TON TON Katsuya
Sesame Seeds, Sesame Dressing, Katsu Sauce
Okinawa Ice Milk Tea / Hokkaido Ice Milk Tea
Pumpkin Katsu
Jumbo Scallop Katsu
Black Line Pork Meatball Katsu
Organic Chicken Katsu Set, Rice, Miso, Pickles
Ton Ton Pork Loin Katsu Sandwich
Opened shortly before Covid-19 changed the dining landscape in ways never anticipated TON TON Katsuya has established itself as something of a destination in the Southwest, “Restaurant stylist” Martin Koleff and Chef Yutaka Kude seeing lines prior to opening most days and ninety minute waits for those arriving during peak hours.
Occupying the former Paid in Full at the corner of Warm Springs Road and Durango Drive, a space made all the more concise by wooden booths divided by barriers and a sizable open kitchen, it is once inside that guests will find laminated menus propped upright featuring items of varying prices.
Backed by the man behind Raku and Curry Zen with a Chef whose tenure spans from Osaka to Michigan, Hawaii and now Sin City TON TON Katsuya focuses on Tempura fried specialties, the take-out only Pork Loin Sandwich authentic right down to imported Bread plus hot Mustard cut into quarters.
Open for Lunch and Dinner Tuesday through Sunday, the setting decidedly genuine right down to staff fluent in English as well as Japanese, starters include fried Seafood and Vegetables, Kabocha Squash cooked tender with sweetness balanced by chunky pink Sauce while U-10 Scallops arrive nearly-raw at the middle next to Salad and a wedge of Lemon.
Making Katsu Sauce and Sesame Dressing in-house, with guests invited to grind additional seeds as necessary, Black Line Pork comprises TON TON Katsuya’s most pricey option, this time as a side of Meatballs made from off-cuts that eat like delicate orbs bursting with umami.
Ingredient-focused from Kyoei Foods Panko to Suntterra Farm proteins, all of it including Chicken fried in Rice Bran Oil, meal “sets” also include Rice, Salad, Pickles and Miso while Desserts save for Ice Cream and Milk Tea largely hail from nearby Suzuya Patisserie.
FOUR STARS: While the strip banks on another “celebrity chef” opening built to please everyone TON TON Katsuya has got a line before opening to do one thing and do it very well, with care and authenticity for those willing to wait.
RECOMMENDED: Pumpkin Katsu, Black Line Pork Meatball Katsu.
AVOID: Sitting back-to-the-kitchen where staff inexplicably managed to splatter 3 large spots of brown sauce on the back of a white shirt.
TIP: Given TON TON Katsuya’s small size and popularity this is not a place to linger, even though they neither offer nor take reservations.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.tontonlv.com