01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Listening to the gentle sizzle of frying oil while receiving each piece of tempura straight from the fryer is one of the distinct pleasures of dining at a dedicated tempura shop. At Ten Fuji, situated along a neighborhood shopping street in Kita Ward's Shimo area, each item is fried in plain view across the counter and served hot to your tray in steady sequence. Staple bites like prawn and kisu (Japanese whiting) appear alongside specialties such as scallop wrapped in fragrant nori seaweed, delivering the appeal of counter-style frying in an unpretentious set-meal format. For the meal's conclusion, guests frequently look forward to the kakiage fritter. On request, the kitchen will place the mixed fritter over a small bowl of rice and dress it with sweet-savory tare sauce, finishing the meal as a satisfying mini tendon.
The menu offers a broad range of sets tailored to different appetites, spanning an accessible prawn tempura set and the Tenkyu set to the richer Yuki set, which incorporates conger eel (anago). On days calling for a more concentrated bowl, a richly topped tendon is another reliable choice. Come evening, diners often settle in with a draft beer or regional sake such as Urakasumi or Hakkaisan, snacking on side dishes like hamaguri clam tempura or ika nuta (squid in vinegared miso) while awaiting the next hot batch from the oil.
Inside, the layout is compact, arranged with counter seating alongside a few tables under a quiet, welcoming neighborhood ambiance. Because space is limited, securing a reservation or arriving right around opening time is advisable for an unhurried meal. Payment is strictly cash only, so it helps to carry paper currency when planning a visit.
