Tenjin at Raffles City offers a straightforward Japanese tendon experience that caught my eye during a recent weekend staycation at Swissotel. After checking out and wandering around Raffles City in search of lunch, my husband and I decided to try Tenjin, a smart-casual Japanese restaurant specialising in tendon (tempura donburi). The restaurant wasn’t busy at all since we arrived after the peak lunch hour, so we were seated immediately.

What’s on the Menu at Tenjin?

The menu at Tenjin is refreshingly simple – just 6 main dishes to choose from, plus a small selection of sides and additional toppings. This no-fuss approach to dining is part of the Les Amis Group’s strategy for this concept, focusing on doing one thing well rather than offering an overwhelming variety.

For those unfamiliar with tendon, it’s essentially a bowl of rice topped with various tempura items – typically a mix of seafood and vegetables, all drizzled with a special sauce that adds flavour to the crispy tempura.

Our Tenjin Orders: Special Sets and Truffle Chawanmushi

We both decided on the Special Set each – my husband went with the regular flavour while I opted for the spicy version. To share, we added a Truffle Chawanmushi to our order.

Truffle Chawanmushi ($6)

The Truffle Chawanmushi was what initially caught my attention – a unique twist on the traditional Japanese steamed egg custard with the addition of truffle konbu. While I loved the perfectly wobbly, hot egg custard texture, the overall flavour was disappointingly weak. The truffle notes were subtle, which was a letdown considering this was the distinctive element of the dish.

Special Set | Jo ($17.80)

The Special Set comes with prawns, assorted vegetables, and a freedom range egg, accompanied by miso soup and a shredded cabbage salad. When the bowl arrived, it was certainly a sight to behold – jam-packed with tempura pieces stacked impressively high.

The tempura itself was nicely fried with a good texture – not too oily when bitten into. However, the flavour was disappointingly bland. Even the spicy sauce I ordered didn’t deliver much of a kick, and there wasn’t a significant difference between my spicy version and my husband’s regular sauce. The sauce failed to elevate the taste of the tempura, which was a huge pity since a good sauce is critical to a successful tendon.

For the side salad, you can help yourself to the goma (sesame) dressing available on the table. It was pretty standard – nothing to shout about. The miso soup was equally unremarkable, serving its purpose without standing out.

Value for Money at Tenjin

At $17.80 for the Special Set, Tenjin is considered relatively affordable for a restaurant under the prestigious Les Amis Group. However, when comparing to other casual-dining tendon places in Singapore, the prices are still on the higher side, especially given that the taste didn’t quite deliver.

The Tenjin Experience: Ambience and Service

The restaurant has a clean, modern aesthetic typical of contemporary Japanese eateries in Singapore. The service was efficient and unobtrusive – we were seated promptly, our orders were taken quickly, and the food arrived without much delay.

One thing to note about Tenjin’s location in Raffles City Shopping Centre is its convenience. It’s directly connected to City Hall MRT station, making it an easy stop for lunch if you’re in the area or staying at nearby hotels like we were.

The Verdict: Would I Return to Tenjin?

Will I come back to Tenjin again? Probably not. While there’s nothing glaringly wrong with the restaurant, we’ve had better tendon experiences elsewhere in Singapore. The bland tempura and underwhelming sauce were the main letdowns, especially since these are the core components of a good tendon.

For a restaurant specialising in one main dish, the execution needs to be spot-on, and unfortunately, Tenjin fell short of expectations. The presentation was impressive, and the portions generous, but taste is where it matters most for a specialty restaurant.

Final Thoughts on Tenjin at Raffles City

Tenjin at Raffles City offers a convenient spot for Japanese tendon in a central location, but the taste experience doesn’t match up to some of Singapore’s other tendon specialists. If you’re in the area and craving Japanese food, it’s an acceptable option, but don’t expect to be blown away by the flavours.

For tendon enthusiasts or those looking to try this Japanese specialty for the first time, there are more satisfying options available in Singapore’s vibrant Japanese dining scene. Tenjin may be part of the respected Les Amis Group, but their tendon concept still has room for improvement, particularly in the flavour department.

The next time you’re at Raffles City and considering Tenjin for your tendon fix, you might want to weigh your options and decide if convenience trumps taste for your dining experience.