カツ丼(どん)

Etymology

カツ (cutlet, from English) + 丼(どん) (rice bowl)

Cultural note

Eaten before exams for good luck because カツ sounds like 勝(か)つ (to win). The phrase is 「試験(しけん)に勝(か)つ」(to win the exam).

Police association

In Japanese detective dramas, suspects are often offered katsudon during interrogation. This has become a cultural trope.

Ingredients

• とんかつ - breaded pork cutlet
• 卵(たまご) - egg
• 玉(たま)ねぎ - onion
• だし - broth
• 醤油(しょうゆ)/味醂(みりん) - seasoning
• 白(しろ)ご飯(はん) - white rice

Related donburi

• 牛丼(ぎゅうどん) - beef bowl
• 親子丼(おやこどん) - chicken and egg bowl
• 天丼(てんどん) - tempura bowl