Homemade Cream Soup & Special Tonkatsu Sauce: A True Delight
Creating a Satisfying Homemade Tonkatsu Set Meal with Frozen Tonkatsu (Includes Recipes for Tonkatsu Sauce & Cream Soup)
On a day I was craving tonkatsu, instead of going out, I remembered the frozen tonkatsu in my freezer. But just frying it felt a bit too simple, so I decided to elevate the meal by making a rich cream soup and a special tonkatsu sauce from scratch. The homemade cream soup turned out to be incredibly delicious, far surpassing store-bought versions. Kids absolutely love it! Try making this delightful cream soup and tonkatsu sauce at home for a truly special tonkatsu set meal experience!
Tonkatsu Sauce
- Store-bought Tonkatsu Sauce 3-4 Tbsp
- Butter 2.5 Tbsp
- Finely Diced Onion 2 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic 0.5 Tbsp
Cream Soup
- Butter 4 Tbsp
- All-purpose Flour 4 Tbsp
- Water as needed (for consistency)
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- Pinch of Salt
- Milk 250ml
Tonkatsu Set Meal
- Frozen Tonkatsu 2 pieces
- Shredded Cabbage as needed
- Ketchup as needed
- Mayonnaise as needed
- Warm Rice 1.5 bowls
- Pinch of Sesame Seeds
- Butter 4 Tbsp
- All-purpose Flour 4 Tbsp
- Water as needed (for consistency)
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- Pinch of Salt
- Milk 250ml
Tonkatsu Set Meal
- Frozen Tonkatsu 2 pieces
- Shredded Cabbage as needed
- Ketchup as needed
- Mayonnaise as needed
- Warm Rice 1.5 bowls
- Pinch of Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s make the flavorful homemade tonkatsu sauce. When using store-bought tonkatsu sauce feels a bit uninspired, you can create a much more sophisticated flavor with ingredients you likely have at home. Melt 2.5 tablespoons of butter in a pan over medium-low heat. Once the butter starts to melt, add the finely diced onion and 0.5 tablespoon of minced garlic. Sauté them until the onion becomes translucent and releases a sweet aroma. Cooking slowly over low heat prevents the garlic from burning and allows the onion’s sweetness to fully develop.
Step 2
Once the onion and garlic are well sautéed, stir in 3-4 tablespoons of store-bought tonkatsu sauce. Cook for another minute, stirring to combine everything well. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed – you can add a little sugar or soy sauce to achieve your desired sweetness and saltiness. I kept it simple without adding extra seasoning for a clean taste. And just like that, your delicious tonkatsu sauce is ready!
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare the star of our meal: the tonkatsu. Take out two pieces of frozen tonkatsu from your freezer and fry or bake them until golden brown and crispy. If frying, heat oil to about 170-180°C (340-350°F) and fry for 3-4 minutes per side, ensuring it’s cooked through and perfectly crisp.
Step 4
Next up is the creamy and rich cream soup. In a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter generously over low heat. Be careful not to let the butter burn; you want it to turn into a smooth, liquid state.
Step 5
Once the butter is almost completely melted, add 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour (sifting it can help prevent lumps) and mix it well with the butter using a whisk or wooden spoon. Continue to cook over low heat for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to form a roux. You’ll notice a pleasant, nutty aroma developing.
Step 6
Gradually pour in 250ml of milk, whisking vigorously to prevent lumps. It’s best to add the milk in stages, whisking continuously until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency. As it thickens, you’ll start to smell the wonderful milky aroma.
Step 7
To reach your desired soup consistency, add water as needed. I added about 200ml of water for roughly two servings, but you can adjust this to make it thinner or thicker according to your preference. Keep stirring as it simmers, maintaining low heat.
Step 8
As the soup heats up and thickens, it’s time to season it with salt and black pepper. Start with small amounts, tasting as you go, until it perfectly suits your palate. Be mindful of the pepper; a little goes a long way. And there you have it – a beautifully made cream soup! You’ll be amazed by its deep, velvety flavor, far superior to most store-bought options.
Step 9
Let’s prepare some side dishes to complete our tonkatsu set meal. I’ve prepared some homemade sweet and tangy pickled radishes, which are excellent for whetting the appetite.
Step 10
Now, let’s assemble our beautiful tonkatsu set meal! Cut the crispy fried tonkatsu into bite-sized pieces and arrange them neatly on a plate. Serve the thinly shredded cabbage in a separate small bowl, drizzled with ketchup and mayonnaise. Mold the warm rice into a serving and place it on the plate, sprinkling a pinch of sesame seeds on top for extra flavor. Finally, generously drizzle your special homemade tonkatsu sauce over the tonkatsu. Your impressive set meal is now complete!
Step 11
Pour the hot, freshly made cream soup into a bowl. A very light dusting of black pepper on top adds a visually appealing finishing touch. The taste of this soup is truly divine! Its smooth, rich creaminess fills your mouth with a deep and luscious flavor that truly outshines any canned soup.
Step 12
Enjoying this homemade tonkatsu set meal is a wonderfully satisfying and delicious experience. The combination of homemade pickled radish, special tonkatsu sauce, and rich cream soup is a culinary masterpiece that even kids will adore. It’s a much more rewarding meal than simply frying tonkatsu. Instead of saving it for a special occasion, why not create a delightful meal at home like this? Highly recommended!
