Pickled Seafood in Soy Sauce is a dish whose main components are seafood such as shrimp, squid, or clams, marinated in soy sauce or a seasoning mixture containing soy sauce, sugar, and other ingredients. This gives the seafood a primarily salty and sweet flavor. Pickled seafood in soy sauce is often served as an appetizer or a side dish, known for its rich and well-balanced taste.
Pickled seafood in soy sauce is one of the most popular menu items in seafood restaurants. It's a dish that many people really love, including me. Making this dish is very simple and requires only a few ingredients, so you can easily prepare it at home. The advantage is that you can control the freshness and cleanliness of the ingredients yourself. Today, I will share the steps for making Soy-Pickled Shrimp. If you're interested, please try following this recipe!
Ingredients for 3 Servings
- Fresh shrimp: 250-300 grams
- Light Soy Sauce: 250 ml
- Fish Sauce: 2 tablespoons
- Granulated Sugar: 1 teaspoon
- Water: 50 ml
- Garlic, thinly sliced: 2 tablespoons
- Fresh Chilies, cut into small pieces: 1 tablespoon
- Toasted White Sesame Seeds: 1 tablespoon
- Soda Water: 200-300 ml (for soaking the shrimp)
Instructions
I'll start by preparing the shrimp. The most crucial aspect of this dish for me is the shrimp. I use fresh shrimp. I clean them thoroughly: removing the heads, peeling off the shells and tails, deveining them by slicing open the backs and removing the dark vein, then washing them several times with saltwater followed by clean water. After that, I drain them well or pat them dry.
Take the clean, dry shrimp and soak them in soda water. I let them soak for about 5-10 minutes, then pour them into a colander to drain completely. This step helps give the shrimp a much bouncier and crisper texture. However, if you don't have soda water, you can skip this step. If you use fresh shrimp, its texture will naturally be springy and firm.
While waiting for the shrimp to soak in the soda water, I'll prepare the marinating sauce. Using a pot, add the water, light soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar. Place it on the stove over low heat. Stir the mixture until the sauce comes to a boil and the sugar dissolves completely. Then, turn off the heat and let it cool before using.
The simple method for marinating the shrimp is to place the prepared shrimp into a ceramic bowl or a container suitable for marinating. Pour the cooled soy sauce mixture over them, followed by the toasted white sesame seeds, garlic, and fresh chilies.
Mix everything well to ensure it's combined. Cover with a lid and place it in the refrigerator. I let it marinate for about 3 hours, after which the Soy-Pickled Shrimp is ready to be enjoyed.
The shrimp has a bouncy, crisp, and refreshing texture,not mushy or soft. The moment you take a bite, you can immediately feel the freshness of the shrimp. The marinade sauce has a well-balanced and rich flavor without being overly salty.
The fragrant aroma of garlic in every bite provides both a savory note and a slight spicy kick, which perfectly cuts through any richness. Combined with the fresh heat from the sliced chilies, which adds a lively, tingling spiciness that isn't too intense. The subtle nutty aroma and slight crunch of toasted white sesame seeds add another layer of texture and mild fragrance, making you want to eat more and more.
This dish is perfect for any occasion, thanks to its refreshing yet rich flavor profile. It makes an excellent side dish for drinks, a great appetizer to start a meal , a perfect pairing with steamed rice or warm sticky rice, a refreshing combination with fresh vegetables and a zesty seafood dip, which helps balance the saltiness and richness, allowing you to enjoy it continuously without feeling overwhelmed.
Soy-Pickled Shrimp is an easy-to-eat dish that fits any occasion and is simple to make at home. Most importantly, its delicious flavor is absolutely worth trying!
Thank you all for stopping by, and see you next time!
