Katsuro London: Trying the Best Japanese Katsu in London? Katsuro Might Be Your New Favourite

When it comes to Japanese comfort food, few dishes hit the spot quite like katsu. There’s something satisfying about biting through a crispy golden coating and into juicy, tender meat underneath. London has no shortage of Japanese restaurants, but finding a place that truly specialises in katsu is surprisingly rare.

That’s exactly what drew me to Katsuro in Clapham Junction. Rather than offering katsu as just another item on a large menu, Katsuro puts it front and centre. From classic pork tonkatsu to indulgent cheese katsu and crispy prawn katsu, every dish is built around doing one thing really well.

After hearing people describe it as some of the best katsu in London, I had to see if it lived up to the hype. Let’s just say I left very full, very happy, and already planning what I’d order on my next visit.

About Katsuro

Located in Clapham Junction, Katsuro is a Japanese restaurant dedicated to one of Japan’s most beloved comfort foods: katsu. The restaurant focuses on quality ingredients and traditional preparation methods while keeping the menu approachable and easy to enjoy.

Katsuro doesn’t just rely on premium cuts of meat or seafood. They also use fresh panko breadcrumbs rather than dried panko, which plays a huge role in creating their signature texture. The result is a coating that feels lighter, crispier, and crunchier than many other katsu spots I’ve tried.

Their philosophy is simple, start with quality ingredients, cook them properly, and serve them with care. Whether it’s crispy pork loin, juicy chicken thigh, or seafood options, each plate feels thoughtfully prepared rather than rushed.

Being just a short walk from Clapham Junction station also makes it an easy option whether you’re local to South West London or travelling across the city for a meal.

What is Katsuro Known For?

Katsuro is best known for its Japanese katsu and its dedication to perfecting every element of the dish.

The biggest difference is their use of fresh panko breadcrumbs. Most places use dried panko, but Katsuro’s fresh version creates a coating that stays incredibly light while still giving that satisfying crunch. It doesn’t feel heavy or greasy, which means the quality of the meat or seafood underneath can really shine through.

They’re particularly known for their pork tonkatsu, which features thick cuts of pork loin that remain tender and juicy while maintaining a crispy outer layer. Their cheese katsu has also become a favourite thanks to its generous filling and impressive cheese pull.

For katsu lovers, this is exactly the kind of specialist restaurant you hope to find. Every variation feels like it has been given the same level of care rather than being treated as an afterthought.

What is the Experience Like at Katsuro?

Dining at Katsuro feels relaxed and welcoming. The focus is firmly on the food, but there is still a warm atmosphere that makes you want to settle in and enjoy your meal.

The menu isn’t overwhelming, which I actually appreciated. Instead of trying to do everything, Katsuro sticks closely to what it does best. That makes ordering easier and allows you to focus on exploring different styles of katsu.

One thing I liked was how complete each meal felt. Every katsu set comes with white rice, cabbage salad, katsu sauce, miso soup, pink salt, pickles, and wasabi. Rather than just receiving a single fried cutlet, you get a balanced meal with plenty of accompaniments to mix and match.

The portions are generous without feeling excessive, and the quality remains consistent throughout the meal. Perfect for a casual lunch, a relaxed dinner, or simply when you’re craving something comforting and satisfying.

We visited on a weekday evening for dinner and it was quite busy, so that’s usually a good sign that they’re doing something right.

One thing I was genuinely gutted about was missing out on the Premium Tonkatsu (£24). I had every intention of ordering it, but by the time I got there for dinner, it had already sold out for the day.

Apparently they only do a limited number of portions daily, which explains why it’s so popular. It’s made with a premium cut of pork loin that’s beautifully marbled and finished with truffle oil, and it’s intentionally cooked medium with a slight pink centre to keep it tender. If you’re planning to visit and want to try it, learn from my mistake and go for lunch if you can. You’ll have a much better chance of getting one before they sell out. Safe to say it’s already on my list for next time because I definitely don’t want to miss it again.

What is the Food Like at Katsuro?

We started with the Lotus Chips served with edamame dip (£6.50). I’ve had lotus chips plenty of times before, but serving them alongside an edamame dip was something new to me. The chips were crisp and crunchy, while the dip added a creamy, slightly nutty element that worked surprisingly well. It’s a simple starter but one that’s worth ordering.

Next came the Minced Katsu (£4.50). Despite being fried, it felt remarkably light. The coating stayed crisp without overpowering the filling, and it paired perfectly with the accompanying sauce. It may be one of the smaller items on the menu, but it was still packed with flavour.

Then came what turned out to be my favourite dish of the evening, the Ebi Katsu (£5.50).

Unexpectedly, this completely stole the show for me. The prawn was incredibly light and fluffy, almost cloud-like in texture. Every bite felt delicate while still maintaining that satisfying crunch from the fresh panko coating. I also loved that the prawn head was fried too, allowing you to enjoy the whole piece. If I had to recommend just one thing to order at Katsuro, this would be it. I would happily return just for this dish alone.

Of course, no visit would be complete without trying the signature Pork Tonkatsu (£18.50).

This is the dish that best showcases what Katsuro is all about. The pork loin was thick, juicy, and tender inside, while the exterior remained beautifully crisp. The fresh panko coating made a noticeable difference. Rather than feeling dense or heavy, it stayed light and crunchy throughout the meal. Combined with the rice, cabbage salad, miso soup, pickles, wasabi, and sauces, it created a well-rounded and satisfying dining experience.

We also tried the Cheese Katsu (£22). If you’re someone who loves cheese, this one is hard to resist. The cheese filling is incredibly generous, creating the kind of dramatic cheese pull that immediately grabs your attention. The contrast between the crunchy coating and the molten cheese centre makes every bite indulgent and comforting. My advice? Eat it while it’s hot. The texture is at its best straight from the kitchen.

Whether it was pork, prawn, or minced katsu, the coating remained crisp, crunchy, and light without ever feeling oily.

What is the Price Like at Katsuro?

For the quality of ingredients and portion sizes, Katsuro offers good value for money.

You can expect to spend between £15 and £25 per person, depending on what they order. Main katsu sets sit comfortably within this range and include several accompaniments, making them feel like complete meals rather than standalone dishes.

The Pork Tonkatsu at £18.50 feels fairly priced considering the quality and portion size, while the Cheese Katsu at £22 offers a slightly more indulgent option. Smaller dishes like the Ebi Katsu (£5.50 each), Minced Katsu (£4.50), and Lotus Chips (£6.50) make it easy to add variety without dramatically increasing the bill.

For London, especially when considering the quality and specialist focus, the pricing feels reasonable.

Final Thoughts about Katsuro

If you’re searching for some of the best katsu in London, Katsuro deserves a place on your list.

From crispy pork loin to gooey cheese katsu and standout prawn katsu, every dish reflects a genuine passion for doing katsu properly. Add in reasonable pricing, generous set meals, and a convenient location near Clapham Junction, and it’s easy to see why people keep recommending it.

If katsu is your thing, this is one spot you shouldn’t overlook.

Highlights and Tips for Katsuro

• Known for their Japanese katsu
• Often considered one of the best katsu spots in London
• Uses fresh panko breadcrumbs instead of dried panko for a lighter, crispier coating
• Pork tonkatsu is one of the signature dishes
• Every katsu set comes with rice, cabbage salad, miso soup, katsu sauce, pink salt, pickles and wasabi
• Favourites dishes: Ebi Katsu, Pork Katsu, lotus chips served in edamame dip

Details about Katsuro

• Location: Clapham Junction 189 St John’s Hill, London SW11 1TH
• Opening Hours:
  • Mon – Fri (12pm – 3pm & 5:30pm – 10pm)
  • Sat (12pm – 10pm)
  • Sun (12pm – 9pm)
• Price: £15–£25pp
• Cuisine: Japanese

---

MORE ON MY BLOG

Explore more of my food blog

Explore more of my travel blog

---

CONNECT WITH ME ♡

♡ Instagram: @juliaxeats

♡ Tik Tok: @juliaxeats

♡ YouTube: @juliaxeats

♡ Blog: www.juliaxeats.com

Business inquiries: juliaxeats@gmail.com

---

Explore London, UK

---

More London UK Posts

---

Tags: Katsuro London, Katsuro Clapham Junction, best katsu London, Japanese katsu London, tonkatsu London, pork tonkatsu London, cheese katsu London, ebi katsu London, Japanese restaurant Clapham Junction, London food blog, London restaurant review, Japanese food London, best Japanese restaurant London, crispy katsu London, fresh panko katsu, katsu set London, Clapham Junction food, London foodie, where to eat in Clapham Junction, Japanese comfort food London, pork katsu London, London food guide, London dining recommendations, hidden gems London food, London Japanese cuisine, katsu specialist London, restaurant review London, food blogger London, Katsuro review, best Japanese katsu London