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Tempura Matsui
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Tempura Matsui
8.9
Tempura Matsui is a quietly luxurious counter focused on tempura omakase, where a chef fries each course to order in front of you. Diners come for precise technique, pristine seafood, and a rare opportunity to treat tempura as a full tasting menu rather than a side dish.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tempura omakase menu with seasonal seafood, Shrimp tempura with shiitake and vegetables, Tendon bowl with tempura over rice
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 9.1
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Tempura-focused omakase that treats frying like fine dining.
Who should go: Diners seeking meticulous, high-end Japanese tempura.
When to visit: Leisurely dinners when you can savor the full progression.
What to order: Full tempura omakase, tendon rice bowl finish, seasonal specials.
Insider tip: Book counter seats to watch each course fried and plated to order.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet; limited metered street parking nearby and paid garages within 1–2 blocks. Driving is possible but inconvenient during dinner hours.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy. Clean jeans are fine, but most guests lean polished for the omakase experience.
Noise level: Quiet to low-moderate — ideal for conversation and chef interaction.
Weekend wait: Reservation required; 30–60 minutes without one is unlikely to be accommodated.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait with reservation; walk-ins may still face limited availability.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — possible with advance notice, but the experience is seafood-forward.
Vegan options: Very limited — not recommended unless arranged well in advance.
Gluten-free options: Partially — some items can be adjusted, but tempura batter contains gluten and cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it’s intimate, impressive, and conversation-friendly, ideal if you want a refined, memorable experience rather than something casual.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Rarely. With very limited seating and a timed omakase format, reservations are strongly recommended several days in advance.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children. The experience is quiet, slow-paced, and best suited for teens and adults who enjoy tasting menus.
Best For
Better for: Guests who want a refined, chef-driven tempura experience rather than mixed Japanese menus or sushi-focused omakase.
Skip if: You prefer sushi-heavy menus, à la carte flexibility, or a lively, high-energy dining room.
Tempura Matsui
9.0
Tempura Matsui is a Michelin-starred counter where a chef-led tempura omakase focuses on pristine seafood fried à la minute. Diners treat it as a special-occasion destination for precise technique, rare ingredients, and a calm, transportive room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Omakase Tempura Course, Seasonal Vegetable Tempura, Kuruma Ebi Tempura
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 9.1
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Dedicated tempura omakase with Michelin-starred precision and seafood focus.
Who should go: Omakase fans chasing high-end tempura and seafood.
When to visit: Weeknight dinner seatings for calmer, focused service.
What to order: Omakase tempura, seasonal seafood pieces, chawanmushi.
Insider tip: Book counter seats to watch each tempura course fried to order.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site parking; street parking is very limited and difficult after 6pm. Nearby paid garages are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy; jackets and elevated evening wear are common for dinner service.
Noise level: Low and intimate — quiet enough for hushed conversation across the counter.
Weekend wait: Reservation usually required; walk-ins can face 60–90+ minute waits if any seats turn over.
Weekday lunch: Limited service; when offered, short waits with a reservation and minimal walk-in availability.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Very limited — primarily seafood-focused, though a few vegetable tempura items may appear as part of the omakase.
Vegan options: Not accommodating for full vegan dining due to seafood-only structure.
Gluten-free options: Not suitable — traditional tempura batter contains wheat and is central to the experience.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you’re aiming for an upscale, memorable impression — but it’s more refined and quiet than flirty or casual.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely during dinner service; this is a reservation-first destination with limited counter seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children — the experience is long, quiet, and geared toward adults who appreciate omakase pacing.
Best For
Better for: Precision tempura technique, ingredient purity, and a true Michelin-level omakase experience focused on seafood.
Skip if: You want casual sushi, à la carte ordering, plant-forward dining, or a lively, social atmosphere.
Tempura Matsui
8.4
Tempura Matsui is a Michelin-starred Japanese counter in Murray Hill focused almost entirely on omakase-style tempura, served piece by piece by chefs behind the bar. The experience is serene, structured, and priced for big nights out where you want a highly ritualized meal built around one technique.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tempura Hokkaido scallop, Snow crab tempura wrapped in shiso, Tencha rice with tempura and dashi
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Michelin-starred omakase counter dedicated to traditional Japanese tempura.
Who should go: Tempura obsessives and diners wanting hushed, ritual-style omakase.
When to visit: Early dinner seatings for the calmest, most focused service.
What to order: Full tempura omakase, Hokkaido scallop, tencha rice finale.
Insider tip: Choose counter seats if you want to watch the frying choreography up close.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Metered street parking is limited and tough after 6pm; nearby public garages are the most reliable option in the evenings.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — no jacket required, but most guests dress polished for the occasion.
Noise level: Very quiet and intimate — ideal for focused conversation but not for loud groups.
Weekend wait: Reservation strongly recommended; walk-ins rarely seated for omakase.
Weekday lunch: Limited lunch service (when offered); still best booked in advance.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — the experience is seafood-forward, but vegetable-focused substitutions may be possible with advance notice.
Vegan options: Very limited — not a natural fit for the menu unless coordinated well ahead of time.
Gluten-free options: Possible with advance notice, though traditional tempura batter contains gluten and substitutions are constrained.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for the right couple — it’s quiet, intimate, and deeply focused on the food, great if you both love Japanese cuisine and conversation, less ideal if you want lively energy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Very unlikely, especially on weekends. The counter is small and courses are paced tightly, so reservations are essential.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really — the hushed omakase format, long pacing, and fine-dining focus make it best for adults and older teens who can sit through a full tasting calmly.
Best For
Better for: Pure, technique-driven tempura in a serene Michelin-starred setting where each piece is the centerpiece.
Skip if: You want sushi, hot dishes beyond tempura, a lively atmosphere, or broader menu flexibility.