Restaurant in Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo's most decorated tonkatsu. Book it.
Butagumi is Tokyo's most consistently ranked tonkatsu specialist, holding a top-30 position on Opinionated About Dining's Casual Japan list for three straight years. Chef Satoshi Oishi runs a serious, focused kitchen in Nishiazabu — a neighbourhood that rewards the detour. Book it for weekday lunch, eat at the table, and skip any thought of takeout: this is a dish that demands to be eaten the moment it arrives.
Butagumi is the tonkatsu restaurant to book in Tokyo if you take the format seriously. Ranked #28 on Opinionated About Dining's Casual Japan list in both 2023 and 2025 (and #29 in 2024), it has held a consistent position among Japan's most respected casual dining destinations for three consecutive years — a strong signal that quality here is deliberate, not accidental. Chef Satoshi Oishi runs the kitchen in Nishiazabu, one of Tokyo's quieter, more residential pockets, and the result is a tonkatsu experience that rewards the food-focused traveller willing to leave the tourist circuit. Book it.
Tonkatsu — panko-breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet , is one of Japan's most technically demanding casual dishes to execute at a high level. The difference between a mediocre tonkatsu and a great one comes down to pork provenance, oil temperature control, breading density, and resting time. Butagumi's consistent OAD ranking suggests it is getting those variables right, year after year. The Nishiazabu address puts it in Minato City, a neighbourhood better known for quiet bars and understated restaurants than for tourist foot traffic , which means the dining room skews local and the atmosphere reflects that.
The editorial angle worth flagging for explorers: tonkatsu is one of the few Japanese formats where the question of whether food travels well actually matters. A tonkatsu cutlet loses its crunch within minutes of being plated, which means this is a format that absolutely demands eating on-site, at the counter or table, immediately after it arrives. There is no version of Butagumi that works as delivery or takeout. If you are eating here, eat here , fully present, at the restaurant. That is not a drawback; it is the point. The dish is designed for the moment it is served.
For the food-focused traveller building a Tokyo itinerary, Butagumi sits in a different category from high-spend omakase or kaiseki. It is a precision casual lunch or dinner that costs a fraction of what you would spend at a multi-course tasting menu, with a level of craft that justifies the trip to Nishiazabu. If your Tokyo list already includes a sushi counter and a ramen shop, a top-ranked tonkatsu specialist is the logical third pillar of a serious eating trip.
For tonkatsu comparisons within Tokyo, Ginza Katsukami and Katsuyoshi are the names most often mentioned alongside Butagumi. Maisen is the accessible, high-volume option if you want tonkatsu without a booking. Fry-ya and Katsusen round out the Tokyo tonkatsu field for anyone doing a dedicated comparison. If you are travelling beyond Tokyo, Jukuseibuta Kawamura in Kyoto and Kyomachibori Nakamura in Osaka are the regional equivalents worth knowing.
Booking difficulty at Butagumi is rated Easy. Given its OAD ranking and the size typical of serious Tokyo casual restaurants, booking a few days to a week ahead should be sufficient for most visits, though weekend lunches may fill faster. Walk-in availability is plausible on quieter weekday slots but is not guaranteed. Confirm current booking method directly via the restaurant, as online reservation platforms vary.
| Detail | Butagumi | Ginza Katsukami | Maisen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisine | Tonkatsu | Tonkatsu | Tonkatsu |
| Neighbourhood | Nishiazabu, Minato | Ginza | Aoyama |
| OAD Casual Japan Rank | #28 (2025) | Not listed | Not listed |
| Google Rating | 4.4 (1,240) | , | , |
| Booking Difficulty | Easy | Moderate | Walk-in friendly |
| Leading For | Serious food travellers | Central location | Casual, no booking |
Weekday lunch is the optimal slot at a restaurant like Butagumi: quieter room, more attentive pacing, and easier booking. Weekend lunch sees more competition for tables. If your Tokyo trip runs across a public holiday, book further ahead than usual , demand at well-regarded casual restaurants spikes during Golden Week (late April to early May) and the New Year period. Autumn (October to November) is generally the most pleasant time to be in Tokyo for eating out, with comfortable temperatures and no rainy-season humidity to contend with.
Butagumi fits naturally into a broader Japan eating itinerary. For serious dining elsewhere in the country, consider HAJIME in Osaka, Gion Sasaki in Kyoto, akordu in Nara, Goh in Fukuoka, 1000 in Yokohama, and 6 in Okinawa. For everything else in the capital, see our full Tokyo restaurants guide, Tokyo hotels, Tokyo bars, Tokyo wineries, and Tokyo experiences.
Yes, solo is probably the ideal format here. Tonkatsu is a focused, single-dish meal, and Tokyo casual restaurants at this level tend to have counter seating that suits one diner comfortably. Ranked #28 on OAD Casual Japan 2025, Butagumi draws a mix of serious locals and food-focused visitors, so you won't feel out of place eating alone.
A few days to a week ahead should be sufficient given the booking difficulty is rated Easy, but if you're visiting on a weekend or during peak Tokyo travel periods (cherry blossom, Golden Week, autumn foliage), lean toward a week or more. Weekday lunch is the easier slot to secure and generally the better experience.
Groups of four or more may find it tighter at a focused casual counter format like Butagumi. Smaller parties of two are the practical sweet spot. If you're planning a larger group dinner, a venue with private dining options would serve you better — Butagumi is built around the individual experience of a precisely executed dish.
Butagumi is a specialist restaurant: the menu centres on tonkatsu, and the whole experience is built around that single format. Don't come expecting a broad Japanese menu. Come for precision pork cutlet, executed at a level that has earned three consecutive OAD Casual Japan rankings. Go at lunch on a weekday for the most relaxed visit.
Counter seating is typical at serious Tokyo casual restaurants in this category, and it's likely the primary format at Butagumi. The counter is where you'll get the clearest view of the kitchen and the most attentive service. Confirm availability and seating preference when booking.
Butagumi is a casual specialist restaurant, not a formal dining room. Clean, neat everyday clothing is appropriate — this is Nishiazabu, so the neighbourhood skews polished, but there's no case for formal dress at a tonkatsu counter. Avoid anything you'd mind getting a faint oil scent on.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
