National Tempura Day is January 7, so be sure to celebrate the holiday by treating yourself to your favorite lightly fried, crispy dish. Not only is tempura delicious, but it also uses less grease than other frying methods. While we typically associate tempura with Japanese cooking, did you know the frying style actually originated in Portugal? Tempura batter is actually just a mix of egg, flour, and cold water. 

Our agents have so many favorite Japanese restaurants in the area, that it's hard to pick just one recommendation. They decided to put together a list of their top five favorite locations to celebrate Tempura Day around Central California.

• JIN Sushi - 1600 19th St., Bakersfield, CA 93301
  Located in the heart of downtown Bakersfield, JIN Sushi offers delicious vegetable and shrimp tempura as well as sushi, salads, and a variety of Japanese dinner entrees. The dining atmosphere is simple and casual, and imported beers and spirits are available when dining in. Takeout can also be ordered online. After dinner, you have to be sure to drive by some of these newly listed Bakersfield homes for sale.
  
  
• Mimotto - 9650 Hageman Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93312
  For the ultimate in convenience, visit Bakersfield's only drive-thru restaurant for authentic Japanese cuisine. Mimotto offers a variety of tempura-battered dishes, including appetizers like Calamari Tempura, Shrimp Tempura, and Veggie Tempura to start your take-home meal off right. Move on to the Big6 Spider Roll featuring tempura soft-shell crab and a California Roll topped with avocado, cooked shrimp, and sesame seeds. You can also add Tempura Shrimp to your Teriyaki Bento meal box. In addition to the drive-thru option, you can also order online for quick pickup.
  
  
• Kan Pai - 9500 Brimhall Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93312
  Well-known for its sushi, Kan Pai offers a unique dining experience with special dishes such as Japanese Miso Beef Sliders with ground beef marinated in miso with tamago, shiso, and beni shoga. Choose from a variety of tempura meals, including a vegetable-based option with sweet potato, Japanese pumpkin, zucchini, carrots, and broccoli. We also highly recommend the Bill Salad, named after our very own Bill Redmond!
  
  
• Umi Sushi & Sake - 3300 Buena Vista Rd. Ste C1, Bakersfield, CA 93311
  Classic Japanese cuisine, a modern dining atmosphere, and some of the best tempura in town can all be found at Umi Sushi & Sake. This great restaurant is focused on bringing LA sushi to Bakersfield. Dishes are prepared by renowned sushi chef Charlie Han, and takeout can be ordered online. 
  
  
• O-Sabi Restaurant - 5795 Walker St., Ventura, CA 93003
  One of the best Japanese restaurants in the area is actually just a short drive from these Ventura County homes for sale. O-Sabi specializes in delicious tempura and sushi and provides an authentic Japanese dining experience. Food is prepared teppanyaki-style using an iron griddle. In-person dining may be temporarily limited, but all menu items can be ordered for takeout. 

Easy access to world-class cuisine is just one of the many benefits of living in the Bakersfield area. For more recommendations on local restaurants, contact us!