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Tenkasu
Neutral and lightly savory with a delicate, airy crunch and a faint toasted-oil note.
Lens analyzedTenkasu, also called agedama, are the small, crispy droplets of fried tempura batter scooped off the oil during tempura frying. They are stirred into okonomiyaki batter, scattered over yakisoba and udon, or used as a textural garnish to add crunch and a faint savory richness.
Where it comes from
Tenkasu is the thrifty byproduct of tempura frying, where stray drops of batter are skimmed from the oil and saved rather than wasted; it became a beloved topping in Osaka street foods like okonomiyaki and takoyaki. North American cooks can buy it pre-made in Japanese markets or make their own by drizzling tempura batter into hot oil.
Buying it
Available pre-made in Japanese grocery stores in sealed bags; look for pale golden, uniformly small pieces that feel light and crisp through the packaging.
Storing it
Store in an airtight bag or container at room temperature away from humidity; use within a few weeks as they can soften and turn stale quickly.
Keeps about 1 year in the pantry.
Out of tenkasu? Good swaps
General cooking guidance — always check the labels on the products you use. Listahan’s allergen checks run automatically when you plan a recipe in the app. Not medical advice.
Recipes that use tenkasu
Common questions about tenkasu
What can I use instead of tenkasu?
Good swaps include Crushed rice crackers, Panko breadcrumbs (lightly toasted). Each behaves a little differently — see the swaps above for notes, and always check labels for allergens.
How do I store tenkasu?
Store in an airtight bag or container at room temperature away from humidity; use within a few weeks as they can soften and turn stale quickly. It keeps about 1 year in the pantry.
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Make tenkasu about your kitchen — with Listahan Pro
Everything above is free, forever. Pro adds the Household Lens — the same food, seen for your family:
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Checked for each member
Flags tenkasu per person against your household's allergies and school rules — not just a generic "contains" tag.
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Pantry-aware
Knows whether you already have it, what is running low, and the best swap from what is in your kitchen tonight.
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What it costs near you
A real price from the Presyo community index, so you can plan the budget — not guess.
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Your household memory
Who likes it, plus your own private notes — brand, where you keep it, who skips it.
Allergen safety is always free — Pro adds the automation, never the safety.
Cook with tenkasu — safely
Plan a recipe in Listahan and the household allergen check runs automatically — every plan, every swap, every lunchbox. Safety is never paywalled.