I always thought tempura was 100% Japanese in origin. But recently I learned that Portuguese missionaries introduced frying techniques, and I was quite shocked. Is it true that it arrived in Nagasaki in the 16th century and was originally a dish eaten during fasting periods before becoming “Japanese”? I only ever associated tempura with the iconic image of Japanese cuisine, so learning its true origins has slightly shattered that perception. How different is the original Portuguese fried dish from today’s tempura? Does the word “tempura” itself come from Portuguese? How did a dish created for fasting become an everyday food in Japan?