Crispy Tempura Shrimp Rice Bowl (Tendon)
Enjoy a perfect balance of textures with this classic Japanese Tendon. Crispy, golden-fried tempura shrimp are served over steaming rice and drizzled with a savory, sweet sauce.
Tendon, short for tempura donburi, is a beloved Japanese comfort dish that elevates simple ingredients through the art of perfectly light, crispy frying. This bowl combines juicy shrimp encased in airy tempura batter with a rich, savory-sweet tendon sauce and creamy accents for a satisfying meal. It is a quintessential example of Japanese home-style cooking that emphasizes texture and harmony in every bite.
Ingredients
- 4 large shrimp
- 1 bowl steamed white rice
- 100 g tempura batter mix
- 80 ml cold water
- 500 ml vegetable oil for frying
- 3 tbsp homemade tendon sauce
- 1 tbsp creamy sauce
- optional chopped green onions
- optional nori seaweed strips
- optional bonito flakes
Instructions
- 1Devein and clean the shrimp

Place the shrimp on a cutting board. Using a small knife, make an incision along the back of the shrimp to remove the vein. Ensure the shrimp is cleaned thoroughly under running water before proceeding.
Tip: Removing the vein not only improves the appearance but also ensures a cleaner taste for your tempura. - 2Make incisions for stretching

Carefully make three small incisions along the underside (belly) of the shrimp. This step is crucial as it prevents the shrimp from curling up during the frying process.
Tip: Be gentle with the knife to avoid cutting all the way through the shrimp meat. - 3Stretch the shrimp

Using both hands, gently press and stretch the shrimp meat outward. This technique elongates the shrimp, giving it a better shape for the Tempura Shrimp Rice Bowl.
Tip: Use firm but steady pressure so the shrimp remains intact while lengthening. - 4Dip in tempura batter

Submerge the prepared shrimp into the tempura batter, ensuring it is evenly coated. Lift the shrimp and allow any excess batter to drip off before frying.
Tip: Keep your batter cold to ensure an extra crispy, light texture after frying. - 5Fry the shrimp

Carefully place the battered shrimp into a pot of oil heated to approximately 60% heat. Fry the shrimp for about 30 seconds until they turn a light golden color, then remove them promptly to prevent overcooking.
Tip: Monitor the oil temperature closely; too hot will burn the batter, while too cool will make it greasy. - 6Assemble the rice bowl

Arrange the freshly fried tempura shrimp over a bowl of steaming white rice. Drizzle with the homemade sauce and a creamy sauce for added flavor.
Tip: Garnish with chopped green onions, seaweed strips, and bonito flakes just before serving to maintain their texture. - 7Drizzle with homemade sauce

Take the fried shrimp arranged over the bowl of rice and drizzle it generously with the homemade sauce. This ensures every piece of crispy shrimp is coated in flavor.
Tip: Drizzle in a circular motion to ensure even coverage across all the shrimp.