Stirring the Pot: 7 Irresistible Chinese Shrimp Recipes to Savor and Share

Shrimp lovers, rejoice! Whether you’re craving a comforting soup or a bite-sized wonton delight, this collection of Chinese shrimp recipes brings together the best of tradition and taste.

From the earthy sweetness of Chinese yam to the zing of black vinegar and the crunch of water chestnuts, each dish celebrates the versatility of shrimp in Chinese cooking. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, these recipes are easy to follow and packed with flavor. Let’s dive into the pot and discover how shrimp can shine in seven delicious ways.

Recipe 1: Shrimp soup recipe with Chinese yam

This soup gets its inspiration from the Japanese soup tradition, using Japanese soup ingredients kombu and dashi.

Depending on the size of the shrimps, use it whole or chop into chunks. 

Ingredients

• 200g fresh Chinese yam 淮山 (shan yao)
• 4 fresh tiger shrimps
• 4 kombu pieces
• 1 small bunch of snow pea shoots
• Pinch of salt and cornstarch
• 500ml water
• 1 tbsp dashi powder 

Directions

1. Peel the Chinese yam and cut into cubes. Wear gloves and be careful when peeling as it can be slippery. 
2. Wash the shrimps, remove the shells except the tails. Score the back and remove the gut (see A Practical Guide on How to Buy Shrimp, Clean & Freeze Shrimp)
3. Rub the shrimps gently with salt and dust with cornstarch
4. Remove the gut from the shrimp heads
5. Place the shrimp heads, shells, kombu, Chinese yam and water into a soup pot
6. Bring the water to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes
7. Remove the shells and heads
8. Add the dashi powder for flavor 
9. Add in the peashoots and cook for about 1 minute
10. Add to the soup and cook quickly
11. Remove from heat once the shrimps changes colour
12. Serve

Recipe 2: Easy shrimp soup recipe with napa cabbage and egg

This is a hearty rustic soup. The napa cabbage is really sweet when it is well cooked and goes well with the ocean sweetness of the shrimps.

Ingredients

• 150g fresh shrimps
• 2 eggs
• 50g napa cabbage leaves
• 1 stalk of cilantro
• 6 cups of soup stock
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tablespoon cornstarch mixture
• 1 tablespoon black vinegar

Directions

1. Wash, remove the shells and clean the shrimps
2. Cut the shrimps into chunks if they are big
3. Wash the cabbage leaves and shred. Use the food processor with a shredding blade or a mandolin
4. Beat the eggs lightly
5. Wash the cilantro leaves and chop finely
6. Bring the soup stock to a boil in a pot
7. Add the shredded cabbage and cooked until they are soft
8. Add the shrimps
9. Add the cornstarch solution to thicken the soup
10. Stir in the egg mixture and give the soup a few quick stirs
11. Add the black vinegar and chopped cilantro before serving

Recipe 3: Shrimp soup recipe with glass noodles

This is a hearty and appetite-stimulating soup dish. It relieves work stress and fatigue, and strengthens the body. 

Ingredients

• 12 fresh shrimps
• 2 bunches glass noodles
• 1/3 stalk leek
• 2 1-inch pieces ginger
• 1 red chilli
• 1 stalk spring onion
• 3 sections garlic
• 1 litre soup stock

Seasonings

• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp cooking wine
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Clean and remove the shells of the shrimps
2. Make slits on the back and remove the gut
3. Julienne the leek and soak in water
4. Roughly chop the spring onion and red chilli
5. Peel the garlic and chop roughly
6. Peel the ginger and slice thinly
7. Soak the cellophane noodle in room temperature water till they are soft
8. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pot (preferably a claypot)
9. Fry the spring onion, ginger, garlic and red chilli
10. Add the soup stock and seasonings and bring to a boil
11. Add the cellophane noodle and the shrimps
12. Cook till both are done
13. Garnish with the leek and serve

Recipe 4: Shrimp ball soup recipe with straw mushrooms

This shrimp ball soup with straw mushrooms is interesting to make. I get to mince up fresh shrimps and make shrimp balls. The balls look like apples with the celery sticks sticking out.

Ingredients

• 600g fresh shrimps
• 40g straw mushrooms (You can add more than one type of mushrooms)
• 1 celery
• 250ml soup stock
• Salt and pepper to taste

Seasoning for shrimp balls

• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• Dash of sesame seed oil
• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon of cornstarch

Directions

1. Remove the shells and guts of the shrimp.
2. Mince the shrimps by processing them in a food processor. If you do not have a food processor, you can use a knife but it would be a lot more work.
3. Add the seasoning for the shrimp balls to the minced shrimps. Mix them up till the mixture is slightly sticky.
4. Wash the straw mushrooms and cut in half.
5. Wash the celery and cut into thin strips. The length depends on the size of the shrimp balls.
6. Shape the shrimp mixture into round balls with hands and place on a plate.
7. Insert one strip of celery in the centre of each shrimp ball. Make sure that one end of the celery strip is sticking out of the shrimp ball
8. Bring soup stock to a boil, lower the heat and add the shrimp balls into the soup. Cook for about 8 minutes or until the shrimp balls float to the surface.
9. Add the straw mushrooms.
10. Bring the entire pot to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer till the vegetables are cooked.
11. Add salt and pepper to taste.
12. Serve.

Recipe 5: Pork and shrimp wonton filling

Fresh shrimps is a popular ingredient in Cantonese our Southern Chinese wontons.

Choose your preferred wonton folding style.

Ingredients

• 150g ground pork
• 150g fresh shrimps
• 1/2 egg white
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
• Dash of pepper
• 1 stalk of spring onion, chopped

Directions

1. Shell and devein the prawns. Wash and cut in half if they are too big
2. Mix the ground pork and seasonings for filling together. Add dash of cold water if the mixture is too dry
3. Fold in the fresh prawns
4. Wrap the wontons
5. Boil water and cook the wontons
6. Drain and leave aside
7. Prepare the wonton soup
8. Pour the soup into serving bowls, add the wontons
9. Garnish and serve

Recipe 6: Pork, fish and shrimp wonton filling

Ingredients

• 150g minced pork
• 80g minced fish
• 80g fresh shrimps
• 1 tsp cooking wine
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp sesame seed oil
• 1/2 egg white
• 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
• Dash of pepper
• 1 stalk of coriander leaves or chinese parsley or cilantro
• Salt & pepper
• Dash of sesame seed oil

Directions

1. Shell, devein and wash the prawns. Cut into small pieces
2. Mix the ground pork, minced fish and prawns with the seasonings for filling. Leave to stand and marinate for an hour
3. Wrap the wontons
4. Boil water and cook the wontons. Drain and leave aside
5. Prepare the wonton soup
6. Pour the soup into serving bowls, add the wontons
7. Garnish and serve

Recipe 7: Turkey and shrimp wonton filling

This is a great recipe for leftover Thanksgiving turkey. 

Ingredients

• 240g turkey meat
• 125g fresh shrimp, shelled, de-veined and chopped
• 50g water chestnuts
• 3/4 cup of cold water
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp cooking wine
• 1 tsp minced ginger
• Salt & pepper

Directions

1. Ground and mix the turkey and water chestnuts in the food processor. Mix in the seasonings for filling
2. Fold in the shrimps
3. Wrap the wontons
4. Boil water and cook the wontons
5. Drain and leave aside
6. Prepare the wonton soup
7. Pour the soup into serving bowls, add the wontons

Happy Cooking!