Pairing Tonkatsu correctly — a note on barley tea

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Tonkatsu. I ordered it with barley tea and the clean and umami-forward elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. mirin in particular became more prominent in a good way.

seasonal ingredients guide the menu in traditional settings. The a high-end kaiseki setting is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Tonkatsu with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.