Katsu don combo sets — classic + mentaiko ($19 for 2)!
Japanese tonkatsu chain — twin katsu don sets: classic chicken katsudon with egg + mentaiko mayo chicken katsu don, watermelon, miso soup, drink. $19 total.
Lunch with BB — twin katsu don combo sets at $19. Classic + mentaiko comparison. 😋
What was on the tray ($19 for 2 sets):
- Classic chicken katsudon (front bowl) — panko chicken cutlet with soft-set scrambled egg in dashi-soya sauce, simmered onions, chopped scallions on top, served over rice. The traditional Japanese tonkatsu chain rendition.
- Mentaiko chicken katsu don (top right bowl) — chicken katsu pieces over rice with mentaiko mayo drizzle + shredded daikon + carrot pickle + fresh greens + a piece of side karaage.
- Small bowl of miso soup (top centre) with wakame.
- Two small dishes of watermelon — sliced wedges as the fruit closer.
- Iced tea (left side) in a tall glass.
- A small dish (bottom-right) with a soft-boiled egg — for adding to the katsudon if you want extra egg.
Two katsudon styles in one meal — the classic vs the modern variant:
Classic katsudon (don 1) = panko-fried chicken cutlet + dashi-soya simmered onions + half-cooked egg poured over the top, all served on rice. The whole dish stays in a half-wet state. Eating ritual: stir the soft egg into the rice for the creamy comfort.
Mentaiko katsu don (don 2) = the trendy variant — instead of egg-cooked-with-katsu, the katsu is sliced fresh + drizzled with mentaiko mayo (pink-orange spicy cod-roe mayo). The katsu stays crispy because no broth or egg soaking. Topped with shredded daikon-carrot pickle for the textural-acidic counterpoint.
Soft-boiled egg side (small white dish) — Japanese tonkatsu chains include a raw or soft-boiled egg you can crack over the rice for extra protein/richness. Optional but recommended.
Watermelon sides = the SG Japanese chain finishing touch — small wedges served with every set lunch.
$19 for 2 sets = good value for full Japanese set lunches with two protein styles. Mall versions of single katsu don run $14-18 each.
Total: $19 combined.
Overall: 4.3 / 5. Classic katsudon was textbook comfort, mentaiko version was the crispy-spicy alternative, soft-boiled egg add-on was the protein bonus. Different ways to eat katsu in one visit. 😋👍🏼
