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Fish, East Asian

Garlic steamed shrimp over vermicelli noodles

Garlic steamed shrimp over vermicelli noodles is a Cantonese style dish for 4 people, ready in 30 minutes, rated easy, for about €5.00 per person. The key to success is frying the garlic very gently so it flavors the whole soy sauce mixture poured over the shrimp and noodles before steaming.

Big shrimp split open and steamed over vermicelli soaked in garlic and soy sauce, it smells just like a Cantonese kitchen.

Garlic steamed shrimp over vermicelli noodles
Total time
30 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€5.00
Calories per person
490 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Spring, Summer

The shrimp are split in half and steamed tightly packed in a circle over vermicelli noodles that soak up the garlic and soy sauce. The flesh stays firm and juicy, protected by the shell, while the noodles turn soft and fragrant. Fresh chili and cilantro add a bright note that balances the salty depth of the sauce.

This is a good dish for a weeknight when you want something different without spending hours in the kitchen, or for a casual dinner with friends where everyone serves themselves from the shared platter. Go for big shrimp so the portions feel generous, and have chopsticks or a fork ready for easy peeling.

The ingredients

4 people

Fish counter

  • Large raw shrimp 16

Pantry

  • Soy or rice vermicelli noodles 150 g
  • Soy sauceoften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Rice wine or sherryoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Sugaroften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Neutral oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp

Fruits and vegetables

  • Garlic 8 cloves
  • Scallions 3
  • Fresh red chili 1
  • Fresh cilantro 0.5 bunch

Allergens Shellfish, Soy, Gluten

The step by step recipe

  1. Soak the vermicelli in hot water until soft, drain, and arrange them in a shallow dish that fits your steamer basket. 8 min

    Cut them with scissors so they're easy to serve.

  2. Split the shrimp open along the back without fully separating them, and remove the dark vein.

    Keep the shell on, it protects the flesh while steaming.

  3. Chop the garlic, fry it gently in the oil, then mix it with the soy sauce, rice wine, and sugar. 4 min

    Pull the garlic off the heat as soon as it turns golden, it keeps cooking in the hot oil.

  4. Arrange the shrimp over the vermicelli and spoon over half the garlic sauce.

    Pack them tightly in a circle.

  5. Steam, covered, until the shrimp turn pink and firm. 8 min

    Without a steamer basket, use a colander set over a pot of simmering water.

  6. Sprinkle with scallions, chili, and cilantro, and pour over the rest of the sauce.

    Toss everything together at the table so the noodles soak up the sauce.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick raw shrimp that are fresh or properly thawed, the flesh stays firmer than with pre-cooked shrimp.
  • Taste the sauce before pouring it over the shrimp, it should balance the saltiness of the soy sauce with the sugar, thin it with a little water if it tastes too strong.
  • Don't overcook the shrimp, they're done as soon as they turn pink and firm, a few extra minutes makes them rubbery.

The variations

  • Swap the shrimp for chunks of cod or salmon, the steaming method stays the same and the cooking time is similar.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the shrimp with rehydrated shiitake mushrooms and use an alcohol free soy sauce instead of the rice wine.
  • For a quicker version, use rice vermicelli, which rehydrates in just a few minutes, and make the garlic sauce the day before.

What to serve it with

  • A bowl of plain steamed rice
  • Quickly stir fried greens
  • Light green tea or lemon water

Storage

Leftovers keep for 1 day in the fridge in a sealed container, though this dish is best enjoyed the same day for the best shrimp texture. Freezing isn't recommended, since the shrimp and noodles lose their texture once thawed. Reheat gently by steaming or in the microwave on low power.

Questions about this dish

Can you prepare this dish ahead of time?

You can make the garlic sauce and soak the vermicelli several hours ahead. Steam the shrimp just before serving though, so they stay firm and juicy.

What's the difference between soy and rice vermicelli?

Soy vermicelli is translucent and a bit firmer, while rice vermicelli is white and more tender. Both work well in this recipe, so pick whichever you have on hand.

Can you make this without a steamer basket?

Yes, set a metal colander over a pot of simmering water and cover with a lid or foil. The important thing is that steam circulates well around the dish.

How do you know when the shrimp are cooked?

The shrimp are ready when the flesh turns opaque pink and feels firm, usually after about 8 minutes of steaming. If it still looks gray or translucent, give it a bit more time.

How long does it take to make garlic steamed shrimp over vermicelli noodles?

Count 30 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in garlic steamed shrimp over vermicelli noodles?

About 490 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does garlic steamed shrimp over vermicelli noodles cost?

About €5.00 per serving, or €20.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains shellfish, soy, gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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