West Lake Shrimp Cakes, a famous Hanoi street food, captivates visitors not only with its distinctive delicious flavor but also with its rustic and approachable charm. Each golden, crispy cake, combined with the sweetness of shrimp, the buttery flavor of sweet potato, dipped generously in sweet and sour fish sauce, and complemented by fresh herbs, creates an unforgettable culinary experience. Are you ready to discover the secret to making this unforgettable shrimp cake? Let’s join “Du lịch khắp thế gian” in the kitchen!
West Lake Shrimp Cakes: Hanoi Culinary Essence
West Lake Shrimp Cake is not just a dish, but also a distinctive part of Hanoi’s culinary culture. From simple ingredients like shrimp, sweet potatoes, and flour, this cake has become a specialty loved by many. Visitors to Hanoi often come to the West Lake area to enjoy shrimp cakes, admiring the poetic lake scenery while savoring the unique flavor of this dish. So, what makes West Lake Shrimp Cakes so appealing?
Close-up of crispy West Lake Shrimp Cake
West Lake Shrimp Cakes are appealing not only for their taste but also for their preparation and enjoyment. The cakes are fried until golden and crispy, served with fresh herbs and sweet and sour dipping sauce, creating a perfect balance of flavors. This dish is not only delicious but also visually appealing, with the golden brown color of the cake, the fresh green of the herbs, and the red of the chili.
Ingredient Preparation: The Secret to Delicious Cakes
To make authentic and delicious West Lake Shrimp Cakes, ingredient preparation is extremely important. Below is a list of the necessary ingredients:
Ingredients for Shrimp Cakes (for 4 servings)
- Fresh shrimp: 300g (choose fresh, lively shrimp)
- Sweet potato: 300g (choose sweet potato or yellow sweet potato, without blemishes)
- All-purpose flour: 100g
- Rice flour: 50g
- Tapioca starch (cassava flour): 30g (helps make the cakes crispier)
- Turmeric powder: 1/2 teaspoon (creates a beautiful yellow color)
- Dried shallots: 1 shallot
- Garlic: 2 cloves
- Egg: 1 (optional, makes the cakes softer)
- Seasoning: Salt, pepper, sugar, MSG (optional), cooking oil
- Fresh herbs to serve: Lettuce, mint, perilla leaves…
Ingredients for Dipping Sauce
- Good quality fish sauce: 3 tablespoons
- Sugar: 3 tablespoons
- Fresh lime juice: 2 tablespoons
- Garlic: 1 clove
- Fresh chili: 1 (adjust to taste)
- Green papaya: 1/4 (optional, for pickled papaya)
- Carrot: 1/4 (optional, for pickled carrot)
Detailed and Easy West Lake Shrimp Cake Recipe
With the detailed recipe below from “Du lịch khắp thế gian,” you can completely make delicious, crispy West Lake Shrimp Cakes at home:
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
- Shrimp: Wash thoroughly, cut off antennae, remove the black vein along the back. Marinate shrimp with a pinch of salt, pepper, MSG, and minced shallots and garlic for about 15 minutes.
- Sweet potato: Peel, wash, and shred thinly. Soak shredded sweet potato in diluted salt water for about 30 minutes to remove excess starch, which helps make the cakes crispier. Then drain and set aside.
- Dried shallots, garlic: Peel and mince.
- Fresh herbs: Wash thoroughly, soak in diluted salt water, and drain.
- Green papaya, carrot (if using): Peel and shred. Mix papaya and carrot with a pinch of salt, sugar, and vinegar to make pickles.
Step 2: Prepare the Batter
- In a large bowl, mix together all-purpose flour, rice flour, tapioca starch, turmeric powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Gradually add water, stirring well until the batter is smooth and reaches a medium consistency – not too thick, not too thin.
- If using egg, crack the egg into the batter and stir well.
- Let the batter rest for about 30 minutes before frying.
Mixing batter for West Lake Shrimp Cakes with ingredients
Mixing shrimp cake batter correctly for crispy and delicious cakes.
Step 3: Fry the Shrimp Cakes
- Heat cooking oil in a deep pan or pot. The oil level should be deep enough to submerge the cakes for even cooking and crispiness.
- Dip a ladle or spoon into the hot oil before scooping batter to prevent sticking.
- Scoop a sufficient amount of batter into the ladle, add a few shrimp and some shredded sweet potato on top.
- Gently place the ladle of batter into the hot oil.
- Fry the cakes over medium heat until golden brown on both sides.
- Remove the cakes and drain excess oil on paper towels.
Step 4: Make the Dipping Sauce
- In a small bowl, dissolve sugar in fish sauce and lime juice.
- Add minced garlic and chili, stir well.
- Adjust seasoning to taste.
Step 5: Enjoy
- Arrange the fried golden shrimp cakes on a plate, serve with fresh herbs and pickles.
- Dip the shrimp cakes in the sweet and sour fish sauce and enjoy.
Tips for Keeping Shrimp Cakes Crispy Longer
To keep shrimp cakes crispy for longer, apply these tips:
- Choose fresh sweet potatoes: Fresh sweet potatoes have the right sweetness and moisture content, helping the cakes crisp up better.
- Soak sweet potatoes in diluted salt water: This step helps remove excess starch from the sweet potatoes, preventing the cakes from becoming soggy when fried.
- Double fry the cakes: Fry the cakes lightly the first time until cooked through, remove and let cool. Fry again the second time until golden brown and crispy.
- Fry over medium heat: Frying over high heat will cause the cakes to burn quickly on the outside while the inside is still undercooked.
Interesting Variations for Shrimp Cakes
In addition to the traditional recipe, you can vary the shrimp cakes to your personal preference:
- Add dried shrimp to the batter: Dried shrimp will enhance the savory flavor of the cakes.
- Use other vegetables: You can replace sweet potatoes with taro, carrots, or jicama.
- Make vegetarian shrimp cakes: Replace shrimp with mushrooms or tofu.
West Lake Shrimp Cakes: A Must-Try Dish When Visiting Hanoi
West Lake Shrimp Cakes are not only a popular snack but also a specialty that visitors cannot miss when coming to Hanoi. Strolling around breezy West Lake, enjoying hot, crispy shrimp cakes, and experiencing the distinctive flavors of Hanoi cuisine will surely be a memorable experience. Try making this dish at home and share the culinary joy with your family and friends!