Kaneko Hannosuke Nihonbashi Ningyocho Branch — Restaurant in Tokyo

Like many restaurants in Japan who specialize or serve only one type of dish, Kaneko Hannosuke only serve tempura! But what makes this place even more unique is the restaurant’s secret sauce. This is another one of my favorites during my trip and it definitely set the bar high for tempura!

Wait & layout: We came on a weeknight around 7 and the line was already wrapped around the corner. We thought the wait would’ve easily been 1.5 hrs but the line moved pretty swiftly. You’ll be asked to place your order before you get seated inside. The restaurant has 2 levels with bar seating. All orders are prepared downstairs then sent through a food lift if you’re seated upstairs. There’s coat hangers and hooks under the table since there’s not much room in between.

Food: Edomae (secret sauce for rice) + tendon (tempura over rice) Each bowl consist of 2x shrimp, eel, chopped squid, soft boiled egg, shishito pepper & seaweed over rice with their secret tempura sauce.

Let me start by saying how on first impression, I would’ve complained and wanted my tempura and sauce separated. And I know that’s rude in Japan, so I didn’t. However, after trying the first bite, I’m not even mad. The sauce is literally everything! It’s light and naturally sweet without being sticky. It complimented the batter really well and doesn’t overpower the individual items. The tempura itself was delicately coated. My favorite was the soft boiled egg. They managed to perfect the boil and deep fry! The yolk was still oozing out! A few parts obviously do get soggy but the sauce keeps you busy! In fact, even the rice is thoroughly covered with sauce. And did I mention the portion size ? This one bowl contains about 2 bowls of rice. I watched as the lady on my right wolfs down everything in 10 minutes! Now that’s a true local! No wonder there’s a fast turn over rate. This place is just...

Firstly note that this place only sells tempura rice bowls. Only. Do not come here looking for any other type of Japanese cuisine. And do not come here if you do not like fried food, oily food, sesame oil, or seafood. Please don't waste everyone's time.

You only get a choice of size of the rice bowls, and can choose to add a soup to it if you want. Don't choose the large one unless you are truly a voracious eater because...

It's incredibly value for money in terms of portion and quality. For I think 900-1,000 yen you get a huge bowl of rice with prawns, egg, squid, and eel. I believe it was anago rather than unagi. Fried, savoury and absolutely delicious. I almost could not finish, the bowl was that large, and this was despite standing in the queue for about 50 minutes.

Speaking of queues this is a famous joint in Japan (all my airbnb hosts knew about it) and outside (it's on so many blogs, and Lonely Planet too) so be aware what you are getting into. I say it's worth the wait, but some people might disagree. You can wait with free green tea that they provide for customers. Up to you. When I was there, many people quit...their loss. It was a bit sad to see some old folks trudge off though.

Depending on your luck you might sit on the first floor or second floor. First floor is cooler, you get a counter seat and can watch the chefs in action - the feeling is more bar-like which suits the simple food. On the second floor is a cramped room with 4x four-seater tables. Because of the lack of space in the whole shop and the endless queue outside, you will have to sit with other people if your party isn't a group of 4.

Use google maps or a GPS equivalent to get here, it's not far from Mitsukashi-mae station but I wouldn't have made it without saving the...

The best tendon. This is the place where we would eat several times even though we had short Tokyo visits. It's just super delicious.

There is always a line no matter what time you go. From my own experience, they have a much shorter line after 7 pm. Whenever I go around lunchtime, I have to wait for around 2 hours. But whenever I go after 7 pm, I only have to wait for around 30 minutes. Their tendon worth the long wait.

Before it is your turn, they will take your order. They have a fixed set menu, so the only option you make is to have full rice or half rice, to add additional items, or to eliminate an item from the set menu, The set menu is more than enough for one person, so I never order additional items. The order will come with a clear soup. And there are gingers and extra tendon sauce bottles available on the table.

There are a few bar chairs on the ground floor, and there are several tables on the second floor. Once you get to your table, your order usually comes within five minutes. You can order some drink choices as well once you get your table. And you pay on your way out. Don't be surprise: you may be sitted across different patrons on the same table.

Staff are friendly. I prefer this Main shop spot to their Odaiba branch. The one in Odaiba is in a food court. My order there didn't come with gingers and extra tendon sauce. When I asked for extra sauce, the staff seemed unhappy. Will stick to the Main...