Often called a shrimp tempura roll, it is essentially deep fried prawns (known as ebi in Japanese) wrapped in seaweed and sticky rice to create a roll.
The reason it is classed as sushi is because it looks like sushi and uses nori and sticky rice. It is also eaten just like sushi.
This Japanese delicacy is incredibly delicious too. The soft texture on the outside is a delight against the crunchiness of the tempura batter.
However, tempura sushi often makes its way into Japanese dishes and side dishes too. This means it is not only shrimp tempura rolls that are considered to be tempura sushi.
If you are interested to know more about tempura sushi and how it is made, then read on.
What Actually Is Tempura Sushi?
To put it simply, a popular form of tempura sushi is cooked rice that is put on top of a nori sheet. Tempura shrimp is then added (though other fish and veggies can be added instead). Once the filling is ready, it is then rolled very tightly and cut into sections.
Sushi rice is needed to create this. It is a short grained type of rice which is sticky once it is cooked. Regular rice will not do, as it will end up falling apart. Having the sticky rice also means it rolls better and stays tight and compact.
To find sushi rice you may need to look at the aisle in the grocery store which sells international food. It may be a little more pricey, but it is worth it.
If you cannot find it, look for your local Asian store. This may be where you find nori sheets – otherwise known as dried seaweed.
It gives the sushi a particular distinct taste that we are familiar with when it comes to sushi.
What Is The Process Of Tempura?
Tempura is a process which covers something like fish, meat or veggies in light batter. Also known as ‘flash frying’, it consists of placing bite-sized pieces of food that are covered in ingredients into hot oil to form a batter around the outside.
Usually the veggies are small and whole, or chopped. Some of the more common veggies used are mushrooms, carrots and broccoli. Because of the nature of this food, it is often served as a side dish.
It may also be served as a main meal too, especially if the tempura covers some kind of fish.
To make the batter, usually cold water, eggs and flour are used. The eggs are added to the cold water and beaten to mix it. The flour is then mixed into the water and egg.
There may be some flour mixture still floating in the water – however this is good. It means you have mixed it just right. The veggies or fish are then coated. The pieces are then placed in a wok with some hot oil or a deep fryer one at a time.
There needs to be enough oil in the wok to be able to coat several pieces of tempura. However, you do not want to fill the wok so high the oil spills over.
The idea of tempura is to make sure the coating of batter is very crispy while the inside is soft and fresh-like.
What Makes Tempura Sushi A Type Of Sushi?
Sushi is actually a very broad term. It does not necessarily mean that something is made from raw fish.
However, when it comes to something like a shrimp tempura roll, a type of tempura sushi, it is the use of nori and sticky rice that classifies it as sushi.
Nori is placed either on plastic wrap or a sushi mat. The ingredients are then spread on top of the nori. It is then rolled up with the help of the sushi mat or plastic sheet. It then forms a roll which is cut into slices to create sushi.
The sushi rice itself is sticky and is known as sumeshi in Japan. The cooked rice is put with rice vinegar, otherwise known as mirin. You can buy it from the store or make your own. All you will need is rice wine, salt, and rice vinegar.
What Are The Ingredients Needed To Create Tempura Sushi?
Another way to create tempura batter is by using sparkling water, flour, baking powder, cornflour and salt. It will create a fluffy and creamy texture when uncooked, yet a crispy texture when cooked.
For the roll you will need raw shrimp, sushi rice, nori sheets, rice vinegar, cucumber sticks and pickled ginger to add extra flavor.
When creating something like tempura sushi, you need to keep in mind that you will not want to overcook the fish. If you do, it may turn out very rubbery. This is especially true if you are using shrimp.
How To Make Tempura Sushi?
If you are wanting to know how to make shrimp tempura rolls, then you will be happy to know that the process is very basic. However, you may want to make sure you brush up on certain skills.
For example you will need to roll the finished item to create wonderfully uniform sushi. You will also need to understand how to create a tempura batter.
How To Create Tempura Batter
Mix the flour (50g), baking powder (half teaspoon), salt (quarter teaspoon), and cornflour (one teaspoon) into 125 ml worth of sparkling water.
Once mixed, add raw shrimp and cover it well with the mixture.
Place each one onto a plate. Then fill a wok with around two cups worth of oil. Make sure the heat is high and place one shrimp at a time to create a batter. Once crispy and golden, remove it.
How To Create Sushi Rolls
Prepare and cook the rice according to the instructions on the packaging. You may need to spend time removing the starch in cold water, so prepare this in advance if need be.
Add rice vinegar to the cooked rice and let it cool to room temperature at least.
Place the plastic wrap or sushi mat onto the countertop. Place the nori sheet onto the sushi mat.
Spread the sticky rice over the nori sheet. Cover all the edges.
Place the tempura along with pickled ginger and cucumber sticks on top of the rice but at the bottom edge of the sheet.
Using the mat, roll it all up while making sure to keep the filling in place. Once it is a roll, remove the sheet and cut into sections. Finished!
Final Thoughts
Tempura sushi is delicious and involves putting something like shrimp into a tempura batter. It is crispy and delicious, but also is soft and tastes fresh.
You can make something like shrimp tempura rolls easily at home. All you need to do is create the tempura shrimp, and then place this into the sushi roll. You will definitely be making these again and again.
Why not try making other tempura sushi dishes too?
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
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