17 Best Katsu & Furai Recipes: The Crunchy Japanese Fried Foods You Want to Make Right Now (2024)

Crispy and juicy perfection, katsu and furai are seriously one of the best things to eat! From tonkatsu to baked chicken katsu to ebi furai, there are so many ways to enjoy these beloved Japanese breaded fried foods. Make them today!

Are you ready for some seriously crispy, juicy, and downright delicious fried food? In this roundup, you’ll find the best katsu and furai recipes all in one place.

As one of the most well-known yoshoku dishes in Japan, Katsu (カツ) basically refers to meat or ingredient that’s been encrusted in panko breadcrumbs and then deep-fried. In short, katsu are the Japanese deep-fried cutlets, like schnitzels.

Before we get to the menu, here’s what you need to know about katsu and furai:

• Katsu (カツ) can be made with different cuts of meat like pork, chicken, beef, ham, ground meat, and sometimes tofu.
• When comes to breaded and fried seafood and vegetables, they are called furai (フライ, transliteration of “fry”).
• Panko or Japanese bread crumbs is the must-have ingredient to give katsu and furai the light yet crispy outer coating. It is the secret to yields the kind of crust that you can actually hear when you take a bite.
• Deep-frying is the best method to make crunchy katsu and furai, but I’ve also developed an oven-baked technique for those who prefer no-mess cooking. So you have the option to enjoy this AMAZING food at home!
• Fried foods in Japan are always served with shredded cabbage. I highly recommend this cabbage slicer to make super-thin shredded cabbage!

Now let’s get to the recipes!

17 Crispy Katsu & Furai Recipes You Want to Make At Home

1. Classic Chicken Katsu

Chicken Katsu is the classic. Serve it with tonkatsu sauce and a side of fresh salad for the best family meal. Bonus: It freezes well, so make extra.

Prefer a baked version? Get the recipe here.

2. Gluten-Free Chicken Katsu

Although this is baked and 100% gluten free, the result is just as gratifying. First, toast the panko until nicely brown before dredging the chicken all over and bake. Enjoy with citrusy ponzu sauce and grated daikon!

3. Tonkatsu

The key to extra tender meat for tonkatsu is by pounding the pork loin/ fillet first. Complete the meal with a mountain of raw shredded cabbage.

4. Baked Tonkatsu

Of course, I have a baked version of tonkatsu for you too! This one is a total game-changer. Use quality pork and thin pieces so they cook through and crisp up beautifully.

5. Katsu Sando

Get over your sandwich ho-hum with Katsu Sando. The soft pillowy Japanese milk bread contrasts with crispy juicy pork cutlets. It’s the bomb!

6. Miso Katsu

A Nagoya specialty, Miso Katsu elevates the pork cutlets with a bold savory sauce.

7. Chicken Cheese Katsu

Imagine biting through crispy juicy chicken and be greeted with melty gooey cheese? Dare we say it’s a good kind of indulgence:) No wonder it makes a popular cafe menu for kids and ladies in Japan.

8. Katsu Curry

Chicken cutlet or pork cutlet served over rice andsmothered in a creamy flavorful curry sauce, Katsu Curry is the ultimate comfort dish!

9. Baked Katsudon

Anything crunchy tastes delicious with fluffy steamed rice. Agree? Here you have pork cutlet simmered in runny egg and served in a hot rice bowl. Best of all, the oven-bake treatment makes it a no-fuss weeknight dinner.

10. Crispy Tonkatsu Donburi

Use ‘shabu shabu’ thin sliced pork loin for this recipe. Not only it takes only a small amount of oil, but it also cooks a lot faster.

11. Chicken Katsudon

This Chicken Katsudon is a typical lunch enjoyed by all ages in Japan.The sweet-savory sauce and simmered eggs make the rice bowl extra hearty.

12. Chicken Katsu Onigirazu

If you make extra baked chicken katsu, turn it into an amazing rice sandwich the next day! Layer it with tonkatsu sauce, mustard, steamed rice, thinly sliced cabbage, and wrap with nori, you’d get the best lunch ever.

13. Menchi Katsu

Menchi Katsu is pretty much a size-down hamburger, but with an extra layer of crunchiness. You can use regular buns, but brioche buns and homemade tartar sauce make everything tastier.

14. Ham Katsu

Black forest ham on the inside and a thin crust of golden brown panko on the outside, Ham Katsu is the simplest cutlet you can make. Inspired by the Japanese drama – Midnight Diner, this is a humble yet super satisfying dish.

15. Ebi Fry (Ebi Furai)

Ebi fry is a classic choice on the Okosama Set(Children’s Meal) menu at family restaurants in Japan. The succulent shrimp are breaded and fried, giving you the luxurious texture. Do make extra for this one too!

16. Ebi Katsu Burger

Shrimp may not be a conventional choice for a burger, but it should. The plump juicy texture alone is enough to make the case, moreover when they are breaded and baked until golden crisp. Yes, you need to serve it with tartar sauce and shredded cabbage.

17. Japanese Fried Oyster (Kaki Furai)

Fried Oysters or Kaki Fry (Furai) are one of the popular dishes in Japan during fall and winter.The juicy, briny morsels are a real treat to go with a cold beer.

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