Eishun — Restaurant in Kyoto

Cozy restaurant that sits not more than 8 guests, our first foray into tempura done omakase could not have gone any better than at Eishun. Despite our language barrier, we were most grateful that the chef could accommodate our booking of 4 people for lunch, as well as on the timing the lunch had to end by (my boyfriend’s parents had to catch the Shinkansen and we needed to end lunch at a certain time).

There is a beautiful artistry in the way the chef prepares his batter, coats the carefully selected ingredients in an almost light, fluffy batter, and even down to the way such ingredients are tossed into the pot of oil. Won’t show how its done because you just have to come in and experience it first hand for yourself. Choice of ingredients to serve tempura style, as well as the best sauce or condiment to accompany it was masterfully executed. The wasabi was fresh and delightful and indeed I was surprised by how well it complimented certain dishes. You do get an insight into how carefully well-thought out the meal was, especially when he explained how he chose a specific fish, Kisu (鱚) for the tempura course and its significance in this area of Japanese cuisine. It would not be fair to pin point what were my favourite dishes because everything was good and interesting in its own ways.

Sake choices were also excellent, and I hope to be able to visit you for dinner some time in the...

In Kyoto, trying tempura is a must, and we stumbled upon this gem through a casual Google search. Fortunately, we managed to secure a seat around 8:30 pm. Surprisingly, we were the sole foreigners amidst mostly local Japanese patrons in this small restaurant, accommodating only 10 people at the counter table. Discovered that the chef, Masaki Nagai 永井雅基, honed his skills at the renowned Tempura Kondo restaurant in Tokyo, where the chef there mastered a unique frying method. I jotted down some recipes to try at home! The food kept coming until we requested them to stop. From seasonal seafood to meticulously prepared vegetables, the dishes were diverse. Sake was served akin to a wine tasting experience, allowing us to savor different flavors glass by glass. It was a great value, and surprisingly, the meal didn’t feel oily at all. After indulging, we decided to stroll back to the hotel. Definitely worth a visit; look up this place:...

Went here during Fall 2023 for one of the best meals of my life with an extrenely reasonable price. Small restaurant of 8-10 bar seats facing the owner. 10-15k yen per person: a far better deal than some of the more touristy and food review-crazed tempura restaurants in kyoto.

Omakase style.The owner's care in his food was obvious. Batter was made in small batches throughout the courses. All the seafood and vegetables were fresh. Sake and beer pairings were complementary. Add-on courses such as repeating a prior course would be a bit extra.

While not fluent in English, the owner went out of his way to explain each course such as the various types of fish and their unique flavors.

I will definitely return here when I come...