01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Just off Nakasugi-dori in Nakamurakita, Nerima, the casual eatery Tonbei draws regulars for piping-hot fried set meals made to order directly before your eyes. The stars of the tray are three pale-crusted cutlets: horse mackerel, prawn, and menchi-katsu minced meat patty. The horse mackerel stays tender and fluffy beneath its light crumb, its natural savor brought out by a touch of salt, while the plump prawn pairs naturally with tartar sauce. The signature menchi-katsu arrives rich with sweet meat juices; trying the first bite plain before moving on to chuno sauce is the recommended route.
Each fried set is accompanied by tonkotsu-jiru, a pork bone soup packed with tender ingredients and deep savory stock that turns the meal into a thoroughly filling feast. Paired with freshly cooked rice, shredded cabbage, and pickles, it keeps chopsticks moving steadily between crisp bites of fry.
Beyond the staple fried cutlet sets, the varied bill of fare includes spicy rich tongue-root curry—stewed patiently over 3 days from whole blocks of beef tongue base—as well as chilled Korean-style naengmyeon noodles and chicken skin rice bowls coated in fragrant sauce. With counter seating well-suited for solo diners, you can sip a bottled beer or highball while watching your cutlets fry, enjoying an unhurried meal whether at lunch or dinner.
