Tempura Nakae

My Japanese hosts brought me to Tempura Nakae in the Sakae area of Nagoya City for the highest quality tempura. No one in the restaurant spoke English, but if you find your way here without a Japanese-speaker, trust the owners and enjoy the dining adventure. Caution - since I was the guest, I have n...o idea about cost, so be aware. Among the tastes I experienced in the multi-course serving, I can report: the best single scallop I have ever tasted, and I am from New England! Wagyu/Kobe beef tempura, a remarkable blend of tastes and textures. Memorable eggplant, sweet potato, and local freshwater pike. And many more servings too numerous and flavorful for me to keep track of! All fabulous. The restaurant was downstairs in a typical Japanese retail building, but don't be put off by the location. The meal surpasses the unremarkable surroundings. We sat at a sushi/tempura-bar style counter, at a corner so the four of us could easily converse. Very social setting! Besides the meal, we enjoyed Dassai sake that was excellent, and my hosts report it is “the best”. I’m convinced, very smooth.

Visited October 2016