Tonkatsu Wako is a table-service restaurant in Tokyo Disney Resort’s version of Downtown Disney or Disney Springs, known as Ikspiari. Located on the top floor of that complex, the restaurant specializes in pork tonkatsu and is a very popular chain throughout Japan. In this post, we’ll review the restaurant’s atmosphere, food and value.

If you’re unfamiliar with pork tonkatsu it’s a fairly simple dish consisting of pork cutlet coated with panko breadcrumbs and deep fried. Japanese cuisine makes great use of it, we’ve been lucky enough to try tonkatsu in many places and have thoroughly enjoyed the dish. Like any type of food, the level of quality differs depending on where you go to eat it. In the case of Tonkatsu Wako, the breaded pork is excellent!

As we said in our Ippudo review, whether Tonkatsu Wako is worth a visit is the real question. Ikspiari is Tokyo Disney Resort’s version of Disney Springs (or Downtown Disney) but feels less a part of the resort. That’s not to say it isn’t nice. I enjoy walking around the entertainment, dining and shopping district but this isn’t a very Disney-fied experience. Pulling time away from the exceptional hotels and theme parks, not to mention the incredible Tokyo, to visit Ikspiari isn’t something I’d advise. But travel days remain a viable options.

If you do find time to make it over to Ikspiari then there are a few quality options to choose from, including Ippudo and Tonkatsu Wako. If you’re undecided on where to eat, a decent rule to follow is that better restaurants are on the top floors.

As far as Tonkatsu Wako goes, the atmosphere follows a Japanese aesthetic. The setting is cozy, sitting a max of 46 people. That’s still larger than many restaurants in Tokyo. Sections of tables are separated by wooden dividers which makes for a more intimate experience. You’ll probably be sitting with one or two other groups, at most, if you dine here. That can make a popular restaurant feel less crowded. Speaking of crowds, a line does form at the door for this place. It moves moderately fast but I would recommend eating at off hours if you’re planning to dine here.

The decor is modern and minimalistic. This isn’t outside of the norm either. Tonkatsu Wako has a beige, wood tone throughout with black and white accents. For being a chain restaurant in Japan, I thought it was pretty stylized. That said, I don’t think anyone would be blown away by the aesthetic or come to the restaurant just for the atmosphere. I’d call it a modern looking restaurant in Japan that certainly won’t detract from the food served.

Speaking of the food, here’s a look at the menu. The menu in the restaurant does have English on it, for those worried. Some of the prices may vary, depending on the location. As you can see, nearly everything is coated in those panko breadcrumbs. If that’s a nonstarter for you then Tonkatsu Wako simply isn’t for you. But it is delicious!

Like many Japanese restaurants, the meals come in sets that includes rice, miso soup, a salad and then seasonings. Some of the side dishes are dependent on what you order. I stuck with a classic cut of pork on our visit and found it to be delicious. The breading was perfectly crispy and the pork itself was tender. I wouldn’t call this the best cutlet I’ve ever had but it was very good and one I’d go back for. I also really enjoyed the seasoning salt and dipping sauces (including that bright mustard in the photo) offered with it. Everything was packed with flavor. The sides were decent but there wasn’t a true standout.

Melissa had a pork and shrimp combo that was largely the same as mine – again, the pork was excellent! I didn’t like the shrimp quite as much as the pork but Melissa liked them equally. It was the same breading on both and, as usual in Japan, the seafood was tasty and fresh. This dish came with a few extra sides, including a tasty Crab Croquet. I liked this but personally would stick to the pork if dining at Tonkatsu Wako.

Both of these set meals were very reasonably priced. After the conversion, they both cost roughly $15 (2,150 yen) apiece. That’s a good amount of food for that price. In terms of value, it’s a strong one in America but for Japan it’s average. We definitely had better meals in Tokyo that were just slightly more expensive. But for Ikspiari, this is a really nice option especially if you’re not interested in ramen.

For us, Tonkatsu Wako is good but still a distant second in the Ikspiari restaurant options behind Ippudo. It can be a nice change up from ramen though and is a good place to dine on a travel day, if you’re looking for a hearty and reasonably priced meal. There are better places to dine at Tokyo Disney Resort but this adds to a strong roster!

Overall Rating – 8/10

Have you dined at Tonkatsu Wako? Let us know your thoughts, along with any questions you have, in the comments below! Planning a trip to Tokyo Disney Resort? Check out our guide to help you along the way! For those interested in going to Tokyo Disney Resort and Japan with us, fill out this form! If you enjoy what you are reading here on Wandering in Disney please share this post with your friends, as well as like our social media pages. You can also subscribe to the blog via WordPress or email. All of those links are on the right side of this page. Thank you for reading, we really appreciate it!