From meats and seafood, to vegetables and even eggs, everything tastes better fried. And good tasting fried food is made clear with the growing trend of Japanese speciality tendon restaurants in Singapore.
Craving for some delightful fried tempura? Here’s my pick of the best tendon restaurants to try.
Tendon Kohaku 天丼琥珀
Enjoy made-to-order Edomae tempura rice bowl at Tendon Kohaku – comes in an option of four choices; the signature Kohaku Tendon ($15.00), Vegetable Tendon ($14.00), Kohaku Tendon Spicy Flavour ($15.00) and Vegetable Tendon Spicy Flavour ($14.00).
The standard bowl comes with voluminous toppings and customers can upsize their rice portion at $1.00 or add on $4.50 for the set meal and get a bowl of udon soup. In addition to the jumbo prawns, the Kohaku tendon also includes ingredients like chicken breast, crab stick, squid, crunchy corn, mushroom, pumpkin and vegetables.
Long queues maybe expected during the weekends, so going early on a weekday is recommended.
Tendon Kohaku 天丼琥珀
Suntec Outlet: Eat At 7, Suntec City Mall, 3 Temasek Boulevard #03-311, Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6333 4386
Opening Hours: 11am to 10.30pm (Last Order 10pm)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kohaku.tempura/
Boat Quay Outlet: 64 Circular Road #01-01 Singapore 049418
Tel: +65 6211 8311
Opening Hours: Mon to Fri 11:30am to 4pm, 5pm to 10pm, Closed on Sat and Sun
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KOHAKU.TENDON/
Kogane Yama
The newest tempura restaurant to hit Singapore’s Japanese dining scene is opened by the same folks behind the Korean F&B brands – Chir Chir and Masizzim.
Kogane Yama gives you the power of choice!
Diners can customise their tendon and fit their tastes by selecting their preferred choice – Mixed Bowl ($15.80), Chicken Bowl ($13.80), Prawn Bowl ($13.80) or Vegetable Bowl ($11.80) to complement with either steamed rice, udon soup (+$1) or soba soup (+$1).
They can choose the spiciness level of sauce (non-spicy, level 1 to 3) and have the option to add chawanmushi ($2.00) or miso soup ($1.50) to their meal.
The mixed bowl is topped with a combination of ingredients such as chicken, prawns, sweet potato and a selection of vegetables. Portions are satisfyingly sized and definitely value for money.
Kogane Yama
Location: 200 Victoria Street #02-50, Bugis Junction, Singapore 188021
Opening Hours: Mon to Sun 11am to 10pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/koganeyamasingapore/
Ebi Zo Ebi Tempura Restaurant
Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant offers a smorgasbord of Japanese cuisine in six different concepts, – ranging from fresh seafood and sashimi, Japanese BBQ, Tori-sho chicken, ramen and tempura.
The Ebi Zo Ebi Tempura Restaurant serves the delectable Ebizo Special Tempura Rice Bowl ($20.80) which contains live prawns, sea eel, crab stick, squid and half boiled egg, as well as seasonal vegetables like broad beans.
A selection of tempura appetisers and tempura rice bowls are also available on the a la carte menu.
Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant Singapore
Location: 181 Orchard Road #12-02 Orchard Central Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6634 2803
Opening Hours: Mon to Sun 12pm to 2:30pm, 6pm to 10pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TsukijiFishMarketRestaurant/
Don Meijin 丼名人
At Don Meijin, make sure to order the local-inspired Spicy Chilli Crab Tendon ($14.80) which is loaded with prawns, kakiage, vegetables and homemade chilli crab sauce. The chilli crab taste isn’t as strong and spicy as it looks, but rather light and easy on the stomach.
Besides traditional Japanese tendons include Prawn tendon ($18.80), Ankan tendon ($14.80) and Kakiage tendon ($18.80), the restaurant also offers a variety of rice bowls such as Pork Shogayki Don ($12.80), Mille Feuille Katsu Don ($12.80) and Unagi & Katsu Don ($17.80).
Ramen Champion / Don Meijin 丼名人
Location: Ramen Champion, Bugis+, 201 Victoria Street #04-10, Singapore 188067
Tel: +65 6238 1011
Opening Hours: Mon to Sun 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5:30pm to 10:30pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donmeijin/
Tempura Tsukiji Tenka
Crafted by graduate chefs from Tokyo Sushi Academy, Tempura Tsukiji Tenka in Japan Food Town at Wisma Atria features a compact menu of four Tendon options – Tenka Special Tendon ($28.80); Tendon ($19.80); Seasonal Vegetable Tendon ($19.80) and Sea Eel Tendon ($26.80).
The secret behind the freshness of ingredients is without a doubt the fresh seafood supplied directly from Tsukiji market, hence the difference in prices here as compared to other Tendon places.
The restaurant also offers other options like Bara Chirashi ($21.80), Kaisendon ($24.80), Uni Ikura Scallop Don ($36.80), and Tenka Special Kaisen Don ($39.80).
Japan Food Town / Tempura Tsukiji Tenka
Location: Japan Food Town, 435 Orchard Road, Wisma Atria Level 4, Singapore 238877
Opening Hours: Mon to Sun 11am to 10pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/japanfoodtown
Ginza Tendon Itsuki
Ginza Tendon Itsuki attracts crowds with its reasonable prices and high-quality fare.
The tendon options is limited to only two – the Special Tendon ($13.90) is topped with two pieces each of prawn and chicken tempura, four pieces of vegetable tempura, and half boiled egg; while the other Vegetable Tendon ($12.90) comes with Pumpkin, Shiitake Mushroom, Lotus Root, Eggplant and 4 pieces of seasonal vegetables.
The restaurant is filled with the whiff of cooking oil – giving you an odorous toll, but the food is good enough for a return visit. Make sure you have one or two hours to spare if you plan to visit this popular Tendon spot, as you are bound to have to wait to get inside.
Ginza Tendon Itsuki
Location: 101 Tanjong Pagar Road Singapore 088522
Tel: +65 6221 6678
Opening Hours: 11:30am to 2.30pm, 5:30pm to 10pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ginza-Tendon-Itsuki/103593619985764
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