The Ultimate Guide to Tempura: Rankings of Crispy and Delicious Tempura Restaurants

Hello everyone! Among Japan’s representative cuisines is ‘Tempura.’ Its crispy batter and flavors condensed from fresh ingredients are loved by people of all ages.

In this article, we introduce some exceptional tempura restaurants in a ranking format. We have picked up a wide range of establishments—from high-end spots listed in the Michelin Guide to beloved local traditional shops, and popular restaurants that offer great value.

We will thoroughly explain each restaurant’s unique characteristics, recommended dishes, tips for reservations, and even secrets on how to fry delicious tempura at home.

By reading this article, you are sure to be captivated by the deep world of tempura! Come with us on a gourmet journey to find the ultimate tempura experience!

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The Appeal of Tempura: Why is it so Delicious?
Why does tempura continue to attract people? Let’s explore its charm once again.

Texture:

The contrast between the crunchiness of the batter and the unique texture of the ingredients (bouncy, fluffy, crisp, etc.) creates a perfect harmony.

Umami Flavor:

Frying in high-temperature oil concentrates the umami flavor of the ingredients, making them even more delicious. Eating it with tempura dipping sauce or salt enhances the natural taste of the ingredients.

Aroma:

The fragrant aroma of the frying oil mixed with the scent of the ingredients stimulates the appetite. Using seasonal ingredients allows you to enjoy the fragrance of the current season.

Appearance:

Tempura, fried to a golden color, is visually beautiful and appetizing. The art of plating is also one of tempura’s charms.

Variety:

Various ingredients—seafood, vegetables, meat—can be used for tempura. By using seasonal ingredients throughout the year, you can enjoy it all year round.
What makes delicious tempura?
There are three main conditions for delicious tempura:

The Batter:

It must be thin and have a light, crispy texture. It should not become soggy over time. It should not taste oily.

Ingredients:

Using fresh and high-quality ingredients. The umami flavor of the ingredients must be fully drawn out. Having a sense of seasonality.

Frying Method:

Frying in oil at an appropriate temperature for a short time. Must drain excess oil well. Adjusting the frying time according to the ingredient type.
Types of Tempura: From Classics to Unique Creations
There are various types of tempura. We introduce everything from classic items to slightly unusual ones.

Seafood:

Shrimp (Ebi): A staple of tempura, known for its bouncy texture.
Flounder (Kisu): A delicate white fish with an elegant flavor.
Conger Eel (Anago): Characterized by its plump flesh and rich umami.
Squid (Ika): Enjoying a chewy, crunchy texture.
Octopus (Tako): The umami spreads as you chew it.
Goby (Haze): Small but highly concentrated with umami.
Megochi: A refined white fish that becomes fluffy when tempura-fried.
Shellfish: Such as scallops, abalone, and oysters.

Vegetables:

Eggplant (Nasu): Offers a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Pumpkin (Kabocha): Characterized by its fluffy texture and sweetness.
Sweet Potato (Satsumaimo): Its natural sweetness is further enhanced when tempura-fried.
Bamboo Shoot (Renkon): Enjoying a crisp, crunchy texture.
Shiitake Mushroom (Shitake): Concentrated with umami and satisfying to eat.
Maitake Mushroom: Characterized by its unique aroma and crispy texture.
Green Pepper (Piman): Low in bitterness and easy for children to eat.
Onion (Tamanegi): The sweetness increases, giving it a melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Asparagus (Asparagasu): A spring delicacy. Enjoying a crisp texture.
Wild Greens: Spring delicacies like Tarakame or Fukinotou.

Other:

Chicken: Tempura made with thigh or breast meat.
Chikuwa: Fried in an oceanic style (Isobeage, etc.).
Pickled Ginger (Beni Shoga): An Osaka specialty. Its sharp spiciness adds a nice accent.
Egg: Half-boiled egg tempura.
Cheese: Melting cheese pairs perfectly with the batter.
Kakiage: Various ingredients bound together and fried in a wheat flour batter.
Tempura Restaurant Rankings: Seeking the Ultimate Taste
Now, we finally introduce our recommended tempura restaurants in a ranking format.

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1st Place: Tempura Kondo (Ginza)

Features: A renowned tempura shop that holds two Michelin stars.
Commitment:
Uses carefully selected seasonal ingredients.
Emphasizes drawing out the maximum umami of the ingredients with a thin batter.
The oil is a blend of grapeseed oil and cold-pressed sesame oil.
Can be enjoyed with various seasonings such as tempura dipping sauce, salt, and lemon.
Recommended Dishes:
“Omakase Course”: A luxurious course using the best ingredients of the day.
“Shrimp (Kuruma Ebi)”: Unbeatable bouncy texture and sweetness.
“Conger Eel (Anago)”: Fluffy flesh and fragrant skin are exquisite.
“Sweet Potato”: Surprisingly sweet with a sticky, rich texture.
Reservations: This is a difficult-to-book restaurant, so early reservations are essential.
Budget: ¥20,000~

2nd Place: Tempura Fukamachi (Kyobashi)

Features: A highly skilled tempura shop that holds one Michelin star.
Commitment:
Uses fresh seafood sourced from Tsukiji.
Emphasizes utilizing the natural flavor of the ingredients with a thin batter.
The oil used is grapeseed oil.
Can be enjoyed with tempura dipping sauce, salt, and lemon.
Recommended Dishes:
“Omakase Course”: A varied course using seasonal ingredients.
“Shrimp (Kuruma Ebi)”: Sourced live and prepared right before your eyes.
“Flounder (Kisu)”: Fluffy flesh and elegant flavor.
“Conger Eel (Anago)”: Soft even to the bones, with a melting texture.
Reservations: This is a difficult-to-book restaurant, so early reservations are essential.
Budget: ¥15,000~

3rd Place: Tempura Genkichi (Gaienmae)

Features: Holds one Michelin star. Enjoying creative and unique tempura.
Commitment:
Uses carefully selected seasonal ingredients.
Emphasizes utilizing the natural flavor of the ingredients with a thin batter.
The oil used is grapeseed oil.
Can be enjoyed with tempura dipping sauce, salt, lemon, and homemade sauces.
Recommended Dishes:
“Omakase Course”: Enjoying creative tempura that changes seasonally.
“Truffle Salt Tempura”: The aroma of truffle enhances the umami of the tempura.
“Foie Gras Tempura”: A luxurious dish allowing you to savor rich foie gras in a tempura coating.
Reservations: Recommended to reserve.
Budget: ¥15,000~

4th Place: Jiwa (Ginza)

Features: A tempura shop that maximizes the flavor of ingredients by using two different types of oil.
Commitment:
Uses a combination of cotton seed oil and grapeseed oil, frying at optimal temperatures.
Varies the thickness of the batter depending on the ingredient type.
Can be enjoyed with tempura dipping sauce, salt, lemon, and homemade ponzu sauce.
Recommended Dishes:
“Omakase Course”: A varied course using seasonal ingredients.
“Shrimp (Kuruma Ebi)”: The perfect cooking temperature concentrates sweetness and umami.
“Asparagus”: Simple serving of thick, sweet asparagus with salt.
Reservations: Recommended to reserve.
Budget: ¥10,000~

5th Place: Tempura Araki (Arakicho)

Features: Enjoying delicious tempura in a comfortable, homey atmosphere at a reasonable price.
Commitment:
Tempura full of seasonal charm using seasonal ingredients.
Emphasizes utilizing the natural flavor of the ingredients with a thin batter.
Can be enjoyed with tempura dipping sauce, salt, and lemon.
Recommended Dishes:
“Omakase Course”: Enjoying recommended tempura that changes based on daily catches.
“Shrimp (Ebi)”: The bouncy texture is irresistible.
“Vegetable Tempura”: Simple serving of seasonal vegetables with salt.
Reservations: Recommended to reserve.
Budget: ¥5,000~

Bonus Feature: Tendon Specialty Shops

Kaneko Han’nosuke (Nihombashi):

Features: A popular tempura rice bowl shop with long lines.
Recommended Dish: “Edomae Tempura Bowl”: A voluminous tempura rice bowl topped with large conger eel, shrimp, squid, and vegetables.

Tendon Tenya:

Features: A nationwide chain offering affordable tempura rice bowls.
Recommended Dish: “Tempura Bowl”: A classic tempura bowl topped with shrimp, squid, white fish, and vegetables.

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Tips for Frying Delicious Tempura at Home
While tempura eaten in restaurants is delicious, you can fry crispy, tasty tempura at home too, if you know the tricks.

Ingredients:

Tempura Flour: Using store-bought tempura flour makes it easy to create batter.
Cold Water: Cooling the batter suppresses gluten formation and results in a crispy texture.
Egg: Adds richness and flavor to the batter. (Optional without egg)
Frying Oil: Use fresh oil. Salad oil, rapeseed oil, or rice bran oil are recommended.
Ingredients: Choose fresh ingredients.

Preparation:

Wipe away excess moisture from the ingredients: Remaining water can cause splattering in the oil.
Cut vegetables into uniform sizes: To ensure even cooking.
Clean shrimp by removing the gut and prepping them: To remove any fishy smell and ensure they fry straight.
Lightly dust ingredients with flour: This helps the batter stick.

Making the Batter:

Use cold water: Suppresses gluten formation, leading to a crispy texture.
Do not overmix: Overmixing forms too much gluten, making the batter tough.
It’s okay if there is some flour residue: Leaving small lumps is just right.

Frying Method:

Oil Temperature: 170–180°C:
A good measure is to drop chopsticks into the oil and watch for gentle, popping bubbles.
A thermometer is helpful.
Do not put too much at once: This lowers the oil temperature and makes the batter soggy.
Frying Time: Adjust according to the ingredient.
Vegetables: Short frying time.
Seafood: Be careful not to overcook.
Draining Oil: Place finished tempura on a rack to drain excess oil thoroughly.

Other Tips:

Periodically remove residue from the oil: This keeps the oil clean and allows for delicious frying.
Prepare tempura dipping sauce or salt: Enjoy the tempura while it is hot and fresh.

Summary: Let’s enjoy the world of tempura even deeper!
In this article, we thoroughly explained the appeal of tempura, rankings of delicious tempura restaurants, and tips for frying tempura at home.

Tempura is a profound cuisine that represents Japanese food culture. We hope you can experience its ultimate flavor—where the umami of fresh ingredients is wrapped in crispy batter—at various tempura shops, and even in your own home!

We hope this article helps enrich your tempura life!

See you in our next article!