Kurashiki Gourmet｜Kappa Fried Tonkatsu Rice
Kurashiki Food｜Kappa Fried Tonkatsu Rice: You really can't eat it if you don't queue up in advance!
This time I came to Kurashiki, I put "Kappa Fried Tonkatsu Rice" (名代とんかつ かっぱ) on the food list. You really have to come super early to reserve a seat, otherwise you can't eat it!
I arrived at the store entrance around 10 o'clock that day. There were already several groups of people registering on the spot. First go to the site to register your name + number of people, then you can wander around and come back to wait for your number to be called. The store opens at 11:20, and we waited until 12:30 to eat. We waited for 2 and a half hours just for this bite of fried tonkatsu.
After entering the store, the atmosphere is very warm. It is a small store with the style of an old store. Although the clerk is busy, his attitude is very friendly, and there is a Chinese menu that makes people feel at ease. Here comes the highlight-thick-cut fried tonkatsu!
I ordered the tenderloin pork chop set. When it was served, the visual was very shocking. The thickness of the pork chop should be 2 cm, with a golden and crispy skin and tender meat. You can hear the "crack" sound when you cut it with a knife. It is not dry at all, and the taste is just the right tenderness with the aroma of gravy. Paired with their special Japanese sauce, it is slightly sweet and salty, with a rich taste but not overpowering. I can't stop eating white rice one bite after another.
Speaking of white rice, I really have to give special praise. The portion is a large bowl, but the rice is cooked very well, with distinct grains and a dry taste, not wet and sticky. It is a perfect match with deep-fried pork chops.
This time I also tried their hot sake. The special thing is that it uses a traditional sake pot to heat it in water, which feels like drinking an old-fashioned ritual. This sake has a bit of spicy taste, smooth at the beginning but obvious aftertaste, and it goes well with fried food, which can relieve greasiness and add flavor.
Overall, Kappa Fried Pork Cutlet Rice is not just a gimmick of a famous restaurant with long queues, it is a local taste that is really worth a try. The price to eat it is: get up early + wait patiently. If you want to grab the first round, it is recommended to register before 10 o'clock to have a chance to eat before noon.
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