Delicious Mantis Shrimp Recipes: A Compilation of Super Tasty Preparations

Mantis shrimp, also known as “bề bề,” is a type of seafood loved by many for its sweet, firm meat and rich nutritional content. However, quite a few people are wondering what delicious dishes can be made with mantis shrimp? Therefore, in this article, Ola Squid will help you answer the above question as well as reveal some tips for processing and preserving fresh mantis shrimp at home. Let’s explore right now!

1. What is Mantis Shrimp (bề bề)?

Mantis shrimp, also called bề bề, tôm tích, or tôm búa, is a crustacean belonging to the stomatopod group (Stomatopoda). This shrimp species often lives in warm waters from tropical to temperate regions, with Vietnam’s coastal areas possessing a rich and diverse source of mantis shrimp. Mantis shrimp come in many different sizes, with the largest individuals reaching up to 38 cm in length.

The mantis shrimp’s body is encased in a hard shell from head to tail, with body colors varying from brown, green, and pink to light yellow depending on the species. They have 8 pairs of legs, with 5 front pairs used for hunting and the remaining 3 pairs supporting swimming. In particular, the mantis shrimp’s eyes are very complex, attached to mobile antennae, helping them perceive the surrounding environment and detect prey effectively.

Mantis shrimp usually hide in burrows and only come out when hunting small fish, mollusks, or other crustaceans. With its naturally chewy and sweet meat, mantis shrimp is a popular type of seafood, being both delicious and nutritious.

2. Nutritional Value of Mantis Shrimp (bề bề)

Mantis shrimp is not only a delicious seafood dish but also carries high nutritional value, which is very good for health. Shrimp meat is rich in protein, providing energy and essential amino acids to help maintain muscles and strengthen resistance. Additionally, mantis shrimp contains many important minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and phosphorus, contributing to strengthening bones and teeth and supporting nervous system function.

The B-group vitamin content in mantis shrimp helps promote metabolism, while the omega-3 fatty acids in the shrimp meat support cardiovascular health and improve brain health. With its rich nutritional value, mantis shrimp is an ideal choice for meals that are both tasty and nutritious.

3. How to Choose and Buy Fresh Mantis Shrimp (bề bề)

When buying mantis shrimp, you should keep the following points in mind to ensure the shrimp is fresh and high-quality:

• Choose live shrimp: Live shrimp have firm meat, natural sweetness, and a sturdy shell.
• Check the shell: The shell should be shiny, not bruised, cracked, or scratched.
• Observe the color: Fresh mantis shrimp usually have brown, green, pink, or light yellow colors depending on the species.

• Choose healthy ones: Claws and legs should be intact, not broken or mushy.
• Smell: Fresh shrimp have a natural sea smell; avoid shrimp with foul or unpleasantly fishy odors.
• Moderate size: Choose shrimp of uniform size, avoiding those that are too large or too small, which helps the meat stay firm and sweet when processed.

4. What delicious dishes can be made with mantis shrimp?

Mantis shrimp can be prepared into a variety of delicious dishes ranging from grilled, stir-fried, and steamed to soups, porridges, noodles, thick noodle soups, and more. Here are some attractive dish suggestions:

4.1. Salt-toasted Mantis Shrimp

Salt-toasted mantis shrimp is a simple yet extremely appealing dish, suitable for weekend gatherings with family and friends. Each mantis shrimp is evenly toasted with a spicy chili-salt layer, preserving the natural chewy sweetness of the shrimp meat.

Ingredients:

• Mantis shrimp (bề bề)
• Lemongrass, dried shallots
• Chili powder
• Seasoning: salt, seasoning powder, cooking oil

How to make salt-toasted mantis shrimp:

• 1. Prepare ingredients: Choose fresh mantis shrimp, wash thoroughly, and let drain. Crush the lemongrass and shred it, peel the dried shallots, wash, and slice.
• 2. Fry the shrimp: Sauté the shallots in oil until fragrant, then remove and set aside. Place the mantis shrimp in the pan, deep-fry until the shrimp turns golden and crispy, then remove and drain the oil.
• 3. Salt-toasting: Place the shrimp in a bowl, add salt, chili powder, lemongrass, and fried shallots, then shake well so the seasoning coats the shrimp. Salt-toasted mantis shrimp is fragrant and crispy with a bold flavor, best served hot with chili sauce or salt, pepper, and lime.

See more: Instructions for making flavorful salt and chili toasted dried squid

4.2. Mantis Shrimp Patties

Mantis shrimp patties are a perfect choice to change the flavor of your meal, especially for those who love the taste of mantis shrimp meat. The golden-fried patties release an attractive aroma right as they come out of the pan, making it hard for anyone to resist.

Ingredients (for 3 people)

• 600 g mantis shrimp
• 150 g peeled shrimp and 300 g raw pork paste
• 2 lemongrass stalks, 3 purple shallots
• 100 g shiitake mushrooms
• 1/3 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt

How to make mantis shrimp patties

• 1. Prepare ingredients: Remove the meat from the mantis shrimp, wash with the peeled shrimp, and mince finely. Mince the lemongrass, shallots, and shiitake mushrooms.
• 2. Mix the filling: Next, place the mantis shrimp meat, peeled shrimp, raw pork paste, lemongrass, shallots, and mushrooms in a bowl. Add pepper and seasoning salt, then mix well by hand until the ingredients are blended.
• 3. Shaping and Steaming: Then, take a sufficient amount of the paste and mold it around a whole mantis shrimp to create an eye-catching shape. Arrange on a plate and steam for 10-15 minutes until cooked, then let cool.
• 4. Frying: Heat oil and fry the patties over medium heat until golden brown. Mantis shrimp patties are crispy on the outside, sweet on the inside, with a hint of lemongrass and mushroom. You should serve them with sweet and sour dipping sauce or chili sauce to enhance the flavor.

See more: The secret to making chewy, succulent, and beautifully golden fried squid cakes

4.3. Steamed Mantis Shrimp with Lemongrass

What delicious dishes can be made with mantis shrimp? If you want a simple preparation that isn’t fussy, you can choose steamed mantis shrimp with lemongrass. As soon as you open the lid, the pungent aroma of lemongrass spreads throughout the kitchen, immediately stimulating the senses. The steamed shrimp meat is just cooked through, soft, sweet, and naturally rich, perfectly combining with spicy, sour, and salty chili-lime salt, providing an attractive and flavorful dish.

Ingredients

• 1 kg mantis shrimp
• 5-7 lemongrass stalks and 1 piece of ginger
• ½ tablespoon seasoning salt
• 1 cup of water (can be replaced with beer)

How to make steamed mantis shrimp with lemongrass:

• 1. Prepare ingredients: Choose healthy, fresh mantis shrimp, wash them, and drain. Wash the lemongrass, crush it, and cut it into thin pieces. Peel and thinly slice the ginger.
• 2. Steaming: Next, arrange the lemongrass and ginger at the bottom of the pot, and place the mantis shrimp on top. Add the seasoning salt and water (or beer) and steam for about 15-20 minutes until the shrimp are cooked.
• 3. Enjoy: Use scissors to cut along both sides of the shrimp body to easily remove the meat, then dip in green chili salt to enhance the flavor. Steamed mantis shrimp retains its sweet taste, firm meat, and the aroma of lemongrass and ginger, making it both a delicious and nutritious dish.

See more: How to make delicious and non-fishy steamed squid with lemongrass

4.4. Mantis Shrimp Spring Rolls

Mantis shrimp spring rolls are a dish that is both unique and easy to make, perfect for showing off your skills at weekend parties. The golden, crispy spring roll skin encases a chewy, sweet filling made from fresh mantis shrimp, pork, and perfectly cooked vegetables, preserving their natural flavors.

Ingredients

• 300 g mantis shrimp
• 150 g ground pork, 100 g rice paper wrappers
• Carrots, jicama, shiitake mushrooms
• 2 egg yolks
• Purple shallots, green onions, garlic, chili, calamansi
• Seasoning: cooking oil, seasoning powder, pepper, MSG, sugar, vinegar, fish sauce, chili sauce

How to make mantis shrimp spring rolls

• Peel, wash, and finely mince the mantis shrimp. Peel, wash, and mince the carrots, jicama, and shallots. Finely chop the green onions; soak the shiitake mushrooms until soft, wash, and mince. Peel, wash, and mince the garlic and chili.
• Next, place the minced mantis shrimp and ground pork in a bowl and mix well. Add the carrots, jicama, shallots, green onions, mushrooms, 2 egg yolks, seasoning powder, pepper, and MSG, and mix everything into a uniform mixture.
• Then, spread out the rice paper, scoop 1 tablespoon of filling onto it, and roll tightly so the roll doesn’t come apart. Heat a generous amount of oil in a pan, and fry the rolls over low heat until evenly golden and crispy, then remove and drain.
• Mix 3 tablespoons of sugar, vinegar, filtered water, fish sauce, 1 teaspoon of calamansi juice, and 2 tablespoons of chili sauce. Add 1 teaspoon of minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of minced chili, then stir well.
• The mantis shrimp spring rolls are golden and crispy with a sweet filling. When enjoying, you can dip the rolls in sweet and sour fish sauce or chili sauce, or eat them with fresh vermicelli and raw herbs to round out the dish.

4.5. Garlic Sautéed Mantis Shrimp

This extremely attractive garlic sautéed mantis shrimp dish can be chosen as an appetizer or for a weekend family meal. After preparation, fresh mantis shrimp are fried until they turn orange-red, and then continued to be sautéed with fragrant fried garlic for about 5 minutes, creating an irresistible aroma.

Ingredients

• 1 kg mantis shrimp
• 10 g minced garlic, 40 g unsalted butter
• Seasoning: cooking oil, sugar, seasoning powder, MSG

How to make garlic sautéed mantis shrimp:

• Wash the mantis shrimp under cold water, shake several times to clean, and drain.
• Heat 200 ml of oil in a pan, drop the shrimp in and fry until the shell turns orange-red, the meat firms up, and the body curls. Then, remove the shrimp and drain.
• Next, put 5 tablespoons of oil in the pan and fry the minced garlic until golden and fragrant. Add the shrimp, lower the heat, and then season with 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of MSG, 1/3 tablespoon of seasoning powder, and the unsalted butter.
• Finally, stir-fry evenly for 5 minutes so the shrimp absorbs the seasoning. Garlic sautéed mantis shrimp is aromatic, sweet, and buttery; enjoy it while it’s still hot.

The shrimp meat is firm and naturally sweet, mixed with the buttery fragrance of crispy fried garlic, making the dish both visually appealing and appetite-stimulating. When eating, you can dip it in salt, pepper, and lime or green chili salt, and add a few stalks of laksa leaves to make the garlic sautéed mantis shrimp even more wonderful.

See more: How to make delicious garlic-infused dried squid that everyone loves

4.6. Steamed Mantis Shrimp with Beer

Steamed mantis shrimp with beer has a quick and easy preparation method yet remains extremely attractive by combining the natural sweet flavor of mantis shrimp with beer and lemongrass. When steaming, beer helps the mantis shrimp become aromatic while effectively neutralizing the fishy smell, keeping the meat firm and visually pleasing with its reddish-pink hue.

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1/2 kg mantis shrimp
• 1/2 can of beer (about 165 ml)
• 2 lemongrass stalks and 1/2 ginger root
• Salt, pepper, lime, chili for dipping

How to make steamed mantis shrimp with beer

• Wash the mantis shrimp, soak in salt water for 5-10 minutes, rinse with clean water, and drain. Cut the lemongrass into sections and crush them; wash the ginger and shred it.
• Arrange a layer of lemongrass at the bottom of the pot, put the mantis shrimp in, and cover with the remaining lemongrass and ginger. Pour the beer in and simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes until the shrimp are cooked.
• Display the shrimp on a plate and serve with salt, pepper, lime, and a few chili slices. The shrimp meat is naturally sweet and more flavorful thanks to being steamed with beer; it tastes best while hot.

See more: How to make sweet and delicious steamed squid with beer at home without being fishy

4.7. Tamarind Stir-fried Mantis Shrimp

Tamarind stir-fried mantis shrimp dish is rich with a characteristic sweet and sour flavor, blended with a subtle spicy kick. The chewy, sweet mantis shrimp meat is evenly coated in a thick tamarind sauce, providing a full experience of the delicious flavor of each piece of shrimp once the shell is removed.

Required ingredients:

• 1 kg mantis shrimp
• 100 g tamarind, 50 g minced garlic
• 50 ml filtered water
• Laksa leaves, roasted peanuts
• Seasoning: sugar, seasoning powder, MSG, cooking oil, chili powder, pepper, fish sauce

How to make tamarind stir-fried mantis shrimp

• 1 – Frying the shrimp: First, heat 50 ml of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the mantis shrimp and fry until they are cooked and red. Remove the shrimp and drain the oil.
• 2 – Mixing the tamarind sauce: Next, mix the tamarind with filtered water, squeezing to get the tamarind pulp and removing the seeds. Add sugar, seasoning powder, MSG, chili powder, pepper, and fish sauce, mixing until the mixture is smooth and thick.
• 3 – Stir-frying shrimp with tamarind sauce: Then, sauté the minced garlic in 2 tablespoons of oil until golden and fragrant, and add the shrimp to stir-fry. Pour the tamarind sauce in and stir gently for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the shrimp. Place on a plate, sprinkle with laksa leaves and roasted peanuts; serving hot makes it even more appetite-stimulating, ensuring that anyone who tries it will find it hard to forget.

4.8. Crispy Fried Mantis Shrimp with Tamarind Sauce

Crispy fried mantis shrimp with tamarind sauce features a crispy, evenly golden outer shell with soft, sweet, and firm mantis shrimp meat inside. When the sweet and sour tamarind sauce is drizzled over it, the dish becomes fragrant and rich, perfectly blending the crunch of the batter and the natural sweetness of the shrimp.

Ingredients (for 2–3 people)

• 400 g mantis shrimp
• 100 g flour, 1 egg
• 100 g breadcrumbs
• 100 g fresh tamarind
• Seasoning: seasoning salt, pepper, onion, garlic, ginger
• Cooking oil, sugar

How to make crispy fried mantis shrimp with tamarind sauce

• Wash the newly bought mantis shrimp with diluted salt water, cut off the head and side edges, and let drain. Marinate the mantis shrimp with seasoning salt and pepper for about 15 minutes.
• Next, mix the tamarind with 50 ml of warm water, mash for the juice, and filter out the pulp. Roll the mantis shrimp through the flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs, then deep-fry until golden and crispy on both sides, and remove to drain.
• Then, sauté minced onion, garlic, and ginger in a tablespoon of oil until fragrant. Add the tamarind juice, sugar, and a bit of salt, then stir well. Drizzle the sauce over the fried mantis shrimp and enjoy immediately while hot with white rice or a few cucumber slices.

4.9. Mantis Shrimp Noodles

Mantis shrimp noodles are delicious and suitable for changing your taste on days when you are tired of rice. The clear broth from the mantis shrimp meat combined with crispy golden-fried tofu that remains soft inside provides an irresistibly rich flavor.

Ingredients to prepare for:

• 500 g mantis shrimp (bề bề)
• 1 kg fresh rice vermicelli
• 4 tomatoes, 1 ginger piece
• 2 purple shallots, 2 green onion stalks
• 2 saw-leaf herb stalks, 4 pieces of tofu
• 300 g accompanying vegetables such as lettuce, herbs, banana blossom, water spinach
• Seasoning: salt, sugar, seasoning powder, fish sauce, cooking oil, fried shallots

How to make mantis shrimp noodles:

• Wash the mantis shrimp, place sliced ginger and 1 crushed purple shallot in the pot, and boil for about 5 minutes. Remove the mantis shrimp, let cool, and remove the meat. Wash the tomatoes and cut into wedges; cut tofu into bite-sized pieces and fry until golden and crispy.
• Next, blend the heads and shells of the mantis shrimp with 600 ml of water, and filter for the liquid. Sauté 1 minced purple shallot with tomatoes in 1 tablespoon of oil for about 5 minutes, then add the mantis shrimp liquid. Season with fish sauce, seasoning powder, salt, and sugar, boil for 15 minutes, and adjust seasoning to taste.
• Then, arrange the fried tofu, mantis shrimp meat, herbs, green onions, saw-leaf herb, and fried shallots in a noodle bowl, and pour the hot broth over. When enjoying, you can add raw vegetables like lettuce, basil, shredded water spinach, or bean sprouts to make the dish fresher and balance the taste.

See more: How to cook Phu Yen style squid noodle soup with clear broth and crispy squid

4.10. Mantis Shrimp Porridge

What delicious and nutritious dish can be made with mantis shrimp for the whole family? You can consider this mantis shrimp porridge. The steaming hot porridge blends with firm, sweet mantis shrimp meat, adding the gentle sweetness of red dates and the aroma of dill and laksa leaves, creating an unforgettable taste.

Ingredients to prepare:

• 200 g rice
• 500 g fresh mantis shrimp (bề bề)
• 20 g fresh lotus seeds, 10 g dried shiitake mushrooms
• 10 g dried red dates, 3 purple shallots
• 4 garlic cloves, a bit of green onion, laksa leaves
• A little chili powder, cooking oil
• Seasoning: seasoning powder, fish sauce, pepper

How to make mantis shrimp porridge with red dates and shiitake mushrooms

• 1 – Cooking the porridge and lotus seeds: Wash the rice, put it in a pot with 600 ml of water, and cook over medium heat. When the porridge boils, open the lid, simmer for about 1 hour, and remember to stir well so it doesn’t burn. After the porridge is soft, add the lotus seeds to cook together.
• 2 – Prepare mantis shrimp and ingredients: Next, boil the mantis shrimp and remove the meat. Peel, wash, and mince the shallots, garlic, and ginger. Wash and chop the green onions and laksa leaves. Soak shiitake mushrooms until soft, wash, and slice; wash the red dates and make a slit while keeping the fruit whole.
• 3 – Stir-frying mantis shrimp: Then, sauté the shallots and garlic with a bit of oil, and add the mantis shrimp to stir-fry with 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder. Add minced ginger and shiitake mushrooms, stir until the shrimp is slightly golden, then season with a bit of chili powder, mix well, and turn off the stove.
• 4 – Completing the porridge: While the porridge is boiling, add the red dates, 1 teaspoon of satay sauce, and 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, and stir well. Add the stir-fried mantis shrimp and shiitake mushrooms, stir gently, and turn off the stove. Add green onions and laksa leaves before scooping into a bowl.
• 5 – Enjoy: Finally, scoop the porridge into a bowl, sprinkle with more pepper and herbs, and arrange the mantis shrimp on top. The porridge has a pungent, slightly spicy scent, with naturally sweet mantis shrimp meat combined with chewy shiitake mushrooms and attractive red dates.

4.11. Mantis Shrimp Soup

Mantis shrimp soup is refreshing and nutritious, carrying the natural sweetness from the firm, chewy shrimp meat. When cooked with fresh sweet leaf (rau ngót), the soup becomes light and fragrant, retaining the attractive green color of the vegetable. This soup is not only easy to make and fast to cook but also a great choice for the whole family to enjoy in daily meals, being both light and nourishing.

Required ingredients:

• 300 g mantis shrimp (bề bề)
• 500 g sweet leaf (rau ngót)
• 1 minced garlic clove
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• Cooking oil, seasoning: salt, seasoning powder, MSG

How to make mantis shrimp soup as follows:

• First, use scissors to cut off the legs and head of the mantis shrimp, then peel the shell along the back, remove the meat, and keep it in bite-sized pieces. Pick the leaves of the sweet leaf, wash them, soak in salt water for 5 minutes to reduce bitterness, and remove to drain.
• Then, boil 500 ml of water, add the sweet leaf to cook for about 5 minutes, and season with salt, seasoning powder, and MSG. Meanwhile, marinate the mantis shrimp with garlic, fish sauce, and ½ teaspoon of MSG, then stir-fry quickly over high heat until the meat is just cooked.
• Scoop the sweet leaf into a bowl, arrange the mantis shrimp on top, and serve while hot with rice. Mantis shrimp meat is sweet and soft, combined with refreshing green sweet leaf to create a simple yet attractive soup.

4.12. Stir-fried Glass Noodles with Mantis Shrimp

Stir-fried glass noodles with mantis shrimp is an attractive dish in both color and flavor, with chewy, soft glass noodles blended with firm, sweet mantis shrimp meat, crunchy wood ear mushrooms, and fresh bok choy.

Ingredients (for 4 people)

• 300 g glass noodles
• 250 g mantis shrimp meat, 200 g peeled shrimp
• 100 g crab meat
• 1 onion, 1 carrot
• 100 g bean sprouts, 1 egg
• Herbs: green onions, laksa leaves, coriander
• Purple shallots, garlic
• Seasoning: cooking oil, seasoning powder, salt, pepper, MSG, fish sauce

How to make stir-fried glass noodles with mantis shrimp

• First, steam the mantis shrimp meat, peeled shrimp, and crab meat until cooked. If using fragmented mantis shrimp, remove shells carefully before steaming. Soak glass noodles in cold water for 10-15 minutes and cut into 10 cm sections.
• Peel and shred the carrot; cut the onion into wedges. Wash the bean sprouts and drain; chop herbs; mince garlic and shallots.
• Next, heat oil and fry shallot slices until golden and crispy, then remove and set aside. Using the same oil, add minced shallots and garlic, stir-fry the mantis shrimp, shrimp, and crab meat with a little salt, seasoning powder, and pepper until flavored, then set aside.
• Put oil in the pan, stir-fry the glass noodles quickly over high heat until firm, then add the egg and stir well. Add carrots, onion, bean sprouts, and herbs, stir for 1-2 minutes, and season to taste. Present the glass noodles on a plate, arrange the seafood on top, and sprinkle with fried shallots to make the dish aromatic and eye-catching.

4.14. Mantis Shrimp Thick Noodle Soup

Mantis shrimp thick noodle soup is a great choice for breakfast or lunch, being both nutritionally rich and appetite-appealing. The soft and chewy thick noodles blend with the sweet broth from fresh mantis shrimp meat.

Ingredients (for 4 people)

• Mantis shrimp meat
• Pork bones, pork belly
• Fish cakes, octopus
• Large vermicelli/thick noodles
• Green onions, coriander, chili, accompanying raw vegetables
• Minced garlic, cashew oil
• Seasoning: salt, seasoning powder, sugar, pepper

Detailed way to make mantis shrimp thick noodle soup:

• First, wash the pork belly, boil until cooked, and cut into thin slices. Blanch pork bones in boiling water, then simmer for 4 hours to extract the sweetness. Briefly blanch fish cakes to remove dust; clean octopus and cut into bite-sized pieces. Peel and wash the mantis shrimp, then briefly sauté with the octopus, retaining the sautéing liquid to pour into the bone broth pot.
• Season to taste, and add cashew oil for a beautiful yellow color in the broth. Add the thick noodles to the broth pot and cook for about 3 minutes.
• Next, scoop into a bowl, arrange the pork belly, fish cakes, mantis shrimp, and octopus on top, pour the broth, and sprinkle with green onions and coriander. This dish is best enjoyed hot with some raw vegetables, ground pepper, and spicy-sour fish sauce or a few drops of calamansi juice to experience the natural sweetness from the bones and seafood.

See more: How to cook delicious and authentic squid thick noodle soup

4.15. Mantis Shrimp Cooked with Gourd

Mantis shrimp soup cooked with gourd is refreshing, not only helping to cool down during sweltering summer days but also adding nutrients for the whole family. The naturally sweet and chewy mantis shrimp meat alongside soft young gourd maintains the green freshness and mild sweetness of the vegetable, creating a light, easy-to-eat soup.

Ingredients (for 2–3 people)

• 500 g mantis shrimp (bề bề)
• 1 young gourd
• Spring onions, dried shallots
• Seasoning: salt, pepper, seasoning powder, cooking oil

How to make mantis shrimp soup with gourd:

• First, wash the mantis shrimp, use scissors to cut along both sides of the body, peel the shell, and take the meat separately. Peel the gourd, wash it, and cut into bite-sized pieces; chop the spring onions and mince the dried shallots.
• Then, sauté the dried shallots with a little oil, and add the mantis shrimp to stir-fry with a bit of salt and seasoning powder to absorb the flavor.
• Add a sufficient amount of water, bring to a boil, then add the gourd, and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the gourd is soft. Adjust seasoning, sprinkle spring onions and ground pepper, turn off the stove, and enjoy with hot rice.

5. Tips for Processing Delicious and Authentic Mantis Shrimp (bề bề)

5.1. How to prevent mantis shrimp (bề bề) from being dry when processing?

To keep mantis shrimp’s natural sweetness and prevent the meat from being dry, you should process it quickly over medium heat, avoiding cooking for too long. When toasting, stir-frying, or steaming, only cook until the meat is just done, preventing the mantis shrimp from heat exposure for too long. Additionally, marinating the shrimp with a bit of salt, pepper, or a little cooking oil before processing also helps retain moisture and enhance the meat’s flavor.

5.2. How to peel mantis shrimp (bề bề) shells easily and quickly

Mantis shrimp have hard, sharp shells, so if you are not careful, you can easily be injured during processing. To peel the shells safely while keeping the sweet meat intact, you can follow these steps:

• Step 1: Use scissors to cut off the head and antennae of the mantis shrimp to make it easier to handle.
• Step 2: Turn the belly side up, tilt the shrimp slightly, and use scissors to cut along both sides of the ribs.
• Step 3: Hold the shrimp body firmly with the other hand, and gently pull the shell away from the tail upward to reveal the meat inside. Once the meat is completely exposed, you just need to take it out and enjoy.

6. How to Preserve Mantis Shrimp (bề bề) to Stay Fresh Longer

Mantis shrimp is a delicious seafood, but its hard shell and chewy meat will quickly lose flavor if not preserved correctly. To keep mantis shrimp fresh longer, you can apply the following methods:

• Storing in the refrigerator: If using within 1-2 days, you should place mantis shrimp in a sealed container or plastic bag and set at a temperature of 0-4°C.
• Storing in the freezer: If you want to store it longer, you can wash, drain, and place mantis shrimp in a vacuum bag or sealed container, preserved at -18°C. When needing to use it, you should defrost in the refrigerator section, avoiding room temperature defrosting to retain the meat’s sweetness.
• Processing before preserving: For mantis shrimp that has been steamed or blanched, you can store it similarly in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, but it should be used early to ensure the best freshness.

7. Frequently Asked Questions about Mantis Shrimp (bề bề)

What season do mantis shrimp (bề bề) appear in?

Mantis shrimp usually appear in large numbers during summer and early autumn when the seawater is warm. However, thanks to modern farming and fishing technology, you can still find mantis shrimp all year round at seafood markets or supermarkets.

Can mantis shrimp (bề bề) be eaten raw?

Fresh mantis shrimp has chewy and sweet meat, but it should not be eaten raw due to its hard shell and the risk of bacteria from raw seafood. Best of all, you should process it by steaming, boiling, stir-frying, or grilling to ensure hygiene safety and preserve the full flavor.

From the suggestions shared, hopefully, you no longer wonder what delicious dishes can be made with mantis shrimp and have found your favorite mantis shrimp dish to change the flavor for a family meal or a weekend party. To explore more delicious and attractive fresh seafood processing recipes, don’t forget to visit the Blog of Ola Squid! Beside fresh mantis shrimp, you can also explore our premium selection of seafood at the Ola Squid Shop to bring home the best taste of Vietnam’s sea.