Dinner at YODA

Dinner at YODA

at YODA on 3 May 2026
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I had the pleasure of revisiting Yoda, a place often regarded as the holy land of tonkatsu.Located in Yokohama's Yamashita-cho, this renowned restaurant operates on a reservation-only basis with limited seating, yet it continues to captivate tonkatsu enthusiasts nationwide. With an insatiable quest for the perfect meat and uniquely refined cooking techniques, each visit brings new surprises. It's no wonder they have received accolades and recognition as one of Tabelog's top 100 restaurants.This time, I enjoyed the tenderloin from Sanemon.From the moment it arrived, I was mesmerized by its beautiful presentation. The perfectly arranged coating shone in a golden hue, making no unnecessary claims. It was designed to enhance the star of the dish—the pork—maximizing its flavor. The high level of craftsmanship was evident at first glance.I took a bite without any condiments.The quality of the meat was astonishing. Despite being tenderloin, it was moist and retained an abundance of juices, with fibers so fine that they seemed to dissolve naturally in my mouth. It surpassed the typical expectations of "light" and "refreshing" that one might associate with tenderloin.Particularly noteworthy was the cooking technique.The heat penetrated perfectly to the center while keeping the juices locked in. The precision in temperature control was evident, allowing the natural sweetness and umami of the meat to shine through. It retained moisture without any rawness, and I was reminded once again that this balance is Yoda's greatest charm.Moreover, the coating was simply perfect.Its crispiness cannot be described with the simple term "crunchy"; it had a delicate quality. Light yet substantial, it created a harmonious experience without overshadowing the texture of the meat. Even as time passed, it maintained its high quality without feeling greasy, right down to the last bite.The accompanying salt paired excellently, enhancing the sweetness of the meat and allowing me to fully appreciate the potential of Sanemon pork. While enjoying it with sauce is also delightful, I highly recommend savoring it with salt first.Having visited multiple times, I always find myself thinking, "This might be the best yet." The restaurant continues to evolve at such a remarkable pace. Although it seems to have reached a level of perfection, the chef's quest for improvement never ceases.Their dedication to pushing the boundaries of tonkatsu is truly admirable. It’s not just a popular or hard-to-book restaurant; it’s a place that is advancing the genre of this dish.For me, this is undoubtedly the "holy land of tonkatsu."The overwhelming quality makes it hard to believe that anything could surpass it, yet strangely, I can still envision its future evolution. Following this change is one of the joys of visiting this restaurant.Thank you for another wonderful dish!

10 / 10