Chicken katsu (Japanese cutlet, often served sliced)
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Chicken katsu is a popular Japanese dish featuring a breaded and deep-fried chicken cutlet, typically made from a pounded chicken breast or thigh coated in flour, egg, and panko breadcrumbs. It is often served sliced into strips, accompanied by shredded cabbage, rice, and a tangy katsu sauce. Originating as a Western-inspired 'yoshoku' dish, it has become a staple of Japanese home cooking and casual dining.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Chicken katsu is high in protein from the chicken and fat from the frying process, with a moderate amount of carbohydrates from the panko coating. A typical serving (around 150-200g of chicken with sauce and cabbage) provides roughly 400-600 calories, along with key nutrients like B vitamins, iron, and zinc.
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, chicken katsu is a prime example of 'yoshoku'—Japanese cuisine adapted from Western influences—and is often served as a comforting, celebratory meal or a quick lunch set (katsu teishoku). Nutritionally, while it's a fried dish, the use of panko creates a lighter, crispier texture compared to traditional breadcrumbs, and it's frequently paired with cabbage to add fiber and balance the meal.