Shrimp toast is a signature dim sum item and a textural joy — white bread cubes coated with minced shrimp paste that fries until deeply golden, creating a crispy, savory exterior while the shrimp filling stays tender and succulent. Served with a sweet chili-mayo dip, it's the ultimate appetizer or snack.
Serves 2
Combine minced shrimp, egg white, and cornstarch. Mix until sticky and paste-like.
Spread shrimp paste thickly onto bread cubes, about 1/2 inch thick.
Heat oil to 180°C (350°F). Fry coated bread cubes, shrimp-side down, until golden brown, 2–3 minutes.
Mix mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce. Drain toast on paper towels and serve with sauce.
Shrimp must be minced finely for proper paste consistency.
Fry shrimp-side down first so the paste crisps before bread absorbs oil.
Serve immediately while still hot and crispy.
Taste and adjust salt at the very end — flavors concentrate as liquids reduce, and a final pinch of flaky salt sharpens the whole dish.
Make with pork mince instead of shrimp
Top with sesame seeds before frying
Use whole-wheat bread for healthier version
Vegetarian: swap the protein for roasted king oyster mushrooms, smoked tofu or cooked chickpeas — adjust seasoning slightly upward to compensate.
Best eaten fresh. Can be refrigerated 2 days and reheated in a 180°C oven for 5 minutes.
Shrimp toast became a dim sum staple in mid-20th century Hong Kong, combining Western bread with Cantonese shrimp cooking traditions, creating a dish that's now served worldwide in dim sum restaurants.
To sear the shrimp paste and prevent it from sliding off during frying.
Yes, assemble and refrigerate up to 4 hours. Fry just before serving for best texture.
Yes — most of the components can be prepared up to a day in advance and refrigerated separately. Reheat gently and assemble just before serving so textures stay distinct.
Stay close to the role each ingredient plays: swap aromatics for similar ones (shallot for onion, lime for lemon), and keep the fat-acid-salt balance intact. Spice blends can usually be approximated with what's in the cupboard.
Per serving · 2 servings total
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