Description
Japanese "tonkatsu" pork cutlets always come with a mound of freshly shredded cabbage, so a sudden surge in price for the vegetable is causing a headache for Tokyo chef Katsumi Shinagawa. Last year's record summer heat and heavy rain ruined cabbage crops in Japan and neighbouring South Korea -- where it is fermented to make the all-important side dish kimchi. Disappointing yields have pushed up the price of the usually inexpensive leafy green in both countries, another pain point for shoppers and eateries already squeezed by inflation. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES