Steamed Shrimp with Glass Noodles

Steamed Shrimp with Glass Noodles is a classic Chinese seafood dish that’s both elegant and easy to prepare. Juicy, umami-packed shrimp rest on a bed of slippery, flavor-absorbing glass noodles, all topped with an aromatic garlic-soy sauce and a final sizzling oil pour. Perfect for a light lunch, a festive appetizer, or part of a celebratory seafood dinner!

Recipe

Serving: 2 to 4
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes

For the steamed shrimp with glass noodles:
6 ounces glass noodles
3 cups hot water, for soaking
½ pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 tablespoon scallions, thinly sliced

For the sauce:
8 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium red finger hot pepper, minced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
Pinch of white pepper
2 tablespoons avocado oil, or other high-smoking point oil

Instructions

1. Prepare the noodles and shrimp:

• In a bowl, soak the glass noodles in hot water for 5 minutes until softened. Drain well.
• Wrap the softened noodles into small round nests and place them on a heatproof plate.
• Butterfly the shrimp by slicing along the back without cutting all the way through. Make a small slit in the middle and thread the tail through to create a curled presentation.
• Arrange each shrimp on top of a noodle nest. Set aside.

2. Make the sauce:

• In a small bowl, combine garlic, minced finger pepper, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a pinch of white pepper.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of avocado oil in a small pan over high heat until smoking hot.
• Carefully pour the hot oil over the garlic sauce mixture to release its aroma.

3. Steam the dish:

• Spoon the sauce generously over the shrimp and glass noodles.
• Place the plate into a steamer over high heat. Steam for 3 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and are fully cooked.
• Remove carefully from the steamer and sprinkle scallions on top.

4. Finish with hot oil (optional):

• If desired, heat an additional tablespoon of avocado oil until smoking and pour it over the finished dish for extra aroma and gloss.
• Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & notes

• Perfect shrimp curl: Threading the shrimp tail through a slit helps create an elegant presentation and even steaming.
• Glass noodles = flavor sponge: They absorb all the delicious sauce, making every bite flavorful.
• Hot oil pour: This traditional finishing technique enhances aroma and gives the dish a glossy finish—but you can skip it for a lighter version.
• Use high-smoke-point oil: Avocado oil or grapeseed oil works best for the hot oil pour without burning.