Tempura
Although tempura is battered and deep-fried, the Japanese approach to food, characterized by clean flavors, simplicity, and minimalistic approach to ingredients remains intact. The most favorable ingredients for the dish include shrimp, scallops, squid, and small crabs, or vegetables such as shiitake mushrooms, asparagus, Japanese eggplant, and snow peas.
The batter is the most crucial part of tempura, consisting of flour, eggs, and water, keeping the ingredients moist and flavorful. Even though the dish is very simple, it has quite murky origins. The most popular theory says that the Jesuit missionaries who came to Japan from Portugal in the 16th century were the most probable inspiration for the dish, consuming vegetable and seafood fritters on ember days (days on which no meat was allowed to be consumed).
Another theory says that battered and deep-fried food was introduced to Japan by the Chinese, initially embraced by Zen priests who wanted to make their vegetarian diet more flavorful. Regardless of the origins of tempura, it remains an iconic dish that is served in a wide variety of ways: on its own, over rice, accompanied by tentsuyu or soy sauce, or even as a filling in sushi rolls.
WHERE TO EAT The best Tempura in the world (according to food experts)
"This was excellent tempura, some of the best I have eaten. The batter was light and delicate and the ingredient quality high."
"For sheer in-your-face originality — and tempura of the highest order — Zezankyo is certainly worth that outlay."
"Ten-ichi is a reminder that tempura doesn't have to be greasy and disgusting. Ten-ichi is a must visit; it is tempura done right."
"There's enough flavor and textural contrast between course to course that you don't stand a chance of getting bored."
"The savoury mizunasu is kept juicy, and the kamonasu is cooked slowly to draw out the flavour."
"This is the place to go for delectable tempura."
"Cooking of the tempura is extremely precise, with each ingredient at its optimum when you bite into it. Quite simply, this is the best tempura restaurant in the world."
"The owner-chef’s tempura is thinly battered and lightly fried so as not to spoil the original taste of the ingredients."
"The delicately fried dishes are undoubtedly the highlight."
"Tempura Endo Yasaka serves what is arguably the world's best tempura. Don’t miss the famous Kyoto-style corn tempura if it's available."
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