Tempura Matsui

“I’ve been to a couple of great tempura restaurants in Asia and loved the experience, so I’ve been looking forward to trying Tempura Matsui for a while. And it definitely delivered. Service was outstanding, as you’d expect at a small, counter-style restaurant like this, and the food takes tempura to a completely different level than what most people are used to. Each piece was cooked with incredible precision, and there were some really memorable combinations, like the snow crab wrapped in shiso leaf. Honestly, every bite was excellent. I also appreciated how they explained the best way to eat each course, guiding you through the different salts and sauces. Overall, a 10 out of 10 for me. I’ll definitely be back.”

“Not sure why I haven’t reviewed this spot before bc I’ve been about 6 times over the past 10 years, but this is hands down one of the best restaurants in NYC. TM offers an elevated take on tempura and literally every bite is incredible. I’ve never seen this level of dedication to tempura outside of Japan. Tempura at most spots is a bit of an afterthought. Not here! Each bite comes with a special salt or flavoring that heightens the experience. And the additions like Japanese custard with shrimp or rice with green tea to the tasting menu are pretty hard to beat. It skews towards seafood and veggies. Service is very precise but understated. It’s definitely pricey but worth every cent. There are plenty of Japanese restaurants or Japanese inspired places but Tempura Matsui is pretty unmatched.”

“Tempura Matsui – A True Once-in-a-Lifetime Dining Experience Tempura Matsui was a fantastic and truly unforgettable dining experience. If you’re planning to visit, please come hungry and with an open mind—you will be rewarded in every way. Despite what many online videos suggest about small portions, our experience was quite the opposite. We were served about 14 dishes throughout the evening, and every single one was excellent. The service was absolutely top-notch from start to finish. The chefs preparing your food are very friendly and engaging, which adds a personal and welcoming touch to the entire experience. You can really feel the care, pride, and precision that goes into every dish. The menu encourages you to be adventurous, featuring ingredients like conch that some people might not initially find appetizing. However, everything—from the fried tempura dishes to the delicate egg custard soup—was prepared to perfection. Each course was beautifully presented and full of flavor. While the experience is definitely on the pricey side, believe me when I say it is worth every penny. You will not regret it. This is truly a one-in-a-lifetime dining experience and one that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for something exceptional.”

“Superb from start to finish. It’s hard to explain how tempura can be so elevated, but it is. There are also other dishes I haven’t had before and all were excellent. The foie gras chawanmushi and the persimmon with shrimp were standouts. The service was precise yet welcoming and warm. It is also a lot of food in total, so expect to feel full by the end! Small and intimate setting, perfect for a dinner with a date or a good friend.”

“An experience of absolute refinement, quality and respect. A gorgeous, spare room where we had seats at the bar to see the preparation of our lunch. Every course was beautifully presented with detailed instructions on how to eat it optimally. The respect for the ingredients, the attention to detail, the care for us…all of it was top notch. From the pumpkin, hen of the woods mushrooms, shrimp heads and smelt that had arrived from Japan just prior to service, the ingredients were of the best quality and expertly prepared. No wonder they have maintained their star for many years. An experience not to be missed.”