In this post we were taking a tour of the West End, in the spirit of Lunar New Year. Exploring great Asian food spots along Robson Street that could prove to be great restaurants for future celebrations.
Stop number three was Saku, an international tonkatsu chain with multiple locations. Known for their Japanese style fried pork cutlets accompanied by all you can eat rice, side salad, and miso soup.
Located on a prime corner, and the restaurant is easy to spot. The interior felt refreshing with honey birch wood and rattan features. The overall tone matched the golden hue of the food to come.
Each order is served as a picturesque set on a branded wooden tray. The main evalated and splayed out in display, surrounded by individual sides in bowls and sauces in shallow dishes. There was plenty of food for one and to be shared.
Especially The Zenbu Katsu. This is the dish I recommend for all first timers to the restaurant. It gives you the largest assortment of their tonkatsu. Rosu (Deep fried breaded pork loin), Hire (Deep fried breaded pork fillet), Chicken Thigh, 2 piece of Cheese Katsu, 1 piece Ebi (shrimp), 1 piece Hotate (scallop), and 2 pieces of Vegetables. Each lightly breaded for a crispy crunchy, but a oily sheen. A little much as is, but best when dipped into the accompanying tonkatsu sauce to help cut into some of the grease with its pungent tang. It can be alot, so best to dip gently as to not overwhelm the natural flavour of the meat or vegetables.
I liked the sweet and starchiness of the pumpkin. I found the pork lion the most enjoyable with its chewy texture. I have never had pork so juicy. Although the deep fried breaded mozzarella wrapped with thinly sliced pork loin was a little much. All together this was a fun mix and match eating experience with the bowl of rice or salad as a base, and the soup as a nice change in taste. Every katsu set is served with unlimited rice, tonjiru (pork and vegetable miso soup) and shredded cabbage to enjoy with a table side sesame dressing.
The Miso Katsu is deep fried breaded pork loin with their house made black sauce and scallions over top. It is served cosmetically on a wire tray.
It is pre-dressed, but you can also use the accompanying lemon, mustard, sesame, garlic salt, and tonkatsu sauce at your leisure. The sesame seeds come in a grating bowl that allows you to grind it down into dust to enjoy as is or mix in to the tonkatsu sauce. My favourite are the green and pink pickles as a palate refresher that adds just the right amount of acid to after bites.
We also got a side of Hot udon with this. Prepared in house with their own kakejiru, a Dashi-based brot. Mild in flavour it was a nice way to wash the mouth in between bites.
The Ebi Hotate Curry was my favourite and what I would order again. Deep fried breaded jumbo sized prawns and scallops with their signature curry to pour over yourself. I have never seen shrimp and scallop so thick and bouncy. There is more of both than the rice they sat on. There was also plenty of curry to flavour and even drink by the spoonful. Once again the salad is great for freshness, necessary to balance out all the fry, much like the miso for a break in between bites.
They also have croquettes to snack on as an appetizer. Similar to the sweet pumpkin above, but in a patty.
For something less greasy you can get their Katsu Nabe. Deep fried breaded pork loin mixed with egg, onion and mushroom in their housemade sauce. It reminded me of a crispy meatloaf in a clear dashi broth-like sauce. This is homey, comfort style eating.
In short, this was a great meal and I want it all over again reliving it through writing this post. Definitely my go-to spot for katsu. Can recommend.
Saku
1588 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6G 2G5
(778) 379-5872
sakukatsu.com
