Tendon Kohaku - Downtown in Vancouver

840 Howe St #190, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2L2, Canada

★★★★☆
(939 reviews)
Categories: Tempura donburi restaurant Japanese restaurant

About

The name “KOHAKU” means amber and like an amber gem shining mysterious with plant inclusions, fresh ingredients are dipped in the golden batter and fried to an amber perfection to satisfy our customers’ palates. Living up to its name, the KOHAKU TENDON is a hearty bowl topped with crispy beautiful tempura. Tendon Kokaku is a collaboration project between two giant Japanese food corporations – Nadai Fujisoba (the largest soba chain in Japan) and Kings Know Group who owns a variety of restaurant brand in Japan including Tendon, pizzeria, pasta café, Japanese Izakaya, lemonade shop, etc.

Website
kohakutendon.com
Address
840 Howe St #190, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2L2, Canada
Plus Code
7VJH+94 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Time Zone
America/Vancouver

Business Hours

Monday
11 AM–10 PM
Tuesday
11 AM–4 PM
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
11 AM–10 PM
Friday
11 AM–10 PM
Saturday
11:30 AM–10 PM
Sunday
11:30 AM–10 PM

Services

Service options
Outdoor seating Delivery Takeaway Dine-in
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Small plates
Dining options
Lunch Dinner Dessert Seating
Amenities
Toilets
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy
Crowd
Groups
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
High chairs
Parking
Paid parking lot Paid street parking

Photos

Reviews

4.3
★★★★☆
939 reviews

Most Mentioned

tendon sauce (36) anago (29) batter (28) chawanmushi (24) cheesecake (17) chicken wings (9) milk tea (8) kabocha (7) steamed egg (7) katsu curry udon (6)
5 stars
548
4 stars
225
3 stars
80
2 stars
34
1 stars
52
★★★★★
November 10, 2024

A bit on the pricey side... But they have some of the best prawn tempura I have ever tasted. The tonkatsu was on the dry side and the beef rice bowl was decent, but the Nagoya chicken wings were delicious!

★★★
November 2, 2024

Both the tempura and rice are too hard. The steam egg only got few ingredients on top. Besides the foods, both the services and environment are great.

★★★★
October 9, 2024

Based on my sister's endorsement, we dined at Tendon Kohaku in downtown Vancouver. Her previous experience with their tendon prompted the recommendation. After checking in at our hotel, we proceeded to the restaurant. We ordered Chawanmushi, a traditional Japanese dish, though its temperature fell short. However, the Kohaku Tendon and Ebi Tendon showcased expertly cooked tempura. The latter included six generously portioned prawns. Due to concerns about raw eggs, we omitted this traditional condiment. The restaurant's atmosphere was inviting, with high ceilings and swift service, catering well to tempura enthusiasts. The rice serving was adequately sized.

★★★★★
October 7, 2024

Nice spot for tempura. You order from a tablet at your table and the food comes pretty fast. For the tendon, i would recommend adding the soup and cabbage which comes with unlimited refills as well as refills of rice. The spicy tendon sauce is nice and adds a kick to the tendon. The katsu curry was good, but will try an udon dish instead next time. Overall nice spot for a casual meal.

★★
October 1, 2024

Food: The food was just ok. The tempura tasted like normal but wasn’t crispy. I suggest getting sauce on the side when you order. Salmon chunks in my rice were delicious. My friends thought the food was just okay. Service: You order on an ipad Atmosphere: Nice and cozy lighting. Washroom is a single room. I’m not sure but i don’t think there is an accessible washroom.

★★★★★
September 7, 2024

When we arrived in Vancouver and got off the train we were starving. I noticed Tendon Kohaku across the street from the station. I’m so glad we came here. It’s an authentic Japanese Tempura restaurant. The servers all hollered welcome in Japanese. They were very attentive and helpful. We got the Nagoya chicken wings as a side. The wings are a golden crispy delight and splashed with a sweet soy base marinade that leaves you wanting for more. Despite being fried the chicken is juicy and moist. Load up on napkins for this one. We split an order of Anago Tendon, which consisted of an Anago eel, two big prawns, chicken, fresh beans, a slice of yam, and seaweed all deliciously fried as tempura in a traditional Japanese way. It comes with rice, cabbage salad, and an amazing dipping sauce for the tempura set. We will definitely be back during our trip here. I highly recommend this place for some traditional Japanese Tenpura.

★★★★
September 4, 2024

The food was great. First time having donburi. The problem was the wait time. I wasnt sure if they forgot our order or something but it was at least 35 minutes before they serve. My husband had to follow up with the server. If you ever come back I would get the unlimited soup and rice for $2.99.

★★★
July 27, 2024

The location is great, and the interior is clean and nicely designed. The order system is very convenient. The tempura was crispy, though some pieces had a thicker batter than expected, making the meal quite greasy. I couldn't finish it all due to the grease. Additionally, the eel had a slightly fishy taste, and the chicken tasted a bit off. I'd be interested in trying the curry or udon next time.

December 23, 2024

The service is really bad

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2024

Tendon Kohaku is amazing! Everything we had was delicious, and the service was excellent. We ordered the Anago Tendon and Kohaku Tendon, and both were perfectly cooked and full of flavor. Plus, if you want, they ll refill your rice and salad, which is a great bonus. Highly recommend this spot for a satisfying meal!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 21, 2024

Delicious Japanese food, good portions and amazing service.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 19, 2024

I would put this at a 3.5 stars if I can instead of 4. The food was just good, much below my expectations since their Seattle location has a lot of buzz and long wait time. Over here, there was no wait time at all, walk in anytime and you should be seated. Food was good, nothing to rave about. Things we ordered. Tendon with the unagi 3/5. Unagi tempura was underwhelming since when unagi is fried it loses flavor. So it was not a memorable dish and I probably wont order it ever again. 3/5 creamy udon. It wasnt bad, not a lot of flavor and not memorable. Wont order again 5/5 takoyaki 3/5 salmon hand roll. It was lacking flavor. Since it was a tendon place, my hand roll doesnt come with wasabi or soy sauce. 5/5 their ice cream, we tried the vanilla one Service was not that great when I visited since they didnt come by to offer the refills on the salad or the rice. We have to keep asking for things. Note that the Seattle one has a larger menu and more dessert option than this one in Vancouver, so you can still visit the Seattle one and you will probably have a different experience.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 17, 2024

My new favourite restaurant!!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 16, 2024

2024 review They changed their menu up to keep things interesting. You can make your meal bottomless with rice, miso soup, and cabbage salad. I picked up their spicy rose cream udon and it was delicious. It lived up to its name and was indeed spicy. They removed melon milk and banana milk off the menu which I was sad about. Their chicken wings arent as good as the prior years. The service is still good and the ordering system is tablet based. _____________ 2022 review The food is pretty good. My favourite is their melon milk. Food here is a bit expensive, but its definitely a great place to go for a date or a treat. Also they dont take AMEX.

★★★
Local Guide
December 9, 2024

On my way home from work, I picked up dinner. The takeout box was so pretty, but the handle ripped after just three minutes, so I had to carry it home under my arm.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 9, 2024

Great food for reasonable pricing, amazing drinks and good appetizer platter for sharing

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 9, 2024

Yum

★★★
December 2, 2024

I am a Japanese native. Oil was used too many times. I tasted old oil taste. Rice was not a sticky enough to picked up. Too thick of tempura batter. Nori of Salmon hand roll was cheap nori which didnt taste good. Its better to switch better quality one. Yeah didnt have any taste as well. The washroom needs to be cleaned.

★★★★
Local Guide
November 25, 2024

Not bad place. Food was alright. Service was incredible. Good vibes here for sure. High end service system definitely made for a good experience.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 23, 2024

I ordered the eel tendon, everything tasted good and I think the portions are reasonable, but I found it personally a bit on the greasy side though it still tasted great. I wish there was a bit more sauce maybe to balance that out, and I also ordered the spicy sauce and didn t find it too be too spicy. Was not too busy on a Sunday evening and quiet atmosphere which I liked!

★★★★
Local Guide
November 23, 2024

Dietary restrictions: Take caution, found to much sauce drowning the bottom of rice. Spacious segregated seating with great customer service. Parking: Somewhat hard to find payed parking during certain times. Kid-friendliness: Highchairs available Wheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

★★★★
Local Guide
November 23, 2024

Not bad.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 23, 2024

Super friendly service, and the tempura was perfectly fried so that it doesn t feel oily at all. The tempura egg was a great add-on.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 23, 2024

Really nice place for tempura! Love the milk tea and matcha latte! #ContestEntry

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 23, 2024

The tempura was delicious! I recommend getting the milk tea as well! #ContestEntry

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 23, 2024

I don t like the tablet for ordering. It lost the human touch. But it is what it is. I always love the tempura here. Super crunchy, fresh, and authentic. I m glad they added different udon and curry dishes to the menu. I can t wait to come back again.

November 23, 2024

I really liked this place and Tendon. I have been coming here often since it first opened and enjoyed a good meal. But I was very disappointed with this visit. The fried tendon had lost its color as if it had been fried several times, the batter was not alive at all, and it was so greasy from all the oil that I had to finish the meal without even finishing the meal. Please, I hope that after reading this article at the store, Tendong will be of the same quality as before.

★★
Local Guide
November 23, 2024

The door is not wheelchair friendly

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 23, 2024

Good food and service. Will definitely return.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 23, 2024

Finally got to try the katsu curry udon and it was fire. Excellent portion size and full of flavor!

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 23, 2024

4th visit Order the signature menu. it is delicious. I intend to visit again Servers are friendly~ The beef udon just didnt have any special taste (personal preference). Recommended menu: Pork cutlet curry Order the spicy sauce separately from the basic sauce and eat it!

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 23, 2024

Had a lovely express lunch - service was quick and ingredients used were incredibly fresh tasting. Went with a group and tried the vegetarian and seafood tempura donburi sets. Really enjoyed the strawberry cheesecake dessert at the end of our meal.

Local Guide
October 23, 2024

The persons that work in there are absolutely rude and racist. I saw the lady in the entrance not allowing a latino couple because she said it was full, when the restaurant was completely empty, there was just another table occupied and ours. Will never come back. Really disgraceful

October 23, 2024

We politely requested a table, and after being informed that it was last call, I asked if I could use the bathroom. The response was a firm no. We had just returned from the VSO, dressed up to celebrate our anniversary, and this treatment was disappointing. I would suggest finding a place that offers a more welcoming atmosphere.

★★★
Local Guide
October 23, 2024

Came in craving some good tempura, but left rather disappointed with the food. The batter is not light and airy, as a tempura ought to be, but rather thick and heavy. Anago was small and thin.

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 23, 2024

For me it is one of my favorite places, the place is beautiful and the service is excellent, and the food is very delicious, I will continue visiting this place.

★★★★
Local Guide
October 23, 2024

They have a different menu from the Burnaby Metrotown location. The environment is very nice and the service is efficient. You order on little ipads at each table. Just heads up: take out boxes are charged extra

Local Guide
October 23, 2024

Slow and unfriendly. I dont know why its delicious Food

★★★★★
October 23, 2024

Good food and service

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 23, 2024

Great food. The kids loved the fried shrimp tempura. I had the spicy beef udon, the soup was too spicy

★★★
Local Guide
September 23, 2024

Update: Last I ate here was a few years ago and Ive been dying to come back here for the food, yet I was sadly not impressed this time around. I decided to go for one of my favorite meals, katsu-kare and they serve it with omurice, but the curry itself just wasnt up to par; not very tasty, very watery overall not impressed. The katsu and the tempura were delicious and fine, but Id recommend to avoid the curry and stick to the tendon here. Original Review: I was in the area for work and decided to stop by for a nice lunch. Highly recommend it, tendon was very good, I got the sashimi aimori tendon combo along with a Hokkaido milk tea. Wish I took photos the presentation was very nice, only criticism Id have is that that batter is a bit thicker than Im used to for tendon, but it was still very crunchy and the sauce was really tasty.

Local Guide
September 23, 2024

I gave it a star just because it exists. Went in there for a late lunch today We were seated right away and handed the menu. We ordered using their electronic ordering system. Waited and after 30 min I asked the server for our order and was told that waiting will be more than 30 min. Normally in restaurants my experience was the front desk or greeter advises me the wait times for the food. So it gives me the option to wait or not. Unfortunately with this eatery they dont let you know. I observed other guests around us and I noticed that the guests after us were served their food first. I called the server and told her that we came in first and wheres our food. She told us it is coming after checking at the kitchen. Then came back again and said 3 more minutes. Mind you resto owner this was already after 40 minutes. We did not even bother waiting and paid for our drinks. To all just exercise your due diligence and asked how long is the waiting for the food. Nothing really special with this place. There are other Japanese restaurants around downtown.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 23, 2024

We had a really nice time at this Japanese restaurant specializing in tempura! We shared an xxl katsu curry udon and the anago tendon. I especially loved the anago tendon and the yummy spicy tendon sauce! Something to note is that upgrading udon sizes is free!! The restaurant itself is nice and peaceful. Service is really nice and speedy!

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

Food was great! Staff were very attentive and friendly.

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

Go for the Deluxe Omelet ...

★★★★
August 23, 2024

I ve been to this location/restaurant at least 10+ times, so i ve seen the changes they have made through the menu this year. The Kohaku bowl is still as amazing as ever! Haven t found a better in Vancouver. However the beef udon is pretty disappointing after trying it when there was burdock (which was my go to order! miss it) There s barely any soup and the noodles were very chopped up/short.

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

Yummy!

★★★★
August 23, 2024

Great place to try for lunch. Tempura on rice dishes and a new menu with soup udon.

★★
August 23, 2024

been going since 2021 - its gotten significantly worse than what it used to be. the menu is a bit cheaper and a LOT different than what it is now, probably to cater to students ? the tempura is a lot worse too, they give you less pieces and the fry is uneven and bad. the salmon is super average too, and doesnt pair well with the tempura. the katsu curry udon is AVERAGE at best, the sauce was very watery and the udon is nothing special. feels like they added a bunch of random things to the menu and made everything worse. used to be my favorite restaurant in vancouver and now its just a subpar japanese restaurant. they should have just stuck to tempura instead of trying to add a bunch of random items to the menu.

★★★★★
August 23, 2024

I d been wanting to try this place for long time, and it definitely did not disappoint! Wow the food was awesome and very reasonably priced! It didn t feel oily even tho it is tempura and tasted really really good! The sauce was top notch! I tried the spicy one, which is only slightly spicy and very pleasant, it had great flavour! Love the sauce!! I also went for the bottomless combo, for $3 you get bottomless rice, miso soup and cabbage! I loved that and the staff are happy and quick to give you refills, which is nice! I also loved the Takoyaki- it was a bit crispy on the outside and soft on the inside- which was perfection! My friend also loved it! Overall it is so worth it! Try it! The staff were friendly. Amy was the one who mostly helped us and she was amazing! She was so patient, answered my many questions, guided me to which items best suited what I was looking for, even helped me place my order, and brought our bottomless combo refills very quickly. She did all that WITH A SMILE, EVERY TIME! She definitely made it a wonderful experience and we can t wait to go back!!! She is awesome!!

★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

Restaurant is clean and cozy. Staff were attentive and professional. The tendon was pretty good and standard. The spicy chicken was really good though, quite a surprise for Japanese cuisine?!

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

Lovely little restaurant with good food. Tastes fresh!

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

They have a new ordering system now, which is good. Although the food is still as good, I am kind of sad that now with each order we don t get any miso, which makes the mouthfeel a dry and oily. If we want to get miso, we need to pay for an upgrade of around 2 dollars if I remember correctly (and we will also get bottomless rice and salad with this combo). The food is still great nonetheless, maybe a bit salty if taken without any soup.

★★★
August 23, 2024

Great interior and service. However, the food quality is inconsistent. when the food is good, its really good. but when i went yesterday for lunch time, half of my tempura was COLD, which is kind of ridiculous for tendon

★★★★★
August 23, 2024

Honestly, 5 is not enough. I went in the evening when it was empty, so I was the only customer at first. I ordered shrimp tempura bowl and Hokkaido milk tea, and it arrived within 5 minutes of ordering. The shrimp are incredibly crispy and the sauce is very delicious and will appeal to everyone. To be honest, I didnt know where the Hokkaido elements were in the milk tea, but it was very refreshing and easy to drink. What surprised me most was the service. As I finished my miso soup and salad, a waiter came over and asked me in English, Do you want another helping? Even more surprisingly, there was plenty of both. A series of shocks. Perhaps they were conscious of the Japanese style of service, but at least in Canada, the service is rare. It was great. The price is about $30 for Tendon (set) + milk tea + chips. Its okay, but considering the quality of the service, its understandable. You can do more than that. Ill come back later!

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

The tempura here is perfect. Light and crunchy while perfectly absorbing the flavors of the beef udon noodle soup that I had it with. Better than Saku.

August 23, 2024

On August 19, 2024, at around 9 pm, we ordered 2 Ebi Tendon, 1 Kohaku Tendon, 1 Anago Tendon, 1 Katsu Curry Udon and 2 Organic Kyoto Matcha Latte for pick up with GENEROUS TIP; however, the bags were not sealed, all foods don t have covers and all of them were cold and not fresh. One of the bags was ripped, and drinks fell off. We will not order again!

★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

Got into Vancouver on a day trip and after walking the entirety of Stanley Parks seawall, needed something fried and crispy, yet semi healthy. Found this place and it did not disappoint. Some tempura with a cocktail really hit the spot after all the walking. Next time, will definitely stop by again. Almost forgot to mention, the staff were quite friendly and accommodating. Kid-friendliness: I saw they were quite accommodating to families with small children.

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

Very chill brightly lit space. Tempura rice bowls are awesome. Vegetarian has 2 kinds of mushrooms and assorted vegetables. I also enjoyed the Kabocha soup. Miso soup is also on the menu. Possibly the best rice you will ever eat in a Japanese restaurant! Immaculately clean bathrooms. Touch screen ordering at the table. Vegetarian options: Limited vegetarian options. Better than most Japanese restaurants.

★★★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

I came w my hubby for dinner at 5:30 pm Friday. I didnt make a reservation but we were seated immediately. But the chair was too low for me. The inside of the store has a nice atmosphere. We ordered Anago Tendon and added combo(include miso soup and salad) and Sashimi Aimori Tendon and added combo too. Also Nagoya Chicken Wings and Organic Kyoto Matcha Softserve with cup. I would have liked a bit more sauce on both of the tempura bowls. Its too flavorless. The sashimi also had no flavour, so I tried making some wasabi soy sauce with it, but it still wasnt great and I was disappointed. But the Nagoya chicken wings were delicious! I ordered a matcha softserve to refresh my mouth and really liked the bitterness and the taste of matcha. The staff all provided very good service

★★★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

Tendon is so good!

★★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

Convenient location, but finding parking nearby is difficult. The servers were friendly, but they did not speak very good English so it was challenging to indersysnd what they were saying. The free upsize noodles are a good value, but overall the food was mediocre. The side of katsu was overcooked and very dry (see photo). The spicy rise cream udon was also dry. The ice cream and tiramisu were pretty good. Its an average place to grab a quick bite downtown without breaking the bank, but I would not make a special trip to dine here.

★★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

This location used to be so good before Covid. Like so many restaurants, the portions are now micro cubes of sashimi and tiny slices of chicken. Before it had that wow factor, now it s just it was tasty but nothing amazing. I had to ask for extra soy sauce for flavour. Every restaurant is like this now in overpriced, cheapo quality Vancouver !

★★★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

i got the tempura don (i think) and it was really flavourful, however personally felt heavy for me once halfway through the bowl. i recommend upgrading for the miso soup and salad which refreshes your palate! otherwise, i was a big fan of the plating and the way they decorated this place!

★★★
July 23, 2024

The service is very good, and the fried shrimp is also delicious. Only when this bowl of noodles was served, my husband and I were completely dumbfounded . The amount is just one bite for my husband

★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

I went to Tendon Kohaku on July 5, 2024. I was seated right away but I sat there waiting with no one to take my orders. A new staff (she looks new) focus on clearing the table beside and totally ignored me until I told her I m ready to order. That was over 5 minutes of waiting. I can see tables uncleared, food sat out for like 5 minutes getting cold, and the staff worked quite inefficiently. My food sat there for a few minutes before it was served. Additionally, the owners of the restaurant blatantly mislead the customers in the menu. In the picture, it shows that all Tendons come with a soup and cabbage salad. But it actually doesn t unless you order it. I hope the owners will correct this and stop misleading the customers. And perhaps, hire a supervisor who will ensure the flow of the restaurant. And clearly better training for staff is needed. The service was extremely slow, and the restaurant was not that busy.

★★★★★
July 23, 2024

Food is very tasty and delicate, and Amy is super nice!!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

Good udon in downtown. My favorite is traditional udon with extra beef.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

Love love love this place! It is a fast casual restaurant, but gah, the food is so delicious. We loved the tempura items, but especially the tempura runny egg. The curry was also quite good. Highly recommend, especially for a quick meal!

July 23, 2024

This restaurant refuse to serve us with my service dog when we ask to be seated outdoor. I asked if we could sit outside with my dog. The waitress agreed. Just when we re about to check out the menu, the waitress walked back and mentioned that it was their managers decision that they do not allow dogs in or outside of the restaurant. I thought this ought to be shared with other people who plan to bring their service dog along Can t comment on the food unfortunately

★★★★
July 23, 2024

I was able to choose the basic/spicy flavor for tendon, but I think it was much better because the spiciness cut out the greasiness! The price is not too expensive and the quantity is just for one person. If it was a bottomless rice combo, they served miso soup and salad, but only that was served on a tray and the individual items were served in bowls. The sauce was really delicious to eat with rice! Next time, I m going to try it with Ebitendon

Local Guide
July 23, 2024

I tried spicy cream udon. but it tastes like just mix with carbo buldak source not that special. also the potion is so small and only the plate is huge.

★★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

known for their tendon

★★★★★
June 23, 2024

Tuesday the 21st at 2pm The moment I tried to eat without the fried food because I was full, I was upset because I saw something rotten. I felt even worse as I wondered if anything I had eaten before was rotten. The server only said sorry. I hope you don t write about the upper limit. I feel bad because it seems like you just wrote it because you dont know about it. Server is also unfriendly

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

Tempura | Dessert | Liquor | Japanese | Downtown Second time visiting this restaurant for some amazing tempura rice bowl set. Their tempura are fresh and delicious, fried to perfection. Their sauces, seasoning and rice is a perfect match. You could add $3 to make it a combo with soup and salad. They were also doing a Sapporo promo. Service was lovely as always, the restaurant was clean and beautiful. Would definitely recommend this place for a satisfying lunch or dinner. 35cent for take out box

★★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

Great packaging for my take out order. Soup and sauce didn t spill. Food tastes as expected. I ordered the classic two shrimp mixed vegetables tempura. Tiny bit heavy handed with the salt. Highly recommend ordering takeout or delivery. Atmosphere is kind of simple classy. Its opened just late enough for people to rush over after orpheum lets out.

★★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

Lovely atmosphere with very friendly servers. Seated us ~40mins before closing! 4/5 Prawn Udon - good chew to the udon, but Ive had better at other local spots. Burdock root deep fried was a great touch! Wish the broth had a greater depth of flavor as well. 4/5 Kohaku Tendon -- loved the variety of veggies and the crisp fry! The spicy sauce runs a bit too salty for my preference

★★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

They are very rich, very light dishes.

★★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

First visit to Tendon Kohaku. I started missing Japanese food, so I went to a tempura restaurant. The a la carte fried chicken is quite delicious. The tempura bowl was not covered with a bowl and was placed in a bowl so that it would look great in photos. What a surprise! lol

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

I was impressed. Who knew tempura on rice with sauce and a soft poached egg could be so satisfying. Dont forget the salad and miso soup!

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

I thought it was local food but for some reason I ended up choosing Japanese food It was delicious

★★★★★
June 23, 2024

The restaurant is very pretty and the food tastes amazing.

★★★★★
June 23, 2024

Great food ,Great service!

★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

Tendon Kohaku...doesnt seem to have aged well. The restaurant is still beautiful, but service was stunted as the two servers had so many tasks on the go, they were often rushing around and couldnt be waved down easily. The sashimi aimori tendon was alright, but the tempura could have been crispier, and there wasnt enough tendon sauce. On value, while its not a significant upcharge, an extra $3 for bottomless rice, cabbage salad, and miso soup feels stingy. In contrast, Saku offers the same at no charge, and their miso soup is actually tonjiru and is stellar. Given the option between the two, Id go for Saku. Recognizing they specialize in different dishes, but if Im feeling Japanese rice bowl, both will satisfy the craving and Saku will do so better. Also, Kohaku doesnt take Amex.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

if that serve with more rice it would be perfect, the tempura is so good

★★★★★
May 23, 2024

Of all the restaurants I visited while traveling with my parents, this is the restaurant they enjoyed the most. The Korean servers are very friendly and the food is very delicious. I plan to visit again next time I visit downtown Vancouver.

★★★★
Local Guide
May 23, 2024

I would recommend the tendon classic over the katsu udon. Overall enjoyable experience and worth the price.

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 23, 2024

Seriously one of the best experience. Love the interior, service, and food

★★★★
Local Guide
May 23, 2024

Great food. Ordered the sashimi tendon before and this time their classic tendon khaki. Tempura isn t too oily. Selection is tasty and service is great. Only thing that s a little weird is the slow piano music as background music

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 23, 2024

Delicious! Would highly recommend. I literally come to Vancouver just for it.

★★★★★
May 23, 2024

Don t think I have ever written a google review for a restaurant before, but this place is really something else. I had the Signature Kohaku Tendon Combo and I. Like. Every. Single. Component. Hands down best tempura I have ever had. Cannot this restaurant is like 5-min walk from work and I didn t notice till 3 years later. Food got served hot after 5 mins of ordering as well. Will definitely come here more for lunch break.

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 23, 2024

Beautiful space. Yummy food, the tempura was very crunchy yet light. If you get miso soup and cabbage salad, they re refillable. Great service too, the servers were very friendly and attentive. We came with our toddler and they gave him a kiddie cup, bowl, and utensils. Vegetarian options: There s a vegetable tendon option available. Kid-friendliness: Very kid friendly. High chair and booster seats available. Plastic cup, bowl, and utensils were provided.

★★★★
April 23, 2024

Ordered vegetable tendon, karaage, and a green grape soda and was pleasantly surprised, tempura was crispy and light but sauce was deep and savory to balance it out. Rice was a tad bit cold and would wish more dressing on the cabbage. Karaage was crunchy and juicy as well with good sauces and the soda was amazing though a little sweet. Overall great food

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 23, 2024

Food and service was great!

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 23, 2024

We had the kohaku tendon and it was great! Get the sauce on the side because it can be a bit salty, but still very delicious. 10/10 would come again

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 23, 2024

Great food and at an amazing value

★★★
Local Guide
April 23, 2024

We returned after attending their inauguration a few years ago. The portions seem smaller and there isnt many vegetarian options. My spouse got the Tonkatsu and said it was the worse he ever had. I enjoy their Tendon but at the same time, the lack of customization is kind of disappointing as well. Vegetarian options: Theres only one vegetarian dish, unfortunately.

★★★★
Local Guide
April 23, 2024

The amount of udon noodles is not much, but the taste is okay. The tempura does not come with a special radish puree sauce. The fried pork cutlet was not crispy enough. The environment was very good and the service was quite positive. There is a restroom in the store. The final tip was 15%.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 23, 2024

I like miso soup and they refill for free :)

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 23, 2024

Excellent place to get lunch or dinner downtown. Tempura is light and crispy and the sauce is excellently savoury. Rice is especially tasty. We absolutely love the runny egg tempura. Carbonara udon was OK but definitely needed more salt + flavour and wasn t a huge hit. Nice that you can upsize to XXL for free though.

March 23, 2024

Terrible service. Seems staffed by mostly teens serving friends ps - Shut down, even drink service / takeout, 30 mins prior to close. Half menu is eat in only. Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 23, 2024

Great place, great taste. Congratulations.

★★★
Local Guide
March 23, 2024

Atmosphere inside the restaurant is really nice! The food is just okay. The portion size is very small and the price is quite high. The menu photos makes it look like all the tempura don items come with cabbage salad and miso which is not the case. You have to pay an additional $3 for it (although it is unlimited refills for these two items, you just have to flag down a server to request a refill)

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 23, 2024

A really beautiful space with bright colours and interesting decor. The food is divine, with large portions of high quality udon and tempura. The Katsu curry udon is particularly delicious. I also recommend the house sake.

★★★★
Local Guide
March 23, 2024

Solid. Great food. A French homeless guy did come in and cause a minor scene when we were there, but the staff handled it appropriately.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 23, 2024

If you like tempura, sashimi, and donburi, you have to try this Sashimi Aimori Tendon! The combination of the ingredients and the presentation of the tendon makes the dining experience particularly enjoyable.

★★★★★
March 23, 2024

Good ambience and pleasantry coming into the store. Wait time was little for seating and food but we d also come when it wasn t so busy. We both ordered the classic with no combo, but it was very tasty. The tempura is light and flavourful and the rice is soft and tasty. However over some time the greasiness becomes a tad dizzying and overwhelming which I m sure can be remedied were you to get the soup and cabbage salad combo on the side. However we didn t but still survived. Good presentation of the food as well, evident in the photo.

★★★★
March 23, 2024

Udon is ok I would like a little more rice in the tempura bowl. I feel like something is missing

★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Was excited to try tendon in Vancouver but it didn t quite live up to the ratings. The batter was heavy and oily - a far cry from tendon I ve had in Kyoto and Tokyo. The lotus root was hard and undercooked, and the shiitake was extremely bland. Although the anago was a bit fishy, it was probably my favourite item in the bowl because everything else was lacklustre. Overall, the food needed a bit of editing. In terms of service, I was given a cup of water with food still on it, which is surprising during COVID times. Unlike most Japanese restaurants, the servers weren t particularly friendly or hospitable so the feeling of Japanese authenticity was missing. Finally, the moment we finished our meal, the server brought us our bill, without asking if we wanted dessert. We didn t ask for the bill yet so I found it rude, especially since the restaurant wasn t busy.

★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Great spot! Large portion sizes, delicious, reasonable prices, nice atmosphere, very friendly staff.

★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Very nice venue and good service but I was very underwhelmed by the food. Extremely salty and the tempura just felt so heavy and oily. My friend had a stomachache all night after our dinner and I woke up the next morning with my face swollen from all the salt which has never happened to me before.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

This food is amazing!!!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

The tempura selection is great, the kohaku set is has a bit of everything. The tempura quality is good, but could be fluffier and crunchier, but I love the mix of meat and vegetables. The kabocha salad was creamy, nutty, and potent with pumpkin flavor. Their servers are accommodating and the space looks beautiful, worthy of higher end restaurants.

★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Was hoping s good tempura don but the taste is disappointing.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Had a wonderful lunch here! The Katsu curry udon was huge (and I even ordered the regular size instead of the large or XL) and so tasty! Staff are lovely and accommodating, and the tendon was delicious!

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Atmosphere is warmly eclectic- chic. Spicy Udon was tempered perfectly. The spice elevated the flavors without overpowering. The salmon handroll was very fresh and tasty. Overall, this joint is well worth a visit if anyone likes Udon and even if you dont know what it is. Guve it a try! Amy was my server, and her approach was genuine and very helpful. I appreciated all her suggestions for how to enjoy my meal, including dipping my prawn tempura into my Udon broth. YUM! expect to be a little slurping noisy over your bowl. I couldnt help myself. LOL.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

One of the best tempura I ve had really enjoyed

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

The food was absolutely delicious, but the people working were a bit unfriendly

February 23, 2024

Bunch of kids running the kitchen - took 45 minutes to get my order of a single bowl of udon, which was very average. I was wondering why they took so long to seat people and why most tables had no food on their table. Didnt think the reason would be incompetence, seeing how the ratings were decent.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Yum! My son had the tempura rice bowl and I ordered the tempura and poke bowl with side of cabbage and miso soup. The tempura was light and crispy and poke tasted fresh. Loved it!

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Delicious food and super friendly star Staff Food

February 23, 2024

I dont usually like to leave bad reviews, but I feel the need to share this experience. The food tasted good, but I got violent food poisoning from it. I went there yesterday for dinner and I was up sick all night. I dont think Ill be able to eat udon or tempura for a good long while after this lol

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Really tasty food, we got the ebi and kohaku udon. We had both the regular and spicy sauce, both of the sauces were really flavourful and really added another level of depth to the standard tempura udon. The matcha Icecream and the tuna tataki were also delicious as well, Id definitely go here again. The decor inside was really nice and clean as well, overall a very good experience! Edit - they changed their menu, I havent tried the new stuff yet. I have heard that the udon is completely different now, so I dont know if this review holds up. Edit 2 - tried their udon, still very tasty but a bit different. I did love it though.

★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

2nd visit here after going for the first time back in 2021 and Im convinced its still one of my favorite meals to get when visiting Vancouver. I decided to go with the Veggie Tendon since I saw that I actually like all of the individual vegetables that are included in this option. The tendon comes nicely presented atop white rice and you get a choice of regular or spicy sauce and I went with the spicy. The sauce is very tasty, kind of like a spicy teriyaki but even better. It does not seem very spicy at first since you get that sweet flavor initially, but its a prevalent spice that I enjoy. Its so good that I wish they gave more rice in the bowl since you can easily eat more with just the sauce. Im not a tendon expert, but Ill just say its like tempura, but better, at least here. Its fried so well and fresh and pairs well with the sauce. Oh and there is extra sauce (not spicy) along with chili powder at the table. Its been a while since Ive been back but I thought the miso soup and cabbage slaw already came with the meal and you just have to pay to get them unlimited. I was a little confused that you have to add these items to your meal and in doing so, you get them unlimited. They should include unlimited rice with this option. It looks like if you go earlier there is no real wait, but for dinner, there is always a wait. Also, they dont seem to have a wait list really and you just have to stand in line and your entire party has to be there to get seated. They are located right across from Robson Square in downtown so be prepared to look out for street parking. The service was fine, nothing spectacular but not bad. I get that they are trying to seat as many parties as possible, so they have the usual 4 person tables split with those plexiglass (covid) dividers. But honestly, it just ruins the aesthetic and those dividers always look dirty whenever I see them. Besides that its an appealing interior and moderately sized restaurant. Besides the few flaws, I really enjoy this meal and will come again when Im in Vancouver.

Local Guide
January 23, 2024

Menu picture is combo. price is only applied to bowl. extra charge for soup and salad. Order takes time. Yet, server delivered our order to other table. Unfortunately i saw it. They took it inside and bring it back again. Highly unprofessional No intend to visit them again

★★★
Local Guide
January 23, 2024

We came here for a late lunch on a Wednesday around 1430 so we were surprised to see that the restaurant was bustling at that hour. We walked in and there a table that just got cleared. The tables seemed to turn over quite quickly. I ordered the sashimi aimori tendon. The sashimi bit pieces were quite fresh and the tempura pieces were lukewarm. Presentation was pretty.

★★★★
Local Guide
January 23, 2024

Sis found this place on tiktok and i admit i was impressed. - mentaiko udon: 9/10. Noodles could be more QQ but otherwise very good. Lovely bowl presentation too - the signature tendon bowl: 6/10. Rice was good and portions generous. But batter on the tempura was mid and not as crispy - matcha latte: 7/10. Standard All tgt 2 mains and 2 drinks=$52 after tax. Super reasonable pricing! Service was abjt slow but very kind. Interior is bright and open. They hve a thing for putting dried flowers everywhere lol

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 23, 2024

Good portions and reasonably priced. Always consistent friendly service and flavourful food.

★★★★
Local Guide
January 23, 2024

The portions got a bit smaller and less pieces than it used to have but still very tasty.

Local Guide
January 23, 2024

I went there because the reviews were so good, but in the end... Two thin, moist fried shrimp with pumpkin and half a shiitake... The rice bowl is just slightly meat on top No intention to revisit

January 23, 2024

ingredients arent fresh, the short manager guy friendliness seems super fake and not genuine, and from the batter I can tell you guys did no change the oil in many days taste super greasy and old oil. Recommend others to avoid

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 23, 2024

Everything is covered in butter, very greasy The wheat on the ceiling reminded me of Ukraine) Looks cozy

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 23, 2024

Tasty. Superb atmosphere. Fast service And they serve Asahi! :-) Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 23, 2024

Incredibly friendly service and amazing food. I live on the Sunshine Coast and am tempted to make trips to the city just to come back here!

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 23, 2024

Great downtown location for Udon and katsu. Often busy, yet the price seems reasonable given the quality and portion. The music was a bit annoying as the same song was played over and over. Otherwise great visual atmosphere, setting, plating. Definitely worth coming back to try the rest of the menu.

★★★
January 23, 2024

In my opinion as a Japanese, this tendon restaurant was not so good. I ordered Kohaku tendon and expected it would come with miso soup and salad. However, I received tendon without miso soup and salad because of the server s inadequate explanation. I also ordered Nagoya chicken wings. The sauce was good but the chickens had a foul smell. At this price for the quality of the meal, I don t think I want to go again. The ambiance of the restaurant was nice, but the food was disappointing.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

I went to this place while singing the udon udon song and said, Yes, this is udon! The chewy udon noodles were so good that it brought tears to my eyes. Tempura is also crispy Tendon sauce is also savory. Udon noodles are chewy. Next time I come, Ill have to eat the tendon that comes with the sushi. The green tea ice cream is not sweet so I keep adding it. (I ate it all by myself) The shovel spoon that comes with the ice cream is so cute. As I sat in front of the closed door, a gentle breeze came in. It was okay at first, but it was a bit cold when I ate the ice cream.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Tempura never tasted so good! You want tempura that is crispy and fresh, not soggy and tough? This is the place to go.

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

Delicious, one set meal is enough

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Very nice place and delicious food

December 23, 2023

Horrible. Waited 30 mins for food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

My favorite restaurant in Vancouver.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Fast and very polite service. I wanted udon and theirs was very good. Maybe ask for extra tempura sauce if you get tempura don.

★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

I ordered the Kohaku Tendon and it was meh. It didnt have much of a crunch. It was salty. Portions were small. I tried my friends udon and the broth was damn SALTY.

★★★
December 23, 2023

I heard good words of this place for a while and I finally got a chance to try it myself but it s not what I expected at all. The rice was too hard. The tempura sauce was too salty. The tempura batter was too thick and not flaky at all. Very disappointed.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Vegetarian options are surprisingly good!!! Vegetarian options: Tempura seaweed, mushrooms and squash are delicious Food : 5/5 |

★★★★
December 23, 2023

The space is beautiful and the overall ambiance is very lovely. There was soft piano covers of Disney music playing while we were visiting. The tempura is delicious. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the French bean tempura. It was very crispy without feeling too oily. The miso soup is delicious and only 85 cents! They only have a choice of rice or udon bases. Only wish was there to be an option to sub salad as a base.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

We were hungry and looking for something unique in Vancouver when we came across this place and it was soo good. The price is high and portions are okay but it was extremely tasty.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Really good food. The kimchi there is amazing.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Outstanding service and beautifully served excellent food. Very satisfied and we will be back. Highly recommended.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Tried this place on a recommendation. The food was tasty but the portion size is a bit small for the price. The service was acceptable. To sum up Tendon Kohaku it is good but there is nothing exceptional about it.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Decent place for a tempura donburi. The food was very fresh and the spiciness was good but not overpowering. Batter is quite light, which made for a crispy, not chewy bite. For dessert, I got the strawberry cheesecake for dessert. It had strawberry puree/sauce with a mousse cheese texture.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Got the kohaku ten Don. It has a lot of variety of tempura on top of rice. With tendon sauce which is sweet and savoury. We ordered miso soup on the side as well for 85 cents. The rice was a little bit too wet but still good. I would have preferred a drier rice to absorb the tendon sauce. Also I recommend adding extra tendon sauce to the tempura and rice to get a better flavour. They can sit probably around 30-40. The tall windows and beautiful decor make this a lovely place to sit and enjoy a meal. We parked at the law court next door which was $6 all day on the weekend. Parking: Lots of paid parking lots around the area Kid-friendliness: Provided my daughter kid bowl and utensils and offered a booster.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Vegetarian options: Delicious Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

One of the best tendon Ive had in north America. Worth its price given its portion

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

I love the tempura bowl and the cheesecake dessert. Everything came out nice and hot including the soup. The dessert is nice and light. Staff were very friendly.

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

It easily exceeds Japan. Its harder to find tempura of that quality in Japan. I ordered the shrimp tempura bowl CD15.50, and the shrimp tails were crispy like a snack. Im sure it will become a popular store even if it opens in Japan. (Sorry if the store has already opened)

★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

I went there with the expectation of being able to eat a bowl of Tendon and Kaisendon combined, but I was a bit disappointed. The fried food is typical and the amount of seafood is thin. And where did the Ikura in the menu photo go? Rather, the Tendon with just vegetable tempura on top was okay. But this is a great dessert restaurant. The scoopable cheesecake and green tea ice cream are much better than the main dish. The service was good, but since I am Korean, I could hear the people serving me speak Korean very well.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Tendon kohaku is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. I find the design very beautiful and distinctive, with a premium touch. The waiters are wonderful and the food is of good quality in relation to the price. Tendon is a good place to go with friends or to eat in a Labor Day.

Local Guide
December 23, 2023

This was my 2nd dining experience here. I enjoyed my meal last time so thought to try it again. The server spilled the whole order of shrimp tempura in my lap, by accident, of course. I managed to dodge most of it but caught some tempura on my pants. The manager came over to offer me an additional appetizer, which I refused as I knew from my earlier experience that my lunch order would be enough food. When the bill came, I was surprised that my lunch was not comped. I asked the server to take 20% off the bill but her manager said no. I expect that it will cost $25 or so to clean my dress pants. Disappointing customer service.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

This place is great! The ambiance is very good, it s super clean. The food and the service were impeccable. The drinks were super tasty too I definitely will come back when I have meetings around downtown

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Tuna sashimi is good! And food is good as well

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

The food was very good. We love it so much.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

I NEEDED to try this place, it was digging through my feed for a long time now and I had to see what is so special about it. On top of that, I had to see what the hype was about. Well, I would say it was pretty freaking fantastic. I came literally 1/2 an hour before their last call, I literally just made it! Their last call is literally at 9:00pm instead of the posted time they have. That is ok, and I understand it because it takes a while to close up shop if their owner isnt really giving them time to close up shop properly and that is ok. I do love their décor though, full wood paneling with a very weird ceiling texture of Wheat hanging from it. It was weird, but I somewhat understand it.... Maybe? ROFL. And their front has a bunch of their history and their awards and recognition of their brand. Sure ok. I ordered the Sashimi Amori Tendon, the one with Prawn Tempura with a bed of raw sashimi fish bits. And my friend ordered the regular Kohaku Tendon. I took a couple of his vegetable tempura and he had some of my sushi bits as well. The good thing about their food is the Tempura is fresh and deliciously made. You can hear the crispy bite when you go in at it. Yes, you can really tell what their specialty is and it is done quite well. The only this is that it seemed extremely overrated. Other than that, its a good try and something I dont see myself going back for though to be honest. Anyways, maybe coming back? I dont know yet, but we will see.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

This place is amazing! Had the Ebi Tendon and the shrimp was perfection! Two isnt enough? Then get this and enjoy 6 pieces of perfectly fried shrimp! My partner had the Classic Tendon and really enjoyed it too. Their rice is imported from Japan, and I think the white grape refresher is freshly squeezed grape juice in sparkling water. Treat yourself and dine here! Perfect for a first date, as its a nice warm quieter atmosphere. Or great for anyone looking to enjoy a nice dinner to themselves. Great friendly and fast service. What a pleasure!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Spicy tendon is provided so that it is not greasy. I think the basic menu is better than the expensive one. It seems like there are more vegetables for $13. The spicy sauce cut through the greasiness, and I liked that it wasnt a large portion. The $13 Tendon contains enoki mushrooms, bean stalks, shrimp, sweet potatoes, and seaweed, while the $17 Tendon contains other mushrooms, shrimp, bean stalks, sweet pumpkin, eggs, and chicken. I actually think the $13 version tastes better. The batter is not very thin, but it is not greasy. The taste is very close to what I had in Japan. There are many customers even on weekdays, but the rotation is fast. However, I think the employees are a bit blunt. I work in a hurry as if Im being chased by something, take menu orders in a hurry, and just leave the food down. It was a restaurant where the tip was a bit of a waste.

★★★
December 23, 2023

This place used to be a great tendon & udon shop. I suspect a change of ownership has occurred as they have changed their menu. They no longer offer udon tempura sets and no longer offer miso soup with your tendon. Food quality has also declined significantly. Sad to see this place change for the worse, unfortunately I don t think i ll be coming here very often anymore

★★
December 23, 2023

The Tonkatsu I ordered was in black.. it is so black that you can t see meat at all .. not sure why they still pack up for customer Vegetarian options: They have vegan option