Cover Tempura Ensei brings a 120-year-old tempura recipe to Orchard Road
Tempura Ensei brings a 120-year-old tempura recipe to Orchard Road
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A 28-year-old Japanese chef presents Edomae-style tempura favoured by Shinjuku locals
In a city teeming with Japanese omakase restaurants, standing out requires more than just fresh fish and a fancy name. Tempura Ensei, the latest Japanese restaurant set to open along Orchard Road on March 22, vows to show gourmands a portal to a culinary legacy spanning over a century. At the helm is executive chef Naruki Takeshima, a 28-year-old chef who spent six years earning his stripes at Tenkane.
For the uninitiated, Tenkane is a 120-year-old tempura institution in Shinjuku, favoured by locals for its Edomae-style tempura, a style passed down through four generations since the Meiji era.
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Above Executive chef Naruki Takeshima (Right) is joined by seasoned executive sous chef Masashi Watanabe (Left)
Executive chef Naruki Takeshima (Right) is joined by seasoned executive sous chef Masashi Watanabe (Left)
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At Tempura Ensei, Takeshima is joined by executive sous chef Masashi Watanabe, a seasoned tempura chef who also assumes the role of sake sommelier and master of the Japanese tea ceremony. Here, tempura is the focal point of every experience; expect a light and crisp batter, expertly fried and never cloying. Ingredients follow the seasons and are flown in four times a week from Japan, specifically Tokyo and Takeshima’s hometown of Fukuoka. For instance, summer promises live presentations of kuruma ebi (tiger prawn) and ayu (Japanese sweet fish) alongside delicate vegetable produce.
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Above Live presentations of kuruma ebi (tiger prawn)
Above Seasonal live abalone tempura
Live presentations of kuruma ebi (tiger prawn)
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As artisans dedicated to preserving the classic culinary art of Edomae-style tempura, Tempura Ensei offers an exclusive private-label sake from the renowned Takano sake brewery to complement each course. The restaurant namesake translates to “building great bonds” in Japanese, encapsulating its philosophy that isn’t all about a satisfying meal but rather a forged connection between chef and diner when sharing appreciation for the artistry of Japanese cuisine. For a taste of history, bookings are now open for both lunch and dinner in omakase formats.
Tempura Ensei
Address: 390 Orchard Road, B1-06/07 Palais Renaissance, S(238871)
Credits
Images: Tempura Ensei
