How many tempura places can you name that have been in business for more than 100 years? Tempura Endo Yasaka has been deep-frying food with flair for the last century – with tempura this good, it’s no wonder they’re still around.
Tempura Endo Yasaka – image © Chris Rowthorn
Tempura is battered and deep-fried food, but it can be elevated to great heights in the hands of the right chef. Done well, the batter is incredibly delicate, light and crispy, rather than being stodgy. Located in a wooden teahouse just south of Gion, Tempura Endo Yasaka is a popular choice for both locals and visitors to Kyoto when nothing but a parade of exquisitely cooked pieces of tempura will do.
A real standout here is their sweetcorn tempura, served at the opening of each multi-course tempura meal. It’s best enjoyed at the height of summer, when the hot oil makes each kernel taste like sweetness and sunshine magnified. Other items vary with the season. You can expect ingredients like fish from Lake Biwa, prawns, Kyoto heirloom aubergine (kamonasu), or a shiitake mushroom encased in minced prawn.
One factor separating higher-end tempura restaurants from more casual places is the variety of condiments used. At Tempura Endo Yasaka, you’ll have a small bowl of tentsuyu (tempura dipping sauce), green tea salt, and salt with ground rice tableside. Some pieces only need a touch of salt to bring out the flavours of the ingredient, while others will work particularly well with the fish and soy-based tentsuyu. The chef will specify the condiment that works best for the item currently being served.
Reservations are essential at Tempura Endo Yasaka. Have your concierge make one for you – it’ll be one of the highlights of your time in Kyoto. You’ll also want to budget about 2 hours for lunch or dinner, as each course will be served separately in the order they’re cooked in.
For more Kyoto tempura choices, see our Best Tempura in Kyoto page.
Name in English:
Tempura Endo Yasaka
Name in Japanese:
天ぷら八坂圓堂
English address:
566 Komatsu-cho, Higashiyama-ku
Japanese address:
東山区八坂通東大路西入ル小松町566
Opening hours:
11:30am-14:45pm, 5pm-9:15pm
Price:
Non-smoking area: Yes
Nearest Transport:
4min walk from Kiyomizu-michi Bus Stop, Kyoto City Bus 100 or 206 from Kyoto Station
Reservations:
Possible
Telephone: 551-1488
Website:
Official site (English)
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Kyoto easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
