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    M Tempura

    4.5 (122 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:30 PM

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    M TEMPURA ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - M Tempura

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    Allison D.

    Let's just say this: I went to M Tempura expecting a decent dinner. What I got was a tempura-based love story--with Jennifer as my culinary matchmaker and the chef as my trusty narrator. Dining solo here doesn't mean dining in silence. Jennifer, my waitress and now spiritual flavor guide, suggested I add the *brie course* to my tempura tasting. I hesitated. Brie? With tempura? Ma'am... YES. Brie, nori, honey, and truffle in one bite? I don't know what kind of culinary witchcraft that was, but I'd follow it into battle. Or at least into another reservation. Every course was thoughtfully prepared, with the chef offering insights that made me slow down and actually *think* about what I was eating. It wasn't just dinner--it was a little education in flavor. The tempura itself? A revelation. Light, crisp, not drowning in batter like your usual "tempura adjacent" spots. You could *actually* taste the ingredient inside. And let me tell you, the root vegetable course? Delicate. Earthy. Unexpectedly elegant. To top it off, the ginger ice cream was the kind of palate cleanser that makes you consider skipping dessert for the rest of your life because nothing else will live up. Would I go back? I'm already planning my return like it's a second date with someone who actually listens. **Pro tips:** * Go with the tasting menu if you're not starving--plenty of food, but no food coma. * Don't skip the brie add-on. Seriously. * Sit at the bar for chef interaction if you're solo--makes the experience that much richer. This isn't just a dinner spot--it's a damn delight.

    Chawanmushi- crab, ponzu, smoked trout roe, walnut oil
    Evangeline L.

    Parking / convenience - 5/5 Quality - 5/5 Service - 5/5 Came on a Friday night as a party of 4 to try M Tempura's M Omakase, and the experience was top notch. First, the food was beyond this world. Every dish was perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor, not overcooked, and just the perfect amount. Every single dish was special and savored with the highest quality. They also treat you like speciality! The waitress explained everything to us and treated us as royalty. The space is small and they intentional serve only a few customers at a time so that everything is cooked perfectly. There's plenty of street parking nearby and the restaurant is cozy. Highly recommend!

    Pork Katsu
    Ethan L.

    I came her for the brunch menu on the weekend and it was so delicious. My favorite was the scallop and the Katsu. The Katsu came with 3 dipping sauces as well as flakey salt. The portions were definitely small but it's more of a light brunch menu to have a conversation or enjoy a small bite in downtown Durham. It was pretty cold inside so make sure to bring a light jacket. Service was great. I ordered: - Omelette - Pork Katsu - Poke bowl - Scallops

    Outside. Storefront logo. Parking available in the nearby Chapel Hill Street Parking Deck. Parking is free during most of M Tempura's hours.
    Daniel B.

    M Tempura's kaiseki (Japanese multi-course dinner) was one of the best dining experiences we've had in the Triangle. It's ideal for a romantic date, special occasion, or if you just want to treat yourself and indulge. The food and service were outstanding. That's all you need to know. For details, keep reading. The restaurant opened in October 2018 in downtown Durham, across from city hall. I suggest parking in the nearby Chapel Hill Street Parking Garage at 326 E Chapel Hill St. At the time of writing this, parking there costs $2.25 per hour, Monday-Friday, 8am-7pm. Otherwise, it's free. M Tempura is part of M Restaurants, named after Korean-American chef-owner Michael Lee. He started with M Sushi in January 2016. M Sushi has the best sushi in the Triangle, in my opinion. Then came M Kokko (September 2016), M Tempura, M Pocha (June 2019), M Sushi Cary (September 2022), and M Test Kitchen (April 2023). The latter two are located in Cary's Fenton mixed-use development. The rest are in Durham. These restaurants really helped elevate the Triangle dining scene. M Tempura is a small restaurant with a low-key, intimate atmosphere. The bar and dining room share the same space. That said, it doesn't feel cramped in here unlike M Kokko. The ambiance here is nicer. This place is popular. It got completely full during our Saturday visit. Book your reservation using OpenTable. Unfortunately, I didn't get any dining points from M Tempura. I did get the standard 100 points each from M Sushi and M Pocha. What up with that? I found the name "M Tempura" to be a bit misleading because the restaurant offers way more than just tempura. Only one of the 10 courses in our kaiseki was tempura. During our visit, they offered a $38 tempura tasting as well as tempura a la carte ($4-14 each). There was also an "M Omakase" menu ($75/person) similar to, but not as involved as, the kaiseki ($127/person). Here's what our kaiseki consisted of: * Course 1: Sakizuki (amuse bouche) - NC grass-fed bison tartare, egg yolk, black truffles, sunchoke * Course 2: Otsukuri (sashimi/raw dish) - chef's choice sashimi of the day; for us, it was chutoro * Course 3: Ni-mono (steamed dish) - chawanmushi, steamed egg custard, crab, ponzu, trout roe, walnut oil * Course 4: Atsu-mono (warm dish) - scallop from Hokkaido, Japan, curried cauliflower puree, kaluga caviar * Course 5: Age-mono (tempura/fried) - pink prawns (my substitute was eel), lobster, maitake, asparagus * Course 6: Sui-mono (soup/broth) - shabu-shabu, dashi, ponzu sauce; we were served Hawaiian amberjack and sea bream * Course 7: Yaki-mono (grilled dish) - Wagyu "pave" (a.k.a. "flake steak"), soy-cured egg yolk * Course 8: Shokuji (rice/meal) - blue crab hand roll (my substitute was a tuna tartare with tobiko hand roll), ikura, miso soup * Course 9: Pre-Dessert - monaka, foie gras, persimmon, Fruity Pebbles; paired with complimentary sauternes * Course 10: Dessert - chef's choice ice cream -- yuzu mango ice cream topped with raspberry sorbet Drinks * Born "Gold" Junmai Daiginjo Sake (8 oz carafe for $25) * Glass of the Santiago Ruiz, Albarino, Pontevedra, Spain (5 oz for $15) Every course was delicious, equally fantastic, and gorgeously presented. It was evident that each course was well thought out and carefully executed. The food quality was fresh and superb. Something I appreciated was the substitutions because of my crustacean allergy (see Courses 5 and 8). They weren't afterthoughts. In fact, my wife admitted she was jealous of the tempura eel substitute I received instead of prawns. The tempura was terrific. It was "authentic" tempura where you could actually taste the ingredients. The batter was light and crispy, and enhanced - not overwhelmed - the seafood and veggies. The tempura and other courses came with cute and fun dining accessories. Examples included lemon juicers that looked like fish (for the tempura) and little golden spoons that matched the small chawanmushi bowls. The chawanmushi was phenomenal. Umami to the max, and the temperature and consistency were perfect. The Wagyu "pave" "flake steak" was unique in the how we were able to press our steaks down into ultra thin slices. How'd they do that? The shabu-shabu course had some firsts for us. First, the plates bended in half at 90 degrees. Second, the boiling flame hot pots had paper linings in the broths. We've never seen that before. Though not uncommon on prix fixe menus, we liked that there were two desserts. The monaka with foie gras and Fruity Pebbles was certainly creative and interesting! It hit me with all sorts of flavors and textures. The dessert wine was a nice touch. If M Tempura has a weakness, it's drinks. They don't have any cocktails. Service was excellent. We had a party of four and the courses were paced comfortably with no hiccups. Our server (Woolim?) was great. She was friendly and knowledgeable. She let us sample both wine and sake before we committed to purchasing.

    12.27.24 menu
    Daniel L.

    ~THE BEST BITE~ As a Top Chef fan (and a Savannah superfan), I knew taking my family of 4 for the M Omakase would be a treat. And yet, I left blown away; the ambience, service, and most importantly food were a 10/10!!! As a foodie traveler with over a dozen Michelin star restaurants under my belt, M Tempura earned its place as one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. - Nuts and Bolts: a made an OpenTable resy for 5p on Friday about a week in advance; there were just a couple other slots at 7/8p; easy street-side free parking; we opted for a table experience for the ease of conversation but would have equally enjoyed sitting on the bar, face to face with the chefs - Ambience: upscale casual, perfect for date night or any other special occasion - Food: UNBELIEVABLE. Every course from the chawanmushi to the ginger ice cream dessert was well-paced, complementary, and filled with beautiful story-telling. A friend had came averse to uncooked seafood and was sold by ever course - BEST BITE: such a tough call, as everything was meemorable, but the dolma (shiso leaf, kimchi, almond dukkah) ultimately takes the win. So unique yet comforting, with the perfect balance of umami, sweet, and sour... we had to request a few additional pieces to go ($4 each)!! If I lived in the area, I'd certainly be back monthly.

    Ashley F.

    Went here one afternoon after work. It was slow and I was the first customer there. I've tried for months to get a reservation on the weekend and I've never been able to. But now I see why as there are only 8 to 10 tables inside, it's very small and cozy. But the other restaurants in this restaurant group are small as well. As for the food everything was tasty. I ordered the small tasting and it came with a variety of veggies and seafood. The soup was good as well. I loved the fact that the tempura comes with rice and salt and a dipping sauce. It was all very good and it was my first tempura experience but I will definitely come again!

    December 2023 menu
    Sarah K.

    This M restaurant is only open for dinner. The great thing was I was able to get a table even when I didn't have advance reservation. They only serve set experiences and the a la carte menu act as an add-on to your experience set. For a full experience (M Omakase), at the very end expect to spend about $90 to $100 per person. Although the price sounds steep for a tempura set experience, it's worth it for this area, type of food, and service. My favorite part of the meal is how the entire experience flavors tie in together. You'll receive palette cleansers in between to get a full taste of each dish. It is an elevating experience at a "not-so-stuffy" environment. It's relaxing and fun. The highlight of from the tempura selection was the Mero Seabass. It's the best tasting tempura I've had in awhile! The brie cheese, normi, black truffle, and honey at the end had a wonderful texture and complex flavors that tied the tempura experience. My absolute favorite dish of the set was the meal: miso marinated seabass, house-cured ikura, pickled daion, and wasabi. Served with miso soup. That seabass was cooked to perfection. No matter how hard I try, I don't think I can make my seabass that juicy with the right amount of flakiness. Also, the server really had great knowledge of the M restaurant chain.

    Salmon with Peruvian Aji sauce
    Percy N.

    After watching Chef Stephanie on Top Chef, I wanted to try one of her restaurants when I was in the area. M sushi was full and had a 1.5 hr wait but M Tempura a few blocks down had plenty of seating. I was hesitant to try a multi-course tempura centric dinner at first but glad I did as this tempura is super light and not oily. It reminded me of good tempura places in Osaka Japan. The menu featured some classic preparations (shrimp, mushrooms, etc) as well as some new fusion flavors that all worked very well together. My favorite was the soft shell shrimp that was so flavorful. The crab chawanmushi was also well made and creamy. Highly recommend trying the Omakase by sitting at the bar and watching the chefs prepare your dishes.

    May C.

    Stopped by here for a friends birthday dinner and tried the omakase. Make sure to make reservations ahead of time as the space is on the smaller side and very popular. FOOD The omakase was $75 and definitely very filling. There were raw dishes, tempura, a meal, and dessert. We were already nicely full after tempura and were surprised with the bowl of ikura and fish. Very yummy, but flavoring is on the saltier/strong side. SERVICE No complaints on service. Our waitress was super attentive and nice! AMBIANCE LOVE LOVE LOVE the vibe of the spot. From the tiny fish detailing to the plush hand towels in the bathroom. Overall, worth a try, but not the best omakase spot I've had in the area! Giving it 5 stars since our server was so good. It was our friends birthday, and she caught on quickly and gave him a complimentary champagne.

    Tempura: pink prawn w/ head
    Sarah M.

    I finally got reservations at M Tempura (hot commodity after Chef Savannah killed it in Top Chef)! We opted for the omakase meal, which was such a great experience sitting at the bar and getting served the steaming hot tempura course straight from the fryer by Chef Savannah. This is the perfect location in the heart of downtown Durham. We started with the chawanmushi, which was perfectly silky, and the smoke flavor here was phenomenal. Next up was the salmon crudo - the mango in the aji amarillo added a touch of sweetness which balanced out the spiciness, and the fried shallots on top added a lovely crunch. Moving on to the tuna tartare, which wrapped up into the perfect bite with a slight spiciness and sweetness. The 4th course was the tempura sampler of 8 items - everything was served fresh out of the fryer, perfectly fried, and the tempura batter was light and crispy. It was served with a platter of dipping sauce, salt, lemon, and pickled veg (cauliflower, mushroom, zucchini) for a palate cleanser. The "meal" of miso-marinated seabass was flaky and moist, and balanced perfectly by the spice of the wasabi, acidity and sweetness from the pickled daikon, and brininess of the salmon roe. We finished up the omakase with a zingy, refreshing ginger ice cream. What a freaking phenomenal meal. This was the absolute best experience. I was definitely fangirling the whole time, and cannot wait to come back to try more delicious cooking from Chef Savannah. OMAKASE *Chawanmushi: steamed egg custard, blue crab, smoked trout roe *Salmon Crudo: scottish salmon, aji amarillo, black tobiko *Tuna Tartare: toasted inari, nori *Tempura: pink prawn w/ head, soft-shell prawn, shishito pepper, maitake mushroom, chilean seabass, maine lobster tail, scallop w/ caviar, brie cheese + nori + black truffle + honey *Miso-marinated seabass, house-cured ikura, pickled daikon, kizami wasabi relish *Ginger ice cream w/ ginger candy

    Crab hand roll
    Marley P.

    I love M Tempura. The past couple of years I've gone for a solo birthday trip gift to myself and they never disappoint. The tempura course is an extremely unique experience, and their Omakase and Kaiseki meals have contained some of the best things I've ever eaten, especially the Lobster Shabu. The Chawanmushi is also a highlight. The only thing I'm not a fan of is the tempura Brie with honey and truffle. Maybe it's just not for me, but I've eaten it each time I've gone hoping I like it this time but it has not grown on me. Staff is very welcoming and friendly, love watching the show from the bar. I feel fine dining by myself there.

    The tasting menu plus fried lobster.

    This place was pretty amazing even with the bland food. It wasn't bad but it wasn't amazing. The staff and the ambiance will make returning and give it another chance. I ordered the tasting menu because it was my time. I will dive deeper into the menu next time.

    Tempura asparagus
    Annette G.

    Went here on a date night with my husband. We got the M Omakase. Overall, great meal and a good price for omakase. Good experience and each piece was brought individually, one by one. The server and chefs were really friendly. I would come again and recommend this place to anyone who wants a nice dinner experience and enjoys a variety of Asian foods.

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    Omakase experience was great! Fresh ingredients and wonderful presentation. The ambience reminded us of Japan days.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - M Tempura

    What's the noise level at dinner time?

    It's pretty low key and quiet. That said, I was there at the beginning of dinner service. It was still quiet when I left. Not silent quiet, but enjoyable and relaxing.

    How are the gluten free options?

    Approximately how long does one dinner seating/service last?

    ~ 90 minutes.

    View All 4 Questions

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    Alley Twenty Six - Y'all when I say this burger lived up to the hype!!! IG: @betterwithju

    Alley Twenty Six

    4.3(426 reviews)
    0.0 mi
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    We had an extremely memorable experience at Alley Twenty Six, in large part to our amazing server,…read moreAnthony! We made a reservation for a Saturday night dinner and he made sure we were well taken care of all night. We started the night with their James Bears award winning cocktails, and every drink we ordered was a hit! Spiced strawberry mule, Sunset Sipper, and the table favorite: Earl Please. The latter two drinks were mocktails and they were still standouts! As for the food, the Alley burger was perfectly cooked: juicy patty paired with truffle cheese and simple toppings that really highlighted the burger itself. And shoestring fries are always a good choice with a delicious burger. Ricotta gnocchi was also very good. As our server Anthony said, let's get this burger nominated!

    It's always exciting to go to Alley26, namely for their food. Out of all the options in a block…read moreradius (with the exception of sushi nearby), I will always chose Alley26. Over burgers, over French food, over ramen, over Indian. Why? Because Alley26 serves delectable oysters, succulent burgers, and incredible tin fish. Yes, tin fish. If you haven't seen their extensive menu of fish, you must! While it's not for everyone, it is a tinned fish enthusiasts heaven! I go here to celebrate milestones with a good friend and we always have a mini feast, paired with a glass or two of wine. My favorite time to go is when the weather is comfortable and we can sit in the alley way, it's soooo chic that it feels like you're sitting outdoors at a meal in Italy of France. Service is always on point and I forget the bartenders name that is super knowledgeable and super kind. When I remember, I'll circle back to update this review. If you're thinking about this place, definitely check it out! The only inconvenience though is that I believe is 21+ over, at least at night it is.

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    Alley Twenty Six - Pimento cheese & pepper jelly

    Pimento cheese & pepper jelly

    Alley Twenty Six - Pimento cheese on baguette

    Pimento cheese on baguette

    Alley Twenty Six - Deviled eggs - lifewithhanny

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    M Sushi - Lunch bento box

    M Sushi

    4.6(733 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    I came here on a beautiful day With one of my friends, they…read moreare very clean and the aesthetic is almost like you walk into this new part of Durham We had the raw Omakase! It was great Everything they explained to me I forgot just as quickly, but I had my softest meats here Our server was very sweet and quick to make sure that we didn't ever have to wait for anything she explained each sushi individually and where the fish came from They ship everything from all over the world And the dessert was to die for This is dining like a princess This is the perfect place to take a woman on a date low effort on your part outside of needing to have a reservation*** The omakase is already chosen for you by the chef all you have to do is sit there and enjoy and experience the plates together! Extra brownie points if you can score going to M sushi then taking her to killjoy on Tuesday for their live music so you guys can dance or sit and enjoy more craft cocktails, and each each other's company!

    around Downtown Durham and ended up at M Sushi on 311 Holland St. We just wanted something quick…read moreand ordered a few sushi rolls. The rolls looked pretty nice when they came out -- colorful with different toppings, sauces drizzled on top, and some green onions. The fish tasted fresh enough and the rice was okay, not too hard or mushy. But honestly, the flavors were just average. Some rolls were a bit too sweet from the sauce, others a little salty from the roe. It was creative, but nothing that really blew me away. The place has a nice warm wooden table vibe and the lighting is good for photos. Service was quick, no long wait. Price-wise, it felt a little expensive for Durham -- four rolls and we weren't super impressed with the value. It was fine for a casual meal, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come back just for the sushi. Might try something else next time or their omakase to see if it's better.

    Photos
    M Sushi - Really cool place.

    Really cool place.

    M Sushi - Eel bun

    Eel bun

    M Sushi - Bamboo

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    Bamboo

    Dashi

    Dashi

    3.4(735 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Dashi has been on my list forever, and it did not disappoint. I actually went right after coming…read moreback from Japan because I was missing the food and vibes, and this place really delivered. The ambience is beautiful and cozy, and the customer service was so warm and attentive. We sat upstairs in the izakaya during happy hour (Tuesday). The standout for me was the crispy tofu bao bun. The sauce in it was SO good, I honestly wish I had ordered more, especially since it was only $4. We also tried oysters for the first time (they were around $1.50-$1.99 during happy hour), and they were surprisingly delicious. We tried a few grilled skewers, shrimp, eggplant, and tofu, which were good, but not my absolute favorites of the night. The best was the egg sando. It might sound simple, but it was incredible, honestly tasted just like the ones I had in Japan, if not better. And the fries?? Perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. My new favorite fries in Durham.

    We absolutely love this spot. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the ramen is outstanding, and…read moreevery dish we ordered was thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor. We almost didn't come because of some of the lower ratings, but our experience couldn't have been better. Everything felt fresh, well-executed, and welcoming from start to finish. Our whole family had a fantastic dinner, and it will definitely be on our list every time we're back in Durham visiting Duke.

    Photos
    Dashi - I mean the ramen which I ordered is salty AF .

    I mean the ramen which I ordered is salty AF .

    Dashi
    Dashi - Front door

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    Front door

    Namu - Mystery beer and Bimimbap

    Namu

    4.3(898 reviews)
    6.1 mi
    $$

    This is a seat yourself spot with QR codes at the table to order food and drinks. They have few…read moredifferent sections to sit with lots of tables. This was my first time sitting inside since it was such a cold day. Food came out very fast and was good. The Burrito Bowl is a lot of food, and I had plenty for leftovers.

    Positives: staff was really nice. There is a lot of seating for big groups. The garden is cozy and…read moresweet on a gorgeous day. Not so positive: parking can be tough, the lot is always packed. I think it is a shared lot because the restaurant was pretty empty during my visit today. i have visited twice now (jan 2026 & may 2026) and i order a decent amount of food for the table to share. Both times, every plate has been room temperature. Thats super disappointing especially since the Korean dishes we ordered are typically served very hot (and in clay pots). It would be fine if my food was even remotely warm, but that hasnt been the case for either of my visits. Our food took a very long time to come out, which would have also been fine had the food came out hot, so i am wondering why it took so long to send out cold food? Also, for some reason there was a strong odor of some sort permeating through the beer hall. I couldnt place what it was but it was not pleasant for me. I feel like i am rarely sensitive to smells but i had to spritz a perfume to mask it. It might've just been a cleaning product or something, not sure. Something to note is that you have to pay for the banchan here. This is typically served with your meals for no additional cost as they are considered 'essential' to your meal. So a charge for them was surprising for me.

    Photos
    Namu - Interior

    Interior

    Namu - Joe's Special

    Joe's Special

    Namu - Burrito Bowl!

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    Burrito Bowl!

    Kanki Japanese House of Steaks & Sushi - Durham - Hot Hot Rockin Lava Shrimp

    Kanki Japanese House of Steaks & Sushi - Durham

    2.7(320 reviews)
    6.1 mi
    $$

    I haven't been to Kanki since covid and the experience was very good. I went with my wife on a…read moreweekday for my birthday, we made reservations but did't really need to during the week. We were promptly seated and the waiter was good but the party with us was larger and louder so he was more focused on them. There kanki experience is still pretty much what you expect. The thing that did surprise me is that the portions are still very generous for the price and they leave you with a pretty massive portion of leftovers which is something I loved. A lot of your Kanki experience will depend on your cook and the table crew your sat with. We were seated with a bunch of women on a girl's work night out who were a hoot.Our cook had a lot of flair and jokes. Given the price hikes at most places I was surprised that Kanki feels like a pretty good value in today's economy.

    Don't get me wrong, it's really fun to watch the cooks make the food, and it's usually really good…read more The problem is with the regular dining side. The food wasn't very good, overcooked, bland. The service was really slow, and the servers weren't very attentive, though this doesn't apply to all of the waiters. Also, the prices are the same even though you don't get the whole experience of the food being made, very expensive and overall not worth it.

    Photos
    Kanki Japanese House of Steaks & Sushi - Durham - Empty restaurant

    Empty restaurant

    Kanki Japanese House of Steaks & Sushi - Durham - Emperor's delight with a whole lot of rice.

    Emperor's delight with a whole lot of rice.

    Kanki Japanese House of Steaks & Sushi - Durham - Decor

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    Decor

    M Tempura - japanese - Updated May 2026

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