I watched a movie at TOHO Cinemas Hibiya and when I came out, it was drizzling. I thought it would stop soon, but the weather was not good throughout Japan, so I took out my folding umbrella. I quickly found shelter under the Yurakucho Station overhang and realized it was time for lunch. An izakaya was getting ready, and a sign was out in front of the next shop. Tempura. Sounds good. When I'm alone, I usually eat ramen at the counter. I don't have to worry about others around me. Plus, the sign outside says "Conger Eel Tempura Bowl 1300 yen." Conger eel is a fish commonly eaten in Kansai, but it's rare to see it in Kanto. So I went into Tenyo under the overhang and ordered the Conger Eel Tempura Bowl. By the way, the character for fish is combined with the character for abundance to make "conger eel." It's pronounced "hamo." It's a fish like eel with small bones that are difficult to remove, so a technique called "boning" is used to make it easier to eat by making small cuts with a knife. Since the menu doesn't have furigana, many people in Kanto may not be able to read it. Most customers just order a regular tempura bowl for 1200 yen. Because they can't read "hamo," it's not that they're ordering a tempura bowl. I think it would be nice to have furigana even if it's not there. There was a small kitchen in front as I entered the shop, and an old man was working at the tempura pot. There were sold out signs on the table menu, and when I asked what was sold out, it was the sashimi set. An old illustration of the overhang was displayed above the counter. The atmosphere would be different at night. During lunchtime, a small side dish is included. Cold tofu and two types of pickles. Surprisingly, the Conger Eel Tempura Bowl arrived quickly. The old man handed it to me, but the other staff (probably his wife and son) were also very friendly. It seems that the conger eel comes in three pieces, accompanied by eggplant and shiso leaf tempura. I cut the conger eel in half with chopsticks and ate it. It was soft, and the sauce was exquisite and delicious. The sauce was not too strong or too sweet, with an elegant taste that I liked. I enjoyed the Conger Eel Tempura Bowl while considering the balance with the rice. A regular tempura bowl would probably be delicious too. It's been about 10 years since I last ate conger eel. I can't even remember when I last ate it. And this may be my first time trying conger eel tempura. I usually eat steamed conger eel with plum paste on top. But then I remembered that I had eaten "hamo seiro" in Esan, Hokkaido on June 25, 2022. I had even forgotten about that. There was a tourism poster for Shibushi City in the restaurant. When I asked if they were from Kagoshima, they said it was their wife. I don't think many people in Kanto can read Shibushi and know that it's in Kagoshima. Because I'm a train enthusiast. When I left the overhang, the rain had stopped.

Under the Yurakucho Guard, there is a tempura shop. Visited around 1:30 pm on a weekday. Two customers were already there. The busy lunch hour had passed, and a relaxed atmosphere filled the air. Sat at the empty counter seat and ordered a tempura bowl for 1,050 yen. Lately, many restaurants have been raising prices, so I no longer mind spending over a thousand yen for lunch. The owner immediately started frying tempura once the order was placed. The sound of tempura frying was delightful. A side dish of cold tofu and pickles arrived before the tempura was ready. I enjoyed snacking on the tofu while watching the tempura being cooked. The timing of the tempura being lifted out of the oil and dipped in sauce was perfect. It was then placed on a bowl of rice. The hot tempura bowl was served with the lid closed. At the same time, miso soup was also served. The color was dull, but it looked delicious for some reason. I savored the lotus root, shrimp, mixed vegetable tempura, and sandfish. Each had its own unique taste and texture. The best part was eating the tempura soaked in sauce with the rice. I enjoyed the soft texture of the tempura. The miso soup was a bit lukewarm but tasty. I finished it in no time. It was delicious! Thank you for the meal!

Having a shop under the guard for 70 years, this branch is a offshoot of the now deceased "Kanda Tenmai". The shop is located under the guard and has been in business for 70 years. As you approach, the scent of sesame oil welcomes you. Most customers order the traditional Edo-style tendon. I passed through the curtain. On this day, I watched a movie at TOHO Cinemas. It was past 12 o'clock, but there was one seat left at the counter. Today's order: - Joten Donburi 1,450 yen (1,500 yen including tax at night) Contents include: - 2 prawns (Vannamei shrimp? Good texture) - Kiss (soft and fluffy, but lacks flavor) - Tempura with shrimp - Eringi? - Green pepper Cold tofu, homemade pickles, miso soup with tofu and seaweed are included. [Classification of Tempura Bowls] Tempura bowls are divided into types ① and ②. ① Crispy texture type - Tempura that is crispy and lightly topped with sauce, which is the mainstream tempura bowl today. ② Moist texture type - Traditionally, freshly fried tempura is soaked in a sweet and savory broth and served on a bowl of rice, known as Edo-style tempura bowl. (by Wikipedia) This one is steamed with a lid, so it's moist. However, the tempura at "Yurakucho Tenmai" is amazing. The shrimp and kiss are one thing, but the tempura is in a different state. ③ Stewed type Although it should be tempura that can be picked up with chopsticks, it crumbles easily. It feels like it has been stewed. However, there is no sauce left at the bottom of the bowl. The sweet and savory Edo-style sauce has soaked deeply into the batter, making it soft. However, my stomach didn't feel heavy. "Tenmai" has preserved this taste over 70 years. I could go on about other items, but Going my way has done a remarkable job. However, I have some requests regarding the rice and miso soup. [Rice] It's okay to have firm rice for tempura bowls, but please consider the quality of the rice. This applies not only to this shop but to all rice bowls. The quality of the rice is crucial. [Miso soup] It may be due to my timing of ordering, but lukewarm soup is not acceptable. And the post-meal feeling that caught my attention should be left in the comments section.

Today, I had lunch at a long-established tempura restaurant founded in 1952. The restaurant is located under the guard of the "1st Yurakucho Bridge" in Yurakucho, close to Tokyo Midtown Hibiya. It is known as "Smoky Alley" because there are many motsu-yaki (offal grilling) restaurants with weak exhaust systems, causing smoke to fill the area. The exterior has a nostalgic Showa era charm, with the kanji for "tempura" and the English "TENPURA" displayed in lovely fonts. Inside, there is a spacious L-shaped counter on the right, table seating on the left, and a raised tatami seating area. For lunch, they offer a tempura sashimi set on certain days, but tempura rice bowls are the main attraction. - The meal includes cold tofu, pickles, miso soup, and homemade pickles. The pickles have a traditional salty flavor that pairs well with sake. - Hamo tempura rice bowl (seasonal) ¥1,100 includes hamo fish, vegetable tempura with eggplant and green peppers. Unlike the crispy tempura trend, this one is soaked in a savory tempura sauce, giving it a soft and fluffy texture that complements the rice well. - Special rice bowl ¥2,500 is more luxurious than other tempura rice bowls, with more elaborate pickles and a larger bowl with a lid for a special presentation. It includes 3 shrimp, smelt fish, conger eel, pumpkin, and lotus root. The firm texture and gentle sweetness of the shrimp are delightful. They use high-quality sesame oil, leaving a pleasant aftertaste. The warm atmosphere of the staff adds to the charm of this tempura restaurant, making it a place you might crave from time to time. I will definitely visit again. Thank you for the meal!

Dinner set for 2500 yen + Joten-don for 1500 yen. The tempura bowl is reasonably priced and very delicious! The sauce is amazing! You can watch the owner's grandfather fry the tempura right in front of you. There is a tatami room in the back where regular customers were enjoying themselves. The dinner set comes with a drink, making it affordable. This old-fashioned izakaya under the elevated train tracks was a fresh and tasty experience.

I went to Yurakucho for lunch and found a restaurant called "Tenmai" where I ordered the "Kakiage Tendon" for 1850 yen. The tempura was my favorite type - moist and not too salty. The atmosphere of the restaurant was quite nice, with a traditional feel. I prefer this type of tempura over the crispy kind. When I was a child, tempura was a special treat for me. Overall, I enjoyed the meal more than I expected.

Taste: ★★☆☆☆ Portion: ★★☆☆☆ Cost performance: ★★☆☆☆ Recommended local motsunabe (tripe hot pot) restaurant for entry. The night snack menu has 2 options, both for 2,000 yen. The tempura is on the fluffy side, not too crispy. The complimentary appetizer is delicious. Considering the price and portion, 1,500 yen would be reasonable.

I visited the tempura specialty restaurant "Yurakucho Tenmai" in Yurakucho, Tokyo. The shop is located under the elevated train tracks and has a somewhat unclean atmosphere with a nostalgic Showa era vibe. There are only a few counter seats, and the main seating is in the tatami area. The menu is limited, and the prices are a bit on the higher side. I ordered the relatively affordable "Ko Tendon" (small tempura bowl) for 900 yen including tax. The tempura in the bowl included shrimp, fish, shiso leaf, and mountain vegetables. The rice portion was a bit small, and the tempura seemed to be more than enough. The highlight was the tempura batter, which was moist and dark in color, lacking the crispy freshly fried texture. It seemed like they didn't pre-make the tempura, giving it a unique characteristic. Overall, it was quite delicious. The tempura bowl also came with miso soup with seaweed and pickles. Despite being called "small," the portion size was decent, suitable for those with smaller appetites.

During a regular lunchtime visit, there were a few customers inside the restaurant. I sat at the counter and ordered the Tempura Sashimi Set Meal for 1000 yen. It was served in about 13 minutes. The freshly fried tempura was delicious. I couldn't quite tell what the small fish was, but it tasted good. The sashimi was also tastier than I expected. It's like a hidden gem of a restaurant. Thank you for the meal.

I use it for lunch on regular Fridays. I ordered the Tempura and Sashimi set meal for 1,000 yen (most popular). It's a good menu where you can enjoy a reasonable amount of sashimi and tempura. The portion is normal, but just right for lunch. The customers are mostly nearby office workers, a few OLs, and some solo male diners. Next time, I plan to try the Tempura Don.

Today I stopped by this restaurant for a quick drink. I ordered the evening set which came with a draft beer (2,000 yen). The appetizers and the beer arrived promptly. The appetizers were simmered taro and grated salmon roe, both incredibly delicious. Just with these, I could already enjoy my drink. Then, as I started on the sake, the tempura arrived. The tempura included 2 shrimp, eel, mushrooms, green beans, shiso leaf, and sweet potato. Everything was fried perfectly. The tempura had a homey taste to it. I had a pleasant time enjoying the cozy atmosphere of the restaurant in the midst of a lively area.

Tempura and sashimi set meal for 1000 yen. Visited around 12:15 on a weekday. The restaurant is located under an overpass, with 4 counter seats and 1 table for 2 in the front space, and table seats and sunken table seats in the back space. There were 2 other customers when I arrived. There were 11 lunch menu items, but I decided to order the limited quantity special set meal, the tempura and sashimi set meal. When I sat at the counter, a pleasant sesame oil fragrance filled the air, along with the sound of tempura frying. It was served in about 4 minutes. The set included tempura, sashimi, cold tofu, pickles, rice, and miso soup. The sashimi consisted of tuna, sea bream, and white fish. The tempura included shrimp, white fish, pumpkin, broccoli, and sweet potato. The tempura was hot and crispy, with the shrimp being firm and the white fish being tender.

The goodness of this restaurant lies in its humble attitude and affordable prices, which you will understand once you try the lunch tendon for 1050 yen. It comes with four types of tempura: squid and small shrimp, kisu fish, shrimp, and asparagus! The crispy texture of the asparagus is unexpectedly satisfying. The tempura is served in a bowl with plenty of dipping sauce, so the batter may not be as crispy, but the rhythm of the asparagus adds a unique touch to the tendon. The squid tempura was also delicious, with a strong umami flavor that leaves a pleasant sensation in the throat. The staff at the restaurant are friendly and welcoming, always smiling and approachable. Additionally, the prices at night are almost the same as during the day, which is a pleasant surprise.

I visited for dinner. The place is located under the Yaesu-dori bridge, just past Yurakucho Station. It has been in operation since 1952, and I enjoyed the unique atmosphere of the dining establishments under the bridge. The interior has counter seats, table seats, and raised tatami seating, and the occasional vibration from passing trains adds to the charm of dining under the bridge. I had a delicious course of tempura and tencha-zuke. I would like to visit again in the future.

After going to the gym, I stumbled upon a restaurant while strolling around Hibiya. I ordered a mini tendon. It came with salad, pickles, miso soup, and the mini tendon for 800 yen. Sitting at the counter, I could see the cooking process which was nice. The oil sizzled as the ingredients were dipped in batter and fried. The rich smell of sesame oil tickled my nose. In less than 10 minutes, my dish arrived. The tempura included eggplant, asparagus, onion, smelt fish, and shrimp. Time to dig in! The tempura had a soft, fluffy texture instead of the usual crispy crunch. It was soaked in tempura sauce, but the flavor was lacking. It was a strange tempura bowl. Each ingredient was prepared carefully, but it wasn't quite my preference. Overall, it was an interesting experience!

I used to have allergic reactions to shrimp and crab a long time ago, so I have been avoiding them as much as possible since then. During the year-end gathering with my family, crab was served, but my portion was automatically passed to my younger brother and father. Although I don't dislike the taste, I felt a bit disappointed. The same goes for shrimp. However, I love prawns, so I decided to challenge myself and try them. In May, I had the opportunity to undergo an allergen test, and to my surprise, I found out that I am not allergic to shellfish at all. I couldn't help but feel a mix of joy and emptiness thinking about all the struggles and patience I had endured. Since then, I have been eagerly looking forward to eating shrimp! When the idea of having shrimp tempura and tempura rice bowl popped into my head, especially the sweet and savory sauce of the tempura rice bowl, I decided to make it a special occasion during my summer vacation. I thought about where to go, and ended up choosing Hibiya as it is a place where I can easily go alone and enjoy delicious food with a friendly atmosphere. That's when I stumbled upon this restaurant called "Tenmai"! It's a restaurant located under the bridge (*^^*). I opened the sliding door and took a seat at the counter. Right in front of me, it seemed like the owner was frying tempura. Looking at the menu, I saw tempura rice bowl, mixed tempura rice bowl, tempura on rice with tea, and vegetable tempura rice bowl, all of which I desired. However, since it was my first time, I was unsure about the portion size. After contemplating, I noticed there was a "small" option for the tempura rice bowl. How convenient! I eagerly awaited the aroma of tempura fried in sesame oil. The restaurant had posters and bottles of shochu from Kagoshima. The proprietress seemed to be from Kagoshima. Although I wanted to have some alcohol here, I decided to refrain as I didn't want to go home alone with a tipsy feeling. I saw the proprietress preparing a bowl of miso soup for one person. The way she dissolved the miso was quite lovely. And then, the tempura rice bowl arrived, accompanied by pickles and miso soup. The small size was adorable, and I felt a warm sensation. The miso soup had a delightful aroma! I first tasted the miso soup, and it was incredibly delicious! The harmony of dashi, miso, finely chopped trefoil, and silky tofu captivated me. The trefoil's crisp and fresh texture, along with the refreshing aroma of the miso soup, was truly delightful. Then, I proceeded to the tempura rice bowl. Shrimp, fish, enoki mushrooms, bitter gourd, shishito pepper, all sat gracefully. The batter was crispy yet moist, and not greasy at all. It had been a while since I had tempura rice bowl, and the shrimp tempura was sweet, plump, and delicious. The balance of the bitter taste of bitter gourd and the sweet and savory sauce was perfect. The fluffy texture of the fish. Oh, it was incredibly delicious! I realized that I could easily manage the regular size of the tempura rice bowl, so I plan to order that next time. Moreover, the friendly conversation with the owner and the warm smiles of the family running the restaurant made me feel at ease and relaxed. Even as a first-time solo customer, they warmly engaged in conversation with me, and I felt my heart warming up while enjoying the meal. I want to try all the items on the menu at this restaurant! For a while, I want to focus on tempura rice bowls for my food reviews! It was a space filled with love for tempura that motivated me. There was also a small tatami room where a group of people were laughing and having a great time. This restaurant somehow brightened my mood and made me feel happy. Thank you for the wonderful meal. I will definitely visit again!

I visited a tempura restaurant called "Tenmai" located under the elevated railway in Yurakucho, taking advantage of a break in the rain. It's a small restaurant with counter and table seating. I sat at the counter and ordered the "Joten Don" which is a bowl of rice topped with tempura that has been dipped in a rich sauce. It was difficult to feel the crispiness of the tempura, but the flavor of sesame oil and sauce blended well, giving it an authentic Edo-style taste. The tempura included shrimp, white fish, onions, enoki mushrooms, and kakiage. I wished there was a bit more vegetable tempura for the price. Despite the rainy season dampening my appetite, the fried food at Tenmai gave me a boost of energy and enjoyment.

Visited at night. This restaurant is located under the bridge between Shinbashi and Yurakucho. On the Yurakucho side where the restaurant is located, old-fashioned shops are disappearing due to redevelopment, but this restaurant quietly stands among the crowded izakayas. If you're not paying attention, you might pass by without noticing it. Even inside the restaurant, the menu is handwritten, giving it a Showa-era feel in the Reiwa era. I tried the tempura bowl for 1,200 yen. The tempura is not crispy, even though it should be freshly fried. It is rather soaked in sauce. It's a bit different from the usual tempura bowl. On top of the rice, there is tempura with small fish, shrimp, shiso leaves, shrimp, and white fish. The combination of the sauce-soaked tempura ingredients and rice is good, and I felt that this non-crispy version is also enjoyable. Founded in 1952, this nostalgic tempura restaurant under the bridge has survived in the competitive Ginza (Yurakucho) area where many tempura shops are crowded. It's amazing that they have survived until this era. I hope they continue to do well in the future.

Tokyo's Tenmetsu (Tenyone) is a tempura restaurant located under the Yurakucho Guard. Today, I decided to challenge their specialty dish, the tempura bowl. I sat at the counter and watched the owner skillfully fry the tempura right in front of me. Within a few minutes of ordering, the tempura bowl was served. Wow, it looks different right from the start. The tempura is fully soaked in the dipping sauce. I have had tempura bowls where you dip the tempura lightly in the sauce before, but this level of soaking is a first for me. But, this is delicious!! While it lacks the crispy texture typical of tempura bowls, it feels like the batter has become another ingredient. The sweet and savory flavor, likely favored by people in Edo, is very distinct. Even if the tempura cools down, dipping it in the hot sauce warms it up. It might be even more delicious if you add a beaten egg on top. I had a really good meal. Thank you for the feast.

Tokyo's Yurakucho, just a few minutes walk towards Shinbashi from the JR guard underpass, is a tempura restaurant called Tenyo-ne. This area under the guard underpass is lined with wildly deep drinking establishments starting around the intersection of Harumi Street, and further down towards the Kyobashi area is the flagship store of the beer hall New Tokyo. The menu includes several types of tempura rice bowls and a tempura sashimi set for lunch. Today, I chose the tempura sashimi set. The tempura consisted of shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, parsley, and more, with a perfect level of crispiness and not too thick or hard breading. It was my first time trying parsley tempura, which was like a tempura version of shiso leaves. The sashimi included a trio of bonito, fatty sea bream, and yellowtail, all fresh and delicious. The miso soup had a strong iodine flavor which was not to my liking, but overall, it was a very satisfying set. I am curious about the tempura rice bowl series. Since it's close to my office, I will definitely visit again. Thank you for the meal.