Craving the Crunch? 11 Best Tempura Restaurants in Tokyo

Japan is no stranger to fried delicacies. From quick stops for eating on the go to elegant spaces where you can watch the chef in action, Tokyo is home to some of the best restaurants for tempura, Japan’s traditional fried food. 

Tempura is made using light, airy batter and frying techniques that allow the flavors of the featured ingredients to pop with every juicy bite.

Now, check out this list of some of the best spots to enjoy seasonal veggies and seafood in classic tempura form.

Savor a customized omakase set of 10-13 tempura dishes prepared “from the heart.” Tempura Ono uses seasonal vegetables and seafood sourced from contracted farmers and trusted fish wholesalers at Tokyo’s Toyosu Market.

The restaurant caters to all dietary needs, so there is something for everyone to enjoy. The chef even uses his own exclusive oil. Don’t forget to ask the staff for a sake pairing recommendation to further enhance your personalized Japanese food experience! 

byFood guests in particular can receive a special package price that’s unavailable elsewhere, giving you the opportunite to indulge in the best tempura for less.

Have you ever eaten food prepared by a real-life Iron Chef? Masaharu Morimoto is a Michelin-starred Japanese fusion expert who won close to 50 battles during his stint on the Japanese cooking show. He’s also founded over 20 restaurants in gourmet capitals across the globe. 

At XEX ATAGO GREEN HILLS, he uses the finest ingredients sourced from Toyosu Market suppliers, including the Yamaharu Group, a seafood supplier with over 50 years of experience. 

Along with tempura, menu offerings include sushi, sukiyaki, shabu-shabu and seasonal nabe hot pots, all to be had in your choice of a private room or a seat right at the tempura counter. 

The restaurant also offers one of the most mouth-watering views of Tokyo Tower. 

In the heart of Tokyo, enjoy high-quality tempura that is only made using fresh, seasonal ingredients such as oysters from Nagasaki and vegetables from Ishikawa and Kyoto. Rest assured that all of these natural treasures are carefully selected by the restaurant’s chef, Sato Keita. 

After years of working at high-end restaurants in Tokyo’s Kanda and Ginza districts, Chef Sato opened his own restaurant to serve a unique style of tempura that is made without using eggs — this makes it extra light and white in color. 

Guests can choose between counter seats and private rooms, but we recommend sitting at the counter so you can watch the sorcery happen right before your eyes. Japanese wine and sake pairing options are also available, so be sure to ask the staff for a recommendation.

This seafood tempura spot was founded by Uoshin, a fish supplier with over 130 years of history, so you can bet the ingredients are truly superb! 

Initially established in Roppongi in 1980, the restaurant draws on the organization’s deep knowledge to provide customers with the ultimate fresh tempura experience. It only seats eight guests at a time, offering a quiet place to enjoy meticulously prepared food in secluded luxury.

Head chef Miyazaki Shinji is quite the celebrity, having appeared several times in newspapers, magazines and on TV. Still, he feels most at home behind the tempura counter, frying seafood and veggies with expert precision.

Located not far from central Shibuya, which is home to many Western and Japanese fine dining options, this fried skewer (kushiyaki) restaurant stands out for its casual vibes and affordable prices. But don’t let the prices fool you! 

This veritable Tokyo institution boasts over 30 luxurious ingredients, from wagyu beef to tiger prawn, that are fried to absolute perfection. Try kuroge wagyu beef from Kagoshima and Tochigi, madai red sea bream from Shizuoka, and Japanese tiger prawn from Kumamoto all in one place!

Aside from an array of kushiyaki skewers and other traditional cuisine offerings, the restaurant has a great selection of sake, including rarer varieties like Takagi Brewery’s Juyondai sake, which is said to be the finest in Japan. 

Owner-chef Oie Koji has also recently expanded his craft to include gluten-free cuisine that can be ordered on request. 

Find out more: 6 Gluten-Free Restaurants in Tokyo

Head chef Hitoshi Arai, who has shared his tempura passion and philosophy at culinary conventions across the globe, firmly believes that hospitality is just as important as quality ingredients and expert frying techniques. The establishment’s peaceful, luxurious atmosphere creates a well-rounded, high-quality tempura experience. 

So, what about the food? Chef Arai serves seasonal tempura that is both visually appealing and flavorful. A real treat here is the restaurant’s signature dish, tenbara, which is crumbled tempura fritters mixed into rice. The widely popular dish is typically served towards the end, cadencing your meal with a lovely mixture of soft and crunchy.

Chef Kondo Akihiro displays his dedication to the art of tempura by using a wide variety of fresh ingredients from Japan’s mountains and seas. In particular, his use of pure taihaku sesame oil gives his tempura pieces their characteristic lightness, allowing the natural flavors of the fried ingredients to shine through with each and every bite. 

The tempura, with its delicate crunch that coats tasty seasonal ingredients, leaves guests without that lingering heavy feeling one might expect from eating deep-fried food. Enjoy Japan’s rich natural bounties in wonderful tempura form.

Travel back to Meiji-Era Japan at this Shinjuku tempura restaurant, where the freshest ingredients, sourced daily from Toyosu Market, are fried to crispy perfection. Peek into the open kitchen to see the fryers in action while dining in a space with nostalgic decor featuring art by historic painter Sotaro Yasui.

Aside from timeless favorites like prawn tempura, guests can enjoy a rotating selection of sashimi and desserts. The restaurant also offers instant booking confirmation, so it’s a great option if you need to make last-minute lunch or dinner plans!

Are you planning to visit the popular Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa? If so, don’t miss the chance to eat authentic Edomae tempura at this nearby restaurant that boasts over 180 years of history. 

In true Tokyo style, their tempura is made using a sesame oil blend, and the restaurant offers special deals and menus to commemorate local festivals and events throughout the year. 

From a la carte options to banquet-style courses, guests can savor a full range of delicious tempura — you can even order a few pieces from their street-facing counter if you don’t have time for a sit-down meal.

Find out more: 21 Best Things to Do in Asakusa: Tokyo's Traditional Gem

Enjoy personalized omakase “chef’s choice” meals crafted by a Michelin-starred tempura master using a blend of two different sesame oils. 

Situated in the stylish Nakameguro neighborhood of Tokyo, the restaurant was opened by a gentleman who spent his childhood living in a kappo-style tempura restaurant run by his family.

The kappo-inspired, kaiseki-like courses begin with sashimi and soup, followed by perfectly fried pieces of tempura. The restaurant’s signature dish, sesame tofu, and its range of quality sake from around Japan (namely Aichi Prefecture) further elevate the culinary experience of guests. 

Reservations are required, so plan ahead and get your name on the list.

Keep it real in Tokyo’s trendy Koenji neighborhood with tempura served in its most original, authentic and unpretentious form. Tensuke is a neighborhood favorite that is not only loved across Tokyo but is also being visited by an increasing number of international tourists — you may have to wait in line for a bit! 

The owner-chef makes you feel right at home in his small, old-school establishment with English assistance and a sincere display of gratitude for your patronage.

We recommend trying the set menu featuring the shop’s signature soft-boiled egg tempura and rice dish, but there is of course a great selection of vegetable tempura, seafood tempura and miso soup to choose from. 

Take a seat, eat some classic tempura and enjoy watching the chef do this thing.

We know you have a lot planned for your Tokyo trip — it’s a big city with many things to see and eat! After sampling practically the best ramen and wagyu beef that the world has to offer, top off your Tokyo getaway with some mouth-watering tempura at one or more of the restaurants mentioned in this article. 

Even if you are not usually into fried foods, tempura is still worth trying for its array of flavors and textures, and it offers a tasty way of getting more in touch with Japan’s history and culture. As you can see, there are options for practically all budgets and diets.

Tempura is a traditional Japanese dish made by coating seafood, meat or veggies in a light and airy batter before deep-frying them.

Tempura differs from the battered cuisine that comes with Japanese breadcrumbs (panko) or breaded batters. It is much lighter and prepared differently, using cold water and minimal mixing to craft a light, crunchy texture. 

Minimal liquid in the ingredients and a light batter means that tempura has a delightful crunch when you bite into it.