We can’t say no to shrimp. Especially if it’s in a crispy batter. The Nobu rock shrimp tempura is one of our all-time favorite things to munch on. And as much as we’d love to visit Nobu every day, that’s not always an option. If you’re like us, and love to whip up a storm in the kitchen, then we have the perfect crispy rock shrimp recipe for you. It’s quick and simple. And it takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish too.
What are rock shrimp though? Unlike normal shrimp, rock shrimp have an extremely hard outer shell. Some might say that it’s as hard as a rock. Until machines were invented, this type of shrimp was only popular with fishermen because of how difficult it was to remove the shell. Thankfully, they’re a bit easier to eat today. Rock shrimp are also known for their lobster-like texture and flavor.
Now onto more important things: the recipe. These small, crispy rock shrimp have a crunchy batter and a juicy interior. They’re the perfect appetizer for cocktail hour. You can even serve them as part of a main dish if you prefer. Don’t be shy about seasoning both the shrimp and whatever you pair it with. Salt and pepper elevate any dish, and it will just seem bland without it. Without further ado, let’s get cooking.
Crispy Rock Shrimp Recipe
Yield: 4 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 4 minutes
Total Time: 19 minutes
Batter Ingredients
¾ cup of ice water
¾ cup of all-purpose flour
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons of olive oil, or as needed
1 pound of rock shrimp, peeled and deveined
Dipping Sauce Ingredients
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons of chili-garlic sauce
1 teaspoon of rice vinegar
¼ teaspoon of sea salt
2 dashes of ground black pepper
3 tablespoons of olive oil
Directions
For the dipping sauce whisk together the egg yolk, chili-garlic sauce, rice vinegar, sea salt and black pepper in a bowl. Pour in 3 tablespoons of oil slowly, whisking constantly, until sauce is creamy.
In a large bowl, whisk ice water, flour and egg yolk together to make the batter.
Rather than deep frying, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over a medium heat. Dip some shrimp in the batter. Let the excess drip off, and cook in hot oil until golden brown on both sides, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the shrimp and drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining olive oil and shrimp.
Place cooked shrimp in a large bowl. Pour the creamy spicy sauce in a separate, smaller bowl and start dipping. If you’re going to eat the shrimp right away, you can pour the sauce on top of them. Make sure you mix them well so the sauce completely covers the shrimp. Don’t leave them too long or else they will turn soggy.
Crispy Rock Shrimp Pairs Well With
One side dish we love pairing with crispy rock shrimp is grilled asparagus. Drizzle the asparagus with oil and season it with salt and pepper before grilling. You can also add chili flakes for a bit more of a kick. Remove them from the grill when they’re slightly charred but still crisp. Enjoy with your shrimp and tasty dipping sauce. This combo is perfect for a starter or served during cocktail hour.
These bite sized wonders can also be served as a main dish. Like most tempura battered food, the crispy shrimp go perfectly with a bowl of rice or noodles. Make sure you add some vegetables and spices to your dish for extra flavor. Don’t forget to drizzle the creamy spicy sauce on top of the shrimp just before eating your rice or noodles. Nobody likes when their crispy food goes soggy.
Why not add these crispy shrimp to a Super Bowl recipe too? We know you’ll be making some seven layered dip to go with your nachos. But if you really want to up your game, try switching the nachos for some crispy rock shrimp. Food platters are always a good option as well. So instead of the traditional tiered seafood platter, let’s go a bit crazy and make a tempura one. Pair the crispy shrimp with tempura vegetables and add in a variety of flavorful dipping sauces too. It will be the talk of the half-time show and no one will care what celebrity is on stage.
