Shrimp tempura is a flavorful appetizer that pairs light and crispy batter and tender, juicy bites of shrimp.

Shrimp Tempura Recipe: 3 Ways to Serve Shrimp Tempura

Shrimp tempura is a Japanese appetizer featuring shrimp coated in a [tempura batter](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tempura-batter-recipe), then deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. You can find the dish commonly at Japanese restaurants, where it typically accompanies side dishes like [gyoza dumplings](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gyoza-recipe) and pickles ([tsukemono](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tsukemono-guide)) and main courses like [ramen](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ramen-recipe). You can also tuck shrimp tempura into a sushi roll. 
Here’s what to know when making homemade shrimp tempura:

1. __Straighten the shrimp__. Straighten the shrimp to prevent them from curling during the cooking process and ensure an even distribution of batter. To do so, make a few slits on the underside of the shrimp and gently bend them back to straighten. If you’re shelling fresh shrimp, remove the shell and devein first, then make cuts.
2. __Keep the batter cold__. Add ice cubes to your tempura mixture to ensure it won’t absorb too much oil in the deep-frying process, resulting in a crispy final result.
3. __Master your timing__. Measure the flour beforehand, but wait until the very last moment (while the oil is heating up for tempura) to combine the dry and wet ingredients. If you wait to incorporate the ingredients, it will prevent the gluten from relaxing and forming a more bread-like batter.
Serve shrimp tempura right out of the fryer for the best results. Here’s what else you should know when serving shrimp tempura at home: 

1. __Pair shrimp tempura with a tempura dipping sauce__. A typical accompaniment to tempura is [tsuyu](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tsuyu-sauce-recipe), a dipping sauce made from [soy sauce](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/soy-sauce-explained), mirin (sweet Japanese <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-the-best-wine-for-cooking' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-the-best-wine-for-cooking","linkCopy":"cooking wine","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>cooking wine</a>), and dashi, plus shredded daikon radish and ginger for stirring into the sauce.
2. __Shrimp tempura complements noodle dishes__. Shrimp tempura is commonly on the menus of ramen or soba shops, where cooks may serve it before or alongside ramen or [zaru soba](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/zaru-soba-recipe) dishes.
3. __Add vegetable tempura to your meal__. Serve shrimp tempura as part of a larger spread, with battered veggies like mushrooms and squash or sweet potato and zucchini. 
Shrimp tempura is a flavorful appetizer that pairs light and crispy batter and tender, juicy bites of shrimp.

Shrimp tempura is a Japanese appetizer featuring shrimp coated in a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tempura-batter-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tempura-batter-recipe","linkCopy":"tempura batter","category":null}'>tempura batter</a>, then deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. You can find the dish commonly at Japanese restaurants, where it typically accompanies side dishes like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gyoza-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gyoza-recipe","linkCopy":"gyoza dumplings","category":null}'>gyoza dumplings</a> and pickles (<a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tsukemono-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tsukemono-guide","linkCopy":"tsukemono","category":null}'>tsukemono</a>) and main courses like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ramen-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ramen-recipe","linkCopy":"ramen","category":null}'>ramen</a>. You can also tuck shrimp tempura into a sushi roll.

What Is Shrimp Tempura?

Here’s what to know when making homemade shrimp tempura:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Straighten the shrimp. Straighten the shrimp to prevent them from curling during the cooking process and ensure an even distribution of batter. To do so, make a few slits on the underside of the shrimp and gently bend them back to straighten. If you’re shelling fresh shrimp, remove the shell and devein first, then make cuts. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Keep the batter cold. Add ice cubes to your tempura mixture to ensure it won’t absorb too much oil in the deep-frying process, resulting in a crispy final result. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Master your timing. Measure the flour beforehand, but wait until the very last moment (while the oil is heating up for tempura) to combine the dry and wet ingredients. If you wait to incorporate the ingredients, it will prevent the gluten from relaxing and forming a more bread-like batter. </li></ol>

3 Tips for Making Shrimp Tempura 

Serve shrimp tempura right out of the fryer for the best results. Here’s what else you should know when serving shrimp tempura at home: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Pair shrimp tempura with a tempura dipping sauce. A typical accompaniment to tempura is <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tsuyu-sauce-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tsuyu-sauce-recipe","linkCopy":"tsuyu","category":null}'>tsuyu</a>, a dipping sauce made from <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/soy-sauce-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/soy-sauce-explained","linkCopy":"soy sauce","category":null}'>soy sauce</a>, mirin (sweet Japanese <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-the-best-wine-for-cooking' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-the-best-wine-for-cooking","linkCopy":"cooking wine","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>cooking wine</a>), and dashi, plus shredded daikon radish and ginger for stirring into the sauce. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Shrimp tempura complements noodle dishes. Shrimp tempura is commonly on the menus of ramen or soba shops, where cooks may serve it before or alongside ramen or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/zaru-soba-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/zaru-soba-recipe","linkCopy":"zaru soba","category":null}'>zaru soba</a> dishes. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Add vegetable tempura to your meal. Serve shrimp tempura as part of a larger spread, with battered veggies like mushrooms and squash or sweet potato and zucchini. </li></ol>

3 Ways to Serve Shrimp Tempura

Simple Shrimp Tempura Recipe

Shrimp tempura is a flavorful appetizer that pairs light and crispy batter and tender, juicy bites of shrimp.

Shrimp tempura is a flavorful appetizer that pairs light and crispy batter and tender, juicy bites of shrimp.
