It’s European, Not Japanese
People who love fried foods are also in love with tempura. The delicious and crunchy batter coated dish – be it seafood, meat or veggie inside – is a comfort food for most. Most of us would thank the Japanese for inventing tempura, however, we are barking up the wrong tree, for tempura did not originate in Japan.
In 1543, a Chinese ship with some Portuguese sailors on board was headed to Macau, but was swept off course and ended up on the Japanese island of Tanegashima. These were the first ever Europeans to step on Japanese soil. The Portuguese came with guns, not to harm the inhabitants, but to trade. And though the Japanese didn’t like them, they found their ammunition useful as they were in mid-war at the time. Thus began a Portuguese trading post in Japan, starting with firearms and then other items such as soap, tobacco, wool and even recipes.
The Portuguese stayed until 1639 when they were banished because the Japanese regarded their religion, Christianity, as a bit too dangerous to the Japanese culture. Even if they had sailed away, the Portuguese left behind a rich part of their legacy, especially where food was concerned.
The Japanese today deviated from tradition and made the batter less heavy, incorporating fish, other veggies like eggplant, carrots, sweet potatoes, shiitake mushrooms, and of course, the famous shrimp tempura. If you travel to Portugal now, you’d recognised the green beans tempura and you’d say they’re Japanese. You’ll soon know you’re mistaken. The Portuguese even made their tempura crispier by adding a starch called nutrios. They still cook those green beans of old and they’ll tell you it’s nostalgia.
We Tempura Everything in Bellevue, Almost
When you come to FLO in Bellevue, enjoy our hot food selections which include the classic tempura. See that we gave it a unique flair. It’s just the way we do things here.