Hoshi comes up in reviews as a cozy, small Japanese spot at the edge of Chinatown that serves authentic, generously portioned katsu, don, udon and tempura, with the pork cutlet and curry katsu repeatedly praised for a juicy, crispy crust and rich curry; the salmon, tuna and seafood items are described as fresh and tasty, and the tempura udon is a favorite for many. Soups such as miso and a creamy mushroom starter are commonly noted, though a few bowls can be overly salty, and some diners found the katsu don or curry a touch heavy on onions or texture a little underdone. Service is consistently described as friendly and attentive in a tiny, often busy space, and portions and prices are generally considered very good value. The place is frequently labeled a hidden gem and worth the wait, with several reviewers planning to return to try more dishes, while a handful warn that seating is limited and lines can form during peak hours.
Discovered Hoshi in Montreal's Chinatown & wow - what a hidden gem! I had the rosu katsu curry (rice, pork cutlet, & Japanese curry), & honestly, it exceeded my expectations. The portions were generous, & it was so fulfilling - it filled both my stomach (& my heart)!🥹 The pork was perfectly crispy : light, not too greasy + the balance between the rice, pork, & curry was just perfect. The curry itself was rich, comforting, & full of flavor. The service was wonderful too - everyone was kind, friendly, & smiley, which made the whole experience even better. It was my first time here, but definitely not my last. ☺? Worth every cent, & I can't recommend it enough! This is officially one of my new favorite spots to visit whenever I'm in Montreal. 🍛✨
Nov 6, 2025
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Hoshi's tonkatsu truly blew me away - it's the best I've tasted outside Japan in years! The pork was thick-cut at 15mm, perfectly cooked to tender, juicy perfection with a satisfyingly crunchy crust. Honestly, it almost sounds like a love song to this dish! I would recommend asking for tonkatsu sauce (sweet) on the side.
The miso soup complemented the meal beautifully, bursting with authentic umami flavor. The service was impeccable, & despite being a cozy, family-run spot, the atmosphere felt genuine & welcoming.
If you're a fan of tonkatsu, I wholeheartedly recommend Hoshi - a true gem for any pork lover.
Hoshi is a hidden gem in Chinatown. The restaurant is small & they don't take reservations, so it's best to go during non-peak hours to avoid the long lineups. Their pork cutlet katsu is an absolute must-try-I was blown away from the very first bite of the sandwich. The meat was incredibly juicy & full of flavor.
The salmon tataki & salmon bowl are also really good, but the pork is definitely the show-stealer. A spot well worth checking out if you're in the area.
I ordered the Katsu udon (pork tenderloin) it was amazing. So tender & flavorful. I recommend this restaurant if you are craving for Katsu. It comes with a velouté & a miso soup!
The pork tenderloin Katsu is really really delicious, very juicy & pink color & absolutely no stinky meaty odor. Also serving with loads of cabbage, I'm fan of the cabbage sauce, it tastes a bit sweet with Yuzu flavor. The only downside is small dining area, only has 5-6 tables, during the busy hour usually need to wait for 20 mins. In short, it's an authentic Japanese restaurant.
A cozy casual Japanese restaurant in Chinatown, serving authentic Japanese street food. Pork cutlet sandwich was the best I have had in Canada. As good as you can get in Japan. Good service too. Limited seating availability. You may need to wait for a while to be seated during busy hours. Credit card was accepted.
Aug 30, 2025
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Cute little eatery, with its 20 seats, a paradise for pork cutlet lovers! Each generous dish comprises a big, thick chunk of cutlets served with rice (katsudon), udon (curry) or bread (sando). The lunch specials were a bang for your buck, offering a combo with a second extra soup.
I went for lunch since I was craving tonkatsu. I ordered the salmon salad which had large pieces of marinated salmon which were very tasty & it was a very generous portion that can easily be shared by 2 people. The rosu katsu meal was exactly what I was expecting, a large, juicy piece of pork loin that had a nice crispy exterior. I enjoyed it with the wasabi & the salt. It was delicious. Served with thinly sliced cabbage, miso soup & rice. Service was very friendly. It's a great place & I will be back
I finally decided to try this restaurant & my only regret was not going in sooner. The pork was tender & so tasty & the curry was really good too, not too thick not too liquid. Will definitely come back to try other things & eat more katsu.
May 24, 2025
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Unassuming yet refreshing Japanese restaurant serving something new (that isn't sushi nor ramen). The menu primarily revolves around their katsu; I'd recommend the Katsu Sando to truly try the pork in all its glory. Probably the thickest whilst also being the juiciest piece of pork I've had. The wasabi mayo is a nice touch. Everything tastes fresh & high quality because of the limited menu. A small nitpick would be that the rice they serve isn't short grain. Oh & they actually serve real grated wasabi!
First time to try, ordered ten don & katsu don to go. They are good. They have variety of tempura 🍤, seaweed, eggplants, 🎃 pumpkin & lotus(i think). No scallop on the Lunch set. Still great value & good portion for me. Pork katsu is on the meaty side, but soft. 👍🏻
Hoshi in Montreal's Chinatown is a delight! The Tempura Udon was loaded with crispy shrimp tempura, savory tare sauce, & a perfect soft-boiled egg-pure comfort in a bowl. The katsu don with tender pork, scrambled egg, & fresh green onions was equally amazing. Great flavors, cozy vibe, & friendly service. A must-visit!
We went to Montreal for a quick weekend trip, & I had high hopes for Hoshi! We got the fried pork meatball appetizer, ten don & the curry katsu. The ten don was good, it could use a bit more rice at the bottom. It had 3 shrimps, 1 scallop, an egg, fried nori, sweet potato & I think radish? Curry katsu wasn't my favourite, it was a bit dry, & the curry was extremely heavy on onions. I prefer my curry smooth. Serving was generous, we ended up taking the leftovers home. I'm usually used to katsu having coleslaw, & sauce & grinded sesame on the side. The fried meat balls were dry & a bit flavourless. There's dots of sauce on the side to make the plating look nice, & it was, however, I feel like sauce on the side in a separate container would have been better. The avocado at the bottom was a bit out of place. The restaurant is cozy but it's too tight in between the tables. It did take ~30-40 mins for our food to come out though. Not my favourite place, but for a ten don fix, I would go here specifically for that!
Feb 4, 2025
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Excellent katsu! Best I've had in the city & best tempura too. The batter is light & crisp, the pork is moist & perfectly cooked. The ingredients for the tendon is high quality & also perfectly cooked. A must-try for sure! The space is quite small so it might be a good idea to go during off peak hours. Their area in chinatown is a bit hidden so I hope everyone who hears about it will go! Disclaimer: My meal was comped.
