Four years after the devastating floods of 2020, while bridges and railways are still under reconstruction, tourist spots, eateries, and hotels are back in business!

Among these recovering spots, I visited “Tonkatsu Aoi”, known for its unique black tonkatsu.

 Near “Hassenba”, the Hub for Kuma River Activities

“Tonkatsu Aoi” is located in Nanuka-machi, Hitoyoshi City, boasting a spacious interior.

 Exclusive Use of Fukuoka Prefecture’s “Itoshima Hanabuta”

The menu features Itoshima Hanabuta pork from Fukuoka Prefecture, known for its sweetness and tender texture.

Let’s take a look at the menu.

The special Pork Loin Tonkatsu Set Meal is priced at 1300 yen, with unlimited cabbage and rice.

There’s a large “Ebi Fry” (Japanese breaded, deep-fried shrimp) Set Meal as well.

And there it was, the “Black Tonkatsu” I was eager to try.

Japanese curry and a selection of soft drinks and alcohol are also available.

 Ordered the Black Tonkatsu Loin Set Meal

Upon ordering tonkatsu, a dish of sesame seeds and other condiments are brought to the table.

The rich array of condiments included sesame seeds, Japanese tonkatsu sauce, salt, black pepper, and Japanese mustard.

The tonkatsu sauce is slightly tangy.

The vegetables are crisp and fresh. All you can eat vegetables are especially welcome when prices are high!

There were two types of dressing available: tomato and onion.

And then it arrived! The Black Tonkatsu Loin Set Meal!!

The breading is pitch black!

At first glance, you might think it’s burnt, but no.

The tonkatsu is thick, juicy, and tender. You can really taste the quality of the meat.

Eating it plain allows you to appreciate the natural sweetness of the meat, but I recommend trying it with some goma shio (sesame salt).

There’s also the regular loin katsu.

This one too is tender and sweet.

The Secret Of Being Black

I was surprised to learn how the black breadcrumbs are made.

First, bamboo charcoal is kneaded into bread dough and baked into a pitch-black bread. The bread is then ground down into the breadcrumbs used for the tonkatsu. It’s a labor-intensive process.

The black tonkatsu has a satisfying texture and, despite its color, it doesn’t blacken your mouth as you might expect.

Rice and cabbage refills are free, and fortunately, the soup served alongside the katsu was tonjiru, a heartier version of miso soup with plenty of vegetables and pieces of pork!

The restaurant is closed on Monday evenings and all day Tuesday.

If you’re in Hitoyoshi, make sure to check it out!

Tonkatsu Aoi