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Tokyo Tempura: 10 Restaurants with Delicious Deep-Fried Cuisine
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Discover the artistry and irresistible flavors of Tokyo's iconic tempura restaurants, from Michelin-starred gems to century-old establishments. We introduce Tokyo's most famous 10 tempura restaurants, acclaimed for their delicious deep-fried dishes.
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Having left Taiwan for 17 years, I stumbled upon Tokyo and gradually fell in love with this rapidly changing metropolis that also holds onto its traditional culture. In between taking care of children, I enjoy finding solace in a place about a 15-minute walk from the station with a population density of about 30%. Although picky when it comes to food, I am passionate about seeking out delicious cuisine, love cooking, and enjoy feeding others. I also identify myself as a member of the Potato Chips Association.
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Tokyo Tempura Restaurants
1. Mikawa Zezankyo
2. Tempura Kondo
3. Tenpura Yamanoue Ochanomizu Hilltop Hotel
4. Takikuya
5. Kyobashi
6. Kusunoki
7. Tempura Daikokuya
8. Tensuke
9. Kaneko Hannosuke
10. Tempura Shinjuku Tsunahachi
The Distinct Charms of Tokyo Tempura
The Distinct Charms of Tokyo Tempura
Photo by Pixta
Tempura is a traditional Japanese dish made by coating ingredients in batter and deep-frying them. It is one of Japan's renowned traditional cuisines.
While tempura may seem like a simple deep-fried dish, a closer examination reveals the differences between Kanto (Tokyo and eastern Japan) and Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto, and western Japan) styles.
Kanto-style tempura is characterized by its batter with eggs and fried using sesame oil, resulting in a golden brown color served with radish puree sauce.
Photo by PR Times
On the other hand, Kansai-style tempura uses batter without eggs and is fried using salad oil. It is typically enjoyed with a sprinkle of salt. Various explanations exist for cultural differences between the Eastern and Western regions. One explanation is the difference in ingredients used in each region, leading to the development of distinct tempura cultures.
Initially, the Kanto region used fish caught in Tokyo Bay to make tempura. To remove the fishy taste, they began using sesame oil for frying and served it with tentsuyu (dipping sauce), resulting in a relatively strong flavor. On the other hand, the Kansai region, known for its vegetable-based dietary culture, can highlight the original flavors of the ingredients with just a sprinkle of salt.
Major Tempura Establishments in Tokyo
During the Edo period (1603-1868), the general public widely enjoyed tempura introduced from the Kansai region.
With deep historical roots, Tokyo's "Tempura Masters" operate ten tempura restaurants worth waiting in line. You'll soon discover that tempura is not simply a deep-fried dish. Rather, the countless details in the cooking process are the key to its deliciousness.
1. Mikawa Zezankyo: A Long-Established Tempura Master
Photo by PR Times
Located near Monzen-Nakacho Station, the renowned tempura restaurant Mikawa Zezankyo is operated by Tetsuya Saotome, who is acclaimed for tempura and holds a lofty position in the entire traditional Japanese cuisine world.
Saotome has spent years studying the essence of tempura and has provided scientific explanations for the key to its deliciousness. He has famously stated that "tempura is the process of removing moisture from fish." He accurately assesses the condition and ingredients with precise temperature control, delivering an exquisite texture between the batter and ingredients.
All the tempura dishes are exceptionally delicious, especially the eel and shrimp tempura, which can be easily cut with chopsticks into two pieces. Its deliciousness cannot be described in words. The tempura rice bowls are also highly praised, particularly the luxury vegetable tempura rice bowl made with fresh seasonal ingredients, with a crispy and soft exterior, emanating a rich aroma and flavor.
Mikawa Zezankyo
Address: 1-3-1 Fukujyu, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Website: https://mikawa-zezankyo.jimdofree.com/ (Japanese)
2. Tempura Kondo: Michelin-Rated Tempura Restaurant
Tempura Kondo is a Michelin-certified tempura restaurant located in the gastronomic center of Tokyo's Ginza district.
Mr. Kondo, a tempura chef for over 50 years, is renowned for his traditional and innovative techniques. He has surpassed the conventional practice of using mainly seafood for tempura by focusing on seasonal vegetables as the main ingredients. He believes that frying vegetables requires steaming them with oil at the right temperature to bring out their sweetness, elevating tempura to artworks.
Moreover, Mr. Kondo generously shares his recipes, believing that mutual improvement is essential for maintaining competitiveness. This also enables more people to enjoy tempura. Thanks to his efforts, Tempura Kondo has become one of the top representative restaurants in Tokyo.
Tempura Kondo
Address: 9th floor, Sakaguchi Building, 5-5-13, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
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Ochanomizu: Hilltop Hotel's Yamanoue Tempura and Japanese Cuisine
The Hilltop Hotel was founded in 1954, and its attached tempura restaurant was the first tempura restaurant to open in Tokyo. Many top chefs, such as Mr. Kondo and Chef Masanori Teraoka, originated from the Hilltop Hotel.
Chef Teraoka believes that tempura is a "completed dish," with each serving as the main attraction. He strictly controls the humidity of the ingredients, using a blend of 100% sesame oil consisting of a mixture of light sesame oil and pure sesame oil for tempura frying. It combines high and low temperatures of both sesame oils during cooking, creating a smooth and elegant thin coat with a crisp texture.
The Hilltop Hotel has accumulated a history, conveying refined hospitality through top-quality ingredients and skilled techniques. The artistic space offers diners a luxurious experience to enjoy tempura cuisine.
Hilltop Hotel Yamanoue Tempura and Japanese Cuisine, Ochanomizu
Address: 1-1 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Website: https://www.yamanoue-hotel.co.jp/tempurayamanoue/en/
Top Cutting-Edge Tempura Restaurants
We'll introduce you to the top-ranking restaurants from various ranking lists on the carefully selected gourmet website.
4. Takikuya
Provided by AutoReserve
Mr. Kasamoto, who served as the executive chef at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo, independently established Takikuya, which quickly became a highly sought-after popular restaurant. It also topped the Tabelog tempura ranking list.
Through researching tempura, Mr. Kasamoto adjusts the frying oil temperature according to the ingredients, subverting the typical Edo-style tempura, which uses sesame oil. While he believes sesame oil has a rich aroma, it can make the stomach feel heavy. Therefore, he opts for safflower oil to achieve a light and refreshing taste.
Takikuya offers tempura dishes and a complete Japanese meal set, from appetizers to desserts. If you want to explore dishes beyond tempura, Takikuya may be the best choice!
Takikuya
Address: 2-8-6 Rabeiyu Azabu-juban 2F, Minato-ku, Tokyo
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5. Kyobashi: Tempura Fukamachi
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Tempura Fukamachi is located near Kyobashi Station. The owner, Mr. Fukamachi Masao, is also from the Hilltop Hotel. He independently opened Tempura Fukamachi, which has received multiple star ratings in the Tokyo Michelin Guide.
Maintaining the authentic methods of the Hilltop Hotel, he carefully selects fresh ingredients daily and utilizes them on the same day to cook while preserving the original flavor.
Skillfully using fresh sesame oil to fry tempura to perfection, he maintains the seafood's sweetness and showcases the fresh flavors of the vegetables, making each tempura dish an unforgettable culinary experience.
Tempura Fukamachi
Address: 1F, A.M. Kyobashi Building, 2-5-2 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
6. Kusunoki
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Kusunoki is a members-only tempura restaurant in Yotsuya with only six counter seats. It has become one of the most difficult restaurants in Japan to book a reservation.
Kusunoki's specialty lies in showcasing the flavors of ingredients through the frying process, removing the moisture to seal in the taste, and refining the flavors of the ingredients through rapid frying. Their creative tempura dishes provide diners with an incredible culinary experience.
Kusunoki
Address: 1-9-4 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
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Affordable Prices, Extraordinary Flavors
Even at affordable prices, these restaurants, beloved by locals and overseas travelers, are dedicated to offering delicious tempura with the best quality and friendly service. You'll quickly become a loyal customer.
7. Tempura Daikokuya
Established in Asakusa during the Meiji era, Tempura Daikokuya is an iconic restaurant. It is committed to pursuing the taste of traditional handmade tempura.
The rich and savory tempura sauce is a secret recipe handed down by the proprietor's ancestors. Since only the proprietors can make this secret sauce, distance is maintained during its preparation. The tempura is fried using sesame oil and is not focused on achieving a crispy texture. Instead, they use high-temperature frying to create a unique and satisfying taste experience.
Tempura Daikokuya
Address: 1-38-10 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Website: Tempura Daikokuya
8. Tensuke
Located a two-minute walk from the north exit of Koenji in Tokyo, Tensuke is a well-established tempura restaurant reminiscent of a late-night eatery. Despite being hidden in a small alley, it is frequently covered in the media. Even though the counter only has ten seats and the interior is small, customers are willing to queue for the tempura here.
One of the most beloved dishes is the popular Tendon, which offers a variety of seven hot and crispy tempura pieces in a bowl, with the main star being the deep-fried egg. Before frying, the proprietor gracefully presents various postures and then deep-fries the whole egg in hot oil.
The outer egg white becomes crispy and golden, while the semi-cooked egg yolk is perfectly preserved inside. Once broken at the right moment, the sweet egg yolk and tempura combined with sauce create a satisfying, delicious taste.
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9. Kaneko Hannosuke
Kaneko Hannosuke, with branches in Nihonbashi, Kawasaki in Kanagawa, and Kimitsu in Chiba, is highly popular among overseas travelers. It currently has two branches in Taiwan.
The tempura ingredients at Kaneko Hannosuke, such as shrimp, eel, and squid, are always fresh and procured every morning from Tsukiji Market. The tempura, meticulously prepared with carefully selected ingredients and half-cooked egg tempura, is priced lower than other establishments. It perfectly embodies Kaneko Hannosuke's pursuit of delicately delicious and affordable tempura.
Although there are opportunities to taste Kaneko Hannosuke in some shopping mall food courts, it is recommended that you visit the main store in Nihonbashi to savor a bowl filled with tempura, rice, and sauce that will satisfy your taste buds.
Kaneko Hannosuke
Address: 1-11-15 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Website: http://kaneko-hannosuke.com/ (Japanese)
10. Tempura Shinjuku Tsunahachi
Tempura Shinjuku Tsunahachi, with over 30 branches nationwide, is a chain restaurant that has served delicious tempura at reasonable prices for over 90 years.
It stresses the individuality of ingredients while observing temperature and humidity, making the culinary experience of enjoying tempura popular nationwide. This allows more people to taste the additional charms of tempura.
Tempura Shinjuku Tsunahachi
Address: 3-31-8 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Website: https://www.tunahachi.co.jp/en/index.html
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Enjoy Delicious Tempura in Tokyo
Tempura owes its deliciousness to the precise deep-frying technique, which creates a golden crispy exterior that contrasts with the tender interior of the ingredients. It perfectly preserves the original flavors of the ingredients, providing rich and delicious enjoyment with every bite.
We hope you enjoy exquisite tempura dishes in Tokyo!
Main image by Pixta
Having left Taiwan for 17 years, I stumbled upon Tokyo and gradually fell in love with this rapidly changing metropolis that also holds onto its traditional culture. In between taking care of children, I enjoy finding solace in a place about a 15-minute walk from the station with a population density of about 30%. Although picky when it comes to food, I am passionate about seeking out delicious cuisine, love cooking, and enjoy feeding others. I also identify myself as a member of the Potato Chips Association.
more
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