MELBOURNE | Katsu sandos experienced a wave of popularity in Melbourne a few years back, but katsu in its non-sando form never received the same love. Recently, a few places have popped up around town specialising in the Japanese comfort food, one of which is Katsuhon. Being a huge katsu fan myself, I wasn’t going to say no when I was invited to check it out by co-owner Charlie.
Charlie and the team opened Katsuhon a few months back, inspired by their travels to Japan, eating their way through the country’s best katsu spots. It’s a small spot, with counter seating and a few booths and table inside, and popular group dining, sheltered larger tables outside. There’s an emphasis on quality and the little details that you find in Japan. Ingredients are sourced locally where possible, and sauces and condiments are made from scratch on site.
Katsuhon’s signature item is tonkatsu, made using lean pork tenderloin (‘hire’). It’s a dense, tender cut, with melt in your mouth fat at the end. Crumbing is light, crispy, and golden. It leans more towards a neutral rather than buttery flavour. Beyond pork, there’s also the option of things like ebi (prawn), tori (chicken), and unagi (freshwater eel).
The best way to enjoy your katsu at Katsuhon is as part of a set. You get your katsu of choice, served atop a mesh rack to keep it crispy. It’s served with yuzu dressed cabbage salad, wasabi, Dijon mustard, miso soup, rice, tonkatsu sauce, sesame seeds (which you can grind yourself), tonkatsu sauce, truffle salt, and a small side. For me, a bit of mustard and tonkatsu sauce is the perfect way to enjoy each bite.
Beyond the sets, there’s also things like cheese katsu nabe udon, carbonara udon, a vegan basil soba, and snacks like karaage, and takoyaki. To drink, its Orion beer on tap, a small selection of sake, alcoholic or non-alcoholic highballs, and tea.
Katsuhon
3/200 Queen Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: 0455 224 812
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Mon – Sat: 12:00am to 3:00pm, 5:00pm to 10:00pm