National Tempura Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about National Tempura Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. National Tempura Day is celebrated on January 7th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of National Tempura Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as intriguing facts you might want to know about National Tempura Day.

📅 What day is National Tempura Day 2024?

In 2024, National Tempura Day is on Saturday, January 7th. It is the 1st Saturday in January; in 2024, it is Sunday. There are until the next observance. You also can discover all the cool details and facts about January 7, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

Every year on January 7th, we celebrate National Tempura Day. Tempura is a delicious Japanese dish made by deep-frying vegetables, shellfish, or other ingredients in a light batter. It has been enjoyed for almost three centuries and was introduced to Japan by Portuguese residents in Nagasaki during the 16th century. Since then, tempura has become deeply rooted in Japanese culture and can be found throughout the country. On this special day, you can enjoy tempura in various ways, from traditional dipping sauces to more innovative creations like tempura ice cream.

📜 National Tempura Day History

But how did tempura become so widely loved and renowned that it deserves to be celebrated? Back in the 1600s, Portuguese missionaries brought the concept of deep-frying food, which is now associated with tempura, to the Japanese city of Nagasaki. The original purpose of tempura was to serve as a meal during Lent, a Christian festival where meat consumption is restricted. Interestingly, the word “tempura” is derived from the Latin phrase “ad tempora cuaresme,” meaning “in the time of Lent.” The popularity of tempura grew due to the confusion between the event and the dish’s name.

At the time of its introduction, deep-frying was not commonly practiced in Japan and was relatively new. However, the Japanese quickly embraced this cooking technique and elevated it to an art form. Today, tempura is a beloved snack served alongside meals in both households and public settings. Originally consisting of minced beef in a ball shape, fish, and vegetables, tempura underwent a transformation in the 1800s when Japanese chefs began experimenting with frying fish and vegetables together. This innovation resulted in tempura becoming deeply ingrained in Japanese cuisine and taking on a distinctively Japanese identity.

Tempura preparation and sales have now become a significant aspect of Japanese culinary culture. Through the evolution of tempura, the Japanese have demonstrated their ability to adopt and adapt food from other cultures, making it uniquely their own.

✅ National Tempura Day Facts

🔖 Abundant in Japan
Tempura is widely available throughout Japan, ranging from supermarkets and restaurants to street food stalls.

🔖 Tempura-ya
Tempura-ya refers to Japanese eateries that focus on serving and preparing tempura, a popular dish of battered and deep-fried seafood or vegetables.

🔖 Want something sweet?
Additionally, it is possible to create tempura using chocolate and ice cream.

👍 Why Is National Tempura Day Important

On this day, most Japanese houses, restaurants, and stores cook tempura to celebrate.

Tempura is wonderful, and we like it; nevertheless, it is only healthy if the calories and fat are balanced and consumed in moderation.

Tempura is delicious because it is fresh, clean, crispy, and delicate.

🙂 How To Observe National Tempura Day

⚡ Have a taste of it

⚡ Make tempura
National Tempura Day is a special day dedicated to honoring and enjoying the deliciousness of Japanese tempura. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate this delicate and flavorful dish by attempting to cook an incredible tempura yourself. It’s an exciting and enticing idea, isn’t it?

⚡ Host a party
At any Japanese restaurant, order the delicious tempura meal. Then relax and enjoy!

📅 When is National Tempura Day?

View all 🔗 January holidays, including 🔗 Food & Beverage and other 🔗 Cooking holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and cool facts about National Tempura Day. So be sure to check back soon.