What is Tempura and How Is It Prepared?

Crispy, golden-brown tempura shrimp is a staple in sushi dishes. If you've dined at a Japanese steakhouse, you've probably enjoyed tempura vegetables as an appetizer. Ever wondered how to achieve that perfect, airy, deep-fried texture?

Tempura is an ancient culinary technique that has been refined by skilled chefs. It's also a simple dish that you can easily prepare at home with ingredients you probably already have. Here's everything you need to know about making tempura.

What Is Tempura?

Tempura is a beloved Japanese dish where foods—typically seafood, vegetables, or sushi—are coated in a light batter and deep-fried to achieve a delicate, crunchy texture. When you see the phrase 'tempura fried' on a menu at a Japanese restaurant, it means the food has been dipped in this special batter and fried to perfection.

While tempura is closely associated with Japanese cuisine, there is ongoing debate about whether it was invented in Japan or introduced by Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century. What is clear, however, is that tempura as we know it today evolved from a street food enjoyed around the Edo period's fish markets. Originally a humble snack, it has since become a refined cooking technique that chefs spend years perfecting.

What Is Tempura Batter Made Of?

Tempura batter is simple yet effective, made with just three ingredients: flour, egg, and ice-cold water. While specialty stores sell pre-made tempura mix, all-purpose flour works just fine for creating your own batter at home.

This simple batter mix creates the light, airy, and crispy coating that tempura is famous for. Using ice-cold water is key, as it slows gluten formation, ensuring the batter stays light rather than dense. It also helps keep the oil from seeping too much into the batter during frying.

What Are Tempura Flakes?

Tempura flakes, also known as 'crunchies,' are the crispy bits of fried batter left over after cooking tempura. These little bites are sometimes used as toppings for sushi, noodles, and other dishes. While you can purchase tempura flakes on Amazon, you can also make your own to save some money.

Common Types of Tempura

There’s virtually no limit to the variety of ingredients that can be fried tempura-style. However, some foods in Japanese cuisine are particularly well-suited to this technique and are commonly seen in tempura dishes.

Tempura Sushi

Tempura sushi is a popular variation you’ve probably noticed at your favorite sushi spot. In these rolls, ingredients like shrimp are tempura-fried, or sometimes the entire roll itself is deep-fried in tempura batter.

Shrimp Tempura

Seafood, especially shrimp, is the classic choice for tempura. In Japan, the favored variety is often the Japanese tiger prawn. Try this shrimp tempura recipe to learn how to make it at home.

Vegetable Tempura

Root vegetables like potatoes and kabocha squash are favorites for tempura, but you’ll also often find peppers, eggplants, and mushrooms in the mix. This vegetable tempura recipe includes sweet potatoes, onions, bell peppers, green beans, and shiitake mushrooms.

Chicken Tempura

Though not as common as seafood, non-seafood options like chicken and eggs can also be tempura-fried, though they tend to be heavier once fried.

How to Make Tempura

Learn how to prepare perfect tempura with ChefJackie's step-by-step guide using this vegetable tempura recipe. This method works well for other ingredients like shrimp or chicken too.

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cup chilled water
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 quart vegetable oil
• Choice of vegetables and/or meat

Optional Dipping Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons mirin
• ⅛ teaspoon dashi granules

Instructions:

1. Optional: Combine the sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
2. Whisk together the water and egg yolks until smooth. Sift in the flour and mix until just combined; the batter should remain slightly lumpy.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan or wok to around 375°F (hot, but not smoking).
4. Dip the ingredients individually into the batter, then immediately drop them into the hot oil, working in batches. Fry until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
5. Remove from oil and drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Continue frying the remaining ingredients.