Written on: 1/26/2025
Name: Asakusa Tencha – 浅草天ちゃ
Ratings and Comments
Exterior – 4/5
I don’t think the words “cute” and “quaint” do this place justice. The tiny entryway with noren curtains and the bright wood accents really caught my eye. I loved the way everything looked.
Interior – 3.5/5
The proximity between you and the cooks/kitchen makes the whole experience feel very intimate. You really feel like you’re part of the restaurant and its atmosphere. The only issue here is that there are only about 5 seats, so you may have to wait if the restaurant is full when you arrive.
Menu/Price – 4/5
I didn’t see the full menu because I went in the morning, and I believe the “morning menu” is slightly different from the lunch menu. That said, I really liked the variety of what was available, along with the ability to add a lot of different sides to your meal. Pricing is very reasonable compared to other tempura places I’ve visited in Japan.
Drinks – 3.5/5
They had a few drink options like beer and sake, but I didn’t opt for those. With your meal, you’re served complimentary cold tea, which was a nice touch. I love free stuff, so that was a definite plus for me!
Food – 4/5
I tried the tendon mabushi, which consisted of a rice bowl topped with a unique tempura cluster of small shrimp and vegetables. Alongside it, there was a side dish with a single tempura shrimp and more vegetables. You’re also given tempura dipping sauce combined with grated radish, wasabi, and shredded nori (seaweed). The tempura was excellent, and I really enjoyed the ichiban-dashi (broth). It’s recommended that once you’ve eaten about half your bowl, you add the broth and turn it into a type of rice soup. It was all really enjoyable.
The real star here, though, was a complete surprise: their flavored salt. I loved the flavored salt at a tempura restaurant more than anything else! I tried their full assortment of flavors, which included regular salt, curry, plum, matcha, and shrimp. I’ve never tasted anything, salt or not, that so closely imitates the flavor it’s supposed to. Just a few grains of any variety packed an incredible punch of flavor and aroma. I can’t even begin to express how astounding these salts are, and they are made in-house. I would buy them by the pound if they sold them. Everyone needs to try this stuff—it may not have changed my life, but it definitely has me rethinking reality.
Staff – 5/5
When I was here, I met the lovely lady who runs the restaurant, Yuka. She informed me that she isn’t the owner but manages the daily operations. She was so kind and welcoming when I arrived. I was happy to learn that she speaks English and was able to walk me through ordering, the intended way to enjoy the meal, and other bits of conversation. The two staff members assisting her were also very nice. In Japan, entering a small establishment like this can sometimes feel intimidating, especially if no one speaks English. But receiving such a genuine welcome from someone like Yuka really makes you feel comfortable.
Restroom – N/A
Conclusion – 4.5/5
Cozy atmosphere, welcoming staff, good prices, and a tempura meal that’s more of a journey than just a meal. You have your base food, but then you can experiment with wasabi, dipping sauce, dashi broth, and, of course, the flavored salts. It’s really a fun and enjoyable experience from start to finish. Is it the best tempura I’ve ever had? No, but the overall experience and the supporting elements of the meal elevate it significantly. I’ll definitely be back very soon.
