By Leigh O’Connor.
Tempura has been with us for about three centuries and can be used to coat everything from vegetables to seafood and meat, then deep-fried for extra yumminess.
Celebrated on Saturday, January 7 National Tempura Day offers the ideal opportunity to visit your favourite restaurant and indulge – let’s face it the first two things that come to mind when we think of Japanese food are tempura and sushi.
Portuguese missionaries originally introduced the deep-fried cooking method now associated with tempura, in Nagasaki in the 1600s. The original dish was served during Lent, when many Christian denominations are forbidden to eat meat.
Here are five restaurants to indulge in all things tempura on Saturday:
Dangerously good food is on the menu at Ginja Ninja Café & Bar on Christie Street in Canungra. This fun and funky café and bar greets diners with graffiti-style wall murals, neon signage and potted greenery to set an edgy vibe ideal for after-work drinks and catch-ups with mates with an icy brew in hand.
Begin a culinary adventure with a tempura prawn plate, served with sweet chilli mayo, dipping sauce and side salad, or tempura vegetables – zucchini, carrot and onion rings; followed by katsu chicken curry and steamed rice.
Sometimes life needs a little excitement and that’s what you’ll get at Yuuma Japanese Restaurant on Albany Highway in East Victoria Park. Indulge in a dining experience that activates the senses in minimalistic surrounds of blond wood table settings, whitewashed walls and a full glass frontage letting in an abundance of natural light.
Stop in on Saturday for tempting plates such as crispy prawns served with spicy aioli and an onsen egg; or a tempura prawn udon bowl, with spring onion, ginger, sesame and shoyu dashi broth.
Find a generous all-you-can-eat menu incorporating traditional dishes at Okami Japanese Restaurant on Sturt Street in Ballarat. Combining a cosy atmosphere with freshly made Japanese fare, Okami is the ideal place to satisfy all cravings for sushi, gyoza, Udon noodles, curry and so much more.
Say arigatou to crispy octopus balls, tonkatsu sauce and wasabi mayonnaise to start, or lightly seared sliced steak and ponzu sauce; then delve into deep-fried, lightly-battered prawn and vegetable tempura, with dipping sauce.
Those seeking a little slice of Japan in Hobart head along Harrington Street to find RIN restaurant. This intimate dining destination sets a cosy vibe with dark blue walls, wooden table settings, recycled timber and vibrant artwork, making for the ideal place to take someone special for a meal to remember.
Satisfy cravings on Saturday with kaisen tempura don – prawn, scallop and vegetable tempura, on top of steamed rice with housemade sauce and miso soup; while those with more adventurous tastes may opt for grilled eel, or noodles, with fried bean curd, seaweed and spring onion.
Tokyo Den on Burwood Road combines the flavours of traditional Japanese cuisine with the dynamic trends of Sydney’s food culture to present an all-you-can-eat experience to Burwood diners. Expect authentic surrounds of dark wood table settings with red accents and feature wall; while softly glowing lights add a romantic touch for evening meals.
Tender braised pork belly tempts for the entrée, or seasonal vegetables in crispy tempura batter; moving on to stir-fried udon noodles, chicken, vegetables and yakisoba sauce, or char-grilled beef skewers, roasted sesame and soybeans with a side of steamed rice.
Don’t be tempura-mental this weekend, find a Japanese restaurant near you by clicking here.
