Isen Honten

Isen Honten, established in 1930 in Ueno, is a renowned tonkatsu restaurant that holds significant cultural importance as the birthplace of the katsu sandwich in Japan. The restaurant is recognized as one of the "Ueno Tonkatsu Big Three" alongside Ponta Honten and Horaiken, representing nearly a century of Japanese culinary tradition in Tokyo's historic Ueno district.

The katsu sandwich was invented by the first female owner, originally created for geisha to eat without smudging their makeup. This innovation reflects the restaurant's connection to Ueno's cultural history, as the second-floor space was frequently used for Ueno geisha dance practice sessions until around 1955. The establishment maintains its original traditional Japanese architecture with machiya-style exterior that creates an atmosphere of historical authenticity.

The restaurant's primary attraction lies in its signature tonkatsu preparation method, unchanged for 80 years. Isen Honten has maintained its concept of serving tonkatsu so tender it can be cut with chopsticks, achieved through exclusive sourcing of high-quality oil and breadcrumbs. Visitors can experience authentic Japanese dining on the second-floor tatami room while overlooking a beautiful inner garden that features traditional Japanese landscaping.

The menu centers on the famous katsu sandwich, available in portions of 6 pieces for ¥1,100 and 9 pieces for ¥1,600. Traditional set meals include the pork loin set meal starting from ¥1,600 and pork tenderloin set meal from ¥2,100, each served with rice, miso soup, pickles, and shredded cabbage. The restaurant offers both dine-in and takeout options, with specialized bento boxes and party platters available for larger groups.

Isen Honten is located at 3-40-3 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, just a 3-minute walk from JR Okachimachi Station. The restaurant operates daily from 11:30-20:10 except Wednesdays, though it remains open on holidays. Reservations can be made by calling 03-3834-2901, and the restaurant provides takeout services that can be ordered by phone during business hours.