I bought this jar of shrimp paste for a sausage recipe from The Food of Northern Thailand cookbook and didn’t taste the paste at all. Just recently, I brought it in to the Munchies Test Kitchen for an ox tail curry recipe and again, didn’t taste it. But boy, were both dishes deeeelicious. So don’t get scared when you take a whiff of this stuff. As bad as it smells, it redeems itself as a flavor-enhancer.
So yeah, shrimp paste is a one-hit-wonder kinda ingredient, right? WRONG! It’s actually super easy and versatile to use in everyday cooking.
Any time you cook with ground beef, pork, or chicken, mix in a small amount of shrimp paste and, as my favorite Italian Food Network Host used to say, BAM! You’ve just turned your dinner from fine, to fan-flippin’-tastic. Shrimp paste plays an important supporting role in lots of dishes. It really brings out the meaty flavor in meat.
It also makes a shrimp dish, well, more shrimp-y! If you happen to have some lying around, I challenge you to add some in your next Pasta Bolognese.
T <3
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BASICS
AKA: kapi • trassi • bagoon
About: Commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisines, Shrimp Paste is a fermented condiment made from dried, finely ground shrimp or krill usually mixed with salt, oil, and other aromatics. Just a small amount adds savory flavor to dishes.
Brand: Golden Hands
Origin: Malabon City, Philippines
Animal: Shrimp or krill
Varieties: Shrimp paste can vary in smell and taste between Asian cultures. Some can be wet pastes while others are sold as a sold block. Its colors range from light pink to dark chocolate brown depending on how it was produced.
History: One of the first accounts of shrimp paste was traced back to 8th Century Southeast Asia. Because it took a lot of time and labor to make, it was often reserved strictly for high-class nobles.
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HEALTH
Ingredients: shrimp fry • corn oil • vinegar • onion • garlic • iodized salt • sugar • MSG
Calories: 15 grams = 60 calories
Substitutes: fish sauce
Note: If you suffer from heartburn, or are on a reduced salt diet, shrimp paste is not recommended.
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SHOP
Store: your nearest Asian Market or the international section of your local grocery store, typically near soy and fish sauce. Markets near Asian villages producing shrimp paste are the best places to get the high quality product.
Online: Amazon
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PREPARE
Cook: Do not use shrimp paste in raw applications, like salad dressing or sandwiches. It works best with meaty, cooked flavors; avoid pairing with fresh, bright flavors.
Storage: Because shrimp paste is really salty, it should last unrefrigerated for a while. But it’s best to keep in the fridge for over a year. Just remember to tightly seal the lid to avoid a stinky leakage.
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EAT
Taste & Texture: rotten smell • meaty • savory • boosts flavor with other ingredients
Suggested Uses: add to curries • stir-fry • sauces • soups • burger patties • meatloaf • chili • shrimp toast • curry paste • marinades
Recipes:
Shrimp Toast (French-inspired)
Spaghetti with Shrimp Paste Tomato Sauce (via Taste Cooking)
Thai Red Chicken Curry (via The Spruce Eats)
Shrimp Pad Thai (via Food & Wine)
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*MORE*
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CAUTION
Do not consume if you have a shellfish allergy (duuuhh).
What do you know about Shrimp Paste?
Agree ! Shrimp paste is an indispensable ingredient in Asian cookings. I love cooking with the shrimp paste to enhance the flavour
Yes! Many people are revolted by the smell, but it’s a secret flavor-enhancing weapon in meat dishes! Thanks for stopping by : )