Saboten Express at The Cathay serves quick-service Japanese tonkatsu for diners seeking quality fried cutlets without the full restaurant wait. Part of a global franchise established in 1966, Saboten has grown to over 500 branches worldwide through its dedication to perfecting the tonkatsu craft. The Cathay outlet brings this expertise to Orchard Road shoppers and cinema-goers looking for satisfying Japanese meals.
The express format delivers freshly-cooked tonkatsu sets at faster service speeds than traditional sit-down restaurants. Each katsu is breaded and fried to order, maintaining the crispy exterior and juicy interior that defines quality tonkatsu. The menu centres on pork cutlets, with both tenderloin and loin options available, alongside chicken katsu for those preferring poultry. Premium sets combine multiple proteins, letting diners sample different preparations in one meal.
All sets include Koshihikari rice, shredded cabbage for palate cleansing, pickles and miso soup, following the traditional tonkatsu meal structure. The cabbage can be freely refilled, a practice common at tonkatsu establishments. Prices range from around twenty dollars for chicken sets to higher tiers for premium pork and combination platters, positioning Saboten Express in the mid-range for Orchard Road dining.
Located within The Cathay's food offerings, the outlet benefits from heavy foot traffic from the building's cinema complex and retail tenants. The express format suits moviegoers timing their meals around screenings, as well as office workers from nearby buildings seeking efficient lunch options. Delivery services extend Saboten's reach beyond walk-in customers to the broader Orchard area.
Orchard Road
Operating Hours
Closed
Price Distribution
$1–1011%
$10–2056%
$20–3028%
$30–406%
Our Menu
Main Course
Saboten Signature Set
$28.51
Tenderloin, loin, and chicken katsu with Koshihikari rice, cabbage, pickles, and miso soup
Tenderloin Katsu Set
$25.51
Premium tenderloin katsu with Koshihikari rice, cabbage, pickles, and miso soup
Saboten Special Set
$26.81
Tenderloin, loin, and ebi fry with Koshihikari rice, cabbage, pickles, and miso soup
Chicken Katsu Set
$19.62
Two pieces of crispy chicken katsu with Koshihikari rice, cabbage, pickles, and miso soup
Loin Katsu Don
$22.89
Loin katsu over rice in donburi style
Menu Images
Menu Highlights
Chicken Karaage
S$ 5.80
Age Dashi Tofu
S$ 5.60
(AL) Cheese Tender
S$ 5.50
French Fries
S$ 5.00
Menu Highlights
Crab Cream Croquette
S$ 4.20
Japan Imported Rice
S$ 3.00
Miso Soup
S$ 2.20
Japanese Curry
S$ 2.80
Menu Highlights
Chicken Katsu Set
S$ 15.00
Salmon Katsu Set
S$ 19.50
Mini Tenderloin KatsuDON
S$ 19.50
Loin KatsuDON
S$ 17.50
Menu Highlights
Kids Variety Plate
S$ 11.80
Kids Supreme Plate
S$ 12.80
Orange Juice
S$ 2.80
Coke
S$ 2.50
Menu Highlights
Coke Zero
S$ 2.50
Ice lemon tea
S$ 2.80
Sprite
S$ 2.50
Apple Juice
S$ 2.80
Mineral Water
S$ 2.20
Menu Highlights
Chicken Karaage (4pcs)
$5.80
Agedashi Tofu (3pcs)
$5.60
Cheese Tenderloin
$5.50
Photo Gallery
The exterior of Saboten Express Japanese Cutlet restaurant at The Cathay Mall.
A delicious meal of fried pork cutlet and shrimp with rice and miso soup.
A menu showcasing side dishes like Chicken Karaage, Age Dashi Tofu, and French Fries.
A close-up of a delicious pork rice bowl topped with green onions and sesame seeds.
Interior view of Saboten Express restaurant with diners seated at booths and tables.
A plate of Japanese food with rice balls, fried shrimp, chicken, and fries, served with tea.
A close-up of a crispy fried pork cutlet with shredded cabbage and rice.
A menu display showing side dishes like croquettes, rice, soup, and curry.
Interior view of a Japanese restaurant with wooden tables and chairs, and modern art on the wall.
A finger points to a bowl of fried tofu with bonito flakes and seaweed.
Interior of Saboten Express restaurant with wooden tables, chairs, and decorative wall art.
A bowl of crispy fried chicken pieces garnished with parsley on a wooden table.
Table setting with chopsticks, sauces, and napkins at Saboten Express.
A large banner for Saboten Express announcing its opening in Mid-April.
A sign for Saboten Express featuring Japanese text and a stylized cactus illustration.
The entrance of Saboten Express restaurant with a display and a large artwork on the wall.
A delicious plate of Japanese cutlet with rice and soup on a wooden table.
Interior of a Japanese restaurant with wooden tables and chairs, and decorative wall panels.
A delicious plate of crispy fried pork cutlet with shredded cabbage and rice.
Interior view of Saboten Express restaurant with wooden booths and modern lighting.
A delicious Japanese katsu meal with rice, soup, and a refreshing drink.
Promotional posters for Saboten Express featuring student and dinner specials.
Interior view of Saboten Express restaurant with tables, chairs, and a promotional poster.
A menu display showing Tonkatsu and Donburi sets with prices.
A menu showing kids meals and beverages with prices.
A screenshot of a beverage menu with prices and images of drinks.
A delicious plate of katsu with shredded cabbage and a side of soup.
A menu featuring Japanese fried chicken, tofu, and cheese tenderloin dishes.
Food was good, BUT service was really bad. My Tofu side dish was first served without utensils. When requested, the young waiter said they would provide when they serve the main dishes later. As we were hungry, we could not wait any longer. Then I had to self-service to get the utensils. To my surprise, the young waiter stopped me and insisted that I was not allowed to take the utensils myself. He insisted he would provide later, BUT the serving was too slow. What a stupid and inflexible service rule!!!
Positive Reviews
Wesley Wong
Saboten Express at the newly renovated Cathay Mall continues to serve some of the best tonkatsu in Singapore. The quality of the pork cutlet remains excellent — golden and crisp on the outside, juicy and tender inside. The Japanese rice is fragrant and perfectly cooked, making each bite satisfying and true to the classic Saboten flavor.
That said, this outlet runs under a different concept from the regular Saboten restaurants. Here, only rice and shredded cabbage are refillable, while the miso soup and ice cream — usually part of the set with unlimited refills at the full-service outlets — are not included. The staff explained that this is because it’s an “Express” outlet.
However, I was a bit disappointed and seem the prices are not any cheaper despite the scaled-down concept. Given the lack of the usual extras, it feels like you’re paying the same amount for a more limited experience.
Still, the food quality remains consistently good, and if you’re nearby and craving a quick tonkatsu fix, Saboten Express at The Cathay is a reliable option.
WK 1122
Ordered the Signature Set, which includes tenderloin, loin, and chicken katsu. All the meats were juicy and not dry, with a nice crispy coating that wasn’t oily. The tenderloin stood out a little being extra juicy and flavorful. The tonkatsu sauce had a good balance of sour, salty, and sweet, pairing well with the meats.
I highly recommend adding the curry sauce ( thick and rich), goes well with both the meats and the rice. The rice was a bit too soft and sticky for my liking, but still acceptable. You can also top up rice and lettuce for free, which is a great plus!
There’s currently a 30% discount and no service charge, making the meal really worth it. Seating is a little tight, but still reasonably comfortable overall.
Ernest
Delicious pork tonkatsu! Highly recommend their loin katsu set and curry rice options. The signature set comes with various cuts + chicken katsu while the special set comes with a piece of fried ebi. There is also an ongoing opening promotion (30% off selected food options) until 31 Aug 2025.
c lex
Had the chicken katsu set and it was really good! The breading was so light and airy. And I love the experience of grinding the sesame seeds (love that little branch), the addition of the sesame really elevated the sauce. The staff were all friendly as well.
C Lau
A very satisfying meal. I had the Pork Loin curry set $17, which came with rice, miso soup and cabbage. You can ask for top ups of the cabbage and rice.
I love how perfectly crispy the crumb was. Learnt from a video that the breadcrumbs are made in house. I found the pork loin slightly on the tough side, with a good fat to meat ratio. The curry was thick and fragrant, very yummy.
It was a comfortable dining experience and service was attentive. I particularly enjoyed having access to the sauces and condiments provided at the table.
