Maitake tempura
Maitake tempura is a classic Japanese dish featuring delicate, fan-shaped maitake mushrooms coated in a light, crispy batter and deep-fried to golden perfection. The dish typically uses a simple batter of cold water, flour, and sometimes egg, and is often served with a light tentsuyu dipping sauce. It's a popular appetizer or side dish found in Japanese restaurants and home cooking.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Maitake tempura is relatively high in fat due to the deep-frying process, but the maitake mushrooms themselves are low in calories and provide dietary fiber, B vitamins, and minerals like potassium. A typical serving of about 4-5 pieces contains roughly 250-350 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 180 kcal |
| Protein | 4.5 g |
| Carbs | 22 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 210 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Phosphorus | 120 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 5 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.4 mg |
| Copper | 0.3 mg |
| Selenium | 8 mcg |
| Vitamin D | 1 mcg |
| Iron | 1.5 mg |
Per 1 cup (120 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Maitake mushrooms are prized in Japan not only for their rich, earthy flavor but also for their traditional use as a medicinal fungus, believed to support immune health. The tempura preparation technique, which aims for an exceptionally light and non-greasy coating, is considered a test of a chef's skill in Japanese cuisine.
