A friend just asked me for some restaurant recommendations in Tokyo and although there are numerous great places to eat, I always make a point of going to tonkatsu (pork cutlet) specialist Butagumi. This is seriously gourmet tonkatsu where you get to choose the type of pork you want. Butagumi describes the taste of the various kinds of pork in their menu (light, rich, flavourful, etc.), with cuts that come from all over Japan as well as overseas, including Berkshire, Iberico and Bigorre. Life is made much easier now that the restaurant has introduced an english menu.

Butagumi has two outlets in and near the Roppongi Hills area. The original restaurant is in a converted house in Nishi Azabu and this is the outlet that has the more extensive range of pork choices available. The other smaller outlet is near the Roppongi Hills complex between Roku-Roku Plaza and the Azabu police station.

I can’t remember the name of pork I ordered at Butagumi on my last trip but it was a Japanese pork that was mid-range (not as rich in taste). My husband ordered the higher end pork – this was notably richer and creamier. Admittedly, as I have no issue with eating animal fat, the richer pork was darn good partly due to its more intense fat.

My photos don’t do the tonkatsu any justice. Butagumi also has croquettes (also good), a tonkatsu curry and accompanying starters and dessert. The tonkatsu is accompanied, as per norm, with cabbage salad and rice. The outlets are open daily for lunch and dinner except on Sundays and public holidays when I believe it’s only open for dinner (best to call to make a booking – ask the hotel concierge to help).

Butagumi Nishi Azabu outlet website: http://www.butagumi.com/nishiazabu/about.php

Butagumi Roppongi Hills outlet website: http://www.butagumi.com/shokudo/access/index.html