On Trend: Katsu sandos take a bite out of B.C.’s food scene

Credit: Kurosan

Kurosan’s pork loin katsu sando

Big in Japan, katsu sando makes its way to several local eateries

It’s hard to go wrong with katsu sando–crispy, breaded meat or fish between fluffy slices of milk bread. In Japan, where it’s typically sold in supermarkets, the sandwich is a popular snack and a fuss-free lunch. You can also find it at Vancouver food trucks, snack bars and restaurants.

Credit: Tokyo Katsu-Sand

Tokyo Katsu-Sand’s chicken katsu sando.

Truck Stop

We can’t think of a more food truck-appropriate meal. Outside Vancouver City Centre station, Tokyo Katsu-Sand offers a variety of fillings in what it calls “the real Japanese style,” with sides of takoyaki (octopus balls) and fries. In a nod to chef Patrick Do’s Filipino heritage, Uncle’s Snack Shop in Richmond offers a less traditional spin on katsu sando, making the patty with ground chicken, garlic and paprika.

Credit: Rich Won

Potluck Hawker Eatery’s fried chicken sando

Fancy That

Richmond restaurant Kurosan Katsu, which aims to channel Japan’s opulent Meiji period, serves up pork, prawn and chicken versions. Want a more down-home vibe? At Vancouver’s Potluck Hawker Eatery, chef Justin Cheung’s menu represents Southeast Asian street food culture with classic and inventive dishes, including the flavourful Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Sando.

Credit: Dosanko

Dosanko’s pork tonkatsu sando

School’s Out

Located in Vancouver’s historic Japantown, just blocks from Canada’s oldest Japanese language school, Dosanko is the perfect place for students to grab one of its six katsu sando options.