Recent Reviews
I visited around 3 pm on a weekday. The restaurant had a classic, old-fashioned feel, both in its exterior and interior. Since it wasn't lunchtime, I was seated at the counter without waiting. I ordered the "Sazanami" set with tempura (¥4,510 including tax) and a plum wine soda (¥660). They asked about allergies before taking my order, so I asked if they could substitute the eel with vegetables since I'm allergic. They kindly agreed. The chefs behind the counter served the freshly fried tempura while watching me, so it was always piping hot. The batter was thin and not greasy at all. Personally, I loved the kuruma ebi (I ate the head before taking a picture, but it was incredibly crispy and delicious), tai (sea bream), anago (conger eel), and the kakiage (mixed tempura). The kakiage was full of plump, small shrimp, so it was definitely worth ordering. Besides the tempura sauce, there were grated radish and a pink grated topping. I thought it was grated momiji (maple leaf) radish, but it turned out to be tomato. It had a strong tomato flavor and was delicious, but I wasn't sure what to use it with. I should have just asked the staff. They also brought out a cold corn soup as a palate cleanser. It was different from what I expected, with a strong sweetness from the corn, and it was very tasty. I was torn between ordering tempura ice cream or the dorayaki (sweet bean paste bun) tempura, which is only available at the main branch. I went with the dorayaki tempura. The crispy skin was a unique and enjoyable experience. I'll definitely visit again. Thank you for the delicious meal.
This is a long-established tempura restaurant founded in 1924 (Taisho 13). The first store is in the same location as the current head office, and this year marks its 100th anniversary. It seems that the original name of the store was "Amihachi", but it was so often called "Tsunahichi" that they changed the name to "Tsunahichi". I visited around 12:00 pm for lunch, and there were seats available so I was able to sit down right away. They accept credit cards and PayPay for payment. I heard that they have a deep-fried dorayaki using dorayaki from Tokiya, a long-established sweet shop in Shinjuku West Exit, so I wanted to order that.
This restaurant offers a casual yet luxurious experience, allowing you to enjoy delicious tempura for around 5,000 yen. It's a place where you can savor the non-everyday experience of having your food freshly fried in front of you, all within the ambiance of a long-established establishment, making it a perfect way to end a good day. I visited on a weekend evening and sat at the counter. It was early, before 7 pm, so I was able to get a seat without a reservation. The restaurant attracts a diverse clientele, and everyone is welcomed warmly. **Order:** I ordered the "Kona" set for 4,510 yen, plus drinks, totaling around 5,500 yen. Initially, I considered the "Nagisa" set, which has fewer items, but I changed my mind when I learned that the Kona set includes a kakiage (tempura mix) that can be used for a tempura donburi (rice bowl). I wasn't very hungry, so I wondered if I could finish it all, but I managed to eat everything. If you have a small appetite, you might want to ask for less rice at the end. The chef skillfully fries each item one by one at a pace that matches the customers' eating speed. I love shrimp tempura, but I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious the anago (conger eel) and kakiage were. The shrimp heads were especially tasty. Even for a counter newbie like me, the chef kindly guided me, saying things like, "This is best enjoyed with this salt," or "This one is best with tempura sauce." It made the whole experience enjoyable. The chilled soup in the middle was incredibly refreshing. Also, as I was getting full, I realized I should have ordered the seasonal corn as a separate item. I'll definitely try that next time. **Ambiance:** When you enter the restaurant, you're first directed to the waiting area on the right (even if there are empty seats). You'll be asked if you prefer the counter or a table, and if you're alone, you'll be seated at the counter. I saw a group of three at the counter, but it seems like it might be difficult to get a counter seat unless it's a less busy time. The interior is surprisingly spacious and has a complex layout, typical of a long-established restaurant. There are many inbound tourists. According to the staff, foreign visitors come in regardless of weekdays or weekends, but they tend to arrive after 8 pm, close to last order. Indeed, the earlier hours were filled with regulars.
Tsunaya, a tempura restaurant, has a history dating back to the Meiji era. Apparently, it was originally called "Amiya" but was mistakenly read as "Tsunaya" and the name stuck. The restaurant's explanation mentioned this. Personally, I frequent this place because I like the oil they use, both in terms of taste and quality. It has a subtle sesame oil flavor. The taste is consistently good. There are many foreign tourists in the restaurant, but it doesn't bother me. Even the cheapest lunch menu is a decent size, so I always order that.
I've been wanting to try a tempura specialty shop, so I visited for lunch on my day off. I went right when they opened, so I didn't have to wait too long to get in. The tempura was all crispy and delicious! It really made me realize that it's a whole different level from the tempura you find at regular places. The individual menu items didn't have prices listed, so I was a little nervous when it came time to pay, haha.