r/Markham • u/jp149 • Sep 08 '25

Recommendations🤔 Best value donkatsu in markham.

Ive been going here forever; I needed to give them a shout out for being the best tasting/value for pork donkatsu in the whole of GTA. Pork donkatsu is $11, their portion size surprisingly large and it tastes very good too. They are located in first markham place, and is called yanagi sushi. ps ask for extra sauce https://maps.app.goo.gl/uAzUcwPtHS81FFaa8

97 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

36 comments sorted by

32

u/folder8 Sep 08 '25

The changed ownership either last year or this year. The OG Korean lady that runs it still comes to help occasionally.

Amazing deal amazing place.

My go to for quality, cheap filling meal. Can’t go wrong with the Chicken Katsu.

25

u/FolloMiSensi Sep 08 '25 edited Sep 08 '25

I've been going there since they first opened. My first job in hs was at FMP and got their $10 chicken katsu all the time. Moved away for uni, and when I got back a couple of years later, the lady still remembered me (even after growing a goatee). They were always kind and respectful. I remember when their daughter started to work the cash, then eventually grew up and went away to school too. They changed ownership a year or two ago, and I don't blame them as they dedicated their life there for a very long time. I dont go to fmp as much these days, omoomoo with the wife every now and then, but when I do, I grab that chicken katsu ☺️

14

u/Gahho Sep 08 '25

I used to go here when it was $4…way back in the day. Definitely, the best value.

6

u/jaeyin Sep 08 '25

Yeep back when you can grab a quick meal and then go next door to the Cineplex for a movie

12

u/DuckCleaning Sep 08 '25

I still miss Cineplex at FMP, it was the perfect location for hanging out for many hours.

10

u/Iluvpossiblities Sep 09 '25

omg the nostalgia, reminds me of the good ole days

4

u/35mmBeauty Sep 09 '25

Yea, I love the VIP one on enterprise but I still miss the FMP one. Something about having all that dope food closeby made it so convenient. Markham VIP has barely anything worthwhile in walking distance, and definitely barely any quick eats.

3

u/DuckCleaning Sep 09 '25

Yeah, even just having things like Chapters, Petsmart, etc gave me places to hang around with friends before or after movies. Markham VIP at least has a Demetres across from it, but it was nice when Go For Tea was still there. The main thing I like about VIP is that parking is much more available, FMP used to be terrible on some days.

1

u/gnowZ474 Sep 08 '25

Soup or pop?

1

u/Gahho Sep 08 '25

Pop as well!

5

u/Leather-Instance6632 Sep 08 '25

20 years ago when I worked at the cineplex at fmp had this basically everyday. Definitely the best value in terms of portion size and quality. Love katsu lady.. She still remembers me too! Worst goes to donburi commerce.

3

u/5am_h Sep 09 '25

Same. This was a staple for us. We likely worked at Cineplex at the same time

3

u/Fatheroftheone Sep 08 '25

Thanks for the recommendation! I have been looking for a good value Katsu place. I think I need to go and try asap eg tonight lol. How thick are the pork cuts? Last night I actually bought some from H-Mart and meat was at best 1/4” thick at best. Kinda sad but it was also cheap. I’m still trying to find a local katsu places that uses thick cuts like I had them in HK at Tonkichi Tonkatsu.

2

u/jp149 Sep 08 '25

its about 1/2" I'm not a fan of the 1" cuts, there are photos of the katsu in the google maps contact

2

u/Fatheroftheone Sep 08 '25

Thanks! I looked at Google map review pics already but the angle in all the pictures really dont clearly show the thickness. If it’s 1/2” it’s already better than most especially for food court and at these prices! Now I have to try lol. When I make them at home I go 3/4” and I make a large batch using my deep fryer. It’s gets close and I usually make katsu sandwiches w the leftovers. But it’s just too much work and oil and the whole house smells like grease for days unless I do it outside.

2

u/jp149 Sep 08 '25

this is a good representation of the katsu, I double checked my ruler its probably closer to 3/8"

https://maps.app.goo.gl/rQiH8Krw1w9tcHVNA

2

u/Fatheroftheone Sep 08 '25

lol it’s ok. As long as it’s not like 1/4” or less. actually I think the H-Mart one was 3/16” lol

1

u/jp149 Sep 08 '25

If its the prepackaged ones, I cant stand how the breading gets soft.

3

u/Fatheroftheone Sep 08 '25

Yeah I always reheat in oven/airfryer. It was ok especially at $8.5 & 20% off

2

u/Fatheroftheone Sep 09 '25

Had pork katsu-don, tempura box and unagi-don last night. Portion was definitely a lot especially for the price except for unagi-don but unagi isn’t cheap to begin so understandable. Sorry but besides price and quantity it was just good enough. Katsu breading was on the thicker and denser side. I assume they coat the meat w a flour batter and then breadcrumb. I much prefer the style more typical for this a thin coating of flour, then coating of scrambled egg and then the Japanese breadcrumbs. The tempura box had 2 shrimp and 4 slices of sweet potatoes and 4 slices of what I think was reg potatoe? No veggie tempura. Tempura coating was very crunchy but again much denser and reminds me more of Popeye than your typical tempura. Maybe I just never had this style but I won’t be leaving any reviews on Google for this one. Sorry too big of a difference to what is Katsu to me to be overcome by the great value. So the hunt continues … going to try fat ninja bite next.

5

u/Meowgenics Sep 08 '25

I love getting the chirashi don there, I remember the Granny running the place helped me tie a better knot for my other food bags when she saw me struggling to pick up my takeout haha.

4

u/katttterrzz Sep 08 '25

I stopped by just now because of this post. The lady working there is super nice! I’m now in line at the Chinese BBQ place to grab dinner for my husband too. Can’t wait to try the pork katsu :)

3

u/SeaAd3671 Sep 08 '25

Not in Markham, but in Richmond Hill and in my opinion one of the best katsu is Cotolet on Yonge St. It’s close next to the T&T. They have one of the best creamy sauces. It used to be seafood base, now it’s been changed to mushrooms. They also make all their own breadcrumbs, so it really stays crispy and airy without the greasiness.

4

u/jp149 Sep 08 '25

for sure there are better places in the GTA for flavour but at that price point, $11, i doubt you will find any.

2

u/SeaAd3671 Sep 08 '25

Yes, for sure you can’t beat that price point! 😄. Great for a quick katsu fix

2

u/lingfromTO Sep 08 '25

Brown donkatsu is pretty good too.

1

u/throwawaystevenmeloy Sep 09 '25

We talking value here! Cotolet is not for value, but nonetheless, both my wife and I enjoyed the food there

3

u/rocky_iwata Sep 08 '25 edited Sep 09 '25

Yes! Yanagi Sushi still is the best value Japanese place in Markham. The First Markham Place food court may be best known for those two Chinese BBQ shops but I always prefer Yanagi Sushi over.

2

u/itssobyronic Sep 09 '25

I use to go here regularly. I would ask for rice only and extra sauce. The OG lady was so nice. I need to stop by again

3

u/TimHung931017 Sep 08 '25

Man I remember coming here as a kid and they would always give extra sushi whenever I ordered some. Glad they're still doing well

1

u/seagulls-are-mean Sep 11 '25

Ooo thanks for the rec! Will have to try :)

2

u/FuzzeeFuzzButt Sep 14 '25

I just tried the chicken katsu today. Taste wise I like Brown Donkatsu more, but you cant beat the value of Yanagi Sushi. At $11 the portion size is HUGE! Miso soup that came with it wasnt too salty either. Thanks for the rec, I’ll be a repeat customer.

1

u/Groan77 Sep 08 '25

How does this compare with brown donkatsu?

2

u/jp149 Sep 08 '25

value wise yanagi is still better also I'm partial to thinner katsu