What is katsudon?
Katsudon is a deep-fried breaded pork cutlet simmered with egg and onion in sweet soy-dashi sauce, served over rice. It is hearty, mild and one of the most popular rice bowls in Japan.
Quick answer: Katsudon is tonkatsu (pork cutlet) simmered in egg-and-dashi sauce over rice. It contains pork, egg, wheat (the breading) and soy, and the sauce often uses fish dashi.
What is in a katsudon bowl?
A pork cutlet (tonkatsu) is breaded in flour, egg and panko and deep-fried. For katsudon it is sliced, simmered briefly with onion in a sauce of dashi, soy sauce and mirin, then topped with beaten egg that sets softly over rice. It is not spicy and not raw. Some shops serve a set with miso soup and pickles.
Why people eat it before exams
The word katsu sounds like katsu (勝つ), “to win”, so students and athletes eat katsudon for luck. You will see it on menus at casual restaurants, teishoku shops and chains such as Katsuya and Matsunoya. Order it like oyakodon: by name or by pointing; compare it with oyakodon.
Allergy notes
Katsudon has several allergens at once: egg (in both the breading and the topping), wheat (flour and panko), soy (soy sauce) and often fish (dashi). If you cannot have egg, ask for sōsu katsudon (ソースカツ丼), a Fukui-style sauce-only version with no egg topping, but the breading may still contain egg. See our egg allergy guide and gluten-free guide.
Katsudon phrases in Japanese
| Japanese (kana) | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| カツどん（カツ丼） | katsudon | pork cutlet and egg rice bowl |
| とんかつ | tonkatsu | breaded pork cutlet |
| たまごとじ（卵とじ） | tamago-toji | egg-bound (cooked in egg) |
| ソースカツどん（ソースカツ丼） | sōsu katsudon | sauce katsudon (no egg topping) |
| たまごアレルギーです（卵アレルギー） | tamago arerugii desu | I have an egg allergy |
| たまごぬきにできますか？（卵抜き） | tamago nuki ni dekimasu ka? | Can you make it without egg? |
| ころもにこむぎは入っていますか？（衣に小麦） | koromo ni komugi wa haitte imasu ka? | Is there wheat in the breading? |
| だしにさかなは入っていますか？（だしに魚） | dashi ni sakana wa haitte imasu ka? | Does the stock contain fish? |
Printable egg and wheat allergy card
Katsudon combines egg and wheat, so this card names both. Cross out one if it does not apply.
私は卵・小麦アレルギーです。
I am allergic to egg and wheat.
卵・小麦が入っている料理は食べられません。
I cannot eat any dish that contains egg and wheat.
だしやソース、調味料、揚げ油にも入っていないか、ご確認をお願いします。
Please also check the stock, sauces, seasonings and frying oil.
卵・小麦に触れた調理器具や油は使わないでください。
Please do not use utensils or oil that have touched egg and wheat.
少量でも命に関わります。
Even a small amount can be life-threatening.
ご協力ありがとうございます。 Thank you for your help. · japanmust.com
Printing tip: set the page to “fit to page”, or take a screenshot and show it on your phone. Delete the last line if your allergy is not severe.
Allergy safety: this is travel information, not medical advice. Restaurants often cannot guarantee an allergen-free meal, and cross-contact in kitchens is common. Carry any prescribed medication and a doctor’s letter, and check current Japanese rules for bringing medicine into the country.
Frequently asked questions
Is katsudon raw?
No. The cutlet is deep-fried and the egg sets in the hot sauce to a soft, scrambled texture.
Is katsudon spicy?
No. It is sweet and savory, based on dashi, soy sauce and mirin.
Is there egg in katsudon?
Yes, twice: the breading usually uses egg, and the topping is beaten egg. Ask about sōsu katsudon if you avoid the topping.
Is katsudon the same as oyakodon?
They share the sauce and egg, but oyakodon uses simmered chicken, while katsudon uses a fried pork cutlet.
Related guides
Order with confidence
Japan Interpreter explains dish names like カツ丼 and 卵とじ from your camera, offline, and flags common allergens.
Japan Interpreter: offline camera and text translation for Japan. Allergen flags help, but never replace asking the restaurant.