Tendon (short for tempura donburi) is gaining immense popularity in the Japanese food scene here in Singapore. In the past, tendon may not be the first thought whenever one thinks of Japanese cuisine—it is often overshadowed by ramen, the eye-pleasing chirashi don, or fresh nigiri sushi—but things are indeed picking up for this humble dish.

A good way to describe tendon is that it is basically a bowl of glistening Japanese rice topped with deep fried tempura and drizzled with a light soy-based dressing. It is the epitome of Japanese comfort food because who can ask for better than deep fried goodness and tasty rice?

If you are looking for places in Singapore to satisfy your tendon obsession, then this guide will surely be beneficial to you. Here is our guide to the 8 Best Tendon Restaurants in Singapore for you to get your tendon fix.

SHITAMACHI TENDON AKIMITSU

Award-winning tempura and tendon restaurant from Asakusa, Tokyo—Shitamatchi Tendon Akimitsu has opened in Singapore with its first outlet at Plaza Singapura. Portion sizes are aplenty and the price is kept affordable. Considering it is an award-winning establishment, being able to savour fresh and perfectly deep fried tendon without having to splurge much is quite a treat.

For prawn lovers, the Ebi Tendon (S$17.90) is a delicious option to have. Comprising solely of prawn tempura, the Ebi Tendon also comes with chawanmushi and miso soup on the side.

At Shitamatchi Tendon Akimitsu diners can expect nothing but authentic and spectacular Japanese cuisine.

Shitamatchi Tendon Akimitsu
68 Orchard Road, #04-65/68 Plaza Singapura,
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6264 3390
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm

Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

TENDON KOHAKU

Widely recognised as one of the best tendon eateries in Singapore, Tendon Kohaku is a popular tendon speciality restaurant found at Eat at Seven at Suntec City.

What sets their popular tendon apart from other tendons in Singapore is how exceptionally tasty each individual ingredient is. Unlike many other tendon restaurants that tend to channel more attention into achieving the perfect batter and a crispy tempura, they emphasise more on achieving full-on flavour.

The KOHAKU Tendon (S$15) is a good option if you want to savour many varieties, it comprises vegetables, chicken, prawn and other seafood atop a bed of fluffy rice, with a helping of sauce drizzled all over the tendon. The ingredients were so juicy, tender and well-seasoned and the tempura batter, albeit not as crispy as some others, was delicious and flavourful.

Tendon Kohaku
3 Temasek Boulevard,
#03-310/311 Eat At Seven, Suntec City Mall (Tower One),
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6333 4386
Daily: 11.30am – 4pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

TEMPURA TSUKIJI TENKA

Brought to you by the graduates of the Tokyo Sushi Academy, Tempura Tsukiji Tenka is a tendon speciality eatery nestled within Japan Food Town in Wisma Atria. With most dishes on the menu priced below S$20, this is an ideal spot to dine at if you happen to be looking for an affordable dining spot in Orchard Road.

The tempura batter used here is light and crispy with a slight tinge of salt. The sauce layered over the tendon is similarly not heavy in flavour, which accentuates the freshness of the ingredients used.

Tempura Tsukiji Tenka
435 Orchard Road, #04-42 Wisma Atria,
Singapore 238877
Tel: +65 6262 3245
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 11pm
Sat: 11am – 11pm
Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

KOGANE YAMA

Kogane Yama, whose name translates to “Golden Mountain”, specialises in serving premium Japanese tendon and other traditional Japanese fares with modern twists and flavours. Known for using only the freshest ingredients and creating the most delicious dishes at a rather affordable price point, Kogane Yama is not one to disappoint.

Always wanted the chance to customise your own tendon? Kogane Yama allows you to do just that—choose your tendon toppings, base and the spiciness level.

Diners may select their tendon bowls from a range of 4 flavours—Mixed Bowl, Chicken Bowl, Prawn Bowl and Vegetable Bowl. Thereafter, you may choose to enjoy your tendon bowl with either rice, udon or soba. Depending on your personal preference, pick your sauce’s spiciness level.

Kogane Yama
200 Victoria Street, #02-50 Bugis Junction,
Singapore 188021
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

NIKU KAPPO

A brand new dining concept by WATAMI originating from Tsukiji, Japan, Niku Kappo offers diners authentic Japanese Kappo-style delights through its colourful menu filled with a diverse selection of food options

As the word ‘Niku’ suggests, Niku Kappo’s menu has a strong focus on meat. From meat sushi to meat-based hot pots, Niku Kappo only seeks to present Japanese cuisine at reasonable prices. The serving portion of the Niku Tendon here is considerably larger than most tendon, and at S$12.90 makes for a truly value-for-money meal indeed.

Niku Kappo
2 Orchard Turn, #B3-23 ION Orchard,
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6509 9366
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

TENSHO JAPANESE SPECIALITY TENDON

Found in the basement of the recently revamped Centrepoint, Tensho Japanese Speciality Tendon is a recent venture by the Ministry Of Food, which officially opened its doors to public in late September last year.

If you are searching for a reason to visit, the Mixed Tendon at Tensho Japanese Speciality Tendon might be your answer. It features generous servings of tempura which includes prawns, fish and vegetables, and for good measure, a runny onsen egg layered atop a bed of plump Japanese rice—all at only S$14.90++.

Tensho Japanese Speciality Tendon
176 Orchard Road, #B1-20 The Centrepoint, Singapore 238843
Tel: +65 6733 0449
Mon to Thu, Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

DON MEIJIN

Don Meijin is a relatively new donburi eatery at Ramen Champion, Bugis+. You can find quite a range of donburi including Jumbo Chicken Katsu Don (S$13.80), Unagi Don (S$18.80), as well as their signature Spicy Chilli Crab Tendon (S$14.80)—a unique combination of chilli crab sauce over crispy tempura.

This is a place where you will not be disappointed. With fantastic ambience, polite staff and efficient service, Don Meijin is great for those who are looking for a quick and delicious meal, and for parties who wish to enjoy their meal at their own time and pace.

Don Meijin
Ramen Champion Bugis+
201 Victoria Street, #04-10, Bugis+
Singapore 188067
Tel: +65 6238 1011
Mon to Thu: 11am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Fri: 11am – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

TENDON GINZA ITSUKI

Tendon Ginza Itsuki is probably the one who started the tendon trend in Singapore. The small restaurant in Tanjong Pagar is one name that you would resonate with perpetual queues. And what is it they serve that got Singaporeans so obsessed?

A good old Tendon, of course! And you do not have a lot of choices here at Tendon Ginza Itsuki—it is either Special TENDON (S$13.90) or Vegetable TENDON (S$12.90). The former is a classic bowl with 2 pieces of prawns, 2 pieces of chicken, half-boiled egg and 4 pieces of vegetables; the latter is an all-veggie bowl but we’d say just skip that.

Every TENDON comes with steamed egg and miso soup and complimentary pickles.

Tendon Ginza Itsuki 
101 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088522
Tel: +65 6221 6678
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

EBIZO TEMPURA RESTAURANT

The Ebizo Tendon (S$22.80) from the Ebizo Tempura Restaurant in Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant is one hearty bowl that will definitely fill you up. The golden-brown batter which coated the tempura impressed us with its crispiness despite being doused in a sweet soy dressing.

Generously topped with fresh ebi, sea eel, snow crab leg, squid, a tempura egg, and assorted vegetables, this bowl of goodness is sure to leave you satisfied especially if you are a sucker for such deep-fried goodness.

Ebizo Tempura Restaurant
Tsujiki Fish Market Restaurant
181 Orchard Road, #12-02
Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6634 2803
Daily : 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun High Tea: 3pm – 5pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Widely recognised as one of the best tendon eateries in Singapore, Tendon Kohaku is a popular tendon speciality restaurant found at Eat at Seven at Suntec City. It is also situated right beside Katsudon Hanakatsu, a Katsu Don specialist by the same team at Tendon Kohaku.

The last time we visited Eat at Seven, we recalled seeing snaking queues outside Tendon Kohaku and we were curious to discover what was all the rage about this tendon specialist. Although we visited early, we were still greeted by a no less lengthy queue. But trust us, Tendon Kohaku’s KOHAKU Tendon (S$15) will make your efforts worthwhile.

At Tendon Kohaku, ordering is relatively straightforward as the menu only features 4 types of tendon and its corresponding set meals. Like Katsudon Hanakatsu, patrons will have a choice of Nanatsuboshi Hokkaido rice or 16 multi-grains rice mixed with Nanatsuboshi Hokkaido Rice for their tendon at no extra charge.

We kept things simple and ordered the KOHAKU Tendon (S$15) with Nanatsuboshi Hokkaido rice. The KOHAKU Tendon comprises of vegetables, chicken, prawn and other seafood atop a bed of fluffy rice, with a helping of sauce drizzled all over the tendon. At first glance, we already found ourselves impressed by the sheer generosity of ingredients served.

But what sets the KOHAKU Tendon apart from other tendon in Singapore is how exceptionally tasty the ingredients are. As most tendon we’ve tried seemed to channel most of their focus on perfecting their tempura batter, it was often the case there was nothing special about the taste of their ingredients.

Here at Tendon Kohaku, you get everything you queued for and more. The chicken meat and other ingredients were so juicy, tender and well-seasoned and the tempura batter, albeit not as crispy as some others, was delicious and flavourful.

As seating at Tendon Kohaku is rather limited, we were not surprised that there were such long queues outside this eatery. But for those who wish to avoid the lunch crowd, a good time to visit would be 3pm.

Otherwise, you can consider visiting its 2nd branch at 64 Circular Road near Boat Quay, to satisfy your tendon cravings.

Tendon Kohaku
3 Temasek Boulevard,
#03-310/311 Eat At Seven, Suntec City,
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6333 4386
Daily: 11.30am – 4pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

About the writer:
A member of the team at ladyironchef, Claire’s mission is to lead a life without regrets – to explore the world and its treasures boldly. When she isn’t pursuing her interests in writing, academia and music, Claire spends her free time with family and her pets. She also hopes to run her own animal shelter in the future.

Katsudon Hanakatsu at Suntec City is the newest Katsu Don restaurant in Singapore. Opened by the same team behind the popular Tendon Kohaku, Katsudon Hanakatsu specialises in Katsu Don and you can choose between the spicy and non-spicy alternatives.

If you are rushing for time and do not want to join the long queue at Tendon Kohaku, Katsudon Hanakatsu is a decent alternative.

The seating is rather limited so it is best to reach before the lunch or dinner crowd.

The original HA-NA Katsudon (S$13.50++) features a generous portion of two types of meat—pork and chicken. Diners get well-marinated meat with a subtle taste of shoyu on top of warm Japanese rice.

While there is nothing spectacular to shout about, we liked how the breaded deep-fried meat went well with tender meat. On top of that, the katsudon also came with the usual savoury egg and sliced onions.

Those who prefer your dish with a spicy kick can opt for the HA-NA Katsudon Spicy Flavour (S$13.50++) instead. The taste is similar to the original HA-NA Katsudon but came with chilli flakes for extra spice.

Do be warned that the level of spice is not for everyone; those who prefer something not too extreme should get the original flavour and add in the amount of chilli they are comfortable with.

Visitors get to choose between Nanatsuboshi Hokkaido rice (16 multi-grains) or Nanatsuboshi Hokkaido rice for their katsudon at no extra charge. Top up an extra S$1.50 for Tonjiru (S$1.50++), which is miso soup with pork chunks and vegetables.

If you are thinking of hanging out with some drinks, Katsudon Hanakatsu also offers a small selection of alcoholic beverages as well.

Katsudon Hanakatsu
#03-10 Suntec City
3 Temasek Boulevard
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6333 4386
Daily: 11.30am – 3.30pm, 5pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Promenade / Esplanade