Verdict
Destinations
Restaurant · Tokyo

Maisen (Aoyama)

A beloved Aoyama tonkatsu institution serving crisp, juicy breaded pork cutlets in a converted former bathhouse.

Independent — no pay-to-rank Graded for who you are Verified 2026-06-17How we grade →
The verdict

Worth the table for…

Great for
  • Families with kids
  • Couples
  • Solo travellers
  • Foodies
  • Local-life seekers
Depends
  • Travellers on a budget
  • If you've only got a day
  • History & culture buffs
Not for

—

Worth it for families with kids, couples and solo travellers.

What to order

The plates that decide it

  • Kurobuta (black pork) loin katsu set — the signature order
  • Hire (fillet) katsu set — leaner, reliably good
  • Katsu sando (sandwich) to take away — a great snack option
Why we say this

Insider secrets & local vibes

A long-standing favorite for tonkatsu, with reliably crisp cutlets and tender pork.
Not independently verified — estimated
A satisfying, accessible meal that won't blow the budget — easy to recommend across travel styles.
Not independently verified — estimated
Its popularity means queues at peak lunch and dinner hours, especially on weekends.
Not independently verified — estimated
What it feels like

Reading the room, traveller by traveller

  • Families

    Familiar, kid-friendly fried-pork comfort food in a relaxed room — an easy win with children.

  • Solo

    Quick, satisfying, and undemanding — a great everyday Tokyo lunch.

Good to know

Before you go

Cost
Moderate (set menus around lunch and dinner)
Time
About 45 minutes to 1 hour
Last verified
2026-06-17
Best time
Off-peak lunch to avoid the queue
Booking
Largely walk-in
Accessibility
Omotesando / Aoyama; takeaway also available
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Sources

What we checked

  • Serving tonkatsu since 1965; the Aoyama main branch occupies a converted former public bathhouse, with the upstairs dining room in the old changing room. trulytokyo.com ↗
  • Signature is the kurobuta (black/Berkshire pork) katsu; the meat is tenderized by patting before breading and uses house-baked breadcrumbs. tinyurbankitchen.com ↗
Independent — no pay-to-rank Graded for who you are Verified 2026-06-17How we grade →