Tenya Singapore offering Delightful Tempura at Parkway Parade
Tenya Singapore at Parkway Parade Mall offers a delightful menu focused on fresh, crispy tempura and tendon bowls. During our recent visit, we explored several dishes that highlight Tenya’s commitment to quality, offering a satisfying experience for tempura lovers.
In this review, we will walk through the specific items we tried during our meal at Tenya Singapore, including detailed notes on their quality, pricing, and overall value.
Overview of Tenya Singapore at Parkway Parade
Located on Basement Level 1 of Parkway Parade Mall, Tenya Singapore provides a casual dining experience focused on Japanese tempura, offering both individual items and set meals. The outlet is designed with a minimalist interior, which allows the food to take center stage. It’s a popular spot given the initial queue but turn over was fast at the tables which we realized why once we sat down to enjoy our meal.
What We Ate: A Breakdown of the Menu Items
Our lunch at Tenya Singapore consisted of a few popular items from their menu. Let’s dive into each dish, breaking down what made them stand out and whether they are worth trying during your visit.
1. Aburi Mentai Salmon Don – S$18.90
This dish features aburi salmon (seared salmon) topped with ikura (salmon roe) and drizzled with a rich mentaiko mayo. The combination of seared salmon and creamy mentaiko creates a luxurious flavour profile.
- Flavour: The seared salmon was melt-in-the-mouth tender, and the mentaiko mayo added a subtle richness without overpowering the dish. The ikura added bursts of briny freshness, which balanced the creamy mayo nicely.
- Presentation: The dish was neatly arranged, with the salmon and ikura taking centre stage atop a bed of perfectly cooked white rice.
- Value: At S$18.90, this dish offers premium ingredients like salmon and ikura, making it well worth the price for seafood lovers.
2. Set Meal Tenya Tendon – S$14.10
The Tenya Tendon Set features tempura prawns, red fish, squid, pumpkin, and French beans, served over rice. This meal also came with miso soup and hot udon on the side, making it a filling and satisfying option.
- Flavour: Each tempura item was fried to perfection, with a crispy exterior that wasn’t too greasy. The prawn and red fish were especially fresh, and the hot udon provided a comforting contrast to the fried tempura.
- Presentation: The set meal was well-composed, with a variety of colours and textures from the tempura and vegetables, along with the smooth, steaming udon.
- Value: For S$14.10, this set is a great deal, offering a variety of tempura and sides to create a balanced, complete meal.
3. Premium Tendon – S$19.50
The Premium Tendon offers a mix of two tempura prawns, squid, kani kama (imitation crab stick), pumpkin, lotus root, and French beans, all glazed with Tenya’s special tendon tare sauce.
- Flavour: The tendon tare glaze added a subtle sweetness to the dish, enhancing the natural flavours of the tempura without overpowering them. The variety of vegetables and seafood tempura offered a good mix of textures and tastes, with the lotus root adding an enjoyable crunch.
- Presentation: The dish was well-presented, with the tendon tare sauce giving the tempura a glossy finish. The mix of vegetables and seafood made the dish visually appealing and appetising.
- Value: At S$19.50, the Premium Tendon is priced higher than the regular tendon, but the additional tempura items and the quality of the ingredients justify the cost. It’s a great option for those looking for a more indulgent tempura experience.
Tenya Condiments
Tendon Sauce (Tenya’s Specialty Dontare Sauce): This is a house specialty sauce designed specifically for tendon (tempura on rice). It is a slightly sweet, soy-based sauce that adds depth to the tempura, complementing the crispy batter without overpowering it. Diners can use it to drizzle over their tendon bowl or for dipping their tempura pieces.
Shichimi Togarashi (Japanese Seven Spice Blend): The bottle in the middle contains a traditional Japanese spice mix known as Shichimi Togarashi, which is a blend of seven spices, including red chili pepper, sesame seeds, and citrus peel. It’s commonly used to add heat and an extra layer of flavour to dishes like soups, udon, and tempura. Its spicy and slightly tangy profile makes it a great addition for those who enjoy a bit of a kick.
Premium Salt: The bottle on the right holds premium Japanese salt, often used to season tempura or other dishes without overpowering the natural flavours of the ingredients. This salt is likely more refined than standard table salt, providing a clean, crisp flavour when sprinkled over tempura or rice.
The Overall Dining Experience
Service and Atmosphere
The service at Tenya Singapore was efficient and friendly. To place our order we used the QR code, the online menu is a little confusing to be honest and not that easy to navigate.
The atmosphere was casual and comfortable, with minimalist décor typical of Japanese eateries. Despite being located in a busy mall, the restaurant managed to offer a peaceful dining environment, perfect for a relaxed meal.
Waiting Times
As expected during peak lunch hours, the restaurant was busy, and we had to wait for about 15 minutes to be seated. However, once we were seated, the food arrived promptly, and the overall service was smooth. We had originally been seated at the side tables but later requested for a booth and was provided a booth once available.
The only downside is the staff are short handed, the same person that seated us was also doing the washing of dishes, which had pilled up during the busy lunch period.
Final Thoughts: Is Tenya Singapore Worth Visiting?
If you’re looking for an affordable yet high-quality tempura experience, Tenya Singapore at Parkway Parade Mall is definitely worth a visit. The menu offers a good range of tempura and noodle options, with something to satisfy every craving. The pricing is fair, especially considering the portion sizes and the freshness of the ingredients. Whether you’re grabbing a quick meal or enjoying a leisurely lunch, Tenya delivers on quality and consistency.
Tenya Parkway Parade Address & Telephone
Address: 80 Marine Parade Rd, B1-51/52/65 Parkway Parade, Singapore 449269
Telephone: +65 6243 4338
