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top view of shrimp tempura in a white plate with blue rip with dipping sauce in the middle
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5 from 1 vote

Shrimp Tempura

Crispy, light shrimp tempura made with an ice-cold sparkling-water batter and a touch of potato starch for a restaurant-style crunch at home.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Japanese
Freezer friendly: 2 Months
Shelf life: 2 Days
Servings: 4
Author: Samira

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pound shrimp large about 15, shell and head removed, tail on, deveined
  • 4 tablespoons potato starch
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg large
  • 1 cup sparkling water club soda, ice-cold
  • 4 cups neutral oil for frying
  • 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger optional
  • 2 tablespoons green onion thinly sliced (optional)

Quick dipping sauce

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons mirin
  • 2 tablespoons water or dashi
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

Instructions

  • Pat the cleaned, tail-on shrimp very dry with paper towels.
  • Make 3 to 4 shallow slits on the belly side of each shrimp, then gently press along the length to straighten.
  • Stir 2 tablespoons potato starch with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Lightly dust the shrimp and shake off the excess.
  • Make the dipping sauce by combining soy sauce, mirin, and water or dashi with sugar in a small saucepan. Warm just until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk the egg with the ice-cold sparkling water. Sift in the flour, 2 tablespoons potato starch, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir just until moistened. Keep the bowl over ice to stay cold.
  • Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy pot to 350°F. Skim any surface crumbs as you fry.
  • Holding by the tail, dip each shrimp into the batter, let the extra drip off, then slide it into the hot oil. Fry in small batches for 1½ to 2 minutes until pale golden, crisp, and the shrimp is opaque.
  • Transfer to a wire rack or paper towel to drain. Repeat with remaining shrimp.
  • Serve hot with the dipping sauce and garnish with ginger and green onion if you like.

Nutrition

Calories: 2245kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 223g | Saturated Fat: 34g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 127g | Monounsaturated Fat: 51g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 223mg | Sodium: 1385mg | Potassium: 473mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 90IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 3mg