Motokame

At Motokame, choosing what you want on your tempura rice bowl is part of the pleasure: go for prawns, conger eel and chicken together, or focus on a few favourites. The “Three Stars Tendon” combines prawn, conger eel and chicken, while the “Supporting Cast Tendon” pairs white fish, squid and scallop; they cost 1,600 yen and 1,400 yen respectively. There is also a “Just [one ingredient] Tendon” range, for bowls that put a single topping centre stage, such as conger eel or large prawn.

Diners have described the tempura as crisp and said the rice-bowl sauce is served separately for you to pour on yourself. That makes it easy to adjust the amount: go lightly to keep the batter crisp, or add more of the sweet-and-savoury sauce to enjoy with the rice. Several reports also mention a choice of rice portions, from small to extra-large, making it easy to tailor the meal whether you want a generous serving or prefer the tempura to take centre stage.

For a vegetable option, try the vegetable tempura rice bowl with lotus root and sweet potato. One diner said they particularly enjoyed the vegetable tempura; another praised the sweetness of the onion fritter. Tempura is also served as a set meal. The “Three Stars Tempura Set” brings together prawns, conger eel and chicken, offering a way to enjoy the same combination without a rice bowl.

There is plenty of choice among the noodle dishes, too. Burdock tempura soba is described as having a satisfying bite, while the plum and lemon soba is presented as a tangy option. A diner who ordered a rice bowl with chilled soba praised the noodles’ springiness and the crisp tempura, though other comments differ on the noodles’ texture. Whether to make a rice bowl the focus or pair it with noodles can depend on your appetite that day.

A handy choice for tempura rice bowls in Ichijoji, whether you are eating alone or having lunch with family.