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Intimate, high-end Japanese restaurant featuring seasonal omakase menus with a focus on tempura.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 222 E 39th St #24d, New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 986-8885
Website: http://www.tempuramatsui.com/
Menu Photos
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Related Web Results
Tempura Matsui
Tempura Matsui is the first authentic Tempura restaurant in New York City. We invites you to experience the fine art of cooking Tempura.
Tempura Matsui – New York – a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant
Tempura Matsui. 222 E. 39th St., New York, NY, 10016, USA. $$$$ · Japanese, Tempura. Notes. Visited. Save. Favorite. Reserve a table. Book. Tempura Matsui.
Tempura Matsui (@tempuramatsui) · New York, NY – Instagram
Tempura Matsui is the first authentic tempura restaurant in New York City and follows the techniques of its grand chef, Mr. Masao Matsui. Photo by Tempura …
Reviews
Paul Darrah
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.
… moreManny Chava
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.
… moreTempura 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.
SMD
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.
… moreElizabeth Lizotte-Brown
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.
… moreCin El
Dining here was such a privilege that I cannot wait to go back.
After coming back from Japan, finding that just right tempura was nearly impossible, then I was introduced to Tempura Matsui.
The tempura is crispy yet light, and the produce ranges from fresh vegetables to delicious seafood. Each and every piece is truly a masterpiece. My favorite pieces were the lotus root (fifth picture) and mushroom (third picture). They were unbelievably delicious.
The service was impeccable. I sat at the counter since I wanted to be able to see the chefs frying the tempura, and it was so pleasant to watch. The wait staff were all so friendly and explained each dish with detail, and refilled my tea/drinks when it was empty.
I came for lunch to see how it would go and I can say for absolute certainty that I will be back for dinner service.
I would absolutely recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants to try tempura for what it truly is rather than what it has become in NYC: light, crispy, not heavy, and completely delicious tempura.
… moreAfter coming back from Japan, finding that just right tempura was nearly impossible, then I was introduced to Tempura Matsui.
The tempura is crispy yet light, and the produce ranges from fresh vegetables to delicious seafood. Each and every piece is truly a masterpiece. My favorite pieces were the lotus root (fifth picture) and mushroom (third picture). They were unbelievably delicious.
The service was impeccable. I sat at the counter since I wanted to be able to see the chefs frying the tempura, and it was so pleasant to watch. The wait staff were all so friendly and explained each dish with detail, and refilled my tea/drinks when it was empty.
I came for lunch to see how it would go and I can say for absolute certainty that I will be back for dinner service.
I would absolutely recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants to try tempura for what it truly is rather than what it has become in NYC: light, crispy, not heavy, and completely delicious tempura.
Randy Kohl
It’s a pleasure watching a master at work. The feast plays out over 20+ courses featuring a range of Japanese cuisine with tempura the star. The minimalist 18 person space is the perfect setting to showcase this dining experience.
… moreVivian “Vivventure” Wayfarer
Tucked away by the entrance of a hotel, Tempura Matsui feels like a hidden gem. Once inside, the cozy, zen-like Japanese interior sets the perfect tone for the meal.
I highly recommend coming for the lunch session—it still offers an impressive variety while being more affordable than dinner. I never realized tempura could be presented in so many ways, and this experience truly changed my perspective on what high-quality tempura can be.
Toward the end of the meal, you can choose between a bowl of Tendon (tempura over rice) or Tencha (tempura with tea over rice). The Tendon was our favorite—flavorful, comforting, and almost too much food since we were already full!
On drinks: we were a fan of the strawberry drink: it’s non-alcoholic, beautifully made, and surprisingly great as a pairing throughout the meal.
Lastly, a special mention to the servers who were attentive during the whole meal: from folding napkins, even offering a small bag to hold my bag so it wouldn’t hang awkwardly under the counter, and just checking in frequently. Absolutely plan to come again!
… moreI highly recommend coming for the lunch session—it still offers an impressive variety while being more affordable than dinner. I never realized tempura could be presented in so many ways, and this experience truly changed my perspective on what high-quality tempura can be.
Toward the end of the meal, you can choose between a bowl of Tendon (tempura over rice) or Tencha (tempura with tea over rice). The Tendon was our favorite—flavorful, comforting, and almost too much food since we were already full!
On drinks: we were a fan of the strawberry drink: it’s non-alcoholic, beautifully made, and surprisingly great as a pairing throughout the meal.
Lastly, a special mention to the servers who were attentive during the whole meal: from folding napkins, even offering a small bag to hold my bag so it wouldn’t hang awkwardly under the counter, and just checking in frequently. Absolutely plan to come again!
Fernando Graham
This place is outstanding. Tempura is served as omakase and I didn’t have too high of an expectation since I thought it would be a bunch of fried stuff. However it was a mixture of Japanese authentic servings along with very well fried dishes. The servings are also good and they offer good sake and draft beer along with cocktails. I really liked their snowcrab and mushroom but everything was fine. Highly recommend!
… moreBonan Liu
If you’re a fan of great food and exceptional seafood dishes, this restaurant is a must-visit. Their signature shrimp has consistently impressed me—it’s always perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. It’s clear why this dish is their standout.
For an extra treat, I highly recommend ordering the uni wrap. It’s the perfect finishing touch to conclude your tempura dishes. The blend of fresh, creamy uni with the delicate wrap creates an unforgettable bite that will leave you wanting more.
The combination of high-quality ingredients, skillful preparation, and thoughtful presentation makes dining here a truly enjoyable experience. Don’t miss out!
… moreFor an extra treat, I highly recommend ordering the uni wrap. It’s the perfect finishing touch to conclude your tempura dishes. The blend of fresh, creamy uni with the delicate wrap creates an unforgettable bite that will leave you wanting more.
The combination of high-quality ingredients, skillful preparation, and thoughtful presentation makes dining here a truly enjoyable experience. Don’t miss out!
Peter C
Went here for my late birthday dinner. Amazing tempura course. The breading was not excessive and very well fried. Planning to go back with parents soon. Highly recommend if you want high quality tempura.
… more