I added oysters to my set meal. I was worried that they might not have oysters in winter, but thankfully they did, so I didn't have to cry out loud. The oysters were really delicious - thick, about 10cm long, and visually appealing. They were heavy and packed with juicy meat, bursting with flavor. Surprisingly, they weren't too hot when I held them, just warm enough. The batter on the oysters was more like tempura, and it was clear that the chef knew what they were doing. It was a delight to have two oysters - one dipped in tempura sauce, and the other eaten as is. It was almost too good to be true for only 300 yen. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos as I was too focused on enjoying the food from the moment it arrived until I finished it.

Tempura set meal for 800 yen, pumpkin for 300 yen, and sweet potato for 100 yen. I arrived after 6 pm and there were 2 people waiting inside and 1 person outside. I was the last customer before closing, but even after that, customers kept coming in non-stop. It's still very popular. With this price and portion size, it's no surprise. I hope the father continues to stay healthy and keep the business running for a long time.

Due to a sudden reservation, I had to work on the night preparations at the restaurant. However, the staff got full before midnight, so I decided to head to Jinbocho for lunch. The purpose of today was to visit this restaurant for the first time in 17-18 years. When I arrived at around 12:30, there was already a line of about 10 people. After waiting for about 30 minutes under the scorching summer sun, I finally made it inside the restaurant. After waiting for about 10 minutes at the counter, I was finally seated. While others ordered the tempura set meal, I opted for the shrimp set meal. The shrimp set meal consisted of 4 large shrimp tempura and chrysanthemum tempura, a simple yet satisfying dish where I could enjoy the shrimp to my heart's content. The rice was served in a bowl, with a generous amount that I doubted I could finish, and the miso soup was filled with tofu and other ingredients. Worried about the amount of food, I first tried a bite of the shrimp, and the sesame oil's pleasant aroma filled my nose as the sweetness of the shrimp spread in my mouth. The daikon radish in the tempura dipping sauce was delicious, making me want to eat more rice. The chrysanthemum tempura was surprisingly large and tasty, with no bitterness and a refreshing aroma. The miso soup, filled with various ingredients, had a rich flavor from the broth. The shrimp and chrysanthemum tempura attacked my rice, which quickly disappeared. The pickled vegetables on the table were also delicious. Before I knew it, I had finished my meal. All of this for only 1000 yen, which is about one-third of a Big Mac set in the US! This is definitely worth waiting in line for. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

I am grateful for the cheap and delicious tempura! The tempura set meal is 800 yen with free extra rice. The tempura, fried in sesame oil, is light and crispy. The miso soup has plenty of tofu and a rich dashi flavor. The tempura dipping sauce comes with plenty of grated radish and ginger. Thank you to the chef and the lady owner!

On the night of August 21, 2023, for the second time. This night was my first visit to "Imoya," a restaurant that was established in 1959. The original "Imoya" was named after the university sweet potato it used to sell. The main branch along Shirayama Street operated two "Imoya" stores, one serving tempura and the other serving tonkatsu, but both closed down at the end of March 2018. The owner wanted to settle the business while the company still had some room to spare due to aging. Our restaurant is the last stronghold of the Imoya lineage in Jimbocho. My impression from the previous visit during the day was excellent. I decided to revisit for dinner based on the shorter waiting time mentioned in previous reviews. [Overall Impression] Noble tempura that sticks to everyday food. I have no idea how they manage to sustain this quality and price. I can only be amazed and show respect for it. - Ingredients are carefully selected - A splendid large metal pot is used for frying - Tempura is fried upon ordering, so it's always fresh - The frying oil, mainly sesame oil, is fresh - The frying timing and heat control for the ingredients are exquisite - The oil drainage is good - The white rice has a distinct taste of rice and is delicious - The rice portion is generous (and if you finish it all, the extra portion is free) - The soup is filled with tofu and seaweed [Menu] - Only two set meals are available - Shrimp set meal for 1,000 yen - Tempura set meal for 800 yen - Additional items can be ordered separately [Rules] - Efficient turnover of customers is crucial to maintaining prices. Customers should understand and cooperate. - Waiting in line is the norm (the line area is not harsh due to the shade) - Do not line up in front of the neighboring houses - Do not park bicycles, etc. - There are three chairs for waiting customers on the left side of the entrance, so enter when available - Even if there are empty seats at the counter, do not sit down until you are invited after the cleanup is done - Place an order only after being called - If you want to add additional items to your set meal, request it when ordering - Eat as quickly as possible since there are waiting customers [Items Received] - Tempura set meal for 800 yen - Conger eel (from Yamaguchi) for 300 yen - Smelt fish for 200 yen Total: 1,300 yen [Contents] - Shrimp tempura set meal: 1 shrimp, squid tempura, shungiku tempura, pumpkin tempura, nori tempura - 2 pieces of conger eel, 2 pieces of smelt fish - Enjoy the flavors of the ingredients with the daikon radish-based tempura dipping sauce - The rice is delicious, which is fantastic - Soup (with tofu and seaweed) tastes great when seasoned with shichimi pepper [Other Information] - Average rating: 3.80 from 327 reviews - 18 My Reviewers with an average rating of 3.52 - Date of visit: August 21, 2023 (night) - Waiting situation: No waiting outside, 1 waiting customer inside - Business hours: Weekdays 11:30-14:15, 17:00-18:15; Saturdays only open for lunch; Closed on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays and Sundays/holidays - Toilet: Located straight ahead at the entrance, unisex, Japanese-style, TOTO brand, equipped with a sink, and paper towels available.

This is a long-established tempura set meal restaurant. Around 1:30 pm on weekdays, there is a wait for about 8 people. The restaurant has a counter with 6 seats. You can choose between a regular set meal or shrimp tempura set meal, and add individual tempura items if needed. Despite being fried food, I didn't feel too heavy as the tempura was crispy. They fry with sesame oil. The menu prices are reasonable.

It's Obon season, so the streets in Tokyo are quite empty! I decided to go for a leisurely bike ride and visit a restaurant for lunch, but as expected, it was crowded with Obon holiday visitors. I waited in line under the scorching sun for about an hour, but it was worth it! The tempura set meal with shrimp, fish, and squid, topped with shiitake mushrooms and lotus root, was absolutely delicious. They fried it right in front of me, and the miso soup was overflowing with ingredients. Fresh, hot, and generous portions - it was the perfect Obon holiday lunch!

On August 10, 2023, at noon, I visited "Imoya," a restaurant that opened in 1959, for the first time. The original "Imoya" was named after the university sweet potato it used to sell. The original "Imoya" operated two restaurants, one serving tempura and the other serving tonkatsu, along Shirayama Street, but both closed at the end of March 2018. The owner, who was getting older, wanted to liquidate the company while there was still some leeway. Our restaurant is the last bastion of the lineage of "Imoya" in Jimbocho. I always missed the chance to visit due to the long lines, but luckily the line was shorter than usual this time, so I decided to give it a try! [Overall Impression] I was amazed and respectful that they offer this quality of meal for under 1,000 yen. I wanted to show my respect, so I paid with the cleanest 1,000 yen bill from my wallet and left the restaurant. I will definitely revisit, either right after opening or during the evening hours. - 4 shrimp, shungiku (edible chrysanthemum greens), and pumpkin set meal for 1,000 yen - Ingredients are carefully selected - A large metal pot is used for frying - Tempura is fried upon order, so it's always fresh - Sesame oil is the main frying oil and is of good quality - The frying level and cooking of ingredients are exquisite - Good oil drainage - The rice is flavorful and delicious - Generous portion of rice - The soup contains plenty of tofu and wakame seaweed [Menu] - Only two set meals available: Shrimp set meal for 1,000 yen and Tempura set meal for 800 yen - Additional items can be ordered [Rules] - Efficient turnover of customers is crucial to maintaining prices, so customers should understand and cooperate - Waiting in line is the norm (the line is not too harsh as it is in the shade) - Do not line up in front of neighboring houses - Do not park bicycles or other vehicles - There are chairs for waiting on the left side of the entrance, so enter when there is space - Even if there are empty seats at the counter, do not sit until you are called - Place an order when called - If you want to add extra items to your set meal, make the request when ordering - Eat quickly as there are people waiting [Meal Received] Shrimp set meal for 1,000 yen [Contents and Taste] - 4 shrimp, shungiku tempura, pumpkin tempura - Enjoy the natural flavors of the ingredients with grated daikon radish and tempura dipping sauce - The rice is exceptionally delicious - The soup (with tofu and wakame seaweed) is enhanced by shichimi pepper [Condiments on the Table] - Shichimi pepper, pickled vegetables [Business Hours and Days] - Weekdays: 11:30-14:15 for lunch, 17:00-18:15 for dinner - Saturdays: Lunch only - Closed on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays and Sundays and holidays [Visit Date and Waiting Situation] - August 10, 2023, at noon - 8 people waiting in line outside - Left the line at 13:16 - Sat at the counter at 13:28 after waiting for 30 minutes - Placed the order at 13:30 and received the meal after an 8-minute wait - Left at 13:48 after a 50-minute meal - 7 people waiting (2 inside and 5 outside) when leaving [Customer Composition] - Mostly older customers - 95% male customers (1 female customer) [Restaurant Situation] - Hand sanitizing at the entrance with HandSquish and tette - The aroma of sesame oil fills the restaurant - L-shaped counter with 7 seats - Mainly run by a couple, with one staff member washing dishes in the back - Warm green tea is served when seated - A sink for handwashing is immediately on the left at the entrance - Toilet status unconfirmed (as of August 11, 2023) Average rating of 3.80 from 326 reviews, with 18 MyReviewers giving an average rating of 3.51 and 3.71.

I used to rely on Imoya in Jinbocho over 30 years ago, but when I heard they were serving tempura now, I rushed over. When I arrived, there were three people inside and four people waiting outside. I thought I would be served quickly based on my past experiences, but I ended up waiting quite a bit. The reason was because they serve freshly fried tempura, a bowl full of delicious rice, and a hearty miso soup with lots of ingredients. I ordered the tempura set meal with shiitake mushrooms and lotus root. It included shrimp, smelt fish, pumpkin, squid, shungiku, shiitake mushrooms, and lotus root, all freshly fried. It was delicious and filling, and all of this for only 1000 yen is a great deal. It was so tasty! Thank you for the meal.

I finished work early and rushed over to the restaurant, but there was already a line waiting! It's definitely a popular place. I overheard an elderly couple at the front of the line chatting about how they have been fans of this restaurant for years, back when there were many more locations. The restaurant opened at 5pm. The owner slowly hung up the curtain, and customers started entering one by one. Instead of filling up the seats from one end, we were told to sit wherever we liked, so I chose a seat at the very end. I wondered if they would take orders from the back seats, but to my surprise, the staff remembered the order of the customers and took the elderly couple's order first, then mine! I was amazed that they could remember the tempura ingredients without writing them down, just like last time. It made me realize that they are true professionals in the food industry. The food arrived in about 10 minutes. We started with miso soup, which was full of ingredients and got me excited. I got a little too eager and burned my mouth, but it was worth it. The tempura, especially the shungiku tempura, was light and delicious, easy to eat even though the pieces were large. Every other ingredient was also delicious, and I enjoyed the meal slowly. We finished with rice and miso soup, taking a light breather. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

I had some business in Jinbocho and decided to have lunch somewhere nearby. I checked on Tabelog and found that "Imoya" had high ratings, so I decided to go there. When I arrived at 11:14, there was already a line of 12 people waiting. The restaurant seemed very popular. I waited in line and at 11:30, 10 people were allowed into the restaurant. The seating inside was limited to 7 seats, so the rest had to wait on chairs inside. Finally, at 12:00, it was my turn and I sat at the counter. I ordered the "Shrimp Set Meal for 1,000 yen, 2 Conger Eel for 300 yen, and Pickles for 100 yen" and waited. The pickles and tea arrived quickly, followed by the main dishes at 12:06. The tempura included 4 shrimp, 2 conger eel, pumpkin, and chrysanthemum greens. Everything was delicious and freshly fried. The conger eel was juicy and the shrimp was great. The miso soup was hot and had tofu and seaweed. After finishing the meal, I was satisfied. I paid and left the restaurant, noticing that there was still a line of about 10 people waiting. It's a really popular spot!

I had been curious about Imoya-san for a while. Encouraged by reviews mentioning generous portions and few female customers, my husband and I decided to visit on a weekday for lunch when we both had the day off. We arrived at the restaurant 36 minutes before the opening time of 11:30. There were already two customers waiting in line ahead of us. With only 7 seats inside, we knew we would definitely be in the first round of customers. The restaurant opened on time and we were seated in order. The staff took our orders promptly, so make sure to order when asked! We ordered the tempura set with less rice, and the tempura set with eel. We were served rice with plenty of toppings, miso soup with tofu and seaweed, and then freshly fried tempura. The tempura included shrimp, squid, sillago fish, pumpkin, and chrysanthemum greens. The tempura was crispy and delicious. The squid was cut into bite-sized pieces, which was much appreciated. The chrysanthemum greens were large and satisfying to eat. I topped my rice with finely chopped pickles and enjoyed a never-ending loop of tempura, miso soup, and rice. Thanks to ordering less rice, I was able to finish the meal on my own without needing backup from my husband! Despite eating a lot of fried food, I didn't feel heavy or bloated afterwards. It made me realize how different good quality oil is compared to fast food. There was a can of Kadoya sesame oil on the table, which was a nice touch. To be able to eat freshly fried tempura right in front of you for only 800 yen is truly amazing. It was really delicious! It seems to be run by elderly individuals, so I hope they take care of themselves and continue running the restaurant at their own pace. Thank you for the wonderful meal! ⭐️

Today's lunch was in Jimbocho again. There are so many restaurants with stories in Jimbocho. Today's "Imoya" is one that I think many people will find nostalgic. I am one of those people. I arrived at the restaurant at 12:50 on a weekday. There were about 12-13 people waiting. This restaurant only has a counter with 7 seats, so be prepared for a wait. It took 40 minutes for the tempura to be served after ordering. But it was worth the wait. The menu consists of only two options: Tempura set for 800 yen and Ebi Tempura set for 1000 yen. There are about 10 additional menu items that you can order when you place your order. I recommend adding pickles (100 yen), but they were sold out today. In the photo, I added mushrooms (100 yen) to the Tempura set (spring chrysanthemum, squid, white fish, shrimp, pumpkin). The tempura was delicious, with large and flavorful ingredients. The shrimp was large and had a nice texture. The spring chrysanthemum was a whole bunch in tempura form, which was a generous portion. The squid was cut into 4-5 pieces for easy eating. Another highlight was the amazingly delicious rice, which was served in a large portion. I ordered a regular size and it was a generous amount. It also came with miso soup, with a mountain of small tofu cubes that might have been more than the soup itself. All of this for 900 yen is truly something to be grateful for. There's so much history and sentiment behind "Imoya" that I could go on and on. Today, I am thankful for being able to visit this legendary spot in Jimbocho after a long time. Thank you for the truly delicious Tempura set. It was a wonderful meal.

Tempura set meal (with less rice) for 800 yen, additional mushrooms for 100 yen, young sweetfish (two pieces) for 300 yen, total 1,200 yen. Arrived about 5 minutes before the 11:30 am opening time. There were about 15 people in line. It took about 40 minutes to be seated on this day. Ordered when tea was served, as usual with less rice. About half of the people around me also ordered with less rice. The tempura was crispy and hot. It was light and didn't feel heavy on the stomach. The set included squid, herring, shrimp, pumpkin, and chrysanthemum greens, as well as additional mushrooms and young sweetfish. The young sweetfish had a nice bitterness to them. The squid was cut into bite-sized pieces for easy eating. The miso soup was also piping hot.

I visited the restaurant right at opening time during lunch. There was already a line of about 15 people waiting. After waiting for about 30 minutes, I was seated and my tempura set meal was served in about 10 minutes. The set meal cost ¥800 and included 2 young sweetfish tempura for an additional ¥300, shiitake mushroom tempura for ¥100, and myoga ginger tempura for ¥100. The food was delicious, good value for money, and the portion was satisfying. Even with the wait, it was worth it to eat there.

Today, I arrived here for an early dinner before my next appointment. It's been a few years since I last visited. I arrived after 5 PM and the place was full, so I had to wait about 15 minutes before being seated. All I could hear was the sound of tempura being fried and the clinking of dishes. The customers were all quiet, not saying a word. I actually really like this moment. Both the staff and the customers are focused on the food, creating a slightly tense atmosphere, almost like a competition. The frying oil has a sesame scent. After a while, they brought out tea, miso soup, rice, and a platter of tempura. I started with a sip of miso soup... Ah, delicious! It's my favorite tofu and seaweed miso soup. I hesitated on which tempura to start with, but I chose the seaweed first. The squid and shiitake mushrooms are cut into easy-to-eat sizes. The vegetable tempura was either chives or spinach? I even ate the tails of the smelt and shrimp. Every tempura was hot and delicious! Since there were no other waiting customers, I was able to enjoy my meal slowly.

It's been a while since I visited Imoya. I missed out on the last two times due to unexpected closures and long lines that made me give up. I arrived at 11:00 and was the 8th in line, missing out on the first round of orders. When did it become like this? (Has it become more popular? Too popular?) I ordered the tempura set meal with young sweetfish (from Lake Biwa) added. The prices seem to have gone up since I last visited. Considering various circumstances, it's understandable. Still, it offers good value for the quality.

◎Shop Name: Imoya ◎Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5 stars) ◎NPS (Net Promoter Score): 9 ◎One Word: Must-try for delicious and cost-effective tempura. ◎Cash Only ◎Ordering: Once a seat is available, even if it's not fully cleaned, sit as instructed by the owner. Be prepared to sit separately even if you're in a group of two. Many solo diners. Order when asked by the owner. ◎Tempura Set Meal: ¥800. Includes miso soup, rice, tempura (squid, shrimp, smelt, pumpkin, chrysanthemum), and pickles. ◎Appearance: Crispy and crunchy batter, ingredients well showcased. Taste: Delicious with crispy batter, flavorful miso soup, and tasty rice. ◎Quality: 88 points, Service: 80 points, Cleanliness: 77 points ◎Overall Rating: 85 points out of 100 ◎Location: About a 5-minute walk from Jimbocho Station. Lined up at 11:15 on a weekday and was 15th in line. Entered the shop around 12:00 after being 5th in line when it opened. Waited for about an hour. ◎Power Outlet: No, Wi-Fi: No ◎Would like to visit again. Thank you for the meal. #TokyoGourmet #Japan

I couldn't come here before because the line was always long, but I finally visited. I waited for almost an hour. I ordered the shrimp set meal (4 shrimp, pumpkin, chrysanthemum greens) with additional eggplant and green beans. With extra pickles, it cost 1300 yen. The value for money here is amazing given the location! The tempura coating is heavy, and the chrysanthemum greens are a bit soggy like tempura. It feels like tempura made by a mother at home, not the taste of a specialty store. It's not suitable for those looking for crispy tempura. The additional eggplant and green beans are a generous portion for only 100 yen. The rice is delicious. The large portion feels like about double. It's generous that there is no additional charge for a large portion. The woman next to me was enjoying a mountain of rice that looked like Mt. Fuji. The miso soup is overflowing with tofu and seaweed. It's delicious. The pickles on the side, which are free at the counter, are unlimited thin-cut pickled vegetables, but the ordered pickles with cabbage and cucumber are only 100 yen, which is cheap. Overall, everything is inexpensive, and the value for money is high. It's great for hungry young people. However, while the quantity is impressive, the quality of the tempura is average for the price, so I don't think I'll come back just to wait in line again. Thank you for the meal.

[Date and Availability] I visited around 12:00 on a Monday before a consecutive holiday. I waited in line and it took 90 minutes to get my food. [Food] Tempura set meal (spring chrysanthemum, squid, shrimp, pumpkin, pike conger) 800 yen, conger eel 300 yen, 3 firefly squid 300 yen. [Impressive Points] Even though I usually get a stomachache at famous tempura restaurants, I didn't this time! [One word] The rice portion is "normal" and the tempura addition made me very full to the point where I couldn't move right after finishing. I think it's good value for money. The firefly squid was big. You can get extra sauce (grated radish and ginger), and extra rice. There are 2 types of pickles on the table, and they are all you can eat. ~Star Rating Criteria~ 4.5 stars: Will make time to visit again. 4 stars: Will revisit if location and time permit. 3.5 stars: Can have a good time. 3 stars: Neither good nor bad. 2.5 stars: Some negatives.

I arrived around 5:20 PM and there were already people waiting in line, who seemed to be regular customers. Since they didn't have my preferred ingredients for the additional menu, I ordered the basic tempura set. The tempura was delicious as always, but the highlight was the miso soup with plenty of ingredients, which was incredibly tasty.