Ms Skinnyfat

Missing some Tokyo Tendon? Well Tempura Tendon Tenya, Japan's No. 1 Tendon chain restaurant, has landed on our shores with their Orchard Central outlet, the first of many to come. Established in 1989 in Asakusa in Tokyo, the tempura specialist is known for its value-for-money meals.

Dig into a bowl of glistening Masshigura Aomori rice adorned with perfectly battered and fried pieces of seafood, meat or vegetables tempura, drizzled with an umami tare glazing sauce with the perfect viscosity, priced from $7.90. 

The price is surprising because most of the ingredients are sourced from Japanese producers to ensure the highest quality bite, starting from their special blend of wheat flour for their tempura, to the customized blend of tare sauce with soy, dashi and grilled eel essence (from traditional soy sauce maker Kinoene Shoyu) and down to their togarashi chilli. 

Precision is key to the perfectly fried tempura. With a patented Automatic Fryer, Tenya is able to produce consistent tempura without an experienced chef, at the speed of 1000 pieces of tempura per hour! That's how you can get cooked-to-order tempura at Tenya Singapore. 

Each tendon bowl set is accompanied by miso soup. For only $8.50, the signature Tenya Tendon comes with two Black Tiger prawn, red fish, squid, pumpkin and french beans. If this is not value for money, i don't know what is. Those who prefer a wider variety of seafood can go with the Seafood Tendon ($12.90), which has tempura Black Tiger prawn, anago, scallop, red fish, pumpkin and french beans. I enjoyed the prawns more than the slightly rubbery eel and dryish scallop. The signature sauce doesn't overwhelm the bowl as it is only mildly sweet. 

I would certainly add on the appetizers too. The Tori Karaage ($4.90) is made using chicken thigh meat and was extremely juicy and crisp. Eat your greens too with a side of Japanese spinach salad with sesame sauce or the refreshing chilled Momotaro Tomato Salad ($5.80) that is oh so sweet.

Vegetarians could also enjoy their tendon here and i must say that the Mushroom Vegetables Tendon ($7.90) looks amazing with the variety of shiitake, shimeji and enoki mushrooms. 

If you're a bigger eater, you could add on a side of hot/cold soba or udon noodles to your meal. Both options are great but i lean towards the soba. Go with the udon if you like a chewier bite. 

For dessert, you cannot miss the velvety smooth $2 nett Hokkaido Soft Serve made with 100% dairy products from Tokachi, Hokkaido. Trust me, it's a must have here. 

What i enjoyed about Tenya's tempura is that it isn't too greasy and the price is really affordable. Expect to see more of Tenya as they expand to the heartlands with more store openings coming up. 

181 Orchard Road #B1-01 Orchard Central Singapore 238896 

Daily: 11am - 10pm (last order 9.30pm) 

No reservations