Had a date night here (sat at the bar- which you can reserve online), and did the "Kaiseki" (Japanese tasting) menu. It's about 10 courses for $130- and I felt it was well worth the price. The quality of the fish was great, the flavor combinations were unique, and each course was different from each other (I appreciated only one course- with 4 items- was tempura/fried). You can add on additional tempura items at one point in the meal, and you can add on a wine and sake tasting. My favorite courses of the meal were the FIRST "seabass sammie" and the brie tempura (get the add on if it's not included in your menu!!!!) Some of the courses were interactive (I.e. cooking lobster in butter) and made for a cool, fun, and unique experiences. The restaurant is small and cozy (limited seating, so make a reservation far in advance), and both the waiters and the chefs were extremely friendly and engaging (sit at the bar counter). Really enjoyed all of the food, and an opportunity to wear something nice, and to eat something different (than what you're used to in Durham). I appreciated they had 2 other tasting menus, for cheaper prices (one was only $38), and that every tasting menu was VERY different from each other (makes it easy to come back multiple times). Would highly recommend M Tempura, and will definitely be back! read more

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Every last bite was absolutely delicious! From the beginning taste to the ending ginger ice cream (yes I forgot to take a picture, I'm sorry!) Personal favorites include the Mushroom tempura, the Scallop tempura, and the Brie cheese tempura. My goodness all three of them were incredible. Overall the Omasake menu was very well done. I was perfectly full at the end but didn't feel like I needed to be rolled out of the restaurant. Having been to Japan my fiance and I were very intrigued by the Kiseki tasting. With our friends having recently moved down here, M Tempura will definitely be on our return restaurant list when we come back to visit. read more

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Let's just say this: I went to M Tempura expecting a decent dinner. What I got was a tempura-based love story--with Jennifer as my culinary matchmaker and the chef as my trusty narrator. Dining solo here doesn't mean dining in silence. Jennifer, my waitress and now spiritual flavor guide, suggested I add the *brie course* to my tempura tasting. I hesitated. Brie? With tempura? Ma'am... YES. Brie, nori, honey, and truffle in one bite? I don't know what kind of culinary witchcraft that was, but I'd follow it into battle. Or at least into another reservation. Every course was thoughtfully prepared, with the chef offering insights that made me slow down and actually *think* about what I was eating. It wasn't just dinner--it was a little education in flavor. The tempura itself? A revelation. Light, crisp, not drowning in batter like your usual "tempura adjacent" spots. You could *actually* taste the ingredient inside. And let me tell you, the root vegetable course? Delicate. Earthy. Unexpectedly elegant. To top it off, the ginger ice cream was the kind of palate cleanser that makes you consider skipping dessert for the rest of your life because nothing else will live up. Would I go back? I'm already planning my return like it's a second date with someone who actually listens. **Pro tips:** * Go with the tasting menu if you're not starving--plenty of food, but no food coma. * Don't skip the brie add-on. Seriously. * Sit at the bar for chef interaction if you're solo--makes the experience that much richer. This isn't just a dinner spot--it's a damn delight. read more

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Parking / convenience - 5/5 Quality - 5/5 Service - 5/5 Came on a Friday night as a party of 4 to try M Tempura's M Omakase, and the experience was top notch. First, the food was beyond this world. Every dish was perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor, not overcooked, and just the perfect amount. Every single dish was special and savored with the highest quality. They also treat you like speciality! The waitress explained everything to us and treated us as royalty. The space is small and they intentional serve only a few customers at a time so that everything is cooked perfectly. There's plenty of street parking nearby and the restaurant is cozy. Highly recommend! read more

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I came her for the brunch menu on the weekend and it was so delicious. My favorite was the scallop and the Katsu. The Katsu came with 3 dipping sauces as well as flakey salt. The portions were definitely small but it's more of a light brunch menu to have a conversation or enjoy a small bite in downtown Durham. It was pretty cold inside so make sure to bring a light jacket. Service was great. I ordered: - Omelette - Pork Katsu - Poke bowl - Scallops read more

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After watching Chef Stephanie on Top Chef, I wanted to try one of her restaurants when I was in the area. M sushi was full and had a 1.5 hr wait but M Tempura a few blocks down had plenty of seating. I was hesitant to try a multi-course tempura centric dinner at first but glad I did as this tempura is super light and not oily. It reminded me of good tempura places in Osaka Japan. The menu featured some classic preparations (shrimp, mushrooms, etc) as well as some new fusion flavors that all worked very well together. My favorite was the soft shell shrimp that was so flavorful. The crab chawanmushi was also well made and creamy. Highly recommend trying the Omakase by sitting at the bar and watching the chefs prepare your dishes. read more

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Stopped by here for a friends birthday dinner and tried the omakase. Make sure to make reservations ahead of time as the space is on the smaller side and very popular. FOOD The omakase was $75 and definitely very filling. There were raw dishes, tempura, a meal, and dessert. We were already nicely full after tempura and were surprised with the bowl of ikura and fish. Very yummy, but flavoring is on the saltier/strong side. SERVICE No complaints on service. Our waitress was super attentive and nice! AMBIANCE LOVE LOVE LOVE the vibe of the spot. From the tiny fish detailing to the plush hand towels in the bathroom. Overall, worth a try, but not the best omakase spot I've had in the area! Giving it 5 stars since our server was so good. It was our friends birthday, and she caught on quickly and gave him a complimentary champagne. read more

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M Tempura's kaiseki (Japanese multi-course dinner) was one of the best dining experiences we've had in the Triangle. It's ideal for a romantic date, special occasion, or if you just want to treat yourself and indulge. The food and service were outstanding. That's all you need to know. For details, keep reading. The restaurant opened in October 2018 in downtown Durham, across from city hall. I suggest parking in the nearby Chapel Hill Street Parking Garage at 326 E Chapel Hill St. At the time of writing this, parking there costs $2.25 per hour, Monday-Friday, 8am-7pm. Otherwise, it's free. M Tempura is part of M Restaurants, named after Korean-American chef-owner Michael Lee. He started with M Sushi in January 2016. M Sushi has the best sushi in the Triangle, in my opinion. Then came M Kokko (September 2016), M Tempura, M Pocha (June 2019), M Sushi Cary (September 2022), and M Test Kitchen (April 2023). The latter two are located in Cary's Fenton mixed-use development. The rest are in Durham. These restaurants really helped elevate the Triangle dining scene. M Tempura is a small restaurant with a low-key, intimate atmosphere. The bar and dining room share the same space. That said, it doesn't feel cramped in here unlike M Kokko. The ambiance here is nicer. This place is popular. It got completely full during our Saturday visit. Book your reservation using OpenTable. Unfortunately, I didn't get any dining points from M Tempura. I did get the standard 100 points each from M Sushi and M Pocha. What up with that? I found the name "M Tempura" to be a bit misleading because the restaurant offers way more than just tempura. Only one of the 10 courses in our kaiseki was tempura. During our visit, they offered a $38 tempura tasting as well as tempura a la carte ($4-14 each). There was also an "M Omakase" menu ($75/person) similar to, but not as involved as, the kaiseki ($127/person). Here's what our kaiseki consisted of: * Course 1: Sakizuki (amuse bouche) - NC grass-fed bison tartare, egg yolk, black truffles, sunchoke * Course 2: Otsukuri (sashimi/raw dish) - chef's choice sashimi of the day; for us, it was chutoro * Course 3: Ni-mono (steamed dish) - chawanmushi, steamed egg custard, crab, ponzu, trout roe, walnut oil * Course 4: Atsu-mono (warm dish) - scallop from Hokkaido, Japan, curried cauliflower puree, kaluga caviar * Course 5: Age-mono (tempura/fried) - pink prawns (my substitute was eel), lobster, maitake, asparagus * Course 6: Sui-mono (soup/broth) - shabu-shabu, dashi, ponzu sauce; we were served Hawaiian amberjack and sea bream * Course 7: Yaki-mono (grilled dish) - Wagyu "pave" (a.k.a. "flake steak"), soy-cured egg yolk * Course 8: Shokuji (rice/meal) - blue crab hand roll (my substitute was a tuna tartare with tobiko hand roll), ikura, miso soup * Course 9: Pre-Dessert - monaka, foie gras, persimmon, Fruity Pebbles; paired with complimentary sauternes * Course 10: Dessert - chef's choice ice cream -- yuzu mango ice cream topped with raspberry sorbet Drinks * Born "Gold" Junmai Daiginjo Sake (8 oz carafe for $25) * Glass of the Santiago Ruiz, Albarino, Pontevedra, Spain (5 oz for $15) Every course was delicious, equally fantastic, and gorgeously presented. It was evident that each course was well thought out and carefully executed. The food quality was fresh and superb. Something I appreciated was the substitutions because of my crustacean allergy (see Courses 5 and 8). They weren't afterthoughts. In fact, my wife admitted she was jealous of the tempura eel substitute I received instead of prawns. The tempura was terrific. It was "authentic" tempura where you could actually taste the ingredients. The batter was light and crispy, and enhanced - not overwhelmed - the seafood and veggies. The tempura and other courses came with cute and fun dining accessories. Examples included lemon juicers that looked like fish (for the tempura) and little golden spoons that matched the small chawanmushi bowls. The chawanmushi was phenomenal. Umami to the max, and the temperature and consistency were perfect. The Wagyu "pave" "flake steak" was unique in the how we were able to press our steaks down into ultra thin slices. How'd they do that? The shabu-shabu course had some firsts for us. First, the plates bended in half at 90 degrees. Second, the boiling flame hot pots had paper linings in the broths. We've never seen that before. Though not uncommon on prix fixe menus, we liked that there were two desserts. The monaka with foie gras and Fruity Pebbles was certainly creative and interesting! It hit me with all sorts of flavors and textures. The dessert wine was a nice touch. If M Tempura has a weakness, it's drinks. They don't have any cocktails. Service was excellent. We had a party of four and the courses were paced comfortably with no hiccups. Our server (Woolim?) was great. She was friendly and knowledgeable. She let us sample both wine and sake before we committed to purchasing. read more

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~THE BEST BITE~ As a Top Chef fan (and a Savannah superfan), I knew taking my family of 4 for the M Omakase would be a treat. And yet, I left blown away; the ambience, service, and most importantly food were a 10/10!!! As a foodie traveler with over a dozen Michelin star restaurants under my belt, M Tempura earned its place as one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. - Nuts and Bolts: a made an OpenTable resy for 5p on Friday about a week in advance; there were just a couple other slots at 7/8p; easy street-side free parking; we opted for a table experience for the ease of conversation but would have equally enjoyed sitting on the bar, face to face with the chefs - Ambience: upscale casual, perfect for date night or any other special occasion - Food: UNBELIEVABLE. Every course from the chawanmushi to the ginger ice cream dessert was well-paced, complementary, and filled with beautiful story-telling. A friend had came averse to uncooked seafood and was sold by ever course - BEST BITE: such a tough call, as everything was meemorable, but the dolma (shiso leaf, kimchi, almond dukkah) ultimately takes the win. So unique yet comforting, with the perfect balance of umami, sweet, and sour... we had to request a few additional pieces to go ($4 each)!! If I lived in the area, I'd certainly be back monthly. read more

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My boyfriend and I made a reservation for their Kaiseki tasting menu and it was fantastic. I don't like steak but clearly I've been eating the wrong kind of steak because the A5 wagyu was delicious. I was worried we wouldn't be full but both of us left completely satisfied. Our waiter was extremely kind and knowledgeable. It was a wonderful experience and we would 100% do it again! read more

Went here one afternoon after work. It was slow and I was the first customer there. I've tried for months to get a reservation on the weekend and I've never been able to. But now I see why as there are only 8 to 10 tables inside, it's very small and cozy. But the other restaurants in this restaurant group are small as well. As for the food everything was tasty. I ordered the small tasting and it came with a variety of veggies and seafood. The soup was good as well. I loved the fact that the tempura comes with rice and salt and a dipping sauce. It was all very good and it was my first tempura experience but I will definitely come again! read more

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This M restaurant is only open for dinner. The great thing was I was able to get a table even when I didn't have advance reservation. They only serve set experiences and the a la carte menu act as an add-on to your experience set. For a full experience (M Omakase), at the very end expect to spend about $90 to $100 per person. Although the price sounds steep for a tempura set experience, it's worth it for this area, type of food, and service. My favorite part of the meal is how the entire experience flavors tie in together. You'll receive palette cleansers in between to get a full taste of each dish. It is an elevating experience at a "not-so-stuffy" environment. It's relaxing and fun. The highlight of from the tempura selection was the Mero Seabass. It's the best tasting tempura I've had in awhile! The brie cheese, normi, black truffle, and honey at the end had a wonderful texture and complex flavors that tied the tempura experience. My absolute favorite dish of the set was the meal: miso marinated seabass, house-cured ikura, pickled daion, and wasabi. Served with miso soup. That seabass was cooked to perfection. No matter how hard I try, I don't think I can make my seabass that juicy with the right amount of flakiness. Also, the server really had great knowledge of the M restaurant chain. read more

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Food; Best tempura we've had in decades and we paid dearly for it. Portions were adequate and presentation was beautiful. We each had Omakase. Each dish was exquisite and fashionably petite. The service was stellar. One of my incarnations was in fine dining. They were all running efficiently, they were very polite and engaging when engaged. Solid sake selections. If you've got or can get a few hundreds together, put this establishment at the top of your bucket list. read more

After a recent visit to Tokyo I was skeptical of a dedicated tempura place in Durham, but like all other M restaurants this place delivers. The vibe is attentive but casual, and the tempura omakase is a perfect blend of well-executed tempura with NC ingredients (or at least ingredients that make more sense in NC than Tokyo). read more

I finally got reservations at M Tempura (hot commodity after Chef Savannah killed it in Top Chef)! We opted for the omakase meal, which was such a great experience sitting at the bar and getting served the steaming hot tempura course straight from the fryer by Chef Savannah. This is the perfect location in the heart of downtown Durham. We started with the chawanmushi, which was perfectly silky, and the smoke flavor here was phenomenal. Next up was the salmon crudo - the mango in the aji amarillo added a touch of sweetness which balanced out the spiciness, and the fried shallots on top added a lovely crunch. Moving on to the tuna tartare, which wrapped up into the perfect bite with a slight spiciness and sweetness. The 4th course was the tempura sampler of 8 items - everything was served fresh out of the fryer, perfectly fried, and the tempura batter was light and crispy. It was served with a platter of dipping sauce, salt, lemon, and pickled veg (cauliflower, mushroom, zucchini) for a palate cleanser. The "meal" of miso-marinated seabass was flaky and moist, and balanced perfectly by the spice of the wasabi, acidity and sweetness from the pickled daikon, and brininess of the salmon roe. We finished up the omakase with a zingy, refreshing ginger ice cream. What a freaking phenomenal meal. This was the absolute best experience. I was definitely fangirling the whole time, and cannot wait to come back to try more delicious cooking from Chef Savannah. OMAKASE *Chawanmushi: steamed egg custard, blue crab, smoked trout roe *Salmon Crudo: scottish salmon, aji amarillo, black tobiko *Tuna Tartare: toasted inari, nori *Tempura: pink prawn w/ head, soft-shell prawn, shishito pepper, maitake mushroom, chilean seabass, maine lobster tail, scallop w/ caviar, brie cheese + nori + black truffle + honey *Miso-marinated seabass, house-cured ikura, pickled daikon, kizami wasabi relish *Ginger ice cream w/ ginger candy read more

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I love M Tempura. The past couple of years I've gone for a solo birthday trip gift to myself and they never disappoint. The tempura course is an extremely unique experience, and their Omakase and Kaiseki meals have contained some of the best things I've ever eaten, especially the Lobster Shabu. The Chawanmushi is also a highlight. The only thing I'm not a fan of is the tempura Brie with honey and truffle. Maybe it's just not for me, but I've eaten it each time I've gone hoping I like it this time but it has not grown on me. Staff is very welcoming and friendly, love watching the show from the bar. I feel fine dining by myself there. read more

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Went here on a date night with my husband. We got the M Omakase. Overall, great meal and a good price for omakase. Good experience and each piece was brought individually, one by one. The server and chefs were really friendly. I would come again and recommend this place to anyone who wants a nice dinner experience and enjoys a variety of Asian foods. read more

M Tempura - Tempura asparagus - Japanese Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Omakase experience was great! Fresh ingredients and wonderful presentation. The ambience reminded us of Japan days.

M Tempura is a must try experience. M Tempura specializes and pretty much exclusively offers omakase. All you have to do is pick which type of omakase you want, and then you wait in anticipation as each round is served to you. The menu is set by the chef seasonally, and they bring out your food in courses. It's a relaxing environment where you should expect to be here for over an hour. This restaurant is a small, romantic, and intimate vibe. There are only a few tables and the bar, so it almost feels like the whole restaurant is to yourself! The tempura is very delicious. I especially loved the eggplant they had that night. I don't think you'll leave hungry because the last course was a larger bowl that included some rice. All of the food was extremely tasty, and it wasn't overly fried or too heavy. It's truly a fun and relaxing time. read more

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This place was pretty amazing even with the bland food. It wasn't bad but it wasn't amazing. The staff and the ambiance will make returning and give it another chance. I ordered the tasting menu because it was my time. I will dive deeper into the menu next time. read more

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Great fine dining option in Durham. I love M sushi so have been really looking forward to trying this. Ambiance & Service: 5 stars! Really attentive servers and bar seats were so fun to see people making the tempura Food: creative, tasty dishes. We got the premium tasting menu. My favorite was the wagyu with the soy marinated egg and ikura My only complaint was that the food felt a little too salty - everything was a hair too salty which overwhelmed some of the other flavors read more

M Tempura - Wagyu - Japanese Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Had the Kaiseki dinner course menu ($104 / person) and was blown away. The whole time I was thinking I should bring my parents here the next time they're in town because every dish on the course menu was so scrumptious and unique. They even personalized the course to my pescatarian diet which I really appreciated, and the service is spectacular. The restaurant itself is quite small but it resembles omakase dining (face-to-face with chef) which makes the vibe more intimate than crowded. Would highly, highly recommend checking out the place and the Kaiseki course. read more

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Experiencing omakase at M Tempura promises a culinary adventure where the chef leads your palate through a flavorful journey. Omakase, the Japanese tradition of letting the chef decide your meal, offers a unique dining experience. At M Tempura, this means a carefully curated selection of delicacies, each crafted to highlight the fresh ingredients' natural essence. Patrons can expect an intimate setting, as the chefs meticulously prepare each dish right before their eyes. This engagement not only showcases their skill but also invites diners to appreciate the artistry involved. The interaction between the chef and the ingredients plays a significant role in creating a memorable meal, making M Tempura a standout place for omakase in the city. The dining experience at M Tempura emphasizes quality and detail. Guests are treated to a sequence of beautifully plated courses, each narrating its own story. The balance of flavors and textures exemplifies the chef's mastery in bringing out the best in each ingredient. Beyond taste, it's about the entire experience--the ambiance, presentation, and personal interaction--creating a meal worth remembering. This approach ensures guests leave not just satisfied but enriched with a deeper appreciation for the cuisine. Dining at M Tempura is more than just a meal; it's a celebration of Japanese culinary traditions reimagined for modern palates. I am a chef and blew my mind! read more

We ordered the Kaiseki for the three of us. Our server was professional, personable and our guide to the meal. The space is smallish, with high ceilings and hard surfaces. We had a table in a corner at the front window. Unfortunately, a table of four next to us were there for drinks, apps and laughs, loudly. They had a good time, as we did. I would go back in a minute. Chef Savannah prepared an amazing meal. read more

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THIS IS THE BEST RESTAURANT IN DURHAM. My boyfriend and I came in for the Kaiseki Dinner last night and oh my goodness this was the absolute best food and experience I've had in North Carolina across my 11 years living in both Charlotte and Durham. I'm BEGGING everyone, please come here and try Chef Savannah's phenomenal menu. Our Kaiseki Dinner was 10 courses and every single one was incredible. Each dish was so flavorful yet beautifully balanced, with even the subtlest details enhancing the overall taste without overwhelming it. My boyfriend and I visited Japan on a 2-week trip a year ago, and we had some of the best food of our lives, including meals at two Michelin-starred and several Michelin-recommended restaurants. We reminisce about the food often and haven't had anything close to it in the States until now. No other experience has reminded us more of Japan than the Kaiseki Dinner at M Tempura. It's hard to pick the best parts of the meal because everything was amazing, but some highlights for me were: - The chawanmushi topped with blue crab meat, fish roe, and a tomato vinaigrette. Chawanmushi is a very traditional Japanese dish with a base of steamed egg custard. I must admit that while I appreciated the dish when we had it in Japan, this iteration by Chef Savannah is my favorite by far. It nailed the dish's light, delicate nature while delivering such a beautiful depth of flavor. - The seared scallop served with puree and caviar. I can't tell you exactly what the components for this dish were as I forgot to take a picture of the menu (and I'm kicking myself for it!), but this might have been my favorite course of the meal. The scallop was cooked absolutely perfectly, but the puree was really the star. It paired perfectly with the scallop--warm, silky, and indulgently rich. At the end, I literally scraped every last bit of the puree--it was that good! - The tempura course included prawns, salmon, sea bass, eggplant, and (I think) mushrooms served with a homemade dipping sauce, sea salt, and lemon. The cook on the tempura was SPOT ON. Beautifully crisp, light, and perfectly seasoned. One of the Michelin-starred restaurants that we visited in Japan was a tempura specialist, and honestly, this was right up there with the very best. Truly exceptional. Alongside the exquisite food, every other aspect of our dining experience was equally impressive. The service from our waitress, Jennifer, was wonderful. She was warm, kind, and knowledgeable, offering detailed explanations of each course. At the end of our meal, Chef Savannah and the sous chef (whose name I unfortunately can't remember, so sorry!) came out and were so friendly and kind! Even though the restaurant was closing, they took the time to come out and talk to us about the meal and even took a picture with us! It is clear that Savannah and her team genuinely care about connecting with their guests and creating experiences as memorable as the food itself. A final appeal to anyone reading this: come to M Tempura. I've been to every M restaurant--including the omakase at M Sushi--and while I love them all, there is no better experience than what we had here. M Sushi often gets all the spotlight as a pillar of upscale dining in the Triangle (and rightfully so), but M Tempura deserves just as much recognition, if not more. It's an absolute gem that more people need to discover. Note: not pictured in the attached pictures are the wagyu course and the tempura brie course (they were so delicious we couldn't take a picture fast enough). read more

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If you enjoy Japanese food, this is an awesome experience! I do warn you -- be ready to smell like deep-fried food! If that doesn't bother you, this place is for you! It's part of the experience! If you're coming here, I'm sure you want to try the tempura. I did the tempura sampler for around $40-50 price point and really enjoyed it. Every piece of vegetable is fried to perfection and pairs well with the carb of your choice. As I'm writing this review, I feel like I'm due for another visit here. I would suggest making reservations ahead of time. I was lucky enough to stop in randomly and got a seat for one. It's more of a special occasion type of vibe. read more

Great restaurant! Not many places that can do an omakase right in the area but they do. We did the M Omakase for $89/pp. It was priced right for the quality of food and what we got. Dinner took about 2 hrs. Paced well! We love the small size of the restaurant, love the care in even the plates that are used, the bowls and the like. Staff was nice and knowledgeable. We LOVED the ginger ice cream at the end! So perfectly crafted in every way. read more

Came for dinner and got the M Omakase. Every course was delicious. We also ordered hot green tea and a hot sake to go along with our meal. It was a bit too much food for me but for my husband it was perfect. I will order the smaller omakase next time. My favorite dish was actually the tuna tartare starter. That charred inari gives it amazing flavor. The maitake mushroom was probably my favorite tempura followed closely by the scallop. I'm amazed how every piece was cooked perfectly. That wagyu main dish with the ikura and the soy-cured yolk was out of this world. Those flavors blend so well together. I wish I had room to finish the dessert because the mango crepe cake is phenomenal. The service was good and the timing of the courses was perfect. Another great M restaurant! read more

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Absolutely incredible omakase experience. It's an unassuming location, but the the interior is simple and fits the theme. Every employee was really helpful and kind, and the chefs were nice and funny (we sat at the bar in front of them). There was so much variety in the food. The first course included A5 beef tartare, a gyoza, and fish in an almost ceviche-style preparation. After that, we had multiple pieces of tempura presented with a tempura tray to season it in various ways. For the main course, we received an A5 Wagyu donburi, and then a Pandan cake for dessert. It was all fabulous. This was one of my favorite omakase experiences ever. read more

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Part of the draw, and much of the point, of kaiseki is variety - not only in cooking style (boiled, simmered, fried, etc) but also in ingredients (using what is fresh and in season), taste, and texture. In this sense, M Tempura's kaiseki meal didn't fit the definition. Instead, they seemed to be leaning far too heavily on the richest, most decadent 'crowd pleaser' ingredients, regardless of whether they fit in with the rest of the dish, or with the march of dishes. Having a parade of truffles after caviar after wagyu may SOUND classy (and make you think the $127 you're spending is worth it) but after a few dishes of it, your stomach just feels heavy with richness and you're kinda over it. So now that I've gotten that out of the way, I'll stress this: taken on their own and out of the context of the experience, most of the dishes are great to fantastic, with only a few outliers. I'll go dish by dish: - seabass sando with shiso and lemon kosho: this was the amuse-bouche but probably should have been somewhere in the middle, as it was light and fresh with perfectly cooked yet strong-flavored fish. It would have been a nice way to break up the rich flavors of the rest of it. - chawanmushi: putting this second was... a choice. Very umami, stuffed with mushrooms, scallops, and trout roe. One problem with this dish was that the trout roe did not burst easily. I understand that means they're super fresh, but if you can't get at their flavor at all... - spicy tuna stuffed in toasted inari with uni bechamel: OK, at first I was miffed that M Tempura would try to insert spicy tuna in an elevated meal, but I have to admit that I was eventually tickled by the way the uni bechamel looked like it was going to be some trashy mayo sauce but then resolved into a clean uni flavor - wagyu with Korean arugula salad to be wrapped in pickled daikon: wonderful, fatty delicate meat, mingling with the vinegar of the pickled daikon and vinaigrette on the salad. Perfect, no complaints about this one. - ika, kaluga caviar, and wakame nestled in a banana leaf with dashi butter: also LOVED this dish; the squid was soft and pillowy resting on the wisps of wakame, and I had never had kaluga caviar before, but it was slightly earthy and reminiscent of port fat. And I felt a personal connection to this dish: it tasted to the note like my favorite squid butter udon at my favorite udon restaurant. - crab salad with lotus root chips, smoked trout roe, kanisu jelly, and garlic chive oil: this was the second exception to the rich umami-heavy dishes parade and was such a relief with its slightly acidic vinaigrette, sweet abundant spider crab meat, and airy chips, that tears came to my eyes when I tasted it. - Shrimp, shiitake, lobster, and scallop/caviar tempura. This is where it kind of fell apart for me (surprisingly given the name of the restaurant). I'll say this: the tempura batter is divine, particularly the shattering airy quality they give to the shrimp. But the shrimp was just plain not fresh, with that funky aftertaste we all know well if we've had bad shrimp, the lobster was cold in the middle (I get raw lobster as sashimi; not sure if it works in hot tempura), and the scallop was quite good but by then, honestly, I was really sick of caviar. - Dashi broth with cabbage-wrapped shrimp cake and shaved truffle: I actually did not eat this one. The same rotten shrimp flavor that was in the tempura pervaded the broth so thoroughly that nothing in the bowl was edible. - Uni/ikura don: Perfection. I was so full and caviared-out at this point that I couldn't finish this either, but I made sure to get every beautiful orange tongue of uni with the (happy surprise!) REAL wasabi served with it! This is the best uni I've had since I left Los Angeles. - Pre-dessert: on the menu this was brie ice cream, but our chef said they hadn't worked that out yet, so they were going to tempura-fry brie. At this point I wanted to be honest with him about how he was killing us with richness, so I (politely) said that I felt like at this point we couldn't take any more rich food and that it would be difficult to eat fried cheese. He did check with the kitchen to see if there was another option, but there wasn't, and there was no more discussion. I kind of hoped that he would take the feedback as an opportunity to have a discussion and possibly improve/learn, but he didn't. And the fried brie was COVERED in truffle shavings, of course. - Raspberry shaved ice with yuzu sorbet: SO refreshing, again, such a relief, like the spider crab. The tiny basil leaves were the cherry on top. This dish kept me from walking out the door still feeling sick and truffly. So, in summary: mostly great dishes, a few misses, but I wish someone had taste-tested this kaiseki meal as a full flight of dishes and recognized it was too one-note, too rich. read more

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I was pleasantly surprised to find a restaurant like M Tempura here in Durham and had to give it a try. The restaurant is quite small, with only 5 tables and some counter seating. I always love sitting at the counter because you get to watch the talented chefs prepare your meal right in front of you! We opted for the Kaiseki Dinner menu. Right off the bat, I must note the service was quite slow which dampens the supposed high end experience you're paying for. It took 10-15 minutes after getting seated to even make our selection from the 3 preset menus. We also didn't get our drinks until the 2nd or 3rd course rolled around, after inquiring with the server. When we did get them, we received hot sake instead of cold as was ordered and our server promptly corrected the mistake. The first 3 courses (Seabass Sando, Chawanmushi, and Tuna Tartare) were quite small and came out pretty slowly. We were pretty starved at this point so I wish the pacing weren't so agonizing in the beginning! Next, the yakiniku course reminded me of Korean barbecue. While I was excited to see wagyu on the menu, you are only served a few very thin slices of beef, like brisket, so you don't actually get to appreciate the fatty marbling that wagyu offers. A tad disappointing. The nimono dish was presented beautifully, but a tad bland. The watermelon & iberico ham "salad" was a fun treat though. Finally, we get to the tempura. While I understand that the point of the kaiseki dinner is to show off all types of cooking methods, I still wish there was more tempura included on the menu since that is the namesake of the restaurant. Instead, you receive quite measly portions. One single shrimp, HALF of a single mushroom, half of a lobster tail, and half a scallop. The scallop is topped with some caviar, which doesn't add much to the dish. The tempura was cooked perfectly though. Light, crispy, not oily, and not undercooked. The following soup and rice dish was probably my favorite of the night. The broth is rich with umami and the cabbage-wrapped shrimp ball is flavorful and bouncy. The uni and ikura play off each other nicely, providing a nice salty/sweet, rich/fresh balance. The rice also gives you a chance to fill up if you're still hungry, which you probably will be if you have a big appetite. Although I left very full, I wasn't absolutely stuffed the way I usually am after these types of dinners. Lastly came the short but sweet dessert. It sounded amazing on paper: brie ice cream with shaved truffle, wild honey, and a foie gras, sour cherry chocolate bonbon. Unfortunately none of the flavors really came through in the final product. Even the fresh truffle fell a little flat. Not to mention it was so tiny... I think that's an accurate reflection of the meal as a whole. It had great potential but ultimately didn't quite hit the mark. This is me being nit-picky though, and comparing M Tempura to other expensive tasting menus at michelin-star caliber restaurants. Of course my dinner was still fantastic otherwise. If I were to come back, I would definitely just stick with the tempura-only menu. read more

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A fantastic, unique dining experience! The food was delicious and made on the spot! It's an intimate restaurant with only a few tables and the bar top area (surrounding the chefs) but that's just another element that makes it such a special, memorable occasion. I do highly recommend ordering one of the pre-set menus; the various courses and the variety of textures and flavors are not to be missed! The servers walk you through each course and are quite helpful with suggestions if you're not familiar with any flavor profiles. I will definitely be back!! read more

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This place was a beautiful gem that we randomly found on a Tuesday night. They normally only take reservations in the evening so we were so happy that we were able to get a table. We were going to order the tempura omasake but saw another group eating the Bara Chirashi and the Katsu and we immediately wanted to eat it. The Bara Chirashi was very flavorful especially with the roe and the furikake, but I had the pork Katsu and it comes with cabbage, pickled vegetables, rice, dipping sauce, and miso soup. Completely worth it. The breading for the Katsu was so crunchy, thin, and light. Loved it. I can't wait to go back and try the Omasakes tasting menu. read more

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M Tempura is definitely one of my top picks in Durham for a range of occasions: a low-key intimate date night, a celebratory dinner, or a special treat for yourself for getting through the week. Their range of menu options from a la carte tempura and entrees to the more formal omakase can be tailored to any one of those occasions and any food preferences. I tried their traditional omakase last time. It is served as a small plates multicourse meal, which is perfect for appreciating freshly prepared tempura. Even though each plate seemed small, I was undeniably full by the end of the meal. Could we have gotten a similar experience ordering a la carte? I'm not sure, because the omakase meal came with a tray set of rice, pickled vegetables, and other accompaniments to pair with the tempura. Must-know tip: Make a reservation! I've tried walking in and it has never worked for me. Note though that if one person picks an omakase, then the rest of your party must do so as well -- you can't "split" an omakase. For that reason, it might be best to make sure you're on the same page as the people you will be dining with ahead of time. read more

Wonderful ambience. Great place to go for something nice or to celebrate. Beautiful place and dining set-up. I will say the menu may be hard for anyone who does not eat pork. Most entrees had pork or some type of pork broth. Was hard to find vegetarian options for friends or to alter any menu items. Tried the eggplant sando and felt so-so about the meal experience. The sides didn't complement the sandwiches, though the arrangement looked beautiful and impressive. read more

M Tempura - Sando - Eggplant - Japanese Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This place is so dang good. I came here a year ago for the Kaiseki, which was amazing and so so filling (felt like I was going to explode afterwards). The sea bass sando, wagyu beef, and Brie were my favorites. Plus big props to the servers at this restaurant, who thoroughly explain each course and how to eat it. This time around though, I wanted to try something new. We ordered 3 entrees: the pork katsu with Japanese curry, curry Tsukemen, and pork katsu sandos. The curry Tsukemen was phenomenal and was definitely my favorite. It's a dipping ramen dish, and the curry broth that you dip the noodles into was so flavorful and had the perfect amount of spice. The dish had a smoky after taste that reminded me of barbecue in the best way possible. Definitely will come back for this entree! The pork katsu was pretty good, although we definitely didn't need to order the Japanese curry with it since it came with a sauce already. The sandos were good but nothing special (didn't compare to the sea bass sando in the kaiseki). We also ordered tempura scallops, and we were lucky enough to order the Brie that comes in the kaiseki since they had extras that they didn't use from earlier this week. The Brie has such a unique mix of sweet and umami flavors and is a fan favorite among people I know who have gone to M Tempura. Overall, love this restaurant! Great place for a fancy date night, and I have lots of respect for the waiters. And definitely try the curry tsukemen, you will not regret it :) read more

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one of a kind experience This is my second time visiting and I really love this place. I don't think I know any other restaurant that is centered on tempura - in my mind, tempura is usually a compliment to dishes such as sushi, udon, or just as a side. But this place shows how tempura can be the centerpiece and they do it extremely well. We got the traditional style omakase which was $48. Super worth it and a ton of food. It started off with a super delicious salad that was filled with umami flavors with a semi-creamy dressing and veggies with just the right amount of bitterness. Next was the crudo, which was super fresh and topped with cavier and a delicious dressing. The main course of course was the tempura. Got a nice array of shrimp, scallop, fish, and root vegetables prepared fresh in front of us. All of the tempura was perfectly cooked, crispy, hot, and tender. The tempura kit had rice, dipping sauce, lemon, salt, pickled vegetables, and daikon palate cleanser. Really loved the experience. After the tempura, we got a small scoop of lemon honey sorbet which was soooo delicious and transitioned us to the udon/soba noodle dishes. This was probably the least exciting dish for us - was just noodles in a soy-sauce based sauce. However, good to fill the stomach for people with bigger appetites. For dessert, they gave us ginger ice cream which was a true delight. It was on the sweeter side which really closed the palate. Overall, super high yield, unique, def worth the price, and will be coming back to the try the upper tier omakase. read more

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M Tempura is a wonderful place. We've come here multiple times and have gotten the Kaiseki, Traditional Omakase and Tsukumen (to go). The only bad experience we've ever had was on opening week. But they've fixed everything since and every meal we've had there since has been so special and delicious. The tempura batter is light and crispy. The crudo yuzu sauce is TO DIE FOR. I wish they would sell that sauce in a bottle. I wish they changed up their Keiseki menu more often. We were there 4 months ago but the keiseki menu hadn't changed. The soba and udon given at the end of the Traditional Omakase is just okay but everything else was absolutely delicious. Definitely count on a great experience and evening at M Tempura. read more

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I had a great time here! It was truly an experience with the Omakase tempura course. It was a lot food many not pictured! I think it's expensive but it was a good experience. The seafoods were very delicious. I really liked the braised spicy Nero sea bass, daikon and rice. read more

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BLUF: Come here to impress a date/guest. Come here to grab a delicious dinner. It has it all!! Order M Tempura's kaiseki dinner for two. It was a wonderful, WONDERFUL experience. We were seated (in my opinion) the best seats in the house, at the short side of the bar. This gave us a direct eyeline to the chefs' prep work and cooking. The kaiseki experience took just about two-hours for us, from seating to paying. Looking around at other diners and seeing their food, a revisit to M Tempura is an absolute must! read more

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