あげ屋 一代 — Restaurant in Kagoshima

Came across this place on a rainy night in Kagoshima when most places were either full or closed. Little did I know, I was about to eat the tastiest tempura I’ve had in Japan. I opted for the veggie one and each piece was a celebration of Kagoshima’s delicious produce. But the food was just one part of it. Omotenashi, by the couple who ran the restaurant, truly moved me. It was so special to see the chef prepare each piece with precision and expertise, whereas his partner assembled the items on my tray one by one, refilling my cup of hojicha, and filling the silence of the restaurant with warmth and care. I had this meal in May and it’s now September - and I still think about it from time to time because it makes me feel so nice. Please visit and share your love with the...

Small restaurant close to the port and adjacent to the tenmonkan shopping district. The food is very good, the portion generous and the price quite low. There is no English menu but there are a few photos and the menu is very small so you should not have any bad surprises by ordering anything (it's mostly tempura and they ask you if you can eat natto). The old couple owning the restaurant is very sweet and very nice and you can see the chef cook in front of you if you are seated on the counter. Overall...

HIGHLY recommended place! This sweet little tempura restaurant seemed to be run by a very sweet couple. Service was the best we've ever had; food was served quickly, and we were treated with a lot of warmth. The food was great and cheap: worth more than its price. Atmosphere is simple but cosy. Cannot recommend a place more than this one if you want to eat a nice Japanese set meal (or just a single dish) that was clearly made with a...