Kyoto Katsugyu

Kyoto Katsugyu – Dundas Square

This place is located at 134 Dundas St E, Toronto,. It is about 2 blocks away from Dundas square. The well known dish at this place is called Gyukatsu (beef cutlet). I must admit that this is one of my favorite Japanese dish in which I have been to this place several times before I visited to Japan to try this dish in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto!

Historical Context

Gyukatsu or beef cutlet in Japanese was popularized from the Tokyo area. In addition, the Kansai region such as Kobe, Osaka and Kyoto where beef is very popular, Gyukatsu is also a popular dish. In general, the popularity of this dish is fairly more recent than the other dishes. Tokyo is a city capital of Japan with more than 14 million residents as of 2024. The greater Tokyo area that consist of six prefectures is one of the most populous metropolitan area in the world of over 40 million people. To give more context, this equates to more residents than the entire country of Canada! I personally have had a chance to visit Tokyo and it was a fantastic experience. More on that for a different day!

Value & Vibe

Price: I apologize that the picture on the menu is not as clear. However, the signature menu prices range quite a bit from $25 AAA sirloin to $120 for A5 Wagyu. The signature menu comes with Onsen Egg, Cabbage salad, Miso Soup and Special curry sauce. As you can see the price ranges a little higher than your usual restaurant but I think the value is quite good.

Atmosphere: I came at a dinner time around 8PM. The restaurant is fairly full but no line. I think this place is somewhere between casual and date night atmosphere. The vibe for me would be hanging out with friends or taking your significant others for a nice meal but nothing too fancy or over the top. Overall pretty friendly and lively vibe.

Taste

I ordered one of the cheaper item on the menu which is the angus sirloin set. First before we even begin describing the taste of the meat, lets start with the sauce. There is a set of instructions given on the different sauces and options. Below is the recommendations by the restaurant

Japanese Dashi + Wasabi
Salt and Pepper
Worcester Sauce
Special curry sauce

Overall my favorite combination of sauce is the Japanese Dashi + Wasabi also + Salt and Pepper. However, the best way to enjoy the meal is try the different sauce in each of the different bites. I have also poured the onsen egg on to my rice, the onsen egg comes with a light soy sauce type of sauce.

I would say this time the taste of the meat is good but I have had better. This doesn’t mean that I don’t like it but having had so many of these now I think there are better places that I have tried in Japan but definitely the only place in Toronto so I cant be too harsh here 🙂 The meat was well cooked, crispy on the outside, moist on the inside. The cabbage was also good when added the sweet sauce on top! The server also let me know that the rice and cabbage could be refilled but for a regular meal this is already a pretty decent portion already.

Ultimately, now that I have tried so many more gyukatsu places after eating it the first time here, I would say that the taste is good but could be even better. But I am very happy that this place is available in Toronto and will come back!