Naruse

Shizuoka is not commonly featured on the trip itineraries of travellers in Japan, which makes its culinary gems feel all the more exclusive. One such place is Naruse, a tempura restaurant that uses the freshest local fish. The chef travels to the Suruga Bay fisheries every day to get the best of the day’s catch. His set course menu begins with sashimi appetizers, followed by around fifteen pieces of tempura. The local seafood ingredients include reef squid and the juicy tiger prawns which are favorites of every tempura enthusiast. The exact sequence of dishes changes according to daily availability, as well as the whims of the chef. If a new idea strikes him while he’s cooking, he’ll whip it up for you on the spot. As you settle in at the counter, you can watch him work his magic through a glass shield which allows you to get up close without worrying about splashes of oil. It’s incredibly difficult to land a reservation here given the fame which Naruse has achieved in recent years. Those who do will be treated to the pinnacle of tempura excellence. Later in 2020, the owner plans to relocate to new premises near Sengen Shrine. This new spot promises to elevate the experience even further with gorgeous views of a landscape garden, and a separate tea room in which rice will be cooked over a rustic wood fire.