• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Nomss.com logo
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • ABOUT US
    • SPONSORSHIP
  • RECIPES
    • Appetizer and Snacks
    • Chinese Medicinal Food Therapy
    • Desserts
    • Dips and Spreads
    • Drinks and Smoothies
    • Main Dishes
    • Salad Dressing
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches and Banh Mi
    • Seasoning and Spices
    • Soups and Stews
  • RESTAURANTS
    • DINING
      • Asian
        • Chinese
        • Japanese
        • Korean
        • Malaysian
        • Cambodian
        • Burmese
        • Singaporean
        • Vietnamese
      • American
        • Northwest
        • Steakhouse
      • Desserts
      • European
        • Belgian
        • French
        • German
      • Latin American
        • Spanish
        • Mexican
      • Mediterranean
        • Lebanese
        • Middle Eastern
        • Persian
  • MOTHERHOOD
  • LIFESTYLE
    • TRAVEL
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About Us
  • Recipes
    • Vegan
    • Air Fryer
    • Appetizer and Snacks
    • Chinese TCM
    • Desserts
    • Drinks and Smoothies
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches and Banh Mi
    • Soups and Stews
  • Lifestyle
  • Subscribe
  • Follow Me

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipe Review » Easy Chinese Poached Spot Prawns 白灼蝦

    Easy Chinese Poached Spot Prawns 白灼蝦

    May 15, 2022 · 49 Comments

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    Chinese Poached Spot Prawns 白灼蝦
    Chinese Poached Spot Prawns 白灼蝦

    Chinese Poached Spot Prawns 白灼蝦 is one of the simplest and tastiest ways to enjoy the sweet, buttery and delicate flavours of BC Spot Prawns. It takes 5 minutes for Chinese restaurant quality easy recipes at home! Serve and enjoy with plain rice and shrimp dipping sauce!

    ow to Cook and Eat Spot Prawns
    Jump to:
    • What Are Spot Prawns?
    • Where Can You Buy Spot Prawns
    • Health Benefits of Spot Prawns.
    • Tiger Prawns vs Spot Prawn Substitutes
    • Mud Line On The Back Of The Shrimp
    • How To Store Spot Prawns Before Cooking
    • Chinese Boiled Spot Prawn Recipe Ingredients
    • Optional for frying the prawn heads
    • How To Cook Spot Prawns?
    • How To Peel and Unsheathe Tasty Prawns
    • What To Do With Leftover Spot Prawn Heads
    • What To Serve With Spot Prawns
    • Chinese Poached Spot Prawns 白灼蝦

    What Are Spot Prawns?

    Wild B.C. spot prawns are known for their vibrant reddish-orange color with white stripes on the legs and distinctive white spots on the tail. Spot prawn season only come for a limited short season. The harvest season only lasts six to eight weeks in the month of May. Spot prawns are trap caught off the Pacific Coast of North America from San Diego to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. They are sometimes referred to as Alaska spot prawns or "The Lobster of Alaska." They have the highest quality prawn meat.

    Where Can You Buy Spot Prawns

    You can buy and pre-order these succulent prawns at your local grocery stores, Asian markets, or local spot prawns vendors. Frozen spot prawns are also available year round in Canada.

    Health Benefits of Spot Prawns. 

    Spot Prawns are high in amino acids, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, iodine and astaxanthin antioxidants.

    raw spot prawns

    Tiger Prawns vs Spot Prawn Substitutes 

    logo
    Food Advertisements by

    If you can not get fresh spot prawns, you can also substitute them with other varieties of shrimp, like tiger shrimp with shells.  

    When it is not live spot prawns season, we usually use large jumbo range size shrimps of 16 to 20 shrimp per pound (U-16/20).

    Tiger shrimps are significantly larger compared to spot prawns. These large shrimp has a meaty and firm texture, whereas spot prawns are delicate and with a melt-in-your-mouth buttery bouncy texture. Fresh shrimp are great for grilling during barbecue season.

    Mud Line On The Back Of The Shrimp

    The black line on the back of the shrimp is the intestinal tract of the prawn. It is more pleasant to eat if it is removed. Use a small paring knife and cut along the outer, thickest part of the shrimp of the back of the raw shrimp. Remove the vein.

    How To Store Spot Prawns Before Cooking

    The best way to preserve fresh live shrimp before cooking is to remove the head. 

    After removal of the heads helps maintain the freshness of the shrimp. Keep them in a container and cover them with a bag of ice.

    Learn more about spot prawns HERE.

    ow to Cook and Eat Spot Prawns

    Chinese Boiled Spot Prawn Recipe Ingredients

    To make this classic Cantonese seafood recipe, all you need is a few fresh ingredients for your shoppingl ist.

    • British Columbia Spot Prawns
    • Water
    • Sea Salt

    Optional for frying the prawn heads

    • corn starch
    • vegetable oil
    chinese poached spot prawns

    How To Cook Spot Prawns?

    The simple secret to enjoying whole spot prawns is poaching them in a large pot of water boiling with sea salt. 

    The most important thing is to keep it a short process.

    Spot shrimp cook fast! It is a fine line between cooking live prawns and cooking them 'just right"! 

    I like them best poached for 30 seconds. Quickly blanched whole prawns in boiling hot water and served with a chilli soy dipping sauce (Recipe Here). 

    You can prepare the Asian Seafood Dipping Sauce while the water is boiling. In a small bowl, mix together two tablespoons light soy sauce or steamed fish soy sauce, minced clove of garlic, shallot, finely chopped green onion, cilantro, Thai red chili pepper and a little sugar. Set aside.

    Do not cook them for more than one minute. Keep your eyes on these sweet shrimp! Once they turn pink, they are ready!

    How To Peel and Unsheathe Tasty Prawns

    If you have never unsheathe prawns, the first time can be a little scary. There are different ways to shell spot prawns. Just follow the following simple technique!

    Note: the cooked prawns are probably a little hot. Allow it it rest and cool before working with them.

    1. Pull off the head and legs.
    2. Remove the shell starting with the head end, pull off the other shell with your hands. You can keep the last segment of the shell on the tail tip.
    3. Remove and discard the vein.

    Place the unsheathe shells in a plastic bag or container to freeze and to make shell fish stock.

    What To Do With Leftover Spot Prawn Heads

    Do not discard prawn shells or their heads. Spot prawn heads are excellent when deep-fried with a little bit of corn starch dusted. Enjoy it with a gentle squeeze of lemon juice.

    Unsheathe shells are excellent for making Shellfish Stock.

    Chinese Poached Spot Prawns 白灼蝦

    What To Serve With Spot Prawns

    Chinese Chili Soy Dipping Sauce 辣椒豉油熟油

    Air Fryer Cauliflower 氣炸鍋菜花

    Fried Garlic Seafood Fried Rice 金蒜海鮮炒飯

    5 Minute Air Fryer Bean Curd Sheets with Baby Bok Choy Stir Fry 氣炸鍋腐皮蒜蓉炒白菜

    Did you make this Simple and Delicious Chinese Boiled Shrimp Recipe? I'd love to see how you went with my recipes! Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @INSTANOMSS #INSTANOMSS

    Print

    Chinese Poached Spot Prawns 白灼蝦

    Chinese Poached Spot Prawns 白灼蝦
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 37 reviews

    Chinese Poached Spot Prawns 白灼蝦 is one of the simplest and tastiest ways to enjoy the sweet, buttery and delicate flavours of BC Spot Prawns. It takes 5 minutes for Chinese restaurant quality easy recipes at home! Serve and enjoy with plain rice and shrimp dipping sauce!

    • Author: Nancy
    • Prep Time: 4
    • Cook Time: 1
    • Total Time: 5 minutes
    • Yield: 2-4 persons 1x
    • Category: Main Dishes
    • Method: Boil
    • Cuisine: Chinese

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 lbs of Spot Prawns
    • 6 cups water
    • 2 tbsp Sea Salt

    Instructions

    1. Boil six cups of water and sea salt in a large pot at medium-high heat.
    2. Once the water is boiling, quickly poach fresh live shrimp for approximately 30 seconds. It is essential to keep it a short process. Once they turn pink, they are ready!
    3. Transfer the poached sweet spot prawns to a serving plate with a ladle.
    4. Spread prawns in a single layer on the serving plate.
    5. Serve and enjoy!

    Equipment

    perfect pot

    Perfect Pot

    Buy Now →
    stainless steel ladle

    stainless steel ladle

    Buy Now →
    kitchen tongs

    kitchen tongs

    Buy Now →

    Notes

    Serve with 辣椒豉油熟油 Chinese Chili Soy Dipping Sauce

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 bowl
    • Calories: 193
    • Sugar:
    • Sodium: 269.7 mg
    • Fat: 1.2 g
    • Carbohydrates: 0 g
    • Fiber:
    • Protein: 45.6 g
    • Cholesterol: 364.9 mg

    Keywords: Spot Prawns, dipping sauce, soy sauce, chili, Chinese, seafood, steamed fish soy sauce, Chinese, boiled prawns, bc spot prawns, recipe

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @instanomss on Instagram and hashtag it #instanomss

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes
    Chinese Poached Spot Prawns 白灼蝦

    Pin the above image to your Chinese Recipe Pinterest Board to bookmark this page. We are so excited to share our recipes with you!

    More Chinese Recipes

    Sichuan Mala Mouth Water Chicken 四川麻辣口水雞

    Air Fryer BBQ Pork Char Siu 氣炸鍋蜜汁叉燒

    Red Bean Soup (Instant Pot) 蓮子百合紅豆沙

    Braised Beef Brisket & Tendon 柱侯蘿蔔炆牛筋腩

    Best Postpartum Pig Trotter Black Vinegar and Ginger 豬腳薑醋

    • Moisturizing Chinese Apple Sea Coconut Soup 雪梨蘋果海底椰玉竹無花果湯
      Moisturizing Chinese Apple Sea Coconut Soup 雪梨蘋果海底椰玉竹無花果湯
    • Chinese Papaya Dessert with Snow Fungus (easy) 木瓜雪耳糖水
      Chinese Papaya Dessert with Snow Fungus (easy) 木瓜雪耳糖水
    • VEGAN Chinese Papaya Black Eye Peas White Fungus Soup (no peanuts) 木瓜花生眉豆雪耳湯 (素食)
      Vegan Chinese Papaya Soup with Black Eyed Peas 木瓜花生眉豆雪耳湯素食
    • Chinese Papaya Black Eye Peas White Fungus Soup (no peanuts) 木瓜花生眉豆雪耳湯 (免花生)
      Chinese Papaya Soup with Black Eyed Peas (Easy) 木瓜花生眉豆雪耳雞腳湯
    • 螞蟻上樹 Ants Climbing Up A Tree (Vegan)
      Ants Climbing Up A Tree 螞蟻上樹
    • CHINESE Salt & Pepper chicken knees AIR FRYER RECIPE NOMSS 椒鹽脆雞膝
      Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Knees (Air Fryer) 椒鹽脆雞膝(氣炸鍋)
    • STREET STYLE Hk CURRY FISH BALLS 港式咖哩魚蛋 (街頭小食)
      Hong Kong Curry Fish Balls 港式咖哩魚蛋 (街頭小食)
    • 蒜子蜜汁骨 Chinese Honey Garlic Pork Ribs (Air Fry)
      Honey Garlic Pork Ribs (Air Fry) 蒜子蜜汁骨

    This post contains affiliate links and/or products submitted to Nomss for editorial consideration. To find out more, please visit our About/Disclaimer page.

    Remove Ad-Block to view shopping guide!

    logo
    Food Advertisements by

    More Recipes

    • チキンカツ丼 Easy Crispy Chicken Katsu don Crispy Fried Chicken Cutlet Nomss
      Easy Crispy Chicken Katsu Don チキンカツ丼
    • Easy Lemon Poppy Seed Yogurt Loaf
      Easy Lemon Poppy Seed Yogurt Loaf
    • ROASTED BEETS FIGS TOMATO SALAD
      Roasted Beets Dried Figs Tomato Salad
    • Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe Cheesecake Factory Copycat nomss
      Best Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe Cheesecake Factory Copycat

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chloe says

      May 26, 2022 at 5:23 pm

      I think I've been boiling my prawns for too long - I'll try your 30 second method next time!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Tatiana says

      May 25, 2022 at 2:11 pm

      Great prawns recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Jessica K says

      May 24, 2022 at 8:50 am

      My fiancé will love if I prepare these. They are delicious with a little butter and garlic.

      Reply
    4. Linda says

      May 23, 2022 at 11:14 pm

      What a delicious treat for the whole family!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Addie says

      May 23, 2022 at 8:21 pm

      Such a flavorful recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Terri says

      May 23, 2022 at 7:58 pm

      I wish I could get delicious fresh seafood where I live, but alas I'm landlocked. I hope it's Spot Prawn season the next time I visit the west coast!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    7. Abhi says

      May 23, 2022 at 7:40 pm

      Such an interesting way to cook spot prawns. Thanks for sharing!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    8. Jane says

      May 23, 2022 at 4:25 pm

      I like how quick and easy this is to make. Glad learning Chinese recipes.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    9. Andy says

      May 23, 2022 at 1:20 pm

      simple and delicious!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    10. Amanda says

      May 23, 2022 at 12:29 am

      I loved this recipe so easy and tasty. Thank you for sharing!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    11. Amy says

      May 23, 2022 at 12:07 am

      My favourite way to eat prawns and with a whole bunch of dipping sauces.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    12. Devan says

      May 22, 2022 at 11:37 pm

      I LOVE BC spot prawns. I love how you kept the recipe simple too. Thanks for sharing this!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    13. Alexandra says

      May 22, 2022 at 11:10 pm

      I love spot prawns, and this post is so useful! Thank you!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    14. Freya says

      May 22, 2022 at 10:56 pm

      I have never heard of spot prawns but I’m always fascinated by your recipes and stories!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    15. Donny says

      May 21, 2022 at 4:14 pm

      I wasn't sure but I made them with the chili soy dipping sauce and they're so good! So easy to make, too.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    16. Andrea says

      May 21, 2022 at 7:26 am

      I've never cooked prawns like this before. Thanks!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    17. Stacey says

      May 20, 2022 at 10:37 am

      So excited to try this recipe. I have only had these at restaurants and never tried making them at home. thanks for the simple instructions.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    18. Elaine says

      May 19, 2022 at 9:20 pm

      If we haven't caught them ourselves, I buy them fresh from the boats at the dock in the bay here. Needless to say, I LOVE spot prawns. They're incomparable! I serve them in a variety of ways, but when I saw your recipe for Chili Soy Dipping Sauce, I knew I had to try it. Fantastic!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    19. ChihYu says

      May 19, 2022 at 7:32 pm

      Delicious, easy and beautiful! Thank you for the tips on what to do with the leftovers!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    20. Vanessa says

      May 19, 2022 at 10:54 am

      I love spot prawns and this simple method for cooking them. It really lets them shine!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    21. Lesley says

      May 19, 2022 at 8:35 am

      These look delicious, I could eat the entire bowl on my own, such a simple recipe too.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    22. Asha says

      May 19, 2022 at 8:09 am

      Such an informative article on the preparation of spot prawns. Thanks for the useful tips 🙂

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    23. Janice says

      May 19, 2022 at 6:55 am

      I am huge fan of prawns and I love how simple this recipe is, showcasing the prawns first and foremost.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    24. Colleen says

      May 18, 2022 at 12:15 pm

      We're spending the weekend on the Sunshine Coast and our friend is sending us home with spot prawns, so this post was just in time! We usually grill them, but now I want to try poaching them. Thanks for sharing!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        May 18, 2022 at 7:05 pm

        wow enjoy Sunshine Coast! You will have so much fun and enjoy all the seafood!

        Reply
    25. Bernice says

      May 18, 2022 at 9:29 am

      Three cheers for spot prawn season! This is the year I order a FEAST from the west coast. I'm going to make them just like you do as I've heard poaching is the best way to enjoy their delicate flavour.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    26. Addie says

      May 16, 2022 at 8:36 pm

      So easy and delicious!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    27. Gina Abernathy says

      May 16, 2022 at 6:35 pm

      We have a seafood market close by our home. I will have to look for some prawns next time I shop at the market. I do buy shrimp at least once every other month. This recipe looks so good.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    28. Lisa says

      May 16, 2022 at 3:47 pm

      We are headed up salmon fishing next weekend and hoping to trap some spot prawns as well. This is the perfect recipe to prepare them! Great information, thank you.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        May 16, 2022 at 4:35 pm

        enjoy your fishing trip!! I can't wait to see your catch!

        Reply
    29. Janessa says

      May 16, 2022 at 3:27 pm

      I have never tried cooking spot prawns before, but I think I will give it a try now! Thank you for this thorough post and all of the tips!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        May 16, 2022 at 4:35 pm

        Enjoy!! spot prawns are amazing!

        Reply
    30. Emily says

      May 16, 2022 at 2:13 pm

      I've never made these before, but your instructions were very clear and helpful. Thanks for sharing!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        May 16, 2022 at 4:35 pm

        Thanks Emily! Can't wait to see your creations!

        Reply
    31. Agnieszka says

      May 16, 2022 at 2:02 pm

      Easy to follow recipe! Thank you, very helpful.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        May 16, 2022 at 4:35 pm

        glad it helped!

        Reply
    32. Natalie says

      May 16, 2022 at 10:01 am

      I followed your advice and recipe and I can't thank you enough. It was delicious, thanks!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        May 16, 2022 at 4:36 pm

        Spot prawn season is not to be missed!

        Reply
    33. Tatiana says

      May 16, 2022 at 6:14 am

      Love learning new recipes with my favorite seafood

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        May 16, 2022 at 4:38 pm

        OH that would be nice!

        Reply
    34. Nora says

      May 15, 2022 at 10:14 pm

      What a great and super easy variation to prepare prawns! Thanks for the recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        May 16, 2022 at 4:38 pm

        It's a Chinese classic that is super easy!

        Reply
    35. Andrea says

      May 15, 2022 at 7:05 pm

      it's great how simple this recipe is!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        May 16, 2022 at 4:39 pm

        It does the cooking for you!

        Reply
    36. Jere Cassidy says

      May 15, 2022 at 5:28 pm

      I never see spot prawns but buy the tiger prawns alot. Honestly, as simple as it is to cook these mine usually come out chewy. You are right they do cook fast and I have always gone overboard on boiling them.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        May 16, 2022 at 4:40 pm

        Tiger prawns works just as well!! I love them too when it is not spot prawn season!

        Reply
      • Rebecca says

        May 22, 2022 at 11:14 pm

        I love the simplicity of this recipe

        ★★★★★

        Reply
    37. Jan says

      May 15, 2022 at 5:02 pm

      Never tried poached prawn before, so tender!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        May 16, 2022 at 4:41 pm

        tender and still full of bite and bounce!

        Reply

    Comment Below Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    nancy wu nomss.com

    Hi, I'm Nancy!

    I'm a finance professional and a Mommy to a toddler girl based Vancouver, BC, Canada.

    I love modern Chinese cooking, Asian inspired recipes and healthy vegan / vegetarian / plant-based substitutes focused on healthy family, wellness and sustainability.

    For skincare, beauty and Motherhood, visit our sister blog hellonance.com

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Microwave Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes Recipe
      Microwave Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes (Vegan)
    • Traditional Dalgona Whipped Coffee Recipe 달고나 커피
      Traditional Dalgona Whipped Coffee Recipe 달고나 커피
    • Espresso Latte with Dalgona Chocolate Recipe
      Espresso Latte with Dalgona Chocolate Recipe (Easy)
    • Crispy Kabocha Seeds (Air Fryer) 氣炸鍋辛辣南瓜子
      Crispy Kabocha Seeds (Air Fryer) 氣炸鍋辛辣南瓜子
    • Easy Red Bean Soup with coconut milk 椰汁紅豆沙
      Easy Red Bean Soup With Coconut Milk 椰汁紅豆沙
    • Ba Wong Fa rafflesia soup nomss
      Ba Wong Fa Soup for Cough and Phlegm 霸王花無花果瘦肉響螺湯
    • Si Shen Tang Herbal Soup for Managing Adrenal Fatigue 四神湯
      Si Shen Tang Herbal Soup Adrenal Fatigue 四神湯
    • Silkie Chicken Cordyceps Soup with Fish Maw and Conch 蟲草花花膠响螺煲烏雞湯
      SILKIE CHICKEN CORDYCEPS FISH MAW CONCH SOUP 蟲草花花膠响螺煲烏雞湯

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Shop my Liketo.Knowit

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Nomss.com #instanomss