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    Home » Recipes » Main Course Recipes

    Pork Tonkatsu Sandwiches

    May 12, 2016 | by Jennifer | Last Updated: Jul 19, 2021

    Jump to Recipe

    Ideal for a picnic, BBQ or just a delicious lunch or dinner, these Pork Tonkatsu Sandwiches (Katsu Sando) are comfort food at it's Japanese best!

    pork tonkatsu sandwiches in loaf pan

    I guess it should come as no surprise that my love of comfort food knows no borders. These delicious Pork Tonkatsu Sandwiches are Japan's comfort food gift to the world, that I am only too happy to adopt. Featuring a crispy fried pork cutlet, a spicy tonkatsu sauce (a great Worcestershire/ketchup combination) and shredded cabbage, all between soft, white, crustless bread.

    I think these sandwiches would be great for summer picnics and BBQs, or of course, just for a delicious treat anytime! I also love that I don't need to bust out the deep-fryer to make these. They cook up quickly in a deep skillet in an inch or so of hot oil. These are great both with warm pork or cold, from the fridge.

    Cook's Notes

    I don't like my pork to be too thin. Look for the thinner pork loin pieces often labeled "fast fry", but not the scallopine-thin ones.

    If you are not a pork lover, you can also make these with thin pieces of chicken.

    I can't find any pre-made tonkatsu sauce in my area, so I make my own. It's a pretty good version and a great alternative if you can't find it either. If you live in a larger centre though, look for Bulldog tonkatsu sauce for a great bottled one!

    These sandwiches are great warm or cool. To make ahead, I like to fry the pork ahead and make the sauce, then refrigerate. Assemble the sandwiches just before eating.

    pork tonkatsu sandwiches in loaf pan

    pork tonkatsu sandwiches in loaf pan

    Pork Tonkatsu Sandwiches

    Delicious pork katsu sandwiches, served with tonkatsu sauce and shredded cabbage. Great for picnics, BBQs or just a delicious meal any time!
    Author: Jennifer
    5 stars from 1 rating
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    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Lunch, Main Course
    Servings 6 servings

    Ingredients
     

    For the pork:

    • 6 thin boneless pork loin chops, (1/4-1/2-inch thick), trimmed of visible fat
    • 2 tsp. soy sauce
    • 1 clove garlic, minced
    • 1/2 tsp. salt, divided
    • 1/4 tsp. pepper, divided
    • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 3/4 cups panko bread crumbs

    For Frying:

    • Vegetable oil for frying

    For the tonkatsu sauce:

    • 1/2 cup ketchup
    • 3 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
    • 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
    • 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
    • 2 Tbsp. mirin, or substitute 1 Tbsp. boiling water with 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
    • 2 tsp. minced garlic
    • 3/4 tsp. grated gingerroot
    • 1/4 tsp. dry mustard

    For sandwiches:

    • 12 slices soft white bread, like Wonder™ bread
    • Shredded green or red cabbage
    Prevent screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • To make the tonkatsu sauce: In a small saucepan, bring the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, soy sauce, mirin, garlic, ginger and mustard to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until reduced to about 3/4 cup, about 10 minutes. Let the sauce cool, but keep warm if you will be serving immediately. (Sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 1 week).
    • Meanwhile, prepare 4 shallow bowls or deep plates. In one bowl, combine the soy sauce, garlic and half of the salt and pepper.
    • In another bowl, whisk together the flour and remaining salt and pepper. In another bowl, whisk eggs with 2 Tbsp. water. In the last bowl, add the panko crumbs.
    • Pat pork dry, then pass through the soy sauce and garlic, allowing excess to drip off. Next, press pork into the flour mixture to coat. Shake off excess. Dip into egg mixture, letting excess drip off. Finally, press into panko crumbs, patting to coat evenly. Place on a cooling rack and continue until all the pork pieces are breaded.
    • In a deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat about 1 inch of oil over medium-high heat. Cook the pork, two or three pieces at a time (don't over-crowd), turning once, until deep golden on both sides.Remove to a cooling rack to drain. If making ahead, allow to cool slightly, then place on a plate, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
    • To serve: Butter bread slices lightly. Place on fried pork piece in the middle of the bread. Spoon some tonkatsu sauce over-top. Sprinkle with shredded cabbage. Place second piece of bread on top. Trim the bread of crusts, then cut the remaining sandwich in half and serve, cut-side up.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 490kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 1278mg | Potassium: 774mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 180IU | Vitamin C: 1.9mg | Calcium: 188mg | Iron: 4.7mg

    Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.

    Course Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine Japanese
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    Meet the Author:
    Hi! I'm Jennifer, a home-cook of many years and a lifelong seeker of delicious food! I'm an equal opportunity eater. I enjoy eating all the foods!

    I love to share the classic recipes that I have enjoyed for years, as well as newer discoveries, that have become fast favourites.
    More about me here ...


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners says

      May 13, 2016 at 6:05 pm

      I've never heard of these before, Jennifer, but I definitely would love to try them. Love the ingredients and this would be a whole new taste adventure for me. Thanks for the education and the eye candy. Will definitely make these.

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        May 13, 2016 at 7:44 pm

        Thanks Robyn. They are a great taste experience :)

        Reply
    2. Sara says

      May 13, 2016 at 10:32 am

      What an awesome looking sandwich! My husband actually picked up a bottle of tonkatsu sauce the other day, there's a Japanese import market near his office and he was intrigued by the sauce. I'll definitely have to make these for him, he'll be so happy!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        May 13, 2016 at 10:44 am

        Thanks Sara and you're all ready to enjoy these! You can also just do the pork part, slice it into strips and serve warm over rice with the tonkatsu sauce for more of a dinner dish.

        Reply
    3. Alida @ Simply Delicious says

      May 13, 2016 at 3:01 am

      These sandwiches look great! Awesome way to use up left-over pork chops!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        May 13, 2016 at 6:28 am

        Thanks Alida and yes, would be a great use for them!

        Reply
    4. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      May 12, 2016 at 10:32 pm

      Wow, I've never heard of these before Jennifer, but they certainly look and sound delicious! Love the sauce!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        May 13, 2016 at 6:27 am

        Thanks Mary Ann. I suspect your son might enjoy these!

        Reply
    5. Chris Scheuer says

      May 12, 2016 at 2:42 pm

      5 stars
      I've never heard of these before but they sound wonderful. I love all the super flavorful sandwiches that are enjoyed all over the world. It seems like each country has their own specialty sandwich and the Japanese version looks delicious.

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        May 12, 2016 at 8:46 pm

        Thanks Chris and these are truly delicious!

        Reply
    6. Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says

      May 12, 2016 at 11:14 am

      This is all new to me but I'm ready to give it a try. Love the sauce it sounds wonderful! Crispy, soft, crunchy and smooth - oh yes!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        May 12, 2016 at 11:20 am

        You must try these, Tricia. I have been a fan of Katsu for many years, as it's my favourite bento box lunch at our local Japanese restaurant. Katsu on sandwiches though is relatively new for me, but once I tried it, I was completely sold. I could eat these every day (I won't, but I really want to ;)

        Reply
    7. Yuri says

      May 12, 2016 at 10:35 am

      Hi
      I always check your recipe. Every time it is so amazingly gorgeous recipe you show us.
      I am a Japanese, and My mom and me are quite often making this ,too.
      My mom version is put some Mayonnaise and Mustard (KARASHI,Japanese Mustard) into Store bought Tonkatsu sauce.
      And also Japanese restaurant version is instead of spoon some sauce on the sandwich bread , Put Tonkatsu dipping into Tonkatsu sauce first then make sandwiches .
      We are making own sandwiches bread. That is best !

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        May 12, 2016 at 11:05 am

        Hi Yuri! Thanks so much for commenting on this. I love to hear more about this great sandwich. So I should try dipping the whole piece of pork in the tonkatsu sauce? And I love the addition of mayo and mustard. Unfortunately, Japanese ingredients are really hard for me to find here, but if I ever can get my hands on some, I will try. And yes ... homemade bread is always best :) I read a lot about using super-soft bread and so thought I'd try with pre-made for this, since I have yet to find a really great, super-soft white bread recipe.

        Reply
        • Yuri says

          May 12, 2016 at 12:33 pm

          Thank YOU , too !!
          Yes, just like you said, " dipping the whole piece of pork in the tonkatsu sauce"
          That's more flavor to it.

          You could find out super soft Japanese style bread in Youtube.
          There is a lot.( some of in Japanese though. (^^ゞ

          Reply
          • Jennifer says

            May 12, 2016 at 8:46 pm

            I will check out Youtube for the Japanese bread. Thanks! :)

            Reply
    8. sue|theviewfromgreatisland says

      May 12, 2016 at 10:32 am

      What a beautiful sandwich --- I've never had anything like it! Pinning and sharing <3

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        May 12, 2016 at 11:02 am

        Thanks Sue and you really must try these. Delicious!!

        Reply

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