🍣 Dining Guide / Dining Etiquette

Tempura Sauce vs Salt

Tempura Condiments (天つゆと塩 - Tentsuyu to Shio)

📖 Meaning & Etiquette

Tempura is typically enjoyed in two ways: dipped in light dashi broth (tentsuyu) mixed with grated radish, or lightly sprinkled with specialty salts (shio) like matcha or sea salt.

💡 Cultural Background

Tentsuyu broth containing grated white radish cut through grease for Edo citizens. Salt keeps the batter crispy and highlights the natural sweetness of seafood.

💬 Useful Conversation Phrases

Dissolve the grated radish in the tentsuyu cup and dip the tempura lightly. For salt, tap the corner of the hot tempura onto a tiny pinch of salt on your plate.

エビの天ぷらは、まず塩で食べるとサクサク感が楽しめますよ。 / 大根おろしを天つゆにたっぷり入れて食べてみてください。

🔊 For shrimp tempura, try eating it with salt first to enjoy its crispiness. / Put plenty of grated radish into the tentsuyu sauce before eating.

❓ Bilingual Restaurant Quiz

To maximize the crispy batter texture and natural sweetness of tempura, which style is highly recommended?

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