Last year during our lunch with Scott Tan of Bon Chon, he told us that he was working on secret projects
Finally one of the secrets is out! A franchise from Japan, Ginza Bairin! The first Tonkatsu restaurant in Ginza which opened in 1927. I was wondering why we never ate here and I asked Scott where it was in Ginza. Apparently you cannot spot this restaurant if you cannot read Japanese because the restaurant sign is in Japanese!
Previous entry: Team Bon Chon November 4, 2012



The day before it opened, we came over to try it

I am so honored to meet third generation owner, Masaya Shibuya and the International Head Chef, Yoshijiro Miyakozawa






Loved this unique looking gyoza!! It tastes good too! My Ramen boys will love this!

It was the founder of Ginza Bairin who invented the tonkatsu sauce before anyone else. Before tonkatsu was being served only with catsup or soy sauce etc. Bairin in Japanese means plum tree and the grandson, Masaya Shibuya told me that his grandfather named the restaurant after the plum tree which his wife loved in her garden

Three kinds of dippings for Tonkatsu at Ginza Bairin
1.) Just the plain plum sauce
2.) Sauce with the Sesame seeds
3.) Sesame seeds with pink Himalayan salt

Tonkatsu sauce and salad dressings

I noticed that the breadcrumbs was lighter than usual and according to Ginza Bairin Manager, Tetsuya Ohyabu, it’s because they use cottonseed oil ( also healthier )


Three ways to eat Tonkatsu, It was my first time to try Katsu Sando




An interesting way to eat tonkatsu! The bread was so good and is made fresh by a Japanese baker



The third way is Scott’s favorite way! He told me that this was the dish that made him love Ginza Bairin in Tokyo!

Scott demonstrating how to eat the Katsudon! He takes it so seriously
No wonder he is so passionate about his business




President and Owner, Masaya Shibuya – Third generation of Ginza Bairin


My seat mate Ohyabu San and I like this dip – sesame seeds with himalayan salt

And he told me he likes putting it on the rice too! So I copied him and realized I liked it too 

They offer Teishoku sets where you can ask for free refills of any of the sides – the salad, the soup, rice and the fruit. The set is only P 425, P 445 and P 525!






Other items on the menu


International Head Chef, Yoshijiro Miyakozawa bringing our Unagi Katsu. First time for me to have Unagi as a katsu
Miyakozawa San travels all over the world to train the chefs of new franchisees





To celebrate the launch, Shibuya San giving an old painting to Scott which has the Ginza Bairin pig mascot on it


Congratulations!!! Kampai!

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