How to Enjoy Tendon Tenya: Must-Try Dishes, Seasonings, and Tips for the Perfect Tempura Bowl
About 3 min read
“Tendon,” a rice bowl topped with freshly fried tempura such as shrimp and vegetables, is said to have originated in Edo-period Tokyo and has long been loved as one of Japan’s true soul foods.
This time, we visited the popular restaurant **Tendon Tenya**, known for serving delicious and hearty tendon at reasonable prices, to learn about their recommended ways to enjoy it. With just one extra menu item, you might discover an entirely new world of tendon!
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【Advised by】Tendon Tenya Asakusa
『専門店で聞いた本当においしい食べ方』 Goodie-Foodie編集部 著／彩図社 刊（発売中）
『専門店で聞いた本当においしい食べ方』 Goodie-Foodie編集部 著／彩図社 刊（発売中）
『専門店で聞いた本当においしい食べ方』 Goodie-Foodie編集部 著／彩図社 刊（発売中）
『専門店で聞いた本当においしい食べ方』 Goodie-Foodie編集部 著／彩図社 刊（発売中）
Table of Contents
Tendon Tenya’s Menu
For first-time visitors to Tendon Tenya, the must-try dish is the “All-Star Tendon.” This signature rice bowl features a combination of popular ingredients—shrimp, squid, conger eel (cut fillet), maitake mushroom, lotus root, and green beans. Each ingredient is carefully selected and lightly coated in batter, then deep-fried in vegetable oil for a crisp texture. The sweet and savory tendon sauce, made with eel extract, adds irresistible depth of flavor.
You can choose the rice size from large, extra-large, or small portions, and even adjust the sauce amount to your liking—“extra” or “light.”
Recommended not only for first-time guests but also for regulars is the set menu that pairs tempura with Yabu Soba, one of the “Three Great Edo Soba Houses,” alongside Sarashina and Sunaba. Yabu Soba is another of the restaurant’s specialties, offering authentic soba noodles on par with dedicated soba restaurants.
The “Premium Tempura with Shrimp and Squid and Yabu Soba” set includes two shrimp, squid, lotus root, and green beans. When eating soba, dip the noodles only halfway into the tsuyu sauce for the best flavor. This luxurious combination allows you to enjoy the rich aroma and firm texture of soba together with crisp tempura.
Make the Most of Table Seasonings
At the counter and table seats, you’ll find a set of condiments: seaweed salt (moshio), shichimi chili pepper, and tendon sauce.
Here’s a little insider tip for enjoying them!
If you want to savor the crisp texture of freshly fried tempura, order your tendon “without sauce.” You can first enjoy the tempura as is, then pour the tendon sauce over it whenever you like for a customized flavor experience.
The shichimi chili pepper used here comes from Yagenbori, a long-established brand in Asakusa founded in 1625 (Kanei 2). Its sharp spiciness and fragrant aroma add the perfect accent, making it an easy way to enjoy a quick flavor change.
For the “Tempura and Yabu Soba” menu, tempura can also be enjoyed with seaweed salt, in addition to the standard dipping sauce served with grated daikon radish and ginger.
Enjoy a Refreshing Taste with Grated Daikon
Ordering side dishes to create your own custom tendon is a great way to enjoy your meal like a true regular.
For a refreshing twist, try adding grated daikon radish. Since the tempura is already coated with flavorful sauce, you can simply top it with grated daikon. For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of shichimi chili pepper or a dash of soy sauce to taste.
Add Richness with a Soft-Boiled Egg!
Another highly recommended way to enjoy tendon is by topping it with a soft-boiled egg. When you gently break the egg with your chopsticks, the rich, creamy yolk flows out and coats the tempura and rice. The combination of the luscious yolk and sweet-savory sauce creates a luxurious tendon experience that feels a little indulgent.
In addition to the regular menu, there are also seasonal specialties such as the luxurious “Gochiso Tendon” featuring premium ingredients like natural large prawns and live conger eel. A variety of limited-time dishes are available throughout the year. Alcoholic beverages including sake, draft beer, highballs, and lemon sours are also offered. For those who enjoy a drink, the “light drinking set”—which includes tempura and salted squid—is not to be missed!
*The contents of the Gochiso Tendon vary by season.
A restaurant that serves tendon (tempura rice bowls) and tempura made with carefully selected ingredients, premium oil, and a special house-made sauce. Originally based in the Kanto region, the chain has expanded nationwide and now operates overseas locations in countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, and Singapore. This article was photographed with the cooperation of **Tendon Tenya Asakusa**.
*The information is based on the time of reporting or creation, and may differ from the current situation.
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