Want to eat something hearty? 4 Okayama demi-katsudon (rice bowls with pork cutlets) - Okayama's local delicacy

• Table of contents
• What is "Okayama Demi-katsudon"?
• 1. Ajitsukasa Nomura
• 2. Gaho
• 3. Yamato Restaurant
• 4. Sanuki no Otoko Udon Nose
• Let's all enjoy Demi-katsu! "Okayama Demi-katsudon Support Team"

What is "Okayama Demi-katsudon"?

There are many local gourmet specialties across Japan. Among them, katsudon (pork cutlet bowl) has different seasonings depending on the region. Okayama Demi-katsudon is a local bowl of Okayama topped with freshly fried pork cutlet and piping hot demi-glace sauce, and is served at many restaurants in Okayama Prefecture, especially in Okayama City.

In some areas of Okayama, green peas are called "Alaska," and there are demi-katsudon dishes that use this "Alaska" to add color, evoking nostalgic Western cuisine. The demi-glace sauce and toppings that are the key to Okayama demi-katsudon vary from restaurant to restaurant, making it fun to compare the different dishes.

Okayama Demi-Katsudon is within walking distance from Okayama Station and offers four unique flavors!

1. Ajitsukasa Nomura

Okayama Demi-katsudon originated at Ajitsukasa Nomura , a long-established restaurant in Okayama City that has been in business since Showa. The founder, impressed by the taste of demi-glace sauce at a Tokyo hotel, wondered if he could use it in his own restaurant. The thick, creamy demi-glace sauce, reminiscent of chocolate or miso, is made using a secret recipe passed down from father to son. It has been passed down through generations as a dish that only one member of the family has been able to make, and even other family members don't know how to make it. I savored the precious flavor and the history of the restaurant while enjoying the dish.

Enjoy two flavors at once!

While the menu offers the "Demi-Glace Sauce Katsudon" as a single item, we also recommend the egg-covered katsudon set for those who want to enjoy a variety of flavors. There are four sizes available, from regular to large, for the single item. Sets include a child's set and a grandchild's set, with the grandchild's set shown in the photo. It's also nice to be able to order your portion however you like. ♪ "My dad ate it, my mom ate it, Katsudon Nomura" - this phrase is surely familiar to anyone from Okayama Prefecture. When boarding the streetcar from Okayama Station, you'll hear it played over the train's in-car announcements at the next stop, Nishigawa Ryokudo Park. In fact, my "My dad ate it, my mom ate it" is truly true, as it's a familiar taste that has been passed down through generations of my family. It's no wonder that Nomura's katsudon, available to suit everyone's tastes, has been a beloved favorite of so many Okayama residents for so long.

A charming approach that gives you a sense of history

As you enter the beautifully appointed entrance, you'll find yourself surrounded by a Japanese atmosphere, where you can feel the warmth of wood. The sounds of the koto playing, the wooden tables made from solid planks, and the calligraphy on display give you a sense of history and the good old days of Japan, while the restaurant also offers carefully written foreign language menus and a takeaway menu, making it a popular spot with a wide range of customers, men and women of all ages. This restaurant is constantly evolving with the times, and will no doubt continue to be passed down to the next generation.

[Ajitsukasa Nomura ]

Location: 1-10 Kita Ward , Okayama City

TEL: 086-222-2234

Business hours: Tuesday to Friday 11:00-16:00 (last order), Saturday, Sunday and holidays 11:00-14:30 (last order), 17:00-20:30 (last order)

Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday)

Learn more

2. Gaho

Founded in Showa, Gaho has been offering hospitality in the charming castle town near Korakuen and Okayama Castle, and is renowned for its elegant and delicious pork cutlets and other a la carte dishes. Gaho's "Demi-katsudon Set" boasts a demi-glace sauce that is carefully prepared in-house. The light, tangy sauce pairs perfectly with the thinly battered, crispy cutlet, and its healthy nature means even women can eat a hearty meal. In addition to the demi-katsudon, the restaurant also offers the accompanying salad and miso soup, as well as a la carte dishes and hot pot dishes, all carefully prepared and with a gentle flavor. You'll feel happy in body and soul.

Popular with women, we also offer solo hotpots and bento boxes

The "tonkatsu bento" and "koma bento" are recommended for those who want to enjoy a little bit of everything, like in a kaiseki meal, and there are also noodle sets and one-person hotpots. In addition to the Toyotomi menu, you can also order a la carte dishes at lunchtime, so the restaurant is always bustling with company dinners and women. On this day, we were also able to enjoy the seasonal "noresore" (young conger eel), making for a very satisfying lunch.

The atmosphere of a traditional Japanese restaurant

Once you step through the noren curtain, which gives off a traditional Japanese restaurant vibe, you'll find classical music playing inside the restaurant, and a warm and thoughtful atmosphere with beautiful flower arrangements and other touches. This restaurant was apparently hit by a major fire during the Showa era and had to be relocated, but thanks to its long-time customers, it continues to operate to this day. They also offer catered bento boxes, and the pork cutlets and rice are excellent. Even the dressing is homemade, making it perfect for entertaining guests. The owner's stories are always entertaining, and you'll find yourself chatting away as you pay the bill. This is a restaurant you'll want to visit often with your loved ones.

[Masayoshi]

Location: 1-7-1 Omotemachi, Kita Ward, Okayama City

TEL: 086-222-5560

Business hours: 11:00-15:00, 17:00-21:00

Closed: Tuesdays

Masayoshi | Tabelog

3. Yamato Restaurant

Located in Omotemachi, a bustling neighborhood in Okayama City, Shokudo Yamato is beloved by the people of Okayama Prefecture. Since its founding, it has been popular for Okayama-style sauce katsudon. Yamato's katsudon only comes in one type, this one with demi-glace sauce. At Yamato, they call it "dobi sauce." The light-colored sauce is based on Chinese noodle soup and is seasoned with sauce and ketchup, resulting in a rich, flavorful dish. The tonkatsu includes both fillet and belly, allowing you to enjoy a variety of luxurious flavors.

Yamato's most popular dish! "Chuka Soba"

Along with the famous katsudon, we also recommend trying the "chuka soba" (Chinese noodles), which has remained unchanged since Showa. When you sip the soup, you'll feel a sense of nostalgia and a comforting taste. You can't make this flavor at home... It's so rich and addictive. There are many menu items available, including chuka soba, katsudon, and fried rice, in a variety of sizes, so try out different flavors. The one in the photo is the medium size. It's very filling!

From Momotaro Boulevard, head south on Holland Street.

Shokudo Yamato is located on the charming Dutch Street in Okayama City , Kita Ward, Okayama City. It is especially popular during lunchtime and is always bustling. The restaurant has an appearance reminiscent of the good old Showa , and the interior is clean and fun. They also have a wide selection of wines and Western food, so you'll want to enjoy the many dishes on the menu, which you won't be able to try in one sitting. They also have bagged ramen noodles, which make a great souvenir.

[Yamato Restaurant]

Location: 1-9-7 Omotemachi, Kita Kita Ward, Okayama City

TEL: 086-232-3944

Business hours: 11:00-19:00 (noodles only from 15:00-16:00)

Closed: Tuesdays

Yamato Restaurant Official Website

4. Sanuki no Otoko Udon Nose

As the name suggests, Sanuki no Otoko Udon Nose is famous for its chewy Sanuki udon noodles and is located on the west side of Okayama Station. This restaurant is popular with students in the area and residents of the west exit. The Japanese-style "Demikatsudon" (Demikatsu rice bowl) is as popular as the udon noodles, and is made with udon stock, giving it a delicious flavor that slowly seeps into your palate. The sauce is light, so it's quite filling, but the accompanying cabbage and pickled ginger make it even more delicious. Pairing it with a raw egg adds richness and deepens the flavor.

Private party plans and course meals also available

The restaurant has a bright atmosphere with light pouring in, and the aroma of delicious soup stock is inviting. There are comfortable counter seats for solo diners, and with a Toyotomi variety of udon noodles and seasonal menu items, it's hard to choose. In the evening, they also offer a fun banquet plan with a course meal that includes udon noodles at the end. The pork cutlet was very thick and satisfying!

5 minutes walk from the Athletic Park Exit (West Exit) of JR Okayama Station!

The restaurant is located on the street leading from the west exit of Okayama Station to the Hokancho shopping arcade. The restaurant is marked by the tasteful black walls of burnt cedar, typical of Okayama, and a bold sign. While strolling through the charming shopping arcade, we recommend trying both the Sanuki udon noodles and the Japanese-style demi-katsu cutlet, both of which are loved by locals!

[Sanuki Man Udon Nose ]

Location: 2-3-6 Kita Ward, Hokancho, Okayama City

TEL: 086-253-8686

Business hours: Weekdays 11:00-15:00 (last order), Saturdays and holidays 11:00-15:30 (last order)

Closed: Sundays

Sanuki no Otoko Nose Official Website

Let's all enjoy Demi-katsu! "Okayama Demi-katsudon Support Team"

Okayama specialty, "Okayama Demikatsudon," has many fans, and once you've tried it, you'll want to try other demi-katsudons. If that sounds like you, check out the official website, "Okayama Demikatsudon Support Team"!

The website is full of useful and fun information about Okayama Demi-katsudon.

"The 23rd of every month is Demi-katsu Day!" It would be fun to try eating it every month! There are still many Okayama Demi-katsudons in various places in Okayama Prefecture, so be sure to try "Compare various Demi-katsu!"

Okayama Demi-katsudon Support Team Official Website