What is National Tempura Day?
National Tempura Day, January 7th, encourages us to celebrate with a tempura batter dish. This Japanese fare includes either seafood or vegetables dipped in batter and deep-fried.
Where did tempura originate? No one really knows. What we do know is that Portuguese sailors arrived in Japan in 1549 and introduced a method of battering and frying food that is now embedded in the Japanese cuisine.
Today, chefs from around the world are including tempura dishes on their menus. They use a variety of different batters and ingredients, including nontraditional broccoli, zucchini, and asparagus. Chefs can also dip dry fruits in a tempura batter. In addition, several American restaurants, particularly mozzarella, offer chicken and cheeses in a tempura style.
A more recent iteration of tempura sushi gives sushi enthusiasts a new way to enjoy the delicacy. Shushi chefs tempura fry entire pieces of delicate sushi and serve it on a delectable platter.
How to celebrate #nationaltempuraday
