A Taste of Spring: Frying Up Delicious Tara No Me Tempura!

Spring in Japan brings with it a bounty of fresh, seasonal ingredients, and one of my absolute favorites is “Tara no Me” (タラの芽) – the young shoots of the Aralia elata tree. These edible wild vegetables are a true delicacy, known for their slightly bitter yet earthy flavor and tender texture. This past weekend, I decided to celebrate the season by making Tara no Me Tempura, and it was an absolute delight!

What is Tara no Me?

Tara no Me, often referred to as “Angelica Tree shoots,” are a prized “sansai” (wild mountain vegetable) in Japanese cuisine. They are typically harvested in early spring when the shoots are still young and tightly furled. Their unique flavor profile makes them a popular ingredient for tempura, where a light batter and quick frying really highlight their natural taste. As you can see from the image, they have a distinctive appearance with their tightly packed leaves, almost resembling a miniature pinecone at the top of a tender stalk.

Easy Make Tempura Batter

For the tempura batter I used a convenient pre-made tempura flour mix, specifically “Nissin Tempura Flour” (日清 コツのいらない 天ぷら粉). These mixes are fantastic for achieving that perfectly light and crispy tempura coating without too much fuss. Just add water, and you’re good to go!

Tara no me has a mildly bitter, earthy taste with a nutty, slightly herbal undertone. The bitterness is clean and pleasant—similar to dandelion greens or asparagus—with a faint aroma of the forest. When made into tempura, the crispy batter perfectly balances its natural bitterness, making it light, savory, and refreshing with a subtle umami finish. It tastes like spring in the mountains.

To truly savor this springtime treat, I paired my freshly fried Tara no Me Tempura with a refreshing bottle of Crystal Geyser water. There’s something about the crispness of the water that really cleanses the palate and enhances the delicate flavors of the tempura.

Enjoying these delicious tempura shoots was a truly delightful experience, a perfect way to embrace the flavors of spring here in Japan. If you ever have the chance to try Tara no Me, especially as tempura, I highly recommend it! It’s a taste of the wild that is both unique and incredibly satisfying.