Sauce katsudon is well-known throughout the country, but there are various differences depending on the region, such as the thickness of the pork, the type of breadcrumbs, and the seasoning of the sauce.

Fukui's sauce katsudon is also a little different from other dishes. It is a soul food that is so popular in Fukui that it is not only on the menus of restaurants serving set meals, but also in bento shops and the deli sections of supermarkets.

Let's explore the characteristics and history of sauce katsudon.

Characteristics of Sauce Katsudon

Unlike the sauce katsudon from Komagane in Nagano Prefecture and Aizu in Fukushima Prefecture, it does not come topped with shredded cabbage. The bread crumbs are also coarse and the thickness of the batter is also different.

Fukui's sauce katsudon is characterized by the use of thinly sliced pork. The pork cutlet is deep-fried until crispy in fine breadcrumbs, then dipped in sauce while still hot and served on top of rice. Because it is deep-fried in fine breadcrumbs, the outside is crispy and the inside is juicy. The pork is thinly sliced, so it is soft enough to be cut with chopsticks and is well-absorbed into the sauce.

The sauce is made with ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and other ingredients, with added sweetness and richness from sugar and mirin. This sweet and rich sauce brings out the flavor of the cutlet. Once you try it, you'll be hooked. The flavor of the sauce goes perfectly with rice.

How to eat sauce katsudon

The sauce cutlet bowl in Fukui is topped with three slices of pork cutlet! It's so voluminous that the lid isn't even closed. You might think "Isn't the lid really necessary?" but in Fukui, the lid is used as a plate for the cutlet. Only one piece of cutlet is left in the bowl, and the rest are placed on the lid. This way you can eat a good balance of cutlet and rice.

Also, if you order a katsudon (pork cutlet bowl) in a restaurant in Fukui, you may be served a sauce katsudon (pork cutlet bowl), so if you want a katsudon topped with egg, order an egg katsudon (pork cutlet bowl). By the way, locals often have the experience of being surprised when they order a katsudon from the prefecture and are served an egg katsudon instead.

The History of Sauce Katsudon

The restaurant that is said to have originated the sauce katsudon is the Western-style restaurant "Europaken," which has its main store in Fukui City. It is affectionately known as "Paken" by the people of Fukui Prefecture.

The origins of Europaken date back more than 100 years. In 1912, Europaken's founder, Masutaro Takabatake, returned to Japan after several years of culinary training in Germany.

After returning to Japan, he adapted the German-style Worcestershire sauce to suit Japanese tastes, and presented his Sauce Katsudon at a cooking presentation held in Tokyo in 1913. He then opened "Europaken" in front of Waseda University in Tokyo. Since its opening, the restaurant has been loved by locals.

The sauce katsudon, which became popular at Europaken, has since spread to a variety of restaurants.

Fukui Prefecture Tourism Information and Access

There are many tourist spots in Fukui prefecture where you can eat sauce katsudon. This time, we will introduce three popular tourist spots in Fukui prefecture.

Tojinbo

"Tojinbo" is one of Fukui's most famous tourist spots. Many people visit to enjoy the beautiful Sea of Japan and the dramatic cliffs. Large-scale columnar joints such as those at "Tojinbo" are rare even in the world, and the area is counted among the "Three Great Scenic Spots of the World." It is also a must-see, designated as a "National Natural Monument" and chosen as one of the "Top 100 Sunsets in Japan."

Mikuni Minato Retro

Mikuniminatomachi, which flourished from the Edo to Meiji periods due to trade with Kitamaebune ships, still retains a retro townscape. For those who like retro townscapes, with their rows of latticed townhouses and vestiges of wealthy merchants, it is a recommended walking spot. At Mikuniminato Machiyakan on Mikuniminato Kitamae Street, you can rest and rent bicycles.

Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins

The Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins are the remains of a castle town where five generations of the Asakura Clan ruled Echizen Province for about 100 years during the Sengoku period. It is a valuable ruin where the entire townscape was excavated almost completely, including samurai residences, temples, town houses, craftsmen's residences, and roads. The Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins has been designated by the national government as a triple site (special historic site, special place of scenic beauty, and important cultural property).

Fukui is an attractive place for both gourmet food and sightseeing, and there are various ways to access it. It is also conveniently located near the three largest cities in Japan: Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.

If you are coming from Tokyo, we recommend flying. It takes about an hour to get from Haneda Airport to Komatsu Airport. If you are coming from Tokyo by Shinkansen, it takes about three and a half hours. From Nagoya or Osaka, it takes about three hours by Shinkansen.

We also recommend taking a leisurely drive to Fukui. Find the best way to get there.

Location of Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture

summary

Fukui's Sauce Katsudon, which consists of three slices of pork cutlet covered in sweet and spicy sauce on top of rice, is a hearty dish that is popular among locals. Depending on the restaurant, there are variations in toppings such as minced meat cutlet, fried shrimp, and soft-boiled fried eggs, but we recommend starting off with the simple Sauce Katsudon.

In addition to the sauce katsudon, Fukui Prefecture also has a variety of other donburi dishes, such as the soy sauce katsudon. Fukui Prefecture, the birthplace of "Koshihikari" rice, is blessed with bounty from the sea and mountains, and has a rich donburi culture that makes use of local ingredients.

If you visit Fukui, be sure to try the sauce katsudon.

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