What Is Panko? Japanese Breadcrumbs Explained
Panko (パン粉) is Japanese breadcrumb: large, light flakes made for frying, the crisp coat on tonkatsu, ebi fry and croquettes. The name means bread powder: pan, from the Portuguese pão, is the Japanese word for bread, and ko means flour or powder.
This guide explains what panko is, how Japan's food standard defines it, the dishes it belongs to, and how to use it. It sits inside our Pantry Masterclass.
Our panko: Nisshin Soft Japanese Panko, 300g, made from oven-baked bread for a coat that is crisp outside and soft to the bite.
What Is Panko?
Japanese panko is made to fry. Its flakes are larger and more open than ordinary breadcrumbs, so the coating fries up light and airy rather than dense.
Japan has a food standard (JAS) for panko, and Japan's Ministry of Agriculture (MAFF) sets out what it covers. The crumbs should be roughly even in shape and size, with good colour and lustre and no off taste or smell. The main raw material is wheat flour, with yeast, rice flour and a short list of other permitted ingredients. Japan made about 160,000 tonnes of panko in 2021.
MAFF lists three jobs for panko: as a binder in hamburg steak and meatballs; as the coating for tonkatsu, croquettes and other fried food; and as a coating for karaage and nuggets.
Source: MAFF JAS committee minutes on panko (23 August 2023). Facts extracted and reworded.
Panko and Japan's Yōshoku
Panko is the coat behind yōshoku, the Western-style dishes Japan made its own. MAFF's rice pages count tonkatsu and croquettes, both coated in panko, with curry rice, as the three great yōshoku of the late Meiji and Taishō eras: Western dishes reworked to eat with rice, and now everyday Japanese food.
Source: MAFF OKOME-SUMMARY page on washoku and rice. Facts extracted and reworded.
Kuro Hanpen Fry: A Regional Panko Dish
In Yaizu, Shizuoka, a local favourite is kuro hanpen fry. Kuro hanpen is a grey fish cake made from mackerel, horse mackerel or sardine paste, with the bones and skin ground in. It is dusted in flour, dipped in egg, coated in panko and deep-fried.
MAFF's Shizuoka recipe advises fine panko and a thin coat, and serves it plain or with a sauce of chūnō sauce, ketchup and a little soy sauce. It is sold at supermarket deli counters and served in school meals.
Source: MAFF Uchi no Kyōdo Ryōri page for Shizuoka kuro hanpen fry. Facts extracted and reworded.
How to Use Panko
- Dust the meat, fish or vegetable in flour.
- Dip in beaten egg.
- Press firmly into the panko, and let the pieces rest a few minutes so the coat sets.
- Fry at around 170 to 180°C, a few pieces at a time so the oil stays hot.
For baking, toss panko with a little oil or melted butter first so it browns. Keep opened panko sealed and dry: damp panko fries heavy.
Popular Products
The panko, and the sauce and curry roux to go with a katsu cutlet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between panko and breadcrumbs?
Panko flakes are larger and more open, made for frying, so the coat is lighter and crisper.
What does panko mean?
Bread powder: pan (bread, from Portuguese) and ko (powder).
Is panko gluten free?
Usually not. Standard panko is made mainly from wheat flour; ours contains wheat. Check the pack for other allergens.
What is panko used for?
Coating tonkatsu, croquettes, ebi fry and karaage, and binding hamburg steak and meatballs.
Can I bake with panko?
Yes; toss it with a little oil or butter first so it browns.
Where to Buy Panko in the UK
Our panko is Nisshin Soft Japanese Panko, made from oven-baked bread for a coat that is crisp outside and soft to the bite, with Bull-Dog Tonkatsu Sauce and S&B Golden Curry to go with it.
For more, browse the Pantry Masterclass. Read next: Tonkatsu sauce explained · Japanese curry guide
Sources: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan: JAS committee minutes on panko (23 August 2023); OKOME-SUMMARY page on washoku and rice; Uchi no Kyōdo Ryōri page for Shizuoka kuro hanpen fry; retrieved 5 November 2026; Nisshin product specification. Facts extracted and reworded, not reproduced.
