I had some errands to run in Shimbashi in the morning, and everything wrapped up just before the opening time of Mitsumura (光村). Since it was perfectly timed, I headed straight there. I arrived one minute before they opened, but the shop curtain was already up, and a few guests were already inside. As the curtain suggests, Mitsumura specializes in unagi (eel). They are also well-known for their tempura, which has an excellent reputation. Established in 1930, the restaurant exudes a historical and nostalgic atmosphere.
The restaurant is located on the second floor, while the first floor is dedicated to selling bento. Note that they are only open on weekdays, so plan accordingly! The dining area on the second floor is compact. There is one large table that seats up to six people, along with four smaller tables that accommodate two to four guests each.
The menu is simple, without any dedicated lunch options. The main dishes are unagi (うなぎ) and tempura (天ぷら), with a stronger focus on tempura. :p
Their signature dish is the Shrimp kakiage bowl, which seemed to be a crowd favorite. Everyone around me ordered it. The dish comes with pickles and red miso soup. They also offer a free large rice serving, but the standard portion is quite sufficient. The rice is generously topped with shrimp kakiage.
The tempura had a rich sauce that fully soaked into the batter, yet it remained crisp and flavorful without being overpowering. The sauce also seeped into the rice, making it enjoyable even without the kakiage. The shrimp in the kakiage were plentiful and springy, giving it a satisfying texture. The firm-cooked rice paired beautifully with the sauce, and the crispy eggplant added a nice touch. Even as the tempura cooled, it retained its crispiness.
Beyond the delicious food, dining in such a historical setting made the experience even more special.
About
Name Mitsumura (光村)
Open Lunch, Dinner
Reservation Available for dinner time only
Credit card Unavailable
URL Website
Google Map