Tempura-Battered Smelt Recipe

Name: Tempura-Battered Smelt
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup rice wine; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 pound smelt; 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, or as needed; 2 quarts oil for deep frying; 3/4 cup ice water; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup cornstarch; 2 egg yolks; 2 teaspoons sesame seeds; 2 teaspoons sesame oil; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon white sugar; 1/2 teaspoon salt

Servings: persons

1 cup rice wine
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound smelt
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, or as needed
2 quarts oil for deep frying
3/4 cup ice water
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 egg yolks
2 teaspoons sesame seeds
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

1
Whisk rice wine and 1/2 teaspoon salt together in a bowl. Lightly dust smelt with about 1 tablespoon flour. Add smelt to rice wine mixture; cover bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.
2
Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large wok to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
3
Mix ice water, 1/2 cup flour, cornstarch, egg yolks, sesame seeds, sesame oil, baking powder, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt together in a bowl.
4
Remove smelt from rice wine mixture and dip, 1 at a time, into the flour mixture until evenly coated. Discard remaining rice wine mixture.
5
Carefully fry smelt, 2 or 3 at a time, in the hot oil until golden on all sides, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel-lined plates. Repeat frying with remaining smelt. Serve warm.

849

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 14 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 cup rice wine, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 pound smelt, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, or as needed, and more.

Yes, Tempura-Battered Smelt falls under the General category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Tempura-Battered Smelt

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions