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Meat, East Asian

Menchi katsu with shredded cabbage

Menchi katsu are breaded, deep fried patties made from ground beef and pork, served with shredded raw cabbage and rice. This recipe serves 4, takes 45 minutes, is rated easy, and costs €2.70 per person. The key is chilling the patties before breading so they stay intact in the hot oil.

Tonight, big Japanese style breaded and fried ground meat patties, menchi katsu, with raw cabbage and rice.

Menchi katsu with shredded cabbage
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.70
Calories per person
580 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Menchi katsu is where a juicy ground meat patty meets a crisp panko crust. Inside, the beef and pork mix stays tender while the outside shatters with each bite. The raw shredded cabbage on the side adds crunch and freshness, cutting through the fried richness in the classic way Japanese katsu dishes are built.

This is a solid weeknight dinner that breaks the routine of plain burger patties, and kids love the big breaded shape. It also works well for a casual Sunday dinner with guests curious about Japanese home cooking, especially with that tangy ketchup and Worcestershire sauce on the table.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Ground beef 300 g
  • Ground pork 300 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onion 1
  • White cabbage 300 g

Dairy

  • Eggs 3

Pantry

  • Panko 120 g
  • Flouroften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Frying oiloften in the pantry 30 cl
  • Ketchup 3 tbsp
  • Worcestershire sauce 2 tbsp
  • Soy sauceoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Riceoften in the pantry 300 g
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Eggs, Gluten, Soy, Fish

The step by step recipe

  1. Cook the chopped onion, let it cool, then mix it into the ground meats with 1 egg, salt and pepper. 5 min

    Knead the meat with your hands, it becomes stickier and more tender.

  2. Shape 8 thick patties and chill them for 15 minutes. 15 min

    A cold mixture breads much more cleanly.

  3. Coat the patties in flour, then in 2 beaten eggs, then in the panko. 5 min

    Lay them on a plate afterward without stacking them.

  4. Fry the patties in oil at 170°C, 4 minutes per side, and cook the rice in salted water. 11 min

    Poke them with a toothpick, the juices should run clear.

  5. Mix the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce, shred the cabbage, and serve everything with the patties cut in half.

    The raw cabbage is there for freshness, don't season it.

Our tips to get it right

  • Don't overwork the meat mixture when shaping the patties, they'll stay more tender once cooked.
  • Keep one hand dry for the panko and one hand wet for the egg wash, the coating sticks better and your fingers stay cleaner longer.
  • If the oil isn't hot enough, the patties soak up too much grease, test the temperature with a small piece of bread, it should sizzle immediately.

The variations

  • Swap the ground pork for ground veal for a milder flavor.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the meats with mashed red beans and chopped mushrooms, the breading works the same way.
  • For a quicker kid friendly version, shape 12 small patties instead of 8 large ones, they cook faster and are easy to eat by hand.

What to serve it with

  • Plain steamed rice
  • Light miso soup
  • Hot green tea

Storage

Cooked menchi katsu keep for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. You can freeze the breaded raw patties before frying. Reheat in the oven or a skillet to keep the crust crisp, the microwave will make it soggy.

Questions about this dish

Can you use regular breadcrumbs instead of panko?

Yes, but the crust will be less crisp and less airy. Panko gives that light texture typical of katsu dishes, which is what sets it apart from a French style breading.

Can you prepare the patties ahead of time?

Yes, shape the patties and keep them in the fridge up to 24 hours before breading and frying. This even helps the meat hold together better during cooking.

How do you know the patties are cooked through?

Poke a patty with a toothpick in the center, the juices should run clear, not pink. If you're unsure, cut one in half to check the color of the meat.

Can you bake menchi katsu instead of deep frying them?

Yes, place the breaded patties on a rack and bake at 200°C for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. They'll be less crispy than fried but lower in fat.

How long does it take to make menchi katsu with shredded cabbage?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in menchi katsu with shredded cabbage?

About 580 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does menchi katsu with shredded cabbage cost?

About €2.70 per serving, or €10.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains eggs, gluten, soy, fish. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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