How to make a tonkatsu even better? Make it spicy! These pork cutlets are both fiery and fabulous.
Spicy Pork Tonkatsu
4 x 150g/5.3 oz boneless pork shoulder fillets
1 cup plain flour
2 eggs, lightly whisked
2½ cups panko breadcrumbs
vegetable oil for frying
finely shredded cabbage, to serve
chilli flakes, to serve (optional)
salt
Marinade:
¼ cup gochujang
1 tsp chilli flakes (or to taste)
1 tsp chilli powder (or to taste)
2 tsp sweet paprika
Spicy BBQ sauce:
1/3 cup barbecue sauce
1 tsp chilli powder
- Cover the pork pieces with baking paper and use a mallet (or wine bottle) to gently pound each piece to about 1½ cm (about ½ inch) thick. Season the pork generously on both sides with salt.
- Combine the ingredients for the marinade. Add the pork and mix until well coated.
- Place the flour, egg and breadcrumbs in three separate large bowls or trays. Dip each piece of pork into the flour, then egg and then the breadcrumbs. Press the breadcrumbs into the pork to evenly cover each piece.
- Preheat oven to 200°C/390°F.
- Pour about a 1cm (1/2 inch) depth of oil into a large non-stick frying pan. Place the pan over medium-high heat. Cook the crumbed pork for 4 minutes each side or until golden and cooked through. Drain on a wire rack set over a baking tray. Place in the oven to continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes.
- In the meantime, mix the ingredients for the spicy BBQ sauce.
- To serve, slice the crumbed pork cutlets and serve with the sauce, cabbage and a sprinkling of chilli flakes (if using).
What part of pork is pork tonkatsu?
Tonkatsu, aka Japanese pork cutlet, is made using super tender pork loin or fillet. Pork tonkatsu is a Japanese dish , consisting of deep-fried, breaded pork loin that is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. It’s often served on rice and always with a heaped mound of slaw. Pork tonkatsu is super simple to recreate at home and is a great family-friendly dinner option.
What is the difference between tonkatsu and tonkotsu?
Tonkatsu and tonkotsu… even though they sound almost exactly the same, I can promise you they are NOT! If you order tonkatsu, you’ll be getting the crispy, crunchy pork loin you would be expecting, but if you order tonkotsu you’ll be chowing down on a bowl of pork bone ramen broth.
Long story short: TonKATSU = fried and breaded pork loin and tonKOTSU = pork bone broth.
What is tonkatsu sauce?
Tonkatsu sauce is arguably one of the most important aspects of pork tonkatsu – it’s savoury, slightly sweet and almost like a Japanese Worcestershire sauce. In terms of consistency, tonkatsu sauce is thick. This condiment is also suitable for vegetarians and it’s occasionally called ‘vegetable and fruit’ sauce if you’re scanning the aisles at your local Asian grocer.
Tonkatsu sauce is made mostly with tomatoes, prunes, dates, apples, lemon, carrots, onions and celery.
