Tensuke Express
1167 Old Henderson Rd, Columbus, OH, 43220
Tensuke Express Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Columbus for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1167 Old Henderson Rd
Columbus, OH, 43220 - Phone (614) 451-6002
- Website https://www.tensukemarket.com/tensuke-express.html
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Claire D.
My friend and I ate at Tensuke Express last Friday and we both ordered the the spicy pork kimchi ramen with tankatsu (pork) broth. Our soups came out piping hot with slices of pork, flavorful broth, chili oil, noodles, half an egg, sliced of pickled egg, kimchi, bean sprouts, seaweed, and scallions (all for only $8.25!). Service was fast and the price was right. I got used to eating at some pretty good ramen houses while living in SF Bay Area and have been looking for something similar in Columbus since I moved here last year. Tensuke Express is definitely one of the best Asian food places I've tried so far in Central Ohio!
(5)Mark K.
A coworker who knows sushi clued me in to this place, and said he had eaten here three weeks in a row. I made a point to detour over this way; it's not in my neck of the woods, and is really not near much of anything, tucked behind that small commercial cluster at Kenny and OId Henderson. I am so glad I went. You can get sushi and other odds and ends at the attached market, then come eat here. I was able to pay for everything at once at the cafe, which is handy. I picked up some sushi, then walked over for a noodle bowl. The sushi is cheaper and better than grocery store sushi, and very good though not stellar. Went with the curry ramen, which was amazing. I haven't partaken much of the latest ramen and soba trend, but I've had a few good ones and this topped them. Of course, it has little in common with your college ramen. The noodles were tender and flavorful, the broth (I chose pork flavoring, which went well with the curry) is thick and tasty, the curry/beef/egg/veggie toppings were great, and the whole thing was served piping hot. Between the sushi and the soup I was stuffed, for a fairly low price. This is my favorite kind of place: no fancy decor, all about the food. It's not crummy looking, in fact it's nice, but it's minimalist and functional. Plenty of tables and a bar-type seating area, though not like a sushi bar. Order and pick up at the counter, where you can get canned pop. Bus yourself. Sit and savor your meal, along with what appear to be students, older locals, and hipsters. Cheap, tasty, filling, reasonably healthy, and unpretentious.
(5)Monica P.
This place is great! This is Japanese fast food at it's best!! Portion sizes were good and the food quality was awesome. The place is small and they allow you to bring drinks from the supermarket.
(4)Lylian D.
My little sis is now in Columbus for her PharmD program, and now I have a reason to visit and eat lots in Columbus. This is a cute sushi cafe with good udon, ramen, and rice bowls! It's attached to their market which has pre-packaged sushi that you can buy and eat at the cafe (make sure you have them put a sticker on it after you buy it). We bought the large tuna and shrimp roll package at the market, and then we went over to the cafe and waited in line. We came here on a Sunday, and it was packed! I do appreciate that they have staff making sure that it's first come first serve (and save your spot) while you order your food. The broths were delicious for the ramen and the udon! I also got the mini beef bowl which was great as well. The tuna and shrimp sushi was good as well, but I wish they would put less rice around the roll. I definitely will be back!
(4)Naiying C.
Need a quick Udon fix? this is the place to go, delicious, reasonably priced and quick!
(4)Calvin C.
My favorite place to stop in Columbus when we drive to Cleveland. Best ramen in Ohio in my opinion. My favorite is their cha Siu ramen with miso broth and chicken Kara-age. All for less than $15. The curry tonkatsu rice is also really delicious and a sizable portion. I wish they had a place like this near my college when I was going to school. Lucky Buckeyes. The fresh sushi is also as good as any restaurant that I've been to outside of New York or California. And you'll get 5 pieces of nigiri for $9. That would easily be $15 at a restaurant. Definitely a must for Japanese food lovers
(5)Cristin S.
Came here because we wanted to try a new place! I was really excited when I walked in the market and saw all different kinds of Asian products! When you walk in it can be sort of confusing but follow the crowd and you will arrive in the restaurant. You order at the counter and they will give you a beeper so you know when your order is ready. On to the food. One thing I enjoyed was they had mini bowls so you can try different things! I really liked the shrimp one! My boyfriend enjoyed the kimchi pork. My favorite thing I tried was my sisters udon noodle bowl. Yum. The flavors came together so nicely. Next time I will get the soup. Tip: In the back of the market you can order sushi and bring it into the restaurant to eat.
(4)Ying X.
After hearing about this place from all of my friends for the last year, I finally made the plunge and stopped in to see if the ramen/udon/sushi lived up to the hype. Verdict? I'd believe it's the best Japanese food in Columbus, but unfortunately, I still don't think that says much. Tensuke does get some things incredibly, incredibly right, but there are so many things that they could do much, much better. To my surprise, their mini udon was actually the perfect dish to me. The broth was lightly flavorful, but not too strong, and the noodles were cooked to a good consistency. Soft and chewy, without being soggy. I typically prefer ramen to udon, but their tonkotsu broth was just way too salty and overwhelming for me. The chashu and noodles are pretty spot-on, but ramen is 50% about the broth, so if the broth isn't right, I can't commend it. Also, their egg was hard-boiled. I've never seen a ramen place serve you hard-boiled egg - it's always been soft-boiled, and I'm almost positive doing anything but that is nothing short of sacrilegious. I'll have check out their miso broth next time to see if that sits better with me, since that's usually a bit lighter. I have mixed feelings about the takoyaki. On one hand, you get 6 really big, really well-stuffed, really flavorful, really chewy, really hot takoyaki for just $4! On the other hand, they completely overdo the sauce (if possible, I would've asked for 20% sauce), and they also don't add Japanese mayo. The latter bit on mayo is just me being nitpicky, but the sauce isn't supposed to carry the overall taste. That should primarily be from the actual octopus ball, with the sauce being *additive* and not dominant. Also tried their chirashi, which surprised me in both good and bad ways. On one hand, my salmon and yellowtail pieces were pretty thin (albeit very fresh!), and my tuna piece looked like it'd been slightly hacked and hastily pieced back together (thick slice, though, and also appreciable quality). On the other hand, they give you two pieces each of octopus (very sizeable, too!), squid (these were a bit smaller), crab stick, and tamago. They even have a layer of shredded egg between the rice and fish! For $12, it's a decent chirashi (and *so much better* than what I got next door at Akai Hana), and the fish, I repeat, was really good, but I'd like for my fish slices to be a bit less skimpy. It's possible that I just hit a few spots of bad luck with this visit and will have a much better experience next time. We'll have to see...
(3)Amanda D.
Tensuke express is the best Japanese option in the city for a quick meal. I love the daily specials and the mini bowls. I don't even know if I have a favorite thing there because it is all so good! The service is nice and efficient as well. Word of advice though- if you go on Sunday there will be a wait.
(4)Lin H.
Spectacular. Mind blowing. Delicious. Or as the Japanese would say: OISHII!!! Just the best little lunch spot ever. I love grabbing some sashimi from the market and bringing it over to eat as an appetizer while I wait for my udon noodles. I have tried many of their dishes, but I always come back to the udon noodle bowls. Overall, I have serious heart eyes for this place.
(5)Olga I.
Great menu of soups and other tasty food. The beef rice bowl and udon bowl are a lot of food for a great price. This place is small so be prepared to wait. Shop while you wait, theres a lot to look at.
(4)Helen S.
Can't believe I've never reviewed this awesome place! It gets busy here at times, but I usually end up finding seating pretty quickly. I love coming here for a quick Japanese food fix! It's in the back of Tensuke Market. You order at the counter and they give you a buzz when your food is ready. Sometimes I like to buy sushi in the market area and eat it with whatever I ordered too. The food is great!! They have a lot of different types of ramen and udon. I like to order their combos- usually a udon with the spicy shrimp tempura mini bowl. Their curry tonkatsu is really good too- it's a pretty big portion! I also like their tako yaki, which is basically a breaded ball with pieces with octopus. Wish there was less bread and more octopus though! Overall, the prices are very reasonable for what you get. The food is tasty and it comes out pretty quickly! Once you're done eating, you can venture into the market part and grab some Japanese goodies :)
(5)Krayne P.
As a frequent visitor to the excellent Mitsuwa grocery and its surrounding stores back in New Jersey, and always going for a bowl of ramen every chance I got, it is such a treat to find a place like this so close to my home in Ohio. I will be back again and again!
(5)Kara M.
I will add my name to the list of people who love this place. cheap and amazing food all in one with special that changes daily (but rotates) you can find the menu online to know what they have. even the mini bowl was a great portion, i walked out feeling stuffed for sure. i had the udon with the shumai and it was all awesome. they were getting busy right around 2PM and i think that it's because they close at 230 then reopen, I was glad I got there i time. i will definitely be back, plan to try to the sushi it looks fresh, the grocery store attached sells packaged food as well
(5)Dennis L.
Five check-ins later and I still have never reviewed this place - it goes to show you how behind I am! However, I think it demonstrates why this place truly deserves five-stars. When you consider service speed, cost, distance, quality, and quantity, there is nothing in Columbus that comes close to Tensuke Express for ramen. Yes, there is Menya Noodle House out in Powell that is more authentic, has better taste, and larger portion sizes. Yes, there is Meshikou on Bethel that has a wonderful environment and relatively authentic taste. But these are both further, more expensive, and suited for sit-down service. I get out of work at the hospital around 6p. I can have tasty ramen noodles in my face by 625p - there is tremendous value to this luxury. My go-to has always been the chashu ramen in tonkatsu (pork) broth. You get 3-4 thin slices of pork on top of scallions, sprouts, narutomaki, and half a boiled egg. The tonkatsu broth is reasonably rich and creamy, although less fatty than I prefer (don't hate!). You can change out the chashu with port cutlets. Alternatively to tonkatsu broth, they have shoyu (soy) and miso broth. While they aren't bad, go with tonkatsu for your first experience. At some point they had spicy ramen too, which I don't see now. In terms of ramen quality, it is top notch and expertly cooked. This is no cup-a-ramen that you've had in your undergraduate days. Their udon is fantastic as well, regardless if you go for the tempura, the katsu, or niku. The broth is well done and the udon is cooked nicely. I have less experience with udon, however. I was not a fan of their soba noodles. If you're getting here after work, it can be pretty busy. Seating is self serviced, so you may have to wait and take your meal to-go. Their special menu changes seemingly daily and offers a pretty reasonable value. Most other times of the day, except weekends, you can find it pretty easy to order and sit down. This is not a place for a large group - the booths typically sit around 4 unless you are all small people. Overall, one of my highest recommended places in Columbus for quick but good food.
(5)Michael M.
What can I really say different about Tensuke, the food is great and the marketplace has a good selection of items. The udon is definitely my go to item with the different meats - either Spicy shrimp, kitsune udon, and a good old regular bowl of plain udon. I don't get the chance to go back very often but I want to go back and try some of the plated items like pork cutlet, curry rice, and cold noodles. The interior of the Tensuke is very small and the seating is limited, I have not visited during the peak lunch rush but I think going by yourself or with one other person is the best for this restaurant.
(5)Tyler Q.
This place is amazing. I've recently started to eat more Asian cuisine again and this place is my go to place for ramen and udon. Perfect place to start your weekend or to recover from a hangover if you were out late partying. The service is fast and the dishes are delicious and reasonably priced. They also have a wide selection of other Japanese delicacies like bento boxes, sushi, and basically anything you can think of. What's more is that they are connected to Tensuke Market, so you can buy a wide variety of groceries and pre-made meals while you're waiting.
(5)Tiffany W.
This place is awesome. My boyfriend and I stumbled across this place while trying to go to Akai Hana next door for Japanese food. The line at Akai Hana was long, and we ended up wandering around and ended up at Tensuke and it was a lucky find! He goes back probably once a week, and I probably go about once per month. This is some of the most reliably good, reasonably-priced Japanese food in Columbus. Everything is good, honestly. I usually get an udon soup or the yaki udon. The ramen is also full of flavor. The portion sizes are also very reasonable, especially for the prices, and I have never left hungry. The sides are also good. My boyfriend gets his sushi from the store next door and eats it in their restaurant. The sitting area can get crowded, especially at peak times (weekend lunch and dinner), but they have done a much better job at getting tables for customers while waiting in line. They are usually quick with their service no matter the time though.
(5)Tash L.
Okay, so first off, let's be clear that this is a very small, mostly self-serve restaurant inside a grocery store. I love Japanese food so when I saw all of the reviews, I had to check this place out. We went on a Saturday (one of their busiest days, I imagine). We put our names down on a list and waited 15-20 minutes before getting a seat at a circular fish tank bar. We set our stuff down and went up to order. For such a small place, there's a lot to choose from! We settled on udon noodles with spicy shrimp tempura and chicken teriyaki. You pay when you order and they give you a buzzer that goes off when your food is ready to be picked up. Our food was probably ready in no more than 10 minutes, which is good because we were hungry! Now how was the food? It was good. It wasn't mind-blowing-must-have-it-every-chance-I-can-get-Âgood but it was good. I enjoyed the shrimp tempura and the udon noodles were flavorful (and even better with a few drops of the hot oil). The chicken teriyaki had good flavor but I was less than impressed with the cut of meat they used. It was dark meat and although I typically love dark meat, I prefer white meat when it comes to my chicken teriyaki. If I could, I would probably give them a 3.5 but if I have to lean one way or the other, it's a 4. I would certainly go back again if I'm in the area but I wouldn't go out of my way or wait in a long line for it.
(4)Marie H.
Some of the best ramen AND sushi in Columbus! I have tried many sushi places in Columbus and keep coming back to Tensuke for its great quality and affordability. I always get the tonkotsu ramen - the broth is so rich and full of pork flavor. You also get a lot of noodles, pork slices, and an egg. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it now! I've been meaning to try other types of ramen too but I always end up ordering this one because it's so good. The sushi is super affordable and the quality is actually pretty comparable to other places that are 1.5x the price. You can pick up pre-made rolls in the grocery market next door and bring it back to the restaurant to eat, or you can order rolls to be made fresh at the sushi window. Some of my favorite rolls are yellowtail & onion ($4.10), crunch salmon ($5.10), spicy salmon ($4.80), and shrimp tempura ($5.10). $12 for delicious ramen and sushi is pretty much unbeatable. Go get some now! :)
(5)Andy N.
よã‹ã£ãŸã€ãƒ†ãƒ³ã‚¹ã‚±ã‚¤ã‚¯ã‚¹ãƒ—レス! Everybody stormed into here during Tensuke's monthly sale, which must mean that this is one of the more legit Japanese restaurants here in Columbus. I must say- they are right. Simple. Clean. Delicious. Tensuke does a great job providing delicious Japanese comfort foods without majorly denting the wallet. Connected to the most popular Japanese market in the state, one would assume that the restaurant connected to it would be equally as satisfying. I had their Combo meal which includes either udon or soba, along with a choice of rice bowl (from gyudon (shredded meat), tempura-don, etc.) for a mere $8. Unfortunately they do not substitute the soba for zaru soba (served cold and dipped), but that's alright, because what I ended up enjoying was better than I thought! The noodles were great- not too chewy nor hard. The small pieces of tempura was also a welcome side to the already delicious soba. A set definitely is enough to satisfy you before you venture off next door to get desserts. While I haven't tried out a lot of Asian restaurants in Columbus due to my skepticism, this small joint definitely deserves props for probably being one of the best spots in this state for Japanese. Be patient though- line can get long. But it's all worth it. Parking is available inside the private lot. If it's full, go next door to the Staples lot.
(5)JJ S.
Cheap fast Japanese food! I am a fan of Tensuke Express. I usually ordered the udon noodles and the teriyaki chicken combo. The total cost of the two items was under $8 including tax. That is what I call a deal! The broth of the udon noodles was very flavorful and not over seasoned. The noodles were tasty! The teriyaki chicken mini rice bowl was delicious; however if you do not like sticky rice this may be a problem for you. I enjoyed the quick meal! I even had left overs for a mini snack later on in the day. I will come back to try more dishes!
(4)Mirabelle L.
I've been to this place so many times now! Food is very authentic! Spicy shrimp tempura rice bowl is definitely the choice. I've had it at least 3 times. If I want to be a little picky about it, the rice is only partially mixed with sauce, which makes the food no taste at all after a certain point-like eating plain rice. Use the Japanese black pepper that's provided! You won't be disappointed! I am considering buying one home too! I've also tried noodle dishes (ramen and udon) and they were just okay. This place is very affordable overall. Only negative comment is their hours. Somehow inflexible and short hours. I am planning to come back and try their sushi and tacoyaki soon!
(5)Joyce H.
It's official. We love Tensuke Express. When I told my husband about the Japanese market in Columbus, he immediately wanted to go visit. We stopped by Tensuke for a quick bite before a wedding, and we were impressed by the great menu for cheap! We had the udon with tonkatsu combo (pork cutlet) and it was GREAT for the price, and pretty filling. Other note: the restrooms are very clean! We explored the rest of the market, including the fresh sashimi and onigiri (triangle rice) and we were very pleased with the offerings.
(4)Jennifer E.
I love Tensuke! Love it so much! I had never heard of Ramen until I went to college and experience Top Ramen and the other 10 cents packets at the grocery store. I have always loved it, and still eat it (though a more adult version with meat and veg). I had no idea there were even Ramen restaurants in Columbus until one of my employees introduced me to it when he took me there for lunch. Mind was blown. I now take anyone I can here just to show them that there is a great, affordable place to get Ramen in Columbus. I pretty much always get the Pork Cutlet Ramen with Tonkastu (pork) broth - so amazingly good. I really do need to branch out with what I get there, but it's so good, whenever I go it's all I want! But anything you order off the menu is going to be delicious. It's always really busy when I've been, unless you go at an off time, and even then it's still usually really busy. It's a great place to go to, and I suggest it if you are looking for delicious Japanese food.
(5)Edward P.
My favorite Japanese in Columbus hands down!!! This place is my crack. Well... Crack is my crack but this is my second crack. None of that hibachi style showy bullshit (which I enjoy occasionally like I enjoy taking a gigantic dump). This place is just great authentic Japanese food at a solid price. They've got ramen, sushi, udon, curry, and more shit I can't spell or pronounce. It's fucking great. My favorites are the pork cutlet with curry and the udon with beef bowl. The best part is they don't toss your food around like animals. Give this place a try and shove great food right in your big american mouth!
(5)Victor N.
Love this place. I've probably eaten here once every 2 weeks on average since I've gotten to Columbus 4 years ago. Hands down the best Japanese food I've found here. I usually get the udon + pork katsu combo. I've also gotten their curry plate, soba, shrimp tempura, takoyaki, gyoza, kimchi udon, katsu udon, beef bowl, and unagi bowl. The udon + mini bowl combos are about $8. Unagi used to be offered as a minibowl, but it's been a separate $15 item for a while now unfortunately. The udon is piping hot and full of flavor. The pork katsu is crispy without overdoing it. The beef bowl is a little too fatty for my taste. Shrimp tempura is very tasty, but not as filling (only two shrimp tempura pieces). Gyoza is tasty, but pretty standard. There's a wiiiiide array of condiments/dressings at the counter for you to use. I'm not Japanese nor can I read it, so I only know about 3 of the 20 there. The workers there are all very nice. I actually dropped my bowl of udon walking from the counter once :( and they were quick to rush over to clean up and poured me a new bowl. All the while I kept saying sorry and trying to clean up, they told me not to worry about it. I've never had a bad meal there. Sure, some things were better than others (e.g. kimchi udon, but that's my fault for even getting it as I don't even like kimchi that much), but I've never gotten anything bad. Everything's still been tasty.
(5)Joyce X.
I love Tensuke. The value of the cafe is VERY good. For about $8, you can get a regular-sized bowl of noodles with a mini-bowl of curry, katsu, tempura, etc. The place has been pretty crowded every time I've been there (which is a testament to how good the food is!). I think they are trying a new seating system to help with that, but if you don't want to wait around, you can always order your food to go.
(5)Anna L.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! Since moving to Columbus from Southern California, every day I've been dreaming of when I'll get to eat ramen and udon again. I ordered tempura udon to-go, so I will elaborate on my experience. You'll have to enter through the Tensuke Market, which is no problem! Someone was there to greet me at the entrance. The staff is super friendly, by the way! I noticed the restaurant was pretty empty, though it could have been the time of day, or the fact that this kind of food is so under-appreciated here in Columbus!! GAH I really appreciated the food and atmosphere here!! So I ordered the tempura udon to-go. I didn't have to wait very long at all. While at home, it was very easy to assemble and eat. Every bite just made me miss my home in California, and what I was fortunate to grow up with! It was delicious, and I'm sure it would taste even more delicious if I ordered sit down at the restaurant. I will be back, and I am looking forward to my next visit. I want to try the ramen next time!! :) Also, parking was no problem! Contrary to what others have said, the parking lot for this plaza was HUGE.
(5)Livia G.
I love this place for the fact that it is in the same plaza as the market. You can go shopping while waiting for the tables. My friends and I went there for dinner and took us around 10-15 minutes to get a table of four. The place is small, but we got lucky as we seated on stools with the high tables that wrap around the aquarium. The price was reasonable for the served portion. I hate to say this but the taste of the ramen was just okay, nothing special; perhaps it was from the broth that was bland. I'm a little disappointed since I was craving for ramen after moving here from Southern California. It wasn't as good as I thought it would, but at least it did quench my ramen craving. So, perhaps I'll still be back only when I'm desperately craving.
(3)Andrew L.
Delicious and affordable udon noodles. They also have good Japanese-style curry. There are some combos that allow you to get a bowl of noodles with a tempura shrimp bowl for pretty cheap. Great atmosphere, and adjacent to a fantastic Japanese market. Great little place.
(5)Abby L.
This place gets fairly crowded because for the price you pay, the food is good. However, you'll get seated fairly quickly and the food comes out very fast as well. I always get the combo deal of udon with a mini beef bowl. Both are delicious! I have a thing where my food has to be serve piping hot and Tensuke express never fails to do that. I also sometimes get the mini curry bowl and it's more than enough to be a solid lunch meal on it's own. The curry is good without being overpowering.
(5)Shuo F.
I like their sushi, they're relatively cheap for how big the rolls are. Most of the time when I get their curry rice, it's always overly sticky like they put too much water in it. However, the curry itself isn't too bad. For about $7 you'll be pretty full. If you're just looking for an alternative to fast food, this place is great. Although it's always packed in the evenings.
(4)Michelle H.
O man I love this place! I try to come here every other week, if not more often. I've tried most things on the menu and loved everything. The pork ramen is a must when it's cold out. My boyfriend loves and beef bowl and gets it every time. The combination plates are a udon or soba with some kind of rice dish. They are good ways to try more things without overeating or when you cannot decide if you're in the mood for noodle or rice. The portions here are large! I almost always had to ask for a box to take the leftovers back. Sometimes we also order the sushi from next door and eat them here. Tip-- the sushi takes a lot longer than tensuke express so be sure to get your order placed there first.
(5)Anthony N.
Personal favorites: Shrimp Tempura bowl & Pork cutlet bowl. Quick and delicious! The sushi in the to-go fridge are made daily are also good and pretty cheap. Attached is the Japanese Tensuke Market grocery store which makes for a convenient eat-while-you-shop gig.
(5)Gyamfua G.
The joy of going out of town is trying new restaurants, this place was a wonderful find. Nestled in the edge of the upper Arlington neighborhood it is an authentic place for incredibly authentic and tasty Japanese food!!! Its good to know Japanese food is more than sushi!! Not since my study abroad experience in Taiwan have I tasted such good combination of flavor and texture!! And for those daring enough, this restaurant is connected to a grocery store so have at it culinary geniuses!!!
(5)Karyn M.
I found this place when I first moved here 3.5 years ago and i've been coming back here ever since. I tell all my friends about this place. The udon here is amazing, although their ramen and curry are also good The best value on the menu IMO is the udon rice bowl combos for about $8. It used to be cheaper but they increase it by a little bit each year. The first year I went here, I always got the udon with unagi (eel) rice bowl. The unagi was super good! But they eliminated that from the menu because I guess eel is getting expensive. So now there is a separate eel rice bowl for $15, which Ive had once - it's good but too pricey for me. So now I always get the udon + pork cutlet rice bowl. That usually makes me quite full. But when I go here, my eyes are always bigger than my stomach, so it's great that I can order or pick out sushi from the market and bring it over to the restaurant to eat too. This place rivals asian places in bigger cities. This is a great affordable place for japanese fast food.
(5)Vel E.
Very authentic and delicious food. It's super affordable. The only thing id change is how small it is there. You're squished in with a bunch of people. But the place was packed and the food was glorious. So id deal with the crowed just to eat their delicious food!
(5)Chris C.
Atmosphere: "hole in the wall" type joint...not a lot of space, but there is a gigantic fish tank and plenty of japanese TV to make you feel like you're overseas. Price: Fair pricing. Expect $7-8 for a bowl of ramen. Food/Products: Extremely tasty! Products range from ramen bowls, to Japanese curry, to Odon noodles. Customer Service: Helpful staff. Misc: Definitely recommend and will be returning!
(4)Peter H.
Really good! Finally I find a legit ramen place in Ohio. I commute from Cincinnati about 2-3 times a month JUST to eat and shop here. I am originally from Southern California where you can easily find some really good Japanese food. When I got to Cincinnati, I was fairly disappointed with their versions of the food. While there are some places that I would recommend in Cincinnati to friends and family, I would easily tell them about this place as well. Their ramen (I've tried several kinds here and they are all good) is very good and very tasty. They even have takoyaki which is a hit or miss. It's really good and you should definitely try some :)!
(5)Enoch C.
i have been craving some great ramen and sushi and this place did not disappoint. the actual restaurant is found IN the market. so you have to go through the tensuke market in order to get to tensuke express. i didn't really know this so hopefully this saves you some confusion. the ramen wasn't anything original or creative, it was just a great tasting, classic bowl of ramen. i'm not japanese (i'm korean) but i imagine this is how my mom would make ramen if i came from a japanese home. the broth was excellent, the noodles were perfectly cooked. nothing too extraneous added into the bowl, just the essentials. i also ordered the takoyaki (octopus balls), which sounds gross, but they're excellent. again, no surprises here. just great takoyaki. i agree with a previous review i read that it was a little on the doughy side and could've have used a little more octopus, but for the price and the taste, it was definitely worth getting. in order to get the sushi, you have to buy it in the market next door. again, i didn't know this. i'm always wary of buying sushi that's prepackaged, but they make it in-store and it was still some of the best tasting sushi i've had. so good i didn't have to use wasabi and soy sauce. i love how there is a japanese shopping center in columbus with restaurants/markets like these. i think it legitimizes the food in a way as opposed to taking a gamble on a standalone ramen/sushi place in a toys r us shopping center. although, if there is a standalone ramen place, chances are it's pretty good. there's not a lot of them to have watered down the market for good ramen. if you like ramen, this is definitely a great place to go.
(5)Izzy L.
This restaurant is just amazing. Reasonable prized food and wonderful environment, the people are bore than just nice. What's more, you can shop at the market place, which is just by the restaurant. I would recommend everything served there, they are carefully crafted and the taste is beyond my words can describe. I would say this is the best Japanese restaurant is Columbus, and you have to give it a try!
(5)Emily W.
It wasn't shabby. I was more impressed with the store they have next to it. The staff was very nice!! I only gave it 3 stars because I wasn't that impressed with my meal, but I hope to go back again and give it a 5 star review!
(3)Amanda G.
A perfect lunch spot, if you don't mind a very casual atmosphere. Very good food, very good prices, very quick service.!
(4)Fred B.
Like being in Tokyo. Really... Fast, good, cheap Japanese food.
(5)Wayne W.
My Go-to place to feed my Ramen addiction - quick lunch or dinner when driving through Columbus. Closed in the afternoons during weekdays (between 2:30-4:00, I believe). Besides Ramen, they have good Udon noodle soup, Soba, and Curry too. I have tried all the ramen toppings and my favorite is the Cha Su (roast pork), but the Tonkatusu (breaded pork cutlet) and shrimp tempura are good also. For Ramen broth, they have Miso (fav), Tonkatsu (pork based), and soy. (Posted Photos) I usually go for Ramen, but have tried Udon which is good, Zaru Soba - good to try, and eel mini-bowl. The Takoyaki (octopus and dough balls) are ok -- too much dough and not enough octopus for me. After eating here, go next door and shop at the Japanese/Asian market. The market also has freshly made and also made-to-order sushi. You can buy it at the market and bring it over the Tensuke Express cafe to eat. The cafe also has a couple of tables outside for warm weather dining. It is OKAY to noisily slurp your Ramen!! Enjoy! :D
(5)Emily L.
Before I came to Tensuke Express for the first time about a month ago, I had never...ever...had ramen noodles. Of any kind. Even from the box. I KNOW!! How did I make it through 4 years of college never eating that cheap stuff you get at the grocery, you ask? I have no idea. That being said, I have a feeling the noodles you get at Tensuke are NOTHING like the packet you get at the grocery store for $0.50. I've been here twice now in the last month and I got the same thing both times(because the first time was so good...next time I'll try something different...maybe...). I got the spicy kimchi ramen with pork flavored broth. It is amazing. You get this huge mound of almost buttery noodles covered with rich, creamy broth and topped with kimchi, bits of pork, pieces of kamaboko(it's this pink and white stuff that's kind of like a seafood bologna...trust me, it's good), bean sprouts, seaweed, and half of a hard boiled egg, which I think is so random, but also awesome. When you mix everything together, it's magical. Soup is my favorite food and I have to say this is my new favorite(I know it's noodles, but it's also soup...it counts). My boyfriend has had the kimchi udon and soba noodles the times we've gone. He liked the udon noodles better and I tried one and I think I will have to get those next time. This place is small and has been super busy both times we've gone. But that goes to show how good it is. Also, I'm putting this on my Cheap Eats list. A big ol' bowl of noodles costs about $8.00. That's mind blowing to me. You should just come here.
(5)Todd C.
This is a solid and affordable place to eat ramen and other Asian specialties at an affordable price. Ramen is available with multiple bases, types of noodles, and protein options. In addition, despite what I have seen in a few other reviews, you can purchase sushi in the main market area and bring it in to eat alongside patrons of Express. I thoroughly enjoyed the sushi but also tried multiple bites of my wife's miso based ramen with fried shrimp and it was delicious. The one star is deducted for me because it is a place where you will spend around $20 for two people and there is zero ambiance or service. It is a brightly lit high school cafeteria feel. So, this is a place to eat with friends, family, or long term partners. No place you would go too as part of a day or night where you were trying to impress someone. I don't have a problem with that but it is kind of a place with Applebee's prices and McDonalds ambiance and service. Overall though I would recommend this place to anyone looking for affordable Asian cusine.
(4)Rami M.
Wow, I'm glad I visited this place for some real Japanese food. I will definitely be frequenting it more often. This was my first ramen experience, and I ordered the shrimp tempura ramen in a miso broth (you can choose from a selection of four broths: I just remember miso and a pork broth). The cashier helped me select my dish, I paid, and was given a buzzer to notify me when my dish was ready. After 5-10 minutes, I was enjoying my delicious, steaming hot ramen. I can't wait to try other dishes.
(5)Kristina I.
Love Tensuke so much. Everyone who works there are so efficient. They take your order and then get it out to you pronto! No matter how busy. It is the best find in Columbus, super close to campus and downtown. Worth the drive. Everything on the menu is fresh and delicious and flavorful. And once you're done eating you can spend sometime in the market right attached and grab some of your favorite foreign treats for decent prices too. I stock up on my hii-chews whenever I hit Tensuke.
(5)Yukako F.
I guess I set my expectations too high for Tensuke and Tensuke Express. Hearing from other Japanese that Tensuke has 3x as much as our local Japanese grocery store, I was surprised in a negative way with the size of the complex. To get into Tensuke Express you need to go through the main (or in other words the only) entrance to Tensuke, which when I went in was too crowded. As it was a Saturday afternoon, and the market being famous amongst the Japanese community, I guess that's fair. You need to wait to be seated, and it seems that there's always somebody looking over the hall at the entrance of Tensuke Express so there shouldn't be such a long wait. After being told which table you're getting, you'll place your order at the counter in the rear corner. They give you a beeper that tells you when your meal is ready, just like those restaurants in the service areas on the highway. I got myself menu no.2-B, Soba with small Spicy Shrimp Tendon and green tea, altogether under $10. Considering the average price for Japanese dishes normally seen in the US I think this is quite reasonable and close enough to what you would expect as average pricing in Japan. The Soba was nothing surprising, an average tasting Soba with sub average amount of toppings (compared to those in Japan) but taking into thought that you're getting this quality here, not in NY City or LA or those fancy places where you can find tons of Japanese restaurants, I'd give a 4 stars. The only thing that really disturbed me was the service. I would expect to see an employee training session take place when there are no customers waiting for an order to be taken, let alone an argument between employer - employee. Also it was late afternoon around 3:30 and the seatings were light, and I saw couple of empty tables and many people ordering take-outs, so instead of taking the bar counter seat that I was initially guided to, I took one of the close by empty table. The lady looking over the hall ran up to me asking if I was alone and insisted on myself taking the bar counter. It made no sense to me seeing so many available seats but I took the suggested space at the counter, took out my cell phone and opened up my Yelp app, and now the lady gives me a table seat, saying that one would be OK because "it can be moved". Man, that made no sense AT ALL. I'd give the food a 3 star if this was Japan however giving 4 regarding the location, but taking away 2 for the service and adding 1 because if I don't I'd feel bad for myself driving more than 3 hours each just to get here.
(3)Cherie R.
I have been seriously remiss in not coming to this place in the 8 years I've lived in Columbus. I love udon. I love all noodles, really, but I REALLY love udon. I think I grew up on the stuff. One of my favorite memories as a child visiting my grandparents in Osaka, Japan was eating udon. My family is Korean, but we all love our noodles. After a day of sightseeing with my grandparents we would stop in the nearby noodle shop and I would slurp those thick fat chewy noodles to my heart's content. :-) OK, so these noodles aren't QUITE as good as those. But they're pretty darn tasty! This place really hits the spot and does a solid job with udon, soba, ramen, and rice bowls. The udon is pleasantly chewy and not overcooked every time. My husband calls them undercooked, but he's weird like that - for a half Italian boy, he's not terribly fond of al dente pasta, either. My go to here is the tempura udon. I can't tear myself away from it! They're fast and efficient (always huge pluses in my book) and cheap! Wish they were closer to home - I'd be here ALL The time.
(4)Marie G.
Perfect place for your Japanese food cravings. It's a small restaurant attached to the market but there are plenty of options on the menu. I always enjoy the ramen and udon bowls. Service is always great!
(5)Jamie P.
Great food! I went on a Sunday and there was a long wait, even for a party of one! I was able to waste some time in the market while I waited for a spot in the restaurant. I had the pork ramen and the soba noodles, both were delicious. I prefer the soba, but this place beats any other I have tried. Definitely recommend, perhaps on a weekday when they aren't quite so busy. Or takeout :)
(4)Liz L.
This place is great for quick Japanese food! And :gasp: is not one of those fake fusion places that sell you watered down "ramen noodle soups." The place is connected to the Japanese market, which is wonderful because you can grab lunch and finish your shopping all in one go! The food is reasonably priced, and the menu allows for you to choose from a wide variety of rice or noodle dishes. I ordered the pork cutlet over ramen, and a side of gyoza (dumplings). The ramen was good, but not the best ramen I've ever had. I must say, I've been spoiled coming from a big city where ramen places/Japanese restaurants are abundantly around. The gyoza was also tasty, but then again it's just fried dumplings. I would definitely go back again just to try the other dishes and fulfill my Japanese food cravings, so don't let the 3 stars fool you! It is still a good place to eat fast Japanese food!
(3)Devan A.
I love this place. Whenever I'm missing Japan I always go here for ramen. It really is the best kind of comfort food. They have a lot of other good food as well and it's attached to a little grocery like store. It's the only place I've been able to find calpis in cbus so far. I only wish they carried peach flavored calpis. Oh did I mention you can eat the food bought at the grocery store in the cafe?
(5)Jackie H.
I love udon noodles, so on my first visit here, that's what I ordered. However, I'm not a big fan of the seaweed, so on my next visit I ordered ramen. Their ramen is SO GOOD. So good I've actually sorta gone on a "ramen diet" by stopping by about 4-5 afternoons a week. I've actually only tried their tonkotsu (pork) ramen...creamy and full of flavor, just lovely. They have a few other broth flavors that I'll one day try, but for now that pork broth is just too good to stray from! Mini bowls are nothing fancy, but they're a nice companion. Price is great!
(5)Holly C.
I moved away from campus and live close by now. The sushi here is consistently good, whether you order it to go at the counter or pick it up in the frige. My favorites are shrimp tempura, spicy shrimp, and spider roll. The cafe has delicious choices as well. I'm personally not a huge fan of ramen or udon often, but I love the curry rice with beef or pork katsu! There isn't a huge selection if you come here often and like a wide variety of foods, but it's got all the staples done well!
(4)Madison R.
This is the first Japanese food I've eaten outside of Japan/Hawaii/California. Considering it's a Midwest Japanese restaurant with "express" in its name, I didn't have high expectations. The gyoza were ok, but the curry ramen we ordered tasted too watery/light, and the tempura on the spicy shrimp was soggy. Price was fair. We might return to try other things, but I'm hopeful we will find a better Japanese restaurant in the area.
(3)Diana P.
This is a 'go-to' place for me when I'm not sure what I crave for lunch or dinner. You can never go wrong with their udon & rice bowl combo. They've increased their price little by little over the years. But my tastebuds have become accustomed to their food already and I can't stop now lol. Their takoyaki, dumplings, chicken karage are all good sides in addition to the combo, if you are feeling extra hungry.
(5)Mark L.
"Express" is an appropriate name for this place. Everything comes quick, cheap, and easy. The food is good and will leave you satisfied, but I can't stress enough: don't expect to be blown away. Most meals come in the form of soba, udon, or ramen bowls. Of the three, the ramen broth was my favorite. The shrimp tempura is delicious and juicy. The curry rice is simple but delicous and savory comfort food. The tonkatsu is nothing special, and the potato croquette was pretty basic. The takoyaki was huge and had generous chunks of octopus in it, though if I could, I would recommend they add Japanese mayo as a topping. It seems that is the deciding factor between an ok takoyaki ball to a delicious one. Take this place for what it is (a food court or fast food type place), and you won't be disappointed and may be pleasantly surprised.
(4)Michael C.
Really neat store and a great restaurant/cafe. The store has some of the best - and most unique - fish you will find in Columbus. They also have a deli-inspired section where you can pick up freshly made sushi and bento boxes. The restaurant in back does some great ramen but be prepared to wait for a seat on the weekends. The wait is well worth it!
(4)Adrienne C.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! probably come here at least 3 times a month. i was floored when I first discovered the place a full year after I moved to columbus - what a waste to not have found it sooner!! especially as a grad student, it can't get any better than super fresh, super fast japanese food at a ridiculously low price. there should be a Tensuke express in every college town. even in comparison to nice japanese restaurants, their fish quality is excellent for the price ($4.75). I personally love their salmon crunch roll, as well as their udon + tonkatsu combination (combo 1d i think?) I'm guessing that when i finally leave columbus, Tensuke will be what i miss the most.
(5)Kyle H.
Excellent ramen, timely service, and good value for the money. I usually order shrimp katsu ramen in shoyu broth...consistently good and always hot. The sushi and Bento bowls available at Tensuke Market are also solid and can be eaten at Express with a paid sticker.
(5)Zain K.
Fair or otherwise, I judge a Japanese eatery by its sushi, and I think it's fair to judge a sushi place by its chirashi. That said, the chirashi here was lacking. For $12 at lunch, not including soup or salad, I expected my bowl to be reasonably substantial, and that simply wasn't the case here. There were only a couple of unimpressive (in size, texture, and flavor) pieces of each of three different cuts of fish (not including the fake crab, which doesn't belong in a decent chirashi), along with a piece of hokkigai, a little salmon roe, and a reasonable amount of preserved squash, cucumber, and gari. Given that this place is self-service, and that the dinnerware and cutlery are disposable, I don't feel I got my $12 worth. Then again, this was my first chirashi experience in Columbus (actually, this was my first meal upon moving to the city), so I may have to come back to this review after obtaining a local basis for comparison...
(3)Erick V.
If you are craving for ramen-Japanese style this is the place to go. Great service. Great price and amazing soup! Nice place to go to during cold season!!!my favorite.
(5)Kaellen C.
This is hands down one of my favorite places! Great Service and great food! I don't think I could live too far away from this place. I could eat here everyday but I'd be broke :) .
(5)Matthew S.
Wonderful little diner attached to the Tensuke Marketplace. The food is reasonably priced and the atmosphere is okay, if just a bit too crowded. There is also a a large saltwater tank in the middle full of beautiful sea critters, which is pleasant to see in such a small restaurant. Although we haven't sampled everything on the menu, we have never left disappointed and always make a point of stopping for lunch when in the area. The unagi dishes (eel) is some of the best I've ever had, and the udon and ramen bowls are perfect on a cold day. If you are craving very delicious Authentic Asian food and are in the area then definitely give this place a try. The space may be crowded and a little chaotic with the market crowd passing through, but a meal here is well worth any minor inconveniences that may provide. 4 out of 5 stars.
(4)Stephanie K.
I came here during one of the sales. They were offering pork cutlet curry rice and beef udon on sale. I got the pork cutlet and curry dish. The pork was deliciously fried and served next to a bed of rice and curry sauce. There was also a small amount of pickled radish or something on the plate. Yum! Only a week later I was back and got the Pork Kimchee Udon. Ohhh my gawwd it was so good! The udon was that perfect chewiness that I love. The broth was bursting with flavor. Pork, kimchee, fish cake slices, half a hardboiled egg, and shredded seaweed were also found in the soup. I definitely am coming back for more of their noodle soups! This small restaurant in the back of the Tensuke grovery store, can get pretty packed during the weekend or during one of their sales.
(4)Lindsay D.
This place has made me so incredibly happy. The food is excellent, very afforable and worth every penny! The only reason I can't give it the full 5 stars is because their vegetarian options are kinda limited. Most of the dishes have some form of meat or are made in a meat broth. Since I'm not a super strict veg, I decided to let some of those things slide due to the fact the food was just so good. They did have a few tofu options in their pre-made bento boxes, but most of those were sold by the time we got there. When I saw takoyaki on their menu, my inner 17 year old otaku screamed in delight. I've always wanted to try those little fried balls of octopus and dough. And they were totally worth it! Of course, I don't have anything to compare them to, but fffffff! I think I will regularly be convicted of breaking my vegetarianism for those. If you're not bothered by the octopus part, you MUST try these! The price is one of the best parts about it, as well. A meal for two with leftovers for about $16. That's pretty hard to beat. And if you're in to Japanese foods, you can always check out their grocery store while you wait.
(4)Emily F.
Delicious food and fast service. Very busy on Saturday so it sometime is a little bit of a wait but worth it! I almost always order the mini eel bowl, sometimes tako yaki, and the shrimp tempura is great. The hubby loves the rich Japanese curry (like a stew/gravy) and the ramen is good. Lots of options, including udon and soba, plus you can buy sushi from the attached Tensuke Market to bring into the cafe. We love sitting at the bar in the center and watching the fish swim while we eat.
(4)Tiffany Y.
I salivate when thinking about this place. Ramen is in my blood and this, for the price and quality, is as good as it gets in Columbus. Everything on the menu is delicious, and it's a great stepping stone for anyone trying Japanese food that's not just sushi. Do keep in mind that they close early.
(5)Andrew B.
Great food and pretty fast service.
(4)Jimmy N.
Drove about 2 1/2 hours for tonkatsu ramen. Those of you that say their ramen is good. You have no idea. Even for Ohio it isn't acceptable. Gave it a 3 for udon and rice bowls.
(3)Sara C.
THEY NOW HAVE RAMEN!!! And for anyone who thinks ramen is just the stuff you get 6 packages for $1 at Kroger... please go here. You'll never buy Top Ramen again.
(5)Eliza D.
The ramen is really really good!! I am an SF native and being out on the east coast has meant I have had to sacrifice having easy access to really good meals. Sorry but it's the truth. Outstanding quality food is just not as readily available in Columbus and if it is, it's pricey. This is not the case at Tensuke. Reminiscent of Nijiya markets, Tensuke has an little restaurant off the side of the market where you can eat sushi and bento items from the market as well as order hot items like udon and ramen. After searching yelp for some ramen I decided to make the trek out here to try it. I was not disappointed. The portions are large and delicious. The broth is just the right amount of creamy and salty with the pork being tender and the ramen noodles plentiful. I had hoped for more veggies but I'm not going to be too picky. This really is up there with the great ramen offered in SF and Oakland. Job well done, Tensuke. Oh and the price is just right too! All bowls were under $10!!!
(4)Peter L.
This place is money. It's the kind of place I miss most after moving to OH from CA. Solid menu that includes the usual assortment of ramen, udon, soba, curry, katsu, various rice bowls, etc. The ramen is excellent. They have a number of combinations to choose from, last time I ordered a combo of udon and pork katsu for around $7. Hard to beat the amount of food and quality for the price. Also had some octopus ball things as an app, great stuff. You can order a la carte sushi rolls next door in the Tensuke Market to accompany your meal. The place can get pretty packed, but the turnover is quick and there's a lady helping organize seating so it's not like you're stressing about finding a table while standing in line at the counter. So if you don't have the time or money for Akai Hana next door, check this place out.
(4)David L.
Food: 4 Decor: 4 Service: 4 I'm surprised I haven't rated this place yet. This is one of my top 5 places in Columbus, and I try to drop by everytime I'm in town. 1. 2A - Soba noodles with beef bowl, 7 Delicious. Beef bowl is always delicious, and the soba noodles are always good. 2. Takoyaki, 4 Yummy. 6 pieces. Nice and hot off the grill. 3. Potato Croquettes, Gyoza, and Unadon All okay. I usually just stick to the first two above. Newly renovated too, so the decor looks much nicer (like the fish tank: yelp.com/biz_photos/kFT2… )
(4)Lydia W.
I'll eat here if I'm starving or really craving some hot noodles. But I have to say that most of the things I've had here are only average. I guess the "express" part of its name shouldn't rev up expectations. The ramen is far from the gourmet types you can get in larger cities, but on a chilly day, a bowl of noodles in hot broth goes a long way. There are some flavors like kimchi tonkotsu ramen that sound promising but don't hold your breath. If you are looking for "Japanese fast food", this is a great place to go. Also you can buy sushi from the market next door and eat it here too!
(3)Justine L.
Whenever I come here I've only really gotten Cha-Shu ramen with pork flavor soup! It is one of my favorite things to eat in a cold or rainy weather! It is a little salty, but I think that's how it's supposed to be. If you like to make it taste better, put the spicy powder and chili oil in it! I also had their beef bowl, chicken teriyaki, stired fried yaki udon, soba noodle soup, shrimp tempura bowl, and they are all pretty decent. They have good prices on combination lunches with soba/udon soup with beef bowls/shrimp tempura bowls. They usually have lunch specials like that! It's always busy whenever I come here, but the staff is smart about it. They put you down on a list to be seated, and will prepare your food after your seated so that your food will be ready fresh!
(4)Neko C.
Every time I need to go shopping for my Japanese groceries, I stop here for some tasty ramen. It's just like the ramen I use to get back home In Cali- good, fast, and cheap haha. I always get the Soy Sauce Chashu ramen. Yummy broth, soft pork, nori, fish cakes, a boiled egg- perfect! Always a good way to start my shopping trip :)
(4)Gussie H.
So ever since moving to Columbus, I've been searching for a good, authentic, and reasonably priced Japanese place. Tensuke delivers. The staff there is always friendly, the menu is easy to order off of, and the food is always delicious. The curry rice is phenomenal! I haven't had any this good since Mitsuwa in Chicago. They also offer Udon, Soba, Ramen, and countless other quick, filling dishes. I love this place, and will be going back for more soon.
(5)Alex K.
Great food, great prices. Everything is done at a bargain, like their curry rice, bibimbap (Korean mixed rice), and Japanese ramen. It's all very good, and very inexpensive if you just get one thing. Don't expect greatness, but expect to be full and satisfied. I really like their Udon varieties, sometimes with soba noodles instead just to mix it up. It's find for you to take it to go, then boil the soup at home before you throw the noodles in. That's express for you!
(4)Crystal O.
I was underwhelmed by this place. The service was fine and the menu was numbered for easy ordering, but the food was mediocre. My chicken was dry and soba noodle broth was very fishy tasting. I didn't think that really went with the dish, but maybe that's how they do all their broth? Oddly enough, all the patrons seemed to be Japanese or from another similar part of the world, while the servers were not. Almost like opposites. Maybe that just means I don't know what "real" Japanese is like, but it wasn't for me. I did however like browsing the market next door... lots of direct-from-the-source Japanese foods, sauces, etc. The noodle cups and kiddie gear was authentic and fun if you're into that kind of animation or something, it would be fun.
(2)Paul F.
This place has remarkably good udon soup w/shrimp which is how I get it. And it's fairly cheap also; $6.25 and no tip. This is definitely the place to come when the weather gets colder.
(5)Heather D.
5 stars for freshness and consistency. Grocery store sushi is amazing (I prefer to call-ahead and have them make it for me, rather than picking up from the pre-made cooler.) Soba and ramen noodles are delicious from the noodle bar side. Cheap and delicious. Eat here.
(5)Luan N.
My fave food court in C-bus. Why? 1.Cheap eats. 2. Quick 3. They got combos such as gyu-don (beef rice bowl) + udon 4. Can grab some sushi at tensuke market to add to #3 and make an uber mega combo. 5. Play Japanese game shows like Takeshi's castle overhead. 6. When I'm done eating lunch, I can grab dinner at Tenskuke market on the way out.
(3)Matthew B.
Sometimes I have to "be in the mood" to eat Japanese food- sort of like I have to "be in the mood" to do anything other than study up on the history of the development of Dungeons & Dragons all day- but I can say without reservation that I will basically always be in the mood to duck into Tensuke Express. Why not, I'm going to be in Tensuke Market anyways, right! I mean, I have to stock up on my beloved cold canned coffee and those friggin' addictive Japanese snacks. Ah- Ah! Tensuke Express is almost literally a hole in the wall in the back of the always-fun aforementioned Market, and- as I believe the Marquis de Sade said- thank God for that there hole. You walk in to be greeted with televisions showing Authentic Real-Live Japanese Television, which is definitely watchable without a lick of the language in yer head. Oh, but if that's not entertaining enough, there's also a huge tubular (in multiple senses of that word) aquarium in the middle of the place- although doesn't it seem a bit cruel? Hey, watch me eat your uncle in front of you, you dumb fish, there's nothing you can do about it! Well, I guess that's what they get for not evolving a Second Amendment. The food here is quick, delicious, and HOLY CRAP is it generous. I had the pork katsudon- when don't I- and it was a feat to finish the whole meal in one sitting, a feat I was proud to have accomplished. The service was friendlier than your average order-at-the-counter, pick-up-yer-dang-food-when-its-ready kind of place, but then, the whole Tensuke Market family of businesses tends to have excellent service, so that's no shocking revelation. What a wonderful place for a quick snack or a hell of a lunch! And you can pay for groceries- such as a big ol' can of cold coffee- at the Market and bring it in to the cafe to enjoy with your meal. I mean, come on! This place is legitimately amazing. See you again soon, Tensuke Market, and until then, I'll be blessed to visit you in my dreams~~
(5)Allison S.
Tensuke Express is a fantastic authentic Japanese. The udon was delicious and the price was definitely right. I was able to get sushi (fantastic) from the market and eat it along side with my udon. The sushi tasted fresh and the rice was delicious, I will definitely go back soon.
(5)Sarah F.
Had some cucumber rolls with avocado today. Delish! Added cream cheese to half, and it was super good. Super cheap too! Great yummy lunch for even us veggie eaters!
(5)Sabrina L.
At the urging of a few people who felt like my first review wasn't indicative of the usual Tensuke experience I visited again, and I have to admit it was better. First of all, I went at lunch time, and bought sushi directly out of the big case near the front doors. Normally I don't buy sushi that way, but this is a Japanese store so I figured it'd be okay. And I was right! I've been broadening my horizons away from strictly vegetarian sushi and tried the spicy California roll and the Barbecue Eel with Avocado. Both were excellent! And cheap. I'll be back, and they definitely earned the extra star.
(4)Ariel B.
Went here yesterday with friends and boy was it yummy! This place is the best of many worlds. It has #1 an asian market with all the goodies you could want, #2 a sushi window with a plethora of made to order sushi, and #3 a noodle shop with endless slurpable deliciousness! This winter I have no doubt that I will be making frequent visits to fill my belly with my favorite comfort food-- especially the udon. I had the radish kimchi followed by spicy ramen yesterday which was scrumptious! I found myself envying every single dish around me and boldly reaching over others to delve into their dishes as well. The meal was enjoyed by all seven members of our group, and we popped by the market afterward to enjoy red bean cakes and some ramune soda. As an aside, it was so good that my friend from DC may be coming back JUST to hit up Tensuke.
(5)Chris C.
Some people definitely go over the top in reviewing this place but I can confidently give it 4 stars. The staff is knowledgeable and fast. The only time you will have to wait more than about 8 minutes for your food is if you go during a rush. The wait time is made tolerable by the fact that you can browse the connecting market while waiting or go grab a drink from the coolers by the registers (that's what I do). As others have pointed out you cannot attempt to compare this place's food and sushi to that of a upscale restaurant. If you are looking for that head across the sidewalk to Akai Hana for the best quality sushi in Columbus. However if you go to Tensuke early in the day when they are first stocking up the sushi coolers or order you own ahead of time you can get sushi that is nearly on par with Akai Hana. Basically, come here for lunch or a quick dinner and enjoy the aquarium and the Japanese TV shows. If you want to be floored by quality go to Akai Hana.
(4)Lisa S.
Updating for Okonomiyaki review! Tensuke Express runs an Okonomiyaki stand outside of their store front on the weekends during the summer as weather permits. Prices are $5 for a small and $8 for a large. The large Okonomiyaki could feed a family of four - it's HUGE! Your choice of pork, shrimp or mix (mix, no contest) and it comes covered in Kewpie Mayonnaise, Okonomiyaki Sauce, Seaweed and Bonito flakes. There is an option to get your okonomiyaki with cheese for a dollar more - but for once I don't see cheese as a necessary component to a dish. Shaved Ice runs at $1 with your choice of 4 flavors - Strawberry, Melon, Lemon and I think Blue Raspberry? Or Blue Hawaii? Something blue. And the Shaved Ice is also topped with condensed sweet milk. Here's to hoping Tensuke Express makes their Okonomiyaki cart mobile for fall! Shit is GOOD.
(5)Ben C.
5 stars for the convenience and price of the place. This is definitely the place to go if you're craving some Japanese food and in somewhat of a hurry. This place gets to the point, you get to eat quality Japanese food at a very reasonable price, at a convenient pace. Another aspect of Tensuke Express that I enjoy is that you can order and/or buy sushi from the Supermarket connected to it and eat there. The prices for sushi are also very reasonable, not to mention it tastes very good. Definitely one of my local favorites.
(5)J.J. C.
I think some of the lower reviews aren't all that fair. Tensuke Express is not a typical 'sit down' restaurant. As the name entails, it's their quick and easy fast-food type of eatery, much like your Mark Pi's Express or Wendy's. To compare it to Akai Hana (it's sister restaurant that really is a sit-down restaurant) is doing it injustice. That being said, the food is freshly made, good, hot, and flavorful. The staff is fast, courteous and knowledgable. And the establishment is clean and aesthetically appealing. And when they have Okonomiyaki, it's a large portion and tastes great.
(5)Jessica I.
Shopping and eating- two of my favorite things. After you're done picking up Japanese staples at the grocery, you can step right into the noodle shop attached. This is a great place to get a tasty, filling noodle bowl for not much money. I followed my dining companion's lead and ordered the tempura udon, and I was pleased with my choice. The shrimp tempura was about a million degrees when it came out, and when it finally cooled down, it was excellent. The udon noodles had just the right texture, and the broth was full of flavor.
(4)Christine D.
Yay, ramen!! When i first got my bowl, it looked like a smaller-than-average portion. Then i dug my chopsticks into it and saw that there were more noodles in that broth than meets the eye. Whenever I get ramen, i usually have either miso or tonkotsu, and at Tensuke I got the miso. It was a solid 3/5. The iced barley tea was a refreshing accompaniment to this hot meal. I wasn't sure how I'd rate this overall. Should I rate it generally or for Columbus? Well, I'm feeling generous and this place did me no wrong...so i'll bump it up. Oh yeah, that little puffer fish in that fish tank looks like it's in a perpetual state of FML. It kept wedging itself between the different rocks, but in a really unusual position...like it wants to die. Not sure if that's a pleasant place to sit and eat your meal, while you're watching it.
(4)David T.
I have been here a few times and have not been disappointed. The minibowls are a perfect portion size. If you want sushi, just order it from the market portion and bring it in. It is delicious. A huge plus is the crazy Japanese television shows they have on!
(5)Aiko Y.
If you are an Akai Hana fan but are on a budget and yet don't want to compromise quality, this is a great place for a simple Japanese meal. You can pick out ready made or order fresh sushi from Tensuke Market as well which is a plus. One can get astounded on how much food you get for the price for $6.95 per person!
(5)Diana U.
Super great place for Japanese curry and ramen/udon/soba options. It's connected to Tensuke Market so you can get your sushi at the market (either prepackaged or made-to-order), and take it to the cafe to eat. They have a cute aquarium in the middle of the cafe that you can stare out while you eat. Their food comes out really quick and you have a pager that vibrates when your food is ready. I haven't had anything I didn't like at Tensuke. Great prices and selection. It's never been completely packed when I went, so there were no worries about finding a place to sit. Great place for lunch!
(4)Kristina G.
We ate here the first time we went to Tensuke Market. The place is real cute, with it's own fish tank sitting area. The food was great and we really didn't have to wait that long for it even though it was packed.
(5)Sarah H.
Tasty and inexpensive sushi. I didn't try to get anything fancy, just several standard rolls - spicy tuna, crunchy salmon, philadelphia, inari, eel, and cucumber. They were all good, especially the crunch roll. I even liked the inari, which I usually can't stand the texture of! It was slightly sweet and not overly-chewy. At this price point, it's really the best you could expect, if not better. You order your sushi in the back of the store, not in the cafe area, so it's a little confusing. But delicious!
(4)Tom X.
My goto spot in Columbus for their delicious japanese fare. The curries here are amazing and always hit the spot. The fried chicken pieces (forget the name) are also amazing and flavorful. I've tried pretty much everything on their menu ranging from Udon, ramen, curries, and the ccasionally available okanami and have yet to find a dish I did not like. The sushi bar makes cheap and delicious sushi at a very fair price and I usually order more than I can eat so I can bring some home for later. It is a nice little place to eat in with strange japanese programming always playing on the TVs, but you can grab a seat next to the fish tank and watch the ill swim around while eating your food before heading over next doors to the market to grab some great japanese snacks and ingredients. MUST VISIT PLACE when in Columbus!
(5)Michael T.
Located next to Tensuke Market. Around the corner from Hana Gifts and Akai Hana. This is a good place to get a relatively quick, authentic Japanese lunch: ramen, udon, donburi, gyoza, etc. The prices are reasonable given the quality of the food and the portion size.
(4)Mike B.
Located inside the Tensuke Market, the Tensuke Express is a great option for fast authentic Japanese food. Very busy during lunch and pretty steady at dinner. The portion sizes are similar as you would get in Japan, the prices are fantastic. I tried the katsu curry and the spicy negi ramen, both were fantastic. Their dining room is cafeteria style, my only complaint is that they ring your automatic buzzer when each part of your dinner is finished (instead of when all of it is finished).
(4)Illa A.
Firstly, Tensuke Express is 'fast food' Japanese. It would be very accurate to say that Tensuke is to Japanese food what Fazoli's is to Italian. Most of the food is prepared from frozen, but it still tastes good, and it's about the cheapest Japanese you'll find. Being able to get in and get out without having to undergo the lengthy ritual that is eating at a typical Japanese restaurant makes Tensuke a great option for lunch, single diners, and people in a hurry. The casual atmosphere and mini-bowl sizes also make it a great place to introduce children to Japanese food free from worrying that they'll grow loud and bored or order something expensive they'll refuse to eat. Tensuke's strengths are that their food is fast, hot, cheap, tasty, and plentiful. It can get crowded on weekends and during lunch, making it difficult to find a table for a larger group. This place is frequented by many Japanese people (a good sign) but the ordering staff is fluent in English. The location is a plus: Sushi, bentos, drinks, and snacks can be purchased at the connected Tensuke Market Japanese grocery store and eaten in the Tensuke Express; and Belle's Breads, a bakery with authentic Japanese pastries, is half a block away for dessert. Notes on the food: They have very little by way of vegetarian options. To-go is available. Noodles and broth will be packaged separately so they don't get soggy, a nice touch. Ramen- they have every broth available, from tonkotsu to miso and everything in between, and the noodles are thick and curly. The ramen is decent, better than most Americans expect from a lifetime of maruchan/top ramen, but it's about on par with the better refrigerator or frozen brands of ramen available from the market next door (in fact, I kind of suspect that's what they use). People who have had 'real' ramen will find it disappointing, and I've noticed that most of the Japanese people do not order this. Also, a few of the flavors have an unpleasant smell (shoyu). Udon/ soba (thick noodles/ buckwheat noodles)- the same, plain, broth is used for both noodles. The broth is light, salty, a little sweet, with a bit of a fish taste. Solidly good, but nothing revolutionary. Both can be customized with a number of topping options. Cold zaru soba is available year round. Curry- It's a mild beef curry (unusual) and on the sweet side, which some people dislike. HUGE portion. Donburi (rice bowls)- these are not 'authentic' donburi. It's basically whatever meat you choose placed on top of rice. (example: the tempura one is two shrimp tempura over rice; no veggie tempura, no sauce. The tonkatsu [pork cutlet] is the same; a sliced, breaded pork cutlet on rice, rather than being the authentic tonkatsudon, which is cooked with an egg sauce). The gyudon (beef bowl) is fattier than I like. "Mini" size, meaning about 1/2-3/4 of a cup of rice and a small portion of meat on top, is available so they're good for kids, as a snack, or if you want a meal of side dishes. Side dishes- lot's of stereotypical Japanese staples, all pretty cheap (~$3 or less). Potato Croquette, gyoza, takoyaki (really hard to find! Theirs are very basic, no scallions, ginger, tempura bits, etc. in the batter, but still good). Pretty much everything is deep fried from frozen. But, that's what makes it taste good. Tensuke Market's most popular meals are: Katsucurry (a deep fried, crispy-breaded pork cutlet on a plate of curry and rice) Tempura soba (buckwheat noodles served hot in a soup broth with batter-fried shrimp) Unagi-don (Eel bowl) I've eaten here at least a dozen times and I would definitely recommend Tensuke Express, especially to those with exotic tastes, but a fast food budget.
(4)Nan L.
Tensuke is a great place for cheap, fast, authentic Japanese meal. I've always thought the restaurant which is attached to Tensuke Market grocery store is more of show case of the food sold next door. The kitchen appears to be staff by college students learning Japanese since they shout and take orders in Japanese. You can easily make most of the dishes on the menu such as fried gyoza, takoyaki, curry beef... by getting the ingredients next door. But for the price and convenience, it's well worth it to enjoy the meal without worrying about the dishes. On a side note, try the Berkshire pork gyoza or any Berkshire pork product sold next door and you'll understand that pork has a truly amazing flavor profile, and why it's such a disappointment most grocery store sells pork that's breeded into a bland, saline injected "other white meat" that turns into cardboard upon cooking.
(4)Keith B.
I carried out dinner here yesterday and it was great. The place is located in the back of the Tensuke Market which is the freshest seafood you can get in most places in columbus and a fantastic japanese grocery store. We ordered spicy salmon roll, bbq eel udon, and japanese beef curry. Spicy Salmon- The salmon was fresh and the rice was cooked pretty well. Very good sushi and affordable. BBQ Eel Soba- The udon broth was good and the portions were generous. The noodles were, but perhaps a bit on the gummy side for my liking. My only complaint over this dish was that the BBQ eel itself was too mushy. I do not know if it was over sauce or over cooked, but the eel couldnt really maintain its shape and its consistency wasn't what I expected. Great flavor though. Japanese Beef Curry- For me this was the best dish. The japanese curry had great flavor and the vegetables and beef were cooked perfectly. Stick to the bones good. If you haven't had Japanese Curry before it is very mild and not too over powering. A great dish for a cold day.
(4)Paul K.
Excellent sushi for Seabus, and definitely one of my favorite finds since I became addicted to Yelp for new places to eat. The website has the order form which you print out and fax in or drop off. tensukemarket.com/SUSHI/… Good stuff! A sushi meal that would easily be $60 or more elsewhere is closer to $20.
(5)Chrissy S.
Love this place...go for lunch on Saturdays a lot. I have lunch, then do a little shopping in their market.
(4)viv l.
Dude, they have takoyaki. ANY place in Columbus with takoyaki gets five stars from me. AND mini-bowls. For when you (I mean, I) can't decide between the katsu or the unagi donburi... just get both! AND I love that most of the staff in the kitchen are all white dudes -- calling out orders and responding all in very passable Japanese.
(5)Ka T.
Gotta love this place, makes you feel like you are in japan. The food is good and affordable. My favorite is the udon noodle soup with beef bowl. Hidden gem if your in the area. ive taken alot of people here and they all enjoyed themselves.
(5)Birdy N.
Great noodles, sushi and other japanese food. Relatively quite cheap. The attached grocery store makes it all the more convenient. Frequented by Japanese families.
(4)Amelia S.
I love coming here on days I crave Japanese food but don't want to spend too much at Akai Hana. Their food is good and very fast, which is always nice. I like to order udon from here and grab a sushi from the store part and have my own combination meal. The only downfall is that seats are quite limited when you go during peak hours.
(4)Justin R.
I had 2-B, it's soba noodles and BBQ EEL over rice. Very hot and fresh. The eel had great flavor, and the soup was very good. I will definitely be back.
(4)Lily P.
I am in love with this place! It's good Japanese comfort food for a decent price. I always get the udon noodles whenever I come here because I'm a fan of rich, savory tasting broths when it comes to any noodle soup dish. The udon noodles have a wonderful consistency and chewiness to them and the broth is warm, comforting, and so flavorful. The ingredients taste fresh and the portions are perfect for lunch. Their ramen and rice dishes are good too, but udon is my staple here.
(5)Joshua O.
BANG for buck, the sushi is always fresh, the chef's and staff are always friendly, the food is always always satisfying. My friends and I really really enjoy eating here. For the same price as a BigMac Meal, you get Ramen or a combo, which comes with either an Udon or Soba with a minibowl of your choice. I really like their Unagi bowls, and also the Great White Salmon roll, DELICIOUS. If you haven't been you missin out. GO NOW maybe i'll see you there...
(4)Dainy L.
Tensuke Express' provides a little taste of authentic fast food Japan in Columbus. Great for a quick meal of udon, soba, ramen, or donburi at acceptable prices ($6-$8), but it is still fast food afterall.
(3)Mark K.
Great price for great food. It's not a big place like Akai Hana around the corner, but it's just as good!! Ordered the eel bowl, chicken karaage, and shrimp tempura. Delicious!!
(5)michael c.
Overall the food is pretty good, but I never come here unless I'm doing some shopping at the market and already hungry. I generally just get the special of the day (ususally an udon set with fish or katsu). The portion sizes are just about right if you're wanting a solid lunch to tide you over until dinner, but not enough if you forgot to eat breakfast (for me at least). It does get packed here during lunch, but I've always had a table by the time my food order came up... It's not the best Japanese food in town by a longshot, but it's a solid entry in the comfort food arena with good prices. I'd say this beats any fast food place in the area dollar for dollar that I can think of and most cheaper Chinese places too.. I'd say it's one of the best dining values in Columbus.. Too bad it's so close to Crescent Bakery, or I'd come here more often.
(4)Josh E.
I ate at Tensuke Express today while visiting my girlfriend in Columbus. The little sit-down restaurant is attached to the Tensuke Market and has enough room for about 10 tables. They have a pretty basic menu with Soba and Udon noodle soups, Yaki Soba, and Japanese Curry. Apparently, they also have Ramen on weekdays. I couldn't really decide what to order, so I settled on the Pork Katsu Curry and my girlfriend ordered the Beef Soba. Within a few minutes, our little buzzer went off and I picked up our trays. The curry came with a small bowl of miso soup and the Beef Soba came with the beef on the side in a bowl of steamed rice. The curry came with a dollop of pickled radish on the side. Before I dug into the curry, Kittiya offered me a taste of her noodles and I was pleasantly surprised. They were firm and flavorful, without a hint of overcooking. The curry, on the other hand, was a major disappointment. I wasn't expecting it to be great, but neither was I expecting it to be as bad as it was. The pork katsu was incredibly overcooked. It was more like cardboard than pork. The curry gravy had so much filler and lard in it, that it was kind of gross. It was also luke warm. If it were served hot, it would've helped a bit, but it was a total lost cause as I got it. The miso soup was ok though. Overall, I would say my meal was a weak 2 stars and Kittiya's was a decent 4. I gotta split the difference on this visit. I'll try it again when I can and avoid the curry like the plague. It's not good when the S&B curry rocks the socks off of Tensuke's version.
(3)Julie P.
Not bad at all when I need my Japanese fix. I wish they had powdered green tea instead of tea in bags. Good unagi donburi, decent soups/noodels, but I would like a bit more variety in broths and toppings. Oh, and mixed pickles!! I wish they offered a little sunomono to go with the donburi. Very affordable and nice atmosphere.
(4)Jeffrey L.
This is as real Japanese food you're going to get here in Columbus. It's cheap and doesn't have all that random flair that is used to cater to the "restaurant-going" crowd. Amazing...
(5)Larry V.
I just got back from having lunch at this location. I had the curry rice with beef, some fried dumplings, a cup of miso soup, and a can of classic Coca cola. Hmmm. It was a little pricier than I had originally been planning to pay, but I really wanted to try the dumplings. They were very crispy with a taste of sesame oil, I think. The curry was a mild and enjoyable flavor, and the shredded beef was tasty. The location was not overly busy, so the food was served quickly. It was quite enjoyable. I would have enjoyed going next door to the grocery if I had not been rushed to get back to work.
(4)