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What is Menchi Katsu?
Menchi Katsu (メンチカツ) is a delicious deep-fried dish made with ground meat, onions, and seasonings that are shaped into a patty and coated in crunchy, golden panko breadcrumbs.
You can think of it as a deep-fried hamburger patty, but the filling for Menchi Katsu is typically made with a blend of beef and pork, with a slightly higher beef ratio.
Although the term “katsu” refers to cutlet in Japanese, Menchi Katsu is actually considered more of a croquette (korokke) variation due to its shape and various ingredients.
This popular dish is commonly found in Yoshoku (Western-inspired Japanese cuisine) restaurants, convenience stores, and supermarkets.
How I Developed This Recipe
Menchi Katsu is one of my favorite Yoshoku dishes. In my quest for perfection, I delved deep into the heart of the filling, a search for the golden ratio that would strike the right balance.
But what if we could elevate it even further? That’s when I introduced a secret weapon – a chicken stock jelly. Imagine biting into a crispy Menchi Katsu, only to be greeted by a burst of rich, savory juices that flood your mouth.
The beauty of this recipe lies not just in its flavors but also in the little nuances that make all the difference. I’ve sprinkled in various tips and tricks, each a testament to my journey of creating this recipe. If you like deep-fried food, check it out!
Ingredients & Substitution Ideas
- Ground Meat: I usually opt for a mix of 60% beef and 40% pork. But if beef’s your thing, feel free to go 100% beef. Just a heads up, I wouldn’t advise going all-in with pork.
- Unsalted Butter: Stick with unsalted butter. If you’re tempted to use the salted kind, remember to cut back on other salty ingredients to balance things out.
- Yellow Onion: Dice it up nice and fine. While yellow onions are the go-to in Japan, white onions work just as well.
- Mirin: When shopping for mirin, “hon mirin” (本みりん) is the gold standard. Hinode Hon Mirin gets my vote for being both top-notch and budget-friendly. And if you’re curious about other Japanese condiments, check out my post on the 20 Most Useful Condiments and Seasonings for Japanese Cooking.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This is a must-have for Menchi Katsu and authentic yoshoku flavor.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Believe it or not, making panko at home is easy. If you want to try, my panko breadcrumb recipe has got you covered.
- Patty Seasonings: I used whole milk, egg yolk, tomato ketchup, a sprinkle of sugar, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- Secret Ingredients (Optional): I used gelatin and chicken stock to make a chicken stock jelly for that juicy feel.
- Batter Ingredients: Whip up a batter with cold water, an egg, all-purpose flour, and panko breadcrumbs.
- Dry Parsley: A sprinkle of this adds a lovely garnish.
- Sauce Ingredients: Mix tomato ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, oyster sauce, a drizzle of olive oil, and rice vinegar.
- Cooking oil: Neutral oils with high smoke points, like canola, sunflower, and peanut oil, are ideal. My choices include rice bran oil and extra virgin (white) sesame oil for shallow and deep frying.
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Visual Walkthrough & Tips
Here are my step-by-step instructions for how to make Japanese Menchi Katsu at home. For ingredient quantities and simplified instructions, scroll down for the Printable Recipe Card below.
STEP
Optional Gelatin Prep
Combine chicken stock with gelatin in a microwave-safe bowl. Allow it to bloom for 5-10 minutes. Microwave in 20-second intervals until the gelatin dissolves.
Chill in the refrigerator for 3 hours. Once set, crumble it into small bits using a spoon.
This is an optional step!
For an extra juicy Menchi Katsu, I add chicken soup jelly to the meat mixture. This jelly is made by mixing chicken stock soup with gelatin and setting it in the fridge for 2-3 hours.
The jelly acts as a juice bomb, producing a deliciously juicy Menchi Katsu. However, it’s important to note that this process is optional due to the long waiting time.
You can still make great Menchi Katsu without this step.
STEP
Make Meat Mixture
Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Melt butter and sauté yellow onions until they’re soft and golden.
By frying onions with butter until golden brown, you can bring out the sweetness and deep flavor of the onion. Just be careful not to brown them too much.
Add about one-third of the ground meat to the onions. Cooking a small amount of the meat before adding them to the patties creates a firmer and contrasting texture, sure to guarantee a meatier bite!
Once browned, stir in mirin and Worcestershire sauce. Cook until the liquid reduces. Let this mixture cool to room temperature.
Combine panko breadcrumbs with whole milk in a separate bowl for a binder.
In a large bowl, combine the leftover raw ground meat, salt and pepper, the breadcrumb mixture, egg yolk, tomato ketchup, sugar, nutmeg, and the cooled beef-onion mix. If you made the optional gelatin, add it now. Mix everything until evenly distributed.
Divide the mixture into equal portions (I usually get about 4) and shape them into ovals or discs.
Toss the patties
When making Menchi Katsu or Hambagu, I toss the patties from one hand to another while shaping. Not only does this push the air out of the patty, but it also prevents the warmth of your hands from overheating the meat.
After shaping the patties, it is important to rest them in the fridge for 30 minutes to allow the fat in the meat to solidify. This makes the filling juicier and more delicious, and also makes the patties more stable.
Additionally, the batter sticks better to the patties. Not only does this technique improve the final texture and flavor, but it also helps to prevent the patties from exploding while frying.
STEP
Frying Prep
Set up three plates: one with all-purpose flour, one with a whisked large egg, and one with panko breadcrumbs.
Coat each patty in flour, then egg, breadcrumbs. Press the breadcrumbs gently onto the patty.
Double battering
I use a double battering technique to prevent the katsu from bursting during frying. This involves coating the patties with flour, egg, and panko and then repeating the process with egg and panko again.
By doing this, the batter is less likely to peel off, and the reinforced outer layer of the katsu makes it stronger and less likely to burst. It also makes it extra crunchy!
STEP
Frying Time
Heat your oil to 160 °C (320 °F). Fry the Menchi Katsu for about 1-2 minutes on each side.
Fry no more than two at the same time
When frying multiple Menchi Katsu at the same time, it is important not to overcrowd the pot.
The number of katsu you can fry depends on the size of your pot or fryer, but it is recommended to fry as few katsu as possible to increase the chances of success.
Frying too many katsu at once can cause the temperature of the oil to drop, leading to katsu absorbing more oil. This can negatively impact the texture of the katsu, making the batter less crispy and oily.
Remove and drain on a wire rack. Crank the heat to 180 °C (356 °F) and fry them again until golden. This double-frying technique helps to achieve juicy and crispy Menchi Katsu.
Once double-fried, transfer to a wire rack to let the excess oil drip off before serving.
STEP
Serve
Mix tomato ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, oyster sauce, olive oil and rice vinegar in a small bowl until combined. Sprinkle the freshly fried menchi katsu with a few pinches of dry parsley and enjoy!
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How to Store
If you have some leftover fried Menchi Katsu, you can store them in the refrigerator or freezer.
To store them in the refrigerator, wait for them to cool, and wrap each one securely in plastic wrap. Place them in an airtight storage bag at the back of the refrigerator.
Remember to consume them the next day or two.
If you prefer to freeze them, wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and store them in Tupperware or freezer bags in the freezer. You can also freeze them before frying if you want to prepare them in advance. Fry from frozen and increase the cooking time to ensure they’re cooked all the way through. Whether fried or not, storage period should not exceed 2-3 weeks.
If you want to restore the crispiness, you can use an oven or toaster oven/grill.
FAQ
What is the origin of Menchi Katsu?
Menchi katsu has been around since the Meiji era (1868-1912) and is thought to have been created in 1897. The dish was intended to be a minced meat version of Tonkatsu, so it’s referred to as “Katsu” rather than “Korokke.” The owner of the restaurant Rengatei in Ginza, Tokyo, named the dish “Menchi Katsu,” which means “minced cutlet.” However, the English word “mince” was mistakenly converted to “menchi” in Japanese, leading to the false belief that “mince” was pronounced “menchi” in English. Interestingly, the Japanese word for minced meat is now “minchi,” before 1930, it was known as “menchi” due to this misunderstanding.
Is there any interesting fact about Menchi Katsu?
Although not widely recognized, March 7th is celebrated as Menchi Katsu Day in Japan. The day was established in 2009 by a company in Kagawa Prefecture that produces and sells frozen foods. The word “Minchi” is derived from the forced etymology of 3 = “Mi” and 7 = “Shichi.” “Katsu” can also mean “to win” in Japanese. As March is exam season in Japan, the company promotes the idea that eating Menchi Katsu on March 7th brings good luck to students and helps them pass their exams. Although Menchi Katsu Day is not well known, it is a tradition among students to eat it during stressful exams.
I hope you enjoy this Menchi Katsu recipe! If you try it out, I’d really appreciate it if you could spare a moment to let me know what you thought by giving a review and star rating in the comments below. It’s also helpful to share any adjustments you made to the recipe with our other readers.Thank you!
More Japanese Yoshoku Recipes
- Hamburg Steak
- Tonkatsu
- Crab Cream Croquette
- Potato Korokke
Menchi Katsu (Japanese Ground Meat Cutlet)
5 from 4 votes
By Yuto Omura
Menchi Katsu is a popular Japanese yoshoku dish made with a seasoned meat patty, coated with panko breadcrumbs, and deep fried until golden and perfectly crisp. It's then drizzled with a tasty homemade sauce and served with shredded cabbage and rice, it's seriously good!
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Chilling time50 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Course Beef, Lunch, Main Course, Meat, Snack, Street food
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 4 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes mins
Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
Chilling time: 50 minutes mins
Total Time: 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Course: Beef, Lunch, Main Course, Meat, Snack, Street food
Cuisine: Japanese
Servings: 4 servings
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Ingredients
Menchi Katsu
- ½ tsp gelatin optional
- 50 ml chicken stock optional
- 1 tsp unsalted butter
- 100 g yellow onion(s) finely diced
- 100 g ground beef or beef/pork mix, for frying
- 150 g ground beef or beef/pork mix, for using as it is
- ½ tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tbsp panko breadcrumbs
- 1 ½ tbsp whole milk
- 1 pasteurized egg yolk
- ½ tsp tomato ketchup
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 1 pinch salt and pepper
- 85 g all-purpose flour for dusting
- 1 large egg or 2 small
- 150 g panko breadcrumbs
- dry parsley to garnish
Sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- 1 dash olive oil
- 1 dash rice vinegar
Instructions
Optional step: In a microwavable bowl, add 50 ml chicken stock and sprinkle in 1/2 tsp gelatin. Let it bloom for 5-10 minutes and then microwave for 30 seconds or in 20 second intervals until the gelatin is dissolved. Place in the refrigerator and leave to set for 3 hours. Once set, break up into small pieces using a spoon.
Place a frying pan on the stove and heat on medium. Melt 1 tsp unsalted butter and add 100 g yellow onion(s).
Once the onion is softened and slightly golden, add 100 g ground beef to the pan and fry until browned on the surface.
Pour in 1/2 tbsp mirin and 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce. Stir and continue to fry until liquid is almost gone.
Remove the pan from heat and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp panko breadcrumbs with 1 1/2 tbsp whole milk.
Take a mixing bowl and add 150 g ground beef. Sprinkle with 1 pinch salt and pepper and roughly mix.
Add the wet panko mixture, 1 pasteurized egg yolk, 1/2 tsp tomato ketchup, 1 tsp sugar, 1 pinch nutmeg, and the cooled cooked meat and onions from earlier to the bowl. Mix well. (If using chicken stock jelly, add that too.)
Divide the mixture into equal portions (I shaped into 4) and shape into ovals/discs.
Place each patty on a plate, cover andrest in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Preheat your oil to 160 °C (320 °F).
Prepare 3 plates or containers. One with flour, one with whisked egg and one with panko breadcrumbs.
Coat each patty with 85 g all-purpose flour, then 1 large egg, then 150 g panko breadcrumbs. Be sure to press the breadcrumbs down gently without squashing the patty.
Coat each patty with egg and panko one more time.
Place the menchi katsu in the oil and fry for 2 minutes on each side. (Preferably cook 2 at a time.)
Remove from the oil and place on a wire rack. Increase the heat of the oil to 180 °C (356 °F).
Fry the menchi katsu in the hotter oil for 1-2 minutes each side or until golden.
Remove from the oil and place on a wire rack to allow the excess oil to drip off.
Mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl or serving jug.
Serve menchi katsu with a sprinkling of dry parsley and the homemade sauce. Drizzle or dip and enjoy!
Keyword beef, deep fry, Katsu, panko, pork
Notes
Cooking time doesn’t include chicken jelly because it’s an optional step.
Adding chicken jelly makes the patty juicier and more flavourful, but takes longer and can be harder to shape.
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