Origin Japan
Japanese Tempura is a famous dish made by coating vegetables or seafood in a light batter and frying them until crispy. The coating is thin airy and golden which makes the tempura taste very light and crunchy. People in Japan enjoy tempura with rice noodles and dipping sauce. It is perfect for snacks lunch or dinner because the recipe is simple and very tasty.
This easy English recipe helps you make perfect crispy tempura at home.
What Is Japanese Tempura
Tempura is made with
- vegetables
- shrimp or fish optional
- light flour batter
- oil for frying
The batter is thin so the tempura stays crispy and not heavy.
Ingredients You Will Need
For the Vegetables and Seafood
- 1 cup sliced vegetables like carrot potato sweet potato capsicum or beans
- 6 to 8 shrimp optional
- A pinch of salt
For the Batter
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup very cold water
- 1 egg
- A little extra flour for dusting
For Frying
- Oil
For Dipping Sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Half teaspoon sugar
Step by Step Method to Make Tempura
Step 1
Prepare the Vegetables
- Cut the vegetables into thin long slices.
- Sprinkle a little salt.
- Keep aside.
Step 2
Make the Batter
- Take a bowl.
- Add flour cold water and egg.
- Mix lightly.
- Do not overmix.
- The batter should stay thin and slightly lumpy.
Cold batter makes tempura very crispy.
Step 3
Heat the Oil
- Heat oil in a deep pan.
- Keep the heat medium.
Step 4
Coat and Fry
- Dust vegetables or shrimp lightly with flour.
- Dip them in the batter.
- Fry until golden and crispy.
- Remove and place on tissue.
Step 5
Make the Dipping Sauce
- Mix soy sauce lemon juice and sugar in a small bowl.
- Stir until sugar dissolves.
Serve and Enjoy
Serve tempura hot with
- dipping sauce
- rice
- noodles
- salad
It tastes crispy light and very fresh.
Tips for Perfect Tempura
- Use very cold water
- Do not overmix batter
- Fry in medium heat
- Do not overcrowd the pan
- Serve tempura immediately
Variations You Can Try
- Use mushrooms
- Use broccoli
- Use fish pieces
- Use paneer instead of shrimp
Approximate Nutrition per Serving
Values may vary
- Calories 250 to 400
- Carbohydrates 35g
- Protein 10g
- Fat 15g