First time trying Tempura — completely converted

I had never tried Tempura before this visit and I wasn't sure what to expect. The clean and umami-forward taste hit immediately and made sense of the dish in a way descriptions never quite do. fresh wasabi is an ingredient I'd not encountered used quite like this before.

The an intimate Tokyo counter restaurant setting added something to the experience — this kind of food makes sense in that environment. Japanese cuisine philosophy of shokunin craftsmanship shapes how even simple dishes are prepared. My server recommended cold Sapporo beer alongside and it was exactly right. I've been telling everyone to try Tempura. Outstanding first encounter.