Is Tempura Roll Considered Real Sushi?

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Whether you have eaten sushi for a while now, or are a newbie to such a thing, sushi can be complex. This is because there are many types of sushi.

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Even so, they are only categorized into five different types. These are maki, nigiri, sashimi, temaki, and uramaki.

Is Tempura Roll Considered Real Sushi?

Remembering how many types of sushi there are can actually help you to understand this type of food better.

Because sushi is often noted as including raw fish with rice and a nori sheet (seaweed), when tempura is involved it can confuse things. One type is the tempura roll, which is also known as ebiten makizushi.

It includes using cooked fish (often shrimp) covered in tempura batter along with avocado, cucumber, rice, and nori. 

If you do see a tempura roll on a menu, then you will be pleased to know that it is considered to be a real form of sushi. However, you are more likely to find tempura in sushi outside of Japan. 

If you want to know more about whether a tempura roll is considered real sushi, then read on!

What Actually Is Tempura?

Tempura is a popular Japanese dish that often involves covering vegetables and fish in a light batter. It is cooked to perfection to ensure that the batter is crispy, but the inside ingredient is juicy and soft.

Some of the most common items to use when making tempura are carrots, broccoli, green peppers, shiitake mushrooms, onions, sweet potatoes, and potatoes.

In Japan, you will also find kabocha which is a type of Japanese pumpkin.

Tempura is also different from a bread-based batter due to not using bread crumbs. Instead, it is made using flour, beaten eggs, and water. 

What Are The Origins Of Tempura?

While many people think that tempura is Japanese, it was actually introduced to Japan via Portuguese missionaries in the 1600s.

Originally it was food that was created for Lent, but this type of tempura-based dish is not made today.

Traditionally during Lent, most denominations of Christianity were forbidden from eating meat. So instead, a tempura dish was sometimes eaten.

This made it a meal that was eaten just during Lent, with the Latin translation of the word tempura meaning ‘Time for Lent’. The Japanese thought this was its actual name, so it stuck. It is still called tempura today.

It was in Nagasaki that the Portuguese missionaries first arrived with their tempura dish. During this time, the country of Japan had been closed off to the rest of the globe. 

The only time Japan heard from the outside world was when the missionaries and traders who were Dutch, Portuguese, and Chinese visited.

When Did Tempura Become A Regular Type Of Food In Japan?

Over time, tempura became more than just food for Lent. Instead, it was served as a snack in between main meals. Tempura was often a mix of veggies, fish, and minced meat.

During the 18th century, many Japanese chefs began to experiment by frying whole veggies and fish in the tempura. This is exactly what it is today too. 

In Japanese cuisine, careful consideration is given to fresh and wholesome food. Encasing this type of food within tempura meant that it could be fried but with its freshness intact.

This means that the tempura frying also helps the flavor of the ingredients stay strong.

This became a Japanese meal, rather than just a snack. It is still eaten today, but all over the world. 

Is Tempura Roll Considered Real Sushi?

What Is A Tempura Roll?

A tempura roll is very similar to a California roll. This is when the rice is on the outside of the nori sheet, with the ingredients on the inside. It often includes an imitation crab ingredient, rather than the real thing.

A tempura roll on the other hand also has the ingredients wrapped by a nori sheet and then rice. However, inside the roll is a tempura-fried shrimp that has been put with cucumber and avocado.

Bother of these types of roll tend to be more popular with those who are not native to Japan. They are easier on the palette, compared to traditional raw sushi.

For this reason, while they are considered to be sushi, you may not find it on the menu in Japan. However, some restaurants will cater to non-natives. This means that you may see a tempura roll on a menu in Japan.

Is Tempura Roll The Same As Sushi Tempura?

It can be difficult to figure out if what you are ordering is the tempura roll you asked for. However, if in doubt, just ask the server.

If you want to understand more about a tempura roll and sushi tempura in general, then read on because there are a few things to learn.

Both tempura roll and sushi tempura are often used interchangeably. Some people refer to something like prawns served in tempura on their own as sushi tempura.

However, tempura sushi can also mean the regular tempura roll.

What Are Different Types Of Tempura Roll?

There are many different types of Tempura rolls. Many of these have been created due to different restaurants making their own version. This does not necessarily mean the tempura roll was created in Japan, either.

Here are some common types of sushi-based rolls that use tempura:

  • Tempura roll – refers to any type of sushi that uses tempura.
  • Tiger roll – includes tempura prawns along with fish eggs, cucumber, and avocado. 
  • Dynamite roll – spicy mayo along with tempura shrimp, yellowtail, chili, avocado, carrots, and bean sprouts.
  • Crunch roll – contains bits of tempura with spicy tuna and crispy seaweed.
  • Spider roll – an avocado and cucumber-based sushi roll with crab inside tempura. This is often imitation crab. 

Is Eating Tempura Roll A Good Idea?

The great thing about a tempura roll is that it is made using cooked fish. If you do not like to eat raw fish, then tempura-based fish is a great option.

It also adds an extra flavor and texture dimension to sushi. While it is not always authentically Japanese, it does not mean that you are not experiencing Japanese cuisine.

This is because they do make tempura sushi in Japan.

Also, if you are pregnant or cannot eat raw fish for any other reason, you will be able to join in with eating sushi due to it being cooked. 

Final Thoughts

Tempura itself has a rich history in Japan. This is despite its origins coming from Portugal. Since its introduction to Japan, the Japanese have made it their own.

Tempura has changed since the days of being eaten during Lent. It now covers the likes of whole veggies and fish. It can also be added to sushi to create a tempura roll.

Tempora roll is considered to be a real type of sushi, despite it being more common with those who are not native to Japan. You will commonly find tempura rolls in Japanese restaurants outside of Japan.

However, it is served in Japan. This is because a lot of restaurants, especially in Toko, cater to tourists.

It has its perks too. For example, it is loved by those who dislike raw fish. It can also be served to those who are pregnant – however, always check first.

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