Tempura

Tempura is seafood and vegetables in a thin, barely-mixed batter, fried fast in hot oil so the coating stays pale, lacy, and crisp rather than browning. Prawn, white fish, squid, aubergine, kabocha, shiso, and shiitake are typical. At a specialist counter each piece is served the instant it leaves the oil; as a cheap set meal it comes piled on rice or beside noodles. Good tempura is not greasy or heavy.

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FRIED FOODS

Tempura thumbnail
Tempura¥800〜¥1,500
ModerateFRIED FOODS

ABOUT

Tempura is seafood and vegetables in a thin, barely-mixed batter, fried fast in hot oil so the coating stays pale, lacy, and crisp rather than browning. Prawn, white fish, squid, aubergine, kabocha, shiso, and shiitake are typical. At a specialist counter each piece is served the instant it leaves the oil; as a cheap set meal it comes piled on rice or beside noodles. Good tempura is not greasy or heavy.

DIETARY NOTES

VegetarianVEGETARIAN
On requestVegetable tempura (yasai) is widely available, but it is often fried in the same oil as prawns, and tentsuyu dipping sauce uses bonito dashi. Ask for salt instead.
PorkPORK
No pork in the standard version.
AlcoholALCOHOL
Cooked with mirin and/or sake. Most of the alcohol cooks off, but not all of it.
AllergensCOMMON ALLERGENS
Wheat / glutenEggShellfishFishSoy

General guidance for the standard version of this dish. Recipes vary by shop and region — always confirm with the restaurant if you have an allergy or a religious dietary requirement.

COOKING CLASSES & EXPERIENCES

Hands-on classes and food tours featuring Tempura, booked through GetYourGuide (free cancellation up to 24h before on most).

DETAILS

OriginORIGIN
Portuguese missionaries in 16th-century Nagasaki introduced the battered-frying technique — linked to Ember Days, 'quatuor tempora' — and Edo food stalls turned it into fast street food.
How to EatHOW TO EAT
Dip briefly in tentsuyu sauce with grated daikon, or use the salt (sometimes matcha or yuzu salt) provided. Eat immediately while crisp; the batter goes soft within minutes.
FrequencyFREQUENCY
Moderate — Seen at specialty shops
PricePRICE
¥800〜¥1,500