Date: July 2026Kumamoto City, Kumamoto PrefectureRestaurant: Tempura Tsuru HachiTabelog Rating: 3.77Tabelog Award: BronzeTabelog's Top 100 RestaurantsDuring my trip to Kyushu, I visited Tempura Tsuru Hachi, one of only four restaurants selected for the Tabelog Award in Kumamoto City.The menu featured a recommended course of 12 dishes starting with appetizers.The first dish, tender octopus simmered to perfection, was incredibly soft, and the accompanying myoga (Japanese ginger) added a refreshing summer touch, making it a perfect start to the course and a delightful escape from the summer heat.Next, I enjoyed lightly seared sashimi of the premium fish, Kue. The light searing brought out a wonderful aroma and the rich flavor of the fish's fat, making it truly delicious.Then, the tempura began with the classic shrimp. The shrimp was flavorful, perfectly fried, and cooked just right, resulting in an exquisite taste and texture.The shrimp heads were crispy and fragrant, leaving a lingering taste of shrimp that was delightful.Next came the tempura of Haze fish, which was crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, allowing me to savor the natural flavor of the fish.After enjoying seasonal vegetables like Kamo eggplant and okra, I was served Aori squid, green beans, and Managatsuo, which paired perfectly with the drinks.A dish of shrimp paste sandwiched between bread and fried offered a wonderful harmony of the crispy bread and the texture of the shrimp.In a mid-course reset, I enjoyed a small bowl of Junsai (water shield), followed by tempura of Takahime chili and red eggplant stuffed with mustard, finishing with tempura of conger eel.The restaurant cleverly provided options for dipping sauces: tempura sauce, salt, and yuzu pepper, allowing for a variety of flavors with each ingredient, which was a delightful experience.The staff were very attentive, and I was extremely satisfied with my visit.I enjoyed quite a bit of alcohol, but it was reasonably priced, and despite being a weekday, the restaurant was full, which speaks to its popularity among locals.It was a great meal!
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