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Japanese Katsu Bowls Recipe

4.8 from 85 reviews

Japanese Katsu Bowls are a comforting and delicious meal featuring crispy breaded chicken served over a bed of steamed rice, topped with a savory and tangy tonkatsu sauce. This dish combines crunchy textures with rich umami flavors for a hearty and satisfying bowl that’s quick and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Breaded Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Vegetable oil for frying

For the Rice

  • 2 cups Japanese short-grain rice
  • 2 1/2 cups water

For the Tonkatsu Sauce

  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon mirin
  • 1 tablespoon sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Rice: Rinse the Japanese short-grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Combine the rinsed rice and water in a rice cooker or pot, then cook following your rice cooker’s instructions or bring to a boil and simmer covered for 18-20 minutes until tender. Keep warm.
  2. Bread the Chicken: Cut each chicken breast into even sized cutlets if desired. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece first in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs.
  3. Fry the Chicken: Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Fry the breaded chicken pieces in batches for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towels.
  4. Make the Tonkatsu Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is smooth.
  5. Assemble the Bowls: Scoop warm cooked rice into serving bowls. Slice the fried katsu chicken into strips and lay over the rice. Drizzle generous amounts of tonkatsu sauce over the chicken. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

  • You can substitute chicken breasts with pork cutlets for a more traditional tonkatsu.
  • Adjust the tonkatsu sauce ingredients to taste, adding more sugar for sweetness or more Worcestershire sauce for tang.
  • Using panko breadcrumbs ensures a crispier texture than regular breadcrumbs.
  • Keep the oil temperature steady to avoid greasy chicken or burning the coating.
  • This recipe can be served with shredded cabbage or steamed vegetables on the side for added freshness.

Keywords: Japanese Katsu Bowls, breaded chicken, tonkatsu sauce, fried chicken rice bowl, crispy chicken, Japanese comfort food