1. National Tempura Day is celebrated annually on January 7 – a nod to the classic Japanese dish made from deep-frying vegetables, seafood, or other food dipped in a light batter of flour, eggs, and water.
2. 16th century Portuguese sailors introduced the deep-fried cooking technique in Nagasaki. According to a BBC article, the Portuguese remained in Japan until 1639, leaving an indelible mark on the island – battered and fried green bean recipe called peixinhos da horta, now called tempura.
3. The word tempura comes from the Latin ‘ad tempora cuaresma’ which means in the time of Lent. Many Christian denominations avoid meat during the period, and opt instead to eat the deep-fried battered green beans.
4. Tempura is a versatile dish that has evolved over time to include tempura ice cream and tempura chocolate, among others.
5. Several restaurants are joining in the celebration with their tempura offers just for today:
- Get a prawn tempura for only P40 per piece (from P75) at Tokyo Tokyo, with no minimum purchase required.
- Enjoy 2 pcs of giant tempura for only P99 at Tokyo Tempura.
- Indulge in a giant ebi jyu (2 pcs prawn tempura, simmered egg, and onions in toji sauce over rice) for only P295 at Tenya until January 8, 2025.
