I first saw this tendon on TV over a decade ago. I couldn't go due to timing, but finally got the chance! When I arrived around 13:30, about 2/3 of the seats were empty. I ordered a kakiage-don and it was served in about 10 minutes. I asked for less rice, but it was still a lot, almost a whole bowl. If I go again, I'll ask for half the rice. The amount of sauce was just right for me, leaving a little white rice. The flavor was strong and I loved it. I wish I had gone when I had a bigger appetite when I was younger. One disappointing point was that the older female owner kept nagging the younger female owner constantly. It made me feel sorry for her. Maybe this is also a tradition? Also, the red miso soup with clams was delicious, but when I ate the clam meat at the end, it was muddy and smelly, instantly erasing the deliciousness of the tendon in my mouth. It seems better to think of clams as just for the broth.

The tempura bowl with small shrimp and scallops was delicious, with a fluffy texture and a generous amount of ingredients that were firm and had a nice chewiness. The restaurant, despite being a long-established one, had a cozy atmosphere that made me feel like I was visiting my grandmother's house, making it very relaxing. When leaving the restaurant, the owner made sure to make eye contact and bid us farewell, leaving a great impression. It was a wonderful restaurant where you could understand why it has been loved for many years after just one visit. And we even got some complimentary tempura scraps to take home as a gift for the family!

I usually prefer set meals over tempura bowls, but I wanted to try out this restaurant with my tempura-loving son. The chef, who fries the tempura, used to be an English teacher. We were full after eating the popular small shrimp and small fish tempura bowl. The rich flavoring is quite addictive. I think next time I'll try a set meal instead of a bowl. The restaurant on the second floor of the building is easy to enter, but the counter seats could use a bit more space between them.

It must have been about 15 years since I last visited. I suddenly remembered this place and decided to have lunch here. As I entered the restaurant, memories came flooding back. The dark amber color of the earthen walls, the reed-thatched ceiling. I ordered the tempura rice bowl. I remember eating tempura rice bowl here in the past and falling in love with the small shrimp and small fish tempura. The sound of tempura being fried, the sound of dipping freshly fried tempura into the sauce, it all whet my appetite. The tempura soaked in sauce was pleasantly soft, and the rice soaked in the sweet sauce was just as delicious as before. But as I've gotten older, the vigor with which I used to eat the bowl back then has diminished. The owner also seemed well, and she mentioned that things have changed little by little. I hope everyone stays healthy and well.

In the late 1990s to the early 2000s, I used to visit affordable restaurants within my budget while reminiscing about famous eateries. Back then, I would carefully select a restaurant by browsing through a gourmet book and map, and make a reservation by nervously calling the restaurant. One of the places I always dreamed of visiting was "Tenmo" in Akasaka. They only offered kakiage-don and tempura-don for lunch, which made it seem approachable, but the fact that they were closed on weekends and holidays made it a high hurdle for me, as I could only visit Tokyo on holidays. The feeling of excitement I experienced when I finally tasted their kakiage-don after so many years still lingers in my mind, and it always comes to mind whenever I have a weekday off. This time, I finally revisited the restaurant after a long time. I arrived 10 minutes before opening, and surprisingly, I was the first customer. Just 4 minutes before opening, I was invited in. I sat at the end of the counter, right in front of the kitchen. I could see the preparation of the kakiage, with peeled shrimp and small fish mixed into a roughly beaten batter and swiftly deep-fried. The kakiage, perfectly round and evenly thick, was quickly dipped in sauce, creating a sizzling sound and steam rising. It was placed on a bed of rice, garnished with a slice of yellow yuzu. The process, which seemed to have been repeated countless times, was flawless and efficient. As I took the first bite, the familiar taste brought back a sense of nostalgia. The restaurant was quiet when I arrived, as the surrounding office district seemed to be on summer break, but it started to get lively by the time I left. I hope that Tenmo will continue to thrive in the streets of Akasaka for a long time, as I walked out into the bright sunlight.

I enjoyed eating with my mother calling me. Counter seats. The customers were a parent and child, two men, and two couples. There are photos of noble people who have visited before, and the customers are a quiet and refined group. The food is delicious, so please give it a try. Only course meals are available at night.

I visited "Tenmo" in Akasaka for lunch for the first time. When I arrived at the restaurant 20 minutes before its opening at 11:30 AM, there were already 8 customers waiting in line. The restaurant opened a bit earlier than scheduled, and I was seated inside. I ordered the kakiage-don (mixed tempura rice bowl) from the limited lunch menu, which only had kakiage-don and tempura-don (tempura rice bowl) options. While waiting for my food, more customers arrived and the counter and shared tables quickly filled up, making the restaurant full. After about a 5-minute wait, my kakiage-don arrived. It had a large kakiage (mixed tempura) on top, accompanied by red miso soup and pickles. The tempura batter was moist rather than crispy, and it contained plenty of small shrimp and fish. The sauce was mildly sweet with a strong soy sauce flavor. The portion was quite generous, providing a satisfying meal. I enjoyed it and had a pleasant dining experience.

I always order the tempura kiss, it's pretty good. I also want to try the mixed tempura someday. It's not bad, but considering the price, it's not that great. The female staff are like grandmothers or aunties, and the waiter is a man in his 40s. I wonder what their relationship is like. It piques my curiosity every time.

<Ordered Item> Kakiage Donburi 1500 yen, Rating: 3.9 (including the atmosphere of the restaurant) <Impression> This long-established restaurant, founded in 1964, was likely my first visit. Competing with nearby restaurants like Mitsumura in Toranomon and Tenju in Hanzomon. The kakiage here is characterized by a generous amount of egg in the batter, resulting in a texture that is not crispy but rather fluffy. The slightly sweet sauce paired with the fluffy kakiage is exquisite, and personally, this is the best kakiage donburi I have ever had. The nostalgic atmosphere spanning three generations from Showa, Heisei, to Reiwa, is palpable in the restaurant, with the staff and even the stains on the walls exuding a sense of history. Highly recommended. <Concerns> Some restaurants completely change their image with a change in ownership, but it seems like the second generation of this restaurant is cherishing the traditional image, which is commendable. I hope they continue running the restaurant in its current state if possible.

I had always wanted to visit this restaurant that my friend had recommended for weekday lunches. During my summer break, I was finally able to visit. I arrived a little after 11:20 and was the first group, but another group arrived before the official opening time, so we were able to enter without waiting until 11:30. Soon after, more customers started coming in and the counter quickly filled up. The lunch menu only had two options: kakiage-don and tendon, but the kakiage-don seemed to be the most popular. The kakiage was fried in batches, with only two being made at a time. Once the kakiage was cooked, it was dipped in a hot sauce and placed on top of rice, served with red miso soup and small shrimp and scallop. The simple kakiage, made with only small shrimp and scallop, had a chewy texture from the sauce-soaked batter and a deliciously fresh aroma from the yuzu peel on top. I couldn't help but watch the frying process happening right in front of me, while reluctantly finishing my own bowl. I would definitely like to visit again when I have the chance to go to Akasaka on a weekday.

[Tenmo] Kakiage Donburi ¥1500 2 minutes walk from Akasaka Station (4 minutes walk from Tameike-Sanno Station) Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays ------------------------------ Let's check out a lunch spot that's only open on weekdays for those of us enjoying summer vacation! Today, we have a tempura restaurant in Akasaka, an office district. For lunch, they offer only two options: Anago and Kiss Fish Tempura Donburi, or Small Shrimp and Small Pillar Kakiage Donburi. The interior features a counter surrounding the kitchen in a U-shape, with only two tables. It gives off the impression of being frequented by office workers during their lunch break. I chose the Kakiage Donburi. Being at the counter, I could see the kakiage being fried right in front of me, then dipped in sauce and placed on a bed of white rice. The whole process was so appetizing to watch! The freshly fried kakiage, hot and steamy, combined with the sweet sauce and the aroma of the rice, really whetted my appetite. The kakiage mainly consisted of small scallops and shrimp, with the shrimp being plump and flavorful, and the scallops having a nice umami taste. The batter was fluffy and combined well with the sauce, but there were also some crispy bits here and there, adding a nice texture. The combination with the rice was excellent. Not only was the kakiage delicious on its own, but as a "kakiage donburi," it left a great impression on me personally. I usually associate kakiage with vegetable tempura like onions, which I also enjoy, but the kakiage donburi here had a different kind of deliciousness that I really appreciated! Thank you for the meal!

In 2022, this tempura restaurant was selected as one of the top 100 in Japan. I visited during my day off and took advantage of their special lunch deal on weekdays. I arrived around 11:55 AM on a Wednesday and managed to secure the last available seat at the counter. For lunch, they offered a choice between kakiage-don (mixed tempura rice bowl) and tendon (tempura rice bowl). I chose the kakiage-don which came with small shrimp and fish tempura, red miso soup, and pickles for 1,500 yen. The restaurant had a pleasant aroma of sesame oil and I even saw a customer taking photos of the tempura being fried. It was surprising to find such a stylish tempura restaurant on the second floor of a small building. Most customers ordered the kakiage-don, and the place quickly filled up with groups and solo diners. When the kakiage was ready, it was served in a bubbling hot tempura dipping sauce. The process of making it already seemed promising. The dish arrived in just 5 minutes, emitting a delightful scent of sesame oil and tempura sauce. The tempura batter was light and fluffy, while the small shrimp and fish were tender and flavorful, soaked in the oil and sauce. The rice was generously covered in the tempura sauce, making it a delightful meal to devour. The red miso soup with clams was also delicious. I finished the meal in no time, impressed by the quick service and great atmosphere. It was a truly enjoyable dining experience.

Finally, in a few days, I will be going to the U.S. for the first time in 4 years!! Due to the high cost of living and exchange rates, this time I will not be stopping by NY after work and will be returning home. Even though my stay will be shorter than usual. As a tradition before going to the U.S., I wanted to eat something in Japan. Today, I had a throat examination, so I went to Akasaka area. I remembered that this place, Tenmo, was said to have the best kakiage-don in Japan!! I saw someone else's post saying "The tempura bowl is also delicious," so I decided to give it a try. Around 12:45 on a weekday. I went up to the 2nd floor of a small mixed-use building and... there was no one there. I opened the door and heard a cheerful "Welcome." There were about 4 other customers. I sat at the counter and ordered a tempura bowl. Everyone else ordered kakiage-don. I guess so. While waiting, I listened to the pleasant sound of tempura frying and the casual conversation between the owner and her daughter inside the counter. The bottle caps placed on the tray are a sign of the tempura bowl, apparently most people order kakiage-don. The tempura bowl, tax included, was 1500 yen. Previously, the tempura bowl and kakiage-don were 1400 yen, with red miso soup costing 100 yen extra. Did they change it because everyone was ordering this one? There were small broccoli, conger eel, and sand borer. This was served with pickles and red miso soup. Even though I'm not a fan of red miso soup, I think this one is delicious... I wonder what's different about it? The sand borer and conger eel were fried crispy and went well with the sauce, but... I don't know. It wasn't as impressive as when I had the kakiage-don. It was delicious, but the kakiage-don was more impactful. So, from now on, I'll go back to ordering the kakiage-don. #lunch #Akasaka lunch #Akasaka Mitsuke lunch #Tenmo #famous for kakiage-don #selected in the top 5000 on Tabelog #eat before leaving Japan series #eating alone #solo lunch

Second visit. Two female staff members cook for you. The lady in a kimono looks lovely. Ordered the popular tempura rice bowl again, just like last time. Simple ingredients of small shrimp and small fish. Moist tempura. Fluffy batter and rich sauce are excellent. Plenty of shrimp. Pickles are low in salt. Miso soup with red dashi and clams is delightful. It's already a famous dish in Akasaka.

I visited Tenmo for the first time in a while. It was a weekday at 12:15, with a wait of 2 people inside the store. The red miso soup that I was strongly recommended by the old lady was forcibly included and ended up costing 1500 yen. In this time of high prices, it can't be helped. It took until around 12:45 to finally receive my dish, but as always, the tempura rice bowl was incredibly delicious. I also had the red miso soup for the first time in a while, and it had a really nice flavor. The teamwork between the old lady and the landlady is truly impressive. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal!

I used it for lunch. Located on the 2nd floor of a building, it was already full by my visit at 12:05. For 1500 yen, you can choose between a shrimp and small fish bara-don. Two women were in the kitchen, and a man was managing the floor. It took 20 minutes from ordering to receiving the food. (They are so busy, everyone is working hard!) The donburi had a delicious sauce with a solid flavor!

I had the kakiage donburi here for lunch. It felt like I had been searching for this kakiage donburi for years. I still visit occasionally. The price of 1500 yen includes an extra 100 yen for the special miso soup, which is not that great to be honest. I think the kakiage donburi and regular tempura donburi are completely different. I always go for the kakiage donburi, but I wonder if the tempura donburi is also delicious. I see they offer goby in their menu for dinner. When it comes to tempura, my favorites in order are: 1. scallop (fresh, not frozen) 2. goby (hard to find in many places!) 3. carrot (also not common!) 4. the unique kakiage donburi here 5. smelt (similar to goby?) I really want to try goby tempura, but I rarely come here at night in Akasaka.

I apologize for the delay in providing this report, as three months have already passed since my visit. I promise not to delay any further! Despite my words, it is only an annual regular visit that I am talking about. When I visited this time, there was no long line, and I was able to enter the restaurant in about 5 minutes. I immediately ordered my usual kakiage-don for 1500 yen. The interior of the restaurant has not changed at all in 30 years, but it does feel a bit outdated. However, it is not my place to suggest any improvements. The kakiage-don was served in about 10 minutes, just like last year, and it was incredibly delicious and satisfying. I was very pleased with my meal!

I visited the restaurant around 11:20 AM, entered right after they opened, no wait, seated as the 6th customer, ordered the kakiage-don, no condiments on the table, each dish served for 2 people, as soon as the red miso soup arrived, the donburi followed. The yuzu added a nice touch and was delicious. The portion looked big, but it was just right. Cash only and not suitable for children.

I visited the famous tempura restaurant "Tenmo" in Akasaka for the first time. I ordered the "kakiage-don" for lunch. The kakiage had a crispy coating and was very filling, sitting on top of rice soaked in tempura sauce. The coating was a bit too hard and made it difficult to eat, and overall it felt heavy. I don't think I will visit again, but thank you for the meal!