I honestly cannot remember how I found Katsu Jin, but I’ve had it bookmarked for some time. Maybe it was when I was just clicking on random restaurants on Google Maps and the photos looked good, but I finally got to try it!
Katsu Jin is located in a little strip mall in South Pasadena, right across from Bristol Farms. There’s a small lot for parking, and it seems like there’s usually at least a few parking spots open. The restaurant itself is not very big, with maybe around 7-8 tables. When I went, I arrived at a time when everyone inside had just placed their order, so I had to wait around half an hour. I kept looking inside the restaurant and thinking that they could fit another two tables along the window.
When you arrive, check in with the staff and they will give you a buzzer. When it’s your turn, the buzzer will buzz and they’ll seat you. If you arrive close to their closing time, they might ask you to order online first so they can start preparing your food. Otherwise, once seated, scan the QR code on the table for the menu and to place your order.
Katsu Set Meal
Pork Loin Katsu – Japanese cutlet served with premium Japanese rice, cabbage salad, miso soup, pickles and side dish – Before the meal came out, the staff gave us a bowl with sesame. It was so fun grinding the sesame in the bowl, and it smelled so good! Afterwards, they came with the sauce and poured it into the bowl. The Pork Loin Katsu tasted great, and it came with a generous amount of salad. The rice was really delicious too. There is also an option to add curry as a side for $3.00, but is it worth it? I guess it would be the same as adding a side of salad to your katsu curry. I definitely want to try the Tenderloin Katsu or Cheese Katsu next time!
Katsu Curry
Tenderloin Katsu Curry – deep-fried pork tenderloin cutlet with Japanese curry sauce over steamed rice – I’ve gone once for dinner and once for lunch, and both times, I had a different number of pieces of katsu which I found quite interesting. Maybe they take away a piece for dinner since it’s the same price? Nonetheless, the Tenderloin Katsu Curry was really good – I think I might even like it more than the Katsu Set Meal! The curry brings a nice, softer texture with the crunchy katsu. When the meal first arrived (the time I went for dinner and there were only three pieces of katsu), my first thought was, this is a lot of rice. I did end up finishing it all with the curry though! Also, I learned that I prefer tenderloin over pork loin.
Noodle
Tenzaru Soba – cold soba (buckwheat noodle) served with mixed tempura, cold dipping sauce, green onion and wasabi on the side – If I wanted something lighter, I’d definitely go for the Tenzaru Soba. There was no meat, but it did come with two pieces of shrimp tempura! This dish was very refreshing.
Rice Bowl
Katsudon – rice bowl topped with deep fried pork cutlet cooked in sweet savory sauce and egg and onions, served with miso soup – I would say that this is quite filling if you finish the bowl yourself. The cutlet combined with the sauce and egg is a lot!
I’d be back again at Katsu Jin. My favorite so far is the Tenderloin Katsu Curry, but I want to have the Tenzaru Soba all for myself next time! If I plan to get the katsu next time, the best strategy would be to bring a friend who wants to share, so we can have both the salad and the curry without needing to pay extra. If I’m going with a friend who doesn’t want to share, I’ll get the Tenzaru Soba. When that day comes, I’ll definitely show up either right when they open or try to estimate when the first batch of people would be done eating so I don’t have to wait so long in line again.