"Katsu" refers to a Japanese dish where ingredients are coated with breadcrumbs and deep-fried. The most iconic katsu dish is the breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet, also known as "tonkatsu," which is the Japanese pronunciation of the English word "cutlet."

There are various types of katsu dishes that feature different ingredients such as beef, chicken, fish, and vegetables, typically served with curry. However, when it comes to seafood and vegetables, the term "tempura" is mainly used, referring to a dish where ingredients are dipped in batter and deep-fried.

Another popular food is "kushikatsu," where various ingredients are cut into bite-sized pieces, skewered, coated with breadcrumbs, and deep-fried.

The pronunciation of "katsu" is the same as the Japanese word for "to win" or "to be victorious." It is believed that eating katsu, particularly tonkatsu, before competitions or exams in Japan brings good luck and success. It is similar to how some Koreans eat sticky malt candy or sticky rice cakes to "stick" (succeed) in exams.