What is Shrimp Toast? A Closer Look at This Classic Chinese Appetizer

Shrimp toast is a beloved appetizer that can be found on Chinese restaurant menus across America But what exactly is shrimp toast? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this crispy, savory snack.

A Brief History of Shrimp Toast

Shrimp toast is a classic example of the fusion between Chinese and American cuisine. The dish was likely invented by Chinese immigrants adapting traditional recipes for American palates and ingredients.

While shrimp and toasted bread exist in various forms in China shrimp toast as we know it today appears to have originated from Chinese restaurants in America sometime in the mid-20th century. The appetizer became a menu staple as Chinese food grew in popularity across the country.

Nowadays shrimp toast is so ubiquitous that it’s considered one of the classic Chinese-American dishes along with the likes of General Tso’s chicken, crab rangoon, and fortune cookies. Though not authentic to any specific regional Chinese cuisine, it’s become a beloved staple of Americanized Chinese food.

The Signature Ingredients: Shrimp and Bread

As the name suggests, the two key components of shrimp toast are shrimp and toasted bread.

Shrimp: The shrimp are usually minced or ground into a paste along with aromatics. Using a paste allows the shrimp mixture to adhere to the toast better. Common seasonings and mix-ins include:

• Scallions
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Cilantro
• Egg whites

Bread: Standard supermarket white bread is commonly used, but chefs have experimented with different types of bread as the base:

• White sandwich bread
• Potato bread
• Milk bread
• Brioche
• Challah

The bread is sliced and cut into smaller pieces, then spread with the shrimp paste and toasted to golden perfection.

Cooking Methods: Pan-Frying for Maximum Crunch

Shrimp toast is made by pan-frying the shrimp-topped bread in oil until both sides are crispy and golden brown. This cooking method yields the addictively crunchy texture that shrimp toast is so loved for.

The oil temperature and cooking time can be adjusted to achieve different degrees of crispiness. Some chefs prefer to shallow fry the toasts for a quick cook while others deep fry at a lower temperature for an evenly crisp finish.

Common Preparations and Serving Suggestions

There are many ways to prepare and serve shrimp toast for optimum enjoyment:

• Dip in beaten egg: Some recipes have you dip the shrimp-coated side of the bread into beaten egg before pan-frying. This adds extra binding power and richness.

• Coat with sesame seeds: For additional flavor and crunch, you can coat the shrimp side with white or black sesame seeds before frying.

• Slice diagonally: Cutting the toast diagonally yields more surface area for crisping. It also makes for easier bite-sized pieces.

• Garnish with scallions: Freshly chopped scallion greens add a pop of color and flavor when garnished on top.

• Serve with dipping sauces: Popular accompaniments include duck sauce, sweet chili sauce, and hot Chinese mustard.

• Make smaller pieces: Cutting the toast into smaller triangles or fingers makes for easier snacking. Larger pieces can be more difficult to eat in one bite.

Why Shrimp Toast Became So Popular

It’s easy to see why shrimp toast became a runaway success in Chinese restaurants across America. Here are some of the factors that contributed to its widespread popularity:

• Familiar flavors: The combination of shrimp, bread, and garlic iscomforting and familiar to American palates.

• Crispy and greasy: The crispy, greasy, pan-fried preparation has an irresistible textural appeal.

• Strong snack appeal: The finger food format makes shrimp toast easy to nibble on with drinks at the bar.

• Kid-friendly: The mild flavors and crunchy texture make shrimp toast a reliable crowd-pleaser with children.

• Low cost: Inexpensive ingredients like white bread and small shrimp keep profit margins high.

• Difficult to recreate: The takeout favorite was elusive for home cooks before recipes were widely available.

How to Make Restaurant-Quality Shrimp Toast at Home

Making shrimp toast at home is easy and rewarding. With just a few key tips, you can recreate the signature crunch and flavor of your favorite takeout or restaurant version:

• Use fresh bread: Stale bread will lead to uneven frying and lack of crispness. Fresh bread fries up lighter and crispier.

• Pat shrimp dry: Drying the shrimp will prevent the paste from getting watery and sliding off the toast.

• Chill paste: Chilling allows the shrimp mixture to firm up and bind better to the bread when frying.

• Fry in batches: Avoid overcrowding so that all sides get evenly crisp.

• Use high smoke point oil: Peanut, vegetable, or canola oil are ideal for high heat frying.

• Blot oil: Drain fried shrimp toasts on paper towels to soak up excess grease.

• Season with salt: A sprinkle of salt right after frying enhances all the flavors.

Fun Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the classic version, there are plenty of fun ways to switch up shrimp toast:

• Use different breads like challah, brioche, or croissants

• Coat with panko or flaky breadcrumbs instead of sesame seeds

• Swap in crab meat, lobster, or fish for the shrimp

• Add cheese fillings like cream cheese or mozzarella

• Experiment with spicier seasonings like sriracha or five-spice powder

• Garnish with avocado, mango, or other fruits

• Serve as a lettuce wrap filling or slider bun filling

The possibilities are endless when riffing on shrimp toast!

Is Shrimp Toast Healthy?

With its fried preparation and white bread base, shrimp toast lands on the indulgent side of the healthy eating spectrum. But a few small servings can be enjoyed as part of an overall balanced diet.

To lighten up shrimp toast:

• Use whole wheat or multigrain bread

• Bake or air fry instead of deep frying

• Cut down on added oil for frying

• Load up on veggie stir-frys and brown rice

When made judiciously, shrimp toast satisfies a craving for American-Chinese flavors without derailing your nutrition goals. But its high fat and carb content make it best reserved for occasional treats.

Where to Order Takeout Shrimp Toast

If you don’t feel like firing up the stove, takeout shrimp toast can satisfy the comfort food craving. Here are some top spots for ordering shrimp toast delivery:

• PF Chang’s: Their Shanghai-style shrimp toast on crispy sesame bread gets rave reviews.

• Panda Express: A reliable choice at the mall food court when you’re short on time.

• Din Tai Fung: The soup dumpling experts also make textbook crispy shrimp toast.

• Han Dynasty: Their “dynasty shrimp” toast puts a modern spicy spin on the classic.

• Joe’s Shanghai: A popular order alongside their famous soup dumplings.

Check the menus of your local Chinese restaurants to see who does shrimp toast best in your area.

Bring On the Crunch with Shrimp Toast

With its crispy fried exterior and savory shrimp filling, shrimp toast has earned its place as a favorite Chinese restaurant appetizer. Partake in moderation to avoid overdoing it on fat and carbs. But don’t be afraid to indulge in this satisfying and addictive snack every now and then.

The next time you’re craving something crispy, crunchy, and full of nostalgic American-Chinese flavors, whip up a batch of shrimp toast. Or head to your favorite takeout spot and let them do the work for you. However you choose to enjoy it, shrimp toast delivers bold flavors and fun textures in one iconic finger food.