How to Make the Ultimate Shrimp Toast

How to Make the Ultimate Shrimp Toast is a medium Chinese recipe that serves 4. 260 calories per serving. Recipe by ChefSteps on YouTube.

Prep: 49 min | Cook: 12 min | Total: 1 hr 11 min

Cost: $6.96 total, $1.74 per serving

Ingredients

  • 200 g Raw Shrimp (peeled, deveined, medium size)
  • 1 tsp Salt (for brining)
  • 1/4 tsp Baking Soda (raises pH to retain moisture)
  • 30 g Water Chestnuts (diced, adds crunch)
  • 5 g Fresh Ginger (grated)
  • 10 g Scallions (chopped, white and green parts)
  • 5 g Cilantro (chopped, adds freshness)
  • 30 g Egg White (about 1 large egg white, binder)
  • 4 g Granulated Sugar (a pinch for balance)
  • 0.5 tsp White Pepper (ground)
  • 5 ml Toasted Sesame Oil (adds nutty aroma)
  • 2 g Chicken Powder (umami enhancer)
  • 30 g Lard (rendered pork fat, provides richness)
  • 8 g Cornstarch (binds excess moisture)
  • 4 slices Japanese Milk Bread (Shapan) (1‑inch thick, soft and fluffy)
  • 15 g Sesame Seeds (untoasted, for topping)
  • 20 ml Neutral Oil (for pan‑frying (e.g., canola or vegetable oil))

Instructions

  1. Brine Shrimp

    Place the raw shrimp in a bowl, sprinkle with 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp baking soda, toss to coat, cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

    Time: PT15M

  2. Prepare Aromatics and Diced Shrimp

    After brining, rinse shrimp briefly, pat dry, and cut half of them into small dice. Dice water chestnuts, grate ginger, chop scallions, and cilantro.

    Time: PT10M

  3. Make Egg‑White Binder

    In a mixing bowl whisk together the egg white, 4 g sugar, 0.5 tsp white pepper, 5 ml toasted sesame oil, and 2 g chicken powder until just combined.

    Time: PT2M

  4. Process Shrimp Mousse

    Add the remaining raw shrimp, the egg‑white mixture, and 30 g lard to the food processor. Pulse until a smooth, slightly sticky paste forms.

    Time: PT5M

  5. Incorporate Cornstarch

    Add 8 g cornstarch to the processor and pulse a few more times until fully blended.

    Time: PT1M

  6. Fold in Diced Ingredients

    Transfer the mousse to the mixing bowl, fold in the diced shrimp, water chestnuts, ginger, scallions, and cilantro until evenly distributed.

    Time: PT2M

  7. Prepare Bread Bases

    Trim the crusts off the milk‑bread slices. Cut each slice into squares (≈3 ¾" side) or use a ring mold for circles. Lightly spray the surfaces.

    Time: PT5M

  8. Portion and Spread Mousse

    Weigh 125 g of mousse per piece, spread it evenly over the top of each bread slice, pulling the mixture to the edges and smoothing the surface. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

    Time: PT5M

  9. Pan‑Fry Shrimp Toast

    Heat 20 ml neutral oil in a 10‑inch non‑stick pan over medium‑high heat. Place one toast, mousse side down, and cook 8‑10 minutes until the mousse turns opaque and the sesame seeds are lightly toasted. Flip and toast the bread side for an additional 2 minutes.

    Time: PT12M

    Temperature: Medium‑high

  10. Plate and Serve

    Transfer the finished toast to a sheet tray, slice in half to show the interior, and serve immediately with your favorite dumpling dipping sauce.

    Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
260
Protein
12 g
Carbohydrates
30 g
Fat
10 g
Fiber
2 g

Dietary info: Contains shellfish, Contains pork, Contains gluten, Contains sesame

Allergens: Shellfish, Egg, Wheat, Sesame, Pork (lard)

Last updated: May 24, 2026

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How to Make the Ultimate Shrimp Toast

Recipe by ChefSteps

A modern take on the classic Hong Kong dim sum shrimp toast. A delicate shrimp mousse is spread on soft Japanese milk bread, topped with toasted sesame seeds and pan‑fried to a golden crisp. The recipe uses a unidirectional cooking method for a moist, bouncy interior without deep‑frying.

MediumChineseServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
47m
Prep
12m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 9m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$6.96
Total cost
$1.74
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Brining shrimp with salt and baking soda
  • Processing the shrimp mousse to a cohesive, slightly sticky texture
  • Adding cornstarch to bind excess moisture
  • Spreading mousse while still fresh for optimal adhesion
  • Unidirectional pan‑frying until mousse is opaque

Safety Warnings

  • Handle raw shrimp with clean hands and sanitize surfaces to avoid cross‑contamination.
  • Cook the mousse to an internal temperature of at least 140°F (60°C) for safety.
  • Hot oil can splatter; use a splatter guard if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of shrimp toast in Hong Kong dim sum cuisine?

A

Shrimp toast, known as "haam sui sin" in Cantonese, originated in early 20th‑century Hong Kong as a street‑food snack. It combines the Chinese love of seafood with the Western influence of toasted bread, creating a unique fusion that became a staple in dim sum carts.

cultural
Q

What traditional regional variations of shrimp toast exist within Chinese cuisine?

A

In Cantonese tradition the toast is deep‑fried until golden. In Shanghai style, the bread may be brushed with egg before frying. Some northern versions use a thicker rye bread and add soy sauce to the mousse for a heartier flavor.

cultural
Q

How is shrimp toast traditionally served in Hong Kong dim sum restaurants?

A

It is usually presented on a small plate with a side of light soy‑vinegar dumpling sauce and a garnish of sliced cucumber. The toast is eaten warm, often as part of a larger dim sum spread alongside har gow and siu mai.

cultural
Q

During which occasions or celebrations is shrimp toast commonly enjoyed in Chinese culture?

A

Shrimp toast is a popular snack during Lunar New Year brunches and wedding banquets because its golden color symbolizes wealth and prosperity. It also appears at family gatherings during the Mid‑Autumn Festival as a savory counterpart to sweet pastries.

cultural
Q

What authentic ingredients are essential for a traditional shrimp toast versus acceptable modern substitutes?

A

Authentic shrimp toast uses fresh raw shrimp, lard, and a soft milk‑bread like shapan. Modern cooks may substitute butter for lard, use all‑purpose flour‑based sandwich bread, or replace chicken powder with a pinch of MSG, but the texture and flavor will differ slightly.

cultural
Q

What other Cantonese dim sum dishes pair well with shrimp toast?

A

Shrimp toast pairs beautifully with steamed har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork‑shrimp dumplings), and a light chicken broth. A simple cucumber salad or pickled radish adds a refreshing contrast.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making shrimp toast at home?

A

Common errors include over‑mixing the mousse, which makes it dense; using too much oil, leading to greasiness; and frying at too low a temperature, which prevents the mousse from setting and leaves it soggy. Follow the unidirectional cooking method for best results.

technical
Q

Why does this shrimp toast recipe use a unidirectional cooking method instead of deep‑frying?

A

Unidirectional cooking cooks the mousse from one side, allowing the protein to set gradually while using far less oil. This yields a lighter, less greasy toast with a crisp bread side and a delicate, bouncy shrimp interior.

technical
Q

Can I make the shrimp mousse ahead of time and how should I store it before assembling the toast?

A

Yes, the mousse can be prepared up to one hour ahead. Keep it covered in the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature before spreading; this maintains its stickiness and prevents it from drying out.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for to know the shrimp mousse is cooked through?

A

The mousse should turn opaque, lose any translucent sheen, and feel firm to the touch while still slightly springy. The sesame seeds on top will be lightly toasted, not burnt.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel ChefSteps specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel ChefSteps specializes in modern, science‑based cooking techniques, detailed equipment reviews, and innovative recipes that blend classic culinary traditions with contemporary technology.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel ChefSteps' approach to Chinese dim sum cooking differ from other Chinese cooking channels?

A

ChefSteps focuses on precise temperature control, equipment like food processors and sous‑vide, and explains the chemistry behind each step, whereas many traditional Chinese channels rely on intuition and classic stovetop methods without detailed scientific explanation.

channel

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