tendon lunch set (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)
In picturesque Kamakura City where samurai heritage still touches some of the architecture and local attractions, you’ll find Tsuruhachi serving up some washoku Japanese dishes fit for a warrior headed to battle.
You’ll find this delicious restaurant across from the large Torii gated entrance to Kamakura’s symbol shrine, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. Look out for the lines of locals and tourists waiting to grab a seat.
The long queues always led me to believe that this might be a tourist trap with low-quality food to avoid. However, my mind changed when my wife and I joined five friends for a late lunch there after a morning walk around the area attractions.
Since it was neither weekend nor holiday, and a bit off time for lunch, we were, fortunately, able to get in smoothly without waiting too long.
Pushing through the blue noren curtain, I saw that the Japanese-style interior, made up of wooden walls and tables, was spacious, clean and cozy. There were different seating arrangements including a traditional tatami floor section with low tables.
For lunch, I ordered a tendon (a bowl of rice topped with tempura) lunch set for 1,300 yen ($8.50). The set came with a bowl of rice topped with tempura and half-portion cold soba noodles. The cold soba noodles were served up in a bamboo basket, along with bowls of dipping broth, onion and wasabi. For 100 more yen, you can get a bigger serving of noodles.
When I sampled my soba noodles, their rich flavors and aromas tickled my taste buds. The soy sauce-based dipping broth added more depth and flavor to the already-delicious dish.
My set included a piece of shrimp tempura, white fish tempura, pumpkin tempura, mushroom tempura and sweet potato tempura. These were lightly battered and had a nice crisp exterior with a tender interior.
I was impressed with amount and quality of my lunch set at such a great price. Everyone in my party was pleased with their meals also. Although I regret spending so much time avoiding this place and missing out on slurping some tasty soba, I’m glad we made it and that I can now understand the hype.
If you happen to be in the area and see me in line, you’ll know that I’m a true fan of Tsuruhachi.
(Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)
(Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)
(Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi/Stripes Japan)
Tsuruhachi (soba and washoku joint)
Address: 1-12-8 Yukinoshita, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Website
Phone: 0467-22-2736
AloJapan.com