What is in the sauce that comes with tempura?

I eat seafood and vegetables, and I love tempura. The sauce tastes to me like it's salty, like it's mostly soy. It does have a funny flavor though that I suspect may be beef stock or beef boullion. I have been afraid to ask what's in it because I am highly suspicious it contains animal products, but I really like it.





I am not as strict as a lot of vegetarians. I'll eat Jell-O where some people won't. I find it hard to buy shoes that are good for exercise and sports that don't contain leather. Still, I am really wondering if I am getting some sort of beef broth with my tempura. Anyone who is strict about these things know what the truth is?

What is in the sauce that comes with tempura?
Its a mix actually. its Soy sauce, Mirin, and dashi stock (a fish boullion.) and tempura is very good :)
Reply:mmmm Jello. Mmmmm boiled and rendered bone marrow. Yum!





lol gross. enjoy it.
Reply:I'm not really sure on the tempura sauce, but it seems people here have given you great suggestions. And on the leather issue, it's not that vegetarians can and vegans can't, no one decides that but you. I'm a vegetarian and I try not to wear any animal products whatsoever but there are some vegetarians that wear leather without a problem. Follow your conscious and be mindful that every little bit helps, so even if you wear leather shoes because it's hard to find shoes without animal products (I know it is believe me lol) but still try not to eat animals then you're doing your part. Any little bit of compassion goes a long way. =)
Reply:If you are a vegetarian, you need to be careful with dipping sauces such as this.





A tempura sauce is typically a mixture of dashi and soy (tamari or shoyu), and a hint of sourness from vinegar or citrus, perhaps a bit of sweetener and ginger. Dashi is the culprit here. Dashi is made from a broth of kombu (seaweed), and bonito flakes (dried fish, looks a lot like fish food). It is not vegetarian. Some recipes would take the shortcut of using fish sauce, as it has a similar mouthfeel.





The funny flavor you are experiencing is called "umami," and is usually, but not always, a sign of protein. The fact you think you taste bouillon means that there is probably a meat product (fish, bonito) in the sauce. The more authentic the restaurant is, the more likely they are using fish in their sauce. You'll have to ask.





BTW, the umami flavor is also found in mushrooms, soy, and MSG, among other things.
Reply:I have 3 recipes for Asian styled dipping sauces on file. 2 had no meat items but one had nam pla (fish sauce). So it would be difficult to guess about the sauce you had.





If you eat Jello, why would beef broth matter and why would you think vegetarians can't use leather? Vegetarian is simply a diet. It's vegans that can't use leather.
Reply:Light soy sauce, minced ginger, sugar and a bit of dashi. Slow boil or simmer until you reach the consistency you prefer. Proportion of ingredients also to taste.
Reply:there's quite a few that are good: sweet %26amp; sour, hoisen, soy, rice vinegar, and some places make their own mix w/different sauces. next time you eat tempura, ask the server.



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