Editing Tonkatsu (section)

== Variations ==
[[File:Katsu curry by luckypines.jpg|thumb|Katsu curry]]
[[File:Tonkatsu_001.jpg|thumb|Tonkatsu, served with rice, soup and condiments]]
[[File:Katsuya-Roppongi.jpg|thumb|Tonkatsu chain restaurant [[:jp:かつや|Katsuya]] in Tokyo, Japan]]
Tonkatsu is also popular as [[katsu curry]], where it is served with [[Japanese curry]], or as ''[[katsudon]]'', simmered with egg and broth, then served on a big bowl of rice; there is also katsu rice, which is pork cutlet served on rice topped with demi-glace sauce. Another popular variation, ''[[katsu-sando]]'' or pork cutlet sandwich, is said to be originated from the Isen, a tonkatsu restaurant. In the 1930s, the manager of the Isen came up with the concept, then improved it by making the sandwich smaller so that its clientele of local [[Geisha|geishas]] could enjoy it without wearing off their lipstick.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/from-geishas-to-the-world-katsu-sando-then-and-now/lqg6wgkvs |title=From geishas to the world: Katsu sando, then and now |date=2022-09-28 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=[[SBS Food]] |last=Oba |first=Yumi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101003429/https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/from-geishas-to-the-world-katsu-sando-then-and-now/lqg6wgkvs |archive-date=2023-11-01 |url-status=live |publication-place=Australia |language=en}}</ref>

In [[Nagoya]] and surrounding areas, [[miso]] katsu, tonkatsu eaten with a [[Okazaki, Aichi#Hatch%C5%8D miso|hatchō miso]]-based sauce, is a speciality.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/e/archives/629|title=名古屋国際センター &#124; Nagoya International Center|access-date=2013-01-02|archive-date=2019-06-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610071028/http://www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/e/archives/629|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Variations on tonkatsu may be made by sandwiching an ingredient such as [[cheese]] or [[perilla|shiso]] leaf between the meat, and then breading and frying.

Variations of ''katsu'' other than pork:

* [[Chicken katsu]] ({{lang|ja|チキンカツ}}) or [[Chicken katsu|tori katsu]] ({{lang|ja|鶏カツ}}), which uses chicken instead, often appears in [[plate lunch|Hawaiian plate lunches]].
* [[Menchi-katsu]] ({{lang|ja|メンチカツ}}) or minchi katsu ({{lang|ja|ミンチカツ}} mince katsu), is a minced meat patty, breaded and deep fried.
* Hamu katsu ({{lang|ja|ハムカツ}} ham katsu), a similar dish made from [[ham]], is usually considered a budget alternative to tonkatsu.
* Gyū katsu ({{lang|ja|牛カツ}} beef katsu), also known as bīfu katsu, is popular in the [[Kansai]] region around [[Osaka]] and [[Kobe]].

In general, breaded and deep-fried foods are called ''[[furai]]'' ("fry"),<ref name="Nipponica_Furai">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Furai (ryouri) |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia Nipponica]] web version |publisher=Shogakukan |url=https://kotobank.jp/word/%E3%83%95%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%28%E6%96%99%E7%90%86%29-1586721 |access-date=2021-08-16 |edition=constantly updated |language=ja |trans-title=Fry (cooking) |quote=(rough translation): In Western cuisine, "frying" means to deep-fry or sautee in oils or fats. {{interp|...}} In Japan, "furai" refers to foods that are dipped in wheat flour, beaten egg, bread crumbs and then deep-fried, {{interp|...}}. If the ingredient is meat, it is called "chikin katsuretsu", "pōku katsuretsu (tonkatsu)" etc., respectively.{{interp|...}} |script-title=ja:フライ (料理) |via=kotobank.jp}}</ref> such as ''ebi-furai'' (fried prawn)<ref name="Nipponica_Furai"/> and ''aji-furai'' (fried [[horse mackerel]]), but fried meat such as pork, beef and chicken is referred to as ''katsu'' (cutlet).<ref name="NKD_Katsuretsu"/> ''Katsu'' and ''furai'' differ from [[tempura]], which is not breaded but [[Batter_(cooking)|battered]]<ref name="Daijisen_Tempura">No panko appears in definition of tempura: {{Cite encyclopedia |title=Tempura |encyclopedia=Digital [[Daijisen]] (デジタル大辞泉) |publisher=Shogakukan |url=https://kotobank.jp/word/%E5%A4%A9%E9%BA%A9%E7%BE%85-578873 |access-date=2021-08-16 |edition=constantly updated |language=ja |quote=(rough translation): 1.{{interp|...ingredients}} dipped in batter made of wheat flour, egg and water, then fried in vegetable oil. Vegetable tempuras are sometimes distinguished and called "shōjin-age". {{interp|...}} |script-title=ja:天麩羅 テンプラ |via=kotobank.jp}}</ref> and typically fried in sesame oil.

In recent years, chicken katsu curry has become extremely popular in the [[United Kingdom]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hargreaves |first=Clare |date=2019-10-09 |title=Forget tikka masala - chicken katsu is the new true British national dish |url=https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/food-and-drink/chicken-katsu-curry-national-dish-tikka-masala-347826 |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=inews.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> to the point that other varieties of Japanese curry and curry sauce are sometimes referred to as katsu erroneously.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-02-12 |title=The U.K. thinks Japanese curry is katsu curry, and people aren't happy about it |url=https://soranews24.com/2020/02/12/the-u-k-thinks-japanese-curry-is-katsu-curry-and-people-arent-happy-about-it/ |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=SoraNews24 -Japan News- |language=en-US}}</ref> 
[[File:Isen_Katsusando.jpg|thumb|Katsu-sando originated at the Isen in Yushima, Bunkyo City, in 1935.]]