Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails on)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (plus extra for dredging)
- 1 cup ice-cold water (or club soda)
- 1 large egg yolk
- 4 cups vegetable oil (for deep frying)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preparation: Prepare the shrimp by making 3-4 small, shallow vertical slits along the underside belly of each shrimp. Gently press the shrimp flat to straighten them. Pat the shrimp completely dry and set aside.
- Step 2: Batter: In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolk into the ice-cold water. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Combine the wet and dry ingredients quickly with a fork or chopstick, mixing only until the ingredients are just incorporated; lumps in the batter are desired.
- Step 3: Frying Setup: Heat the vegetable oil in a deep pot or wok to 350°F (175°C). Lightly dredge the dried shrimp in the extra flour, shaking off the excess before dipping them quickly into the cold tempura batter.
- Step 4: Frying: Carefully lower the battered shrimp into the hot oil, frying in small batches (3-4 pieces at a time) to maintain the oil temperature. Avoid overcrowding the pot.
- Step 5: Cooking and Draining: Fry the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are light golden brown and crisp. Remove the tempura with a slotted spoon and drain thoroughly on a wire rack or paper towels before serving immediately.
Notes
- For maximum crunch, mix the cold water and flour extremely briefly; a lumpy batter is correct and essential for a delicate, airy crust.
- Serve immediately alongside a classic dashi-based dipping sauce or simply a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
- If storing leftovers, place cooled tempura loosely covered in the refrigerator for up to two days, but note the texture will soften significantly.
- To restore some crispness, reheat refrigerated tempura on a wire rack set over a baking sheet in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 5 to 7 minutes, avoiding the microwave entirely.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American