If you haven't been here, you're missing a lot. This is Tenya, a Japanese Tempura brand that comes straight from Tokyo. In Japan, they're more into specialty shops that serves only one type of dish per restaurant and of course, Tenya boasts to be one of the best places to get your Tempura fix that uses real deal Tiger prawns on their menu. They've got hundreds of branches in Tokyo and nobody could beat them there. Their competitor though only has 5 stores so just imagine how the Japanese have adored this brand since ages ago. Now it's our turn to love them with each bowl as they churn out the best food cooked with the best ingredients from Japan.
We were there in the mid afternoon which is probably the best time to head there because there's less people. The place could probably sit around 50-60 and I'd recommend the seating on the right side of the restaurant as I feel it's a little cozy. They're interiors are neo Japanese, still classic, and not over the board type. They mainly use farm raised wood for the place so it looks clean from all sides and I like the layout. This isn't fine dining so acoustics isn't really a priority, understandable. The ambiance was perfect for fast turnout, they cook really good food and operate much like any fast food outlet. Tempura is the star though, not a burger.
For starters, we had the Isobe Cheese. Think of soft cheddar chunks wrapped around with seaweed then dipped in Japanese batter and fried to a crisp. Kids would love this, everyone around me too. I didn't order this but ended up eating a lot of it because it was good. Really good, and I can say very addicting.
This is Tenya's Japanese Style Potato Salad. It's got Kewpie mayo, near mashed potatoes, onions and chopped celery stalks. It's soft and crunchy, creamy too. Not your usual potato salad but it works, and it's very good.
This is their Agedashi Tofu. It's a staple in Japanese meals. This one has got Dashi sauce, shaved radish and ginger. It's not just fried tofu you make at home, theirs is lighter, I think it's the batter, and it matters that it rhymes. Hahaha.
This is one of their signature meals, the Asakusa Special Tendon. Tendon is a term they connote for Tempura Donburi or rice bowl. It's got 3 Black Tiger Prawns and crunchy green beans. They cook this fast once you order and it gets more savory with their Dontare sauce drizzled on top. It's good, I almost had a lot of it despite my allergy with seafood LOL.
This set is called the All Star Tempura Soba. You can order this with Udon (warm) or like cold Soba like me. It's also got Black Tiger Prawns, Squid slices, Salmon, Kani Stick, Small Kaikage (vegetable strips), green beans, and mushrooms cooked tempura style. I am a fan of cold soba and theirs is really good. Though I'd love to have a little crushed ice on my soba before I dip it in the soy based sauce. This was dreamy.
To end the meal, they've got these different flavors of Fruity Juicy Pop. It's like our local ice drop (well we don't really have that anymore right?) but done quite nice with Orange Vanilla, Strawberry, Lite Citrus and Coconut Lychee. I must say, you should try them all and ask your friends to share instead of just having one. It's an experience waiting to happen! It's really refreshing for a dessert piece.
If you love Tempura, you should go and visit Tenya at the 4th level of SM Megamall. It's their first branch and their planning to put up more very soon. Our love for Japanese food just got closer to home and it's worth the visit. Don't just stare at my food shots, try it!
For more information about their restaurants:
Tenya Philippines
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