Located in an old converted bathhouse near Omotesando Station, tonkatsu specialist Maisen has devotees lining up for its spectacular tonkatsu. Expect to pay a premium for quality, and decide for yourself if it’s worth the wait.
Maisen - image © Florentyna Leow
Who knew an old converted bathhouse would one day house one of Tokyo’s most famous tonkatsu restaurants? Welcome to Maisen in Omotesando, where locals and tourists alike stand in line for famously delicious breaded, deep-fried pork cutlets.
Maisen - image © Florentyna Leow
There’s plenty to choose from in the extensive menu. But at the end of the day, your choices boil down to hire (lean) or rōsu (fatty pork). Both are juicy, gloriously porky, and encased in a feather-light crunchy breadcrumb crust. All other details, like the breed of pig whether you want curry sauce on it, can feel extraneous. It’s all about the rice, soup, and pork.
Maisen - image © Florentyna Leow
Because you’re paying a premium for quality and reputation, most of the options at Maisen will leave your wallet a little lighter than most other tonkatsu restaurants. For instance, the kurobuta hire katsu (black pork fillet) set meal costs JPY3100. A cheaper but still satisfying option is katsudon rice bowl clocking in at around JPY1630.
Maisen - image © Florentyna Leow
Make no mistake: the tonkatsu at Maisen is as good as everyone claims it is. Whether you think it’s worth the long queue during peak lunch or dinner hours is another matter entirely. If you’re in a hurry, pick up some tonkatsu sandwiches from the take-out window in front of the restaurant instead.
English name:
Maisen
Japanese name:
とんかつ まい泉
English address:
4-8-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0001
Japanese address:
〒150-0001 東京都渋谷区神宮前4-8-5
Opening hours:
11am-10:45pm
Price:
Non-smoking section:
Completely Non-Smoking
Reservations:
Possible
Nearest Transport:
Subway: 3-minute walk from exit A2 of Omote-sando Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda, Ginza and Hanzomon lines.
Telephone:
0120-428-485 (only from Japan)
Website:
Official website (English of the machine translation)
Customer Reviews:
:: Read customer reviews of Maisen on TripAdvisor.
Near To Here:
Maisen is located in Tokyo's Harajuku And Aoyama district. See our complete list of things to do in Harajuku And Aoyama, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Where Are These Places Located?
See these places on the Truly Tokyo Google map:- Open the Tokyo map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Tokyo Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Tokyo guide
- Check Tokyo accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com - usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too.
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Tokyo
- You can buy a Japan SIM card online with Klook for collection on arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda airports. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router.
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare airline flight prices and timings for the best Japan flight deals.
- If you're visiting more than one city, save a ton of money with a Japan Rail Pass - here's why it's worth it
- A prepaid Suica card makes travelling around Tokyo much easier - here's how.
- It's essential you have travel insurance for Tokyo - we recommend World Nomads
