How to Cook Mantis Shrimp (皮皮虾) — Salt & Pepper Style

Prep:9 min

Cook:9 min

Serves:2–4

Difficulty:Medium

Mantis shrimp (皮皮虾, pí pí xiā) are one of the great delicacies of Chinese coastal cuisine. They look prehistoric, they're a nightmare to peel, and they're absolutely worth every bit of effort. The meat is sweet, succulent, and unlike any other shellfish you've tasted. Salt-and-pepper preparation lets the natural sweetness of the mantis shrimp truly shine.

Mantis shrimp are prized in Cantonese, Fujian, and Shandong coastal cuisine. They're a seasonal delicacy, best in spring when the females are full of roe (which is considered the best part). Eating mantis shrimp is a communal, hands-on experience — you need a whole pile of napkins and no concern for dignity.

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh mantis shrimp
• Oil for deep frying
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 small red chilies, sliced
• 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorn salt (ground Sichuan peppercorns mixed with salt)
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Scallions for garnish

Instructions

1
Rinse mantis shrimp thoroughly. Use kitchen shears to cut along both sides of the belly shell — this makes them much easier to peel after cooking.
2
Pat the mantis shrimp completely dry. Toss them lightly with cornstarch, shaking off any excess.
3
Heat oil to 375°F (190°C) in a deep wok or pot. You need enough oil to submerge the shrimp.
4
Fry the mantis shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes until the shells turn red-orange and are crispy. Don't overcrowd — this drops the oil temperature and makes them greasy.
5
Remove and drain on paper towels. Let the oil come back to temperature between batches.
6
Drain all but 1 tablespoon of oil from the wok. Over high heat, add garlic and chilies. Stir-fry for 15 seconds.
7
Return all the fried mantis shrimp to the wok. Sprinkle with Sichuan peppercorn salt, white pepper, and sugar. Toss vigorously for 30 seconds to coat evenly.
8
Garnish with scallions and serve immediately on a platter lined with paper for easy cleanup.

Pro Tips

💡Buy them alive if possible — fresh mantis shrimp should be active and responsive.
💡The roe (yellow-orange mass) in female mantis shrimp is the most prized part. Don't discard it!
💡Wear gloves when handling raw mantis shrimp — they have sharp edges that can cut your hands.
💡If you can't find mantis shrimp, this same preparation works beautifully with regular large shrimp.

Serving Suggestions

Pile the crispy mantis shrimp on a large platter in the center of the table. Serve with cold beer, plenty of napkins, and a bowl for shells. Pair with a simple stir-fried vegetable and steamed rice to round out the meal.