Tensuke Express

Tensuke Express is the tiny cafe that sits in the back of Tensuke Market, the leading Japanese grocery store in the area. While I had eaten takeout sushi from the grocery section of Tensuke's Market, I had never tried the fast food operation. Big mistake.

First of all, the place is small, with maybe 10 tables and a "bar" (sorry, no alcohol) upon which you can eat and watch the live fish in the large tank. they also have a few tables outside, but they sit in the broiling sun. There is nothing fancy about the place - it's fast food. There are two large screen TVs hanging on either side of the order counter, both broadcasting messages and Japanese TV. Most of the crowd at lunch were Japanese, and were speaking it too.

The menu is disproportionately noodle dishes of udon (thick Japanese noodles) or soba (buckwheat) noodles, in broth flavored with real kelp, bonito, and shitake mushroom dashi. The broth is dark, briny, smells of seaweed and unbelievably flavorful. I am not too big on noodles, but there were plenty of them in my Udon order, which I coupled with some chicken teriyaki, which was served with white rice. Together, the chicken and Udon were $6.75, an incredible bargain as it easily fed both my wife and I.

But of course, I was concerned I hadn't gotten enough, and I certainly didn't want to go hungry, so I ordered some Gyoza, served with the traditional dipping sauce. These were wonderful, and at 6 for $2.95, another real bargain. They were cooked to perfection, and if they were frozen, they were much better than the ones I've tried from the market.

Tensuke Express is a real cheap-eats gem, serving delicious Japanese food quickly. Together with Tensuke Market, which has the freshest seafood in town (bar none), and Akai Hana, the best-in-class Japanese restaurant across the way, you are a lot closer to Japan than you thought. Tensuke Express is another reason to thank God Honda chose Columbus.