Best Tendon in Singapore

What is tendon?

Tendon in Singapore is a filling, good-value Japanese meal. The name joins two words: tempura and donburi. Donburi means a rice bowl with toppings. So tendon is a bowl of hot rice topped with pieces of tempura. A sweet, soy-based sauce is poured over the top and soaks into the rice. The name has nothing to do with the English word tendon.

Tempura is seafood or vegetables dipped in a thin batter and deep-fried. Good tempura is light and crisp, not heavy or oily. The batter is often made with flour, egg and cold water.

What comes in a tendon bowl

Each shop has its own mix, but common toppings include:

• Prawn: usually the star of the bowl, often one or two large pieces.
• Fish or squid: a white fish fillet or squid pieces.
• Vegetables: pumpkin, sweet potato, aubergine, okra, mushroom or green pepper.
• Nori: a crisp sheet of dried seaweed fried in batter.
• Egg: some shops add a soft-boiled egg in tempura batter. When you cut it, the runny yolk mixes into the rice.

Most sets come with miso soup and pickles on the side. Some shops also offer chicken tempura bowls.

How to order and eat tendon

Choosing your bowl

Menus often list a few set bowls. A seafood bowl has more prawn and fish. A vegetable bowl has more vegetables. A mixed bowl has a bit of everything. Some shops let you ask for more or less sauce.

Tips for eating

• Eat the crispy pieces first. Tempura softens as it sits on the hot rice and sauce. Start with the pieces on top.
• Use the lid or a side plate. If the bowl is full, move some tempura onto the lid or a small plate. This keeps it crisp while you eat.
• Break the egg over the rice. If your bowl has an egg, cut it open and let the yolk run into the rice.
• Eat it hot. Tendon is best straight from the kitchen.

Rough prices

A tendon bowl often costs around S$15 to S$25, depending on the toppings. Prices change, so check the menu before you order.

Where to eat tendon in Singapore

Kogane Yama is the top-rated tendon place on this page. It is in the Bugis & Kampong Glam area. After your meal, walk to Kampong Glam & Haji Lane for shophouses and small shops. You can also browse the stalls at Bugis Street. Our Kampong Glam & Bugis guides have more ideas for the area.

Japanese restaurants are spread across the city, and many are in shopping malls. A tendon lunch fits well into a day of shopping. For other quick Japanese meals, try Ramen or Tonkatsu. For something lighter, see Sushi.

Dietary notes

• Allergies: tempura batter contains wheat and usually egg. Prawns are shellfish. Tell staff about any allergies before you order.
• Vegetarian diners: a vegetable bowl may still not be vegetarian. The sauce is often made with dashi, a fish stock. The frying oil may also be shared with seafood.
• Other diets: tendon toppings are mostly seafood, vegetables and egg. Japanese sauces often use mirin, a sweet rice wine. Ask staff if you avoid alcohol in cooking.

FAQs about tendon

What does tendon mean?

Tendon is short for tempura donburi. It is a bowl of rice topped with tempura and a sweet soy-based sauce.

What is the difference between tendon and tempura?

Tempura is the fried seafood or vegetables. Tendon is tempura served on rice with sauce poured over it. A tempura set usually serves the pieces on a plate, with dipping sauce and rice on the side.

Is tendon spicy?

Usually not. The sauce is sweet and savoury. Some shops offer a spicy version if you want more heat.

How much does tendon cost in Singapore?

Expect around S$15 to S$25 for a bowl. Prices change, so treat this as a rough guide.

Is tendon good for children?

Yes, for most children. It is not spicy, and crisp prawns and sweet potato are often popular. Check for allergies first.