🗺️ Shitamiyahonten (Shitamiyahonten)

The specialty black sauce pork cutlet bowl from Kiryu is different from the usual pork cutlet rice. It does not use eggs, does not include shredded cabbage, and does not sprinkle sauce on the fried pork cutlet. It's so simple that it's hard to imagine, yet it's incredibly delicious. As a local delicacy of Kiryu, it is very popular both within and outside Gunma Prefecture. Shitamiya Honten is the birthplace of this black sauce pork cutlet bowl and has a history of over 80 years. The mustard-colored exterior of the restaurant is quite eye-catching! This type of pork cutlet uses only tenderloin, which is coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried for a long time in lard and salad oil until the pork is so tender that it can be cut with chopsticks. It is crispy, soft, and juicy, stimulating your taste buds. The secret to its deliciousness goes beyond that; the sweet and savory sauce used is neither too salty nor too sweet, with a perfect balance. It is said to contain eel sauce. Originally, Shitamiya was in the eel wholesale business, and starting from the second generation, they began operating a restaurant, combining eel sauce with the sauce typically used for pork cutlet bowls, eventually inventing the sauce for this black sauce pork cutlet bowl after repeated adjustments. The bright and inviting atmosphere inside the restaurant features not only dining tables but also tatami seating. The menu offers a standard set with 4 pieces of pork cutlet, but you can also choose larger portions with 6 or 8 pieces. For female customers, there is a set with 3 pieces of pork cutlet and a dessert, as well as a pork cutlet, pudding, and juice set prepared for children. All sets come with miso soup, salad, and pickles. The standard black sauce pork cutlet bowl set (with 4 pieces of pork cutlet / miso soup, salad, and pickles) is a local favorite that often has long lines during lunch hours and on weekends. Be sure to enjoy the authentic taste of Kiryu's specialty black sauce pork cutlet bowl!