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Kyoto Tempura Guide: 10 Best Tempura in Kyoto
- May 31
- 4 min read
Unlike Hiroshima, Kyoto is not a seafood city in Japan. However, its strategic location inland allows this magnificent Japanese destination to access seafood fresh from the surrounding coastal regions and a huge freshwater lake near the city, Lake Biwa.
Don’t overthink and scroll down endlessly on Google or Uber Eats Japan when searching for where to eat your breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Nothing is as spectacular to your palate as the taste of authentic tempura. Where is it best to eat this hearty delight in beautiful Kyoto? Here are the top picks!
1. Kyo Tominokoji Tempura Yoshikawa
Though a small restaurant hidden in the backstreet of Kyoto, Kyo Tominokoji Tempura Yoshikawa, a restaurant that opened as early as World War II, serves tempura for the massive appetite. Plus, you get to eat amid a relaxing garden space. How about that?
Price: Starts at 15,000 yen
Hours: Depends on the dining room you prefer
Contact: +81 75-221-5544
Address: Tominokoji Oike-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8093, Japan
2. Tempura Mizuki
This tempura restaurant is something you don’t want to miss while you’re in Kyoto. Meaning, forget the other restaurants on this list, but not Tempura Mizuki, since it is located at the luxurious The Ritz-Carlton in Kyoto! Yes, the hotel featured in the “Crazy Rich Asians” trilogy novel. Visit to see for yourself.
Price: Starts at 10,000 yen
Hours: 11:30 AM-3 PM, 5:30-9 PM (closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
Contact: +81 75-746-5522
Address: 543 Hokodencho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0902, Japan
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3. Tempura Matsu
This may not be a restaurant at a posh hotel, but you’ll be surprised that the prices here are almost the same as the restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton. Tempura Matsu is a Michelin-star restaurant known for its multi-course gourmet meals.
Price: Starts at 10,000 yen
Hours: 12-1:30 PM, 6-7:30 PM (closed on Wednesdays)
Contact: +81 75-881-9190
Address: 21-26 Umezu Onawabacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 615-0925, Japan
4. Tempura Endo Yasaka
Now, if you don’t mind spending more for your authentic tempura cravings as you dip them in delicious sauce, then head over to Tempura Endo Yasaka. This place has been deep-frying their dishes for more than a century now. Their tempura is this good, people are coming back for more.
Price: Starts at 8,000 yen
Hours: 11 AM-3:30 PM, 5-9:30 PM
Contact: +81 75-551-1488
Address: 566 Komatsu-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0811, Japan
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5. enyuan kobayashi
You’d never guess it, but this tempura restaurant in Kyoto also holds a Michelin star. They offer a sumptuous omakase course that combines tempura with traditional Kyoto-style dishes. Meanwhile, there’s also the tempura kaiseki course, focusing on premium ingredients and refined cooking techniques for guests who want to try Kyoto’s seasonal flavors. Though the prices are staggering, according to previous diners.
Price: Starts at 33,000 yen
Hours: 5:30-10 PM
Contact: +81 75-746-7602
Address: 125-2 Gion Tominagacho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0078, Japan
6. Ten You
Ten You or Ten Yu, this tempura restaurant uses the freshest ingredients intricately deep-fried in crisp batter, enabling it to serve some of the best in Kyoto. Here, you redefine what tempura is about.
Price: Starts at 10,000 yen
Hours: 11:30 AM-1 PM, 5:30-7 PM Saturday to Monday, Wednesday to Thursday; 5:30-7 PM Fridays (closed Tuesdays)
Contact: +81 75-212-7778
Address: 299 Shimohakusancho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8085, Japan
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7. Tempura Kawatatsu
Meanwhile, this tempura restaurant was awarded the Bib Gourmand in the area’s Michelin Guide. Big Gourmand is the official mascot of the group, and this award is given to restaurants that serve high-quality dishes at moderate prices. Their tempura is unforgettable.
Price: Starts at 8,000 yen
Hours: 11:30 AM-2 PM, 5:30-10 PM Friday to Sunday, 5:30-10 PM Monday, Wednesday to Thursday, closed Tuesdays
Contact: +81 75-921-0865
Address: 65 Kuzekawaharacho, Minami-ku, Kyoto 601-8201, Japan
8. Kyorinsen
If you wish for a tempura restaurant that also offers luxurious hotel vibes, but isn’t as expensive as those in the Ritz-Carlton, then go to Kyorinsen. This award-winning restaurant serves tempura made from carefully selected ingredients.
Price: Starts at 5,000 yen
Hours: 11:30 AM-3 PM, 5-10 PM (closed on Mondays)
Contact: +81 75-343-3535
Address: Hotel Granvia Kyoto 3F, JR Kyoto Station Central Exit, Shiokoji-sagaru, Karasuma-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
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9. Gion Fuji
Make your reservation today at Gion Fuji, whose tempura dishes are unique since they are made with safflower oil, providing a light and refreshing flavor without the weight of traditional oils. Delicioso. They’re quite odd, though, since they are closed on the peak business day for restaurants, that is, Sunday.
Price: Starts at 10,000 yen
Hours: 5-10 PM (closed on Sundays)
Contact: +81 75-533-9577
Address: 570-121 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0074, Japan
10. Tenjaku
Last, but certainly not the least, is Tenjaku, a tempura restaurant in Kyoto that blends traditional cuisine from the city. Don’t miss their presentation of various small dishes arranged on a single plate. Ingredients of its tempura are sourced from across Japan.
Price: Starts at 10,000 yen
Hours: 6-10 PM (closed on Wednesdays)
Contact: No available information online
Address: 570-121 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0074, Japan
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Tempura is a flavorful Japanese shrimp dish that’s oh-so-flavorful; you will be willing to indulge in them even without rice. In Kyoto, the tempura experience is limitless. Find tempura served along streets, part of multi-course dinners, and everything in between. Let’s visit Kyoto!
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