
- Panko breadcrumbs, 1 bag (approx. 200g / 7 oz)
- Fresh eggs, 2-3
Pork Marinating Ingredients- Salt, a pinch
- Black pepper, a pinch
- Mirin (Japanese cooking wine), 2-3 Tbsp
Special Tonkatsu Sauce Ingredients- Soy sauce, 3 Tbsp
- Ketchup, 2 Tbsp
- Vinegar, 1 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide (or honey/sugar), 1 Tbsp (adjust sweetness to taste)
- Unsalted butter, 1 Tbsp
- All-purpose flour, 1 Tbsp
- Salt, a pinch
- Black pepper, a pinch
- Mirin (Japanese cooking wine), 2-3 Tbsp
Special Tonkatsu Sauce Ingredients- Soy sauce, 3 Tbsp
- Ketchup, 2 Tbsp
- Vinegar, 1 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide (or honey/sugar), 1 Tbsp (adjust sweetness to taste)
- Unsalted butter, 1 Tbsp
- All-purpose flour, 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Place the pork loin on a cutting board. Using the back of a knife or a meat mallet, pound the meat to thinly slice it. This tenderizes the meat and helps it maintain a nice shape when fried. Aim for a thickness of about 0.5-1 cm (about 0.2-0.4 inches).
Step 2
Now for the marinating. Sprinkle salt and black pepper evenly on both sides of the thinly sliced pork. Be careful not to use too much.
Step 3
Drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of mirin evenly over the meat. Mirin helps to remove any porky odor and tenderizes the meat, resulting in a softer tonkatsu. Cover the marinated pork with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. If you have time, refrigerating for 2-3 hours will yield even better results.
Step 4
Let’s make the tonkatsu sauce! In a small saucepan, add 3 tablespoons of soy sauce.
Step 5
Next, add 2 tablespoons of ketchup.
Step 6
Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar for a touch of tanginess.
Step 7
For sweetness, add 1 tablespoon of oligosaccharide. You can substitute with honey or sugar, and adjust the amount to your preference.
Step 8
Mix these ingredients well to create the sauce base. We’ll thicken it by simmering later.
Step 9
In a separate small saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter over low heat. Add 1 tablespoon of flour and whisk them together to create a roux. This process helps thicken the sauce and adds a nutty flavor.
Step 10
Whisk continuously, ensuring the flour doesn’t burn, until it turns a light golden brown color. Avoid making it too dark, as it can affect the sauce’s color. A pale brown roux is perfect.
Step 11
Once the roux turns light brown, gradually add the pre-mixed sauce base while whisking.
Step 12
Continue whisking gently with a whisk or spatula to ensure there are no lumps. Simmer over low heat until the sauce thickens to a smooth, creamy consistency. This creates a delicious and smooth tonkatsu sauce.
Step 13
Making a flavorful homemade tonkatsu sauce is really that simple! Set the sauce aside for now.
Step 14
Now, let’s prepare the tonkatsu for frying. Take the marinated pork out of the refrigerator and coat it thoroughly with all-purpose flour on both sides. A thin layer of flour helps the breadcrumbs adhere better and ensures crispiness.
Step 15
In another bowl, crack and whisk the eggs to make an egg wash. Dip the floured pork into the egg wash, ensuring it’s evenly coated on both sides.
Step 16
Lift the pork from the egg wash, letting any excess drip off, and proceed to the next step.
Step 17
Finally, prepare the panko breadcrumbs. Place the egg-coated pork onto the panko and coat both sides.
Step 18
When coating with panko, press firmly with your hands to ensure the breadcrumbs stick well. A thick coating of panko will result in a crispier and tastier tonkatsu when fried. Make sure to press along the edges of the meat as well.
Step 19
Your tonkatsu is now perfectly coated with breadcrumbs and ready for frying!
Step 20
Preheat your frying oil to about 175°C (350°F). If you don’t have a thermometer, a good test is to drop a few breadcrumbs into the oil; they should sizzle and turn golden brown immediately. Carefully lower the tonkatsu into the hot oil.
Step 21
Fry the tonkatsu until it’s golden brown and crispy. Once one side is sufficiently fried and crisp, flip it over and fry the other side until equally golden and crisp. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes, ensuring the inside is cooked through and the outside is perfectly crunchy.
Step 22
Once fried to perfection, remove the tonkatsu from the oil and place it on a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil. Cut into desired portions and arrange beautifully on a plate.
Step 23
Finally, generously spoon the warm, homemade tonkatsu sauce over the crispy tonkatsu. Your ultimate old-fashioned tonkatsu is ready to be enjoyed! Savor every bite!
