Shrimp Toast EXACTLY like Dim Sum

Golden, crunchy fried bread topped with fragrant, juicy shrimp paste, this shrimp toast is a dim sum classic you can't miss

Jump to:

• What is shrimp toast?
• Ingredients
• How to assemble shrimp toast
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Shrimp Toast

What is shrimp toast?

Shrimp toast (蝦多士) aka prawn toast is a popular Chinese treat typically served at Yum Cha (Dim sum in the US) or Cantonese restaurants. The dish originates from Hong Kong, however, it is a fusion of Western and Asian cuisine.

It is essentially a slice of golden fried white bread topped with a flavourful shrimp paste and sesame seeds. The bread is crunchy and the shrimp paste is soft and juicy. The sesame seeds on top add another layer of texture and crunch.

This recipe is so much easier than you think and now you can make this classic at home!

Ingredients

Shrimp Paste

• White shrimp: Use medium-sized shrimp, but the bigger the shrimp the better the toast. You can use both frozen or fresh shrimp. Pro tip: Use deveined and deshelled shrimp
• Ginger: Ginger adds an aromatic flavor to the shrimp paste
• Garlic: Garlic also adds an aromatic flavor, don't forget to add the aromatics as they give the toast dimension and flavor

• Spring onion and Coriander: Both of these add flavor as well as a splash of green to the shrimp paste
• Egg: The egg helps to bind the shrimp paste together
• White pepper: White pepper makes the shrimp paste aromatic, make sure you use finely ground powder

• Chicken bouillion powder: Chicken powder adds another layer of umami to the dish, this can be substituted for vegetable powder for pescatarians
• Cornstarch: Cornstarch helps bind the prawn paste together, you can substitute this with potato starch or tapioca starch
• Granulated sugar: Sugar helps to balance out the flavors of the dish with a touch of sweetness

• YumYum: YumYum is my special blend of MSG, this helps to bring the flavor together and gives it a boost of umami. You can purchase it here, or you can substitute it with MSG
• Sesame oil: Sesame oil adds a nutty fragrance to the shrimp paste
• Shaoxing wine: Cooking wine is important when cooking as it removes any fishy odors and adds a layer of fragrance to the dish

Assembly

• White bread: Use regular white bread for the most authentic version
• White sesame seeds: Sesame seeds give the prawn extra texture and flavor

How to assemble shrimp toast

Put the shrimp on your chopping board with your aromatics and roughly chop with your knife until it's almost a paste. Make sure you don't chop it too finely as you want larger chunks of shrimp throughout the dish.

Add the egg, cornstarch, and seasonings to the shrimp paste and mix until well combined.

Spread the shrimp paste onto the toast and place the toast prawn side down onto a plate of sesame seeds. Press down lightly to secure the sesame seeds on the toast.

Heat the oil to 170C/340F, drop the bread prawn side down into the oil, and fry for 1 minute. Then flip the toast and fry for another minute until golden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does shrimp toast last?

Shrimp toast is best eaten when freshly fried. If you aren't eating them all at once leave the assembled shrimp toast in an airtight container to be fried right before eating.

Why is my shrimp toast oily?

There are a couple of reasons why your shrimp toast is oily:

• The temperature of the oil was too low, causing too much oil to be absorbed while frying
• The shrimp toast wasn't drained on a wire rack or a paper towel
• The toast wasn't fried shrimp side down first

Can I pan-fry shrimp toast?

Yes, you can! If you don't want to deep fry at come you can heat 1cm of vegetable oil in a deep frying pan and shallow fry the toast. Make sure you fry the shrimp side first for 1 minute, then flip and fry for another minute until golden.

Can I air-fry shrimp toast?

Yes, you can! Air-frying is a great option if you are looking for a healthier alternative. If you are air frying make sure you spray or brush the toast with some oil. If you don't the toast will be very dry.

Preheat your air fryer to 180C/350F and air fry for 5 minutes, or until golden brown.

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