This Shrimp Tempura Dipping Sauce is perfect for any tempura appetizer. Sweet, salty, and savory, it sets off the delicate flavors of your shrimp tempura or tempura vegetables.

Try this dipping sauce with our Shrimp Tempura, or with any tempura dish you like.

Tempura sauce

Usually, shrimp and vegetable tempura are accompanied by a special dipping sauce that is full of flavor. It tastes a little sweet, a little salty, and a little umami – which roughly translates to savory. While it’s relatively thin, the sauce is also very rich in flavor. It goes great with vegetable or shrimp tempura, enhancing their flavors and complementing the crispy tempura outsides. This dipping sauce is the finishing touch to a delicious dinner or light appetizer.

What is it made of?

Dashi powder– enhances the flavor, especially the savory notes
Warm water- to be mixed with the dashi powder
Soy Sauce (low-sodium)- balances the salty and savory flavors
Granulated sugar- adds some sweetness
Mirin– a sweet rice wine that complements the saltiness of the soy sauce

Dashi soup stock substitute

Typically, tempura dipping sauce is made with dashi soup stock. However, this can be hard to find. The quickest and easiest way to replace it is by dissolving hon dashi powder with water. Hon dashi powder is easier to find in grocery stores and can be purchased on amazon.com

How to make tempura sauce

Boil the dashi and sugar. In a small saucepan, mix together the dashi powder, warm water, and sugar. Then bring it to a boil and let it cook for about 2 minutes.
Add the soy sauce and Mirin. Take the sauce off the heat. Add in the Mirin and the soy sauce.
Mix. Thoroughly mix it until all the ingredients are well-incorporated. Then serve it alongside shrimp tempura or the tempura of your choice.

What else goes with tempura sauce?

Pretty much anything that you have fried with tempura batter will taste amazing with this dipping sauce. But here are a few suggestions:

Vegetables- sweet potatoes, carrots, asparagus, green beans, and cauliflower, to name a few
Seafood- try shrimp, squid, salmon, or white fish
Flowers- like zucchini blossoms
Sushi rolls- try it with this California shrimp roll

How to store it

This tempura dipping sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week in an airtight container.

Full Recipe Instructions

Tempura Sauce

This Shrimp Tempura Dipping Sauce is sweet, salty, and savory, and it goes really well with crispy shrimp or vegetable tempura.

5 from 18 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: condiments

Cuisine: Asian

Prep Time: 2

Cook Time: 2

Servings:

Calories: 18kcal

Author: Dina

Ingredients

Instructions

In a small saucepan add 1 teaspoon of Hon Dashi powder, 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar, and 3/4 cups water. Bring it to a boil for about 2 minutes.
Remove from heat then pour in 3 tablespoons of low sodium soy sauce and 2 tablespoons of Mirin. Give it a good thorough mix and serve with shrimp tempura or make your own tempura batter for fried vegetables.

Notes

Dashi soup stock substitute

How to store it

This tempura dipping sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week in an airtight container.

Nutrition

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Dina

Hi, I’m Dina, so glad you stopped by! I believe life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy to follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be surprised at how quickly a wholesome and delicious meal can come together. I hope you find something you enjoy!