Imakatsu Roppongi Tonkatsu: How to Skip the Wait
Tokyo Mate
If you're looking for the ultimate tonkatsu experience in Roppongi, Imakatsu is the name that comes up again and again. Featured in the Michelin Guide and Tabelog's Top 100 multiple times, this legendary restaurant is known for its impossibly tender cutlets that practically melt in your mouth.
But the restaurant's reputation comes with a catch — the wait times are notorious. Many visitors end up giving up before they even get a chance to try it.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Imakatsu Roppongi: how to beat the long lines with smart reservation tips, which menu items to order, and how it compares to another top Roppongi tonkatsu spot.
📌 This post is part of our complete Roppongi guide series. For the full area itinerary, check out the link below!
➡️ Roppongi Complete Guide — Observatories, Museums, Shopping & Dining A to Z
1. Location & Operating Hours
Imakatsu is just steps from Roppongi Station, but it's tucked away in a side alley that's easy to miss. Using Google Maps to navigate there is highly recommended.
| Imakatsu Roppongi Main Store — Key Information | |
|---|---|
| Awards | Michelin Bib Gourmand (2015) / Tabelog Top 100 (2019, 2021, 2022) |
| Hours (Mon–Sat) | Lunch 11:30–16:00 / Dinner 18:00–22:30 |
| Hours (Holidays) | Lunch 11:30–16:00 / Dinner 16:00–21:00 |
| Closed | Every Sunday |
| Seats | 20 total (Counter 6, Table 10, Private room 4) |
| Payment | Credit cards accepted |
| Nearest Stations | Toei Oedo Line: Roppongi Stn. Exit 7 (1 min walk) Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line: Roppongi Stn. Exit 4a (3 min walk) |
| Address | Phoenicia Luxos 1F, 4-12-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032 📍 View on Google Maps |
2. Reservation & Waiting Tips (The Most Important Section!)
Reservations at the Roppongi main store are only available for dinner, and only by phone — making it practically impossible for travelers who don't speak Japanese.
(📞 Imakatsu Roppongi dinner reservations: +81-3-3408-1029)
But don't give up just yet! Here are three proven tips to minimize your wait:
3 Tips to Beat the Wait at Imakatsu
1. The Open-Run Strategy: Lunch opens at 11:30, dinner at 18:00. Arrive at least 15–20 minutes early to put your name on the waiting list. This is the single most reliable method.
2. Visit During Off-Peak Hours: Skip the peak times (12:00–13:00 for lunch, 18:00–20:00 for dinner). Visiting around 14:00–15:00 is your best bet for shorter waits.
3. Try Another Branch: If the Roppongi location has a long line, the Imakatsu Ginza branch tends to have shorter waits.
📌 Pro Tip
For a completely wait-free experience, the Imakatsu Akasaka branch accepts online reservations — a huge advantage for international visitors.
📌 Book Imakatsu Akasaka Online (AutoReserve)
3. Recommended Menu & Honest Review
Every set meal at Imakatsu comes with unlimited refills of rice, cabbage salad, and miso soup. The sesame dressing for the cabbage is seriously good — don't skip it.
- Sasami Katsu (ささみかつ) Set:
Imakatsu's signature dish. This chicken tenderloin cutlet is so unbelievably tender you can cut it with chopsticks. Uses finely ground dry breadcrumbs for a thin, light coating. If pork isn't your thing, or you want to try something truly unique in the tonkatsu world, this is a must-order.
- Tokusen Rosu Katsu (特選ロースかつ) Set:
The classic tonkatsu experience. A thick, juicy loin cutlet bursting with flavor — the rich fat and lean meat achieve a perfect balance.
- Imakatsu Set (いまかつ定食):
A variety set featuring their signature sasami katsu, the fan-favorite menchi katsu, bite-sized hire katsu, and crab cream croquette. The best choice if you want to sample everything Imakatsu has to offer.
📍 Imakatsu Roppongi Menu (multilingual menus available — just order by number)
4. Roppongi Tonkatsu Showdown: Imakatsu vs. Butagumi Shokudo
If you prefer a more classic, meat-forward tonkatsu over Imakatsu's delicate style, Butagumi Shokudo (豚組食堂) at Roppongi Hills is an excellent alternative.
Imakatsu vs. Butagumi Shokudo at a Glance
Even though both restaurants serve tonkatsu, their approaches are clearly different.
Imakatsu is all about the ultra-tender sasami katsu (chicken tenderloin). Using finely ground dry breadcrumbs, the coating is thin and feather-light. A consistent presence on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list and Tabelog Top 100, Imakatsu is the go-to for delicate, refined tonkatsu.
Butagumi Shokudo, on the other hand, wins with its impressively thick rosu katsu (loin cutlet). Coated in fresh, moist breadcrumbs and deep-fried to golden perfection, it delivers a rich, hearty crunch and deep pork flavor. As the second brand of the premium tonkatsu specialist Butagumi, it offers outstanding quality right inside Roppongi Hills.
Choose based on your mood — if it's delicate and melt-in-your-mouth you're after, go with Imakatsu. If you want hearty, full-flavored pork, Butagumi Shokudo won't disappoint.
Final Thoughts: The Best Tonkatsu in Roppongi
Here's everything you need to remember about Imakatsu Roppongi:
- Reservations are nearly impossible — the "open-run" strategy is your best bet!
- First-timers absolutely must try the signature sasami katsu!
- Rice, cabbage salad, and miso soup are all unlimited refills — eat to your heart's content.
Use this guide to plan your visit and experience what might just be the best tonkatsu of your life in Roppongi.
👉 Curious about more things to do in Roppongi?
👉 Roppongi Complete Guide — Observatories, Festivals, Museums & Dining A to Z