Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin

Wife and I came here during our honeymoon a year ago, and we made sure it was our first stop now that we’re stationed here. This place is absolutely fantastic in terms of the delicious food, the service (phenomenal!), and the relaxed vibe. The katsu donburi bowls are our definitive go-to but the katsu curry plates are just as delicious! Try a Japanese beer too!

We came here because we have been to the location in Ginza, Tokyo, and wanted to be transported back. We were very satisfied with the generous cut of the pork katsu, and the impeccable service that you would expect at a Japanese restaurant. Though it was much pricier than dining at Ginza, it was still a great experience for those who love katsu, or have always wanted to try. The only factor deducting the 1 star is the interior, it felt tight and almost like we were dining with the table next to us. Otherwise, this was a great way to spend a dinner during our trip.

Decent food, but overpriced. Ordered the thick-cut pork loin Katsu set and it was a bit dry. I enjoyed the hot mustard that came with it over the sesame tonkotsu sauce. Echoing another review, there was one piece in the set that was 95% fat and not enjoyable to eat. Having unlimited rice and miso was nice. Also, their air conditioning kept dripping onto one of our party members so that was a bit annoying. Overall, It reminded me of Saku in Vancouver, so it didn't feel special. Not sure what I should have expected.

eaten here on every single trip ive taken to oahu over the last 3 years and it never disappoints. juicy, high quality pork katsu, with perfectly crispy breading. i’d recommend shelling out for the special katsus if they still have availability—you can definitely tell the difference in juiciness and tenderness! amazing and accommodating service as well. i’d recommend making a reservation beforehand, but even if not, definitely stop by for a delicious dinner in waikiki if you have a chance! one of the best restaurants in this area for sure.

We were hoping to walk into this spot, but they mostly do reservations, so we missed the dinner opportunity. We kept an eye on the OpenTable seatings and got a lunch one. We were here for the omurice, but sad to have learned they stopped while ago :(. So, we got their most popular katsu special and shared it between the two of us. I like the grinding of the sesame to make your own sauce (to keep ya busy as you wait) and it was a nice calming moment. The meat had a bit too much fat in some pieces but the crispiness was perfect! I liked the cabbage salad with the sesame sauce too. Overall a solid dish. Friendly workers and service. Recommend if you’re into katsu dishes.

We had a reservation here on a Thursday evening and were seated five minutes early. The service staff was great during our visit and were very friendly and attentive! We wanted to try the specialty kurobuta set, but it was sold out so we ended up ordering the kurobuta pork loin katsu set in addition to the katsu sandwich. Overall the food was pretty good. The tonkatsu was very thick and crispy, and the cabbage salad with the sesame dressing complimented the entire meal really well. I thought the katsu sandwich was good despite not being a fan of anything that taste like mustard. However, the balance of the flavors here was just right and not overpowering. When it comes to value, the high price just didn’t match the hype and expectations that came with it, which was probably the only downside. I’d very much pass if there were a long wait time on a busy weekend knowing there are a variety of good local eats at a fraction of the cost. However if you enjoy tonkatsu and are looking for a good experience, it’s definitely worth a try!

I got the Kurobata Pork Loin Katsu Set (7oz) as the specialty set was sold out for the day (limited to 25 quantity daily) and the taste was great! The quality reminded me of visiting a high quality Tonkatsu place in Japan when I was in Yokohama. Cabbage comes as free refills if wanting more. Preferably can make a reservation beforehand for another time period to avoid waiting in line. The server was very kind and attentive! Definitely recommend it if you want a taste of Japan in Hawaii!

We had the specialty thick cut pork belly and the pork kurobuta curry. Both were delicious! The thick cut was juicy and crispy, a very worthwhile dish and the curry was savory and complimented the rest of the dish well. One of the best katsus I've had! The service was also really welcoming and helpful