Craving tempura? Japanese chain Ebinoya (爱蝦乃家) will have you sorted. Cheap and satisfying tempura sets, available at three locations in Shanghai, located at Arch Walk, 1000 Trees, and Xintiandi Plaza.
Tempura at Ebinoya Shanghai
Ebinoya is actually a very popular chain in Japan with multiple locations in many Japanese cities. The first location in Shanghai opened in the basement of Arch Walk mall in Gubei.
The menu is clear-cut: tempura with shrimp as the signature, served as a set with rice, miso soup, and pickles. Here they use a combination of sesame oil and soybean oil to fry the tempura.
The signature tempura set is ¥50, which includes two shrimp, squid, white fish, egg, and two kinds of vegetables. The batter here is thicker than what you’d usually associate tempura with. It’s not bad, just a variation, and is more crunchy.
They have a ton of other combos that are larger portions with more shrimp or with tempura pork, abalone, chicken, etc.
Also on the menu are a handful of sobas; clear soup (¥15) and with fried tofu skin (¥20). The cold soba (¥24) is more than decent.
It is crazy cheap and pretty good. The tempura batter is light, crispy, and not oily. The shrimp is fresh and slightly sweet, as is the white fish.
As for the space, it’s a casual restaurant with fast service. Good for a work day lunch. Children’s sets are also available.
Ebinoya 爱蝦乃家 えびのや
Address: LG2-507, Arch Walk Mall, 179 Maotai Lu 茅台路179号金虹桥商场LG2-507号
Tel: 52550277
Hours: Mon-Fri, 11am-9pm; Sat & Sun, 10:30am-9pm
Address: B112-113, 1000 Trees Mall, 600 Moganshan Lu, 莫干山路600号大洋千树B112-113
Tel: 60702927
Hours: Daily, 11am-9:30pm
Address: B2, Xintiandi Plaza, 333 Huaihai Zhong Lu 淮海中路333号瑞安广场新天地B2层
Tel: 60759015
Hours: Daily, 10:30am-9pm
