How to Make Tempura Donburi (Tendon) at Home: Authentic & Easy Recipe Guide

Tempura Donburi, also known as Tendon, is a beloved Japanese dish featuring crispy tempura served atop fluffy rice with a savory-sweet sauce. Whether you’re craving comfort food or planning a homemade Japanese night, this guide covers everything from batter techniques to vegan and air-fried alternatives.

What is Tempura Donburi (Tendon)?

Tempura Donburi, commonly known as Tendon (a portmanteau of “tempura” and “donburi”), is a classic Japanese rice bowl dish featuring crispy tempura—lightly battered and deep-fried seafood or vegetables—served atop a bowl of warm, fluffy white rice and drizzled with a sweet and savory sauce called tentsuyu. This dish perfectly balances the light crunch of tempura with the comforting simplicity of steamed rice.

Unlike other donburi dishes such as Katsudon (pork cutlet) or Oyakodon (chicken and egg), Tendon emphasizes the contrasting textures and delicate flavors of tempura. While Katsudon and Oyakodon typically involve simmering ingredients in a sauce before serving, Tendon maintains the crispiness of the tempura by keeping it separate until the final drizzle of sauce.

Originating from the Edo period in Tokyo, Tendon has regional variations across Japan. For example, in Tokyo (Kanto style), the sauce is more robust and sweet, while in Kansai (Osaka/Kyoto), it tends to be lighter and more dashi-forward. Some areas even specialize in tempura using seasonal seafood or regional vegetables, offering endless variations of this beloved comfort food.

Essential Ingredients and Equipment

Core Ingredients:

• Protein: Shrimp (ebi), white fish, or squid
• Vegetables: Sweet potato, eggplant, bell pepper, green beans, shiitake mushrooms
• Rice: Short-grain Japanese white rice (preferably cooked in a rice cooker)
• Tempura Batter: All-purpose flour, egg, ice-cold water
• Oil for Frying: Neutral oil like canola or vegetable
• Tentsuyu Sauce: Dashi, soy sauce, mirin, sugar

Vegan and Gluten-Free Options:

• Vegan Tempura: Use mushrooms, sweet potato, zucchini, broccoli. Replace egg with cornstarch or chilled sparkling water.
• Gluten-Free Tempura: Use gluten-free flour blends or rice flour for batter. Ensure soy sauce is gluten-free.

Optional Tools:

• Deep-fry thermometer (to monitor oil temperature)
• Mesh strainer or slotted spoon (for removing crumbs)
• Chopsticks or long tongs (for turning tempura)
• Rice cooker (for perfect rice every time)
• Wire rack or paper towels (for draining excess oil)

How to Make Crispy Tempura from Scratch

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare Ingredients: Slice vegetables into uniform pieces. Pat shrimp dry and make shallow slits on the belly side to keep them from curling.
2. Make Batter: In a bowl, mix 1 egg with 1 cup of ice-cold water. Add 1 cup of all-purpose flour. Stir lightly—lumps are okay. Overmixing causes gluten formation and results in a doughy coating.
3. Heat Oil: Preheat oil to 170–180°C (340–356°F). Use a deep pot with 2 inches of oil.
4. Fry: Dip ingredients lightly in flour, then into batter. Fry a few pieces at a time for 2–3 minutes until golden and crisp.
5. Drain: Place cooked tempura on a wire rack or paper towels.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Overmixing batter
• Batter too warm
• Overcrowding the pot
• Not draining excess oil

Veggie Fry Time Table:

Vegetable	Cut Style	Fry Time
Sweet Potato	1/4 inch rounds	3 min
Eggplant	Lengthwise	2 min
Bell Pepper	Strips	1.5 min
Green Beans	Whole	2 min
Shiitake Mushroom	Whole or halved	2.5 min

Optional: Air Fryer Tempura Method

Health-conscious? Try this air fryer method:

1. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Use tenkasu (tempura bits) instead of panko for coating to replicate the crispy texture.
3. Lightly oil ingredients and air-fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway.
4. Best for veggies like sweet potato, zucchini, and mushrooms. Shrimp is trickier but possible with careful timing.

How to Assemble the Perfect Donburi Bowl

Layering Steps:

1. Start with a bowl of hot Japanese rice.
2. Neatly layer tempura pieces on top.
3. Drizzle 2–3 tablespoons of warm tentsuyu sauce.
4. Garnish with shredded nori, toasted sesame seeds, and chopped scallions.

Donburi Variations:

• Seafood Tendon: Shrimp, squid, and white fish
• Chicken Tempura Don: Chicken breast strips
• Mixed Vegetable Don: Seasonal veggies for a plant-based option

How to Make the Classic Tempura Don Sauce (Tentsuyu)

Basic Tentsuyu Recipe:

• 1/2 cup dashi
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp mirin
• 1 tsp sugar

Simmer in a saucepan until sugar dissolves. To thicken slightly, add 1/2 tsp of cornstarch dissolved in 1 tbsp water.

Variations:

• Add grated daikon or yuzu zest for citrus brightness
• Mix in a dash of chili oil or togarashi for spice

Serving Suggestions and Side Dishes

Traditional Pairings:

• Miso Soup with tofu and wakame
• Pickled Vegetables (tsukemono)
• Chawanmushi (savory egg custard)

Western-Friendly Ideas:

• Green Salad with sesame dressing
• Steamed Edamame
• Iced Green Tea or light Japanese beer

Example Meal Set Layout

• Tempura Donburi Bowl
• Miso Soup + Pickled Radish
• Small Green Salad
• Fruit or Matcha Ice Cream

Tips for Leftovers and Meal Prep

• Storing Tempura: Keep tempura and rice separate. Refrigerate up to 2 days.
• Reheating:
  • Oven: 375°F for 5–7 minutes
  • Air Fryer: 350°F for 4–6 minutes
  • Microwave: Not recommended (tempura gets soggy)
• Meal Prep Idea: Assemble donburi bowls without sauce, pack separately. Reheat and drizzle sauce when ready to eat.
• Lunchbox Tip: Bento-style Tendon works well cold with extra sauce on the side.

FAQs about Tempura Donburi

What is the difference between tempura and tendon?
Tempura refers to the fried items alone. Tendon is a rice bowl featuring those tempura pieces with sauce.

What sauce goes best with tempura?
Tentsuyu is the go-to: dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. It complements the light batter without overpowering it.

How do you reheat tempura and keep it crispy?
Use an oven or air fryer—never the microwave.

Is tempura healthier than fried chicken?
Tempura uses a lighter batter and neutral oil, making it lower in fat. However, it’s still fried, so enjoy in moderation.

Beyond Basics: Unique Twists on Tempura Donburi

• Vegan Tendon: Egg-free batter with sweet potato, shiitake, zucchini
• Curry Tendon: Add Japanese curry sauce instead of tentsuyu
• Soba Rice Don: Replace white rice with soba grain mix

Have your own twist? Share in the comments!

Conclusion: Bringing Tempura Donburi to Your Kitchen

Tempura Donburi brings the perfect harmony of textures and flavors right to your home. Whether you’re new to Japanese cooking or a seasoned donburi lover, Tendon is a great way to experience a homemade taste of Japan. With just a few pantry ingredients and the right frying technique, you can master this iconic dish.

Start simple with the classic shrimp and veggie combo, then explore air-fried, vegan, or regional twists as you gain confidence. Don’t forget to pair with miso soup and a light dessert for the full experience. Share your creations on social media and tag us—we love seeing your Japanese food journeys!