Ingredients

  • Spicy Dipping Sauce
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon mirin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh gingerroot
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Tonkatsu
  • 1 lb pork tenderloin or 1 lb pork loin, sliced 1/2 inch thick
  • salt, pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg, slightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, more if needed
  • 6 cups peanut oil
  • 1/2 medium cabbage, thinly shredded (green, red, or a mixture)
  • tomatoes, wedges (to garnish)

Method

  • Combine ingredients for Spicy Dipping Sauce and set aside, covered, for 30 minutes for flavors to develop.
  • Lightly pound the pork slices until slightly flattened. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Coat lightly with flour.
  • Combine the egg and milk in a shallow pan. Place panko in a shallow pan. Dip pork slices in egg mixture, then coat both sides of pork slices with panko and set aside on a platter.
  • In a wok or shallow heavy saucepan, heat the oil to 360 degrees, or until a 1-inch cube of bread turn golden brown in 60 seconds. Fry, 2 or 3 slices at a time, 6 to 8 minutes or until golden brown and done inside. Turn once or twice for even browning. Drain cooked cutlets on paqper towels and keep warm in a 150 degree oven.
  • Place a pile of shredded raw cabbage on each serving plate. Slice cooked pork piece into 1/2-inch strips, keeping pieces in original shape. Place a sliced cutlet on top of each portion of shredded cabbage, arranging pork in its original shape, as if it had not been sliced. Serve with Spicy Dipping Sauce.