15 Tempura Restaurants in Tokyo That Locals Love

Tokyo is home to numerous tempura restaurants, ranging from affordable options to high-end establishments that have been awarded Michelin stars.

Your trip to Tokyo won't be as enjoyable if you're overly concerned about your meal budget.

In this article, the editorial team from OMAKASE—the only online culinary service provider in Japan officially recognized by the Michelin Guide, maintaining strong relationships with numerous fine-dining establishments—will guide you through exclusive tempura restaurants that Japanese people truly love.

We have categorized the price ranges as follows:

・High-end tempura restaurants that Japanese food lovers adore (10,000 JPY or higher)

・Budget-friendly tempura restaurants that many Japanese locals often visit (Under 10,000 JPY)

Tempura Culture in Tokyo

Tokyo boasts numerous tempura restaurants catering to diverse ranges.

Tokyo boasts a wide array of tempura restaurants, catering to various budgets and preferences. From affordable eateries to high-end establishments, there's something for everyone. What sets Tokyo apart is not just the abundance of options, but also the exceptional quality offered. Impressively, 22 establishments have been recognized in the Michelin Guide, with 14 of them earning coveted Michelin stars.

During lunchtime, "tendon," a dish consisting of tempura served over rice in a bowl, is particularly popular.

This typical tempura dish, translated literally as "tempura bowl" in English, features several pieces of tempura atop a bed of rice, drizzled with special sauce. It's a staple on the menus of both casual eateries and high-end establishments during lunchtime.

Due to its quick preparation and consumption, tendon is a favorite among busy businessmen in Tokyo. As a result, many fast-food tendon restaurants have gained popularity in urban areas.

Selected 10 High-End Tempura Restaurants in Tokyo

1. TEN-MASA（天雅）

・Japanese Tempura Tokyo Top 100 Selected Restaurants in 2022,23 (on a Japanese famous gourmet site)

Tradition and innovation converge at Ten-Masa to create a new culinary experience: tempura kaiseki. Indulge in a meticulously crafted course meal that harmonizes fundamental yet playful Japanese cuisine with tempura—a dish the chef learned from his father and refined. Each piece of tempura is carefully cooked to enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients and served at the best timing.

The tempura at Ten-Masa is fried using a blend of untoasted white sesame oil and toasted sesame oil, imparting a robust, nutty flavor and aroma that varies with the seasons. Owner-chef Masahiko Ashiki honed his skills over 20 years in tempura and Japanese cuisine restaurants before opening Ten-Masa. The restaurant has proudly maintained its one Michelin star for several consecutive years.

Experience the live performance of tempura being expertly prepared right before your eyes at Ten-Masa's half-circle granite counter.

2. Tempura Kondo（天ぷら 近藤）

・Japanese Tempura Tokyo Top 100 Selected Restaurants in 2022,23 (on a Japanese famous gourmet site)

・Japan Restaurant Award,Bronze (2018 - 20)

Tempura Kondo holds a special place among Japanese food enthusiasts, often being the first choice when the craving for tempura strikes. Without Tempura Kondo, tempura wouldn’t enjoy the global renown it does today. While traditional Edomae (Tokyo-style) tempura typically focused on abundant seafood, owner-chef Fumio Kondo introduced vegetables, which have now become standard ingredients for tempura.

Since the launch of the Michelin Guide Tokyo in 2008, this establishment has continuously earned two stars. What sets Tempura Kondo apart is its meticulously crafted tempura with a thin batter, ensuring minimal oil absorption and avoiding greasiness. This dedication to quality results in tempura that excels in appearance, aroma, and flavor.

3. Tsumakoizaka Keigo（妻恋坂 けい吾）

Tsumakoizaka Keigo, a hidden gem in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward, offers exquisite Japanese cuisine centered around traditional soba noodles and impeccably crafted tempura. Although not specializing exclusively in tempura, the chef’s crisp and flavorful tempura creations have won the hearts of gastronomic enthusiasts. Recently recognized by the Michelin Guide for the first time in 2024, this establishment is quickly rising as a star in the tempura world.

Their signature soba noodles are made exclusively with buckwheat, without any flour added. The buckwheat, sourced from trusted farmers, results in soba noodles with a highly pleasant aroma and remarkable texture. Delight in the handmade soba noodles and exquisitely crafted tempura, along with beautifully arranged side dishes.

4. Tempura Motoyoshi（天ぷら 元吉）

・MICHELIN (2011 - 24): One Star

・Japanese Tempura Tokyo Top 100 Selected Restaurants in 2023 (on a Japanese famous gourmet site)

With Chef Motoyoshi’s relentless pursuit for tempura perfection, Tempura Motoyoshi has evolved into a restaurant that offers innovative tempura for the modern era. Utilizing liquid nitrogen and two types of water for the batter, the chef's meticulous techniques create tempura that is a true work of art, with rich flavors that burst in your mouth upon the first bite.

 Tempura Motoyoshi has proudly held one Michelin star for over ten consecutive years. The restaurant's decor changes with the seasons, enhancing your dining experience and ensuring it is always exceptional.

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5. Arakicho Tenpaku（荒木町 天白）

If you're seeking to indulge in authentic Edomae (Tokyo-style) tempura made with the freshest, highest-quality ingredients from across Japan, Arakicho Tenpaku is your ideal destination. Using untoasted Taihaku sesame oil, the restaurant creates light, crisp tempura with rich flavor.

The meal concludes with a rice dish featuring fluffy rice cooked in an earthenware pot and topped with shiba shrimp kakiage (mixed and fried tempura). To enhance the experience, pour the finest soup stock made from bonito and kelp over the kakiage rice.

Embark on a culinary journey at Arakicho Tenpaku with carefully selected Japanese sake and a curated selection of wines chosen by Chef Kondo, the owner and a knowledgeable sommelier.

6. Mochiku（茂竹）

With a history spanning over 100 years since its establishment in 1914, Mochiku offers tempura that blends old and new traditions. Their tempura is cooked in the highest-quality sesame oil, made using traditional techniques passed down over 150 years, resulting in a light, crisp finish. Tempura at Mochiku, crafted with conventional techniques and abundant creative twists, has satisfied numerous gastronomic enthusiasts.

The restaurant features eight counter seats at a white wooden countertop, set in an interior decorated with natural materials. Despite lacking a sign at the entrance, the cozy restaurant warmly welcomes guests into the inviting ambience of a family-run establishment. Experience the chef's brilliant cooking techniques performed right before your eyes.

7. Tempura Hasegawa（天ぷら はせ川）

Chef Hasegawa aims to serve tempura that leaves you feeling light and fluffy, avoiding any heaviness or greasiness. To achieve this, he prepares the batter by blending flour and original powder without eggs, ensuring a delicate coating for the seasonal ingredients. Additionally, he uses a mixture of four different types of oil, adjusting the proportions based on the season—lighter oils for summer and deeper ones for winter. This unique combination of batter and oil creates a texture that keeps patrons coming back for more.

Having honed his skills at Tempura Kyoboshi in Ginza, a one-Michelin-starred establishment, for 16 years, Chef Hasegawa ensures that the carefully crafted desserts and selection of sake perfectly complement your meal at Tempura Hasegawa.

8. Tempura Kiwa（天麩羅 喜わ）

There's no better place to enjoy tempura in a tranquil setting along a Japanese-style garden covered with stone pebbles than Tempura Kiwa. The tempura here is crafted with skillfully selected fresh seasonal ingredients and exceptionally pure oil, cooked at the perfect temperature the chef has mastered over years of training. The result is easily digestible, crispy tempura with deep flavor.

Having worked at Tempura Yamanoue, the renowned tempura restaurant in Roppongi, for 12 years, the chef is a genuine, authentic tempura expert. Come and enjoy exquisite tempura in an ambience where Japanese culture meets beautifully crafted cuisine.

9. Tempura Miyashiro（天婦羅 みやしろ）

・Japanese Tempura Tokyo Top 100 Selected Restaurants in 2023 (on a Japanese famous gourmet site)

With a background in Japanese cuisine, the owner-chef of Tempura Miyashiro creates innovative tempura by thinking outside the box. By paying careful attention to details like temperature, aging, and texture, the tempura dishes here deliver a burst of seasonal flavor with every bite. Additionally, the seasonal dishes and sashimi served between tempura are highly regarded, with their signature soup made from dried bonito stock.

Cooking with a heart full of gratitude, Chef Miyashiro treats his ingredients with the utmost seriousness. The restaurant, a renovated century-old Japanese row house, offers a unique and authentic dining experience.

10. Tempura Fukamachi (てんぷら 深町)

・MICHELIN (2024): One Star

・Japanese Tempura Tokyo Top 100 Selected Restaurants in 2022,23 (on a Japanese famous gourmet site)

・Japan Restaurant Award,Silver (2019,20)

・Japan Restaurant Award,Bronze (2017-18, 2021-24)

After 34 years of intensive training at the renowned Hilltop Hotel, Chef Fukamachi expertly combines premium ingredients and precise preparation to create tempura that delights both the palate and the eyes. Adhering to the Hilltop Hotel's recipe, the tempura is made using a carefully blended oil with Taihaku sesame oil, and a sauce crafted from bonito and kelp stock, high-quality mirin (a type of rice wine), and soy sauce.

The must-try signature dish is raw sea urchin from Hokkaido, wrapped in shiso leaf, and fried to perfection, crispy on the outside while remaining raw and juicy inside. Enjoy the chef's skillful handling of the finest ingredients at the cypress-wood counter of Tempura Fukamachi, where exquisite dishes are served one after another.

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Selected 5 Affordable Tempura Restaurants in Tokyo

11. Tempura Kakiage Yukimura（天ぷら かき揚げ 之村）

・MICHELIN (2024): Bib Gourmand

If you're searching for a tempura restaurant where you can enjoy top-quality tempura at an affordable price, Tempura Kakiage Yukimura is the answer. As the name suggests, their standout dish is kakiage don, a bowl of rice topped with a generous portion of shrimp. The chef, who honed his skills at the renowned tempura establishment Tempura Mitsumura in Nagoya, spares no effort in sourcing the finest ingredients at reasonable prices, including premium rice from Akita Prefecture.

Experience high-quality tempura at a budget-friendly price, whether it's Tokyo-style tempura with the rich aroma of sesame oil or their famous kakiage don, all in a casual, cozy ambiance where the chef greets you with a warm smile.

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12. Tensuke（天すけ）

・MICHELIN (2024): Bib Gourmand

This immensely popular tempura restaurant, established in 1987 by a chef trained at Tsunahachi and Tenkuni, is renowned for its signature dish: egg tempura. This dish features a crispy exterior with a runny egg yolk inside. Watching the chef skillfully cook the egg tempura in hot oil using chopsticks, then dramatically tossing the eggshells into the air and striking a samurai pose, makes the long wait worthwhile. Come to experience not only the exceptional tempura but also the entertaining wait, a unique part of Japanese culinary culture.

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13. Tempura Otsuka（天ぷら 大塚）

If a restaurant has been long loved by the locals, it means the food is superb, and Tempura Otsuka is no exception. The tempura here is so light and delicious that you'll find yourself wanting more with each bite. The course begins with milder flavors such as tiger prawn, squid, and sillago, and then moves on to bolder tastes, following a traditional sequence.

Sashimi is also a highlight, featuring fresh fish carefully selected by the head chef. Experience Tempura Otsuka like a local by sitting at their counter and savoring the authentic Tokyo-style tempura in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

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14. Tempura Abe Hacchometen（てんぷら 阿部 8丁目店）

・MICHELIN (2024): Selected Restaurant

With extensive years of training as a tempura chef at a renowned restaurant, Chef Abe has perfected his secret formula for creating tempura that is both crispy and juicy. Using carefully selected seasonal ingredients and meticulously blended oil, mostly cottonseed oil, his tempura pairs perfectly with Japanese sake.

Enjoy authentic Tokyo-style tempura at an affordable price in a warm, cozy ambiance where Japanese and Western styles are seamlessly blended.

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15. Tempura Shinjuku Tsunahachi - Main Shop（新宿つな八 総本店）

Since its inception in 1923, Tempura Shinjuku Tsunahachi has consistently served top-quality tempura, crafted by skilled artisans. Their specially blended Tsunahachi oil, primarily untoasted Taihaku sesame oil, imparts a rich, exquisite aroma to each piece.

Enveloped in the robust fragrance of sesame, their tempura can be enjoyed with a special sauce or simply with salt, all while retaining its crispiness. The authentic Tokyo-style tempura at this long-established restaurant is well worth the wait in line.

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