There’s a distinct shade in the Japanese foodie spectrum for tonkatsu. It’s their British fish and chips, or American mashed potatoes and gravy: a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet that comforts the soul as much as it troubles the waistline. It’s so popular, in fact, that you will find it everywhere from grimy Japanese diners to nicer spots like Saboten, the Shinjuku, Tokyo-born chain that’s now spread to multiple continents. Its first China venture is in the hypermodern Parkview Green mall, decking out an airy, bustling space in the back of the basement with plenty of cubicle booths that, on our visit, were packed out with hungry diners.

Those crowds are a good sign, but the long wait may plant unfair doubts in your mind. Surely it’s hardly exciting grub when you can get the same plate at one of the other Sabotens around the world? The plastic recreations of the food in the front window might also be a minor deterrent. And how come the sets cost three times the price you’d pay at Japanese joints like Katoya or Suzuki Kitchen? It’s only fried pork; that’s not so hard to make. Egg, flour, pork, breadcrumbs, done.

Address: Basement 2, Parkview Green 9 Dongdaqiao Lu, Unit LG2-12, Chaoyang District 朝阳区东大桥路9号侨福芳草地地下2层LG2-12Source: timeoutbeijing.com