Tokyo's Famous Tonkatsu HAJIME Opens First Thailand Branch

Tonkatsu HAJIME, a premium pork cutlet specialist from Tokyo's Nihonbashi district, has become a viral sensation with queues stretching over three hours and top-tier reviews from Japanese diners. The restaurant has now opened its first Thai location on the 7th floor Atrium zone at Central World, bringing the authentic experience to local fans without the need for a Tokyo trip.

The tonkatsu here delivers exceptional quality: despite the thick pork cuts, the frying technique is masterful, maintaining a crispy, light breadcrumb coating while keeping the meat inside tender and juicy. The secret lies in low-temperature deep frying over an extended period, allowing heat to gradually penetrate the meat evenly, drawing out its natural sweetness while creating a light, oil-free crispness on the outside.

The restaurant positions its pork cutlet as a true craft, not merely a dish but a science honed by expert chefs—master-level tonkatsu craftsmanship. The Bangkok location mirrors its Tokyo counterpart perfectly in preparation, flavor, decor, and unlimited side dishes including Japanese rice and shredded cabbage. The menu is refreshingly simple, requiring no expertise to order: classic tonkatsu served on a flat plate, or yakikutsu don, a rice bowl topped with egg and tonkatsu drizzled with special sauce in an elegant presentation.

Customers select their preferred cut—outer loin, inner loin, or seafood—with rare premium options in limited quantities, including Chateaubriand, the tender, exquisite inner loin section, and pork ribeye with rich fat marbling and intense flavor, rarely offered by other tonkatsu restaurants. The seafood standout features jumbo shrimp, with each piece packed with three large prawns.

Dipping sauces extend beyond standard tonkatsu sauce to include three salt varieties—sea salt, wasabi, and Japanese plum—plus salad dressing for the shredded cabbage. Prices range from 350 to 850 baht, excluding VAT and service charge. This is an essential addition to any serious food lover's list alongside other celebrated restaurants like Madame Cuisine.