Japan
Tonkatsu
Pork cutlets in a crisp panko crust, with raw cabbage and a dark, tangy sauce
45 min·4 servings
Tonkatsu sauce
Thick, dark brown Japanese condiment made from fruit, vegetables, vinegar and spices – sweetish, fruity, mildly tangy.
Tonkatsu sauce is a Japanese table sauce that builds on the idea of Worcestershire sauce but is made much thicker and sweeter with cooked-down fruit and vegetables such as apples, tomatoes and onions. It tastes fruity and sweet with a savoury, slightly tangy edge, and its thick body clings to fried food instead of soaking the crust. It is the classic partner for breaded pork cutlets, croquettes and other deep-fried dishes, and is also served with shredded cabbage or rice. It is available in Asian grocery stores and by mail order, and sometimes in the Asian aisle of larger supermarkets.
Substitute:
Ketchup and Worcestershire sauce in roughly equal parts, stirred with a little sugar and a dash of soy sauce, comes reasonably close. The mix is somewhat thinner and more tomato-forward, and it lacks the fruity depth of the cooked-down apples and vegetables.
Used in · 1 recipe