Our Philosophy
seed oil & refined sugar free · gluten & vegan friendly · sustainably sourced,
and why that matters:
We cook with intention.
Most restaurants don't talk about their cooking oils. We think about them constantly. At TenTen, every dish is prepared without seed oils and without refined sugars. That's not a trend we're chasing. It's a standard we set when we opened, and it shapes every decision we make in the kitchen.
Why no
seed oils?
Seed oils like canola, soybean, and vegetable oil are cheap and everywhere. They're also highly processed and prone to oxidation at high cooking temperatures. We use more stable, less refined alternatives. You probably won't notice in the food. You might notice how you feel after.
Why no
refined sugar?
Japanese cuisine has its own relationship with sweetness. It comes from mirin, from fresh ingredients, from balance. Refined sugar is a shortcut we don't take. Our sauces, glazes, and marinades are built without it.
Sourcing that matters
It starts with what walks through the door. Our wagyu is grass-fed. Our fish is sourced for quality and freshness. We're not interested in cutting corners on ingredients and making up for it in the kitchen.
This is still a restaurant
We're not here to change how you think about food. We opened TenTen because we wanted a place in Austin where you could share exceptional Japanese food, have a proper drink, and feel genuinely good after. The philosophy is just how we get there.