Originally Posted by
MikeFromTokyo
Re tempura, I completely disagree with statements above that a ¥2000~¥4000 lunch is an acceptable substitute for a gourmet Tempura dinner.
In Japan you get what you pay for. Believe me, once you have tried tempura at a fine restaruant, you will appreciate the quality difference.
I obviously did a bad job with my post, since everyone is interpreting it in ways that I didn't intend.
I don't mean to suggest that one can get the same things for 2000 yen as one gets for 14,000 yen (which is what dinner will cost you in the same place that I recommended). However, I think that there is a law of diminishing returns - and you don't get 7 times the meal for 14,000 yen as you get for 2,000 yen.
I also stand by my suggestion that one can get great tempura with a great cost performance at lunch. For someone who just doesn't see why tempura should be or could be a gourmet affair, I think a reasonable lunch set is a great introduction to the cuisine without any risk of feeling fleeced.