Tsukitokage

At Tsukitokage, tempura need not come as a set assortment: diners can choose each piece individually. Visitors say the counter seats offer a view of the frying, with freshly cooked pieces brought straight to the plate. Familiar choices include prawn, lotus root, shishito pepper and pumpkin, alongside more distinctive options such as white fish wrapped in shiso and lotus root stuffed with meat. Build a lighter meal around vegetables, or add fish and meat for something more substantial. Ordering a few pieces at a time, rather than committing to a large assortment, is part of the appeal.

For something less usual, try tempura avocado or cream cheese. One diner said they were surprised by how tender the pork tempura was, making it an option to consider when you want something different from vegetables or fish. Between pieces of tempura, the menu offers an oden assortment, Japanese rolled omelette and an assortment of well-pickled vegetables. Visitors have also enjoyed the oden, and these dishes make it possible to build a meal that mixes tempura with snacks to accompany a drink. To finish, there is udon in oden broth, dashi curry served with a grilled-rice-ball-style dish, or homemade hojicha yokan. Drinks include draft beer, sake and wine, so tempura can also be part of a relaxed evening meal with a drink.

The interior is a renovated machiya, or traditional townhouse, with counter seats and private tatami rooms. It offers a choice of settings, whether you are dining solo at the counter or sharing an evening meal with a group.