Premium tonkatsu specialist Shin Katsu, located along the stretch of shophouses on Tanjong Pagar Road, is celebrating its first anniversary with the launch of its first chef-curated tasting experience.
The new tasting menu features two carefully curated sets — the Gensen Set ($38) and Gokusen Set ($48) — designed to take diners on a journey through different pork breeds, cuts and origins. Rather than focusing on just one type of pork, the tasting lets you compare how breed, marbling, and provenance can influence the flavour, texture, and overall character of each piece of tonkatsu.
Seasonal Appetiser
Cabbage
Sake Pairing
Both sets begin with a seasonal appetiser, followed by five chef-selected katsu cuts, before ending with a Mini Wagyu Menchi Katsu Curry Rice and Matcha Ice Cream. An optional sake pairing is available for $18, and free-flow cabbage is included throughout the meal.
Gensen Set 4.2/5
The Gensen Set ($38) is a good introduction to the tasting experience, featuring pork sourced from Canada, Hokkaido and Spain. The five cuts include both Hire and Rosu, allowing diners to experience the contrast between leaner, more delicate cuts and richer, more marbled ones. I enjoyed how each piece had its own distinct character, with the differences in texture and flavour becoming more apparent as the tasting progressed. The tonkatsu is fried with a crisp, delicate panko coating while keeping the pork inside juicy and tender. It showcases Shin Katsu’s precise frying technique, keeping the coating light without overpowering the meat.
Gokusen Set 4.2/5
For those looking for something more indulgent, the Gokusen Set ($48) takes things up a notch with a selection of premium pork breeds including U.S. Kurobuta, Hokkaido Sangenton, Spanish Iberico and Hungarian Mangalica. This set puts more emphasis on richness and marbling, with each pork variety offering its own balance of tenderness, fattiness and umami. It was interesting to taste them side by side because the differences aren’t just about tenderness, but also about the depth of flavour and mouthfeel that come from the different breeds and cuts. For me, this is where the tasting concept works particularly well. Instead of simply having a plate of tonkatsu, you get to appreciate how much the choice of pork can change the experience.
Mini Wagyu Menchi Katsu Curry Rice 4.2/5
The meal concludes with a Mini Wagyu Menchi Katsu Curry Rice, a satisfying final savoury course. The wagyu menchi katsu is crisp and golden on the outside, while the filling inside is tender, juicy and packed with savoury flavour. The accompanying Japanese-style curry is mild and not overly spicy, with enough sweetness and savouriness to complement the rice and rich menchi katsu without masking its flavour. Despite being a mini portion, it is quite substantial after the five-course katsu tasting.
Matcha Ice Cream 4/5
To finish, we had a generous scoop of Matcha Ice Cream. Creamy with a distinct matcha flavour, it provides a refreshing and slightly bitter finish after the richness of the tonkatsu and curry.
Rosu Katsu Sando
Alongside the new tasting sets, Shin Katsu has also introduced its first Katsu Sando collection, bringing its signature tonkatsu into a more casual and convenient format.
The Rosu Katsu Sando ($12) features a premium Canadian pork loin cutlet, crisp-fried in panko and sandwiched between slices of soft Japanese shokupan. Another choice is the Hire Katsu Sando ($13), which combines both Canadian pork loin and tenderloin. The combination of crunchy tonkatsu and pillowy bread makes this an easy-to-eat option for a quick lunch or takeaway.
Overall, Shin Katsu’s first-anniversary tasting experience is a fun way to explore tonkatsu beyond simply choosing between hire and rosu. The side-by-side tasting highlights how pork breed, cut and origin can influence everything from marbling and texture to flavour and richness.
Between the two, the Gokusen Set is the more indulgent option for those who want to explore more premium pork breeds, while the Gensen Set offers a more accessible introduction to the concept. Either way, it is a worthwhile experience for tonkatsu fans who enjoy discovering the nuances behind the ingredients and technique.
Note: This is an invited tasting.
Shin Katsu
84-86 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088505
Tel: +65 8825 8311
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Maxwell (TE Line)
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 930pm
Sat-Sun, PH: 11am – 930pm
Direction:
1) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Cross the road to Duxton Road. Walk down Duxton Road. Turn left onto Duxton Hill towards Tanjong Pagar Road. Turn right onto Tanjong Pagar Road and walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]
2) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tanjong Pagar Road. Cross the road. Turn right and walk to the destination. Journey time is about 6 minutes. [Map]