Katsudon from Death Note: the Anime-Inspired Recipe

Katsudon from Death Note: the Anime-Inspired Recipe

Katsudon — breaded pork cutlet with egg over rice — became iconic in Death Note. L promises Light katsudon if he confesses, making the dish a symbol of psychological tension in anime.

History and origin

Katsudon is a traditional Japanese dish dating from the late 19th century. The name combines 'katsu' (tonkatsu cutlet) and 'don' (short for donburi, a rice bowl). It is popular across Japan as a filling lunch.

Key ingredients

Katsudon requires pork loin, panko breadcrumbs, eggs and dashi broth. The cutlet is deep-fried, then simmered in a dashi–soy–mirin sauce and finished with a lightly beaten egg poured over the top.

How to cook at home

The secret to juicy katsudon is not overcooking the cutlet: crispy outside, tender inside. Add the egg at the very end and remove from heat while it is still slightly runny.

Try this recipe at home — it's much easier than it looks and will make you feel part of your favourite universe.