I asked the expert about the secret recipe for making delicious shrimp paste, and the response was incredibly enthusiastic. No secrets were held back! I don't know if the expert shared the entire 100%, but when I tried making it at home, it turned out surprisingly tasty! Check out this awesome shrimp paste recipe and the perfect proportions below:
Ingredients for Delicious Shrimp Paste - The Golden Ratio Recipe
- Shrimp paste: 2 tablespoons
- Sugar: 1 teaspoon (either white or brown sugar will do)
- Finely chopped dried shallots: 1 bulb
- Fresh chili pepper: 1 piece
- Lime: 1/2 piece
- White wine: 1/2 teaspoon
- Cooking oil: 2 tablespoons

A delightful recipe for crafting delicious shrimp paste must include lime, sugar, shrimp paste, and chili (Photo:st)
Choosing the Best Shrimp Paste:
- The most crucial ingredients for creating a flavorful bowl of shrimp paste dipping sauce are lime, sugar, shrimp paste, and chili. To select quality shrimp paste, consider its color, aroma, and taste.
- Delicious shrimp paste typically exhibits a purple hue, resembling the ripe color of a plum (avoiding dark shades), with a rich and distinctive aroma. When tasted, it should have a balanced saltiness, not too intense or bitter.
Steps to Prepare Tasty Shrimp Paste:
Step 1: Whisk the Shrimp Paste until Frothy
- Place the shrimp paste in a small bowl. Add lime, wine, and sugar. Stir thoroughly until it becomes frothy with white bubbles.

Mixing lime, wine, and sugar together with shrimp paste until it bubbles (Photo:st)
Step 2: Perfecting the Art of Making Delicious Shrimp Paste
- Heat cooking oil in a pan until hot, then sauté the finely chopped dried shallots until golden brown.
- Pour the shrimp paste + lime + sugar mixture into the pan, sauté for a while, then transfer to a bowl.
Step 3: Add Spicy Fresh Chili
- Dice the fresh chili, remove the seeds, and add them to the shrimp paste bowl right after sautéing. Now it's ready to be enjoyed with vermicelli, fried tofu, or boiled pork! Last weekend, I prepared a meal for the whole family of three, and the bowl of shrimp paste was wiped clean, it was that good!
Creating delicious shrimp paste for serving with vermicelli and fried tofu is as simple as these 3 steps. It pairs perfectly with vermicelli, fried tofu, or boiled pork, and my family of three finished the entire bowl last weekend!
Note:
- Shrimp paste is a fermented condiment made from shrimp and fresh salt, not suitable for everyone. Those with sensitive stomachs should thoroughly heat the shrimp paste in step 2 before consuming. If you enjoy raw shrimp paste, you can skip step 2.

The art of crafting irresistibly delicious shrimp paste (Photo:st)
Wishing you success in creating your own delightful bowl of shrimp paste.
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