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For my day-trip to Nagasaki, I’m heading to local Tonkatsu chain Tonkatsu Hamakatsu to try out some of their Lunch Sets. Featuring various katsu combinations – including Nagasaki’s famous Aji-Fry – these sets are a great way to experience a little bit of everything at a reasonable price point.

So what are some of the sets on offer? And is it worth the visit? Let’s get to it! How Good is Tonkatsu Hamakatsu Actually?

–Menu–
–Nagasaki Aji-Fry Lunch Set–
–Assorted Lunch Set–
–Set Contents–
–Sauce Options–
–Verdict–
–Getting There–

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📋 Menu 📋

Hamakatsu features a decent assortment of set meals from Tonkatsu and Karaage, to Ebi-Fry and Katsudon. But as I was here for lunch, I decided to grab some of their budget-friendly lunch sets – featuring an assortment of smaller-portioned katsus. 

Orders are made via their tablets, and during the process, you’ll be able to customize a few items in the set (details below)

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🍱 Nagasaki Aji-Fry Lunch Set (¥1,360) 🍱

Aji Fry (Deep Fried Horse Mackerel) is one of Nagasaki’s regional specialties.

And with it being at the top of my wishlist this trip, this set was an easy choice, featuring a half-size Aji Fry, Chicken Katsu, and a seasonal vegetable katsu – sweet potato in today’s case.

Let’s start with the Aji Fry – easily the highlight of the meal. Despite being only “Half-Size”, it’s still a massive piece!

Being Nagasaki-produced Aji, the fish is noticeably meatier than the other varieties. That combined with the higher fat content results in a really satisfying experience with every bite – a strongly flavorful, thick piece of fish, encased in a layer of crispy panko.

Absolutely fantastic, and a must-order, I say – either via the set or as an a la carte order (¥360).

I’ll also mention it here, Hamakatsu uses fresh panko for their breading, resulting in a very nice, airy crunch to the katsu.

The Chicken Katsu was also nice, but nothing too special. The cleaner profile does pair well with the katsu sauce though!

As for the sweet potato katsu? Yeah, it’s good! It’s just sweet potato, yes… but a nice change of pace from the more savory, heavier items in the set.

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🍱 Assorted Lunch Set (¥1,360) 🍱

Hamakatsu’s Assorted Lunch set features a trio of Pork Tenderloin Katsu, Chicken Katsu, and Namban Chicken. 

The Namban Chicken is a Tempura-styled chicken fillet, coated in a sweet & sour soy sauce and vinegar glaze.

Some seriously flavorful stuff, so much that I completely forgot about the Tartare Sauce that comes with the set.

The Chicken Katsu is the same as the previous set. It’s good, but let’s move to the Pork Katsu.

The Pork Tenderloin Katsu features the thickest cut of the bunch, and as you’d expect from the tenderloin, a darker, more ‘porky’ flavor profile.

Like the chicken, nothing too special, but always great to have.

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🍱 Set Contents 🍱

In addition to the katsu, the meal also comes with an assortment of sides – some of which are customizable: Rice (with / without barley), Cabbage (shredded / diced), Miso Soup (red miso / white miso), Picked Vegetables, and Tartare Sauce.

Not much difference between most options – though for the soup, go for the White Miso if you want the usual mild-tasting option, and go for Red Miso if you want a darker, saltier profile.

Both are very nice, though my personal favorite today goes to the red.

The rice, miso soup, cabbage, and pickles are all refillable as well!

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🍱Sauce Options 🍱

For sauces, you have the good ol’ tangy Tonkatsu Sauce and ground sesame, as well as some Karashi Hot Mustard and Salt.

On the salad dressing side, you have two options between the Wafu (Japanese onion-based dressing) and Nama (vegetable & apple-based vinaigrette) Dressings. 

The Tonkatsu Sauce wasn’t overly sharp, and works well as your default sauce for any item.

But for some – notably the Aji – I like to enjoy it simply with some salt. Might not synergize as well with the rice, but the salt does a great job in enhancing the Aji’s natural flavors – so give it a go!

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⭐VERDICT⭐

So how good is Tonkatsu Hamakatsu actually? Yeah, it’s great! I suppose my Aji-Fry bias is kicking in, but that alone made this lunch a very satisfying experience – and that’s not even considering the other Katsu and items in the set.

You could argue that as Nagasaki is the place for Aji-Fry, you’ll likely encounter many specialty stores with (full-sized) cutlets that’s just as good – if not better. And while that’s probably true, as a quick  budget-friendly meal – this place is a solid recommendation!

So if you’re around Nagasaki and want some quick and satisfying Katsu Lunch Sets, then head on over to Tonkatsu Hamakatsu!

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🚗 GETTING THERE 🚗

My visit to Tonkatsu Hamakatsu today was at their Dejima Wharf store.

Via the Electric Tramway, head off at Dejima Station, and the restaurant is basically around the corner towards the wharf.

Via Metro, the closest stop is at Nagasaki Station – accompanied by a 15 minute walk. Alternatively, you can then take the Tram at Nagasaki Station to either Ohato or Dejima Station. Still takes around 10-15 mins, but it’s easier on the legs this way.

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Side Note: Couldn’t find a place to mention this, but if you’re lucky, you might get to sit at their window seats – giving you a really great view of the Dejima Wharf area! 

Tonkatsu Hamakatsu Nagasaki Dejima Wharf Store

🌏 Location 🌏
1-5 Dejimamachi, Nagasaki, 850-0862, Japan (2nd Floor)
🗺 Map 🗺
https://maps.app.goo.gl/W6dzr26wnX2j37W49
⏰ Opening Hours ⏰
11 A.M. to 10 P.M.
💻 Website 💻
https://shop.hamakatsu.jp/detail/h0077/
📖 Online Menu (Japanese) 📖
https://www.hamakatsu.jp/menu/

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