Butagumi

My go to katsu place in Nishiazabu. Simple, rustic and it's all about the pork which is delicious. Highly recommend. The pork is tender and juicy, the batter is crunchy and not overly oily. Get the pickles and enjoy the refills on the cabbage.

All foreigners when I dined here for dinner so you can figure. The fried batter was great, the pork was a bit dry but it was still a good tonkatsu. Worth a try so that you do not #FOMO but definitely just as good ones at Ur convenience in Tokyo. Nice old school restaurant setting as well and service staff were friendly and welcoming.

We've been trying to have a dinner here 2x with no success in different year, so this time we planned it ahead by booking a reservation 2 weeks before and we are so glad we did it. The tonkatsu is so tender and juicy with a nice sauce and perfect cooked rice. The resto is small but it's neat and clean, with a strong traditional japanese style interior, and we sat on tatami table. The food came a bit slow but that's because they prepared it from fresh. The quality worth the price.

Hands down, the best tonkatsu I've ever had!! Loved everything about this place—the old Japanese house vibe, the super tasty tonkatsu sauce, the rich aka dashi soup, and of course, the fatty but not-too-greasy thick slices of katsu!!! I can't wait to go back, but 4k jpy for a set is a bit wild.

Have a great dinner at Butagumi. Best tonkatsu. Tried the pork belly, the meat so tender and juicy, the batter perfectly fried. Also the starter was best especially the tiny tomatoes. Love it

We ordered 2 types of pork in the picture. Both were melted in mouth, crunchy outside and juicy inside. The tiny tomato salad was the best accompany. Too bad it was a free side dish and we got a No when we wanted to order more . Tried 5 tonkatsu restaurants during my 3 trips to Japan last year. So far this is the best tonkatsu to me. Visited here twice, both were walk-in and no queue. Not sure if I were lucky or because my lunch time was late compared to others (1.30-2pm). Cant wait to visit again!!

Best Katsu I’ve ever had. The Katsu batter stays on the meat and doesn’t separate like some others. It was cooked to perfection. Not too dry and not too rare. Not much more you can ask for in a Katsu. Highly recommend

This is a must-visit place, a heaven for tonkatsu lovers. They offer various types of pig breeds from across Japan. Booking in advance is necessary. The building is authentic and adds to the experience. The curry with tonkatsu is really good. Don't miss out on this menu!

My go to katsu place in Nishiazabu. Simple, rustic and it's all about the pork which is delicious. Highly recommend. The pork is tender and juicy, the batter is crunchy and not overly oily. Get the pickles and enjoy the refills on the cabbage.

All foreigners when I dined here for dinner so you can figure. The fried batter was great, the pork was a bit dry but it was still a good tonkatsu. Worth a try so that you do not #FOMO but definitely just as good ones at Ur convenience in Tokyo. Nice old school restaurant setting as well and service staff were friendly and welcoming.

We've been trying to have a dinner here 2x with no success in different year, so this time we planned it ahead by booking a reservation 2 weeks before and we are so glad we did it. The tonkatsu is so tender and juicy with a nice sauce and perfect cooked rice. The resto is small but it's neat and clean, with a strong traditional japanese style interior, and we sat on tatami table. The food came a bit slow but that's because they prepared it from fresh. The quality worth the price.

Hands down, the best tonkatsu I've ever had!! Loved everything about this place—the old Japanese house vibe, the super tasty tonkatsu sauce, the rich aka dashi soup, and of course, the fatty but not-too-greasy thick slices of katsu!!! I can't wait to go back, but 4k jpy for a set is a bit wild.

Have a great dinner at Butagumi. Best tonkatsu. Tried the pork belly, the meat so tender and juicy, the batter perfectly fried. Also the starter was best especially the tiny tomatoes. Love it

We ordered 2 types of pork in the picture. Both were melted in mouth, crunchy outside and juicy inside. The tiny tomato salad was the best accompany. Too bad it was a free side dish and we got a No when we wanted to order more . Tried 5 tonkatsu restaurants during my 3 trips to Japan last year. So far this is the best tonkatsu to me. Visited here twice, both were walk-in and no queue. Not sure if I were lucky or because my lunch time was late compared to others (1.30-2pm). Cant wait to visit again!!

Best Katsu I’ve ever had. The Katsu batter stays on the meat and doesn’t separate like some others. It was cooked to perfection. Not too dry and not too rare. Not much more you can ask for in a Katsu. Highly recommend

This is a must-visit place, a heaven for tonkatsu lovers. They offer various types of pig breeds from across Japan. Booking in advance is necessary. The building is authentic and adds to the experience. The curry with tonkatsu is really good. Don't miss out on this menu!

Oh Butagumi. You stole my heart and I cannot forget about you. Try as I must, you will never be forgotten. I will say this, in my opinion, Butagumi has the best tonkatsu that I have eaten. PERIOD! They offer many varieties of pork to serve you for the tonkatsu. When it arrives, the cutlet is crispy on the outside and amazingly juicy on the inside. I ordered the pork shoulder blade for mines and it melted in my mouth. Melted. I didn't expect that but I savored every piece. Make reservations in advance is an absolute must. They do take walk ins, but you will wait......and regret not making reservations. They have a strict policy of strong odors so do not wear any or carry food items that will emit strong odors! Finding Butagumi is a little tricky. Use Apple Maps to guide you. Price - depending on how much you want to spend (inexpensive to expensive) Service - top notch. Ambiance- a little noisy but that's the people not the establishment. Value - unmatched.

Porcine Bliss There are a handful of items that Japan does better than anywhere else and tonkatsu is one of them The selection and deep frying of pork cutlet should be a simple dish to recreate but whether due to meticulousness in choosing the pork cut or tenacity in terms of deep frying, the tonkatsu reaches heights here unknown elsewhere I've tried the Bay Area's best, the best in Hawaii and they simply don't compare Butagumi, a famous purveyor in Tokyo, sells only the single dish and each day is met by lines The only variety is in the cut, whether lean and firm or juicy and fatty and the size of your cut Tomato Appetizer / Super Premium Sirloin ~ Saddleback from Kagoshima / Regular ¥4000 = $26.36 USD / Deluxe ¥5200 = $34.27 / Unlimited Cabbage and Clam Miso Soup / Tea Butagumi (Roppongi, Tokyo, JPN) Dining is indoor only on two floors and credit cards are accepted.

Cuisine: 10 Service: 7 Decor: 9 Value: 9 Overall: 9 One of the top three meals on my nearly month long trip in Japan. This was not just any other tonkatsu restaurant in Japan. It doesn't look like it, nor taste like it. This was the epitome of fried porky goodness. Based on my experiences with this popular Japanese food item, Butagumi is king! First of all, this restaurant is slightly hidden on a small quiet street. However, there are many eateries and bars nearby, including a sushi bar and yakiniku restaurant. You will recognize Butagumi right away with it's moon shaped window on the second floor and a cute entry area. Once inside, you are brought to your own private booth with traditional style tables and sunken seating. Next, you will notice the incredible menu with roughly 40 different types of pork to choose from. Talk about specializing in one type of food product, yet providing their customers with almost an impossible choice. Though daunting, you actually cannot go wrong since every type of pork is amazing in its own right, and the chef fried them beautifully. We ordered five different varieties, including Iberico 100% Bellota, Saddleback from Kagoshima, Himuro-buta from Gunma (pork belly), Tsunan Pork from Niigata, and Kohfuku-ton from Kagoshima. Most of them were cooked medium to medium well, and had its own distinct taste. My taste buds gravitated to the exquisitely marbled Iberico, which had the richest flavor due to the delicious fattiness. If that not your style, you may prefer the Saddleback or Tsunan. Other than the fried pork cutlets, I would be doing a disservice for not mentioning some of the best white rice I have ever had the pleasure of sampling. Each pearl of grain was gluttonously outstanding. Along with the cabbage salad and miso soup, this meal was simple yet satisfying. Honestly, one of the most memorable eating experiences in all of Japan.

Location: in a residential area in Roppongi Reservations: Highly recommend reservation for dinner. If you want to try walk in for lunch, must show up when they open at 11:30am. Food: We tried lunch here for the first time and discovered the tasty value lunch special - Katsu Curry with Nepalese Curry. This items sells out in less than 30 mins every day! Rest of the menu is Tonkatsu from pork from all over Japan, different region's meat are featured each day. Fluffy crispy batter on tender meat. I prefer the juice tenderloin. The best Katsu!!!

So, I think this place popped up in my instagram feed as an amazing place for tonkatsu. The amount of foreign visitors coming here recently has somewhat overwhelmed the restaurant, and I honestly don't think they love it - which I sort of understand. When you walk there is a sign that says "if you're wearing strong perfume we will ask you to leave, even if you have a reservation it will be canceled." So keep that in mind if you like to bathe in cologne or perfume. The whole place sort of reminded me of that Seinfeld episode involving "soup" if you get my drift. (The chef was staring at us at various times throughout our dinner, I wasn't sure if it's because he smelled cologne.) I digress, so three of us went - my friend, my partner, and I. My friend is a Tokyo local and loves tonkatsu so he was also curious to try it. I ordered the Kagoshima deluxe blade Katsu, while my partner and friend both had the "hire" or "fillet" katsu. The fatty Kagoshima deluxe pork was delicious, the fat was tender and melted in my mouth. My friend and partner enjoyed theirs as well, but as my friend commented, he thought you could get just as good tonkatsu at more reasonable place at one of the famous katsu chain places. I think he has a valid point, a lot of what you're paying for is the location and the ambience, as well as the wide selection of pork - most of which is not available most of the time, as you can see from the menu, they only things they had in stock were the items in orange. Overall, the food was good, and the atmosphere beats the average chain katsu place, but if you only care about flavor I am not sure that you need to come here over other places. Do make a reservation, and as I mentioned don't over perfume yourself if you come here.

Thick cut tenderloin is a must try!! Crispy crust, juicy tender meat, cooked to perfection! Their plum wine is also quite tasty.

The food is amazing, and this was one of our favorite restaurants in Tokyo. They have always been accommodating and friendly. HOWEVER, today I tried to reserve in person, and was told that I have to reserve online and they have eliminated the option of requesting the upstairs. I ate downstairs once, and it was the worst restaurant ambiance I've ever experienced (in contrast to the upstairs, which is one of the best). So never again. I am very very sad that they have become so dogmatic. Where is caring about your repeat customers? Maybe their reviews are so good they get enough tourists so they don't care anymore about locals?

西麻布豚組、初訪問。六本木にもありそちらには何度か伺いましたが総本山に行きたかった。古民家風の建物で2階に通された、まさに家をお店に改築した感じだ。六本木より少し単価高めかつ見たことない銘柄豚が揃いまくり。サブマリンとか聞いたことがない名前もあった。初めてなのでベーシックなロースを。次回以降は色々な銘柄豚を試してみたい。

This is hands down the best Pork Tonkatsu money can buy. We came without a reservation which involved us waiting outside in the cold for a while but it was all worth it after we dined here. The lesson learned is to make reservations! Japan is very strict with taking mainly reservations first even though there's people waiting outside to eat. They carry various cuts and various pork from all over the world. We figured getting the more pricier ones would be the best quality. They also have an English menu which was awesome, they spent a lot of time explaining about everything and how each kind of pork taste profile will be. Just writing about this review makes me wish I was there again to eat it once more! Our order came with a complemtnary appetizer which was very delicious, there was cherry tomato that was super sweet and had an awesome smoky taste to it. What a treat! But the main draw obviously is their Pork Tonkatsu, it's fried to perfection without it feeling greasy. Full of flavor and super delicious. Will definitely come here again next time I'm in Japan!

We came on a Saturday at 130pm and were seated immediately. Start off by selecting the cut of pork and the area it's from. They have different cuts from different locations each day. I ordered the regular minami-no-shima-buta from Miyazaki. Each piece had a sizeable amount of fat, which was absolutely delectable. About 1/3 fat and 2/3 lean pork, neatly separated. Flaky, light crust makes for an enjoyable bite and each bite was as good as the last. Tonkatsu sauce is slightly sweet and well balanced with the pork. In my opinion, nothing to improve. Also tried my girlfriend's lean cut and it was equally good if you like it leaner. Still really juicy and flavorful. Tonkatsu also includes a side of salad and soup. These were pretty good, but I'm glad I ate those last to not detract from the tonkatsu. Highly recommend coming here for a bite if you want to enjoy the best tonkatsu ever!

Came early for a weekday lunch to find 4 people already in line. We were seated promptly as the restaurant opened and given an English menu. The secret to Butagumi's juicy flavorful tonkatsu is that it's fried in pure sesame oil at low heat. As with most Japanese specialty restaurants, the attention to detail is immaculate. This location looks like a small home. The menu is organized by where the pork was raised then in order of fattiness with the fattiest on the bottom as reflected by the price. We ordered 1 appetizer, 2 lunch specials (tenderloin & sirloin) and 1 ginger ale for a total of $39.75. They accept credit card. GROUND PORK CUTLET of GOLDEN BOAR pork 500 we shared this appetizer but could have easily eaten our own individual as it was barely 1 bite for 2 of us. The lunch set is a stupendous value, and all of the tonkatsu exceeded my expectations. Highly recommend!

We were looking around for a tonkatsu place and one was closed on the main street and several were too far from our reach. We somehow managed to stumble onto this one on the off-chance that they'd be open well-after lunchtime and before dinner. It's hidden like others have mentioned, but once you see it and the word "Pork", you know that you're at the right place. Super quiet place and we were seated upstairs with shoes off. The restroom was downstairs and apart from the actual building itself and it was sweltering. They welcomed us with a cold dish of refreshing smoked tomatoes, which was surprisingly delicious. We got some pickled items that were alright to tide us over till our crispy thick pork cutlets arrived. When it finally did, we were silent. It was that good. I got a cheaper offering than my friends did (they went all out and paid about $60 or so for their cutlet and Butagumi DOES run out of cutlets for the day) but I still enjoyed mine. Loved the thick cut and the nice ratio of fat, crispiness and meat. I preferred it with a bit of Himalayan Pink Salt and their perfect tonkatsu sauce. Whereas the tonkatsu sauce I have back home covers the pork, this heightens the flavor of the cutlet so perfectly. Japanese food culture is so amazing like that. One of my favorite meals in Tokyo-- we also went to another tonkatsu place during my trip and it was good as well but you really get what you pay for here. It's the quality of the meat and the service that comes along with it. The not so cool thing that happened was they charged my friends double for their tonkatsu (mine was simply charged once) but thankfully my vigilant buddy caught it and they were able to rectify the issue. That last bit was weird but otherwise, a cool place overall.

Food: 4.0/5.0 Service: 3.0/5.0 Value: 3.0/5.0 Decor: 3.0/5.0 Overall: 4.0/5.0 Excellent tonkatsu spot with a decent selection of pork options (though some do tend to run out). Well fried (other reviews outline the process). Would return.

This is by far the greatest Tonkatsu meal we ever had. Tokyo is known for having many wonderful Tonkatsu restaurants. After doing a lot of research we decided to try our Butagumi. When we got there we were treated by several people and escorted to the upstairs. The menu was very extensive. There was about 15-20 different types of pork. However, about 25% of them are available on a given day. We decided on getting the extra thick fatty cut from Okinawa and the aged pork from Gunma. Both were outstanding. It's almost impossible to decide which one was better. For example, the double cut was a very tender and fatty piece of meat. It had great flavor. However, the aged pork had a richer and deeper pork flavor, reminiscent of a dry-aged piece of beef. We also learned to sprinkle Himalayan Salt over all of the meat prior to dipping it into the Tonkatsu Sauce. Previously, we just used the sauce and Japanese Mustard. The salt added a new dimension to the flavor profile. Words cannot describe how tasty our meats were. I felt the price was very inexpensive for the type and quality of meat we got to eat. When I come back to Japan again, Butagumi is the first restaurant I will visit. Yes, it's that good.

Just amazing pork If you want anything but fried pork don't come here. If you want a piece of pork that's been cooked the same way for decades come here. So good

There are no smoke and mirrors, just mouthwateringly incredible food. I never had tonkatsu before and this was the worst possible introduction because no way anywhere can top this place. The meats are luxurious and fried to perfection. I got the pork belly which came with a large plate of cabbage which I self-dressed in a mustardy sauce. The acidity of the mustardy cabbage cut the richness of the fatty pork. There was something almost German about the composition of the dish, yet the quality reminds you that it is distinctly Japanese.

Let me just start by saying that this is a great tonkatsu restaurant. It is in a residential neighborhood and you aren't likely to stumble upon it unless you're out looking for it but it's worn the trip. My husband loves Japanese tonkatsu so we came here based on the reviews online. We arrived shortly before they opened at 6:30pm and there were already people waiting. The restaurant opened a little late and when asked if we had a reservation we said no, but they were still able to seat us quickly. OK so someone here must really like ginger. It's a flavor in almost everything to at least a little degree and when I ordered a goner ale I got a huge surprise. The soda treated like they'd just taken pure ginger and squeezed it until liquid came out! It fizzed and the bubbles went up my nose, burning my nasal cavity and sinuses as well as my mouth. THIS DRINK IS NOT FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN'T HANDLE SPICY! (My husband drank it just fine) ;P So anyway we ordered some appetizers and we each selected a cut off pork of their ENGLISH MENU (!!). several staff spoke some English, which was very helpful. I ordered a fillet (light flavor) and my husband ordered a serloin. The chicken and potato appetizer was quite good, though came with black pepper on it. It was also pretty small, and did not ruin our appetites as I'd worried it might. My broccoli salad was steamed broccoli, artfully arranged on the plate and the accompanying carrot dressing treated mildly of ginger. So, the tonkatsu. My husband put a little salt on his first bite and put it into his mouth, closing his eyes to enjoy the experience. Suddenly, his eyes went wide open like saucers. "Is it good?" I asked. He nodded enthusiastically. I put a little tonkatsu sauce on my pieces and they were very good too. His serloin was fatty and he said it tasted like butter. My filet was not fatty and was still pink in the center, which tends to worry me but this just tasted too good. Miso soup (with clams!) was provided, along with white rice, pickled vegetables, tiny soy/vinegar tomatoes, and shredded cabbage with ginger dressing. These things were unlimited, though we only asked for one extra rice because we had eaten quite a lot all ready. Overall I would happily recommend this restaurant. It is a bit of a walk from Roppongi station/Hills, but worth it for such an enjoyable experience. Cost for two people, one lower price entree and one mid-price, two drinks, two appetizers and one desert: 8,250¥.

This was probably the highlight of all my meals in Japan. Several people had recommended it to me, and it was well-warranted: I've been since recommending it to everyone else who is in Toyko or has a trip planned there. If you like good tonkatsu and want an experience and meal that you wouldn't be able to get in the States, definitely put this on your list of restaurants to go to. I don't eat a ton of tonkatsu in the States (there are not a ton of great options) but this is hands-down (and probably will always be) the best tonkatsu I've had in my life. This was also the last tonkatsu I had on my trip because I knew anything else would pale in comparison to this. This place is tucked away in Roppongi, across from an awesome bar (called These -- check it out if you have time after dinner), and you might almost miss this place walking by. It kinda just looks like someone's house - look for a cut-out moon on the front of the place. It's also best to make reservations ahead of time because we showed up for dinner around 7:30 pm and were basically turned away because they didn't have any tables. Luckily we lingered outside for a few minutes trying to figure out where to eat and they came back and told us they could seat us. They have an entire page, front & back, of different kinds of cuts of pork / different kind of regions the pork comes from. It almost made my head spin in circles trying to figure out what to order, but just pick a few different things and share. We got the smoked mozzarella to start out which was a bit on the oily/greasy side for my taste. It was good, but tasted like gouda cheese to me and was reminiscent of cheese curds from the Midwest. Good, but save your stomach for the pork. The broccoli salad was a nice complement to all the carbs / fatty foods I had been eating all week. The pork was so good - not too much breading so you could really taste the freshness and quality of the pork, and not overly greasy. It was just perfect. I wanted to keep eating and eating more. It wasn't the cheapest meal of the trip ($100 for 3 people, but well-worth it). I ate at Maisen earlier in the trip, and this place blew it out of the water. Definitely put this on your list of places to go to if you are in Toyko. I would come here every time I'm back in Tokyo. They also take credit cards, which is nice!

I have eaten tonkatsu in the US. But, I had never really had tonkatsu until I experienced it in Japan at a tonkatsu restaurant. Prior to traveling to Japan, I read several reviews raving about tonkatsu in Japan. I thought: okay, I have had tonkatsu. It is just breaded pork. Right? Until you have had tonkatsu at a Japanese restaurant in Japan that specializes in that dish, you have not experienced tonkatsu. And, yes, it is an experience because of how decadently rich and delicious it is. Butagumi serves primarily tonkatsu. I heard that it was very good here. So, I made a special trip here while staying in Tokyo. The menu lists several choices of pork from various regions in Japan and from other parts of the world. And, you can choose from levels of leanness to levels of marbled fattiness. I chose a cut from Japan that had some marbling of fat giving it a very rich flavor yet not overwhelmingly so. When I took my first bite, I was blown away by the unctuous, rich and delicious flavor of the very high quality pork. It literally took me away. The pork was coated with a perfect, crisp and crunchy deep fried breading giving the outside of the pork a nice and crisp texture. The tonkatsu was heavenly. Nothing that I have had in the US before or after comes even close. The pork was accompanied on the side by a thick, sweet and savory sauce that was delicious when added to the pork. The sauce was so good that I kept taking little tastes of it by itself. I need to note, however, that the pork could have stood on its own without the sauce. But, oh that sauce. Also, I was provided high quality salt and house made mustard. Moreover, what was amazing were the little pickled vegetables offered as a side. They perfectly counterbalanced the richness of the pork. And, on their own were absolutely amazing and delicious. Some of them even had a slight smokey flavor. They provide you as much of them as you want which made me happy. Moreover, they provide you a shredded cabbage salad accompanied by this incredibly delicious dressing of which I could not get enough. They also provide you with as much of the salad as you want. The tonkatsu at Butagumi was one that I will never forget. I will return when I return to Tokyo.

We got there early, 20mins before opening because we didn't have reservation and there was a line that formed right behind us. Glad we got there early. We didn't have any problems getting seated. This was the best Tonkatsu I've ever had! Lightly battered, meat was tender and juicy. The cherry tomatoes that came with the meat was also really good. Sweet burst of flavor when you bit into it. But it was on the pricey side. Four orders of tonkatsu, one salad, and four sakes our bill came out to $200ish. Overall it's was a pretty good experience... Good food and good service. I was happy.

Hard to find in a residential neighborhood. Look for the crescent moon cutout above the entrance door. We ordered the most expensive sirloin and tenderloin available for the day and both were superb. The sirloin was ridiculously juicy and fatty, and almost too oily to enjoy. On the other hand, I thought the tenderloin was lot more palatable for my tastes, though not nearly as rich and flavorful as the sirloin. The menchi katsu was outstanding, one of those that I'll remember for a long time. Sure, the tonkatsu was amazing, but I'm having a hard time justifying the cost (10,000 yen for two) especially since the restaurant ambiance was drag and uncomfortable IMO; it's like eating in lunch in a shabby bedroom of a rundown guest house. Service was meh. These guys weren't into refilling water or checking up on non-Japanese tourists.

Walk to the far end of Roppongi Hills, down a side street and inside an unsuspecting tall wooden looking house, and you'll find a modest Michelin Star rated Tonkatsu house. Skip Maisen and come here instead. You can't go wrong with anything you order here, but I do prefer the tenderloin because the sirloin is too fatty for my liking. Definitely make reservations because the place is always at max capacity. They do take big groups if you are able to make a reservation in advance.

Butagumi makes Tonkatsu exclusively and does not mess around. You begin by selecting the cut and source of pork you desire, similar to what you'd do at a fine steakhouse. We went with the recommended Matsuzaka pork, both sirloin and tenderloin. The sirloin is lighter colored, softer and more fatty; the tenderloin is darker, has more chew and full-bodied flavor. I preferred the silky, fatty luxury of the sirloin but the tenderloin is a nice contrast so given the option I'd go for half of each again. Each customer is asked to order at least one tonkatsu. Cabbage, rice and miso soup is unlimited, and they start the meal with a delightful amuse bouche. Do not miss the roasted tomato, it was one of the best parts of the meal. The cutlets are on the expensive side considering the portions, but the meat is very high quality and the breading flakey and light - delightful. Each order is probably about 8-10oz so you're hungry and sharing with another, you may consider splitting 3 orders.

For any pork lover out there, Butagumi is one of those places where you remember. It is that spot that you experience some of the best katsu that you ever have. Its food is straightforward and beautifully made, while its service is pretty respectable. Simply put, when you make the journey to Japan, you need to experience its food: its katsu. Do it at Butagumi and you won't be disappointed. The menu can seem overwhelming with its large selection of options. Simple: if you want fat, go for the loin, if you don't want any fat, then go for the the tenderloin. On the english menu, there are green dots that note what is available that day. The specials are certainly not something to overlook. While the cuts of pork are important, they execute on an almost perfect level to cook it beautifully to bring out the natural flavors. The panko breading is wonderfully cooked to a golden color and isn't heavy with oil while keeping the pork slightly pink and juicy. While I would normally advise skipping the appetizers, the smoked mozzarella cheese is not to be overlooked and is a good way to start your meal. Its nondescript building can only be noted by its crescent moon window that is above its entrance. Its feel is homey and comfortable. It isn't the most elegant establishment, but its comfortable and adds to the experience.

Each visit to Tokyo I must come here for the tonkatsu. Some of the best tonkatsu I have ever had. This restaurant can be a little hard to find, it's tucked away in an old-style wood building. As soon as you enter you can hear then see the chefs hard at work in cramped quarters. Each day offers pork from a different part of Japan (even Okinawa) and it is offered as filet, tenderloin, etc. The reason why the tonkatsu is so good here is because of the delicate way in which they fry the cutlets. They are just barely singed inside and remain juicy while the panko crust is crispy. It does change your ideas on frying and will make you think about the way American eateries fry things. Each dish comes with the requisite enormous bowls of cabbage and rice. I came here with my partner who is a vegetarian and promised to pay for her katsu curry dish where she would just eat the curry (this is how much I like this place!). I assumed, as most traditional Japanese restaurants are, that Butagumi is inflexible about dietary constraints but the waiters noticed that she left behind the delicious pork cutlet part of her dish and said that they are able to adapt for vegetarians. I didn't quite understand their solution but I will return soon enough and try to find out. I cannot recommend this place enough.

This place is a must try!!! You pick what region your pork comes from...I picked a sirloin from Okinawa and a tenderloin from Niigata, both were excellent! The Okinawa pork had more fat and the Niigata had less fat but both were tender!! I highly recommend this place if you are looking for tonkatsu!

OKAY. so let me say this, if you have ever had ton katsu with different type of cuts/fat level, this place will not impress you. definitely no need to get the most expensive pork. we ordered a sirloin and a tenderloin, deluxe cut and thick cut, both recommended by the staff and others who were eating there. at first i was like this is a total tourist trap!!! (although it was ALL foreigners eating there) BUT then i thought about it...it's just that i was expecting a lot more for the price we paid (8300 yen with 2 dinner entrees and 2 beers). i have had better ton katsu for half the price! i guess i can see why for some they will think this is the best pork cutlet they have ever had. so if this were half the price it would have definitely been more okay.

Hidden in the neighbourhood of Azabu, this place feels like you are walking into someones home for dinner. Love the ambiance. Came here for lunch at the tail end and it was a breeze to walk in. Service for some reason was not up to par like most Japanese places... we even had to ask for shibori! Long story short, we ordered a filet, the 3cm cut and the pork belly. In all honesty, the filet was tasty, however the sauce was subpar. Every other cut was extremely fatty to the point where all of us had stomach aches after lunch. With so many different and delicious options in Tokyo, I call Butagumi just another gaijin famed restaurant that tourists like to frequent. It was a miss for me.

Probably the best katsu I've had in my life. I ordered the tenderloin, and it was everything I wanted. Tender and juicy meat, crispy outside, not too oily. Nothing else needed to be said.

For tonkatsu (fried pork cutlets), we ate at Butagumi. I've heard it's David Chang's favorite restaurant. No surprise, it was delicious.

I wish i could give this place a negative rating. My friends and i walked out due to the staff talking behind are back in japanese commenting that we could not fit in there sets because 2 of us were big. I wish i could have eaten here but this type of behavior coming from restaurant staff is unheard of!!! My friend who speaks japanese that was with us told them off as we left i hope they dont treat other people like this.

Butagumi Nishi-Azabu serves very high quality Tonkatsu (deep fried pork cutlets) and I'd say they are No.1 in the Roppongi/Nishi-Azabu area, considering the quality of the meat and the pricing. Their pork is surprisingly juicy and tender and has a strong flavor that makes you realize how delicious Tonkatsu can be. The building is unique. It's got this very traditional taste (woody walls/furniture, paper doors/sliding doors, relatively low ceilings, etc.) and it's very clean and organized. You can use this in a date-like occasion as well and foreigners would very likely enjoy its atmosphere. And as mentioned above, their pork is superb (though it's obviously pricier than ordinary Tonkatsu out there). It's definitely worth a shot.

A bit hard to find but our Über driver ran around the block to locate it for us. Good selection of pork but some pieces might not be available when you arrive. Had the Sizuoka Kin-Ton-Ou Deluxe cut (260g extra thick and fatty) which was good but having had a super good fillet tonkatsu at Maizen a week earlier this was more chewy and (of course) very rich in fat. OK English speaking service but it can be a bit on the slow side. Also, don't miss the cocktail bar 'These' on the opposite side of the street for some nice Japanese style fruit cocktails after dinner.

Ok, as the previous reviewer said, this is not easy to find. It is basically in an old home in a residential neighborhood. That said, it is worth going finding. For me, it is hands down the best Tonkatsu place I have ever been to. I also had the deluxe cut and it was wonderfully fatty. I liked mine best with the salt. I didn't care at all for the mustard. While I typically like tonkatsu sauce, it was not needed for the deluxe cut and in fact, took away from the awesome flavor of the tonkatsu (added too much sweetness) I thought the service was very good. I will be back. I ate there on a Saturday and it was a good thing we had reservations. There was a line when we left the restaurant.

Best yakitori spot I tried in Tokyo. I still crave the salty pork belly skewers with a cold draft beer. I would HIGHLY recommend you visit there if you are in Tokyo.

Tonkasu was good but not the best for sure. Seems like one of tourist places. Service was quiet rude and hard to get a seat. The sirloins we tried had too much fat on it. Miso soup was just okay. I liked the cabbage salad but again, not the best. This place doesn't worth the price and wait. I would never go back. I used to live in tokyo before and what I realized is that many great local restaurants are not reviewed in yelp or tripadvisor and hidden in "kagurazaka". I would recommend go to any tonkasu place in kagurazaka. You will spend less and get better dishes.

Where do I even begin? And what can I even say? It was one of the best meals on this trip, and best in my life. Walking from the Roppongi station wasn't difficult, but you can always take a cab here. We spotted the crescent moon window and knew we had arrived. Moments later, we were seated at the table right in front of the window. Meant to be. Also I should mention I made a reservation for a Tuesday night, but it was very dead when we were there so not sure if it was needed. Onto the food. We tried two of the cutlets, a lighter one and a richer one. Both were freaking insane. No way to describe how good they were and how a pork cutlet could even BE this good. The crust is incredibly light and flaky I don't know how they do it. The pork melts in your mouth. Each bite was better than the next. Also loved everything that came with your dinner, all the little sauces and dips, salts, miso soup, ginger cabbage salad, sesame seeds, and especially loved our little tomato appetizer. Best tomatoes of our lives, no joke. See writing these Japan reviews are making me very depressed. There's just nothing like this in LA. Crying again.

Not easy to find. If you take a cab, most driver takes to the side of the building, by GPS. The sign is not easy to spot. Look for a half-moon light if you come at night. From Ginza to the restaurant was 12,000 Yen (about $100), not cheap. What I remembered and liked the most was the Okinawan Buta (琉香豚) cutlet (about $30)/ thick cut). It was juicier than other Tonkatsu. Try fist with nothing on. Then, add salt. and lastly strong flavored but not too sweet Tonkatsu sauce. The pickled cherry tomato (Umeboshi flavor) came out as an amuse-bouche at the beginning of the meal that was delicious. Introducing acidity before heavy-side dish was a clever and kind gesture. For me, their cutlets were heavier (oilier) than Maisen but I'd like to try Roppongi Hills location that is connected to Roppongi subway station. Maybe they execute better.

this was a restaurant my husband researched to go to! definitely come for tonkatsu! i had the katsu curry because i like curry and didn't care to eat katsu but after tasting my husband's dish-i should have ordered tonkatsu because they specialize in that. my dish was very good though-i enjoyed it. also enjoyed the kagua beer (rogue). very professional and nice staff that spoke english and they accept credit cards.

What a place! Never had pork like this in my life! It was delicious. The place is super simple and cozy and the food is outstanding. Super recomend!!! Unfortunately they were sold out of the mozzarella cheese but I will come back for that!

Great food and service. Recommend going to upper level for traditional Japanese seating.

This is a wonderful restaurant! It's tucked away on a funny local street intersection and the interior is a beautiful old wooden structure. Walking in past the kitchen, everyone calls out a greeting. You climb a narrow staircase, remove your shoes, and enter your classical Japanese booth. The menu consists of a choice of pork, breaded and deep fried. You choose the cut of pork, and the province of Japan from which it comes. The waiter was very helpful describing the degree of fat in the various cuts and regions. The accompanying dishes were all very good. We were the only non-Japanese diners the night we were there but it was clear the restaurant was filled with regular guests. A delicious meal in a stunning setting with excellent service--definitely a five star experience !

I think this place is decent. Like every tonkatsu place, the menu is overly complicated with full 2 pages listing out every cut/area of pork. I ended up getting the Meishanton, but maybe I should've gotten Rosu like I usually do because I don't think I enjoyed this cut that much. I really liked their fried panko outer layer, however. There was a crispy yummy flavor to it and I can't quite put my finger to it. The panko they used was just really yummy. I would say just go to Maisen because this place is actually even more expensive. Unless this place is convenient for you (which it was for me because I walked here from my hotel). And when in a tonkatsu place, get rosu.

Very good tonkatsu, but I prefer Maisen in Harajuku. It's a quaint restaurant in a back alley not far from Nishi-Azabu crossing

This tonkatsu is seriously bananas. Everyone else has detailed how to get here and blah blah blah, so go read their reviews. I will just leave you with a serious caveat edax, I have had tonkatsu many times and in many places at legit Japanese restaurants in the US and nothing compares, not even close. Your tonkatsu life will be forever ruined. Your pork life may also be ruined. It may sound hyperbolic, but I have never tasted such delicious pig in my life. I know I can't, but I seriously just want to eat here forever.

Great tonkatsu. Foreigner friendly. I mean honestly it's a great tonkatsu place in a city of great tonkatsu places but still worth it for the atmosphere. Go across the street to the library bar after to get a cocktail.

Incredible selection of pork from all over Japan. Perfectly fried, service courteous. Atmosphere is very traditional Japanese style.

decent tonkatsu place... not too oily and the pork is of good quality. the crust is very crispy and thin much better than maisen or saboten

Tonkatsu for the tonkatsu connoisseur. Dozens of cuts and varieties of pork on the menu, all cooked to perfection. Casual, small dining rooms with traditional Japanese ambience and service. We were lucky to get in without a reservation, but highly recommend making one before you go.