Shrimp Toast Recipe Vietnamese Style Made Easy

Vietnamese shrimp toast, or Bánh mì tôm, is a delightful appetizer that perfectly blends crispy textures with flavorful shrimp topping. This dish is a popular street food favorite in Vietnam and has gained international acclaim for its irresistible crunch and savory seafood taste.

If you’re looking to impress your guests or simply enjoy a delicious snack, making shrimp toast at home is easier than you think. The combination of minced shrimp, garlic, and green onions spread over toasted bread creates a dish that’s both elegant and comforting.

Whether you serve it as a party appetizer or alongside a bowl of pho for a complete Vietnamese meal, shrimp toast is guaranteed to become a regular in your kitchen rotation. In this post, we’ll walk you through every step of the recipe, share tips to get the perfect texture, and even suggest some variations to customize your shrimp toast experience.

Let’s dive into the flavors of Vietnam with this crispy, savory treat!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Shrimp toast offers a fantastic mix of textures and flavors that make it stand out from other appetizers. The shrimp topping is juicy, seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices, while the bread underneath turns perfectly golden and crunchy when fried.

This recipe is also highly adaptable, allowing you to adjust the spice level or add extra ingredients like water chestnuts for crunch.

Another reason to love this dish is how quick it comes together — it’s perfect for last-minute entertaining or a fun weekend project. Plus, shrimp toast pairs beautifully with classic Vietnamese dipping sauces like nuoc cham, bringing a burst of tangy, sweet, and salty notes to every bite.

With minimal ingredients and easy steps, you’ll enjoy a gourmet snack without the fuss.

Ingredients

• 300g raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 green onions, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1 egg white (helps bind the mixture)
• 4 slices white bread, crusts removed and cut into triangles
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Optional: 2 tablespoons finely chopped water chestnuts for crunch
• Nuoc cham dipping sauce (recipe here)

Equipment

• Food processor or sharp knife (for chopping shrimp)
• Mixing bowl
• Frying pan or deep fryer
• Slotted spoon or tongs
• Paper towels (for draining excess oil)
• Cutting board
• Measuring spoons

Instructions

1. Prepare the shrimp mixture: Roughly chop the raw shrimp using a food processor or knife until finely minced but not pureed. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
2. Add aromatics and seasoning: Mix in the minced garlic, chopped green onions, fish sauce, sugar, white pepper, and egg white. If using, fold in finely chopped water chestnuts for added crunch.
3. Combine well: Stir the mixture until it becomes sticky and holds together. This helps the topping stay on the bread during frying.
4. Prepare the bread: Remove crusts from white bread slices and cut each slice into two or four triangles, depending on your preferred size.
5. Spread the shrimp topping: Using a spoon or spatula, evenly spread about 1-2 tablespoons of the shrimp mixture on one side of each bread triangle. Press gently to adhere.
6. Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a frying pan to a depth of about 1/2 inch and heat over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking (about 350°F or 175°C).
7. Fry the shrimp toast: Carefully place the bread triangles shrimp-side down into the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes or until the shrimp topping is golden and cooked through.
8. Flip and crisp the other side: Turn the toast over and fry the bread side for another 1-2 minutes until golden and crisp.
9. Drain excess oil: Remove shrimp toast from the pan using a slotted spoon or tongs and place on paper towels to drain.
10. Serve immediately: Serve warm with nuoc cham dipping sauce or your favorite chili sauce.

Tips & Variations

Tip: For an extra crispy crust, lightly toast the bread triangles in a dry pan before spreading the shrimp mixture.

Variation: Add finely chopped cilantro or Thai basil to the shrimp mixture for a fresh herbal twist.

Make it spicy: Incorporate finely diced fresh chili or a dash of chili flakes into the shrimp topping for some heat.

Healthier version: Instead of frying, bake the shrimp toasts in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes until golden and cooked through.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

Shrimp toast pairs wonderfully as an appetizer with Vietnamese noodle soups like Pho or alongside a fresh green papaya salad. For a complete Vietnamese-inspired meal, serve it with spring rolls and a bowl of hot broth.

For parties, arrange shrimp toasts on a platter with small bowls of nuoc cham and chili sauce for dipping. Garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro or mint to brighten the presentation.

You can also serve it with a crisp cucumber salad to balance the richness of the fried shrimp toast.

Conclusion

Vietnamese shrimp toast is a deliciously crispy and savory treat that brings a taste of Vietnamese street food right into your kitchen. With its simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, this recipe is perfect for both beginners and seasoned cooks looking to explore new flavors.

The combination of juicy shrimp, aromatic seasonings, and crunchy bread makes it an irresistible snack or appetizer.

Whether you’re planning a casual get-together or craving a tasty bite, shrimp toast is a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to impress. Try experimenting with the variations and serve it alongside some classic Vietnamese dishes for a truly immersive dining experience.

Happy cooking!

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