Tempura Donburi Recipe – Japanese Special
Tempura Donburi is a beloved Japanese rice bowl featuring light, crispy tempura shrimp and vegetables served over fluffy steamed rice and drizzled with a savory-sweet tempura sauce. Known for its delicate crunch and comforting flavors, this dish is a staple of Japanese home cooking and restaurants alike. Balanced, satisfying, and quick to prepare, Tempura Donburi makes an ideal lunch or dinner when you crave authentic Japanese comfort food.
- Prep Time20 min
- Cook Time15 min
- Total Time35 min
Tempura Donburi Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked Japanese short-grain rice
For Tempura:
- 8–10 shrimp (optional)
- Assorted vegetables (sweet potato, zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper, onion)
- 1 cup tempura flour or all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup ice-cold water
- Oil for deep frying
For Tempura Sauce:
- 1/2 cup dashi stock
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 1 tsp sugar
Tempura Donburi Instructions:
Prepare tempura sauce by heating dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar until combined.
Keep the sauce warm and set aside.
Heat oil in a deep pan to frying temperature.
Mix flour and ice-cold water lightly to make a lumpy batter.
Dip shrimp and vegetables into the batter gently.
Fry in hot oil until light golden and crisp.
Remove and drain excess oil on paper towels.
Place hot steamed rice into serving bowls.
Arrange tempura pieces neatly over the rice.
Drizzle warm tempura sauce over the top.
Serve immediately while crispy.
Recipe Notes :
Use Japanese short-grain rice for authentic texture and flavor.
Do not overmix the tempura batter to keep it light and airy.
Ice-cold water is essential for crisp tempura coating.
Fry tempura in small batches to maintain oil temperature.
Tempura should be pale golden, not dark brown.
