Tonkatsu doesn't get much better than this. Butagumi showcases premium pork brands - Spanish Iberico, Berkshire, Tokyo X, Agoo from Okinawa and many others, with several choices on any given day. If you have trouble deciding, they offer specials with five small pieces of different pork varieties that you can compare (Y2800 and/or Y3800, depending on the day).

The frying technique produces a light, crunchy coating, and they recommend trying the tonkatsu with just a pinch of salt rather than sauce. The pickles and soup are first-rate, and the excellent dressing for the cabbage had us asking for refills. The setting is a charming old converted house on a Nishi-Azabu back street. Drinks include Hakkaisan sake, a couple of shochus, Premium Malts beer and several wines.