Pork Love at Tonkatsu Maisen

Starting the new year with something familiar yet refreshingly different...  

It's sukiyaki with an inventive twist, Tonkatsu Maisen's Pork Sukiyaki adds a unique spin to this Japanese classic with tender strips of tenderloin katsu in a light broth with vegetables. And the new year is off to a good start...

I always start a meal at Tonkatsu Maisen with my favorite salad, the Crab and Cucumber Salad (P 190), with soft crab meat and thin slices of cucumber in a creamy Japanese mayo dressing (for more on Maisen, see my previous post on the formal opening here), the perfect light and flavorful starter before the main course. 

A side dish of Grilled Salmon (P 250), with its fresh and clean flavors, is always a good addition to your meal at Tonkatsu Maisen. The creamy flavors of the salmon, specially the part with the thin layer of skin, simply bursts with rich notes with every bite. 

No meal at Tonkatsu Maisen is complete without any of their signature katsu dishes, like the Chicken Katsu Set (P 350), crispy and juicy chicken katsu served with rice, cabbage, pickle set, fruits, and miso. The contrasting textures of tender, juicy chicken and the crisp outer layer of light breading are executed perfectly at Tonkatsu Maisen.

For the main course, it's Tonkatsu Maisen's Pork Sukiyaki Set (P 520), with tenderloin katsu, rice, pickle set, fruits, and miso soup. It's sukiyaki with Maisen's special twist, using thin strips of pork tenderloin instead of beef.

The delicate notes of the pork are infused in the broth, absorbing even more flavors from the vegetables, mushrooms and the egg. Almost resembling strips of bacon, the tenderloin katsu adds its own distinct richness to the dish. The chunks of tofu are soft yet firm and chewy, completing the dish. It's going to be another good year. Here's wishing everyone a happy new year...

Tonkatsu Maisen is located at the Third Floor, Units 329 & 330, Building A, SM Mega Mall, Ortigas Centre, Ortigas, EDSA, Mandaluyong City or call 650-1691 for inquiries. 

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