Where tempura becomes an art form

Inagiku, which became a landmark meeting place for film directors, writers, poets and celebrities, went out of business in the 1990s when the financial crisis hit.

Asano set out to promote tempura around the world in his 30s. He first left Japan for the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York where he opened a tempura restaurant. He later became the first chef to ever introduce the dish to the White House during a gala dinner for the then US president Jimmy Carter. The 74-year-old even has a photo in this Beijing restaurant to prove it.

Years later, Asano established a strong following in Hong Kong where he opened another restaurant. The Chinese diners there loved his tempura so much they eventually convinced him to open an outlet in the mainland.