Himeji, Hyogo, Japan｜Hakuun Makoto

Makoto is located in Uomachi near Himeji castle. They serve fresh Tempura with tasty wine. Tempura is deeply fried seafoods or vegetables with batter crust outside. They use fresh and seasonal ingredients with several kinds of salt and dipping sauces. They are nicely cooked inside and crunchy outside. Also I recommend to sit at the counter so that you can closely see the chef prepares the food. It is lively and fun!

Wonderful tempura, served immediately! Great chef. Not exactly cheap, but worth every penny. The service is also warm and spotless.

Family run high end tempura restaurant. Sit at the bar (tempura bar?) to watch the chef in action. Meal started with a trio of wonderful appetizers then the first rate sashimi and finally the piece de la resistance, the tempura. The chef places piece by piece on a wooden block in front of you as it comes out of the fryer. Wonderful fish and shellfish then the vegetables and even an edamame tempura. Lastly a soup then dessert which was a fantastic Asian pear sorbet. The chef and sister and mother are warm and friendly and tried really hard despite language barrier to make me feel at home. This place seems to be pretty well known in Himeji for its tempura and I can see why. I highly recommend a visit if you are in town.