What sauce comes with katsu?

Tonkatsu sauce, a thick, fruity, Worcestershire-like brown sauce. Shredded cabbage and rice usually come alongside.

What is tempura dipped in?

Tentsuyu, a light dashi, soy and mirin sauce with grated daikon radish, or just a pinch of salt.

Tempura vs katsu: what's the difference?

Tempura is seafood or vegetables in a thin, lacy, light batter, while katsu is a cutlet, usually pork or chicken, coated in panko breadcrumbs and fried thick and crunchy.

Tempura

Very light

Indulgent

Subtle

Big punch

Mellow

Zingy

Shatteringly light batter around sweet shrimp or vegetables.

Katsu

Very light

Indulgent

Subtle

Big punch

Mellow

Zingy

A thick, crunchy breaded cutlet with tangy brown sauce.

The real difference

Tempura batter is just flour, egg and ice-cold water, barely mixed, so it fries into a thin, lacy shell. Katsu is a pounded cutlet dipped in flour and egg, then pressed into panko, Japanese breadcrumbs, for a thick, crunchy crust. Tempura is light and delicate; katsu is hearty.

Side by side

TempuraKatsu

CoatingThin batterPanko breadcrumbs

UsuallyShrimp, fish, vegetablesPork or chicken cutlet

TextureLight, lacy, crispThick, crunchy

Served withTentsuyu dipping sauce or saltTonkatsu sauce, cabbage, rice

Which to order

Order tempura if you want something light and crisp to share.
Order katsu if you want a big, crunchy, filling plate or sandwich.

Quick questions

What sauce comes with katsu?: Tonkatsu sauce, a thick, fruity, Worcestershire-like brown sauce. Shredded cabbage and rice usually come alongside.
What is tempura dipped in?: Tentsuyu, a light dashi, soy and mirin sauce with grated daikon radish, or just a pinch of salt.