Is Tempura Vegan?
Wondering whether the tofu and vegetable tempura from your favorite Japanese restaurants are vegan? Tempura is a Japanese dish made by deep frying various foods in a crispy batter for 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Vegetables make up some of the most popular choices, meaning as long as the batter and dipping sauce are vegan, as well as the oil it's cooked in, your veggie tempura dish should be vegan, too.
The problem is, these components are not always vegan-friendly. Keep reading to find out what types of animal products you may find in this dish, and how to enjoy vegan tempura at home or on-the-go!
Non-Vegan Ingredients in Tempura Batter
Traditional tempura batter can often be prepared with egg whites or whole eggs, and sometimes even with milk. However, the most basic tempura recipe includes only sparkling water (or water and baking soda) and a low-gluten rice flour. Some also use a weak wheat flour, pastry flour, or corn starch.
It can be difficult to differentiate which batters have been made with eggs judging by taste alone, so this is something to consult with your waiter if you're eating out at a restaurant.
Non-Vegan Ingredients in Tempura Sauce
Tempura sauce is not traditionally vegan, as it's made with dashi flakes, which are a staple of Japanese cooking. However, vegan-friendly sauces can be made with ingredients like rice wine vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, mirin, and chili flakes.
Other Non-Vegan Ingredients in Crispy Tempura
Vegetable oils like corn, canola, safflower, or peanut oil are the best options for deep frying traditional Japanese-style tempura. Olive oil is not a great choice, since it has a low smoke point and may overheat. However, some restaurants may also fry foods in lard, so this should also be considered when ordering vegetable tempura.
How To Order Vegan Tempura
The good news is, all sorts of veggies are used for tempura. So, if your go-to Asian restaurant uses vegan batter and sauce, you could end up with tons of vegan options! Tempura vegetables may include bell peppers, onions, broccoli, eggplant, zucchini, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, king oyster mushrooms, bamboo shoots, green beans, butternut squash, potatoes, and more!
If you're wondering whether the tempura vegetables on the menu are vegan, the best way to find out is by asking your waiter, and letting them know you are avoiding all animal products. This way, they can either reassure you that their tempura is made without eggs, dairy, or seafood, or they can possibly modify their tempura recipe just for you. However, not all establishments will change their recipes, so keep this in mind while ordering.
Store-Bought Vegan Tempura Batter
If you're planning on preparing your own tempura vegetables at home, there are plenty of vegan-friendly batter mixtures and frozen tempura products out there to help you out. Check out the options below and start whipping up some irresistible homemade tempura veggies today!
