Hyperlocal Tokyo

This tempura was unlike any I've ever had before. The batter was thin, and the ingredients were cooked to perfection. Everything was delicious, but the abalone tempura topped with uni was simply divine. The tencha served with the meal was also exquisite, with an abundance of saimaki shrimp. The tea was a special blend from Tsujiri in Kyoto, the same tea used by the renowned Kyosei (now Yusho) in Ginza. For dessert, I chose the azuki milk mochi, which was also homemade and absolutely delicious. I would have taken some home if I could. Although it's a tempura restaurant, the high level of Japanese culinary technique is evident in their unique dishes. It's no surprise that they earned a Michelin star from 2013 to 2018.

This tempura restaurant is located a 3-4 minute walk from the south exit of Kinshicho Station. It's a popular tempura restaurant that's been around for quite some time. I made a reservation for a weekday evening. Reservations are relatively easy to make. The interior is truly reminiscent of an old-fashioned establishment, with a U-shaped counter and small, square chairs with backrests. Most long-established tempura, sushi, and soba restaurants have these kinds of chairs, don't they? The courses are probably in the mid-to-high tens of thousands of yen. They start with a clam noodle soup, which was delicious. Then comes 14 tempura dishes, starting with a small piece of fish. The tempura is typically eaten with salt, not tempura sauce. It's light and fluffy. They also serve crab, sea urchin, and other seafood in between the tempura dishes, and the soup includes a piece of sea bream tempura, making it a luxurious experience. Another cute touch is the occasional appearance of a small shrimp, called 'saimaki ebi'. It appeared about four times throughout the meal. I almost wanted to shout, 'You again!' but it was a welcome sight, so I remained calm. For the finale, you can choose between a tempura donburi (rice bowl) or tempura tea. I opted for the tempura donburi, which featured small shrimp and was also delicious. The vegetables served throughout the meal were also tasty, and I was particularly happy to see corn tempura on the menu. Considering the ambiance, it would be even better if it were a bit cheaper, but it's nice to be able to enjoy a slightly luxurious tempura experience without breaking the bank. The individual dishes are also very good.

The ambiance is fantastic. Truly a high-end establishment with a long history! However, the prices are quite high, including drinks. It's not a place for the average person. As for the quality of the food... for that price, I'd probably choose another restaurant.

A tempura restaurant in Kinshicho. I visited because it's in my neighborhood. To be honest, it was just average... ■ Number of visitors 1 male, 1 female ■ Number of visits First time ■ Order Omakase (chef's choice) Sake Red wine (after dinner) ■ Impressions The price is cheap, but it's just a regular tempura restaurant. Although the price is a bit different, I recommend Seiju or Kondo. ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊ ■ Time of visit Weekdays, 6 PM ■ Interior Counter seating ■ Smoking/Non-smoking Non-smoking ■ Payment method Credit card ■ Crowdedness Reservation required ■ Transportation Walk from Kinshicho Station ■ Location/Access South exit of Kinshicho Station

Everything, including the dessert, is homemade and delicious! The tempura is amazing, but the kuzumochi is also a standout.