As I announced in my previous post, I am leaving Tokyo for Vancouver soon. There is a billion places I wanted to try before my departure, but time got the better of me.
Realistically, a lifetime would not be enough to explore Tokyo’s thriving dining scene. But now that my days are counted, I want to make sure that I tick off some places from my to-eat list before my departure.
I wrongfully thought for years that tempura were not for me. Until I had one of the best meals of my life while on a business trip in Kyoto at Tempura Endo. I wish I had known sooner how savory and delicate tempura could be…
I decided that before I leave, I MUST have one last tempura meal. After doing some research, I opted for Tempura Abe Ginza Honten. This unpretentious restaurant listed in the Michelin guide is hidden in a small alley, a few meters away from Ginza’s main shopping street.
The Food
Tempura Abe Ginza Honten opens at 11:30 for lunch. I went on a weekday and, even though I arrived 10 minutes before their opening time, I snatched the last empty counter seat. I ordered the Tempura Lunch Set (1,500 yen) at 11:24 and the staff waited ceremoniously until 11:30 to kick off.
First, I was served some shrimp tempura and a miso soup. The outer layer was thin and crispy, and the shrimps were big and juicy.
Sweet potato, corn and broccoli tempura
Next, I was served a trio of sweet potato, corn and broccoli. Each vegetable was well-prepared and I could taste how fresh they were despite the deep-fried layer.
Eggplant tempura
The eggplant tempura was visually interesting with its striped skin. The inner spongy texture and the outer crispy layer was an enjoyable contrast.
The set came with rice, pickles and Japanese radish. I was also given some plum and French salt as well as a dip sauce to flavor the tempura. I personally enjoy my tempura with minimal flavoring so I stuck with the salt.
Overall
Tempura Abe Ginza Honten was nice and the lunch sets were affordable. I enjoyed the tempura, but they did not have the little spark I hoped for. The restaurant was also small, which had its charm, but I was at the far end of the counter and it was so narrow that the waitress could not help but bump into my seat every time she walked by. If you want good tempura, this is a solid option, but you pay for what you get, so don’t expect a stunning meal.
Tempura Abe Ginza Honten
Opening hours: open everyday for lunch from 11:30 to 14:00 (15:00 on weekends) and for dinner from 17:00 to 21:00
Website: click here
Address: 4-3-7, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
Telephone: 03-6228-6077
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