How is Japanese Tempura related to Lent?
Tempura started as a Portuguese dish. Weird, yes? The Japanese made it their own though, and we celebrate this unique fried food on January 7th, National Tempura Day. The word “tempura” is also related to the European roots of the dish. It comes from the Latin phrase “quattuor tempora” meaning “Ember Days.” Portuguese missionaries introduced the tempura frying method in Japan as an alternative to meat during Lent, a season […]