Mikawa Zezankyo is the place where can you find Tokyo’s finest tempura. The chef, Tetsuya Satome cooks Edomae-style tempura with fresh seafood and vegetables. Edomae takes its name from Edo, the old name of the Tokyo until the 19th century. Edomae uses ingredients available near the Tokyo harbour and is saltier and sweeter than other cuisines in Japan. Satome-san works alone, there are only nine seats at his counter. Getting a reservation is a must and might be a bit difficult if you don’t plan ahead of time.
Tetsuya Saotome setting up the his kitchenRestaurant being as small as it is, makes you still feel very welcomed. Amount of light that gets in and the little secret garden hidden with precious sculptures gives a very nice feeling when you are seated.Nothing is too obvious, yet you get to take in your surroundings with ease.At the beginning, you are served with grated radish, salt, roe and small salad. Tempura is suggested to be eaten either with grated radish or with salt.Roe and the salad are more like amuse-bouche.First round of tempuras consisted of prawns, squid, prawn heads, fish, asparagus, eggplant. Everything was delicious but prawns were absolutely amazing and prawn heads were a very pleasant surprise. They were nicely crunchy and very tasteful.Satome-san preparing the second round.Second round consisted of half a fish and vegetables of our choice.Soup served towards the end of the meal contained some ‘invisible pearls’. Still not sure what that was.Traditionally, you are served with soup, white rice and japanese pickles before the desert.Three ladies sitting next to us were really kind (who in Japan isn’t?) and friendly.Sweet red beans as desert. Wouldn’t mind a fondant au chocolat instead but you can’t have it all, right?End of our meal, Satome-san picking up last plates.Getting ready for the next service.One final glimpse at the entrance. Hard to believe such an exquisite experience is waiting for you at the other side of the door.
Address: 1-3-1 Fukuzumi, Koto-ku, Tokyo (03) 3643-8383
