Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin

Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin is a Japanese tonkatsu restaurant at 2250 Kalakaua Avenue, inside Waikiki Shopping Plaza, in Honolulu, Hawaii. The restaurant is the Hawaii branch of a Tokyo-founded tonkatsu house, which gives it a heritage in the Japanese tradition of breaded and deep-fried pork cutlets served with shredded cabbage, rice and miso soup. The cuisine focuses on kurobuta (black pork), a prized heritage breed, fried to a crisp exterior with a tender interior. Signature dishes include the kurobuta pork tonkatsu set, the katsu sandwich, which is popular as a takeout item, and katsu curry for those who prefer a sauced preparation. Meals typically cost about US$20-35 per person, which is moderate for Waikiki. The dining room is orderly and calm, with Japanese-style service, set meals arriving with sides and a sauce served in small dishes for dipping. There is no formal dress code, and noise levels stay moderate even when busy. The beverage list is simple, with tea, soft drinks and beer. Reservations are generally not needed; the restaurant works on a walk-in basis, but waits can build at dinner, particularly in peak tourist seasons. Lunch is a gentler time to visit and often shorter on queues. The location on Kalakaua Avenue places it in the middle of Waikiki's shopping and hotel district, so it fits easily into a day of sightseeing or shopping. Travellers who want a Japanese meal that is more specialised than a general noodle shop will find it a reliable choice, and visitors from Japan and long-time Honolulu residents are a regular part of the clientele. The katsu sandwich also works as a portable lunch for the beach.