Maisen Tonkatsu, described as Japan’s “best tonkatsu restaurant”, is to open a chain of restaurants in the Philippines.

The first restaurant, described as a flagship, will open at SM Megamall by the third quarter of 2015.

Maisen Tonkatsu, founded in 1965, will expand into the Philippines under Katsucuisine Inc, a subsidiary of its Japanese parent Suyen Corporation.

Considered the market leader in its category in Tokyo, the restaurant brand is steadily expanding in Asia. It has six branches in Bangkok, Thailand, part of a network now numbering 1100 worldwide.

Foodies and tourists alike often queue outside the Tokyo restaurants whose profile has been boosted by extensive praise on social media and by professional reviewers.

The restaurant’s positioning slogan is: “Soft tonkatsu you can cut with chopsticks.”