Located in Kichijoji, right next to Harmonica Alley is the restaurant known as Satou.
While Satou Steakhouse is on the second floor, on the first floor is where you will see a large line of people waiting.
In Musashino and Tokyo in general, Satou is well-known for their menchi-katsu.
For those not familiar with menchi-katsu, it’s a breaded and deep-fried ground meat patty which is mixed with chopped onion, salt, pepper and flour on the outside. The patties are coated with eggs and bread crumbs and are deep fried.
It’s important to note that Satou will have a line 15 minutes before the place opens. While people who are not there, can easily purchase non-menchi-katsu food, if you came there for menchi-katsu, you’ll have to wait until 10:30 p.m.
As you wait, you’ll see the workers, hard at work, preparing for today’s food. Some going out to put food just made in their plastic containers on top of the tables, including the company’s popular curry packages.
As much as I would have loved to try their cutlet burgers, I was there in the morning for one thing…menchi-katsu.
The outside was crispy and the meat with onions were simply delicious. At Y200 apiece, I debated on how many I should ask for because they are a size of meatball but I decided to get only two.
Overall, the experience was great. The workers were great and communicated well, especially when establishing where to stand in the line.
But the menchi-katsu was fantastic and I know I have yet to try more of Satou, so I will most definitely return here again. To try the meat at their restaurant upstairs, to try their burgers, to try the katsu and more!
