Until I discovered the wonders of sushi, my favorite Japanese dish was tendon: a bowl of rice tooped with tempura. But it's only in Japan that I go to tempura restaurants -- because eating tempura in Japan ruined things for me with regards to eating it elsewhere in the world, even Hong Kong where it's often been said (including by Japanese friends) that you can get sushi and yakitori as good as in Japan, only for about three times the price(!), but not such as tempura.
So when I serendipitously walked by a branch of the verenable Tsunahachi, a specialist tempura chain whose original branch was founded back in 1923 (i.e., a century ago!), after spending the morning of my first full day back in Japan over at Shinjuku Gyoen, I decided to have lunch there.
Disclaimer: I've eaten at a Tsunahachi (over in Takashimaya Times Square) on a previous trip. But that time, I sat at a table where, at this place, I sat at the counter and was served my lunch course by course rather than all at once. Coupled with the chef telling me what to eat with the tempura (with just salt for X, with wasabi powder for Y, with sauce for Z, etc.), this took things up several notches! And while it felt intimidating at first (not least because I couldn't figure out what the appetizer actually consisted of), I ended up enjoying the lunch very much -- and, indeed, would say that this was the best tempura meal I've had in my life, at least to date! :D
something else (honestly, I don't know -- but it was yummy!)
-- and yes, you DO eat the head! :b
ika (squid) tempura on the right (eaten with wasabi powder)
-- lemon optional for both
on the left; maitake mushroom tempura on the right
on the menu! -- Ebihara Farm
the bone's included (see the thing at the top) is a delicacy!
served with rice, pickles and miso soup
flavored warabi mochi, red beans and vanilla ice cream --
was a delight! What a (lunchtime) feast it all was! :)
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