Saboten's Tonkatsu. Photo from Saboten Philippines' Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines – Lovers of the tonkatsu, Japan’s breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet, await the opening of the first branch of the popular Saboten restaurant in the Philippines.

Raintree Restaurants, which runs the local restaurants Museum Café, Kabila, Chelsea Market & Café, MoMo Café and Mr. Jones, is bringing in the Saboten brand to the country.

The first Philippine branch of Saboten will be located at Serendra in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, and will open its doors to the public in March.

Founded in 1966 in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Saboten is known for serving the “best” tonkatsu in Japan. According to its website, Saboten’s tonkatsu is made of pork aged for 10 days, coated with crumbs made from “special house-made bread”, and served with a “secret sauce” that contains onions, carrots, tomatoes, apples, sesame seeds and over 10 different spices.

The cutlet is also served with short grain rice, miso soup and shredded cabbage.

Considered one of Japan’s largest tonkatsu chains, Saboten has over 500 branches worldwide.

Click here for five other international restaurant brands that Filipinos should watch out for this year.