Europa-ken Tsuruga Shop (敦賀ヨーロッパ軒 中央店) in Tsuruga, Fukui

I visited several times over the years and most recently at their main shop in Fukui City. Since Sauce Katsu is such a famous Fukui dish, we wanted to show a visiting friend the premier example of it at Europa-ken, this time in Tsuruga. I was recommended the ? mince breaded cutlet or the mix bowl this time. Of all the times I’ve been here, I’ve never had anything other than their regular breaded sauce pork cutlet, so I decided to try the sampler bowl that is the Mix Bowl, which has one slice of chicken, fish, and mince for 1100￥ ($10 USD).

I actually like this mixed bowl way better than their regular katsu bowl! Of note, the chicken was surprisingly juicy and the mince was surprisingly soft, with the light, saucy, crunchy breading complementing the softness of the meat. The fish cutlet was also good and gave a nice fishy contrast to the other meatier slices. The rice portion, as always, was plentiful and gave the bowl a decent value. I only wish they provided a side dish of their delicious sauce like when you order the katsu teishoku set since I like mine a little saucier.

While I still say that there may be other pork cutlets I like better elsewhere, their mix bowl by far has me really impressed and I would be more than happy to have it again next time!

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Nobukou (のぶ幸) in Takahama, Fukui

If I were to choose the best Japanese food restaurant around Obama, I would, without reservation, declare Nobukou to be my favorite. This tiny, family-run restaurant on Route 27 in Takahama, Fukui, is so nondescript, you’d likely pass it several times before you’d notice anything was open for business; there are no large signs and the whole outer facade looks like a typical house. But if you didn’t stop by, you’d be missing a real treasure.

They offer a large menu of delicious Japanese dishes that have very generous portions, all at very reasonable prices. For those less hungry, they also serve more "regular" sizes and plenty of other dishes, so there is probably something you’d like if you enjoy Japanese food.

At the recommendation from my friend, I have been recently ordering their Katsunabe Teishoku set for 1100¥ ($10 USD) which includes a ridiculously large fried pork serving with mixed egg and onion topping, soaked in deliciously savory-sweet mirin and soy sauce.

The crispy breading, the soft-battered egg, and cooked onions create an amazingly rich dish that is simply delicious.

Come down to beautiful southern Fukui and check this place out… it’ll be worth a drive, no matter where you are. This place comes with my highest recommendation.

As a bonus, here are some pictures of their Tonkatsu Teishoku and their Karaage Fried Chicken Teishoku sets I posted on my Instagram a year and some ago. (My photo quality has significantly improved since then.)

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Ichijodani Asakura Roadside Station (道の駅 一乗谷あさくら水の駅) in Abanakajimacho, Fukui

Just recently, I reviewed Europa-ken, the main store that is said to have popularized Sauce Katsudon in Fukui Prefecture. It was certainly amazing, savory, rich, and delicious, but is there another restaurant that could possibly challenge it for taste?

Surprisingly, here is one such restaurant in Abanakajimacho, Fukui, located at the Ichijodani Asakura Roadside Station (Michi-no-Eki). I was recommended it by a friend of mine who leaves nearby.

While it just maybe one small part of the building, it has nice views of the outside and amazing food inside!

I ordered their #3 Katsu Teishoku Set which comes with a small cold soba, sauce katsu, and rice for 1300￥ ($12 USD).

While the soba was merely good, the katsu was outstanding! It was lightly crispy and had a thick crunch, not to mention the thick pork tasted softer and juicier than Europa-ken’s. The sauce, too, was a bit sweeter, coupled with the slice of lime for a hint of tartness.

This was subjectively better for me than most other katsu places I’ve been to and I will definitely keep it bookmarked for when I pass through again!

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Europa-ken Main Shop (ヨーロッパ軒 総本店) in Fukui City, Fukui

Sauce Katsudon is one of the most famous dishes in Fukui Prefecture. Essentially, it consists of fried, breaded pork cutlets, covered in a sweet, savory Worcestershire-like sauce, over a bed of rice. Simple, satisfying and delicious, what’s not to love?

Every shop in Fukui has a bit of a different take on the food, offering different breading consistencies, thicker or wider pork cutlets, and very different sauces. One can visit the numerous restaurants serving it across the prefecture for a different, unique taste every time.

Europa-ken claims to be the first restaurant to serve it in Fukui, opening in January 1924 on Katamachi Street in Fukui City, Fukui. The main shop is still located there, so I decided to check out the place that made Sauce Katsudon so famous

I actually visited Europa-ken’s many locations in Fukui several times, but this was my first visit to the main store. I was greeted warmly and I saw a very familiar menu. I only needed to say “Katsu…” before the lady confirmed my order as the ever-popular Katsudon Set (1150￥ / $10.60 USD).

The bowl had three slices of finely-breaded katsu and lovely, fluffy rice. While they were already soaked in flavor, for more of that rich sauce, you can dip the katsu in it or pour it over; there is no wrong way to enjoy it. Either way, the set was well worth the price for tasting the original Sauce Katsudon.

Now, would I say this is the best Sauce Katsudon in all of Fukui? While it certainly is a contender, there are other amazing shops all around. Look forward to more of my saucy reviews soon!

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