Asian Shrimp Recipes

There’s never a dull moment when it comes to Asian cuisine. Each dish brings a distinctive burst of flavor that comes from a balanced mixture of herbs and spices. Even the simplest ingredients can turn into stunning dishes that you’ll fall in love with.

This is especially true with shrimp, a staple ingredient that appears in many Asian dishes. If you're looking to step out of your culinary comfort zone or simply try something new, give Asian food a try. Our Asian Shrimp Recipes are here to offer new and effortless ways for you to enjoy this delectable seafood.

Check Out Our Most Popular Asian Shrimp Recipes

1. Sweet and Sour Shrimp

This sweet and sour shrimp dish is a takeout staple that’s beloved among many Asian food enthusiasts. A citrusy umami sauce is the base of this sweet and sour stir-fry. Once seared, the shrimp and vegetables turn crisp and caramelized while tender. Serve it over a bed of rice and fill your dinner nights with a wholesome, cozy main course that perfectly embodies the comfort of homemade food.

2. Shrimp Fried Rice

This popular dish with Chinese origins showcases regional aromas of savory and umami. The flavors accompany a colorful green pea, carrot, and corn stir fry. Every spoonful pampers you with a kaleidoscope of flavors and textures, giving the taste buds a delectable warmth that’s unique to homemade Asian food. Better yet, it comes together in just 25 minutes—a perfect choice for all those busy weeknights.

3. Kung Pao Shrimp

You can count on hoisin, soy sauce, and brown sugar to pack a punch of flavors into the shrimp in just 20 minutes! This classic Chinese dish is a true masterpiece, combining succulent shrimp, vibrant vegetables, and a delectable sauce that will transport you to the bustling streets of Sichuan. Whether you savor it over a bed of fluffy steamed rice or buttery egg noodles, this dish promises an exciting adventure that your taste buds will surely appreciate.

4. Coconut Curry Shrimp

Thai food is an exquisite and balanced blend of flavors and aromas that never ceases to amaze, and this dish is perfect proof. This vibrant, hearty dish combines succulent shrimp with a rich and creamy coconut curry sauce that’s infused with aromatic herbs and spices. Each bite is a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and spicy notes, harmonizing into a symphony of taste that will leave you yearning for one delicious spoonful after another.

5. Shrimp and Kimchi Rice Bowl

It would be remiss to leave kimchi out of a conversation about classic Asian food delicacies. This recipe showcases all of its tangy and spicy glory, laying the base flavor for a rainbow assortment of delicious, diverse ingredients. The combination of succulent shrimp, fiery kimchi, and fresh vegetables makes a toothsome main course that will color your lunches and dinners with a kaleidoscope of flavors.

6. Japanese Teriyaki Shrimp

Explore Japanese cuisine’s marvelous uniqueness with this recipe featuring juicy, plump shrimp tossed in a deliciously tangy, sweet, and spicy teriyaki sauce. Each bite is a burst of umami goodness that will transport your taste buds to the streets of Tokyo. Add a bed of rice and a bowl of miso soup and you’ve got a wholesome, hearty meal to keep both the belly and soul happy and comforted.

7. Shrimp Chow Mein

This is yet another ubiquitous Chinese dish that you can easily make in the comforts of your own kitchen. Egg noodles, juicy shrimp, and colorful veggies are tied together by an umami, savory Asian sauce. What comes off the hot pan is a flavor-packed main course that fills your senses with an enticing aroma and comforting warmth. It’s the perfect choice for any time you’re craving something hearty and delightful that’s still humble and easy to prepare.

8. Honey Garlic Korean BBQ Grilled Shrimp

Fire up the grill and get ready for a flavor-bursting adventure with these delectable Korean BBQ shrimp. The shrimp are marinated in a spicy, tumultuous mixture of soy sauce, honey, garlic, gochujang, sesame oil, and lemon juice, then grilled to a smoky perfection. But that’s not all! They’re served with a citrus butter sauce that will have you savoring each and every bite. Serve them at your next cookout for something different that everyone will be talking about for days to come.

9. Vietnamese Shrimp Salad With Noodles

This Vietnamese shrimp salad strikes the perfect balance between fresh and flavorful. Crisp lettuce, crunchy cucumbers, sweet carrots, and fragrant herbs create a refreshing base for the dish. The shrimp, marinated in a savory sauce and cooked to perfection, adds a touch of indulgence to every bite. With a delicious, pungent-yet-tasty nuoc cham sauce on the side, each forkful is a treat that will have taste buds shimmer with joy.

10. Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls

Here’s another light, fresh Vietnamese dish that will also delight your taste buds to no end—spring rolls. It typically includes rice vermicelli, lettuce, shrimp, and julienned veggies all wrapped in rice paper, then served with a side of nuoc cham, or peanut sauce if you want something with a nutty undertone. 

The only ingredient that requires any cooking at all is the shrimp, and even then, it’s only boiled for a bit. With each bite, you’ll be able to relish all the ingredients’ natural taste and savor just how seamlessly they come together.

11. Orange Shrimp

This gorgeous dish pops with colors that’ll make a rainbow jealous and even better, the flavors are just as vibrant. The orange sauce drenches the juicy shrimp and crispy veggies in a medley of bright citrus and subtly spicy hot sauces with a delicately sweet undertone. Whether you're a seafood lover or simply looking to try something new and exciting, this dish will certainly be the perfect choice!

12. Garlic Butter Shrimp Pad Thai

Easy to make and utterly delicious, it’s no surprise that Pad Thai is such a beloved classic. With this recipe, you can whip up a better-than-takeout dish in just half an hour and have a flavor-packed main course for all those busy, tiring weeknights. This delectable dish combines the richness of garlic butter, the succulence of juicy shrimp, and the aromatic blend of traditional Pad Thai ingredients. The result is a harmonious balance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes that will have your taste buds dancing with delight.

13. Singapore Cereal Prawns

Imagine succulent, plump prawns coated in a crispy golden crust that crackles with every bite—the textural contrast alone is enticing. The secret, however, lies in the unique cereal mixture that encases these delectable crustaceans. Flavored with curry leaves and bird’s eye chili, this dish offers a sensory-delight mix of fragrant, spicy, and savory flavor notes. It embodies the very essence of Singaporean cuisine—bold, vibrant, and bursting with addicting, irresistible flavors.

14. Shrimp Biryani

You haven’t had “jhinga biryani” like this before. A slow cook infuses the dish with herbaceous essence and spicy flavors of turmeric, paprika, cinnamon, and anis. The fragrances alone are enough to keep you hooked. It’s spicy and savory in the most off-kilter way, yet also deeply entrancing and magical. And to make it even better, these shrimp are served with spice-infused rice for an all-consuming flavor fest that will have your senses tingle with joy.

15. Pineapple Shrimp

The pineapple boat makes this dish a centerpiece on any dining table. More than that, it also imparts a bright, vibrant tropical goodness that is both refreshing and satisfying. Caramelized in brown sugar, the ingredients are coated in a delightful mix of sweet and savory flavors. The dish is often served over a bed of steamed rice, allowing the flavors to meld together and create a delightful combination of textures.

What Is Asia's Main Food?

Being the largest continent in the world, it's no wonder that Asian food holds so many distinctive characteristics. Each region's history and culture are reflected vividly in its cuisine and we'd like to introduce you to three primary areas:

• East Asian Cuisine

This region includes countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, etc. Rice and noodles are the staple foods here and make very frequent appearances. The seasonings are known to be savory and slightly spicy, with the levels varying based on the country. 

Some standout dishes you may already know are sushi, teriyaki chicken, shumai, dumplings, and gochujang ramen, amongst others. 

• Southeast Asian Cuisine

Coming from nations like Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia, this region’s cuisine is a contrasting yet harmonious mixture of flavors and textures. Natural ingredients and aromatic spices are often utilized to create a homely feeling. You’ll find plenty of rice, fresh vegetables, and well-seasoned meat in a typical meal.

Popular dishes to try are pad thai, pho, com tam, banh mi, spring rolls, tom yum, nasi goreng, and many more. 

• South Asian Cuisine

India and Pakistan are two countries in this region whose cuisines you might be familiar with. The dishes here center around the extravagant yet balanced use of herbs and spices, particularly bold ones. Meat such as lamb, chicken, and goat are found on all corners, from restaurants to street vendors. Some dishes are also defined by their unique use of coconut milk and yogurt. 

If you want to try out this exquisite cuisine, start with curry, lamb biryani, lentils soup, chicken keema, chutney, and grilled naan.

What Condiments Go Into Asian Recipes?

Asian foods are adored for their complex-flavored dishes that somehow still balance contrasting flavors perfectly. This is achieved through the wise use of fragrant spices, sauces, and herbs.

• Spices

Asian food’s ever-fascinating flavors come primarily from the use of bold spices. Some common ones you may find in most recipes are garlic, dried chili, ginger, peppercorns, turmeric powder, cumin, five-spice, and chili pepper flakes. 

• Herbs

The aromatic undertone that you smell in most Asian dishes usually comes from herbs. Fragrant ones that are often chosen are cilantro, lemongrass, Chinese chives, Thai basil, star anise, spearmint, cassia, and many more. 

• Sauces

The sauce plays a crucial role in intensifying and distinguishing the flavors of an Asian dish. You may have heard of popular ones like soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, and sriracha. Other common varieties include hoisin sauce, fish sauce, soybean paste, oyster sauce, tamari, sambal, and peanut sauce.

It goes without saying, but shrimp isn’t the only protein that makes a stunning main ingredient in Asian dishes. If you’re a fan of both chicken and Asian flavors, don’t forget to also take a peek at our Asian Chicken Recipes.

Best Ways to Cook Asian Shrimp

You’ll be surprised to find out just how versatile shrimp dishes are. This all comes down to the various cooking methods that highlight different flavor profiles. These are some of the most common and familiar ways you can make Asian Shrimp:

• Sauté

Frying shrimp over high heat with fragrant condiments results in a flavorful and juicy mixture of spicy, sweet, and savory. The whole dish usually comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it the ideal cooking method for those busy evenings. 

• Grill

Shrimp skewers drenched in a sweet and sour marinade sauce make excellent additions to summer cookouts. The shrimp remain tender but have a smoky edge that perfectly complements that outdoor atmosphere. Once you are done with the preparation, they take less than 15 minutes to cook and undoubtedly even less to devour. 

• Deep-Fried

This method submerges batter-coated shrimp in savory oil and gives it a crunchy exterior that wonderfully contrasts the soft flesh inside. You can further intensify the flavor by sprinkling in some minced garlic or pepper flakes. No matter the seasonings, the dish is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser the minute it arrives at the table.

Top 15 Asian Shrimp Recipes To Warm Your Belly and Soul

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Our Asian shrimp recipes list offers a wide variety of dishes for you to experiment with. These recipes not only take your tastebuds on an adventure but also give you a glimpse into the beautiful and versatile cuisine this continent has to offer. Don’t hesitate to give these dishes a try and discover just how amazing they are. 

Ingredients

• Sweet and Sour Shrimp
• Shrimp Fried Rice
• Kung Pao Shrimp
• Coconut Curry Shrimp
• Shrimp and Kimchi Rice Bowl
• Japanese Teriyaki Shrimp
• Shrimp Chow Mein
• Honey Garlic Korean BBQ Grilled Shrimp
• Vietnamese Shrimp Salad With Noodles
• Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls
• Orange Shrimp
• Garlic Butter Shrimp Pad Thai
• Singapore Cereal Prawns
• Shrimp Biryani
• Pineapple Shrimp

DIRECTIONS

1. Choose a recipe that you like.
2. Assemble and prepare the ingredients.
3. Follow the instructions to cook up scrumptious Asian shrimp dishes in less than an hour.