Imakatsu at The Star Vista

Michelin Bib Gourmand Tokyo tonkatsu specialist, frying up premium Kagoshima pork loin to golden perfection.

Imakatsu is a tonkatsu specialist that earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand in Tokyo in 2015, and its Singapore outlet at The Star Vista — the brand's first overseas venture, opened in 2014 — brings that same dedication to the art of fried pork cutlet.

The star of the menu is the Kagoshima pork loin katsu, made from premium black pork that is marinated, coated in panko, and deep-fried until the exterior is golden and audibly crisp while the interior remains improbably juicy. Each set is served with shredded cabbage, rice, miso soup, and pickles, with unlimited cabbage and rice refills.

The menu also features pork fillet katsu, tenderloin options, and house specials such as katsu curry and cheese-stuffed katsu, catering to those who want to go beyond the classic loin. The tonkatsu sauce is blended in-house, and the sesame seeds provided for grinding at the table add a fragrant, personal touch to each plate. Prices sit in the mid-range, reflecting the quality of the pork and the care taken in preparation. For tonkatsu enthusiasts, Imakatsu offers a taste of Tokyo's Bib Gourmand tradition right in Singapore. It is a reminder that sometimes the simplest things — a perfectly fried piece of pork, a bowl of rice, and a drizzle of sauce — are the most satisfying.