National Tempura Day

National Tempura Day is dedicated to the most delicious Japanese dish that is hard to refuse! In general, the country offers many amazing products and their combinations. We are sure you know which restaurant to go to today!

History

In 1543, Portuguese traders ended up in southern Japan. They came here to develop trade relations between Japan and Europe. The population was converted to Christianity, so the locals abandoned the old principles of Buddhism and Shintoism and began to eat meat. The Japanese fasted, but the Spaniards, who loved to eat deliciously, decided to teach them how to cook hearty lean food.

They introduced the concept of batter, in which you can fry food to make it richer. The term “tempura” comes from the Latin word for the Ember Days (quattuor tempora), a period of fasting in the Spanish tradition, which is why they took that name. The people of Japan really liked the cooking method and taste, but at first, they did not use eggs for batter because of the ban.

Today, tempura is made with ice water, flour, and water. The ingredients are not mixed too much, which is why it turns out to be so airy and heterogeneous. Due to contact with hot oil, a temperature shock occurs, resulting in a breathtaking crunch! National Tempura Day was created by a fan of the dish, but we do not know who it was.

Interesting Facts

Did you know that:

• tempura can be made with fish, broccoli, zucchini, asparagus, shrimp, rolls… The list is long;
• the recipe for this batter has hardly changed during its existence, proving its perfection;
• sometimes carbonated water is used instead of regular water to give it more porosity.

How to Celebrate

Order Japanese food on National Tempura Day! Visit your favorite cafe where this treat is served. If you haven’t tried it, be sure to do so today. Try cooking it yourself and surprise your loved ones.

When is National Tempura Day in 2025?

National Tempura Day is observed on January 7 each year.

Observations