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When you visit a Japanese restaurant in the US, you’ll notice that tempura is almost always on the menu. While it is not as popular as sushi, tempura is still a beloved Japanese dish. Now, you’re probably wondering, “What makes tempura a popular dish in America?” Read on to learn more about this delicious delicacy and how to make it yourself.
Ladle of Contents
What Is Tempura
Before you learn what makes tempura a popular dish in America, you need to know what it is. So what is tempura exactly? It’s a Japanese dish that consists of lightly battered and fried vegetables, seafood, or sushi. A few popular types of tempuras are green pepper, onion, mushroom, whitefish, shrimp, sweet potato, regular potato, and carrot tempura. Japanese chefs cut each vegetable into thick slices, add a light batter, and then deep-fry them to create a light and crispy texture.
Flavors and Textures
One reason tempura is so popular in American is because of its unique flavors and textures. The frying process softens the vegetables just a little, and the batter adds a light crunchiness. It is a unique and delicious way to eat your vegetables!
Unique Dish
In the US, you can find all kinds of restaurants that serve various ethnic food, such as Asian, Hispanic, Italian, and Indian cuisines. However, there are no other cultures that serve a food quite like tempura. This makes it unique, which is another reason why it is so popular in the US.
How To Make Tempura
Before you make tempura at home, you need to learn a little about Japanese chefs. These chefs use specific types of knives for each task in the kitchen. If you want to make vegetable tempura like the pros, you should learn about Japanese vegetable knives and their uses. To make vegetable tempura, use your sharp Japanese vegetable knife to slice the vegetables into medium-sized chunks or slices about one-fourth of an inch wide. Then, after you prepare the batter and coat the vegetables, place the vegetables gently into a medium pot filled halfway with oil at a temperature of 160 degrees C. Fry the vegetables for four to five minutes, let them cool, and enjoy!
