Katsu Jin has quickly become a new staple for me. Their tonkatsu is incredibly authentic -- I love the ritual of grinding the sesame seeds for the katsu sauce, it makes the whole experience feel so fresh and intentional. If there's a wait, just check in and they'll give you a buzzer. Sometimes the wait can be quite long so I try to go right when they open for dinner. Definitely eat your meal in the restaurant -- the tonkatsu is best when it's hot, crispy, and straight from the kitchen. Service is always very friendly, and the food is consistently delicious. Their tonkatsu is the star, but the furikake corn ribs are a must‑try too. A reliable, comforting spot that never disappoints! read more

This establishment is quite small, but we were able to get seated right away since we arrived right when it opened at 5 PM on a Saturday. By the time we left around 7 PM, there was already a small wait. On the bright side, parking was easy, which is always a plus. The mango matcha was surprisingly good. You could really taste the mango flavor blended with the matcha. I ordered the cheese katsu, and it was definitely very cheesy. The only downside was that there wasn't much meat in the katsu itself. Service was fast and attentive throughout our visit. read more

Katsu Jin - Cheese katsu and mango matcha! - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

This low key strip mall hides Katsu Jin. This place is a gem of beautifully prepared Japanese comfort food. The sando was delicious, the katsu variations were also really good. This is what we came here for. We also ordered the sobu tenzaru which came with tempura. It looked really solid. The menu includes rice bowls and ramen too, but we didn't try it here. Look at the plateware and furniture and you know the whole presentation is really important here. Come try it. read more

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Katsu curry is genuinely one of my favorite comfort meals, and my husband and I spent a while searching for the best one - and Katsu Jin is our TOP place. We've been coming here consistently for the last 7 months and I genuinely get a serotonin hit every single time I take my first bite LOL. My husband always goes for the tenderloin katsu curry and I get the tenderloin katsu set with curry on the side, and we have never once been let down. The katsu is perfectly crispy without being too heavy, the curry is rich without being overwhelming, and the portions are solid. The breading is absolute perfection - it never falls off or gets soggy, which is the sign of a truly well done katsu. The service is also wonderful, which makes the whole experience even better, and the price is very reasonable for the quality you're getting. Honestly I almost want to gatekeep this place, but we've already brought so many friends here so it's too late haha. If you're looking for the best katsu curry in the LA area, I cannot recommend Katsu Jin enough! read more

Katsu Jin - tenderloin katsu set - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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The kind of lunch where you sit down hungry and know pretty quickly you picked the right place. Stopped by Katsu Jin for lunch and it ended up being a really solid katsu fix. We ordered the corn ribs, pork tenderloin katsu, and the cheese katsu with curry. Everything came out fast, and the setup here makes lunch feel pretty easy since you order from your phone at the table. It was simple, quick, and the staff was helpful when needed. Food-wise, this was a tasty meal across the board. The pork tenderloin katsu was the standout for me, crisp on the outside and satisfying without feeling too heavy. The cheese katsu with curry was also very good if you want something a little richer. The curry helped round it out nicely, and it felt like comfort food in the best way. The corn ribs were a fun side to start with and worked well with the rest of the meal. Service was efficient in a way that makes sense for lunch. Ordering by phone kept things moving, and the food came out quickly. Overall, I'd come back when I'm in the mood for katsu and want something dependable and flavorful. Good spot for a casual lunch, especially if you want an easy meal without a long wait. read more

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Tried this katsu spot for the first time and it definitely left a great impression. We started with the squid legs appetizer and it was super crispy and surprisingly light, not oily at all. For the main, we ordered the katsu cheese meal with a side of curry. The cheese melt was so satisfying. The curry on the side added a nice extra layer of flavor to the whole meal. Overall, the experience was splendid. The service was friendly and welcoming. The restaurant itself is on the smaller side, but it's clean, simple, and comfortable. There's also a shared parking lot. Definitely a spot I'd come back to! read more

Katsu Jin - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Soooo yummy. The katsu is breaded so lightly that it feels like it melts in your mouth. A surprising feeling given that it is a fried dish! Even the cheesy pork karsy doesn't feel as heavy as other cheesy fried dishes. The ramen is also not bad especially if you'll be sharing Anyways, highly recommend this place. Service is quick and there's free parking in the lot. Ambiance is fairly casual and it gets crowded during lunch hours! read more

Katsu Jin - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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This is my wife and I's favorite katsu spot in LA. Wait time is pretty long due to the restaurant being small. It is located in a strip mall though, so parking isn't difficult. I always order a pork loin katsu. The meat is thick and nicely breaded. The katsu sauce having grinded sesame seeds goes well with the pork loin umami. The generous addition of shredded lettuce helps break the oiliness from the katsu which there isn't tha much oil to begin with. Overall, this is the best katsu spot in SGV, even better than kaguya. I'm glad I randomly came across this spot as SGV was in dire need of a good katsu restaurant for the longest time. read more

Katsu Jin - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Excellent katsu! I tried the Chicken Katsu Meal. It came with chicken katsu, rice, miso soup, cabbage salad, and pickled side dishes. The chicken was crispy and flavorful. Also, great portion sizes & value. Prepare for a wait if you come on the weekend. This place gets packed. The parking lot is small and shared with other surrounding businesses. read more

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We came here on a Sunday afternoon and there were many parking spots available, and the restaurant was not crowded. We were sat quickly and ordered through the online ordering. While waiting, you will crush your own sesame seed for your sauce. We ordered the chicken Katsu, tenderloin Katsu and fried squid. The Katsu was tender, and the fried part was perfect and crunchy. They give a lot of of salad so you will not run out. Our dish came with rice, soup and small sides. The best thing was the fried squid. The squid was chewy and a light leaf fried with the tempura flakes. read more

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The restaurant was really small with only a couple tables, so we waited for about 20 minutes for dinner. I really liked the pork loin katsu since it was crispy and very juicy. The cheese katsu was good too, with a crispy exterior and a gooey interior. However, the bottom sides of both katsu were a bit soggy. The portions were generous with lots of cabbage salad, picked veggies, miso soup and rice. read more

Katsu Jin - Cheese Katsu - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

South Pasadena, California. I am a katsu fanatic and dont eat much of it because its not good in LA. And i dont want to drive 30 miles for authentic katsu. Im very happy to have discovered Katsu Jin in my neighborhood. Fast, delish and authentic are the 3 things that come to mind with the food and service here. It's a small place maybe eight tables Service is very brisk and super efficient. I can't seem to get sick of Katsu Jin. It's like having it in Japan. The breading is super light crispy and the meat is very tender. I got the Katsu curry this time and light curry went so well with the Katsu and Japanese rice underneath. No reservations, just show up and fall in line. If they can't seat you at the moment, they give you a buzzer. The menu has a standard curry selection also. They also have a couple of Ramen options. There are no vegan main dishes however except for the salads, that go with katsu. The cheese Katsu is supposedly very popular. I will try that next time. When coming into the restaurant, they don't give you menus so everything is QR code; you can order from there and can also pay from there. Love love katsu jin! End of Yelp. read more

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Wonderful service here! Parking also isn't a problem since there's a small lot in the front. This is a nice place for simple curry katsu. Large portions and the meals seem to come with miso soup. Very clean and straightforward. read more

Katsu Jin - Katsu curry (forgot the name of the katsu but it's like a pork meatball) - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Never knew I liked them thick n' juicy, but Katsu Jin has changed my mind on how I like my katsu. Thick. Juicy. And crispy. These pork cutlets are likely the best Katsu I've ever had. There was a slight fatty texture to each bite without being too fatty. My daughter and I shared this delicious meal with a side of squid legs for dinner last night. The squid legs were delicious as well. It is more like a full min squid, which was perfectly fried and seasoned. We were both perfectly full sharing our meals. The place itself is small and busy, but we were able to get seated pretty quickly. Service was great! I did not realize you order through digitally, but our server was kind about taking our orders. Would I be back? Absolutely. I like Katsu Jin, and I cannot lie. read more

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Really small shop. Came here around 8PM on a Thursday night and ordered corn ribs and katsu don. Had to wait around 15 minutes for a seating because they are still swamped with customer. All the food was amazing. read more

Katsu Jin - Katsudon - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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Excellent service, great vibes, and delicious katsu! The katsu is so juicy and crispy and, in my case, cheesy! It really took me back to Korea and Japan! The miso soup was tasty, the pickles were delicious, and the katsu sauce was superb. My ONLY disappointment was the curry sauce, it just did not have a good taste to me and almost too bitter. But I'd love to return for more katsu! read more

Katsu Jin - Cheese katsu - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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I've been to Katsu Jin a couple of times now and this place is great! The food is amazing and definitely makes me want to go back to Japan! The chicken cutlet has fantastic breading and is so flavorful. I would suggest adding the curry if you're feeling up for it. The curry isn't too heavy but is full of flavor. I want to mention that you has to scan a QR code and then add all of the food items for the entire table to online link to place the order. This includes ordering ice water. The place is fairly small with few tables so you might have to wait a bit for a table. The parking lot isn't too big, but I've never had an issue finding parking. read more

Katsu Jin - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Tonkatsu is a dish that appears on countless menus across LA, but Katsu Jin is where it feels truly perfected. Finding such a gem tucked into a quiet strip mall in South Pasadena feels like a gift, especially for those, like myself, who don't always want to make the trek to heavy hitters like Kagura or Coco Ichibanya. Parking Parking is plentiful and free in the connected lot. Arrival & First Impressions Upon arrival, we were given a buzzer and told the wait would be about 25 minutes, but were seated closer to 15. Although it is a small space with roughly 8 tables, the space runs efficiently. Service is friendly, attentive, and quick -- and the food comes out just as fast. Food Pork Loin Katsu ( $18.95): Thick-cut, juicy, and perfectly fried without feeling heavy or greasy. The cabbage salad, dressed in a gingery carrot dressing, adds freshness and balance to the plate. The sticky rice pairs seamlessly with the katsu, and the miso soup rounds everything out nicely. Katsudon ($15.95): A deeply comforting bowl, with katsu simmered with onion and eggs in a perfectly in sweet dashi-based sauce. Perfect for a colder day. Impressively, the katsu retains it's crispy coating despite the simmer. FINAL THOUGHTS Katsu Jin, hands down, serves some of the best tonkatsu in LA. Grand total: $48.45 (tax and tip included) read more

Katsu Jin - Pork Loin Katsu ( $18.95): Thick-cut, juicy, and perfectly fried without feeling heavy or greasy. - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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This was my first time trying this place. And I'm glad we have a katsu place in our backyard. After scanning their QR code to view their menu, I was impressed by their menu layout. Every item had pictures of what the dishes looked like and what was in it. My party tried a variety of things from their menu. One of my favorites was the Corn Rib. I've never had corn seasoned with furikake before. And to my surprise, it was delicious! And you eat them like actual ribs. It was a great experience for me. I ended up with the Spicy Miso Ramen and it was full of flavor, with just the right amount of heat, but not too overpowering where you can't taste anything else. We also tried their signature Pork Loin Katsu and Tenzaru dishes, which were also a delight to taste. This will be a recommended location the next time my friends and I get together again. read more

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The chicken katsu was good but the curry probably ruined the dish. The curry seemed to have some weird flavor and maybe substituted with some poor ingredients. The rice was fluffy and good. The edamame and shishito peppers were ok but nothing special. The service was typical and friendly. The place is cozy and may have a line. I would give this spot another try but definitely would avoid the curry. read more

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Had a delivery from Katsu Jin on a Sunday evening and this place didn't meet my expectations in all aspects. It took forever to "wrap up" the food - over 30 min (after 20 min of prep time) which made the Uber drivers get reassigned 4 times. When the food finally arrived 55 minutes past the initial estimated time, my real surprise was to find 4 mediocre pieces of pork loin katsu that was chewy (how do make pork to be chewy?!), the extra curry we ordered came only half full in a tiny container and to my surprise tasted sweet - my toddler said it tasted like sugar. The amount of food and overall taste and quality were all lacking and very disappointing. Such an unexpected bad experience I wish I avoided. read more

One of the best meals we've had in a while. Katsu Jin was sooo gas -- easily the best katsu on our list right now. We ordered a mix of things: * Takoyaki - crispy outside, soft inside, and loaded with bonito. * Karaage - super juicy with a crunchy coating. * Cold soba - refreshing and so good with the dipping sauce. * Pork katsu sando - thick, tender cutlet with perfectly toasted bread. * Pork katsu set - crispy, not greasy at all, and the sauce paired perfectly with the cabbage. * Cheese katsu - crazy good... hot, melty, and addicting. * Katsu curry - rich, flavorful curry with crispy pieces on top. * Strawberry daifuku - soft, fresh, and the perfect sweet finish. Everything tasted super fresh, portions were generous, and nothing felt heavy or oily. Service was quick and the food came out fast even though the place was busy. If you love katsu, this spot needs to be on your list. We're already planning to come back. read more

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Amazing corn ribs. Perfect for furikake lovers, tender yet crisp, sweet salty umami flavor in each bite! Will go back just for that appetizer. Katsu was good too! The hand crushed sesame seeds in the katsu sauce brought out a really tasty nutty flavor. Going to go out and buy a sesame mill now. I will say that it appears the bathroom is falling apart like the faucet fixture is completely misaligned and overall feels dirty because they chose white floor tiles. Tracks in a lot of black footprints. They should consider remodeling bathroom for dark floor and new faucet. read more

Katsu Jin - Corn Rib - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

First time here and I was pretty impressed. We got their Menchi Katsu, Chicken Karage, Pork Loin Katsu, Tonkotsu Ramen and their Soba + Tempura Plate. Everything was delicious and fried to perfection. I enjoyed the pork loin katsu the most - super juicy and tender with a perfectly crisp exterior. Service was really friendly and there is ample parking in the plaza. Please note, place is on the smaller side so there may be a wait. read more

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The katsu is less greasy compared to others I've had so it feels more lightweight. I wish the batter were more crispy because it wasn't as crunchy, but I'd definitely get it again. We got the pork and shrimp katsu, and the texture beneath the batter was excellent- really thick and still retained alot of its moisture. The curry that came with the katsu was delicious as well. The flavors were more bold compared to other curries I've had. I got the corn ribs because I saw alot of people getting this, but truthfully I thought this was just okay. It looked interesting, but taste wise the seasonings didn't do much to add to the taste of the corn. I'd skip this next time. read more

Parking: available in the lot on site. Service: Our family of 4 got here just shy of 6pm on a weekend night and was able to snag the last table. Easy to order QR menu, staff are always walking by to check on you, and some booster and high chairs available for kids. Food: delicious! I'm so happy to have a solid katsu spot within a 15 min drive. We ordered a lot of sides for our kids : karrage, takoyaki, seaweed salad, miso soup, tempura - all kid approved. We had the pork loin and menchi katsu. Both also satisfyingly crispy soft and tasty. The only thing I would recommend is an alcohol license so we could have some fresh crispy beer to cleanse the palate. But I digress, this spot is solid. We will definitely return! read more

Katsu Jin - Takoyaki, tempura, side cabbage salad, pork loin katsu, menchi katsu, seaweed salad - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Food: - Takoyaki (5/5): This was a nice appetizer. It was crispy and soft on the inside, with big octopus pieces. I wasn't too hungry, so getting this appetizer was enough to satisfy me. My friends ordered their katsu and said it was really good. I didn't order that, but it did look good to me, so that next time I come, I would definitely try one of their katsu dishes. Service (5/5): - The service was good. I came on a weekday in the evening and it wasn't packed at all, so the servers were really attentive towards my table. The food came out relatively quickly too after ordering. Ambiance (5/5): - The restaurant is located in a plaza, so there's ample free parking available. The restaurant itself is nice, clean and has a good amount of indoor seating. It's a calm, quiet environment, so it's a nice place to grab dinner if you want a chill night. Overall, it's a nice katsu place in Pasadena if you are craving this dish. I'd recommend checking it out if you are in the area. read more

Katsu Jin - Takoyaki - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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Katsu set meals are one of my favorite comfort foods and this place definitely hit the spot! I ordered the chicken katsu set and the chicken was super juicy and flavorful. Each set was paired with rice, salad, and miso soup so it's a good amount of food per set. Parking was easy in the lot and there wasn't too much of a wait even though I went on a Saturday night! read more

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My favorite katsu spot in LA! Been here too many times to count. Very reminiscent of katsu you would get in Japan -- maybe even better. The katsu sets come with a generous portion of meat & sides. Their strawberry daifuku is also a must get for dessert. To order, you scan the QR code on the table. The waiter will bring the check to your table to pay after eating. Parking is free & easy in the lot out front. read more

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Food was delicious & portion is worth it for the $. The ramen (spicy miso) was really flavorful and not too heavy - I would definitely come back to try their other ramen. The tenderloin katsu has wonderful, flaky breading & loved the side salad. Also got the oyakudon (chicken) it was a little on the bland side (compared to other dishes) but still comforting to eat! It is a smaller shop so you may have to wait a bit for a table & probably hard to fit larger parties. Service is great though & the food is worth the wait! read more

Katsu Jin - Tenderloin Katsu, Oyakodon - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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So delicious and filling! My bf and I got the pork and chicken katsu sets which both had very juicy tender meat and decent portions. He liked the pork better but I thought the chicken was juiciest. The cabbage salad was also so flavorful and umami even though I normally don't like cabbage. We shared a mixed tempura appetizer which was also perfectly crispy. Would def come back again! read more

Katsu Jin - Pork set meal (front) Mixed tempura (middle) Chicken set meat (back) - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Ordered for pickup. Parking is in a shared plaza. Katsu was soft with light breading. It was perfect. It was not too heavy or too light. The portion sizing for the price is worth it. I ordered the chicken katsu curry and it came with miso soup. So full and would order again. read more

Katsu Jin - Chicken Katsu Curry - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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This place is small, but definitely does the trick. Came here with friends, and shared some appetizers and then had our entrees. The curry was perfectly flavored , and just enough to cover chicken and rice evenly. The staff and service was lovely; we had issues at first with the ordering process, but everything was figured out, and we had a fabulous meal, at a totally reasonable price, per person. Great for a date, or a large group (like in my case). Can't go wrong! read more

Katsu Jin - Chicken katsu curry - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

My friends and I called in to have the order ready so we could dine there cuz we had to head back to work ASAP but when we arrived 15 min later, they just started making our order. It was quite annoying that they couldn't have told us they didn't provide a call in order for dine in customers. The katsu was ok, wished the meat was bit juicer. My friend ordered curry but the sauce was cold. The restaurant is clean. Service is slow. read more

such a good hole in the wall katsu place! loved how crispy and flaky the katsu was and the flavor was amazing. they even had the mortar and pestle for the sesame. the restaurant is very small so there is a wait during peak hours. prices are also slightly on the higher side, so just be ready for that. overall excited to come back again - i really loved this place! read more

Katsu Jin - cheese katsu - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

Katsu Jin was very good! Came on a Saturday to a very busy dinner rush only about 1 or 2 tables remaining. The service was very fast. I personally love the ordering from the phone and paying from there too. The ambiance is very quaint wooden floors and bench seats with a few chairs only about 10 - 12 tables in the whole place. No complaints about the good and very good experience for the price. I would return here. Next time I will need to order the corn ribs and try the other items. read more

Katsu Jin - Katsudon - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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Hands down best Katsu in Pasadena! The flavors are perfect. We ordered the Pork Loin Katsu, the shrimp katsu curry and the corn. Everything was very well made. The service was great as well and the atmosphere was cute. The place is small and does get packed so be patient. I would recommend this place if you're in the mood for Katsu. read more

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Very good little place in pasadena. I remember this spot being a poke burrito place but now replaced by this katsu place. Very small spot so if you have a big party might have to either wait for a while or sit separately. Parking wasn't too bad since there are good amount of spots. Took a star off since service was okay since the table I saw that was open for a while was where I sat and when I ordered water the table who sat 10 minutes for their water before me. The food itself was very good. Liked the cheese katsu and the tempura flavor it wasn't too heavy for either one and had a good flavor to them. Will be back again. read more

Katsu Jin - Cheese katsu set - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

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I believe this might be the best katsu place in LA. The pork is thick but still tender and flavorful with a crispy shell. It's just like the ones I get in Taiwan and Japan! Highly recommend!! Service is great and efficient, the seating space is comfortable, and there is a free parking lot. I came on a weekday at ~11:30 am and the place was empty. It started to fill up around noon and I think it does get pretty busy on weekends. read more

Katsu Jin - Pork Loin Katsu - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California

I've been coming to Katsu Jin with my family every week. On this particular day, we drove from far away specifically to have dinner there. It was just me and my three-year-old, and we were hoping for a quick, simple meal. We arrived about 30 minutes before closing. A server we know greeted us, but directed us to another staff member. That employee appeared busy and was not welcoming. She told us we could not dine inside, without much explanation. Given that we made a dedicated trip and are regular customers, this felt dismissive and disrespectful. I understand that closing time can be challenging, but the way this situation was handled did not reflect basic hospitality. I've attached a photo to this review showing that we were dining at the restaurant just a day before this incident. I hope management takes a closer look at how situations like this are communicated. At this point, I don't feel confident continuing to support a place where regular customers are treated this way. read more

Katsu Jin - Japanese Near Me - South Pasadena, California