How to Make Authentic Korean-Style Marinated Raw Shrimp, Rich, Sweet, and Non-Fishy

Soy sauce marinated shrimp is a famous Korean dish, captivating with the harmonious salty-sweet flavor of soy sauce, the aroma of garlic and ginger, and the natural sweetness of the shrimp meat. When combined with hot rice, seaweed, or kimchi, the dish offers a rich, exotic experience without requiring elaborate preparation. How to make soy sauce marinated shrimp at home is not too complicated; in the article below, Ola Squid will guide you through each step in detail along with safety notes to make the dish more delicious.

Ingredients for authentic soy sauce marinated shrimp

To make soy sauce marinated shrimp, you should fully prepare the following ingredients:

You can substitute whiteleg shrimp with giant tiger prawns if you prefer thicker and firmer meat. You should choose shrimp of relatively uniform size for easy preparation and to help the seasonings absorb evenly. In addition, prepare a food container with a tight lid, a pot to cook the soy sauce, and clean tongs for convenience during the preparation process.

How to choose fresh and safe shrimp for marinating

Shrimp is the ingredient that largely determines the sweetness and texture of the dish. Therefore, you should choose shrimp with a clear origin, properly cold-stored, and still fresh.

• Observe the shape: Choose shrimp with intact heads and bodies, plump bodies, and a firm feel when touched.
• Check the smell and color: Fresh shrimp has a natural fishy smell, uniform color, and no strange odors.
• Check the joints on the body: Prioritize shrimp with narrow gaps between the joints and firm bodies. If the joints are wide apart, the shrimp may have been kept for a long time or affected by the preservation process.
• Avoid slimy shrimp: Do not choose shrimp with abnormal slime on the shell, as this may be a sign that the shrimp has lost its freshness or has been improperly preserved.

Steps to make authentic Korean-style soy sauce marinated shrimp

Below are the steps to make soy sauce marinated shrimp that you can easily apply right at home.

Step 1 – Preparation and cleaning the shrimp

After buying the shrimp, cut off the feelers, heads, and tails, then wash them and use a toothpick to remove the back vein. Next, rinse the shrimp again with clean water to remove any remaining dirt, then put them in a basket to drain.

Wash the leeks and onions, let them drain, then cut them into bite-sized segments. Peel the ginger, wash it, and slice it thinly. Peel the garlic, leave some cloves whole to use for cooking the soy sauce, and slice the rest to marinate with the shrimp.

Step 2 – Cooking the soy sauce mixture for marinating shrimp

Put 300ml of soy sauce, 600ml of filtered water, 200ml of soju, 20ml of rice syrup, 3 chopped leek stalks, 1/2 onion, sliced ginger, 3 tablespoons of white sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 5 garlic cloves into a pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, stir well to dissolve the sugar and release the aroma of the ingredients. Afterward, turn off the stove and let the soy sauce cool completely before using.

Step 3 – Marinating the shrimp with soy sauce

Put 5 sliced garlic cloves, chopped green and red chili peppers, and the remaining onion into a clean glass jar. Next, arrange the shrimp in the jar and slowly pour the cooled soy sauce in so that it covers all the ingredients evenly. Close the lid tightly and store it in the refrigerator compartment for about 2 – 3 days for the shrimp to absorb the spices before enjoying.

Step 4 – Enjoying

Soy sauce marinated shrimp has the characteristic aroma of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a mild spicy kick from chili. When enjoying, you can peel the shrimp, and eat it with hot white rice and kimchi to balance the flavors. Use clean utensils when taking out the shrimp and only prepare a sufficient amount to enjoy within a short time.

Refer to the shrimp marinating tutorial video here:

See more delicious shrimp dishes:

• How to make refreshing sweet and sour dried squid and shrimp pomelo salad at home

• How to make delicious and simple beer-steamed shrimp at home

• 5 ways to make deliciously authentic and easy salt-roasted shrimp

• How to make spicy and sour Thai-style sauce shrimp easily

Secrets for flavorful, non-fishy soy sauce marinated shrimp

To make the soy sauce marinated shrimp have a harmonious flavor, you need to pay attention to the quality of the shrimp, how to cook the sauce, and storage conditions. Some tips below will help make the dish more delicious and minimize risks during the preparation process.

• Let the soy sauce cool completely: Only pour the marinade into the container when it has cooled completely to avoid altering the texture of the shrimp meat.
• Do not skip the cleaning step: Remove the back vein, wash the shrimp under running clean water, and maintain utensil hygiene throughout the preparation process.
• Balance the salty and sweet flavors: Soy sauce already has a certain level of saltiness, so you should use the exact amount of sugar and rice syrup in the recipe. If you change the type of soy sauce, the final product’s flavor may vary.
• Use the right amount of garlic, onion, and ginger: These ingredients create a characteristic aroma, helping the marinade bring out its flavor without needing too many other spices.
• Adjust the spiciness: You can reduce the amount of chili or remove the seeds if your family does not eat spicy food. Combining green and red chili helps the dish have a more eye-catching color.
• Continuous cold storage: Keep the dish in the refrigerator compartment at temperatures from 0 – 4°C, use clean utensils when taking out shrimp, and avoid leaving the dish outside the refrigerator for too long. You should make a moderate amount and consume it early; do not assume the dish can be safely stored for 3-5 days just because the container is tightly closed.
• Prioritize cooked shrimp: Soju, soy sauce, and cold marinating time do not guarantee the elimination of pathogens in raw shrimp. Cooking the shrimp before marinating is a safer choice when making this dish at home.

Frequently asked questions when making soy sauce marinated shrimp

What kind of shrimp should be chosen for soy sauce marinating?

Whiteleg shrimp and giant tiger prawns are both suitable for making soy sauce marinated shrimp. Whiteleg shrimp are usually easy to buy, have a mild sweetness, and are convenient to prepare; tiger prawns have thicker, firmer meat. Whichever type you choose, you should pick fresh shrimp with a clear origin and proper preservation.

Should you use raw or lightly blanched shrimp for marinating?

Some Korean recipes use raw shrimp to maintain the characteristic texture, but marinating in soy sauce does not mean the shrimp has been safely cooked. When preparing at home, you should cook the shrimp before marinating to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Merely blanching them slightly does not ensure safety if the shrimp has not reached the necessary level of doneness.

How long does it take to eat marinated shrimp?

For cooked shrimp, you can enjoy them after about 4-6 hours of marinating in the refrigerator compartment. The shrimp will absorb spices more richly when marinated longer, depending on the size of the shrimp and the preparation method.

For raw shrimp, they may absorb the soy sauce after about 12-24 hours, but this time does not guarantee safety when eaten raw because soy sauce does not reliably kill bacteria and parasites. Therefore, you should cook the shrimp before marinating and keep them under continuous refrigeration.

To help the shrimp absorb seasonings evenly and have a richer flavor, it should be marinated for about 2-3 days in the refrigerator compartment for cooked shrimp, while ensuring consumption within the safe storage time.

How long can soy sauce marinated shrimp be stored?

Storage time depends on the freshness of the shrimp, preparation method, utensil hygiene, and refrigerator temperature. You should keep the dish at 4°C or below, make small batches, and consume it early. If strange odors, slime, or signs of spoilage appear, discard the dish and do not taste it to check.

What is soy sauce marinated shrimp served with?

Soy sauce marinated shrimp is often served with hot white rice, seaweed, kimchi, or fresh greens to balance the rich flavor of the sauce. You can sprinkle some roasted sesame seeds or chopped scallions when enjoying. If the soy sauce is quite salty, you should use a moderate amount and combine it with savory-light dishes.

Above is how to make soy sauce marinated shrimp in authentic Korean style that you can easily make at home. Do not forget to follow Ola Squid to discover many more delicious, attractive seafood recipes and change up the flavors for your family meals!