SUMOKI Yakitori & Bar - Arguably, the best authentic Japanese Yakitoris north of the 401

Better go to Japan for your tempura fix.
Been to Kiyomi for tempura and sushi a few times in the past in separate occasion (different than my experiences in Japan but still okay for those who can’t visit that far) … but nowadays I just saved my money for my Japan trips as I go regular enough. :slight_smile:

Kiyomi does often give discounts for cash payment.

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What is “more correct”??

I am not an expert but I would research more about it before anyone claiming something is more traditional than others or not …

What we see “now and current” and “all over Japan” or more frequently visited by foodies/Instagrammers/Tiktokers/YouTubers/influencers/hypebeasts are not necessarily traditional. Neither are many of the famous/popular places.

For example, go to some of the older or 100+ years old tempura establishments and you’ll see how thick their tempura batter can be.

Some of the questions I ask when I choose where I want to go:
Kansai style vs Kanto style vs other regional style?
Old style vs new/modern style vs evolving style?
My own preference? (mostly based on taste preference, health choice and most importantly budget)

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As luck would have it, tried two different tempura places this week.

First is Tokyo Asakusa Shitamachi Tendon Akimitsu. Not really a tempura restaurant but rather a tendon and ramen place. Got the Asakusa bowl which has 2 prawn, 3 seafood and 3 vegetable. Really enjoyed the prawn and the vegetable. Even with sauce on top, still got a bit of crunchiness to it. Nicely fried and similar as what I would expect at a sit down tendon place in Japan. Seafood was salmon and another white fish and just so so. Next time, I would get the Ebi bowl with lots of prawns and then do individual add on. They have maitake and other vegetables.

Second one is Edomae Kiyomi which I think maybe the only course menu tempura restaurant in GTA. If anyone know of another, please let me know. Interesting pricing here with the Omakase menu at $195 but there is a cash discount of 30%. At this price point, quite a bit cheaper than sushi and other Japanese set menu in town and I have set my expectations accordingly. If one is looking for a tempura restaurant experience like Japan, this is not it. Frying is in a Hanaage style where there are quite a bit of crispy bits. Similar to how it is usually done for tendon or at udon, soba places. Better for maintaining crispiness but not something I would expect at a proper tempura restaurant. Just too distracting from the flavors of the ingredients and not really necessarily except maybe for specific pieces. Not sure if it is a frying temperature or ingredients issue but many pieces feel a bit dry. Not really a style that I like and the whole meal feels like a tendon being deconstructed and served one piece at a time. Saving grace is with a few pieces of sashimi, uni, abalone, shine muscat and other higher cost ingredients being served, it is good value

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The reality is that I won’t be going back to Japan since I can’t travel anymore!
I’m thankful that I was able to visit once.

I am glad that the Japanese food scene keeps getting better in the GTA

http://edomaekiyomi.com/

I recall edomae had an even larger discount for cash when they opened. A yelp friend did try them out but preferred the sushi set over tempura set. That was a while ago so things might have improved. I have had them on my lunch visit spots for a while now

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If you want tempura pieces on rice (ten-don) instead of course menu, Akimitsu on Elm St is a good option. :slight_smile:

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Thank you!

Someone on Reddit mentioned the place inside the Chef’s Hall isn’t bad.