Behind this longtime favorite is a story of grit, family, and flavor — Owner Jane, a single mom who journeyed from South Korea in the ’90s, took a chance on a sleepy neighborhood spot and turned it into a katsu haven. For decades, she’s poured heart and hustle into every batch, drawing in regulars with crispy cutlets and a secret sauce that keeps folks coming back.
I still miss their Wilshire location, but I’m so glad they’re still around. Their katsu game remains strong — consistently crispy, juicy, and satisfying. Lately, they’ve leveled up with smoky donkatsu and a late-night menu that keeps fans coming back.
- Pork, chicken, and curry katsu (カツ) are still my go-to classics. - The hamburger cutlet (ハンバーグカツ) has an interesting texture — not quite a burger patty, but definitely worth a try.
Pretty average service — food arrives quickly, but no real check-ins or follow-up after that.
(Difficult) They used to share parking with a nearby building, but that’s no longer the case. Street parking is available, though it can be hit or miss depending on the time of day.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Debs Png
Amazing donkatsu and the sauce is so special!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leon Figg
Still a solid spot for Japanese-style donkatsu. The regular pork cutlet is my favorite —though I have to say, it’s not quite as good as it used to be. That said, it’s still tasty and satisfying.
Also, note that the tip suggestion is based on the after-tax total, so it’s worth double-checking before paying.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
sue ju
I used to like this place, but not any more. The food was not good as before. The service was terrible, I ordered 2 menu and waited long time. There was not many people.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Terry Lee
We parked in the street next door, and we were able to get in without an issue. The waiter is chill but experienced, and everything came out super quickly. All of the portions were generous and delicious. Only thing would be that my tonkatsu was soggy at the bottom. Would visit again!
The pork katsu was delicious. It was perfectly crisp and tender. Soba noodles were really refreshing on a hot day! This is a hidden gem in Koreatown!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Demian Choi
This used to be one of my favorite childhood restaurants! Passed by here recently and loved the food just like it was 15 years ago. Would recommend the pork donkatsu here (my friend had the chicken katsu which was okay but I preferred the pork version).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hells Bells
I don't think for dontaksu and donkatsu set (soba or udon), you can't get any better than here, especially for quality and value. I think the regular donkatsu with soba is my favorite during summer. When the weather gets cooler, I enjoy the katsu set with udon or their curry donkatsu with rice. It comes with plenty of cabbage salad with a tangerine vinegrette, a tempura shrimp and mashed potato ball karage. One of my favorite thing is the Wako sauce with toasted sesame!!! The best is just their katsu method, perfectly crispy without drying out the meat (esp the pork is so juicy) and not oily.
The service is always professional and efficient. Been coming here for 2 decades and hope it stays bustling and amazing for decades more to come.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
그레
I love this place but their price goes up like twice a year and now donkatsu is almost $30 with tax... I guess i need to start learning how to cook them at home T-T
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Yoo Jin Jeong
We visited this place 2 years since last visit. It was always our togo Donkatsu spot, but what a huge disappointment we had this time. We ordered Donkatsu sets and New York Steak Katsu sets. The meat texture was not pleasant- tasted like they used ground beef and pork. The service was not good as well, the man who seemed to be an owner was busy to talk with another server, explaining her how they could collect good tips. No one cared about our table, the server just tossed us a bill. It was quite empty for weekends and there were enough people to take care of customers. I don’t think we will go back to this place again.
absurdly dank. perfectly crispy. yummmy sauces. even the sides were outstanding. highly recommend this spot. best chicken katsu in LA!!! (recommend getting without curry to try the dip sauce) x
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Sean Park
Been coming to wako since middle school days...like 20+ years. It brings memory every time I come here. Food is great, portion is great, service is also great. My non-Korean friends like it here. There were a few new donkatsu places that opened in Ktown but didn't last long because their food is mediocre and overpriced. Stick to this OG place. I also like their soba noodle combo!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
not solid water
portion is quite large and the food was very tasty. the rice tea and donkatsu sauce were fragrant. the cutlet itself was very crispy and well seasoned.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Pork Cutlet Combo, Sauce
Raymond Chacon
Delicious! A little pricey, but since I don't eat a lot, I was able to Mahe two meals out of it. I got the pork cutlet, the wife got the chicken katsu. Hers was double the amount of chicken than my pork.
The food is getting weird... Crispy is the same. Walking and filling play separately. And the taste of tap water in udon... The service is not good....
Behind this longtime favorite is a story of grit, family, and flavor — Owner Jane, a single mom who journeyed from South Korea in the ’90s, took a chance on a sleepy neighborhood spot and turned it into a katsu haven. For decades, she’s poured heart and hustle into every batch, drawing in regulars with crispy cutlets and a secret sauce that keeps folks coming back.
I still miss their Wilshire location, but I’m so glad they’re still around. Their katsu game remains strong — consistently crispy, juicy, and satisfying. Lately, they’ve leveled up with smoky donkatsu and a late-night menu that keeps fans coming back.
- Pork, chicken, and curry katsu (カツ) are still my go-to classics.
- The hamburger cutlet (ハンバーグカツ) has an interesting texture — not quite a burger patty, but definitely worth a try.
Pretty average service — food arrives quickly, but no real check-ins or follow-up after that.
(Difficult)
They used to share parking with a nearby building, but that’s no longer the case. Street parking is available, though it can be hit or miss depending on the time of day.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Amazing donkatsu and the sauce is so special!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Still a solid spot for Japanese-style donkatsu. The regular pork cutlet is my favorite —though I have to say, it’s not quite as good as it used to be. That said, it’s still tasty and satisfying.
Also, note that the tip suggestion is based on the after-tax total, so it’s worth double-checking before paying.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
I used to like this place, but not any more. The food was not good as before. The service was terrible, I ordered 2 menu and waited long time. There was not many people.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
We parked in the street next door, and we were able to get in without an issue. The waiter is chill but experienced, and everything came out super quickly. All of the portions were generous and delicious. Only thing would be that my tonkatsu was soggy at the bottom. Would visit again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pork Cutlet Combo, Zaru Cold Soba Noodles, Katsu Don
The pork katsu was delicious. It was perfectly crisp and tender. Soba noodles were really refreshing on a hot day! This is a hidden gem in Koreatown!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This used to be one of my favorite childhood restaurants! Passed by here recently and loved the food just like it was 15 years ago. Would recommend the pork donkatsu here (my friend had the chicken katsu which was okay but I preferred the pork version).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I don't think for dontaksu and donkatsu set (soba or udon), you can't get any better than here, especially for quality and value. I think the regular donkatsu with soba is my favorite during summer. When the weather gets cooler, I enjoy the katsu set with udon or their curry donkatsu with rice. It comes with plenty of cabbage salad with a tangerine vinegrette, a tempura shrimp and mashed potato ball karage. One of my favorite thing is the Wako sauce with toasted sesame!!! The best is just their katsu method, perfectly crispy without drying out the meat (esp the pork is so juicy) and not oily.
The service is always professional and efficient. Been coming here for 2 decades and hope it stays bustling and amazing for decades more to come.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love this place but their price goes up like twice a year and now donkatsu is almost $30 with tax... I guess i need to start learning how to cook them at home T-T
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
We visited this place 2 years since last visit. It was always our togo Donkatsu spot, but what a huge disappointment we had this time. We ordered Donkatsu sets and New York Steak Katsu sets. The meat texture was not pleasant- tasted like they used ground beef and pork. The service was not good as well, the man who seemed to be an owner was busy to talk with another server, explaining her how they could collect good tips. No one cared about our table, the server just tossed us a bill. It was quite empty for weekends and there were enough people to take care of customers. I don’t think we will go back to this place again.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
absurdly dank. perfectly crispy. yummmy sauces. even the sides were outstanding. highly recommend this spot. best chicken katsu in LA!!! (recommend getting without curry to try the dip sauce) x
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Been coming to wako since middle school days...like 20+ years. It brings memory every time I come here. Food is great, portion is great, service is also great. My non-Korean friends like it here. There were a few new donkatsu places that opened in Ktown but didn't last long because their food is mediocre and overpriced. Stick to this OG place. I also like their soba noodle combo!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
portion is quite large and the food was very tasty. the rice tea and donkatsu sauce were fragrant. the cutlet itself was very crispy and well seasoned.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Pork Cutlet Combo, Sauce
Delicious! A little pricey, but since I don't eat a lot, I was able to Mahe two meals out of it. I got the pork cutlet, the wife got the chicken katsu. Hers was double the amount of chicken than my pork.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Pork Cutlet Combo, Sesame Seeds, Miso Soup, Sauce
The food is getting weird... Crispy is the same. Walking and filling play separately. And the taste of tap water in udon... The service is not good....
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
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