Merikenko
Merikenko
Merikenko is a ten-seat tempura counter that opened in 2024 on Carrer de Sèneca in la Vila de Gràcia, run by Kenji Ueno, the chef behind Can Kenji, Aiueno and Sato i Tanaka.
Background
About Merikenko
The Story
Merikenko opened in 2024 on a quiet stretch of Carrer de Sèneca in la Vila de Gràcia as Barcelona's first dedicated tempura counter. The project comes from Kenji Ueno, the veteran chef behind Can Kenji, Aiueno, Sato i Tanaka and Makanaí, and is set in a compact 40-square-metre room with a single bar for ten diners facing the fryer.
The Cuisine
The kitchen works in the Kanto style, building the batter with egg and frying in a blend of white sesame and sunflower oils to reach a pale, uniform crust. Two omakase menus run in parallel: a shorter lunch progression at €35 and a longer evening tasting at €62. Service typically opens with tellinas al vino blanco, moves through sashimi and a few nigiri, then runs a sequence of vegetable and seafood tempura, maitake, calabaza, lotus root, baby corn and asparagus on the vegetable side, red prawn, scallop and seasonal white fish on the seafood side, before closing with a nori-tempura nigiri and miso soup.
The Team
Kenji Ueno leads the counter, assisted by chef Takashi Komura. Ueno trained in Japan and has run Japanese kitchens in Barcelona since opening Can Kenji in 2010; Merikenko is his first project focused entirely on tempura. A small front-of-house team handles sake and wine pairings, with a list that leans on Penedès, Alt Urgell, Terra Alta and Rías Baixas producers.
Highlights
What Diners Say
Consensus
Merikenko Ratings & Reviews
Professional Ratings
Diner Ratings
5
166 reviews
Merikenko is Barcelona's first dedicated tempura counter, praised for Kenji Ueno's Kanto-style technique and ten-seat omakase format. Diners rate it 5/5 on Google (166 reviews).
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Reservations
How to Book Merikenko
Booking
Merikenko operates Tuesday through Saturday with lunch (13:00–15:30) and dinner (20:00–23:00) services, closed Monday and Sunday. The ten-seat counter books out quickly; reservations are taken by phone on +34 937 431 519 during opening hours, and both menus are set omakase progressions with no à la carte substitutions.
Experience
Merikenko Dining Experience
A compact 40-square-metre room organised around a single black-stone counter that seats ten, facing Kenji Ueno's fryer and prep station. The design is deliberately pared back, dark walls, a small sake shelf, ceramic plates brought out course by course, so attention stays on the chef's hands and the rhythm of the tempura service.
Navigate
Merikenko Location & Neighbourhood
Getting There
Located at Sèneca, 28 in Barcelona's beloved Gràcia neighbourhood, Merikenko occupies a quiet street in one of the city's most charming residential areas. The restaurant's position in la Vila de Gràcia places it away from tourist crowds, offering locals and visitors seeking authenticity a genuine neighbourhood dining experience. Wheelchair accessible entrance and available paid parking enhance accessibility for all guests.
Nearby
La Vila de Gràcia represents Barcelona's most authentic neighbourhood village, featuring tree-lined plazas, independent shops, and local restaurants away from tourist circuits. The district maintains a bohemian character with excellent coffee culture, vintage boutiques, and a strong sense of community identity. Merikenko fits naturally into this environment of culinary authenticity and neighbourhood pride.
Details
Merikenko Reservations, Hours & Contact
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 13:00–15:30 & 20:00–23:00 |
| Wednesday | 13:00–15:30 & 20:00–23:00 |
| Thursday | 13:00–15:30 & 20:00–23:00 |
| Friday | 13:00–15:30 & 20:00–23:00 |
| Saturday | 13:00–15:30 & 20:00–23:00 |
| Sunday | Closed |
Merikenko hours verified 2026-03-01. Contact the restaurant to confirm.
Contact
Required. Call the restaurant landline during opening hours to book.
Good to Know
Social
From merikenkobcn on Instagram
I've been to a few tempura restaurants in Tokyo but my meal at @merikenkobcn in Barcelona was even better. I'm now convinced that tempura is the best way to experience certain vegetables like lotus root, zucchini, and asparagus. As oil is able to cook at a higher temperature (180°C) than water, it
_ 🔺 tanquem del 22 de desembre al 6 de gener.🔺cerramos el 22 de diciembre al 6 de enero. 🔺 12月22日 から 6日までクリスマス-年末年始の休暇を頂きます。🔺 We will be closed from the 22nd of Dec from the 6th of Jan. #merikenko obra de Keisuke Serizawa bones festes i millor 2025. felices fiestas y mejor 2025. メリークリスマス。 明けましておめ
【 Merikenko｜Authentic Tempura Omakase experience 🍤✨｜巴塞隆納美食 • 一秒回日本之天婦羅無菜單料理🇯🇵🥢】 💡 NEW in town! Located in Gràcia, this cozy, intimate venue with just ten seats offers a dedicated, authentic tempura experience. Immerse yourself in a genuine Japanese culinary journey with a focus on exclusivity and a
I've been to a few tempura restaurants in Tokyo but my meal at @merikenkobcn in Barcelona was even better. I'm now convinced that tempura is the best way to experience certain vegetables like lotus root, zucchini, and asparagus. As oil is able to cook at a higher temperature (180°C) than water, it
en Merikenko (literalmente, "harina americana") ofrecen un menú de degustación 'omakase' con ingredientes como el 'maitake', la calabaza o el pescado de temporada, que cambian constantemente y se acompañan con vinos del Penedès, el Alt Urgell, Terra Alta o Rias Baixes. La tempura, las deliciosas ver
Merikenko (Bcn)
Questions
Merikenko FAQ
What type of tempura experience does Merikenko offer?
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Merikenko is a ten-seat counter dedicated to Kanto-style tempura, where chef Kenji Ueno works with an egg-rich batter and a blend of white sesame and sunflower oils. The restaurant runs two set omakase menus, a shorter €35 lunch and an extended €62 dinner, each beginning with tellinas al vino blanco and sashimi before moving through a sequence of vegetable and seafood tempura.
How do I make a reservation at Merikenko?
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Reservations are required and are taken by phone only, on +34 937 431 519 during opening hours. With just ten counter seats the room books out quickly, so call several days ahead for weekends. The restaurant operates Tuesday through Saturday with lunch (13:00–15:30) and dinner (20:00–23:00) services.
Where is Merikenko located in Barcelona and how do I get there?
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Merikenko is located at Sèneca, 28 in Barcelona's Gràcia neighbourhood, specifically in la Vila de Gràcia. This charming residential area is away from tourist crowds and offers an authentic neighbourhood dining experience. The restaurant has paid parking available and is wheelchair accessible.
What should I expect to pay at Merikenko?
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The set lunch omakase is €35 per person and the dinner omakase is €62 per person. Beverages are billed separately; the list focuses on sake and Spanish wines from Penedès, Alt Urgell, Terra Alta and Rías Baixas producers, which can push a full dinner toward €80–100 per person with pairings.
Does Merikenko serve other Japanese dishes besides tempura?
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Tempura is the focus, but each omakase opens with a small run of other courses, typically tellinas al vino blanco, sashimi (tuna, white fish, squid) and a few nigiri, before the tempura sequence begins. The menu closes with a nori-tempura nigiri and miso soup. There is no à la carte.
What is the atmosphere like at Merikenko?
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The restaurant features an intimate counter setting with seating for approximately ten guests, creating an up-close view of tempura preparation. The atmosphere prioritizes culinary focus over elaborate design, with understated elegance that places the art of tempura at the centre of the dining experience.