Singapore’s tonkatsu scene has a new specialist, and it is doing things a little differently. Katsu by Kyu, which opened at OUE Downtown Gallery in July 2026, bills itself as the Republic’s first tonkatsu restaurant to serve Jeju pork exclusively – and it wants you to watch every step of the craft.
Singapore’s first Jeju-pork tonkatsu specialist
The Korean-inspired concept is built around a simple belief: time is an ingredient. Only Jeju pork is used here, prized for its denser, more oxygen-rich red muscle fibres and fuller flavour. Each cut is dry-aged for 10 days, then finished over rice-straw charcoal moments before it reaches the table, giving a crisp exterior and a juicy, tender centre.
Nothing hides behind kitchen doors. From the counter, guests can watch pork being grilled over charcoal and rice bubbling away in traditional cast-iron pots – the process is part of the meal.
Why the rice matters as much as the pork
Katsu by Kyu uses Samgwang, one of Korea’s most highly regarded premium rice cultivars, at Special Grade classification. It is milled fresh every morning and cooked to order in traditional Korean Gamasot pots. Every bowl arrives with a Rice Card documenting the variety, origin and milling date – a nice touch for anyone who takes their carbs seriously.
The attention to detail carries through the rest of the menu. The panko is mixed with freshly milled rice powder for a richer crust, tiger prawns are hand-wrapped in delicate kadaif pastry, and the udon is a flat, chewy style imported from Japan that is still uncommon here.
What to order
Signature plates come with shredded cabbage, miso soup, freshly milled rice, house pickles and a signature sauce. Highlights include:
- Classic Jeju Loin Katsu – a balanced cut where tender meat meets light marbling
- Kadaif Prawn – a light, crunchy crust over sweet, briny tiger prawn
- 3 Ways Cold Flat Udon – Japan-imported flat udon with three dipping sauces
- Panko-Crusted Beef Short-Rib Patty – house-made tteokgalbi folded with Korean kimchi
- Oyster Katsu and Savoury Pork Belly Udon in a 12-hour pork bone broth
Couples or friends can share the Couples Set (S$98 for two), which lets you pick two mains across the Jeju and beef cuts plus two shareables such as the Kadaif Prawn, Oyster Katsu or Cold Flat Udon.
If you are curious about how the Korean F&B wave is reshaping the local dining map, it sits alongside newer arrivals we have covered such as TOFU G, and pairs nicely with the run of new menus at spots like Wild Honey at Scotts Square and TungLok Heen.
The space
The 44-seat restaurant blends Japanese minimalism with Korean warmth – reclaimed wood, unfinished oak, charcoal-toned stone and handmade ceramics. The counter faces the open kitchen, so a solo lunch here doubles as dinner theatre. “Kyu” means pursuit, and the kitchen leans into it, refining ingredients and technique rather than settling for convention.
Katsu by Kyu: the details
Address: 6A Shenton Way, #01-09, OUE Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068815
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, lunch 11am – 3pm, dinner 5pm – 10pm
Instagram: @katsubykyu.sg | Website: katsubykyu.sg
Images courtesy of Katsu by Kyu.
