Panko, the Japanese crumb

In 1867, Emperor Mucuhito came to power and the ‘enlightened rule’ (Meiji) began: the rule of the shoguns ended, modernization began and the country opened its ports to Western goods. The Japanese then began to take an interest in European cuisine, and Japaneseised versions of European dishes were given a special umbrella name (josoku). These include tonkatsu, or fried pork, which is said to have first appeared on the menu of the Rengatei restaurant in Tokyo in 1899. The ‘fried’ meat is sliced to make it suitable for eating with chopsticks and served with rice and grated cabbage. However, its European origins are also revealed by its name: ton is Japanese for pork, while kacu is a twist on the English word cutlet. In any case, the meat of tonkatsu is crunchy without being pounded, and the skin is crispy. The secret of the crispy breadcrumbs is the panko, the crumbs used by the Japanese.

Bread Dough With Electric Shock

Panko is nothing more than Japanese breadcrumbs. It’s a very simple ingredient, yet you don’t see it in the grocery store, or if you do, it’s quite expensive, but it’s still the most common thing you see in specialty food stores. That’s why you might think it’s a curiosity, a special Japanese dish, but it’s not. After all, panko is a coarse-grained breadcrumb that can be used for many things, but it’s best when it’s added to breadcrumbs – instead of breadcrumbs.

There are two types of panko in Japanese cuisine, white and ‘brown’. The white version has just the bread ‘inside’, in large chunks, while the other has the crust, and is usually made from wholemeal bread – even rarer in this country.

We might well ask ourselves what is so special about it, and what makes it any better or different from our good old breadcrumbs, which our grandma used to use…

Well, thanks to the fact that the panko pieces are several times the size of breadcrumbs, you get a different quality and texture. This texture is less absorbent than our breadcrumbs, which means that it absorbs less oil, so if you use it for breadcrumbs, it’s a much lighter dish. It’s also crispier, which is no mean feat for this Sunday dish.

Where to buy panko breadcrumbs

Check the price on amazon.

4C Panko Seasoned Bread Crumbs 8 oz. (Pack of 3)

• Deliciously seasoned!
• Pack of 3

9.8

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365 by Whole Foods Market, Bread Crumbs Panko, 8 Ounce

• 365 by Whole Foods Market products give you that dance-down-the-aisles feeling, virtual aisles too! Our huge range of choices with premium ingredients at prices you can get down with makes grocery shopping so much more than tossing the basics in your cart.

9.7

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Progresso Panko Plain Bread Crumbs Box, 8 Ounce (Pack of 6)

• PANKO: Japanese style bread crumb with larger flaky crumbs for a light, crunchy coating
• REAL INGREDIENTS: Flavorful blend of real ingredients to bring an authentic crispy taste
• PANTRY STAPLES: A great alternative to traditional breadcrumbs with a delicate crispiness perfect for frying or baking
• BREAD CRUMBS: Use as breading on fish, vegetables, meat or as a crispy topping on baked dishes
• CONTAINS: 8 oz (Pack of 6)

9.7

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Last updated: September 24, 2023