Japanese · Seafood · Vegetarian ·

Crispy Japanese Tempura with Sweet Soy Dipping Sauce

Name: Crispy Japanese Tempura with Sweet Soy Dipping Sauce
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: All-purpose flour, 1 cup, sifted; Egg, 1 egg, chilled; Ice-cold water, 1 cup; Large shrimp, 8, peeled and deveined; Sweet potato, 1 small, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds; Zucchini, 1, sliced into thin strips; Green beans, 8, trimmed; Eggplant, 1 small, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds; Bell pepper, 1, sliced into strips; Soy sauce, 1/2 cup; Mirin, 1/4 cup; Dashi stock, 1/4 cup; Sugar, 1 tablespoon; Vegetable oil, for deep-frying

Discover the art of making perfect tempura with our step-by-step guide, from the choice of ingredients to the final crispy touch.

4.1(951 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·July 12, 2025

Crispy Japanese Tempura with Sweet Soy Dipping Sauce — Japanese served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Tempura Batter

For the Vegetables and Seafood

For the Sweet Soy Dipping Sauce

For Frying

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 353 kcal
Protein: 14.25 g
Carbs: 47 g
Fat: 11.75 g
Fiber: 3.75 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1411 kcal
Protein: 57 g
Carbs: 188 g
Fat: 47 g
Fiber: 15 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
All-purpose flour 1 cup, sifted	455	13	95	1	3
Egg 1 egg, chilled	68	6	1	5	0
Ice-cold water 1 cup	0	0	0	0	0
Large shrimp 8, peeled and deveined	112	23	1	1	0
Sweet potato 1 small, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds	112	2	26	0	4
Zucchini 1, sliced into thin strips	20	2	4	0	1
Green beans 8, trimmed	15	1	3	0	2
Eggplant 1 small, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds	20	1	5	0	3
Bell pepper 1, sliced into strips	30	1	7	0	2
Soy sauce 1/2 cup	60	7	6	0	0
Mirin 1/4 cup	100	0	25	0	0
Dashi stock 1/4 cup	10	1	2	0	0
Sugar 1 tablespoon	49	0	13	0	0
Vegetable oil for deep-frying	360	0	0	40	0

These are estimated nutritional values and not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Dipping Sauce

1
Combine ingredients
In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, mirin, dashi stock, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
2
Cool the sauce
Let the sauce cool to room temperature, then transfer to a serving bowl.

Preparing the Tempura Batter and Ingredients

1
Prepare vegetables
Prepare all vegetables by slicing them into the specified sizes. Keep them chilled until ready to fry.
2
Make the batter
In a mixing bowl, beat the chilled egg, then add the ice-cold water. Gradually sift flour into the mixture, stirring lightly with chopsticks; lumps are okay.
Tip: Do not overmix the batter or it will become heavy.
3
Maintain batter temperature
Keep the batter over an ice bath to maintain its temperature.
Tip: Use the batter immediately after preparation for the best results.

How to Make Crispy Japanese Tempura with Sweet Soy Dipping Sauce

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Frying the Tempura
Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 340°F (170°C). Dip each piece of seafood and vegetable into the batter and carefully lower it into the oil, avoiding overcrowding.
2
Drain Excess Oil
Use a slotted spoon to remove the tempura when they are golden brown, and drain on a wire rack or paper towel.
3
Serving
Arrange the fried tempura on a plate with the sweet soy dipping sauce on the side.