Japanese Style Crispy Pork Recipes

TONKATSU (JAPANESE FRIED PORK CUTLET)

Steps:

• If there is connecting tissue separating red meat and a band of fat, cut the tissue every 2-3cm (1"). This will prevent the meat from curling when cooked. Lightly pound the pork to tenderise.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides of meat.
• Coat the meat with flour, egg, then breadcrumbs.
• Heat oil to 170C (338F) (note 2) and fry the meat for 2 minutes. Turnover and fry further 1.5 - 2 minutes (note 3) until it becomes golden brown.
• Turn over again and fry for about 1 minute until deep golden brown, then put aside on kitchen paper.
• Cut each tonkatsu into 2cm (¾") wide strips.
• If you are making tonkatsu for katsu-don, go to Katsu-don instructions.
• Serve with shredded cabbage and Bulldog tonkatsu sauce.

TONKATSU (JAPANESE PORK CUTLET)

Steps:

• Gather all the ingredients. For Tonkatsu, I highly recommend getting fresh panko (we call it nama panko) from a Japanese grocery store. If you can't get it, follow my instructions to make fresh panko. Make sure to use a Japanese brand of panko from Japan. Western "panko breadcrumbs" are a bit different from authentic Japanese panko.

JAPANESE-STYLE CRISPY PORK

Steps:

• Season the pork with salt. Mix the rice wine and 1 teaspoon ginger and spread on the pork. Stack the pork and set aside.
• Peel, quarter and seed the cucumbers; cut into 4-inch spears. Toss with the sugar and vinegar. Toast the pepper flakes with 1 tablespoon salt in a skillet over medium heat, about 4 minutes; set aside.
• Beat the eggs with 1/2 cup water in a shallow bowl. Put the panko and cornstarch in 2 separate shallow bowls. Dredge each piece of pork in cornstarch, dip in egg, then coat with panko. Heat 1/4 inch of peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the pork in batches until golden, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Sprinkle the cucumbers with some of the spiced salt. Mix the tonkatsu sauce and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon ginger in a bowl. Serve the pork with the cucumbers and sauce.

TONKATSU (JAPANESE-STYLE CRISPY FRIED PORK CUTLETS)

Steps:

• Place pork chops on a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Whisk egg and soy sauce together in a small bowl.
• Place flour on a small plate and panko in another. Dredge a pork chop in the flour, pressing it in using your fingertips to cover all crevices along the surface. Turn to evenly coat all sides.
• Dip the pork into the egg mixture, coating completely. Transfer immediately to the bowl of panko, pressing in to evenly coat. Repeat process with the second pork chop.
• Heat oil in a wide pan or wok on medium-high heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lower a pork chop into the oil. Fry until bottom side is golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn; cook until other side turns golden and pork is slightly pink in the center, 2 to 3 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Pick up the cutlet and hold it on its side for a few seconds to let the oil drip off. Drain on a paper towel. Repeat with the second pork chop.

JAPANESE-STYLE CRISPY FRIED PORK BOWL (TONKATSU DONBURI)

Steps:

• Mix dashi, sugar, mirin, soy sauce, and salt together in a small bowl.
• Heat vegetable oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in dashi mixture. Lay pork slices carefully on top of the onions. Drizzle eggs around the slices. Cover skillet and cook until eggs are set, about 2 minutes.
• Divide rice between 2 bowls. Top each with half the onions, eggs, and pork slices.

JAPANESE-STYLE CRISPY PORK

Steps:

• Season the pork with salt. Mix the rice wine and 1 teaspoon ginger and spread on the pork. Stack the pork and set aside.
• Peel, quarter and seed the cucumbers; cut into 4-inch spears. Toss with the sugar and vinegar. Toast the pepper flakes with 1 tablespoon salt in a skillet over medium heat, about 4 minutes; set aside.
• Beat the eggs with 1/2 cup water in a shallow bowl. Put the panko and cornstarch in 2 separate shallow bowls. Dredge each piece of pork in cornstarch, dip in egg, then coat with the panko. Heat 1/4 inch of peanut oil in a large skillet over high heat. Fry the pork in batches until golden, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Sprinkle the cucumbers with some of the spiced salt. Mix the tonkatsu sauce and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon ginger in a bowl. Serve the pork with the cucumbers and sauce.