Tonkatsuya is a hole-in-the-wall Tonkatsu place owned by Japanese Chef Hosoya. A Tonkatsu chef for 30 years in Japan, he settled here in Manila with his Filipina wife Bella. (See picture of the chef here: Heart 2 Heart | Tonkatsuya)
Many Japanese foodies recommend Tonkatsuya, hailing it as the most authentic Tonkatsu place in Manila. (Most of them don’t like the commercialized Tonkatsu restos around.) We celebrated Raphael’s 2nd birthday here with the family.
This post kicks off my Battle of the Best Tonkatsu in Manila series. 🙂
Battle for the BEST Tonkatsu in Manila:
- GINZA BAIRIN Philippines: Authentic Tokyo Katsu Since 1927 now in Manila!
- SABOTEN Philippines: The Original Tonkatsu Flavor Now in Manila!
- YABU: The House of Katsu Hype?
- TONKATSUYA by 30-year Japanese Tonkatsu Chef Hosoya
Tonkatsuya is operated like a mom-and-pop store. When we visited, the owner’s family and friends were playing cards and having fun.
Since the resto is located in the basement of the Palm Tower, finding it felt like a mini-adventure with a bit of a suspense-thriller feel (thanks to the not-so-well-lit neighborhood).
The menu is simple and the prices are wallet-friendly; you can budget P300/person.
Tonkatsu Set (P190). With Japanese Rice, Miso Soup, and Japanese Pickles.
The pork cutlet had thick slices, with more meat and less crumbs. It was cooked on the spot and came with generous servings of vegetables. The meat was a bit tough though.
We loved the taste of the authentic tonkatsu sauce. Just take note that it has a strong flavor that takes some getting used to.
We celebrated the 2nd birthday of our bunso Raphael last February. The toddler age is my personal favorite, when our little boy is most playful, cute and can do no wrong. 🙂
Cheese Herikatsu Set (P245). With Japanese Rice, Miso Soup, and Japanese Pickles.
Herikatsu is the pork tenderloin version, and you can order it with sweet miso sauce or with cheese. I liked the Herikatsu better because it had the same thick slices but with softer meat.
The boys loved it, especially the cheese.
Yasai Vegetables (P150).
We ordered an additional vegetable dish, which was served with the Japanese sesame sauce.
Kani Crab Salad (P180).
For an additional P30, you can have Kani (crab meat) placed on top.
Mixed Fry Tonkatsu (P220).
We also liked the mixed seafood. Although it is relatively healthier, it is still fried…
Katsu Curry Rice (P220).
If you like the sauce-laden type, order the curry variant.
Essentially, all the katsu are cooked the same way, so you just have to choose the type of meat and the sauce that you want to put on top of your order.
Overall, I like the taste and thick portions of Tonkatsuya’s tonkatsu, the sesame sauces, and its Japanese hole-in-the-wall feel. I just think that the Tonkatsu meat was a bit tough–go for the Herikatsu version instead.
TONKATSUYA
LGF Palm Tower C, St. Paul Road, San Antonio Village, Makati City
Telephone: +632 895-1990
Mobile Number: +63 915-921-6754
Facebook: Tonkatsuya
Related Blog Post: Heart 2 Heart | Tonkatsuya
Battle for the BEST Tonkatsu in Manila:
- KATSU SORA’s Premium Iberico Tonkatsu & RAMEN SANTOUKA’s Shin-Aji Motsu Ramen!
- GINZA BAIRIN Philippines: Authentic Tokyo Katsu Since 1927 now in Manila!
- YABU: The House of Katsu Hype?
- SABOTEN Philippines: The Original Tonkatsu Flavor Now in Manila!
- KIMUKATSU: 25-layered Mille-feuille-style Tonkatsu 🙂
- TAMPOPO たんぽぽ Philippines: Deluxe Black Pig Shabu Ramen and Top Grade Black Pig Tonkatsu! @tampopo_ph
- TONKATSUYA by 30-year Japanese Tonkatsu Chef Hosoya
- TONKATSU by TERAZAWA by The Bistro Group @Tonkatsuph
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Full Disclosure: Nothing to disclose. We paid for our meals. We are not connected with the establishment or any organization marketing the restaurant.
P.S. Driving Directions: If you are coming from Pasong Tamo (Chino Roces), turn left at Estrella, and turn left again on St. Paul Road.
You can’t miss the towering Palm Tower building on your right.
yey this is just near my house :> thanks for the info!
where can you park?
In the Palm Tower outside parking lots or along the street.
take it for what it is, but I and a lot of like-minded people find kids running/playing/having their way in a restaurant very unsettling.
don’t get me wrong, I like kids, and I’m sure your kids are intelligent and well-taught seeing that their parents are well educated and well mannered. but sometimes there are people who dine out to have fun, relax and have a good time. and noisy kids who make places that are not playgrounds their playgrounds are really annoying. I’ve been in places where you and your family are dining, and yeah if no one has told you yet, your kids can be a handful, much to the chagrin of the rest of the patrons of the restaurant.
maybe its because people here do not complain and just shrug their shoulders, but the fact still remains: people are bothered. that last picture in your post is the perfect example of what I’m trying to say: kids blocking the entrance, your son inside obviously getting riled up or upset or whatever, and I count three diners looking at them, obviously their attention is at them.
I’m not telling you how to raise your kids, but maybe you should also consider how they can affect other people who also have the right to enjoy and have fun in their own way in these dining establishments.
Hi Ed,
Thanks for the valid feedback. We are still learning as we raise 3 boys who are in their naughtiest period of their childhood. Point taken and we will do our best to make our kids behave when we dine out.
Anton
Hi Ed,
I love you for commenting about rowdy children. When we dine out and see kids, we easily get turned off.. Either we ask to be seated far away from them or just look for a different place to eat. Most parents in the Phil. Think they’re kids can get away with being brats and just look away. I hate that! If they were in another country, damn sila pa ang palipatin.
wow love to visit there
Anton,
Great review, as always! I wish I can go to all the places you review here on your blog!
In regards to the uptight and haughty diner(s) and their “insightful” opinion/observation in previous posts, chill out and give weary, worn-out parents a break!! What do you expect parents of young children to do? Be hermits and refuse to eat out until their child/ren are grown? Should we ban all children from restaurants? The dining industry would fail. Besides, it’s not like Anton and the adults in their party allowed them to ransack the places they dine in. This is typical behavior of children, and as long as they are NOT yelling at other patrons, breaking dishes, or blatantly disrespectful to others, etc., I have no problem with younger diners. They were done with their meal, the children occupied their time by standing outside…ummm, I’m pretty sure WE all did that when we were younger also.
As a mother to two children under 4, of course there have been times that we have left restaurants because my children were not ready to be there and I know what is socially acceptable and what isn’t. Of course it is embarrassing and I try my best to soothe my children, but I am not going to be bullied by uber-sensitive patrons from enjoying a meal with my family. Give me a break! Besides, looks like you are being proactive and moving away from diners with young children…either: a.) you don’t have young children b.) you dine in hotel restaurants often c.) you end up leaving a lot of restaurants after looking in through windows and see children inside…you must be quite hungry and finally, d.) you refuse to enter Jollibees and McDonalds 🙂
Anton, you’re gracious. I do believe that your children will grow up enjoying the diversity of food. What great memories you’ll have with your boys! Love your blog!
I will try out this place soon. I’ve known about this place for a long time, but I just didn’t have the time so far.
Regarding the children. I totally agree with Joelle. We are 3 brothers and I can clearly remember me and my brothers playing once we are done. Our parents allowed us to do so as long as we do not bother other diners. That responsibility given us at an early age made us realize that we can do our stuff as long as we keep to ourselves and it has carried on to our adulthood and we teach the same to our kids.
Anton, let your children be children, I’m sure you’re raising them as well as you can. More power to your site. 🙂
Definitely checking out this place this weekend! Love hole-in-the-wall restos, especially Japanese ones 🙂 I’m a loyal OAP reader and your blog definitely gives me ideas as to where I should eat next.
Ed, kudos to your comments about rowdy children and parents letting their children play and raise a ruckus in restaurants. Common courtesy would truly dictate that parents impose a level of discipline on their children, especially in public places. Anton, good luck with your boys, and I’m glad you took Ed’s comments well. Very classy of you.
And Joelle, I don’t think Ed was being overly-sensitive, haughty, and uptight when he said that he found children having their way in restaurants unsettling. Chill out and give your fellow patrons their due-a pleasant dining experience. Of course I don’t expect children to sit still and be perfectly quiet in fast food restaurants where playing is expected and even encouraged, but certain restaurants demand a certain level of decorum.
What do I expect from parents with young children? That they train their children to act appropriately, depending on the setting. It’s not just the yelling or the breaking of dishes – those cases are more extreme. It’s also not letting their kids play, block passageways and run around restaurants where being behaved and settled is expected. Just because other patrons aren’t complaining doesn’t mean they’re not bothered.
And kudos to you, Joelle, for all those times that you left establishments because your little ones were not ready for them yet. I hope they are now.
Are you stating that parents actually let their children behave the way they behave whether or not it conforms to other diner’s standards? Of course parents, esp of rowdy children do their damn parts as to telling their children not to block doors or not to disturb other patrons etc. its not like WE (yes, I am a 30-year old mom of young kids) encourage our children to act rowdy. Its a free country and live and let live people. Let me post this, when people cuss in restaurants, or talk too loudly about inappropriate topics, which mind you happens a lot…do you move farther away or leave? Of course not. Don’t be discriminatory when people have kids just because you don’t. I am sure your mothers hated you at a certain point while raising you and wished to the high heavens they just left you at home for your pristine beyond clean behavior. Geez some people! Yes you are bothered, and what do you suggest to parents with bothersome kids?! Unless you have a smart suggestion, befotting social justice, kindly note that your presence, stares, bad topics, cigarette smoke and overall person bother us as well.
I loved the homey atmosphere and the friendly service. The prices are reasonable and, of course, the Tonkatsu paired with Pop Cola was great. BUT, Yabu still has the best taste and experience, even with its steep price.
I agree 🙂
Wow. I’ve lived in San Antonio for quite a while now and I never knew there’s a Japanese restaurant near my house. I’ve always eaten at Little Tokyo for a dose of japanese cuisine so this is quite a discovery for me. When did they open?
Aside from the very unnecessary and off-topic comments about your kids (which should be made in private messages), I think the food looks very reasonable. I’m so thrilled im going there after posting this message.
Kudos to this wonderful find Anton!
without anton’s kids , this blog wouldnt be the ourawesomeplanet that we are enjoying now. arte lang ng mga tao that gets disturbed sa mga kids while theyre dining. haha
ang AARTE ng mga tao regarding KIDS, give me a break! Kids are kids.. Let them be
Just an update: Tonkatsuya has opened a new branch! 🙂 Its at G/F 102 Acrocity Building, 1116 Antipolo St., Makati City. Check out and like their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/tonkatsuya.ph