(Image: Toshihiro Gamo )
Japan’s famous golden, deep-fried and lightly breaded seafood and vegetables trace its roots back to the 16th century when the Portuguese Catholic Church abstained from meat. In fact, the word “tempura” is not actually Japanese but was derived from the Latin word “tempora”, which is loosely translated as “day of fasting”.
The perfect tempura is the collective result of several factors: size of vegetable/seafood, temperature and consistency of batter, and temperature and kind of oil. Tempura perfection, of course, is what you can find in every corner of Tokyo.
Expect to fill your belly with different kinds of tempura such as shrimp, crabstick, eggplant, shiitake mushroom, squash, and sweetfish. Don’t forget about the dip – a masterful blend of dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and grated ginger.
Here are the best places to have tempura in Tokyo.
- FUNABASHIYA HONTEN | Shinjuku
For traditional tempura recipe with over 100 years of history
What to order: Prawn tempura, Oysters, Lotus root
Price range: 1,000 to 2,000 Yen ($9.01 to $18.01)
When: 11:40 – 22:00 Dailly
Where: 3-28-14 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo - GINZA HAGETEN | Ginza
For excellent quality tempura at humble prices
What to order: Kakeage, Sea eel tempura, Scallops
Price range: 1,000 to 3,000 Yen ($9.01 to $27.02)
When: 11:00 – 23:00 Daily
Where: 3-4-6 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo - KIKUTEI | Marunouchi
For heirloom tempura recipe
What to order: Mixed seafood tempura, Prawn tempura, Grilled eel
Price range: 1,000 to 1,999 Yen ($9.01 to $18)
When: 11:00 – 15:00; 17:00 – 22:00 Daily
Where: 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo
