tsuyo.jp
Nakameguro is about a 5-minute walk from the station. Every year around late November, I visit the tempura kaiseki restaurant "TEN-MASA" which has been open for 10 years this fall. They have recently received a Michelin star for the second year in a row, and have also been selected as one of the top 100 tempura restaurants. Congratulations! The entrance to the restaurant, located downstairs, has a chic design with black as the main color. Upon entering, you are greeted by a stunning semi-circular counter, which is truly luxurious. Although this is my third visit, I still feel excited every time. While they also offer table seating and private rooms, I highly recommend sitting at the counter to enjoy the live tempura cooking. The "TEN-MASA Kaiseki" allows you to savor both tempura and Japanese cuisine. This time, I reserved the "Irodori" course, which includes: - Scallop, white vegetables, salmon roe, and shiitake mushroom appetizer - Cherry shrimp, grilled shiitake mushroom, spinach, and paprika soup - Two kinds of sashimi: tuna, bonito, seared mackerel, persimmon, and sesame soy sauce - Eight small dishes: oyster, spinach, carrot, chrysanthemum, ginkgo nut, shimeji mushroom, lotus root, and more - Tempura: shrimp, smelt fish, oyster, conger eel, ginkgo nut, shimeji mushroom, and lotus root (refillable) - Silky sweet, scallop, and chopstick rest - Sesame tofu and rice - Tempura bowl with shrimp tempura and rice - Dessert: autumn leaves The variety of dishes leading up to the main tempura course is quite extensive, showcasing the colors of the four seasons, and changes monthly. The presentation of each dish is truly impressive. The tempura is delicious, with just the right amount of batter to complement the ingredients. The chef explains each dish with care and detail. For the finale, you can choose between tempura bowl, tempura tea pickles, or white rice. Despite feeling full by this point, I couldn't resist the tempura bowl. I paired the meal with sake, as it complements the tempura perfectly: - Kido Junmai Ginjo (Wakayama) - Daishinshu Junmai Ginjo (Nagano) - Shusseijo Junmai Daiginjo (Shizuoka) The delicious food, beautiful presentation, warm hospitality from the chef and hostess, and the ambiance of the restaurant all contribute to a unique and high-quality dining experience. It's a time of utmost enjoyment with top-notch food and service. I visit every year around this time, but I already want to come back in a different season. Leaving the restaurant fully satisfied in body and mind. Thank you for the wonderful meal!