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Saboten Special Gozen tonkatsu set ($27.90++)!
Saboten Japanese tonkatsu set — pork loin katsu, prawn tempura, fresh sesame to grind, tonkatsu sauce, shredded cabbage, miso soup, chawanmushi and rice. $27.90++.
Date treat at Saboten (勝博殿) — the Japanese tonkatsu specialist with the freshly-ground sesame ritual. Went for the Special Gozen set at $27.90++. 😋
What was on the tray ($27.90++):
- The hero plate: a panko-crusted pork loin katsu sliced thick, plus two giant prawn tempura with tails up, on a wire rack so the batter stays crispy.
- A small dish of tartare sauce with lemon wedge and parsley for the prawn tempura.
- A pestle bowl of roasted sesame seeds — grind them yourself, then mix in their tonkatsu sauce (and optional Japanese mustard) for the dipping sauce. The ritual is half the fun.
- A bowl of fluffy Japanese short-grain rice (refillable).
- A side of shredded cabbage with sesame dressing.
- A bowl of miso soup with wakame and tofu.
- A small bowl of chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) with toppings inside.
Pork katsu was the standout — juicy with the right amount of fat layer, crust audibly crispy. Prawn tempura was huge and snappy.
Total: $27.90++. Premium pricing but the set was hefty.
Overall: 4.2 / 5. Solid Saboten experience — the freshly-ground sesame sauce alone is reason enough to go. The chawanmushi was a nice extra touch on the Special Gozen. 😍👍🏼
