Tonkatsu Daiki at Ngee Ann City
“Hidden gem” might be the most overused phrase in Singapore’s food scene right now, so we’re not going there. Plus, if you’re even remotely plugged into foodie TikTok, you’ve probably already heard about Tonkatsu Daiki’s opening at Ngee Ann City on Orchard Road.
What did catch our eye, though, wasn’t the tonkatsu (we’ll get to that) – it was the quirky “train to Osaka” entrance. Naturally, we had to check it out for ourselves and see if it’s actually worth the trip down.
Get transported to Osaka upon entering the “train”
You’ll find Tonkatsu Daiki on Level 5 of Ngee Ann City, and it’s honestly hard to miss. The deep burgundy exterior is designed to look like a train carriage, one that’s more atas than our usual MRT.
While it doesn’t exactly mirror Osaka’s real metro trains, the illusion kicks in the moment you step inside. The entrance is decked out with an unmistakable train-style fabric seat you’d usually spot in Japan, and not in SG.
There’s even a map of the Midosuji Line – one of Osaka’s busiest subway routes – on the wall for that extra touch of realism.
But the cherry on top for us was the “window” screen playing footage of Osaka’s streets rolling by, so it felt like we were en route to our next stop in Japan, except our destination was tonkatsu instead of Dotonbori. Right beside it is another door to the actual restaurant.
Dine with a “view” of the iconic Dotonbori
We know we said the next stop was tonkatsu, but waiting for us in the actual dining area was a pleasant surprise. Past the train carriage, we were greeted by “windows” showcasing the streets of Dotonbori – it felt like we’d been teleported, especially with the iconic Glico Man billboard, a non-negotiable thing to see in Osaka.
The space itself isn’t huge, very much like the cosy, compact eateries you’d find in Japan.
But it’s the little details that pull everything together, from tatami-style seating for bigger groups to counter seats that are common in Japanese restaurants.
Michelin-recognised tonkatsu restaurant
After geeking out over the interiors and momentarily forgetting we were still in Orchard, it was finally time for the main event: the food. In case you didn’t know, Tonkatsu Daiki has been Michelin-recognised for 4 consecutive years, and this Ngee Ann City outlet is the brand’s 1st venture outside Japan.
The restaurant uses premium Hokkaido pork cuts, known for their balance between fat and tenderness, so the natural flavour of the meat gets to shine.
Each set comes with Japanese rice, miso soup, cabbage, an assortment of condiments, and pickles. BTW, both the rice and cabbage are refillable, so come hungry if you’re planning to make the most of it.
Classic Rosu Tonkatsu Set
We tried the Classic Rosu Tonkatsu Set ($29/150g, $33/200g) – the cut here is chosen for its precise fat-to-meat ratio, and even as someone who isn’t big on fatty pork, this one strikes a good balance. It’s tender and pairs especially well with the salt provided, which brings out the natural sweetness of the pork.
There’s also the classic tonkatsu sauce if you prefer something more savoury, plus a mustard sauce with a slight wasabi kick for those who like a bit of tang.
Classic Hire Tonkatsu Set
Go for the Classic Hire Tonkatsu Set ($29/120g, $24/180g) if you prefer leaner fillet cuts. Ours came noticeably pinker than the Rosu, which helped to keep the meat juicy despite having less fat.
And before you side-eye the pink centre, the colour comes from low-temperature cooking, where the pork is cooked slowly to lock in moisture while still being safe to consume. So yes, you can dig in without worry.
In-House Special Japanese Curry Sauce
If you only have room or budget for 1 add-on, make it the In-House Special Japanese Curry Sauce ($5). You’ll be able to tell right away it’s not your usual sweet Japanese curry – the colour gives away its bolder, spicier profile.
We gave it a go ourselves, and yep, it packs a kick. Maybe enjoy it with the rice and tonkatsu to balance things out and mellow the heat.
Tonkatsu Daiki is a little escape in the heart of Orchard
Do note that because the space is quite small, queues are expected, especially during peak hours. Even when we visited on a Monday afternoon, there were already a few groups waiting outside.
Food-wise, patience is key here. Our dishes took around 20 to 30 minutes to be served from the first to the last plate. But it’s not without reason – the low-temperature cooking method needs time to achieve a tender texture, and the cutlets are also rested after frying to lock in all that juiciness.
As for the photo spots, they’re fun but fairly quick to cover – you’ll probably be done snapping in a few minutes. Just know that it’s not the kind of ultra-Instagrammable cafe you’d linger at for ages.
Nonetheless, the novelty is there, and more importantly, the food more than makes up for the wait in our opinion. Head down if you’re into checking out new restaurants and keen to try authentic tonkatsu dishes without having to travel all the way to Japan.
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Photography by Hui Wen Chan.