Dried Baby Shrimp
薄くて透き通るエビの皮！？ひとつまみで白菜スープが料亭の味に化ける
Description
Dried tiny shrimp like whitebait, even smaller than Sakura shrimp or dried shrimp (Xiami), with extremely thin (skin-like) shells. A genius at making dashi and flavoring.
Classification: For Everyone,Dried Goods,Soup-Changing Tiny Shrimp
Shops selling Dried Baby Shrimp
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On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The How to use section below is a general reference, not instructions from the listed shops.
How to use
Ingredients
- Tiny sea shrimp (Akiami paste shrimp
- etc.)
- Salt
Instructions
- [Prep/Usage]
- [Use As Is] Shells are thin and don't stay in the mouth, so no rehydrating needed; the biggest merit is tossing it directly into pots/pans.
- [Bao Xiang (Aroma Release)] When making stir-fries/soups, first slowly sauté this Xia Pi with a little oil and scallions (or garlic) on low to transfer intense 'ocean aroma' to the oil.
- [Soup (Bai Cai Doufu Tang, etc.)] Just adding a pinch of sautéed Xia Pi to a simple cabbage and tofu soup melts shrimp umami throughout, deepening the taste dramatically.
- [Steamed Egg (Chawanmushi)] Mixing it as an ingredient in Taiwanese steamed egg (Zheng Dan) makes shrimp umami settle at the bottom, becoming supremely delicious.
Learn more Substitutes, pairings, tips
Key spices
Intense savory shrimp and ocean aroma
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Japanese dried Ami shrimp or baby shrimp (almost identical)
Pairing
Cabbage soup, Daikon soup, Steamed egg (Zheng Dan), Cabbage stir-fry
Trivia
[For Everyone] If dried shrimp (Xiami) adds 'texture and strong richness', Xia Pi adds 'easy flavor and dashi'. Cheap and versatile, it's always stocked in Taiwanese mothers' kitchens. Just adding a pinch of this and salt to hot water completes a splendid seafood soup. Magic powder (shrimp).
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] Hide this Xia Pi at the bottom of Taiwan's breakfast staple 'Xian Doujiang (savory soy milk soup)', making shrimp umami explode when the black vinegar and hot soy milk mix!
Allergen
Shrimp