Why You’ll Love these Tempura Shrimp with Chinese Turnip Soy Dipping
When you bite into these golden, crispy tempura shrimp, you’ll understand why they’re about to become your new favorite appetizer. The batter creates this impossibly light, airy crunch that gives way to perfectly cooked shrimp inside.
But honestly? It’s the dipping sauce that’s the true star here. The combination of savory soy sauce with sweet sugar and the unexpected freshness of grated Chinese turnip creates this magical balance that complements the shrimp perfectly.
Don’t you love discovering flavor combinations that just work? Trust me, your guests will be asking for this recipe before they’ve even finished their first bite.
What Ingredients are in Tempura Shrimp with Chinese Turnip Soy Dipping?
The key to incredible tempura shrimp lies in using the freshest ingredients possible and balancing the textures just right.
This recipe combines crispy, golden-brown shrimp with a savory-sweet dipping sauce that gets a wonderful freshness from grated Chinese turnip. I’m always amazed at how such simple ingredients can create something so delicious when combined properly.
The batter is designed to be light and airy, not heavy like some other fried coatings, which really lets the sweetness of the shrimp shine through.
- 2 pounds fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 Chinese turnip, grated
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1 cup water (plus additional 1/2 cup for batter)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Lettuce leaves, for serving
- Oil for deep frying
When shopping for this recipe, quality matters.
Look for shrimp that smell fresh and briny, not fishy. The Chinese turnip (also known as daikon radish) should be firm and heavy for its size.
For the batter ingredients, make sure your flour and cornstarch are fresh—these pantry staples can actually expire and affect the texture of your tempura coating.
And while it’s not specifically mentioned in the ingredient quantities, you’ll need enough oil for deep frying, so make sure to pick up a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable or peanut oil.
The lettuce leaves make a beautiful presentation, creating a bed that catches any drips of that delicious dipping sauce.
How to Make these Tempura Shrimp with Chinese Turnip Soy Dipping
Creating the perfect tempura shrimp starts with preparing your batter and sauce separately. First, let’s make that flavorful dipping sauce. In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup soy sauce with 1 cup water and 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar. Bring this mixture to a boil and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the sugar to fully dissolve and the flavors to meld together.
While the sauce cools slightly, grate 1 Chinese turnip (daikon radish) and set it aside—we’ll add this to our sauce right before serving for that perfect fresh crunch.
Now for the star of the show—the tempura batter. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 2 beaten eggs, 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1/2 cup water, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth. The consistency should be similar to pancake batter—not too thick, not too runny. You want it to coat the back of a spoon but still drip off easily.
Heat your oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to about 350°F. Working in small batches (overcrowding is the enemy of crispiness), dip your 2 pounds of peeled and deveined shrimp into the batter, allowing excess to drip off, then carefully lower them into the hot oil. They’ll cook quickly, about 2-3 minutes until they’re golden brown and floating to the top.
The final assembly is where this dish really comes together. Once all your shrimp are fried to golden perfection and draining on paper towels, stir the grated Chinese turnip into your prepared soy dipping sauce. Using a luxury soup pot can help maintain the perfect temperature for your dipping sauce while serving.
Arrange crisp lettuce leaves on a serving platter and place your beautiful tempura shrimp on top. The contrast of the bright green lettuce with the golden shrimp is simply gorgeous. Serve the sauce in small individual dipping bowls alongside. The hot, crispy shrimp against the cool, savory-sweet dipping sauce creates such a wonderful temperature and flavor contrast.
For more complex recipes like this one, a premium stand mixer can make the batter-mixing process much more efficient and consistent.
Could anything be more satisfying than that first perfectly dipped bite?
Tempura Shrimp with Chinese Turnip Soy Dipping Substitutions and Variations
Many home cooks find themselves needing substitutions for this tempura shrimp recipe, and I’m here to offer some practical alternatives.
Can’t find Chinese turnip? Daikon radish works perfectly, offering that same crisp texture and mild flavor.
For a gluten-free batter, swap regular flour with rice flour—it actually creates an even lighter, crispier coating.
Not a shrimp fan? White fish fillets, squid rings, or even firm tofu cubes make delicious alternatives. Vegetable tempura, anyone?
For the dipping sauce, try adding grated ginger, a splash of mirin, or orange zest for exciting flavor variations.
No deep fryer? A wok with two inches of oil does the trick.
What to Serve with Tempura Shrimp with Chinese Turnip Soy Dipping
When planning the perfect menu around your crispy tempura shrimp, side dishes matter just as much as the star attraction. I like to pair this dish with steamed jasmine rice to soak up that delicious turnip soy dipping sauce.
Not feeling rice? Try udon noodles.
For vegetables, consider simple steamed bok choy or a cucumber salad with rice vinegar dressing. The cool crunch provides welcome contrast to the hot, crispy shrimp.
Want to make it a feast? Add some miso soup to start and green tea ice cream for dessert.
The meal feels complete, balanced between hot and cold, crispy and soft.
Final Thoughts
Although mastering tempura shrimp might seem intimidating at first, I’ve found that patience and attention to detail make all the difference.
The perfect combination of crispy batter and tender shrimp, paired with that tangy Chinese turnip dip, creates an unforgettable meal.
Remember, cooking temperature is essential. Too hot, and your shrimp burns before cooking through; too cool, and you’ll end up with soggy batter.
Isn’t it amazing how something so delicious comes from such simple ingredients?
This recipe brings restaurant-quality tempura right to your kitchen table.
For a completely different comfort food option, try a classic ground beef meatloaf with breadcrumbs and finely chopped vegetables.
For a completely different Asian flavor profile, try preparing beef cubes with a flavorful marinade containing soy sauce, sesame oil, and various spices.
Give it a try—your family and friends will think you’ve been hiding culinary secrets all along.
