What is it
Crystal Shrimp
Crystal Shrimp (水晶虾仁) is a classic Shanghai dish made with peeled shrimp. The shrimp are lightly seasoned and quickly cooked, giving them a tender texture and a clean, delicate flavor. Despite the name, the dish doesn't contain crystal—the name comes from the shrimp's glossy, translucent appearance.
Culture
The story behind the dish
ts glossy, almost see-through surface comes from cleaning the shrimp carefully, then coating them lightly with egg white and starch before gentle cooking. The word “crystal” describes this translucent, pearl-like appearance rather than an extra ingredient. The preparation belongs to Shanghai’s restaurant cooking and differs visually from the dark, soy-based dishes often associated with the city.
Reference
For reference
Every kitchen does it its own way. What follows is the typical version — ingredients, heat and price shift from city to city and from one restaurant to the next, so take it as a guide rather than a fixed recipe.
SpicinessNot spicy
Main ingredientShrimp
FlavourLight, savoury
Usually servedHot
Good forSharing / Lunch / Dinner
Where it is fromShanghai and the Jiangnan region
Last updated 2026-09-05
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