Katsu by Ouzen (가츠오)

The restaurant opens for dinner at 5 PM, and it was already packed the moment doors opened — a good sign! Considering the quality, the prices are very reasonable. We tried the Original Pork Cutlet, Black Pork Cutlet, and Cheese Cutlet — all of them were absolutely delicious. Honestly, it’s the best tonkatsu I’ve had since coming to the U.S. The Black Pork Cutlet was on another level. The dark, crispy coating didn’t look as photogenic, but the flavor was unmatched. Staff were friendly, and the overall atmosphere was clean and simple — just like the food: honest and satisfying.

Tried Katsu by Ouzen during their soft opening, and it was great! The shrimp katsu, chicken karaage, and cheese katsu were all very tasty. Their sauce, salt, and small side dishes were also impressive. Since it’s a new place, everything was clean and fresh. The staff still need a little more training, but they were friendly and trying their best. I’m sure they’ll get even better as they settle in. My only complaint is that they only had two high chairs for kids, so hopefully they add more in the future. Overall, this is shaping up to be one of the best katsu spots around. Definitely looking forward to coming back once they officially grand open.

I tried several items on the menu, and everything was incredibly crispy on the outside while staying soft and tender inside. I was especially impressed that they bake the thick bread used for the tonkatsu themselves and even display it. I also loved the variety of sauces available.

What makes this place special? This katsu shop is unique for a few reasons: 1️⃣ Different breading options : This is a gamechanger. They even bake their own bread that is used for make their special bread crumb mixture. 2️⃣ Combos - You can order half portions of katsu + soup for a balanced meal. 3️⃣ Debasaki Wings - This famous Nagoya specialty is here. 4️⃣ This is a Korean version of Japanese katsu. Do not compare to authentic Japanese food, as this is a creative and innovative Korean approach to Japanese food. 5️⃣ Housemade cheongyang pepper peato for katsu topping, which is truly unique. 6️⃣ Umami rich truffle salt for dipping provided with every katsu order. 7️⃣ Yamakurage side dish, special pickled lettuce stem that is a 168 hour fermentation process and pairs deliciously with rice

I visited this new tonkatsu spot because I heard great things, and it did not disappoint. The pork cutlet was the softest and thickest I’ve ever had in the U.S.—perfectly tender. The breading was incredibly crispy and crunchy with amazing texture. The cheese katsu was packed with cheese and tasted absolutely delicious. On top of that, the staff were extremely friendly and the whole place felt very clean and comfortable. I really enjoyed my visit and will definitely be back!