Giant river prawns have long been one of the most favored seafood types among Vietnamese people thanks to their firm meat, deep sweetness, and a characteristic fresh crunch that not all shrimp species possess. Due to their outstanding flavor and high nutritional value, giant river prawns frequently appear in family meals, parties, or weekend gatherings.

Because of the diversity in preparation methods, many people often ask: what is special about dishes made from giant river prawns? What to cook with giant river prawns to make them delicious? How to cook giant river prawns to preserve their natural sweetness?

In this article, Ola Squid will help you fully answer those questions with a list of the most “authentic” and easy-to-make delicious dishes. These will be perfect suggestions if you want to refresh your family menu with fragrant and attractive giant river prawn dishes.

Summary of content

What to cook with giant river prawns

Below is a list of delicious dishes from giant river prawns with detailed instructions and clear measurements, easy to apply for family meals or entertaining guests.

Giant river prawns with garlic butter sauce

Giant river prawns in garlic butter sauce is a “top-tier” dish of harmony: sweet prawn meat combined with the aroma of butter and a light, rich garlic flavor that isn’t greasy. This is one of the most popular dishes from giant river prawns because it is easy to prepare and suitable for both parties and daily meals.

Ingredients

Giant river prawns: 500-700g
Unsalted butter: 40g
Minced garlic: 3-4 tablespoons
Fish sauce: 1 tablespoon
Sugar: 1 teaspoon
Ground pepper: ½ teaspoon
Coriander for decoration (optional)

Instructions

Wash the prawns, use scissors to cut along the back and remove the black vein.
Heat the pan, add butter to melt, then add garlic and fry until golden and fragrant.
Add prawns to the pan and sear for 2–3 minutes on each side until evenly red.
Season with fish sauce, sugar, and pepper; stir quickly so the prawns are evenly coated in the sauce.
Simmer over low heat for another 3 minutes until the prawns are fully infused.
Turn off the heat, place the prawns on a plate, and pour the remaining sauce over the top.

Rich garlic butter giant river prawns — Rich and creamy giant river prawns with garlic butter sauce

Giant river prawns with tamarind sauce

In the list of what to cook with giant river prawns, the tamarind sauce dish stands out for its sweet and sour taste that stimulates the palate. The tamarind sauce also helps the prawn meat firm up and absorb a rich flavor, perfect for serving with hot rice or bread.

Ingredients

Giant river prawns: 600g
Sour tamarind: 40g
Sugar: 2 tablespoons
Fish sauce: 1 tablespoon
Minced garlic: 1 tablespoon
Minced chili: ½ teaspoon
Cooking oil: 2 tablespoons

Instructions

Soak the tamarind in 3-4 tablespoons of hot water, mash it, and strain to get the juice.
Sauté the garlic until fragrant, then add the prawns and stir-fry until firm.
Pour in the tamarind juice, add sugar, fish sauce, and chili.
Simmer over low heat for 5–7 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Adjust seasoning to taste, turn off the heat, and present the dish.

Sweet and sour tamarind giant river prawns — Rich sweet and sour tamarind giant river prawns

See more: What to cook with mantis shrimp? Summary of super delicious recipes

Grilled giant river prawns with sate

If you love the spicy and aromatic flavor of BBQ dishes, then grilled giant river prawns with sate is definitely an option not to be missed in the collection of how to cook giant river prawns deliciously.

Ingredients

Large giant river prawns: 4-6 pieces
Sate sauce: 2 tablespoons
Cooking oil: 1 tablespoon
Honey: 1 teaspoon
Salt: ½ teaspoon

Instructions

Cut along the back of the prawns but keep the head and claws intact.
Mix sate, oil, honey, and salt to make the marinade sauce.
Spread the mixture evenly on the prawns and marinate for 15 minutes.
Grill over charcoal or in an air fryer at 180°C for 12–15 minutes.
When the prawns are bright red and fragrant, they are ready.

Spicy grilled giant river prawns with sate — Spicy and aromatic sate grilled giant river prawns

Giant river prawns with salted egg sauce

The salted egg sauce is perfectly salty and creamy, fragrant and nutty, combining with giant river prawns to create a dish that is “unforgettably delicious.” This is a popular dish in restaurants, but you can completely make it at home.

Ingredients

Giant river prawns: 500g
Salted egg yolks: 3-4 yolks
Unsalted butter: 30g
Unsweetened fresh milk: 30ml
Minced garlic: 1 teaspoon
Sugar: 1 teaspoon
Curry leaves (optional)

Instructions

Steam the salted egg yolks for 5 minutes then mash them finely.
Sauté garlic with butter, then add the salted egg and stir well.
Add fresh milk and season with sugar, stirring until the sauce thickens.
Sear the prawns until the shells are red.
Add the prawns to the sauce pan, stir gently for 2–3 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Serve on a plate and pour the sauce over the top.

Creamy salted egg sauce giant river prawns — Nutty and creamy giant river prawns with salted egg sauce

Reference more: What to cook with black tiger shrimp? Suggestions for 12 attractive dishes for the whole family

Giant river prawn curry

Giant river prawn curry is a dish with characteristic rich and spicy flavors, intense and fragrant with the smell of curry. The light creamy curry sauce and firm, sweet prawn meat make this dish an ideal choice when you are looking for how to cook giant river prawns deliciously for weekend gatherings.

Ingredients (3-4 people)

Giant river prawns: 700-800g
Curry powder: 1 small packet (10g)
Sweet potato: 150g
Taro: 150g
Coconut milk: 200ml
Minced shallots: 1 tablespoon
Minced garlic: 1 teaspoon
Cooking oil: 2 tablespoons
Salt: ½ teaspoon
Sugar: 1 tablespoon
Fish sauce: 1 tablespoon

Instructions

Wash the prawns, cut off the whiskers, and drain.
Peel the potatoes, cut into bite-sized squares, and soak in salt water to prevent browning.
Sauté shallots and garlic with oil, then add curry powder and stir well to release the aroma.
Add the prawns and stir-fry briefly for 1-2 minutes until firm.
Pour in enough water to barely cover the prawns, bring to a boil for 5 minutes.
Add taro and sweet potatoes, cook until soft.
Add coconut milk, then season with salt, sugar, and fish sauce to taste.
Simmer over low heat for another 5 minutes until the curry sauce thickens.
Ladle into a bowl and serve hot with bread or rice vermicelli.

Fragrant giant river prawn curry — Aromatic and flavorful giant river prawn curry

Giant river prawn hotpot

In the list of what to cook with giant river prawns, giant river prawn hotpot is always at the top thanks to its simple preparation that brings out a naturally sweet flavor. The hotpot broth from the prawn heads is fragrant and sweet, combined with vegetables and mushrooms to create a dish suitable for gatherings.

Ingredients (4 people)

Giant river prawns: 1kg
Chicken or pork bones: 500g (for broth)
Tomatoes: 2 pieces
Pineapple: ½ fruit
Straw mushrooms: 150g
Side vegetables: water spinach, water mimosa, water lily stems…
Seasoning: salt, fish sauce, sugar, chili, shallots

Instructions

Simmer the bones for 45 minutes to get a clear and sweet broth.
Sauté shallots, then lightly stir-fry pineapple and tomatoes to create a beautiful color.
Add the pineapple and tomatoes to the broth, season with salt, sugar, and fish sauce.
Wash the prawns, cut off the whiskers, and keep them whole to preserve the sweetness.
When eating, add the prawns to the boiling hotpot, followed by mushrooms and vegetables as desired.
Serve with fresh rice vermicelli or noodles.

Sweet and refreshing giant river prawn hotpot — Giant river prawn hotpot with a light, sweet taste

Check out: Delicious dried shrimp recipes? 17 irresistible dishes from dried shrimp

Grilled giant river prawns with cheese

Grilled giant river prawns with cheese is an “addictive” dish for those who love the stretchy, rich taste of cheese. Firm, naturally sweet prawn meat blends with the melting cheese layer, making this dish a highlight among dishes from giant river prawns for BBQ parties or home buffets.

Ingredients

Large giant river prawns: 4-6 pieces
Shredded mozzarella cheese: 80g
Unsalted butter: 20g
Minced garlic: 1 teaspoon
Salt: ¼ teaspoon
Pepper: ¼ teaspoon

Instructions

Cut the prawns along the back, keeping the head and claws intact.
Mix melted butter with minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
Spread this mixture onto the prawn meat.
Cover the prawn meat completely with mozzarella cheese.
Grill at 180°C for 12–15 minutes until the cheese is lightly golden.
Serve hot so the cheese maintains its best stretchy texture.

Grilled giant river prawns with cheese — Cheesy grilled giant river prawns

Braised giant river prawns (Kho tau)

Among savory dishes served with rice, braised giant river prawns is a cozy and easy-to-eat option, suitable for both children and adults. The beautiful braised color and balanced sweet and salty flavor make this dish a worthy suggestion when you want to know how to cook giant river prawns deliciously.

Ingredients

Giant river prawns: 500g
Fresh coconut water: 200ml
Fish sauce: 1 tablespoon
Sugar: 1 tablespoon
Minced garlic: 1 teaspoon
Shallot: 1 bulb
Pepper: ½ teaspoon

Instructions

Clean the prawns and drain them.
Sauté shallots and garlic with oil, then add prawns and stir until the shells are red.
Add sugar to caramelize slightly for a golden color.
Pour in coconut water and fish sauce, cook over medium heat.
Simmer the prawns for 10–12 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Sprinkle pepper and turn off the heat.
Serve with hot rice for a very appetizing meal.

Braised giant river prawns with balanced flavors — Braised giant river prawns with a harmonious sweet and salty taste

Giant river prawn noodle soup (Banh canh)

Giant river prawn noodle soup is a naturally sweet dish thanks to the head and claws of the prawn releasing a rich umami flavor. This is one of the very popular choices when homemakers look for how to cook giant river prawns deliciously for an energy-filled breakfast or lunch.

Ingredients (3–4 servings)

Giant river prawns: 600–800g
Rice flour noodles: 400g
Chicken or pork bones: 300g
Shallots: 2 bulbs
Green onions, cilantro: 20g
Seasoning: salt, fish sauce, sugar, pepper
Fried shallots: 1 tablespoon

Instructions

Simmer bones for 45–60 minutes to get clear and sweet broth.
Wash prawns, keep them whole; the heads can be lightly crushed to release the sweet taste.
Sauté shallots, add prawns and stir-fry briefly for 1 minute to release aroma.
Add prawns to the broth, add salt, fish sauce, and sugar to taste.
Blanch the noodles in boiling water for 1–2 minutes, then drain.
Place the noodles in a bowl, pour the broth and prawns over the top.
Sprinkle with fried shallots, green onions, and pepper, then serve hot.

Giant river prawn noodle soup is suitable for an energy-filled breakfast

Reference more: How to cook squid noodle soup fragrant and authentic

Salt-toasted giant river prawns

This is a favorite dish for many drinking tables and families because of its moderately salty, fragrant, nutty, and lightly crispy layer. Among dishes from giant river prawns, the salt-toasted version preserves the sweetness of the meat and is easy to enjoy.

Ingredients

Giant river prawns: 600g
Toasted salt powder (salt + glutinous rice + finely ground green beans): 4 tablespoons
Minced garlic: 1 tablespoon
Minced chili: ½ teaspoon
Cooking oil: 2 tablespoons

Instructions

Wash the prawns, drain, cut off the whiskers, and remove the black vein.
Lightly fry the prawns until the shells turn red and the meat is firm.
Sauté garlic until fragrant, then add the prawns and stir well.
Add the toasted salt mixture, toss quickly so the salt adheres evenly.
Add a bit of minced chili to increase the light spiciness.
Turn off the heat and serve on a plate while the prawns are still hot to maintain crispiness.

Giant river prawns steamed with ginger and onions

When talking about what to cook with giant river prawns, the dish steamed with ginger and onions is always at the top because it preserves the natural sweetness of the prawns. This is a great choice for those who like light, healthy dishes.

Ingredients

Giant river prawns: 500–700g
Ginger: 1 small root (shredded)
Green onions: 20g
White wine: 1 tablespoon
Seasoning: salt, pepper

Instructions

Wash the prawns, keep them whole for an attractive presentation.
Arrange the prawns on a plate, sprinkle ginger and onions over the top.
Drizzle 1 tablespoon of white wine to remove any fishy odor.
Sprinkle a bit of salt and pepper.
Steam for 10–12 minutes; when the prawns turn red, they are just cooked.
Serve with ginger fish sauce or lime salt and pepper.

Giant river prawns steamed with ginger and onions — Giant river prawns steamed with ginger and green onions

Giant river prawns steamed with beer

Giant river prawns steamed with beer carry the gentle aroma of malt, preserving deep sweetness and making the prawn meat firmer compared to steaming with plain water. This is a very suitable dish for family or friend gatherings.

Ingredients

Giant river prawns: 700g
Beer: 1 can
Crushed lemongrass: 3 stalks
Ginger: a few slices
Lime leaves: 3–4 leaves
Seasoning: salt, pepper

Instructions

Pour beer into the pot, add lemongrass, ginger, and lime leaves to create a fragrance.
When the beer boils, arrange the prawns inside to steam for 8-10 minutes.
Do not steam for too long to preserve the juicy sweetness.
When the prawns are uniformly red, turn off the heat and serve on a plate.
Eat with lime salt and pepper or chili fish sauce.

Beer-steamed giant river prawns with sweet meat — Beer-steamed giant river prawns with exceptionally sweet meat

Tips for choosing fresh giant river prawns

Whether processing dishes from giant river prawns is delicious or not depends greatly on the quality of the ingredients. A fresh prawn will provide firm, sweet meat, won’t be mushy, and will preserve its original flavor. If you frequently search for what to cook with giant river prawns for your family, selecting standard prawns is the first step you should master.

Live prawns should swim strongly, react quickly, have the head attached to the body, dark blue claws, and no cracks on the nose.
Fresh prawns have natural green shells and transparent bodies. Avoid dark gray or strangely spotted prawns.
The meat should be firm, elastic, not mushy, and have no strange smell. Pressing it should not leave a long-lasting indentation.
Choose prawns with a thin layer of ice, not deformed.

How to choose fresh giant river prawns — How to select fresh and delicious giant river prawns

These tips will help you be more confident when choosing ingredients for any dish from steaming and grilling to frying and saucing, especially useful when searching for how to cook giant river prawns deliciously.

Read more: How to choose fresh squid that not everyone knows

How much do giant river prawns cost

The price of giant river prawns changes according to the season, size, and type of prawn (live prawns, pre-processed prawns, frozen prawns). However, the reference prices below will help you easily balance for each dish.

Price of live giant river prawns

Small size (10-12 pieces/kg): 280,000 – 330,000 VND/kg
Medium size (6-8 pieces/kg): 380,000 – 450,000 VND/kg
Large size (3-5 pieces/kg): 550,000 – 750,000 VND/kg

Live prawns are always more expensive due to more complex preservation and transportation costs.

Price of frozen / pre-processed giant river prawns

Whole frozen giant river prawns: 210,000 – 260,000 VND/kg
Prawns with whiskers cut, cleaned, and quick-frozen: 260,000 – 320,000 VND/kg

Even though processed, frozen giant river prawns still retain most of their freshness if frozen according to standard techniques.

Why do prices change?

Flood season increases output → prices decrease.
Large prawns with long claws → higher prices.
Supply from reputable farms → more stable prices.
Ecological prawns, natural prawns → higher price than industrial pond prawns.

When wondering what to cook with giant river prawns, you can choose the appropriate size:

For steaming and grilling: choose the large size.
For sauces, curry, and noodle soup: choose the medium or small size.

Every dish in this article has been guided with detailed ingredients and instructions, ensuring anyone can succeed on the first try. Hopefully, you will select your favorite dish and turn giant river prawns into the highlight of your family meal.

If you are interested in more dishes from squid, fish, snails, or want to choose high-quality seafood for your home kitchen, you can visit the Ola Squid Blog to see more recipes and experience in choosing other seafood. Besides fresh prawns, if you are looking for premium seafood snacks, check out our collection of high-quality whole dried squid at OlaSquid.

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What to cook with giant river prawns