Tsunahachi
つな八
The tempura institution since 1923
Introduction
Tsunahachi (つな八) is Japan's century-old tempura institution, founded in 1923 in Ginza. This prestigious chain of over 30 restaurants has maintained the traditional art of tempura for a century, passed down from master to apprentice. Tsunahachi represents absolute excellence in Japanese frying, with ancient techniques and exceptional ingredients.
👑 Century-old mastery
- • Founded in 1923 - A century of tempura expertise
- • Traditional techniques - Master-apprentice transmission
- • Premium ingredients - Rigorous daily selection
- • Art of frying - Absolute technical perfection
🏮 Prestigious history
Tsunahachi was founded in 1923 by Tsunaji Hirata in the Ginza district, during its reconstruction after the Great Kantō earthquake. The original restaurant, a simple tempura counter, revolutionized the art of frying by standardizing techniques that had been kept secret by master cooks since the Edo period.
🎓 Tempura school
More than a chain, Tsunahachi is a true training school for tempura arts. Each cook undergoes a minimum 5-year apprenticeship before mastering all techniques. The company has trained thousands of chefs who have then opened their own restaurants, spreading Tsunahachi standards throughout Japan.
🌊 Art of tempura batter
Tsunahachi's tempura batter follows a century-old recipe: ice water, special flour and minimal mixing technique to avoid gluten formation. This batter, prepared in small quantities throughout service, guarantees an ultra-light and crispy texture that never masks the flavor of the ingredients.
🔥 Temperature mastery
Each ingredient at Tsunahachi is fried at a specific temperature: 160°C for delicate vegetables, 170°C for shrimp, 180°C for white fish. This thermal precision, controlled to degree, allows achieving perfect texture for each tempura, with a tender heart and ideal golden crust.
🦐 Exceptional selection
Tsunahachi sources exclusively from the best suppliers: live shrimp from Kumamoto, mountain vegetables from selected producers, line-caught fish from Tokyo Bay. This premium quality, visible in every bite, justifies the legendary reputation of the brand among Japanese food connoisseurs.
Exceptional Tempura Menu
🦐 Premium Seafood Tempura
🌊 Exceptional freshness
All seafood is selected live in the morning and prepared according to traditional Japanese rules to preserve their natural texture and flavor.
English Name | 日本語 | Description | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Giant Shrimp | 大海老天ぷら | Tiger shrimp from Kumamoto, 20cm+ | ¥800 |
Anago (Conger Eel) | 穴子天ぷら | Tokyo conger eel, melting texture | ¥650 |
Kohada (Gizzard Shad) | 小肌天ぷら | Small silver fish, delicate | ¥580 |
Kisu (Japanese Whiting) | 鱚天ぷら | Fine white fish, pearly flesh | ¥520 |
Fresh Squid | 烏賊天ぷら | Crispy tentacles | ¥480 |
Seafood Kakiage | 海鮮かき揚げ | Mixed shrimp and shellfish | ¥750 |
🥬 Seasonal Vegetable Tempura
English Name | 日本語 | Description | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Japanese Eggplant | 茄子天ぷら | Purple nasu, melting inside | ¥380 |
Shishito Pepper | ししとう天ぷら | Green sweet pepper, slightly spicy | ¥320 |
Lotus Root Renkon | 蓮根天ぷら | Crispy perforated root | ¥350 |
Shiitake Mushroom | 椎茸天ぷら | Premium meaty mushroom | ¥420 |
Chrysanthemum | 菊花天ぷら | Edible flower, delicate bitterness | ¥450 |
Vegetable Kakiage | 野菜かき揚げ | Julienned seasonal vegetables | ¥480 |
🍱 Traditional Tendon Sets
English Name | 日本語 | Description | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Classic Tendon | 天丼 | Shrimp + vegetables on rice, sweet sauce | ¥1,200 |
Ebi Tendon | 海老天丼 | Double premium giant shrimp | ¥1,800 |
Anago Tendon | 穴子天丼 | Grilled conger eel, refined flavor | ¥1,650 |
Kakiage Tendon | かき揚げ天丼 | Giant vegetable and seafood fritter | ¥1,380 |
Vegetarian Tendon | 精進天丼 | Seasonal vegetables only assortment | ¥1,150 |
Deluxe Tendon | 特上天丼 | Chef's premium selection | ¥2,500 |
🍽️ Kaiseki Tasting Sets
English Name | 日本語 | Description | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Discovery Set | お試しセット | 5 tempura + rice + soup + vegetables | ¥1,580 |
Tradition Set | 伝統セット | 8 tempura + tendon + dessert | ¥2,200 |
Master Set | 職人セット | 12 tempura served progressively | ¥3,500 |
Imperial Set | 御膳セット | 15 premium tempura + accompaniments | ¥5,000 |
Chef's Omakase | おまかせコース | Surprise menu based on daily arrivals | ¥6,800 |
🍚 Traditional Accompaniments
English Name | 日本語 | Description | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Plain Rice | 白ご飯 | Premium Japanese Koshihikari rice | ¥300 |
Miso Soup | 味噌汁 | Traditional wakame broth | ¥200 |
Pickled Vegetables | お漬物 | Assorted house tsukemono | ¥350 |
Tentsuyu Sauce | 天つゆ | Traditional dipping sauce | ¥150 |
Grated Radish | 大根おろし | Fresh daikon, natural digestive | ¥200 |
Fresh Wasabi | 生わさび | Freshly grated wasabi | ¥300 |
🍵 Traditional Beverages
Premium Teas
- • Sencha green tea - ¥400
- • Imperial gyokuro - ¥800
- • Roasted hojicha - ¥350
- • Genmaicha - ¥300
Premium Sake
- • Junmai Daiginjo - ¥1,200
- • Local Edo sake - ¥800
- • Hot sake kan - ¥600
- • Non-alcoholic amazake - ¥450
Other Beverages
- • Asahi draft beer - ¥500
- • Traditional ramune - ¥300
- • Mineral water - ¥200
- • Plum ume juice - ¥400
The Century-Old Art of Tempura
🎭 Preparation ritual
At Tsunahachi, each tempura follows a century-old protocol: ingredients at room temperature, ice-cold batter prepared in small batches, oil maintained at precise temperature for each type of food.
- • Ice water mandatory - Prevents gluten development
- • Minimal mixing - Deliberately lumpy batter
- • Immediate frying - No waiting time
- • Direct service - Tasting within the minute
🌡️ Thermal mastery
- • Tender vegetables: 160-165°C
- • Thick shrimp: 170-175°C
- • White fish: 175-180°C
- • Fine kakiage: 180-185°C
- • Constant thermometer control
⏱️ Cooking timing
- • 20cm shrimp: 2-3 minutes
- • Eggplant slice: 1-2 minutes
- • Fish fillet: 1.5-2.5 minutes
- • Vegetable kakiage: 3-4 minutes
- • Constant batter bubble observation
👨🍳 Traditional training
Each Tsunahachi chef follows a minimum 5-year apprenticeship: 1 year ingredient preparation, 2 years temperature mastery, 2 years batter technique and timing. This rigorous training guarantees constant excellence in all chain restaurants.
Expert Tasting Guide
🍤 Perfect tempura initiation
- 1. Start with discovery set to appreciate variety
- 2. Taste immediately, tempura cools quickly
- 3. Dip lightly in tentsuyu, don't drown
- 4. Alternate with grated radish to cleanse palate
- 5. Observe chef's technique if counter available
🥇 Prestige initiation menu
- • Tradition set - Complete experience (¥2,200)
- • Sencha tea - Perfect accompaniment (¥400)
- • Pickled vegetables - Palate cleanser (¥350)
- • Extra grated radish - Digestive (¥200)
- Total: ¥3,150 for authentic discovery
👑 Expert gourmet menu
- • Chef's omakase - Surprise menu (¥6,800)
- • Imperial gyokuro - Premium tea (¥800)
- • Fresh wasabi - Noble accompaniment (¥300)
- • Junmai sake - Perfect pairing (¥1,200)
- Total: ¥9,100 for ultimate experience
🎯 Expert tasting tips
- • Reservation recommended - High popularity guaranteed
- • Counter preferred - Watch chef at work
- • Lunch cheaper - Advantageous lunch sets
- • Seasonal menu - Special seasonal ingredients
- • Japanese etiquette - Respect traditional atmosphere
Essential Information
👑 Tips for International Visitors
🎭 The Art of Tempura
🏮 Tradition Since 1923
Tsunahachi has preserved the authentic art of Edo tempura for a century. This institution has trained generations of tempura masters and maintains the highest standards of traditional Japanese cuisine. Each visit is a journey through Japan's culinary history.