Tempura

Tempura

A Japanese dish where you can enjoy the aromas and umami of many ingredients along with the crisp texture of the batter.

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Tempura is a dish made by coating ingredients such as seafood, meat, and vegetables in a batter (mainly made from flour and eggs), then deep-frying them in hot oil.
The crispy coating wraps juicy ingredients, letting you enjoy the aroma and umami of the ingredients.
All across Japan, there are many different kinds of tempura, and they’re generally named after the ingredient, like “XX tempura.”
Ingredients are also often called gu (fillings) or tane (toppings).
Classic options include seafood like “shrimp, Japanese whiting, and squid,” vegetables like “kabocha squash, sweet potato, and eggplant,” and other ingredients like “chicken and shiitake (meat, mushrooms).”

Highlights

  • A dish made by coating various ingredients in batter and deep-frying them in oil.
  • There are several theories about the origin of the word “tempura,” but the Portuguese-origin theory is the most widely accepted.
  • Tempura is said to have originated from Nanban cuisine introduced by the Portuguese in the 16th century.
  • Across Japan, you can find local tempura made with ingredients unique to each region.
  • There are also dishes derived from tempura, such as tendon (tempura rice bowl) and tempura soba.

Photos

  • Tempura, a dish where ingredients are battered and deep-fried

    Tempura, a dish where ingredients are battered and deep-fried

  • It’s classic to eat tempura with tentsuyu dipping sauce and grated daikon

    It’s classic to eat tempura with tentsuyu dipping sauce and grated daikon

  • Try dishes derived from tempura, like tendon (tempura rice bowl)

    Try dishes derived from tempura, like tendon (tempura rice bowl)

Details

Name in Japanese
天ぷら
Reading
tenpura
Classic Ingredients
shrimp, Japanese whiting, squid, kabocha squash, sweet potato, eggplant, mushrooms, chicken
Word Origin
Portuguese tempero (cooking, seasoning)
*There are several theories about the origin.
Origin
Nanban cuisine introduced by the Portuguese
Derived Dishes
tendon, tenmusu, tempura soba, tempura udon, tenmusu