Kyoto Katsuda, which specializes in premium beef katsu, is now open in Honolulu

These premium katsu sets are worth the drive to Waikīkī.

Kyoto Katsuda, which has four locations in Kyoto, Japan, just opened its first U.S. location within STIX ASIA food hall (on the lower level). The biz specializes in premium beef katsu, but also offers several other katsu specialties.

Kyoto Katsuda just opened within STIX ASIA food hall (lower level). Photo by Kelli Shiroma Braiotta (Aloha State Daily Staff)

The biz opened quietly a few weeks ago, and is open daily from 5 to 9 p.m. The menu is streamlined to focus on quality dishes, according to managing partner Ryan Ko.

“It’s designed to be really quick service, so your overall dining time here will be pretty fast,” he says. “There are three grades of beef — beef katsu, beef tenderloin and U.S. wagyu. They’re served in two different portions — 4 ounces or 8.5 ounces.”

All sets include rice, wasabi, dashi soy sauce and curry sauce; customers can also take advantage of free refills of rice and sliced cabbage. Kamaʻāina can also enjoy a 20% discount off everything.

Keep in mind that the beef katsu comes out more rare, but you can ask for it to be more well done if you prefer.

8.5-ounce US beef katsu set ($28). Photo by Kelli Shiroma Braiotta (Aloha State Daily Staff)

U.S. beef katsu ($18 or $28) is served with sesame seeds, dashi soy sauce, curry sauce, sliced cabbage and white rice. All dipping sauces are housemade, according to Ko.

“There’s a bunch of different ways to eat it — with salt and wasabi; with soy dashi; a curry sauce; or your normal ground sesame with katsu sauce,” Ko says.

“Flavor-wise, the wagyu is really good and it’s attractive, as far as the price point goes, but the tenderloin is one of my favorites,” he adds.

Simply grind the sesame seeds to your preferred texture and add the tonkatsu sauce to the mix before dipping the katsu. The beef is crispy on the outside, while its interior is juicy and full of flavor.

While having wagyu is a luxury, we preferred the tenderloin, which boasted a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Even after the dish had been sitting for a while, the breaded exterior was still delectably crispy.

Using the different sauces gives each bite of katsu a unique taste and flavor. The thick, slightly tangy katsu sauce was my favorite, but the homemade, comforting curry sauce was a close second.

Assorted seafood katsu set ($28). Photo by Kelli Shiroma Braiotta (Aloha State Daily Staff)

The assorted seafood katsu set ($28) is a delicious sampler, comprising salmon roe, salmon katsu, tuna katsu and two pieces of shrimp katsu. It’s served with tartar sauce, curry sauce, sesame seeds, sliced cabbage and white rice.

While shrimp katsu never disappoints — this dish features black tiger shrimp, so it’s a generous size — the salmon katsu is a unique option, especially when topped with ikura. The maguro katsu is also a winner.

Salmon katsu with ikura. Photo by Kelli Shiroma Braiotta (Aloha State Daily Staff)Two-piece shrimp katsu side ($10). Photo by Kelli Shiroma Braiotta (Aloha State Daily Staff)

Kyoto Katsuda also offers sides of katsu, including 4-ounce portions of beef katsu ($8) and beef tenderloin katsu ($14), salmon ikura katsu ($8) and a two-piece shrimp katsu ($10).

The eatery validates parking at Waikīkī Shopping Plaza. Daily parking validation from STIX ASIA food hall is available from 5 to 10 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Customers can receive a two-hour parking validation with purchases of $20 or more.

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CONTACT
Kyoto Katsuda
STIX Asia
2550 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu
Instagram: @kyotokatsudahi
Open daily, 5-9 p.m.

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.