Pork Katsu With Pickled Cucumbers and Shiso

YIELD 4 servings

TIME 45 minutes

Thanks to a coating of fluffy, brittle panko instead of regular bread crumbs, tonkatsu (or pork katsu) is crunchier than most pork schnitzel, and the accompanying sauce gives it a jolt of tangy flavor. Pork katsu is easy to make at home, especially if you borrow some techniques from its schnitzel sibling. I’m

INGREDIENTS

½ pound small Kirby cucumbers, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds

1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt, more for seasoning

1 ¼ teaspoons sugar

8 thin slices boneless pork medallions or center-cut pork chops (about 1 1/2 pounds)

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 cups panko crumbs

½ cup flour Black pepper Peanut or vegetable oil, for frying

2 tablespoons sliced scallions

2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar

1 tablespoon minced shiso or basil