Rengatei

Established in 1895, Rengatei is a venerable Western-style restaurant located in Tokyo's prestigious Ginza district. It is credited with inventing classic yoshoku dishes such as katsu (cutlets), omurice (omelet rice), and hayashi rice (hashed beef rice), and it was the first restaurant in Japan to be called a "yoshoku" restaurant.

This historic establishment has been beloved by many food enthusiasts over the years, including the renowned post-war period and historical novelist, Shotaro Ikenami, who was a regular patron.

One of the most popular items on the menu is the "Original Pork Cutlet," the precursor to today's tonkatsu. The pork cutlet is made with the fatty parts trimmed off, resulting in a light, crispy coating that makes for a refreshing dish. Rengatei is also credited with originating the now-standard practice of serving cutlets with shredded cabbage.

Other must-try dishes include the "Meiji Birth Omurice," the "Original Hayashi Rice," and "Ebi Fry" (fried shrimp), all of which have their roots at Rengatei.

When exploring Ginza, Rengatei is a must-visit destination.