Tensai
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This is a very small restaurant situated in Midtown. It's not meant for large groups at all. It's perfect for solo or 2 people table dining. They are known for their traditional Japanese eats like udon with tempuras, donburis & apps like karaage. I personally wanted a warm soup for a nice chilly day, so this was a perfect option for me. I opted for EBI NIKU UDON which comes with 2 pieces of shrimp tempura pieces. I like that they keep the tempura outside instead of inside the soup to prevent it from becoming soggy. This meal really did satisfy my warm soup craving. It was decently filling. Flavor was just what I was expecting. My friend and I decided to share a KARAAGE. This appetizer had a decent amount of pieces - nothing too much or small. It was paired with a spicy mayo sauce. It was a good amount of crunchy exterior and juicy chicken inside. Overall, the prices are on par with typical midtown prices. You would spend an avg of $15-20. The food is just what you would expect. This spot is perfect to satisfy your Japanese food cravings.
food: i got the niku udon. the broth was great and light, id prefer my beef to be a bit sweeter but overall not bad. service: service was very good and consistent, staff refilled my water often and checked in one regularly ambiance: very small shop but perfect for a meal for 1-4 people. very cozy and theres a really small ceiling fan they have which i thought was pretty cute.
The food is very pricey. About $17 for a bowl of udon with 3 pieces of broccoli , 3 pieces of carrots and a sprinkle of leafy vegetables, 3 mushrooms. I am not sure about the quality of the udon. I saw they were coming out of plastic bags. The flavor was ok. The udon with beef was similarly sparse. My 4 year old was able to eat the entire bowl. The mackerel had great flavor but was a very small portion. The octopus with wasabi has good flavor but was also a very small portion. We had to go somewhere else to buy more food, even though we spent close to $70 here. Staff was nice and the meal was quick. The restaurant is very small and barely room to walk through.
Tensai is a small, narrow restaurant for homey udon - perfect for when it's cold out! I do think the prices are a tad high for what you get - the Spicy Cucumber was $9 and it was small / not special. I would've paid for the amount for that. The Niku Kimchi Udon for $20 was decent, but it was exactly what I was craving. Would be back again!
I'm always in the mood for noodle soup but on this particular day, I wanted Udon specifically and this place hit all the right notes! When you enter, this place looks pretty narrow and small but actually has quite a few tables. When we went, there was only 1 other party there and the restaurant never really filled up- but I wouldn't be surprised if it did! We ordered the Karaage to start- it was around 6 pieces for $10. Not bad at all! The spicy mayo was a good pairing. Chicken was juicy, not dry. Had a good crunch to it. Flavor wise is plain unless dipped in the spicy mayo. Solid 3.75 out of 5. We both ended ordering the Ebi Niku Udon. Somehow that's what sounded amazing to us both in that moment. It came with 2 shrimp tempuras and a good heap of beef and onions with a little bit of spinach on the side. Broth was so good and full of beef and dashi flavor! Shrimp Tempura itself would be 3/5 though. Udon itself is a 4.5 out of 5. Perfect amount of chew and was great with the hot broth! Overall bowl of udon 4/5. The 3 staff members working here when we went are kind and friendly. Checked in on us during our meal to make sure everything was okay and that we were enjoying our meal during and after!
I visit NYC a few times a year and have found myself coming back to this cozy spot a lot on colder days. As most have said it's quite tight inside and little seating but service has always been friendly and fast. The broth and chewy udon noodles always hit the spot. Definitely recommend trying the ube chips as well.
Stopped by after recovering from a cold and was craving something warm and soupy. It's a small restaurant with a handful of tables. We had the karage udon and the ebi Niki udon. The noodles were a good texture and the soup was nice. The protein was a little skimpy, only a few slices of beef and maybe 4 tiny pieces of chicken. They make everything fresh and there was a table that got there right before us service was a little bit slow.
Tensai means genius, but the food quality is absolutely not meeting the genius standards. If I am paying almost $20 for a udon, I am expecting that rich flavored broth and decent amount of topping. Unfortunately the broth tasted bland and the quality of the beef is meh. The waitress asked us what we wanted to drink without serving the water...... Won't come back again.
Tensai has become one of my favorite udon spots in Midtown East. Nestled on a quieter street, their tempura and udon are light and delicious. The udon soup hits the spot and warms the soul. If you want some spice, make sure to ask for the japanese chili powder (s&b branded ones). Seating is on the smaller side, but service has been prompt and efficient the two weekday nights I dropped by. I'd argue the simplicity and quality of the udon by Tensai outclasses Tsurutontan udon. Tensai is simply genius at its udon and tempura. :)
This is a very cute, small udon place. We came a little before noon on Saturday and had no issues getting a table for 2, but by 12:30 the restaurant was full. There were only 3 staff members, 2 in the kitchen and one server/host but the service was great. Food came quickly and the server was pleasant. The seats were more like stools, so it was a good thing they had a coat area inside by the bathroom. Our takoyaki was very good, 5/5. The udons arrived warm, but not hot. I like my soups server boiling hot so that was a little sad on a cold day. The poached egg was on the raw side, it immediately disintegrated into the soup when poked at. The noodles were pretty soft, and the broth was light and clear. Overall it seems like a nice neighborhood spot.
Really nice little shop in the Upper East Side. We were able to make a reservation for 4 for a Saturday dinner. When we got there, there was still a couple of tables open but definitely could be helpful if you come with a larger group. The staff here were super friendly and prompt. I loved the no thrill of Tensai and the simplicity and quality of the dishes. I ordered the Ebi Niku and thought the shrimp tempura was the star as it was fried but not too doughy. The broth was flavorful and the beef was tender. I would definitely return and try some of their other dishes!
Took my mother here as she was visiting for a work trip from the west coast. We were exited to try a highly rated Japanese restaurant within NYC. We each ordered a bowl of udon and a fried calamari appetizer. Unfortunately the food was sub par. Very weak, very un-flavorful broth. Tasted cheap. I felt bad as my mother ate only half her bowl due to the dish being so poor. Not sure if it was just a bad batch of the night but I would not recommend this spot for udon or Japanese food
I randomly found this spot while looking for a new spot to get lunch. I surprised more people don't know about this fantastic udon shop. I started off with an order of Karaage ($10) for appetizer, which I probably did not need. Comes with a spicy mayo dipping sauce, which taste great. For entree, I got the Ebi Niku Udon, which consisted of both sliced cooked beef and two pieces of shrimp tempura on the side. Loved the thick and chewy udon noodles and I fished the entire dash broth. Refreshing and not saturated with salt. I'd probably come back in the future if I'm craving udon for lunch. read more
I had stopped by this little hole in the wall a handful of times before stopping in several months ago during a cold winter day. The place was pretty quiet, and the staff was friendly. To drink, I had a Hot Organic Super Matcha Tea for 4.95. It was alright tea, and I wish teas were included in the price point, as otherwise, this place feels pretty traditional. In terms of food, I only ordered from the seasonal menu, so I'm not sure how the rest of the dishes are, but from what I had, I would go back for a light traditional meal. My appetizer was the Dashimaki Tamago/だし巻まき卵たま, or sweet savory omelet with daikon for $6.98. This came with three pieces along with a little dollop of grated radish. The pieces had a light sweetness to them along with a bit of savoriness. They were juicy and a bit bouncy while maintaining some softness. This was standard and good. My main dish was the $19.98 Beef Tan Tan Udon, or ground sirloin beef, spicy broth, baby bok choy, kikurage mushroom, scallions, and sesame seeds. While I have preferred udon from spots like Raku, the udon had a mild chew to it, and they were still good. The broth had a mix of sweetness and spiciness with a nice depth of flavor. The vegetables inside tasted fresh, and the meat added some richness. This was good as well. I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to go here, but the food was good. If you're in the area and looking for no frills Japanese dining in a more comfortable atmosphere at pretty decent Midtown East prices, I would recommend this place. read more
This is a very small restaurant situated in Midtown. It's not meant for large groups at all. It's perfect for solo or 2 people table dining. They are known for their traditional Japanese eats like udon with tempuras, donburis & apps like karaage. I personally wanted a warm soup for a nice chilly day, so this was a perfect option for me. I opted for EBI NIKU UDON which comes with 2 pieces of shrimp tempura pieces. I like that they keep the tempura outside instead of inside the soup to prevent it from becoming soggy. This meal really did satisfy my warm soup craving. It was decently filling. Flavor was just what I was expecting. My friend and I decided to share a KARAAGE. This appetizer had a decent amount of pieces - nothing too much or small. It was paired with a spicy mayo sauce. It was a good amount of crunchy exterior and juicy chicken inside. Overall, the prices are on par with typical midtown prices. You would spend an avg of $15-20. The food is just what you would expect. This spot is perfect to satisfy your Japanese food cravings. read more
food: i got the niku udon. the broth was great and light, id prefer my beef to be a bit sweeter but overall not bad. service: service was very good and consistent, staff refilled my water often and checked in one regularly ambiance: very small shop but perfect for a meal for 1-4 people. very cozy and theres a really small ceiling fan they have which i thought was pretty cute. read more
The food is very pricey. About $17 for a bowl of udon with 3 pieces of broccoli , 3 pieces of carrots and a sprinkle of leafy vegetables, 3 mushrooms. I am not sure about the quality of the udon. I saw they were coming out of plastic bags. The flavor was ok. The udon with beef was similarly sparse. My 4 year old was able to eat the entire bowl. The mackerel had great flavor but was a very small portion. The octopus with wasabi has good flavor but was also a very small portion. We had to go somewhere else to buy more food, even though we spent close to $70 here. Staff was nice and the meal was quick. The restaurant is very small and barely room to walk through. read more
Tensai is a small, narrow restaurant for homey udon - perfect for when it's cold out! I do think the prices are a tad high for what you get - the Spicy Cucumber was $9 and it was small / not special. I would've paid for the amount for that. The Niku Kimchi Udon for $20 was decent, but it was exactly what I was craving. Would be back again! read more
I'm always in the mood for noodle soup but on this particular day, I wanted Udon specifically and this place hit all the right notes! When you enter, this place looks pretty narrow and small but actually has quite a few tables. When we went, there was only 1 other party there and the restaurant never really filled up- but I wouldn't be surprised if it did! We ordered the Karaage to start- it was around 6 pieces for $10. Not bad at all! The spicy mayo was a good pairing. Chicken was juicy, not dry. Had a good crunch to it. Flavor wise is plain unless dipped in the spicy mayo. Solid 3.75 out of 5. We both ended ordering the Ebi Niku Udon. Somehow that's what sounded amazing to us both in that moment. It came with 2 shrimp tempuras and a good heap of beef and onions with a little bit of spinach on the side. Broth was so good and full of beef and dashi flavor! Shrimp Tempura itself would be 3/5 though. Udon itself is a 4.5 out of 5. Perfect amount of chew and was great with the hot broth! Overall bowl of udon 4/5. The 3 staff members working here when we went are kind and friendly. Checked in on us during our meal to make sure everything was okay and that we were enjoying our meal during and after! read more
1 year ago
4 months ago
I visit NYC a few times a year and have found myself coming back to this cozy spot a lot on colder days. As most have said it's quite tight inside and little seating but service has always been friendly and fast. The broth and chewy udon noodles always hit the spot. Definitely recommend trying the ube chips as well. read more
11 months ago
Stopped by after recovering from a cold and was craving something warm and soupy. It's a small restaurant with a handful of tables. We had the karage udon and the ebi Niki udon. The noodles were a good texture and the soup was nice. The protein was a little skimpy, only a few slices of beef and maybe 4 tiny pieces of chicken. They make everything fresh and there was a table that got there right before us service was a little bit slow. read more
Tensai means genius, but the food quality is absolutely not meeting the genius standards. If I am paying almost $20 for a udon, I am expecting that rich flavored broth and decent amount of topping. Unfortunately the broth tasted bland and the quality of the beef is meh. The waitress asked us what we wanted to drink without serving the water...... Won't come back again. read more
Tensai has become one of my favorite udon spots in Midtown East. Nestled on a quieter street, their tempura and udon are light and delicious. The udon soup hits the spot and warms the soul. If you want some spice, make sure to ask for the japanese chili powder (s&b branded ones). Seating is on the smaller side, but service has been prompt and efficient the two weekday nights I dropped by. I'd argue the simplicity and quality of the udon by Tensai outclasses Tsurutontan udon. Tensai is simply genius at its udon and tempura. :) read more
This is a very cute, small udon place. We came a little before noon on Saturday and had no issues getting a table for 2, but by 12:30 the restaurant was full. There were only 3 staff members, 2 in the kitchen and one server/host but the service was great. Food came quickly and the server was pleasant. The seats were more like stools, so it was a good thing they had a coat area inside by the bathroom. Our takoyaki was very good, 5/5. The udons arrived warm, but not hot. I like my soups server boiling hot so that was a little sad on a cold day. The poached egg was on the raw side, it immediately disintegrated into the soup when poked at. The noodles were pretty soft, and the broth was light and clear. Overall it seems like a nice neighborhood spot. read more
1 year ago
Really nice little shop in the Upper East Side. We were able to make a reservation for 4 for a Saturday dinner. When we got there, there was still a couple of tables open but definitely could be helpful if you come with a larger group. The staff here were super friendly and prompt. I loved the no thrill of Tensai and the simplicity and quality of the dishes. I ordered the Ebi Niku and thought the shrimp tempura was the star as it was fried but not too doughy. The broth was flavorful and the beef was tender. I would definitely return and try some of their other dishes! read more
4 months ago
Spicy cucumbers were that spicy and not a lot of flavor. I got the ebi ontama and soup was okay, the tempura was pretty crispy and not oily. read more
Took my mother here as she was visiting for a work trip from the west coast. We were exited to try a highly rated Japanese restaurant within NYC. We each ordered a bowl of udon and a fried calamari appetizer. Unfortunately the food was sub par. Very weak, very un-flavorful broth. Tasted cheap. I felt bad as my mother ate only half her bowl due to the dish being so poor. Not sure if it was just a bad batch of the night but I would not recommend this spot for udon or Japanese food read more
1 year ago
Def worth a try if you want to try good udon. The udon was perfectly soft yet chewy enough. The Yakiniku udon was my fav as the stir fried made the noodles very flavorful (sweet and savory taste). The steak was cooked well - crispy on outside, soft on inside. The servers were very nice. Checked in on us multiple times and made sure our water was always full. Inside was a bit small but cozy enough. I would come back if I was crazy udon read more
Decent and speedy service, but the portion size is a bit small.. The space is also a little tight and there is not too much between each table so you will be very close with other parties next to you. Love the broth! Very yummy overall but left feeling still hungry ): read more
5 months ago
I have been here 4x just this week and I'm never disappointed. Small place, great Japanese beer, and Ud read more
My first time here. So there are two sides the restaurant but they serve both menus on both sides I think ha. I was seated on the right side of the restaurant and there was a decent sized bar as well. I didn't see the set up for the other side. Authentic feel to the place. There was a ramen/bowl menu and a sushi menu as well. I went with ramen and donburi bowl. The tofu appetizer was delicious as well as the main courses. Service was decent. Polite staff read more
Came to tensai for a quick lunch as I was craving something soupy! I ordered the karaage udon. It was not the best udon I have had before but definitely above average. I think my biggest complaint is that I wished that they had the karaage on the side. I've been to other udon shops who have their toppings on the side which helps with the topping to not get soggy. With the karaage soaked in the soup, it wasn't the crispy texture I expected out of it. Considering it's recently opened, service was okay. It was a bit slower than expected. The shop itself is clean and there's a few tables and booth seating. If you're a big group, it may be a bit hard to get a seat here. read more
2 years ago
Meet a friend here. What a very Cute little Place. It's a must try if you are in the area!!! They have Seasonal Menu Items. Ordered Egg Tamago & Vegatable Tempura Udon Fried Ube Chips Enjoy!!! read more
Excited for a new udon place in the area ever since Udon West left us, my partner and I tried kaaeage, tako wasabi, takoyaki, shrimp tempura udon, and beef bacon udon. Service was friendly and prompt. Since the space is small, there are not a lot of seating- be aware if you plan on coming here with more than 2-3 people. Food was pretty good, every dish is exactly as expected. Good size of shrimp for the tempura. However, there were barely any beef bacon in the udon and that disappointed my partner a bit. Overall good udon fix for the area but nothing that sets it apart. read more
2 years ago
Small little restaurant that makes the best of a tiny space. It is small and a bit cramped but they really tried their best to make the best of a small space. The staff was kind and gave great recommendations. Karrage: 5/5 delicious. Juicy tender chicken on the inside and crispy on the outside. Cooked to perfection! Came with a nice spicy mayo. Ika Geso:4/5 nicely flavored squid tentacles and fried just enough to be crispy without being overwhelmed with batter. Came is a wasabi shishoto pepper sauce. However, for the amount and the price it feels a bit underwhelming. Ebi Niki Udon: 4/5 Great flavors for the broth. Caution: it will not be as strong in flavor as what you'll be use to for Japanese restaurants. However, the flavors are on point but milder. The udon noodles were cooked to perfection and bouncy but not chewy in texture. The shrimp tempura done to perfection and absolutely love the flavor of the meat. Actually well marinated with a hint of sweetness that compliments the meal. Special Rice Don: Mackerel 4/5 Mackerel cooked well and nicely seasoned. Paired with rice shredded cabbage and a small bowl of miso soup. Miso soup unfortunately was lacking the depth of flavor that should come from a miso soup. The flavor was too mild. Overall 4/5. I enjoyed that I was able to finish my meal; enjoyed it; and not feel like I need to drink a ton of water or feel sluggish from all the salt content that is typical when eating at a Japanese restaurant. If you are looking for those strong umami flavors then this is the wrong place. The flavors will appeal more to those that are use to a lighter palate. read more
We came here for a late lunch. Service was really fast and good! I got the shrimp tempura with egg and it was soooo good. Broth was flavorful and the tempura was very fresh. The restaurant is small but plenty of seating and super cute. Great spot for some udon! read more
3 years ago
Tensai is one of my favorite udon noodles spot. This place is just recently opened in Midtown. It is a cozy restaurant. The menus includes array of small appetizers, udon noodles soup, donburi, sake , beer , wine and soft drinks. I really like the ebi niku udon. The broth is so rich and savory, and absolutely perfect for the winter season. The kurobuta sausage is also very good. It is so juicy. Service is excellent. Can't wait to go back to try more of the noodles option. Feature: Shishito peppers Kurobuta sausage Saba shio Vegi Tempura udon soup Ebi niku udon soup read more
Place was good but nothing special. I think this tastes just like those packaged udon with the powder soup packet that you can get in Japanese grocery stores. So it definitely pretty good, but felt like something I can easily recreate. Karage was yummy. read more
5 months ago
1 year ago
Absolutely great food, I was in and out within 30mins as the service was great, the host welcomed me in, gave me menu and explained certain things on the menu. I ended up getting the karaage chicken udon, the broth was fish broth but it was absolutely delicious, served with veggies, udon noodles and the karaage chicken on the side. The food was great. The place isn't really big but it's really nice and clean with great seating that fits the spot. Very affordable and the portions are great read more
The restaurant is small and simple and we were able to make a same day reservation for a party of 5. There was only a few people working, so service was slow and we had to ask for water multiple times. In addition the food came out at separate times. I ordered the summer special cold udon. The udon was good, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come back. read more
2 years ago
Beyond my expectations! Upon entering it feels like you are entering a little cozy restaurant in Japan. You are greeted by the chef and staff as you pass the kitchen into your seat. Service was quick, and of course staff was very knowledgeable. Now for the food I got the Ebi Niku Udon which came with shrimp tempura and thin beef slices. The tempura was light and crunchy, not oily at all and cooked to perfection. Now onto the Udon.. so first i am not really a fan of the thicker noodles but the noodles were cooked to perfection and the broth was heavenly! The broth was filled with so much umami, not too salty and was just incredible. I'm still drooling over the broth as I write this review! The appetizers were all delicious as well, recommend the corn croquettes definitely a crowd pleaser! read more
1 year ago
7 months ago
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