Japanese sandwiches seem to be a huge trend on Instagram right now. Some sort of meaty filling between two square pieces of white bread, cut in half and openly showing their deliciousness. So many places do a wagyu steak one, but katsu chicken/pork is also a popular choice. I’ve been told I’m easily swayed by seeing these trends, either in advertising or just with photos, so I have decided to wholeheartedly embrace this part of me. I knew I wanted one of these sandwiches, and I had read amazing things about Cafe Okawari online, and since it’s relatively close to home, it was going to be easy to head there and give one of them a try.
So many of the choices looked amazing, but I went for the chicken katsu sando with a side of curry sauce ($19.50). It comes with mayo, tonkatsu sauce, cabbage and pickles, all on fluffy white milk bread. I was very tempted by the menchi sando with a breaded chicken patty, but I really wanted to have the thigh! I also decided to give the potato korroke a try ($5.50). It was probably a bit much for lunch, but I decided why not?
At the time I went, there was only some outdoor seating available, so I waited there until my order was ready. The sandwich looked incredibly appetizing when it came out, and I definitely enjoyed the acid that the pickles and sauce gave to it. Dipping it in an amazing Japanese curry sauce was just icing on the cake though. I make it at home, mostly from a package, and this definitely surpassed the Golden Curry cubes. The korroke is also a must have if you go, as they were very tasty, and the dipping sauce is absolutely stunning.
Cafe Okawari was a very enjoyable katsu sandwich experience. I haven’t had them anywhere else, so there could be better places I suppose, but given how good this one was, I would definitely go back again. I might try the menchi sando, or even some of the katsu curry plates, depending on the weather. If you happen to be close to the Caltrain station or in the area for a Giants game, it’s a great place to stop by for a quick bite!
Score: 4.5/5
Recommendation: Get those korroke!
Cafe Okawari
236 Townsend St
San Francisco, CA 94107
