Though I haven’t traveled extensively, with each journey, it seems like I’m gaining more know-how. For this Tokyo trip, to ensure a successful dining experience, I decided to utilize the Michelin Guide by marking interesting places on the map before the trip. The strategy was to visit restaurants near those marked spots. Starting from this Tokyo trip, I planned my travels by maximizing the use of the Michelin Guide map, allowing me to discover hidden gems.
“Tonkatsu Specialty Restaurant in Tokyo Ueno: Tompachitei”
Near my accommodation on this trip and without disrupting my travel plans, I found a restaurant named “Tompachitei” in Ueno. It’s listed in the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand, signifying a restaurant offering good value for money without breaking the bank.
“A Restaurant Open for Only 3 Hours a Day”
Tompachitei is a small restaurant tucked away in an alley. Employing a strategy seen in some assertive establishments, it operates for only three hours a day. Despite having a limited opening time from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, catering mainly to the lunch crowd, it’s always crowded. Even if you manage to visit within the operating hours, you might miss out if they run out of prepared ingredients.
If you plan to visit, the safest strategy is to arrive as soon as the doors open to secure a meal.
“Three Menu Options at Tompachitei”
Tompachitei offers three menu items: Hirekatsu (fillet cutlet), Rosukatsu (loin cutlet), and Hitokuchi (bite-sized cutlet). Additionally, there’s a smaller menu featuring Katsuraisu, which is half the portion of Rosukatsu with a corresponding price reduction.
I opted for Rosukatsu, which is considered the most straightforward menu. Priced at 1,800 yen per person, approximately 18,000 won, it falls within a reasonable range.
“Distinctive Tonkatsu with Thick Meat and Thin Breading”
Typically, I’m not a big fan of tonkatsu, but the tonkatsu I tried here, being a Michelin Guide-listed restaurant, did have a noticeable difference in taste. Particularly, unlike the thin meat and thick breading commonly found in Korea, the meat here was thick, and the breading was thin. This unique characteristic made the meat juicy and flavorful.
On one side of the table, various sauces are available, and you can choose any sauce to suit your taste. However, before diving in, the chef recommends different sauces, such as vegetable sauce and meat sauce, providing brief explanations.
“A Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand-Designated Restaurant”
Tompachitei is a restaurant selected by the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand, starting from 2016. It operates assertively and has a relatively modest scale, making it challenging to secure a meal.
Discovering this place through the Michelin Guide, while slightly more expensive than other restaurants, the distinct taste made it a satisfying experience. Personally, it was the most delicious restaurant I encountered on this trip.
However, keep in mind that they don’t provide menus in Korean. Nevertheless, English menus are available, making it possible to place orders. Moreover, this place is somewhat of a hidden gem for Koreans, as it doesn’t show many traces of Korean visitors.
“Japan Tokyo, Ueno Tonkatsu Tompachitei”
- Address: 4 Chome-3-4 Ueno, Taitō-ku, Tokyo 110-0005, Japan
- Phone Number: +81 3-3831-4209
- Operating Hours: 11:30 – 14:30
- Closed on Mondays