In a rare moment of vulnerability, I was breaking down to my big bro about the lack of quality Katsu in New York City. I got back from Japan 3 weeks ago, and the abundant access to high level Katsu ruined me. I can only equate it to growing up on Dominos Pizza, and then you have that first real quality brick oven pizza and you're like "oh there are really levels to this..." It takes a piece of your innocence that you will never get back. Big bro put a hand on my shoulder and said, "Lil Bro, I've already walked a mile in these shoes. We are going to Katsu-Hama." Next thing I know, we are on 47th street walking into what I can only describe as a wormhole straight to a restaurant in the bustling streets of Tokyo. We ordered the Berkshire Pork Loin Curry, with an extra cutlet each because we are big dawgs. Upon first bite, hope was restored. I could breath again. Beneath delicate crackles of the crisp golden shell, the pork was impossibly tender. The curry came in over the top with a gentle sweetness and depth to tie it all together. I hate to be a prisoner of the moment, but this was just as good, if not better, than any katsu I had in Japan. I've been 3 times in the past week, and Katsu-Hama is currently my favorite restaurant in New York City. SHOUTOUT TO MY BIG BRO! IG @johnny.novo Tiktok @jnov__ Substack @johnnynovo read more

See all

A friend and I came in after work and we got exactly what we were looking for. This place is really no frills without sacrificing quality. We each ordered the Chicken Cutlet Curry (B Set) with Cabbage Salad and Miso Soup. This dish is so flavorful without feeling heavy and is large enough to take leftovers home. I would order this again! Took out a star because the place is small and the tables were a little sticky but we will definitely be back! read more

Katsu-Hama - Chicken Cutlet Curry (B Set) with Cabbage Salad and Miso Soup - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

I am a sucker for delicious Katsu and you'll struggle to find better than Katsu-Hama. Katsu-Hama has a quaint, Japanese vibe in a small but comfortable dining area. It's not especially big, so you may have a bit of a wait if you frequent right at lunch or in the evening but whatever amount of time you have to wait it will be well worth it. Service is top tier but you come for the food. They have a varied menu with a lot of options so if you're bringing a buddy that isn't up for Katsu, they'll have plenty to choose from. The Katsu is the star and I think what sets this place apart is that they offer Berkshire pork katsu as an option. Arguably some of the best pork, it's great to have the option if you're looking to heighten the experience. I love their pork katsu and go nuts over the chicken katsu curry. It's super crispy, slightly greasy but never off-putting. And it's served with the most delicate and delicious cabbage slaw. I could eat a mountain of this it's so good. Highly recommended. read more

Katsu-Hama - Berkshire Pork Katsu - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

I've had this place saved for a while, and I don't feel like I need to go again. It was cramped especially since they sat everyone in a section despite having table space in multiple areas. The food was ok, felt comparable to something you would order at a food court, so at the price point, it's not that worth it. The main was so unremarkable that the best thing was the miso soup. In terms of flavor, it's very much like "that's it??", pretty basic but wouldn't standout as good. read more

See all

We went to Katsu-Hama as a walk-in this past Saturday around 1 PM. No reservations, but we only waited about 10 minutes for bar seating. Not bad at all, especially with just two people. BERKSHIRE PORK LOIN KATSU CURRY (160G) B SET - 27 + B set comes with cabbage salad and miso soup I wanted the Berkshire pork loin since I wanted a juicier and more flavorful katsu. It delivered, but not mind-blowing. The batter was fried really nicely -- katsu was crispy on the outside, tender inside. The B set was simple but did the job. Pretty standard miso soup and shredded cabbage with sesame dressing, nothing fancy but solid. The issue I had was the curry, which was way too salty. I ended up just eating the katsu with some of the rice (and they give you a lot of rice here) and only a bit of curry here and there. My friend tried the curry too and agreed mine was noticeably saltier than his. Next time, I'd skip the curry and just go with katsu and plain rice. I've heard their prawn katsu is really solid, so that's probably what I'll try next. Overall, my friend and I enjoyed our dine-in experience. We took our time eating and catching up, which was great! read more

Katsu-Hama - Berkshire Pork Loin Cutlet Curry - B set - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Katsu Hama is a no-frills Japanese spot specializing in pork katsu, and they might just be the masters of it. It is possibly the best I've had outside of Japan. The katsu is surprisingly light, not greasy at all, and I didn't feel heavy/"yeet hay" after finishing the entire set. I went on a weekday night and didn't have to wait for a table. The restaurant has plenty of seating, though it felt a bit understaffed. ＊5th Avenue Set $25 I wanted to try a bit of everything so I got one of their assorted sets, which came with pork loin, prawn, and shrimp cream croquette. I felt like this is a smart move as I was so amazed by how delicious the prawn and the croquette were, even though they specialize in pork. The prawn was HUGE, meaty and bouncy, while the croquette was creamy with bits of shrimp meat. ＊Berkshire Pork Loin Katsu Curry $27 I personally prefer the pork loin over this berkshire pork loin, which was more expensive but somehow tougher than the pork loin. It was indeed meatier, but it was tougher. The curry though was surprisingly delicious. They didn't only use store-bought curry cubes as I could taste bits of beef (?) in the curry. ** Set A comes with miso soup, cabbage salad, and potato salad, while Set B is about $2 cheaper and comes with everything except the potato salad. read more

See all

A must stop spot for pork katsu!! Probably the best pork katsu I've had outside of Japan. I absolutely loved every bit of my meal. My coworker highly recommended this place to me and I was blown away. A very cozy interior to match the comfort food one is about to indulge in. I ordered a set that came with shrimp and pork katsu, rice and miso. To be honest, this was extremely filling, and I struggled to get through it all during my meal. The pork and shrimp cooked perfectly and the exterior was deliciously crunchy. The sauces that complimented the proteins were so good and gave a different flavor profile for each. This is a can't miss spot to get lunch or dinner at! read more

Katsu-Hama - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

I've been dying to go here for a while and i finally stumbled in on a wednesday night. Katsu was the perfect texture, fried prawn was FAT and the croquette was so yummy. The soup that comes with set A, I wasn't too impressed by. Very salty. I'd go for the miso soup next time and save $2 lol Would go down a star if it weren't for the value. If there was a drastic price increase this would go down to four stars. read more

Katsu-Hama - 5th avenue set - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

A place dedicated to Katsu dishes. I never thought it was possible to find a place like this in Manhattan. Advertised everywhere was the Berkshire pork Katsu. Of course I would go for this because why not on your first visit. So many box sets to go with so many versions of Katsus. As a girl that appreciates pork dishes, this hits the spot. Decent location, not too far from Grand Central and close to our show. The Katsu itself was really crispy and their miso dressing for their salad was zesty and addictive. My boyfriend got the shrimp Katsu and we both were curious. What was this as we've never heard of it. Thick fried breaded shrimp, unlike tempura done really well and delicious. Their homemade Katsu sauce goes well with all their dishes. Well done. We also appreciate our waiter as they gave us a free gyoza dish on the house for making us wait, even though it wasn't a long wait to get seated. They're so mindful it makes you appreciate their service. A nice busy bustling place for a Saturday night dinner. Dim, intimate, and fast. When you see this many diners, always a good sign. So many Katsu dishes to check out for the next time, maybe I'll try the Katsu mackerel set for my second visit. read more

Katsu-Hama - Berkshire Pork Loin Cutlet Curry - B set - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

This was my first time here. I ordered the Pork Loin Katsu. The pork and rice were both good! I'd come back!

We arrived around 6 PM on a Thursday and we were immediately seated but admittedly the restaurant was quite full and busy. The wait time for our food wasn't too bad though. I didn't enjoy the ambiance since it was often so loud it was hard to hear the person in front of me and I felt like I had to yell a bit most of the time. Pork Loin Katsu 4/5 The miso soup was good! It had a lot of flavor and warmed me up from the icy winds outside. It had lots of toppings as well. The cabbage tasted great and was very fresh. The katsu itself was well-cooked and mostly juicy, although it had some dry parts. It was a bit bland so I had to use some sauce to assist it. The rice was a bit mushy for liking but I think that's typical for Japanese-style rice read more

Katsu-Hama - (B)Pork Loin Katsu - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

See all

This is one of favorite food spots in the NYC and a lot of other people's too. Every time I go, it's packed especially during lunch time. They have great and reasonably priced lunch special options. So make sure to go there early to beat the lunch rush! This spot is known for their tonkatsu, so you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't get it! You know it's good when they provide the instructions, on each table, for how to eat the tonkatsu. We ordered: The lunch set with sashimi and pork Katsu. (The lunch special comes with miso soup, a salad and a small bite) Katsu Hama special set Everything was cooked / prepared perfectly! The katsu has the perfect crispiness and I love their dressing. And the staff are efficient and nice. I'm already thinking about next visit! read more

See all

Came here for dinner. We almost walked passed it. Thank goodness I stopped to look around. Anywho, it's a small restaurant, tucked between other eateries. Once you walked it, after a few steps, you're in line for the wait to eat. We were greeted after a few minutes. There were 2 other parties ahead of us. The host took a head count of all the parties waiting and gave us a 15 eta. After 15 minutes or so, we were seated. I ordered the Coney Island Set A, which was the chicken katsu with 2 tempura shrimps. Set A came with potato salad and soup. My husband order the Pork Katsu Curry Set A. My daughter got the sausage and fries with a side of rice. Soup came out after about 5 minutes and the rest of the food another 5 minutes. Overall, we enjoyed our food. It was crispy, filling and flavorful. Staff was attentive and nice. Would highly recommend this restaurant. Would definitely come back. read more

We came here on a Friday night and were seated at the bar without a wait. Food came quickly after we ordered. You can choose your entree as a part of 2 types of sets, and I chose the lighter option with miso soup and cabbage salad. The chicken katsu was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Curry was solid, but didn't stand out as much. Portion sizes were very large, but I wish there was slightly more curry and less rice. read more

Katsu-Hama - Chicken katsu curry - A set - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

The berkshire pork loin katsu is AMAZING - so crispy and the meat is so juicy, such high quality. I think this katsu is one of the best that NYC has to offer. I also loved the curry it came with. It's super casual inside, and I don't think they take reservations. I only had to wait 5-10 mins for a table during peak dinner hours, but it was still packed on a weekday. read more

Katsu-Hama - berkshire pork loin cutlet curry - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Best tonkatsu around (pork and chicken options, plus a delicious shrimp as well as oysters), with to-go bento boxes (cash only from the takeout window) and lunch specials. The Queen Set, with regular pork cutlet and shrimp, is my favorite. Avoid the second set of counter seats, as you'll be subject to pounding of the cutlets on the counter opposite, throughout your meal. That said, it's nice to know that everything is made fresh. Also, it's really not necessary to order the Berkshire pork, the regular tastes just fine. The house made sauce (in the small pot next to the soy sauce) is delicious. They also offer a 3% cash discount. read more

See all

Legit Authentic Fancy Super-Good Katsu Joint this is! Located near Grand Central Terminal on East 47th Street, We called ahead for reservations, and were promptly seated upon arrival. Busy place that gave us Tokyo vibes! Lots of Japanese speaking customers here, so that's a good sign.. We ordered the following: Tuna Poke - Delicious - just wish the portion was just a tad larger, but then, we wouldn't be able to enjoy the main course as much.. Okay! Point taken. 4.9/5 Age-Dashi Tofu - on point (4.1/5) Berkshire Pork Katsu Curry - Super tender melt in your mouth good with a delightfully lacy delicate crust the way Pro-level authentic Japanese Katsu should be. The upgrade to Berkshire was worth every penny. Lots of grades of Pork here, but really, given everything else, I doubt anyone could go wrong. The curry and rice were on their best game as well. We ate it all. LOL. The prices weren't bad at all considering the quality of the food and level of service. If and when I am in the area again, I will seek this place out! Yes please! read more

See all

Had the chance to go to Katsu-Hama three times now. Place is a great spot to stop by if in the area. Portion sized are huge here and you feel like you're getting your money's worth. They also have a lunch special. Place is large and service is always great. Food is good but a bit on the fatty/oily side. Overall still a great place but wish it was just a little less fatty. read more

Katsu-Hama - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Best katsu in the area! Each piece of katsu was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I really loved their curry, which was the perfect consistency and flavorful! You can get two different set variations, one of which comes with potato salad, or you can have the katsu by itself. This place is popular so a line does start forming once they open but service is pretty quick. Highly recommend coming here and it's definitely worth the wait! read more

Katsu-Hama - Berkshire Pork Loin Cutlet Curry - A set - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

I love the decor like a small wooden Japanese restaurant. Staff was very welcoming and attentive. Food was amazing my wife order the Lunch Special Pork Loin with Oyster. I ordered the Katsuhama Special. They both very good and their homemade dressing was great on the shredded cabbage. The fried seafood was great and didn't feel too oily. The pork now there was a difference. The Berkshire in our opinion was far superior than their normal Pork Loin as it was juicier and more tender. Highly recommend to get the Berkshire Pork Loin read more

See all

A very solid katsu spot near Grand Central. Portion sizes were generous, and the curry was authentic and honestly I preferred the chicken katsu to the pork katsu and felt it was done great and very tender and crispy. Overall a great katsu spot and very decent prices for the sizing. read more

Katsu-Hama - Chicken katsu curry - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Solid spot for katsu. Reminds me of the very popular spots in Honolulu that I have been to in the past. Super crowded and small place but they turn around tables quickly. We ordered the pork loin katsu and the seafood katsu. All the items were fried to perfection and not greasy at all. read more

This place is a bit hard to spot, but it's on the same side of the street as the sorta famous (50 years +) Phil's Stationery. Katsu-Hama is about two doors to the Left of Phil's, and has minimal, very discreet signage. I got some tonkatsu...I forget the exact type, but it was essentially the most fatty of the tonkatsu offered. It came with cabbage (with a sesame ginger type dressing), daikon radish (with some type of sauce on top), and the standard sauce for the tonkatsu, along with some crushed sesame seed and hot mustard. I'd have to say...the tonkatsu was quite good....not quite as sublime as my favorite tonkatsu place in Tokyo...but still, very, very good. The dish also came with a bowl of miso soup (good, and not overly salty) and a bowl of white rice, which I considered the most disappointing part of the meal. The rice seemed a bit dried out...not moist.... All in all, an excellent meal. I'd definitely come back. read more

We were craving good old pork katsu after a long days work so came for a late dinner on a weekday. Don't believe there's reservations so waited in line for about 15 minutes or so before we were seated at the counter/bar tables. Service was prompt and fast. We ordered the pork katsu meal and found that it was quite good. Juicy meat covered by a crispy coating. The salad and soup and potato all complimented nicely. All in all a solid appt for pork katsu with a nice casual vibe. Great for up to small groups and recommended if you like pork cutlet. read more

Katsu-Hama - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

See all

So many of my friends said this was the best katsu in the city. It was definitely good but I think all the katsu I had in Japan was still better. The pork wasn't that tender but it was super crispy. I liked the sauce and the cabbage. The shrimp cream croquette was good but just like super creamy not enough shrimps. The prawn was also really good! Def wanna come back and try the curry or don read more

Katsu-Hama - 5th Avenue Set Meal- Gozen - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

The food was pretty good. The kids for traditional katsu and we tried some of ther other menus. It was the first time I had fish katsu. Pork was still probably better. Good size quantity. read more

Solid lowkey and affordable katsu spot. Came in without a resy for 4 on a Thursday evening and got seated right away. Service was pretty slow and we had to hunt down the waiters, which was the only issue. We got a bottle of sake to share and Tako Yaki. The Tako Yaki was fried well and super fresh, not too fishy. I got the Chicken Katsu Don set with cabbage salad, potato salad, and veggie/pork soup. I thought this dish would have a fried egg on top but instead one chicken katsu was fried with egg, which made it a bit soggy. Still good regardless and i liked adding the dry chili spices! My husband got the chicken katsu curry and liked it a lot. The chicken was crispy. read more

Katsu-Hama - Chicken Suprise Katsu Don "A" Set Meal - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

It took quite a bit of time just to get menus and water, and about 40 minutes overall for our tonkatsu to arrive. They were clearly understaffed, which I understand happens, but unfortunately the problems didn't stop there. The kurobuta pork was well-marbled, but the tonkatsu was overcooked. The meat was noticeably chewy instead of tender, and the breading was very dark and dry, almost burnt in spots. On top of that, one piece I saved for last was alarmingly pink in the center. When I pointed this out, a staff member checked with the manager. I was offered a replacement (too late, since I had already eaten most of the dish) and then initially given 10% off along with the takowasa appetizer we had comped. The explanation that "some pieces are pink because they're thicker" didn't apply to the piece I showed them, which was small and from the outside. That response honestly made me more concerned about their understanding of consistency and doneness. After I raised the issue again, they fully comped my portion of the meal and the takowasa, which I appreciated. Unfortunately, that didn't change the fact that the food itself was poorly executed. The pork also had more gristle than expected, and the shredded cabbage wasn't properly dried, leaving water pooled on the plate. With the long wait, overcooked kurobuta, inconsistent doneness, and soggy cabbage, the experience fell flat, even with the bill adjusted to make up for it. read more

Katsu-Hama - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

See all

I had a birthday lunch here and It's did not disappoint. It is a lot of fried food but so worth it. It is a very cute spot. We came here early and there was already a line. We sat in the back corner and it is very loud from the music. We asked the server to lower it and they did which helped. Also, since it is a smaller space, it can get loud. The cabbage salad was fresh and the sauces they have were to die for. I think I used half the bottle. The fried fish was good, but I think I can pass on it next time. The shrimp and pork were delicious, and my favorite was honestly the Takoyaki. I would definitely come back here. read more

See all

I was super excited to try their berkshire pork but it was such a bust. We got the Katsuhama gozen special set which comes with potato salad, cabbage salad, ebi fry and the berkshire pork cutlet and takoyaki. You can never go wrong with takoyaki as it's such a staple taste so I'd give that a 4/5. The ebi fry that was a part of this set was actually amazing though, a solid 5/5, as it was crispy and juicy without an overpowering seafood taste. The pork cutlet (3/5) paled in comparison as it was kinda dry and tough to chew. It was well fried but that was the only thing done well about it. read more

See all

A gem of the area! I was skeptical this might be a tourist trap given the location, but was pleasantly surprised. My cousins and I went for an early dinner around 5:15pm and were able to get a walk-in table with no wait (they only seat full parties). There was a good amount of seating in the store and the food did not disappoint. We shared a few apps and entrees and everything tastes very balanced and even though the roof of my mouth was definitely not happy the next day from all the katsu, I did not regret it at all. read more

See all

We were in the area so we stopped by for a meal and enjoyed ourselves! This Japanese restaurant primarily focuses on Katsu and Izakaya-related dishes. We were sit pretty quickly, and were able to order quickly as well. We went at an off time and thus didn't need to wait too long. We ordered the set meal that came with Soup and Salad. The options differ depending on the set you choose. We got the cheese katsu and it was good! I wish they didn't use American cheese though... But the katsu and the quality of the pork was so good! The berkshire pork really shines through the katsu :) read more

See all

/ Katsu So Good It Made Me Reconsider My Life Choices I came here for a casual dinner. I left questioning why I ever ate sad microwave meals. First bite of that chicken katsu and I heard angels... or maybe it was just my arteries screaming in joy. Crispy like it got roasted on TikTok, juicy like it just spilled tea on everyone. That curry? Thick, rich, and clingy -- just my type. Miso soup came in hot like it had something to prove. Potato salad looked like it was minding its business, but ended up stealing the show. And that cabbage? Honestly, the crunch deserves its own TED Talk. Also, shoutout to the tea in a shot glass -- either they're minimalist, or they want me to chase it like a whiskey chug after heartbreak. Final thoughts: 10/10 would let this curry ruin my diet again. If this place ghosted me, I'd still come crawling back. read more

See all

One of the best Katsu places I've been to. A cute shop in the financial area, this place is a perfect spot for lunch! Their lunch specials are fairly priced and fill you up. I got the sushi and Katsu bento, fresh fish and great side dishes paired with a perfect cooked Katsu made for an excellent meal. Overall, would highly recommend Katsu Hama to anyone in the area looking for a great piece of Katsu. read more

Katsu-Hama - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

Really good food, The katsu is great and they have Sapporo on tap! The apps are priced to you can enjoy a little bit of everything. The service was okay but not as attentive as I would have liked but it didn't take away from the meal. read more

See all

They put crack in the curry sauce... Jokes aside, truly the best katsu curry ive ever had. I wanna eat at more new spots but this place lures me back in every few weekz... First few times I went here I had just the katsu curry set with the miso soup and salad and that was enough to fill me over. Went with a group one time so got to split some apps, the Okonomiyaki which was sooooo good and also the Takoyaki which always hits anywhere you get it tbh read more

Katsu-Hama - Takoyaki (top), Okonomiyaki (bottom) - Japanese Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Came on a Sunday night around 5:43pm--it was already pretty packed, with a lot of people waiting in line. Seems like business is doing well. We got seated in about 10-15 minutes, which wasn't bad at all for a party of five. The inside had a nice vibe--bar booths near the entrance and regular tables further in. I got the classic Berkshire pork teishoku. You can usually choose between teishoku and goken--the menu does a good job of highlighting the differences between the sets. The meat was actually pretty good, definitely one of the better ones I've had in the States. It was tender and crispy, unlike a lot of pork katsu that ends up overcooked and dry. The price point wasn't too bad either. Overall, a solid spot to check out if you're in the area. read more

See all

While in NYC my son wanted to try some Japanese curry. He found Katsu Hama so we stopped by for lunch on Saturday. There was about a 45 minute wait. There were maybe 3 parties ahead of us. They don't have a proper waiting system. Pretty much walk in and stand and wait. They'll ask for how many in your party and then you just wait until people leave. We finally got seated and looked over the menu. Everything sounded so good and it was hard to decide what to eat. I went with chicken katsu Don and my son ordered the Berkshire pork katsu curry. The portions were big and unfortunately we were traveling it was hard to take leftovers with us. The dishes came with soup, salad and a side of potato salad depending which option you choose. Everything was delicious. No complaints. They were very busy so service was slow. Highly recommend this place. read more

See all

Ambiance - Cozy, clean and roomy seating. They have both seating for party and solo dining. Service - fast and attentive. The waitress is at the corner, easy to ask questions and other needs. Food serve quickly, maybe cuz we sat across from the kitchen _ The menu have 2 sets that each items goes with, (A) Gozen: Rice, Soup [pork & veggies miso], potato salad and cabbage salad. (B) Teishoku: Rice, Soup [miso], & Cabbage salad. The menu also mention how big the pork chop or chicken will be. (see photo). Food - Verrry GOOD!! Thumbs up! The pork chop was juicy and tender. Definitely will go back to have more of those juicy pork chop! read more

See all

I was in the area and Katsu-Hama was a spot one of my friends suggested and it did not disappoint. I wasn't craving katsu at all, but I still finished my plate! I ordered chicken katsu and the breading was perfectly crusty. I'm picky with my rice and I like the way they cooked their rice, it was really fluffy, and less watery, so I knew they mixed it properly and released the steam from the rice cooker. Our food came out pretty quick, considering our big group. Our server was also checking up on us which was a plus. This place is worth visiting if you're craving a rice plate and if you are by the Rockefeller Center! read more