Shrimp Tempura Roll: What You Should Know Before Ordering

Are you a fan of going out for sushi? If so, it's likely you have several favorite sushi restaurants that you frequent, along with a few preferred rolls that you usually order. Each restaurant will prepare their sushi rolls in their own unique way; most dining establishments have the same or similar line-up of different types of rolls you can choose from the menu.

A common roll found on most Japanese sushi restaurant menus in the United States is the shrimp tempura roll. As the name implies, a piece of fried shrimp tempura is part of the filling, usually accompanied with a thin slice of avocado and a crunchy vegetable, like cucumber.

Sometimes there is also an option to order a tempura roll, too. The difference comes down to the filling — it may have tempura veggies or a type of fish that is deep-fried instead of shrimp. When it comes to making a decision, it really comes down to taste preferences.

Most sushi rolls are made with nori (a kind of seaweed), rice, and then different types of filling, which is what makes each roll a bit different and full of flavor. Shrimp tempura rolls are considered inside out rolls because the rice is on the outside instead of within the roll, and the nori wrapper is inside.

These rolls have pieces of deep-fried tempura shrimp, thin slices of avocado and cucumber, rice and nori wrapper ,and are topped with Tobiko, also known as flying fish roe, to add a nice touch and a bit of flavor to the roll.

Tempura is a type of Japanese batter that is used for frying vegetables and seafood, such as shrimp. According to Delighted Cooking, to make the tempura batter, you only need a few ingredients: flour, eggs, and cold water. This crispy coating adds a nice texture by creating a crunchy exterior and a soft, easy to eat interior. Placing shrimp tempura into a roll can be a fun way to play with textures and flavors and combine two favorites in one: sushi roll and tempura.

Does the thought of eating raw fish make you uneasy? (Let's be honest, maybe it completely grosses you out.) Although eating bite-sized sushi with fresh, uncooked fish may not be for everyone, there are rolls where the filling doesn't have any raw fish or seafood. Shrimp tempura rolls are a delectable choice because the shrimp is covered in a batter and then deep-fried. So there isn't any raw fish, such as tuna or salmon, that you'll find lurking in your roll. This can be a wonderful option if you find yourself at a sushi restaurant with friends but you're not ready to deep dive into the world of raw fish.

If you love shrimp and tempura, this is a perfect fusion of both worlds, especially because it's best to eat shrimp cooked. Eating this seafood raw isn't recommended because you can be exposed to bacterias (via Healthline). However, in some cultures it's common to eat it uncooked, and even in some Japanese restaurants you may find  raw shrimp sashimi listed on the menu (via Healthline).

Are you wondering if the shrimp tempura roll is a healthy choice? It's not the healthiest menu item you can choose, since the shrimp is deep-fried and has more calories per roll than other sushi roll options, according to Livestrong. But if you eat a varied diet, don't need to focus on calorie intake, and don't have other diet restrictions, this sushi roll doesn't have to be scrapped from your list entirely.

However, consider enjoying this roll in moderation, since this is a fried food. One roll, which can be six to eight pieces, depending on how it's cut, "provides 544 calories, or 27 percent of the standard 2,000-calorie diet, and 13 grams of fat, or 20 percent of the 65 grams FDA daily value," as Livestrong tells us. However, if you're wanting to eat healthier foods, you may want to consider other sushi roll options that aren't fried.

Preparing sushi rolls at home can be a fun experience, especially if you enjoy experimenting with new recipes and preparation methods. Making shrimp tempura rolls does require a few extra steps, since you need to make and mix the batter for the tempura and then deep fry the shrimp.You'll want to make a pot of sushi rice, which has the special ingredient of rice vinegar. While the rice is cooking, you can slice avocado and cucumbers for the filling.

Sushi rolls do require lots of practice, so it's likely your rolls won't look the same as they do when you order at a restaurant. Nevertheless, they're likely going to be tasty. Depending on where you live, you should be able to purchase ingredients from most grocery stores. Otherwise, you'll want to venture to an Asian supermarket for everything you'll need.

To begin assembling the rolls, you'll start with Saran wrap or a bamboo mat. Then you'll layer on rice and place the seaweed wrapper on top, and then add tempura, avocado and cucumber on top. Once everything is layered, you can begin rolling. If you want step-by-step instructions, Munchkintime has instructions, with photos to guide you. Once it's tightly rolled, you'll want to carefully slice in one-inch rolls, and then you can jump in and taste your delicious tempura rolls.