Crispy and Plump Shrimp Pancakes
How to Make Beautiful Shrimp Pancakes That Bloom Like Flowers | From Shrimp Preparation to Perfect Frying
Shrimp pancakes, with their delightful combination of chewy shrimp and crispy batter, are a true culinary gem! While delicious steamed or grilled, they transform into a special dish when pan-fried. Shrimp are packed with nutrients like taurine and chitosan, beneficial for brain health and development. Today, I’ll guide you through the process of cleanly deveining shrimp and a secret technique for making perfectly straight and beautifully bloomed shrimp pancakes. Let’s create a stunning meal that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate!
Main Ingredients
- 25 fresh shrimp
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine or soju (to remove odor)
- Pinch of black pepper
- 6 fresh eggs
- 2 cups pancake mix (buchim garu)
- Generous amount of cooking oil (for frying)
- 1 pinch of salt (optional, adjust based on pancake mix seasoning)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare your fresh shrimp. If using pre-peeled and cleaned shrimp, rinse them gently under running water. If you’re using shrimp with shells, remove the heads, tails, and shells, and devein them thoroughly.
Step 2
It’s best to remove the shrimp’s intestine, as it can impart a bitter taste when cooked. You’ll find a thin, dark line along the belly side of the shrimp – this is the intestine. Using a skewer or toothpick, gently prick the belly side and pull out the black intestine. This step ensures a clean flavor in your shrimp.
Step 3
After deveining, make a shallow cut along the back of the shrimp, about 0.5 cm deep. Gently press down on the cut to flatten the shrimp. This technique prevents the shrimp from curling up as it cooks and helps them lie flat and look beautiful when fried. Be careful not to cut too deeply.
Step 4
We’ll tidy up the shrimp tails for a neat appearance. Scrape off the thin membrane at the tip of the tail with a knife. This will help the tail stay straight and look elegant after frying, preventing it from twisting. If the tail is excessively long, you can trim it slightly.
Step 5
Season the prepared shrimp with 2 tablespoons of cooking wine (or soju) and a sprinkle of black pepper. Since pancake mix often contains salt, add just a pinch or omit it entirely, depending on your preference. This step removes any unwanted odor and enhances the shrimp’s flavor.
Step 6
In a wide bowl, crack the 6 eggs and whisk them thoroughly with a fork or whisk until well combined, removing any stringy bits. Coating the shrimp with egg batter before frying, in addition to the pancake mix, results in an extra crispy and flavorful pancake.
Step 7
Coat the prepared shrimp evenly with pancake mix on both sides, leaving the very tip of the tail lightly coated or brushed off. Coating the tail too thickly can make it difficult to cook evenly and affect the appearance.
Step 8
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Dip the pancake-mix-coated shrimp into the egg batter, ensuring they are coated except for the very tip of the tail. Carefully place the shrimp in the heated pan, leaving space between them so they don’t stick together. Maintain medium heat to prevent burning.
Step 9
Once one side of the shrimp is golden brown, flip them over and cook the other side until equally golden. You’ll notice the shrimp tails unfurling like a blooming flower, staying perfectly straight and beautiful! Gently pressing down as you flip can help ensure even cooking.
Step 10
When both sides are cooked to a beautiful golden color, transfer the finished shrimp pancakes to a plate lined with paper towels or a wire rack to drain excess oil. This step makes them even crispier.
Step 11
Freshly fried shrimp pancakes offer a wonderful texture: crispy on the outside, with perfectly cooked, plump shrimp inside. Savor the rich flavor and the delightful sensation in every bite!
Step 12
Shrimp are a powerhouse of nutrition, known to help lower cholesterol, improve brain health, combat fatigue, and boost immunity. Make these beautifully shaped, delicious, and healthy shrimp pancakes to delight your family!
