Tonteki (Japanese-Style Pork Steak with a Rich Flavor)

The delightful combination of pork and garlic flavors, complemented by a rich sauce, can be found in Tonteki. While Japanese dishes are typically mildly seasoned, when they incorporate Western elements, you can enjoy them from a different perspective.

Jump to:

• What is Tonteki?
• Criteria for authentic tontoki
• About tonteki sauce
• Ingredients
• Step-by-step instructions
• Tips on how to make
• Recipe Card

What is Tonteki?

Tonteki is a dish that consists of thickly sliced pork seasoned with a rich sauce, topped with garlic, and accompanied by thinly shredded cabbage on the side. Ton means pork, and teki refers to a shortened term for steak in Japanese. Originally, this dish was served at a restaurant in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture, but it has spread throughout Japan due to its delicious flavor.

Broadly speaking, it can be thought of as a pork steak, but it possesses a distinct flavor that sets it apart from a typical pork steak. The heart of this dish lies in its sauce, mainly composed of Japanese Worcestershire sauce. Be sure to give it a try!

Criteria for authentic tontoki

To distinguish tonteki from a typical pork steak, Yokkaichi City, the birthplace of tonteki, has established the following criteria for using the name "tonteki":

• Use thickly sliced pork.
• Apply a rich, dark-colored sauce.
• Top it with garlic.
• Serve it with shredded cabbage.

When making it at home, it's not strictly necessary to adhere to all of these conditions, but for an authentic taste, it is recommended to follow these requirements as closely as possible. Each of these elements is essential to Tonteki, with the dark-colored sauce, in particular, representing its distinctive feature.

About tonteki sauce

There are many recipes for tonteki sauce, but it is often made rich and slightly sweet using ingredients such as Japanese Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and soy sauce. Since the sauce is a crucial element, even if you're adding your own twist, be careful not to compromise its dark color.

Here, I'll share with you my favorite tonteki sauce recipe, which includes butter. The rich flavor of the sauce also complements the accompanying cabbage nicely.

Ingredients

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Step-by-step instructions

🕒 Total 15 mins

Step 1
Shred the cabbage. Peel the garlic and thinly slice it.

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Step 2
Mix A (Japanese Worcestershire sauce, mirin, sugar, soy sauce) in a small bowl.

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Step 3
Make several incisions with the tip of a knife along the border between the lean and fatty parts of the pork. Then, sprinkle salt and black pepper on both sides of the pork.

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Step 4
Heat oil in a pan over low heat and add the sliced garlic. Once it has turned golden brown, remove it to a plate.

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Step 5
Put the pork in the pan and cook it over medium-high heat until the surface browns. Once it's browned, flip it over and continue cooking over medium-low heat until it's cooked through.

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Step 6
Add the seasoning mixture from the bowl and the butter to the pan, then bring them to a boil for about 30 seconds.

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Step 7
Remove the pork from the pan and slice it into 0.8 inch (2cm) wide pieces.

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Step 8
Serve it on each plate alongside the shredded cabbage. Pour the sauce from the pan over the pork, and then sprinkle the garlic chips from the plate on top.

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To Store

You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Tips on how to make

• Make several incisions along the border between the lean and fatty parts of the pork. This step prevents the pork from curling up and ensures even cooking.
• Use medium heat when cooking pork. Avoiding high heat will prevent the pork from becoming tough.

Recipe Card