Tendon Tenya — Restaurant in Tokyo

PROS ➕ Staple healthy dishes, easy to digest ➕ Set combo for cheaper price ➕ Cozy vibe

CONS ➖ Ancient restroom ➖ Strong cooking oil odor

Date visited: 04/28/2024

This restaurant is located near Nippori station, and I happened to visit it following an invitation from a friend. The place is quite common among Japanese residents, but for a tourist who has just gotten off a long flight and is on the verge of starving, it’s an oasis in the desert.

The interior is typical for this type of restaurant, with tables and chairs on one side and a kitchen counter on the other. The check-out desk is conveniently placed near the entrance. At one end of the restaurant lies an aged but functional tiny restroom.

We were seated at a table in the middle fashioned with all sorts of condiments. Orders could be placed using a tablet while a physical menu was also available for more traditional patrons. The menu selection is decent; I’d like to try more dishes given the chance. After confirming our orders, we sat back and enjoyed the vibe of the restaurant, which was now filled with late-night diners and the strong odor of cooking oil.

Our food arrived fast and was neatly placed in front of us by a young waitress; a tired look vanished in her gaze. I ordered extra-large bowls of Tendon and hot Soba, along with Miso and pickled vegetables on the side. Despite the size claimed in the menu, the bowl could fit in my hand, and the portion was humble.

The Tendon bowl included two pieces of Tempura and a piece of fried vegetable on a rice bed drizzled with soy sauce. The crunchiness and freshness of the Tempura paired well with the warm, firm, chewy, and slightly sweet gelatinous rice. The few drops of soy sauce added a welcoming savory. I took a sip of Miso every other bites to aid with digestion and flavor. It was salty, but there was a hint of satisfaction with every swallow.

The Soba was typical, with Soba noodles, soy broth, a fish cake, and a garnish of spring onion. It leaned toward the salty side but was overall enjoyable, especially the elastic Soba noodle strings, which were pleasant to bite and chew. The fish cake was fully saturated with broth yet retained its original flavor. The pickled vegetables were surprisingly good on their own, it was slightly sweet with hints of sourness and saltiness. Months of submersion in brine had altered its texture but enhanced its flavor.

This restaurant provides a healthy alternative to fast food that I never knew I needed, one where the dollars...

This restaurant was just a few minutes’ walk from our accommodation in Nippori, making it a convenient spot for a meal. The staff were friendly and could speak basic English, and there was an English menu available, which made ordering easy. Each table was equipped with an iPad for placing orders, adding a smooth and efficient touch to the experience.

We each ordered a soba tempura set—one hot and one cold. The flavours were satisfactory, and I was pleasantly surprised by the hint of yuzu in the soup (see that in my photo below) which added a refreshing twist. The tempura was exactly as it should be: light, crispy, and not greasy.

Overall, it was a quick and satisfying meal. Most of the other diners appeared to be locals, giving the place a cozy,...

Amazing service and very good dishs selection, just make sure that you get the English menu so you would know what are you ordering. This please is very affordable prices and food taste great. I love the shrimp tempura , and the Soba (Buckwheat Noodle). This please get crowed at the end of the day and I'm not sure but I believe the last order at this restaurant is 10:30 PM so make sure to make your order...