There are various theories; in the Kansai region, it is said to have begun at Genuine Kobe Beef Mitsuwaya Butcher Shop (present-day Mitsuwaya Sohonten (main store), established in 1901) during the early Showa period, using 'menchi boru' (meatballs) from a western-style restaurant in Tokyo as a hint, and the second owner, Mitsuji MIZUNO invented and named it 'menchi katsu.'
諸説があるが、関西地方では兵庫県神戸市兵庫区にある純神戸肉三ッ輪屋精肉店（明治34年創業、現三ツ輪屋総本店）が、東京の洋食店の「メンチボール」をヒントに昭和初期に、二代目水野三次氏が命名考案した「ミンチカツ」が始まりとされる。