| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 20 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 486 | 20g | 5g | 48g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 6g | 3g | 28g | 1.6g |
Why I Love Japanese Pork Cutlet Sandwich
Today, let’s journey across the ocean from the white sandy beaches of Miami to the bustling heart of Tokyo with one of my favorite handheld delights: The Pork Cutlet Sandwich. Brimming with flavors that are both comforting and distinctly Japanese, it’s a dish that I find irresistibly delicious. When I first encountered this recipe, I was reminded of the familial bonds in food – no matter how far the geographical distance, the table always brings us together.
East Meets West in My Kitchen
Bringing my Caribbean and Spanish flavors into the mix, a simple Pork Cutlet Sandwich transforms into a fusion of cultures. Not unlike how I blend salsa steps with a bachata rhythm in my dance lessons, Latin flair can easily infuse itself into Asian cuisine. Crafting this unique dish is like choreographing a complex dance routine, where every ingredient serves a purpose and contributes to the overall flavor profile.
In the vein of Spanish tapas, this Japanese classic finds its sibling in the Iberian flamenquin sandwich – breaded pork loin wrapped around ham and cheese, fried to a golden perfection. Just like our Pork Cutlet Sandwich, it’s another cloud of crunchy, meaty goodness waiting to delight your senses if you haven’t tried it yet. You can find a wonderful rendition by chef José Andrés, a Spanish culinary master known for his medley of tapas – here’s his website.
A Deconstructed Harmony
What I love the most about the Pork Cutlet Sandwich is its balanced simplicity. Each ingredient holds its own in the medley of flavors: the succulence of the pork loin, the sharp tang of the mustard, the buttery smoothness of the mayonnaise, and the satisfying crunch of the lettuce and ripe tomatoes. The light coat of Panko breadcrumbs which encases the pork cutlet adds a wonderful texture that dances delightfully on your palate.
Even the sauce completes this culinary waltz – tonkatsu sauce, a Japanese staple, adds depth with its sweet and tangy contrast. A sip of a tropical cocktail, an element from my culinary background, makes this dish a perfect fusion affair.
If your concept of a sandwich has been bland and uninspiring, this dish challenges you to look beyond. I assure you, if you give this Pork Cutlet Sandwich a chance, you are in for a delightful culinary revelation.
What You’ll Need
- 6 pieces of Boneless Pork Loin (each about 1-inch thick)
- Salt (as per taste)
- Pepper (as per taste)
- 1 cup of All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Eggs
- 2 cups of Panko Bread Crumbs
- Vegetable Oil (for frying)
- 12 slices of White Bread
- 6 Lettuce Leaves
- 2 Tomatoes (sliced)
- Mayonnaise (as needed)
- 2 tablespoons of Mustard
- 1/4 cup of Tonkatsu Sauce
Method
Step One
Take the 6 pieces of boneless pork loin and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to thin them out to about 1/2-inch thickness. Season each piece on both sides with salt and pepper as per your taste.
Step Two
Prepare three separate bowls. In the first bowl, put 1 cup of all-purpose flour. In the second, beat the 2 eggs. In the third bowl, put 2 cups of panko bread crumbs.
Step Three
Dredge each piece of pork first in the flour, then the beaten eggs, and finally in the panko bread crumbs, ensuring that each piece is thoroughly coated with each ingredient.
Step Four
Pour enough vegetable oil into a frying pan to reach a depth of about 1 inch and heat it over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place each breaded pork cutlet into the oil and fry them until they turn golden brown on both sides. Remove the fried cutlets from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain and cool.
Step Five
While the pork cutlets are cooling, take the 12 slices of white bread and spread a generous amount of mayonnaise on one side of each slice. Also spread 2 tablespoons of mustard evenly between the bread slices.
Step Six
To assemble the sandwiches, place a lettuce leaf on top of the mayo-mustard spread on 6 of the bread slices. On top of the lettuce, place a fried pork cutlet followed by a few slices of tomato.
Step Seven
Pour tonkatsu sauce over the tomatoes to taste, then place the remaining slices of bread on top, mayo-mustard side down. Cut each sandwich in half and serve. Enjoy your delicious Pork Cutlet Sandwich!
