Hyperlocal Tokyo

Neighboring District University Alumni Association New Year's Meeting - "The Three Constants Feast" - Held at the renowned tempura restaurant, Kaminarimon Sandate in Asakusa, the event drew an impressive crowd of over 60 attendees. I was honored to be a guest from Arakawa Ward. The food, drinks, and lively conversations among members were all top-notch! Beyond the photo, there were also soba noodles, tofu dishes, and fruit, showcasing the warm hospitality of this long-established establishment. Sandate exceeded my expectations! Everything was absolutely delicious. (Visited February 28, 2024)

This is Japan's oldest tempura restaurant. It's located near Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate). They seem to fry their tempura in sesame oil, which gives it a nice aroma. The batter is moist, almost like it's been simmered in sauce. It's not the crispy, freshly fried tempura you might expect.

This is a long-established tempura and Japanese cuisine restaurant located in front of the Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa. I absolutely love their "Joten-don", a bowl of rice topped with a generous amount of tempura, especially the one with large, juicy prawns. As always, the taste was impeccable. (Delicious!)

Asakusa, a place known for its delicious tempura, is home to the renowned "Santei" tempura restaurant, established in 1837 during the Tenpo era. It's said to be one of the oldest tempura restaurants in Japan, predating the arrival of Commodore Perry. The famous saying, "First Asakusa, second Kannon, third Santei's tempura," speaks volumes about its popularity. Legend has it that the restaurant's founder, Teikichi, a native of Mikawa (present-day Aichi Prefecture), started his business in front of his home in Ningyocho, serving freshly caught fish from the Edo area, deep-fried in sesame oil. "Santei" is a combination of "Mikawaya" (Teikichi's shop name) and "Teikichi." For over 160 years, the restaurant has been serving its signature tempura in Asakusa, a place known for its Kannon temple, passing down its culinary traditions through generations. I enjoyed a delicious tempura donburi (tempura rice bowl) and a separate order of kakiage (deep-fried tempura batter). The tempura sauce was served cold. Both were absolutely delicious! The excitement of visitors from other parts of Japan stems not only from the restaurant's history but also from its exceptional flavors. This tempura restaurant is a local favorite, attracting long lines of eager customers. The majority of the crowd consists of tour groups and tourists, often leading to some jostling and pushing as they wait their turn.

I recently visited Asakusa after a long time, and since I was hungry, I decided to try this restaurant nearby. The delicious aroma of tempura wafted out from the restaurant, inviting me inside. The restaurant was bustling with customers during lunchtime, but I was able to get a table without waiting. I didn't hesitate to order the tempura donburi. Perhaps due to the location, the tempura donburi alone cost around 1,800 yen. The tempura, fried in sesame oil, was not crispy but rather soft and moist. It looked like the sauce was going to be quite thick, and indeed, it was. This tempura donburi is definitely a matter of taste. If you enjoy a thick sauce and a soft, sesame oil-infused tempura donburi, you might like this.