Tempura Tendon Tenya Unleashes the Tendon Invasion at SM Megamall

The Japanese food trend continues to gain momentum with the opening of a new and flavorful  offensive, this time, the spotlight is on authentic Tendon dishes. And Tempura Tendon Tenya leads the charge with its first branch in Manila. 

Tokyo's largest and number one specialty tendon chain, Tempura Tendon Tenya boasts a full line of tendon (short for "tempura donburi" or ricebowls topped with tempura) offering local diners yet another authentic and real taste of Japan (for more on Tempura Tendon Tenya, check out my initial sneak peek on my previous post here at http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-peek-at-next-japanese-food-trend.html).

The popularity of real Japanese Tonkatsu, Ramen, and Curry unleashed an emerging new culinary trend, with authenticity redefining our Japanese dining experience. The arrival of noted Japanese chains paved the way for the entry of one of Japan's popular and iconic food staples, Tenya's authentic Japanese Tendons.

And it all begins at the specially-designed kitchen with proprietary equipment created exclusively for Tenya. The sleek stainless steel configuration conforms with the stringent quality standards of Tenya, manned by a capable crew led by Joyce Pascual (R), armed with extensive experience gained from rigorous training at Tenya Japan.

Tenya's Noboritama Shuuji and Yasuko Hoshi, tendon masters from Japan, ensure that each dish served is exactly the way it's served back in Japan. "Time and temperature," along with the freshest ingredients, are key in recreating Tenya's signature flavors, says the mild-mannered Noboritama Shuuji.

And these remain the core elements in every dish that sets Tenya apart from the rest. Since it opened back in 1989 at the Tokyo Station's Yaesu underground mall, Tenya has become the most successful tendon restaurant chain in Japan. Start your dining experience with Tenya's Isobe Cheese (L) and Chicken Karaage (R).

One bite of the light, airy and crisp texture of the starters immediately confirm the "time and temperature" principle behind each dish at Tenya, a masterful blend of 100% heart-healthy Canola Oil and specially formulated flour, expertly cooked in specially developed automatic fryers powered by infrared heat technology under the watchful eyes of trained tendon masters for quick and consistent quality every time and all the time. And you can experience this even more with Tenya's All-Star Tendon Set (P 455), with black tiger prawn, squid, salmon, kani stick, small kakiage, green beans, and mushrooms, each one lightly battered and perfectly deep-fried, served with Japanese rice, tempura sauce, radish, leeks, ginger, and a light broth. Tenya's All-Star Tendon offers a variety of deep-fried flavors, all in one set.

But if its Tempura you want, go for the Asakusa Special Tempura Set (P 425), with three black tiger prawns, small kakiage, and green beans, served with soba, or buckwheat noodles and Japanese rice. The black tiger prawns are specially sourced from the most sanitary aquaculture farms with its distinct sweet, succulent, and juicy flavor and texture for that perfect tendon. You can enjoy your tempura with the traditional sauce, or experience something new and different with Tenya's unique Dontare Sauce. A specially formulated recipe created by one of the oldest producers exclusively for Tenya, the thick and sweet sauce pairs really well with the tempura, and the rice too.

And the kids are in for a treat as well with Tenya's Kids Meals served in a cool Shinkansen ceramic plate.

You can also opt for the classic All-Star Tendon, with the signature battered and deep-fried black tiger prawn, squid, salmon, kani stick, green beans, and mushrooms on steaming hot Japanese rice. Comforting, hearty, satisfying and filling, generously drizzle the Dontare sauce to complete the flavors.

And if you're looking for pork, Tenya spins its own twist with the Buta Kimuchi Tendon, with three big slices of pork belly battered and deep-fried topped with Japanese kimuchi on steaming hot Japanese rice. The richness of the pork belly is tempered by the kimuchi, a Japanese version of Korean kimchi, and balanced by the Dontare Sauce. It's deep-fried pork, and it just can't get any better than that. Seriously good.  Other Tendon variants include Chicken Mayo Tendon, Kakiage Tendon, Kisu Tendon.

Tenya also offers desserts to cap your meal, like these frozen Fruity Juicy Pops in Lite Citrus, Strawberry, Coconut Lychee, and Orange Vanilla flavors.

Authentic, real, comfortingly familiar yet new and different. Our love affair with Japanese cuisine just got sweeter with Tempura Tendon Tenya, now open at SM Megamall.

Tempura Tendon Tenya is located at Level 4, Building A, SM Megamall.

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