Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Tonkatsu is Japanese-style breaded and fried pork cutlets: thin cuts of pork coated in flour and egg wash, dredged in panko breadcrumbs, and fried until the pork is cooked through and the crust is golden and crispy.
Nowadays, you can get tonkatsu in Japanese restaurants across the United States, but the versions that are served in some of Japan’s best restaurants are on a different level. Part of that has to do with the specific kind of breadcrumbs that are used to coat the pork, which are called “nama panko” (fresh breadcrumbs). Whereas the dried panko you can find at almost any grocery store produce a crunchy crust, fresh panko—when fried—produces a wispy, crispy crust that’s super light.
Thing is, you can’t just go out and buy fresh panko. In this video, chef Nick Gavin shows you the best way we’ve found to make nama panko, as well as two tonkatsu recipes that put it to use. One is more classic, with a pounded pork loin chop that’s deep-fried until tender and juicy; the other is a modernist take that features an enormous sous vide pork collar. The latter is modeled after the huge cutlets you can order at some of the top tonkatsu spots in Japan, with a 2-inch-thick pork collar “chop” that’s been perfectly cooked and tenderized using sous vide.
For the full ingredient lists and recipes, sign up for a Studio Pass membership at ChefSteps.com/studiopass.
Recipes:
Ultimate Sous Vide Tonkatsu: chefsteps.com/activities/ultimate-sous-vide-tonkatsu
Classic Tonkatsu: chefsteps.com/activities/classic-tonkatsu
Nama Panko (Fresh Panko Breadcrumbs): chefsteps.com/activities/nama-panko
Tonkatsu Sauce: chefsteps.com/activities/tonkatsu-sauce
Equipment:
Buy the Breville Sous Chef® 16: Https://breville.oie8.net/0ZebEN
Buy the Joule® Turbo Sous Vide: breville.oie8.net/oq4Krb
Buy the Control Freak Home: breville.oie8.net/9goeDy
Follow us:
instagram.com/chefsteps
facebook.com/Chefsteps
ChefSteps 101: Through science, entertainment, and industry experience, we strive to help every home cook reach their full potential. With more than 1,000 recipes developed in our kitchen, there’s something for everyone. To find out more, visit our website: chefsteps.com
Tonkatsu is Japanese-style breaded and fried pork cutlets: thin cuts of pork coated in flour and egg wash, dredged in panko breadcrumbs, and fried until the pork is cooked through and the crust is golden and crispy.
Nowadays, you can get tonkatsu in Japanese restaurants across the United States, but the versions that are served in some of Japan’s best restaurants are on a different level. Part of that has to do with the specific kind of breadcrumbs that are used to coat the pork, which are called “nama panko” (fresh breadcrumbs). Whereas the dried panko you can find at almost any grocery store produce a crunchy crust, fresh panko—when fried—produces a wispy, crispy crust that’s super light.
Thing is, you can’t just go out and buy fresh panko. In this video, chef Nick Gavin shows you the best way we’ve found to make nama panko, as well as two tonkatsu recipes that put it to use. One is more classic, with a pounded pork loin chop that’s deep-fried until tender and juicy; the other is a modernist take that features an enormous sous vide pork collar. The latter is modeled after the huge cutlets you can order at some of the top tonkatsu spots in Japan, with a 2-inch-thick pork collar “chop” that’s been perfectly cooked and tenderized using sous vide.
For the full ingredient lists and recipes, sign up for a Studio Pass membership at ChefSteps.com/studiopass.
Recipes:
Ultimate Sous Vide Tonkatsu: chefsteps.com/activities/ultimate-sous-vide-tonkatsu
Classic Tonkatsu: chefsteps.com/activities/classic-tonkatsu
Nama Panko (Fresh Panko Breadcrumbs): chefsteps.com/activities/nama-panko
Tonkatsu Sauce: chefsteps.com/activities/tonkatsu-sauce
Equipment:
Buy the Breville Sous Chef® 16: Https://breville.oie8.net/0ZebEN
Buy the Joule® Turbo Sous Vide: breville.oie8.net/oq4Krb
Buy the Control Freak Home: breville.oie8.net/9goeDy
Follow us:
instagram.com/chefsteps
facebook.com/Chefsteps
ChefSteps 101: Through science, entertainment, and industry experience, we strive to help every home cook reach their full potential. With more than 1,000 recipes developed in our kitchen, there’s something for everyone. To find out more, visit our website: chefsteps.com
