Umami GuruRecipes

Xia Wei Toast (虾味吐司)

China

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Xia Wei Toast, Chinese shrimp toast snack illustrated in a Ghibli‑style watercolor

Shrimp toast is an aromatic toast with a spicy shrimp paste, coated with sesame and fried to a golden crust. It can be prepared in a skillet or an air‑fryer.

Ingredients

Steps

  1. Illustration of making Xia Wei Toast, Studio Ghibli style

    Place the shrimp, egg white, green onion, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt and ground white pepper in a blender and blend until a smooth, sticky paste forms.

  2. Chinese Xia Wei Toast, cooking step, anime illustration in Studio Ghibli style

    Divide the paste into 6 equal portions and spread each portion evenly onto a slice of bread, covering it to the edges.

  3. Chinese cuisine step illustration, Xia Wei Toast, anime cooking illustration

    Sprinkle sesame seeds over each prepared slice, gently pressing them onto the paste so they adhere.

  4. Xia Wei Toast – Chinese cuisine anime cooking illustration

    Cut each prepared piece of bread diagonally into 4 triangles.

  5. Anime-style illustration of the Xia Wei Toast cooking step

    Fry the triangles in a skillet with heated vegetable oil: first with the seed side down until golden, then flip and fry the other side.

  6. Xia Wei Toast, Chinese cuisine, Ghibli‑style cooking illustration

    Air‑fryer version: preheat the air‑fryer to 240 °C, brush both sides of the bread with a little vegetable oil and cook for 3 minutes until toasted.

FAQ

What is Xia Wei Toast (虾味吐司)?

Xia Wei Toast, or shrimp toast, is a savory Chinese appetizer featuring a spiced shrimp paste spread on bread, coated with sesame seeds, and fried until golden and crispy.

How do you pronounce 虾味吐司?

The pronunciation of 虾味吐司 is 'Xiā Wèi Tǔ Sī'.

Can I make Xia Wei Toast in an air fryer?

Yes, this recipe can be prepared in an air fryer for a crispy finish with less oil.

What can I substitute for shrimp in this recipe?

For a vegetarian option, you could try using a firm tofu or mushroom paste, though the flavor profile will change significantly.

What are the best dipping sauces for Xia Wei Toast?

Xia Wei Toast pairs wonderfully with sweet chili sauce, soy sauce with a touch of vinegar, or a spicy mayonnaise.